She is hired as a seamstress. She must survive an arctic expedition. And she does it all to save her son. Inspired by the incredible true story of Ada Blackjack. Alaska, 1921 : Ada Blackjack's six-year-old son Bennett is dying of tuberculosis in a Nome orphanage. When an arctic expedition offers the Iñupiaq woman a seamstress position―sewing clothes for four men on a remote island―the wages could save his life. Ada accepts, despite being raised in a mission school and knowing little of the skills that might help her survive. It's Bennett or nothing. But Wrangel Island becomes a frozen hell. As they wait for a relief ship that might never come, her male companions fall ill or disappear, forcing Ada to learn how to hunt seals, trap foxes, and fight off polar bears―or Bennett will lose his mother forever. As starvation and scurvy ravage her body, Ada transforms herself into someone unrecognizable, driven by a love so fierce it refuses to surrender to the ice―because every day she survives is another day Bennett might live. From the bestselling author and A Military Writers Society of America gold medal winner comes an unforgettable story that will mesmerize fans of Kristin Hannah, The Frozen River and Where the Crawdads Sing . ' I loved this book and would recommend it to lovers of The Four Winds , Go as a River , Where the Crawdads Sing , Frozen River and Broken Country .' Reader review, 5 stars 'Sometimes you find an author that you love their debut. Then they go and write a second novel that completely and utterly captures your heart!! Every Bend in the River has held me captive… If you step into the pages, it will quietly and thoroughly wrap you in a story you will be sad to leave but so glad you got to be a part of! ' Reader review, 5 stars ' Truly, the inspiring character growth and the beautiful themes weaved within have my heart. My friends, this a gripping dear story worth reading.' Reader review, 5 stars ' What sets What The Silent Say apart is its focus on a lesser-known part of WWII history. Ford uncovers the quiet, untold stories that are just as essential as the major battles and leaders often highlighted in history books.' Reader review, 5 stars ' Exceptional historical fiction , made all the more remarkable by being based on fact… a memorable story which will, I'm sure, linger in my heart long after reading .' Reader review, 5 stars 'Talk about a beautifully written, heartfelt story that will completely sweep you away . This book is a tender and profound journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the enduring power of hope.' Reader review, 5 stars ' The characters are incredibly relatable and their emotional arcs feel deeply authentic, drawing you into their world from the very first page .' Reader review, 5 stars 'This is not just a story of survival; it is a testament to women who refused to surrender to circumstance . Emerson Ford has taken a little-known family story and turned it into something universal―a tale of love, resilience, and the bends in the river of life that shape us all.' Reader review, 5 stars ' A sweeping, emotional, and unforgettable novel . Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, family sagas, and stories that balance romance with grit and authenticity.' Reader review, 5 stars 'Riveting and richly layered, Every Bend in the River reads like an epic movie, crossing time and tumultuous events while weaving a seamless tapestry of endurance, courage, and love . This hardwon happy ending is all the more satisfying being rooted in the author's own ancestry. An unforgettably realistic frontier journey!' Laura Frantz, Christy Award winning author ' My heart! My soul! … When I tell you that this story wrecked me… it will rip your heart out and break it in two . I don't think a book has ever made me feel this way … And the ending! Oh My Gosh I cannot express how much I tried not to sob so I wouldn't wake my family up.' Reader review, 5 stars ' Vivid and heartbreaking, with powerful themes of love, duty, and sacrifice, this is a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page .' Kate Hewitt, bestselling author of The Last Stars in the Sky Emerson Ford is a multi-award-winning author and Military Writers Society of America gold medal winner who resurrects the stories of unsung heroes. She holds a B.A. in English and American Literature and an M.A. in English, and teaches creative writing and literature to high school and university students in the Tucson area. She puts flesh and bone to the facts by combing through archives, consulting historians, and gathering firsthand accounts. When she's not writing or teaching, her favorite part of the day is chatting with her four teenagers about life and hiking the Arizona trails with her labradoodle, Miso.