Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Montana Gold #2

Cheyenne Sunrise

Rate this book
Can a woman with no faith in men learn to trust the half-Cheyenne trail guide determined to protect her?

Young Irish widow Bry Brennan doesn’t want another husband to break her spirit. When she and her brother Con join a wagon train headed to Montana Territory, Bry ignores her fascination with Nick Laramie, the handsome trail guide.
Nick lives in an uneasy truce between the settlers and his mother’s tribe without fully fitting in among either. With no intention of dragging a woman into his troubles, he stifles his yearning for Bry.

The perilous journey throws the two together, leaving Bry no choice but to trust Nick with her life. Can she also trust him with her heart? Answering that riddle forces Bry to confront her unresolved questions about God’s love.
Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest in America, Cheyenne Sunrise explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2018

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Janalyn Voigt

15 books370 followers
Janalyn Voigt's literary education began in childhood when her father read chapters from classic children's books to her as bedtime stories. She grew older, and the bedtime stories stopped, but Janalyn continued to fall asleep to the stories she made up in her head at night. This, combined with her avid consumption of books, gave Janalyn an intuitive grasp of storytelling. Adventure, romance, history, suspense, and fantasy or whimsy appear in every story she writes. Readers who enjoy Janalyn's vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and unpredictable plots often follow her across genres. Janalyn Voigt is represented by Wordserve Literary Agency. For free chapters and reader bonus content, visit the website for Janalyn Voigt.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
65 (56%)
4 stars
33 (28%)
3 stars
14 (12%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,298 reviews1,212 followers
December 15, 2019
This new-to-me author took a theme from her own life to create a gripping tale. Ms. Voigt's father was half Native American and suffered from prejudice against him for his dark skin and hair, being ostracized and taunted.

Nick Laramie had such a life and so much more. Being half Cheyenne he fit in neither his mother's nor his father's world. Always on the outside he learned to keep his distance, understanding the prejudicial treatment he would face if he tried to fall in love with a white woman, yet not fully part of the tribe with whom he lived for years in his youth.

On the other side, Bry Brennan faced similar prejudice because in the 1800s the Irish were so terribly hated and an ill-treated people.

Nick, the scout for a wagon train headed west, felt for the trials Bry faced, both because her violent first marriage, but also for the way people made her feel less than human because of her heritage. But it was impossible for him to act on his feelings for her. Her brothers showed their disapproval, and society would not accept a relationship between the two. Bry felt so strongly for Nick, but his seeming aloofness lead her to believe he did not feel the same way as she.

This was fascinating in itself, but there were so many other side stories on this journey that keep the reader wondering, "What next???”. Indian attacks, miner attacks, forceful attention on Bry, and wrongful accusations were just a few of the hardships faced. But the sweet love and protection Nick felt for Bry was a constant throughout the book and kept me hoping.

I wish there was a more satisfying ending, but still, a very good book
Profile Image for Carrie Schmidt.
Author 1 book424 followers
March 1, 2020
“What else can I do but cling to my Savior?”

Voigt is a new author to me, and this book in particular examines our propensity to judge an entire race or people group based on the actions of a few. It also explores intricacies of an abiding faith, even when life is falling apart.

Bry Brennan and her brothers know what it’s like to be lumped into a single group and judged for their heritage. Yet they must wrestle with the same tendencies when they are introduced to Nick Laramie, the trail guide for the wagon train Bry is on with her brother Con. Born to a French father and a Cheyenne mother, Nick is rejected by both worlds.

Nick’s struggle is tough to read about (in a good ‘this is stretching me’ kind of way) because he is a man of character, yet people so easily assume the worst about him. White people and other Native Americans are guilty of making him not welcome in either culture.

What I loved most about this story was that it was so much more than a token “overcoming the barriers and attitudes toward a mixed-culture romance”. That aspect is certainly an element in their story, no question. But the author takes us on a deeper journey, refusing to romanticize the history of the time and presenting an authentic picture of life as they would have known it, no matter how much we might want to turn away from the reality. Yet, even as she paints a raw portrayal of racism, grief, and tragedy, she also frames it against the backdrop of grace and the perfect love of a Savior who is for all.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

first seen at Diversity Between The Pages
1,290 reviews30 followers
February 27, 2018
I am grateful to Mountain Brook Ink for giving me a copy of this book. The fact I received this book for free does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

My review is 4.5 Stars

Reading Cheyenne Sunrise was an adventure.  Following Bry on her journey from Boston to Montana not only covered miles in distance but was also a journey of learning about faith and forgiveness.  There is a strong Christian theme that was beautifully woven into the story.

The story tackled the difficult subject of prejudice as well.  Not only prejudice against Nick, the "half-breed", but also against the Irish immigrants and those who are handicapped.  In a world filled with fear of people who are different, this is always a timely and important subject.

The characters were very realistic and written in such a way that caused me to care about what happened to them.  With the number of times I've read of perilous journeys across the U.S. via wagon train and the loss of lives, this was the first time that I considered the impact it must have had on the wagon train leaders who saw this happen time and time again.

Though the story was primarily the story of Bry and Nick, the secondary characters were so important to the story, and again, written in such a way that made me care about them.  I am hoping the next book will tell what happened to Bry's brother, Con, and maybe tell more of the story of Maisy.

Here is a quote from the book to give you an idea of the beautiful descriptions of the book:

Nick retreated into the shadow of a lone oak.  A kingfisher chided him from its branches and flew away in a flurry of feathers. The day had gentled toward evening and the bird hovered above the river, batting its wings like a dragonfly. In the background, the wash and flow of water sang a rippling harmony. Music gushed from the wagon camp, a poor substitute for the cadences of nature. The kingfisher swooped to the painted surface, and then flapped upward with a fish in its beak.


Due to the subject matter of the book, there was some violence in it related to Indian attacks and a brief description of physical abuse.  The violence was not gratuitous, nor were the Indian attacks presented in such a way as to be disrespectful of Indians.

This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net
Profile Image for Heidi.
Author 2 books1 follower
April 11, 2018
I turned on my Kindle and settled into reading this book and about five pages in I went, “oh…this book isn’t messing around.” And that assessment carried through until the end of the book. Each time I thought I had it figured that I knew where Janalyn Voigt was going with the story, that thread was resolved and I’m looking at the bottom of my Kindle and seeing I still have over half a book left. With about 100 pages left I finally just acknowledged to myself I wasn’t going to figure it out and went along for the story.

Bry Brennan’s life so far has been marked by trials. Escaping the slums only to enter an abusive marriage, when her brother suddenly appears in her life and asks her to join him out west, it can only mean things go up from there, right? Nick Laramie is also no stranger to trials, being of two worlds and not really belonging to either of them. The wagon train to the Montana Territory brings their stories together, but the world isn’t going to make it easy for them.

This is what I expected. They get thrown together and grow closer due to both experiencing racism against them (her Irish and him half-Cheyenne) and have to convince their loved ones of the merit of the other. There is so much more going on in this book.

Historical fiction is not my go to genre because often times it feels to me like it is romanticizing a “simpler time”. I’m sorry but I’m really fond of running water, women’s rights, and I don’t care how husky the guys voice is your life would have been very hard and you both probably would have died young. This book does not make light of the hardships of that time but it also shows the beauty. I loved how steeped in history it felt, it seemed like a window into another time, not making a declaration of value, simply look at what people did in a different time of history.

I loved this book, I would recommend it in heartbeat. Janalyn addresses loss, abuse, racism, and love with a masterful hand and is an excellent storyteller. I learned more about that time in history and look forward to reading the last book in the series.

Profile Image for Edward Arrington.
1,049 reviews11 followers
December 27, 2017
I enjoyed this exciting historical Western novel. When the first chapter opened in Boston in 1865, I wondered if I had misunderstood. Very quickly, however, we find Con and Bryanna, a brother and sister who had not seen each other in a number of years, leaving Boston to head west. What excitement and adventure as they joined a wagon train to make the journey to Con’s ranch in Montana Territory. Nick, who was half Cheyenne and half French, was the guide for the wagon train. I found it intriguing that Con, who had suffered prejudice at the hands of those who hated Irish immigrants like him, was prejudiced against Nick and anyone else with Indian blood. The action was riveting and kept the book flowing nicely. I loved the descriptions of the various settings as the wagon train progressed toward Montana Territory and Oregon. I still have a dream of seeing that part of our great country even though much has changed since the 1800s. Reverend Hayes, who had a key role in the first book of this series, was a welcome participant as he continued helping others and spreading the Good News. With his growing maturity as a person and in His walk with the Lord, he continued to spread wisdom to those to whom he ministered. For those who like romance, I think you will find enough to hold your interest. I felt there was a good balance between action, adventure, and romance. I received an advance copy of the book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
747 reviews14 followers
January 26, 2018
"Cheyenne Sunrise" is the 2nd book in the Montana Territory series. The characters from the first book play a fairly large role in the 2nd half of the book, but it isn't hard to follow as you don't feel like you are missing something. I really liked Nick and empathized with his struggles. I enjoyed the inclusion of the Indian/Native American culture. There were many "adventures" that take place and I never was sure what was going to happen. The inclusion of actual historical events was interesting and a cause of learning something new for me. I found the faith element to be well done and woven throughout the book well. I look forward to reading more books by Janalyn Voigt.

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,082 reviews62 followers
April 28, 2019
Another amazing story in the Montana Gold series!
I especially loved the family connection that led Janalyn to write about the Natives in the area! This book seems true and fair, to the ways of both the Western migration, and the Native American heritage as much as I understand it. I would compare this to parts of The Blue Tattoo: Life of Olive Oatman by Margot Mifflin in accuracy, even though this is a work of fiction! I was enthralled with this love story but especially the undercover love story of Jesus chasing his beloved children! Both the hero and heroine think they know God, but their situations don’t take them farther from their Savior, but closer and they learn to know him and trust him more! This book deals a lot with forgiving the atrocities that happen in this world, and the people who perform them! It’s truly a wonderful love story!
Profile Image for Pamela.
60 reviews
March 6, 2018

Wagons HO!!
WOW what an exciting adventure on the wagon train and Janalyn capture what people really faced. I was on an emotional roller coaster while traveling with this group of people. With each turn of the page I was drawn deeper into a journey of hardships, pain, suffering, Indians and leaving behind love ones as their wagons rolled over their graves. Loved the love story and how these characters had to face so many obstacles and the pain they suffered within their own hearts. God’s love is so tenderly written within the story it made me look at my life differently now.
Readers you don’t want to miss this exciting adventure to find love.
I received a complimentary ebook copy from the author, I wasn’t required to write a review. My opinions of this book are 100% my own.
167 reviews3 followers
February 16, 2018
When I first began reading Janalyn Voigt’s Cheyenne Sunrise, I was happy to be reacquainted with Conner Walsh from the first book in the series. Throughout most of the story, this book also stands well alone. I enjoyed the relationship between Bry and Con, and then as a friendship develops between Bry and Nick. I anxiously waited to see how things would turn out with Thad. The author maintains her poetic descriptions, which enhance Nick’s POV especially and show his background and character well. At the end of the book, there are a few unfinished threads that leave readers waiting for the next book in the series, which I would definitely read.
Profile Image for Robin.
Author 3 books27 followers
December 12, 2019
It kept me wondering...

I truly enjoyed this book. There seemed to be a few issues with formatting and typos, but I was able to continue without stopping. One of the things I didn't like was the persistent hot and cold of the hero and heroine. Yes, it needed to be that way for a while, but I was as relieved as they were when the happy ending finally arrived. 😁
I was totally invested in the characters and enthralled with the plot. The way some of the characters lived the faith they professed was refreshing. And the growth of the characters throughout the story was interesting.
If you like frontier romance that is clean and inspirational, you'll enjoy this book I think.
Profile Image for Linda Thompson.
Author 2 books283 followers
February 11, 2018
Danger and drama in the old West! Fast-paced romance with unforgettable characters and luscious settings. I especially appreciated the view of life on a wagon train. It gave me a fresh awareness of the danger and hardship pioneers were willing to endure in order to start a new life in the West. Of course, we know the star-crossed lovers are going to get together in the end, but Janalyn does a great job of keeping us guessing as to what it's going to take to make that happen. And I love it that she wrote Nick's character, the Cheyenne "half-breed," out of her own family history.
Profile Image for Linda.
192 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2018
Fantastic

I have thoroughly enjoyed these two books. Good western with cowboys, Indians, wagon trains - the whole woks. Good Christian romance with no sex scenes. Just slots of love!! And lots is Godly love
14 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2019
Fun book with a lot of history

Enjoyed this book because, learning about the brave people who tamed this land is really fun.
There were a lot of people to keep track of, but still a very good book
724 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2019
Sunrise

I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books KATTIE.
Profile Image for Melissa.
172 reviews
February 1, 2020
Great Story

This was a really great story. I loved the interesting characters and the story was uplifting and exciting. I'll be reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Lilian80.
78 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. H and h were both strong, kind and compassionate. The romance is very sweet and clean (my favorite kind of romance). My only complaint is the lack of a slow development of love between h and H. They barely had any conversation before falling in love with each other. I wish the author would have spent some time working on the relationship, but instead the first chapters were packed with adventures, death and too much misery.
All these said, I will definitely check other books from this author.
Profile Image for Barbara Thompson.
461 reviews11 followers
February 12, 2018
You will find Cheyenne Sunrise a great western. This western has action and adventure, but the author weaved romance and Christianity into the book. I enjoyed the characters and how they interacted. Author Janalyn Voigt wrote a marvelous western novel. You do not see many books such as Cheyenne Sunrise written today with such western drama. I encourage you to read this book and I believe you will like all the action and adventure. Cheyenne Sunrise is Book Two in Montana Gold series by Author Janalyn Voigt.

I received a copy from the publisher, but was not required to review it. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.