Winds of Skilak

A Tale of True Grit, True Love and Survival in the Alaskan Wilderness

Non-Fiction - Memoir
404 Pages
Reviewed on 06/28/2014
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Author Biography

After fifteen years as a "wilderness wife" in Alaska, Bonnie Ward now resides with her husband on their farm in central West Virginia. They still maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle, raising goats, chickens, and other barnyard animals, with four dogs and a peacock named George rounding out the menagerie. Bonnie enjoys canning vegetables from the huge gardens sowed by her husband with heirloom open-pollinated seeds, and in her "spare" time, she continues to write her memoirs of the Alaskan wilderness.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

Sam and Bonnie Ward set out to do something right out of many peoples’ dreams. They leave behind friends, family, and their suburban life and embark on a journey into the Alaskan wilderness. A journey that will change them forever. This is the story of a young couple’s adventure, a move from the suburbs of Ohio to a remote island on the always dangerous Skilak Lake. Sam and Bonnie must learn to adapt to a life without running water, electricity, telephones and most of their usual ‘creature comforts’ and tackle head-on the unforgiving and sometimes deadly environment. Here they will face sub-freezing temperatures, unfriendly animals, and even an onset of cabin fever. But, the Wards find strength in new friends and each other, and the awe-inspiring beauty of nature at its very core. All is not easy for them as a freak accident proves to be the test of their tenacity. Will they be able to survive in this isolated wilderness filled with unseen dangers or will they return to a simple and safe life in suburbia?

Author Bonnie Ward records an exciting and thought-provoking tale of their faith in each other through all the things Alaska has to throw at them. Winds of Skilak is a true account of enthralling force, sure to bring out a reader’s own sense of adventure as they eagerly move from chapter to chapter. The book also contains personal photos throughout the chapters, giving the reader glimpses so they can appreciate and get a better understanding and feel of just how the Wards truly lived… A thoroughly enjoyable read. Once I got started, I didn't want to stop. Well done.

deborah moreau

I super enjoyed every page of this book.you express ed so clearly how you both felt and what you experienced on this journey.you have done what I dreamed about 40 years ago but I could not find a partner who would share this dream.you and your husband were truly blessed to meet and share such a great life experience.God bless

Patti Bennett

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I laughed, moaned, shed a few tears and rejoiced - life is a challenge, at times, regardless where you are. Bonnie & Sam were faced with challenges every day and with God in their hearts and by their side, they succeeded. This book has been an inspiration to me and I look forward to future releases about their journey.