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A powerful Novel with 3 books in one of two families struggles to accept their differences in a time when weather conditions take a toll on one family more than another. Two completely different views on religion and life of Mormon and Texan are two families in 1917. Circumstances come across and the families unite but not with ease. Secrets, evil, good, love, hate, and many more emotions are revealed within their time spent with each other. Can these two families settle their differences in the world and unit or will they break apart... Find out when you read this exciting, captivating, extraordinarily interesting book! 05/28/2011 Michelle Lichtenfels ReviewTheBook.com Once I started reading Power's Garden, an historical novel by Dianne Ebertt Beeaff, I could not put it down. It took me only a couple of days to finish this exciting novel! I believe that Power's Garden should be a part of high school literature and history classes, as the culture clashes between the two families - one Texan, the other Mormon, reveal so much of the motivations, emotions and historical backgrounds of both of these diverse societies. It's very obvious that Dianne has meticulously researched the Southeastern Arizona Gila Valley desert environs, as well as the part World War I played in various lives in 1917. This is the way to learn history - through the experiences of the people, who seemed very real, even though this is a novel! I found myself wanting to follow what was happening to these families, who faced tragedy, love, ostracism, drought, intrigue, illness, betrayal and death. I am endeavoring to see that Power's Garden is in both schools and libraries here in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as in other locations where I have connections. And I'm looking forward to Dianne Ebertt Beeaff's next novel! Sincerely, Nedra Ross Moore Host Bob Lee interviews Dianne Ebertt Beeaff, author, Power's Garden, Beeaff’s first novel: Beeaff says it tells the tale of two southeastern Arizona families-one Texan, the other Mormon-whose lives dramatically collide in the midst of World War I. She says their story of heartbreak and triumph is woven around the infamous 1918 "Power's Garden" shootout, a controversial altercation between a Mormon band of sheriff's deputies and a group of Texas ranchers that left four men dead. She says the event sparked the most intensive manhunt in Arizona history. Bob Lee InFocus on Fox11AZ.com Posted on November 9, 2009 at 2:20 PM "Power's Garden depicts the timeless struggles that families encounter in any era - between each other, with society, and with economic circumstances - and does so in a compelling and honest way. The story infuses factual history as two families of different backgrounds and religious beliefs interact per society's rules in the early 1900's. But the theme of the story is applicable to present day and any religion. Each chapter keeps you interested through to the end." Karla D. Christensen Vice President Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. "Power's Garden is a powerfully written story about a tragic yet important episode in the history of the American West and the integration of the Latter-Day-Saint culture. While impossible to put down, this fascinating historical account will also highlight human nature and enlighten anyone who wants to better understand how a nation's personality can be developed." ~Robert P. Young, MD Education Week lecturer, Brigham Young University Member-Abraham Lincoln Forum, Smithsonian Institution, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Foundation for Ancient American Research Author mines famous gunfight for her novel tale Southern Arizona Authors "In February 1918, at a homestead in Aravaipa Canyon, four armed Graham County lawmen presumably were intent on bringing to justice Tom and John Power, two brothers accused of "dodging" the World War I draft. "A gunfight ensued with three members of the Power family and an employee. Three of the lawmen were killed. Three members of the Power group went to prison for murder. "In Beeaff's quietly impressive, meticulously researched historical novel, the famous gunfight at the Power cabin is almost a side issue. Beeaff's focus is on the history in Graham County that made the Power incident seem inevitable. "The novel takes place in real time in the three months before the shootout. In flashbacks, she covers more than a half-century as the upper Gila River Valley fills with settlers. A surprise ending polishes off the finale." ~ J.C. Martin SPECIAL TO THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR Tucson, Arizona 08/07/2009 "Power's Garden takes us back in time to 1917 with vivid imagery, heartfelt emotion and rich historical detail. Teaching us lessons of times past that are equally applicable today, Dianne Ebertt Beeaff paints a stunning portrait of love and betrayal, belief and deception that transcends contemporary fiction, giving us an unforgettable glimpse into the lives two families who are enmeshed in conflict but bound by love. Their fictional characters woven into a fascinating chapter of Arizona history, the Texan Brennicks and Mormon Beechams become so real in our minds and hearts that we wish they could step off the pages and tell us what happens next! Captivating…An excellent read!" ~ Jennifer Steele Christensen Utah Public Radio Deseret News Correspondent 
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