Dark hardships play out against the brilliant purity of nature in this achingly poignant novel of survival, love, and loyalty. Dave’s dream is to carve a ranch out of the wild meadows of the Canadian wilderness. Kate’s goal is to survive the hardships and dangers while yearning for tender romance. Her search for spiritual empowerment opposes his old-fashioned religion.
The story will whisk you off like a time machine back into the wild country on one of the last homesteads in British Columbia. Getting there requires access by bush plane or a three-day tractor-and-wagon trip over a rough 4X4 trail. That’s only the beginning of the challenges they must overcome while Kate raises his young stepson and the children they desire. The hardships of isolation, poverty, and harsh climate challenge her growing faith and their very survival.
With grit and ingenuity, can Kate learn how to be poor and proud of it? You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and when you flip the last page, you’ll breathe deeply!
From The Canadian Word Guild, 1st Place!
Honouring the Best of Canadian Christian Writing in 2024, WILDERNESS COURAGE placed 1st in the Life Stories category.
From Reader Reviews ★★★★★
"I developed a high level of respect for Kate and her survivability in the wilderness amid the hardships she faced being the heart of her young family and her husband constantly away. The unfiltered experiences that nature presented to them add to the book’s luminosity and power. From the howling of the wolves and the growling of the grizzlies under the full moon to the blistery afternoons and mid-summer sky mornings, journey with this family on an unforgettable adventure and real account. The book’s lessons on contentment, loyalty, and laughing at small pleasures will be an added bonus for the reader."
From Kirkus Review
"A vivid novel with an appealing premise... Rozek excels at scene-setting, particularly when describing the vast and isolated expanse of nature..."
From The Prairies Review
"Raw, gritty, and moving... In this third installment of the Spirit Quest series, Rozek brings readers into the rugged wilderness of the Chilcotin Plateau, uncovering its raw beauty, relentless challenges, and the profound personal growth that comes from living off the grid... The tension in Kate's marriage to Dave—his cattle-ranching aspirations set against her desire for tenderness and spiritual autonomy—adds depth to the story. Themes of identity, faith, and self-reliance are intricately woven into the plot, with Rozek deftly balancing these elements and using the wilderness as both backdrop and mirror for her characters' transformations... Readers drawn to tales of resilience, personal growth, and the quiet heroism found in facing life's rawest truths won't want to miss this one."
From Self Publishing Review ★★★★
"A touching romance of conflicting lives and divergent goals amongst the natural beauty of British Columbia. Kate and Dave are in the throes of love...and visions of a sprawling ranch in their future, but paying the bills means risky work as a logger for Dave and emotional compromises for Kate. Addressing the hard conversations surrounding spirituality, purpose, family, and place, this character-driven tale is an unvarnished look at the challenge...of following a dream."
Praise or Wilderness Courage
*****Earthy and Provocative Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2025 "It is not often that I can't put a book down, but "Wilderness Courage" was one of those books. The writing is exceptional and genuine. You feel as if you are right there in the northern Canadian wilderness (where my family is from) and come to love and respect the characters in the story. This is more than a novel; it has heart, and is one of those books that stays with you after you finish. Great job, Author Jane Rozek! I am looking forward to more of your work." (by OHBookLvr)
*****Honest and Moving Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2025 "Wilderness Courage is considerably more than a survival story. It incorporates love, hardship, and faith amid frightening isolation. The writing is heartfelt and moving. I felt like I was with Kate throughout her ordeal... though every struggle and triumph, from tent-living to building a life off the grid. This story shows the human spirit at its best. Beautifully done." (by RAW)
The Spirit Quest Series (3 stand-alone books)
EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE SPIRITUAL. DO YOU SEARCH FOR IT OR DOES SPIRIT FIND YOU? THIS SERIES IS BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF A YOUNG WOMAN’S GRAND ADVENTURES IN A WILD LIFESTYLE WHILE DEVELOPING POWERFUL SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
Spirit Quest Series, Book 3
What do you think? Comments or questions are welcome!