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Samantha Specks
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Dovetails in Tall Grass: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Samantha Specks (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 204 ratings
See all formats and editions
As war overtakes the frontier, Emma’s family farmstead is attacked by
Dakota-Sioux warriors; on that same prairie, Oenikika desperately tries
to hold on to her calling as a healer and follow the orders of her
father, Chief Little Crow. When the war is over and revenge-fueled war
trials begin, each young woman is faced with an impossible choice. In a
swiftly changing world, both Emma and Oenikika must look deep within and
fight for the truth of their convictions—even as horror and injustice
unfolds all around them.



Inspired by the true story of the thirty-eight Dakota-Sioux men hanged
in Minnesota in 1862—the largest mass execution in US history—Dovetails in Tall Grass is a powerful tale of two young women connected by the fate of one man.
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  1. Print length
    337 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    SparkPress
  5. Publication date
    August 24, 2021
  6. File size
    2777 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

2022 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards Bronze Medal Winner in Fiction (Western)
2021 CIBA Laramie Book Awards Finalist
2021 Best Book Award Winner in Fiction: Western
2021 Best Book Award Finalist in Fiction: Historical
2021 Sarton Book Award Finalist in Historical Fiction
2021 Foreword Indie Bronze Winner in Historical Adult Fiction

“. . . a startling, nuanced amalgam of past events and impressive, delicate literary creation. A dramatically engrossing and thoughtful novel.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Samantha Specks weaves an unforgettable tale of two women in frontier America—one white, one Dakota—each changed forever by the violence of colonization. A remarkably thoughtful and honest look at the human cost of westward expansion; a welcome addition to the world of historical fiction in this new era of truthful storytelling without romanticization of the past. Specks makes a strong debut with Dovetails in Tall Grass. She will be an author worth watching.”
—Olivia Hawker, best-selling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow

“Dovetails in Tall Grass is a stark portrait of both the worst and the best of human nature, compelling, unforgettable, and highly recommended.”
—Midwest Book Reviews

“This extraordinary novel is thought-provoking and heartbreaking, and should be read by all.”
—Historical Novel Society, Editor’s Choice

“Through her honest and uncluttered writing style, Samantha Specks weaves together the threads of heart and history. In doing so, we are reminded that love is the life force that frees us all.”
—Kathleen A. Blatz, Retired Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court

“As a journalist, and as an amateur Minnesota history buff, I appreciate Samantha Specks’s painstaking task of blending the stories of actual historical people with the voices of determination from both young women. I love how she authentically took me back in time and left me wanting to read more. Brava!”
—Diana Pierce, retired news anchor for KARE-TV (NBC) and president of Diana Pierce Productions

“This sweeping story is a gripping epic of a time in our history that we did not know. Emma and Oenikika are painted so vividly that the story stays with you long after you finish. We cannot wait to read the next book!”
—Lori Barghini, myTalk 107.1 talk show host

“Dovetails in Tall Grass allows readers to ponder how history might have been altered if rather than might, we employed our brains and hearts. Perfect choice for book clubs!”
—Martha Hunt Handler, president of the Wolf Conservation Center and author of Winter of the Wolf

“A melancholy piece of historical fiction that is as sincere as it is emotive. The powerful story will draw you in, but it is the intimate storytelling that will keep you absorbed as you experience Dovetails in Tall Grass.” 

—Indies Today 


“Pick up this book. Trust me. You will learn, grow, and be better equipped to amplify the voices of the underrepresented.” 

—Chasing Mr. Darcy 

Review

2021 CIBA Laramie Book Awards Finalist
2021 Best Book Award Winner in Fiction: Western
2021 Best Book Award Finalist in Fiction: Historical
2021 Sarton Book Award Finalist in Historical Fiction
2021 Foreword Indie Bronze Winner in Historical Adult Fiction

“. . . a startling, nuanced amalgam of past events and impressive, delicate literary creation. A dramatically engrossing and thoughtful novel.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Samantha Specks weaves an unforgettable tale of two women in frontier America—one white, one Dakota—each changed forever by the violence of colonization. A remarkably thoughtful and honest look at the human cost of westward expansion; a welcome addition to the world of historical fiction in this new era of truthful storytelling without romanticization of the past. Specks makes a strong debut with Dovetails in Tall Grass. She will be an author worth watching.”
—Olivia Hawker, best-selling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow

“Dovetails in Tall Grass>/I> is a stark portrait of both the worst and the best of human nature, compelling, unforgettable, and highly recommended.”
—Midwest Book Reviews

“This extraordinary novel is thought-provoking and heartbreaking, and should be read by all.”
—Historical Novel Society, Editor’s Choice

“Through her honest and uncluttered writing style, Samantha Specks weaves together the threads of heart and history. In doing so, we are reminded that love is the life force that frees us all.”
—Kathleen A. Blatz, Retired Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court

“As a journalist, and as an amateur Minnesota history buff, I appreciate Samantha Specks’s painstaking task of blending the stories of actual historical people with the voices of determination from both young women. I love how she authentically took me back in time and left me wanting to read more. Brava!”
—Diana Pierce, retired news anchor for KARE-TV (NBC) and president of Diana Pierce Productions

“This sweeping story is a gripping epic of a time in our history that we did not know. Emma and Oenikika are painted so vividly that the story stays with you long after you finish. We cannot wait to read the next book!”
—Lori Barghini, myTalk 107.1 talk show host

“Dovetails in Tall Grass allows readers to ponder how history might have been altered if rather than might, we employed our brains and hearts. Perfect choice for book clubs!”
—Martha Hunt Handler, president of the Wolf Conservation Center and author of Winter of the Wolf


“A melancholy piece of historical fiction that is as sincere as it is emotive. The powerful story will draw you in, but it is the intimate storytelling that will keep you absorbed as you experience Dovetails in Tall Grass.” 

—Indies Today 


“Pick up this book. Trust me. You will learn, grow, and be better equipped to amplify the voices of the underrepresented.” 

—Chasing Mr. Darcy 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QYYCT66
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ SparkPress (August 24, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 24, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2777 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 337 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 204 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Samantha Specks

Samantha Specks

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Samantha Specks is a clinical social worker who has worked on a child/adolescent psychiatric unit, as a Dialectical Behavioral group therapist with adults and adolescents, and as an outpatient psychotherapist. She currently lives in Texas, but her heart and mind resided in Minnesota, her home state, while working on Dovetails in Tall Grass, which is her debut novel. Her happy place is reading a good book or watching a terrible TV show with a cup of tea and her leggings covered in dog hair. Sticking with the theme of strong young women, Samantha and her husband welcomed a baby girl to their family while she was writing this novel.

Visit samanthaspecks.com for more information.

Author Publicist Contact: Anna Sacca, FSB Associates, (760) 585-2252

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
204 global ratings
A powerful and beautiful tale
5 Stars
A powerful and beautiful tale
Samantha Specks' research and lovely storytelling takes us back to a pivotal time in Southern Minnesota. Her characters come alive off the page and the historical moment stuck with me long after I finished the book. She is definitely an author to watch!
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Top reviews from the United States

K. Cabeen
5.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous & Gripping Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly researched and beautifully written, Dovetails gives us an unflinchingly honest and thought-provoking look at one of the worst events in American history. I could not read it fast enough! It's an absolute must-read for fans of historical fiction.
One person found this helpful
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Jennifer L Austin
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
I liked the history of the plains Indians and the white encroachment onto their homelands. We see cowboys and Indian movies and the Indians are always the bad guys. This book gave both sides and exposed just how sad, unfair and devastating the disenfranchisement of the Native American people was.
I did find the writing to be a bit clumsy and wordy. That was my only drawback to the book.
3 people found this helpful
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joanne mcginty
5.0 out of 5 stars great history!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great read on some MN history!
She intertwines two young women, one from the Indian side and one from the white side. Very well written!!
One person found this helpful
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Linda Ulleseit
5.0 out of 5 stars A Moving Story
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
The roundup of Dakota warriors in 1862 Minnesota led to the hanging of 38 men, the largest mass execution in U.S. history. It's an event most people know nothing about. This novel tells the story from two points of view. Emma's family lives on the prairie in a homestead that is attacked by the Dakota. Oenikika is the daughter of Chief Little Crow. Both women face difficult choices as their worlds change. The setting and culture, although geographically close, are very different. The author does an excellent job of describing character and culture so the reader understands each of the primary women and feels their angst. Highly recommended.
12 people found this helpful
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JWH
4.0 out of 5 stars A balanced view of history
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
- having lived in New Ulm for 16 years I found this historical novel especially interesting. The author faithfully recounted the events and places.
It was especially effective moving back & forth between the 2 view points. Too often we seek "the truth" thinking that it must 1 dimensional when infact, it rarely is.
2 people found this helpful
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K. Fleming
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, Authentic and Important
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
A truly compelling novel that weaves together historical facts with powerful story-telling. I was captivated by this work of historical fiction and have not forgotten this important time in US history due to Samantha Specks' work to shed light on the consequences of the U.S.-Dakota War. Highly recommend for any readers interested in learning more about historical fiction, especially Minnesotan history. As a person raised in Minnesota it was extremely compelling to learn more about this time and I could not put this book down and will not soon forget the story. An excellent debut novel!
9 people found this helpful
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Mary Bez
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping & a must read
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a phenomenal read. It brings to light the struggles of both sides in a caring, thoughtful manner. You are able to see life and its struggles through both Oenikika & Emma's eyes. So worth every moment of your time!!
2 people found this helpful
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Brit
5.0 out of 5 stars Next book club book!!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love this story. I love both protagonists and how Samantha have them each chapters working through that story. She clearly did her history research & knows how to tug on heart strings. It made me smile, cry, all the things. This needs to make it into your book club!
One person found this helpful
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