In the early 1800s (1830s – 1860s) it has been estimated that as many as 300,000 men and women may have traveled from the eastern States to the unknown lands of the American west. Some were searching for a better life; some were argonauts, seeking adventure. Whatever the reason, it was not an easy journey. Thousands lost their lives along the trail. Eventually, however, the west was settled and those who survived had stories to tell. Bitter Honey is a fictional story, although some of the experiences in this book could have been a reality for many of those pioneers. The story begins in 1934. Henrietta Blakey is now 103 years old. The Great Depression has overtaken the Midwest and her family is trying to survive on the land she and her husband settled in 1849. For the first time, Henrietta tells the story of her journey west to her granddaughter, Felicity. It is a story filled with hardships, tragedies, hope and enduring love. Hi everyone! The faded picture in the background on the back cover of Bitter Honey is my grandmother, Henrietta. That is the name I also gave to the main character. This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed writing. It was as if Henrietta and I went on a journey together. Because the story is being told by a 103 year old woman, you will not find any foul language, graphic violence or explicit sex scenes. Women in her day did not speak of such things. I believe for those of you who enjoy relaxing with an uncomplicated story, you will find the book interesting. As you imagine the hardships that those first pioneers suffered, you will be very thankful for the luxuries we have today! Perhaps you would have been a Henrietta, too. Sharon's current books:  Mystery series: VIRTUAL ENEMIES, Beryl Swallows is hired to solve a murder - by the victim herself. A mystery within a mystery. This is the first in the Beryl Swallows mystery series. In the second, CASE CLOSED.not, Beryl finds one of her mother's old diaries. Could her own mother have been a murderer? In DEAD END, Beryl must find a killer before her friend spends the rest of his life in prison. The Mabel Wickles mystery series: DECEPTION BY DESIGN, CALAMITY BY THE CAR WASH, COLD CASE CONUNDRUM, FROZEN IDENTITY, MABEL, MURDER & MUFFINS and MEMORIES, MURDER, & MABEL. Mabel is good at finding trouble; however, along with her friend, Flori, and other Parson's Cove citizens, she always seems to find the way out. And find the guilty party!  Historical fiction: SARAH'S VALLEY, carries us on a journey from the east coast of the United States, through the Midwest, and up into Canada. The sequel, RETURN TO SARAH'S VALLEY, continues the story. Now it is Patrick's turn to tell his life story to one of Winnipesaukee's descendants. THE WIDOW'S WALK, centers around life in the early 1800s on the Texas Panhandle and down to the island of Galveston. A family struggles to survive as the Civil War rages. A poem written by the author's mother in 1929, was the inspiration for OLD HOUSE. The house was built in the 1860s and through the next hundred years, you will read of all the people who found shelter within its walls.   BITTER HONEY is a story told by 103 year old Henrietta as she recalls her journey from Tennessee to Nebraska in the early 1800s by covered wagon. A journey filled with tragedy, hardships, and enduring love. BORDER CROSSING is a contemporary novel about a family whose life is turned upside down overnight. The father and daughter are held hostage as the mother is forced to cross the international border into Canada with an accomplice.  Join Sharon on Facebook and Instagram