NEW!
The Long Trail West
HE WAS AS RESTLESS AS A RATTLESNAKE IN A TIN CAN.
At fifteen, he stole his pa’s horse and rode west to prove himself.
What followed was not a single journey, but a lifetime of them.
The Long Trail West traces Allen Stephens across the American West—from the open plains of his youth to the quiet reckonings of age. His life was shaped by grit, fierce love, searing loss, and the long patience required to endure change. Much of that change came at the hands of three powerful women—Eddie, Era, Mattie—who saved him. . .or nearly destroyed him, depending on who’s telling the story.
This is not a tale of conquest or glory. It is the story of a cowboy, a stagecoach driver, a railroader, and a rancher—a stubborn man who kept moving forward when standing still was no longer possible—carrying responsibility, memory, and hope across decades of a changing land.
Written as a novel but rooted in true events, The Long Trail West is a portrait of quiet strength, hard-won endurance, and a man who never learned to quit.
Allen never stopped riding.
NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT & DIGITAL
The Restless Journeys Series
Great storytellers can make mediocre stories sound like something magical. Whether it’s told around a campfire or at a local bar or in a house of worship. It draws you in and ignites your imagination. The great storyteller transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary, filling it with intrigue, romance, or adventure. And possibly all three. Great storytellers have an amazing gift that I have admired all my life. But a great story doesn’t need a great storyteller. It stands on its own and draws the listener or reader into a trance, transporting them into another time or place or circumstance. A great story is a great story regardless of how feeble or faltering the storyteller is.
I’ve been lucky to be exposed to many great stories. And even as a child I was wise enough to listen and curious enough to ask questions which encouraged the storytellers to tell me more. I discovered early that the world was full of stories. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, great aunts, and great uncles, they all told stories. And these people’s stories were as magical as a time machine that could transport me to faraway places. I could sit and listen for hours. Often what I heard was more like short scenes and random vignettes, but over time I pieced the puzzles together into sweeping collages of portraits and landscapes. I was blessed to be surrounded by a family of storytellers. But more importantly, they had rich stories which were worth telling—Undina, the sad poet of Iceland who never gave up; Stephen, the wild adventurer who lived life to the fullest; Lizzie, the White Medicine Woman who came to Oregon on the wagon train of 1845 and gave the Native Americans hope; Blanche and Walter, who showed that love could conquer all, even when dreams don’t come true. These were true-life, living, breathing individuals who laughed, loved, cried, struggled, fell on their faces, pulled themselves to their feet, and pushed themselves forward.
I’m probably not a great storyteller and maybe not even a good storyteller, but I know some great stories. Over a lifetime as a therapist, I’ve heard thousands of incredible stories. But none have been as rich and inspiring as those I’ve heard about my ancestors. I’m probably biased, but move close and listen carefully.
The Poetry of Undina
Translated by Steve Stephens
Undina is the pen name of the Icelandic poet Helga Baldvinsdottir (1858-1941). Her poetry has passion and power with a deep thread of melancholy mixed with hope.
Reviews for the Restless Journey series
“A World Away From Home is a powerful book that I believe will resonate with anyone who has faced challenges in life. It is a story of hope in the midst of darkness, and I look forward to reading the next installments of Undina’s journey. This is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a reminder of the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.”
-Peacock Ridge Farm, Amazon
Praise for The White Medicine Woman: “Absolutely enjoyed this read! Excellent Historical Fiction depicting how one brave and compassionate white woman in Oregon navigated providing medical care to the despised Natives. Steve Stephens has intricately woven a beautiful story of the Icelandic Immigrant Family through this book series!”
Wanda E., Amazon
A World Away From Home: “Bringing a historical figure alive; so I could laugh, cry, and even hope. This is a must-read book. Seeing how one survives depression, a hopeless marriage, and tragic loss was inspiring. This woman was an incredible person.”
Bruce L., Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Steve Stephens is a multi-faceted professional who has worn many hats throughout his career—counseling psychologist, life coach, radio talk show host, university professor, and author of over 20 nonfiction books. A literature minor with an insatiable curiosity for history, he combines his experience in helping individuals navigate trauma with his fascination for past narratives, resulting in his emotive historical fiction. From childhood, Steve has been captivated by the tales of those who triumph over adversity—an inspiration evident in his writing. Steve is more than a writer; he is a lover of life and an ardent adventurer. Married to Tami and father to three adult children, he resides in the Pacific Northwest. The family enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and dreaming big. Steve’s books are a testament to his life philosophy—translating heartbreaking adversity into extraordinary accomplishments.
CONTACT ME
Book One in the Restless Journeys series.
Everything was taken from Undina. Her home, her horse, her dreams…it was all gone. At 14, she was forced from the fjords of Iceland by violent volcanic eruptions. At 23, she was forced from the tall pines of Lily Lake in Ontario by poor crops and heartbreak. She settled in the rugged lands of the Dakota Territory in 1881 with Jakob, whose alcoholism wreaks havoc on her life and those of her children. Every day was a challenge. Unbelievable tragedy struck her time and time again, and it almost destroyed her. Undina refused to give up. With grit and determination, she built a life in the wilderness and is saved by her writing, courage, and the love of her father. This is the story of a female Icelandic poet who embraced beauty and found hope in the New World. Undina and Jakob became a part of a new Icelandic community which promoted faith, art, and progressive social issues. Then, it all fell apart. She held onto a relentless hope and became an example of survival regardless of what she had to face. This is a gripping journey of standing strong and finding light amid darkness. Though the night might be black, the stars can provide a sparkling beauty which carries one forward to a series of new dreams. The harder life became, the deeper her poetry went. In the end, she found a way that went beyond what anyone thought possible. A World Away From Home is based on the true story of Helga Baldwinsdottir, the Icelandic poet who wrote under the name Undina. This work includes hundreds of her poems, translated into English for the first time. Once you’ve met Undina, you will never forget her.
Book Two in the Restless Journeys series.
Further from Home picks up the tale of Undina, an Icelandic poet grappling with the heart-rending loss of her daughter. As the sequel to World Away from Home, the narrative sees Undina journeying back to Canada, where a charming Icelandic cowboy helps reignite her passion and purpose. The year is 1902, and they traverse the continent to start anew on a small Oregon farm. Yet, an unrevealed secret brings forth another tragedy, leading Undina to question her fate. Amid the tumult, Undina pours her soul into raising her three children, each with their unique paths, trials, and profound affection for their mother. In 1912, they seek solace in Christmas Lake Valley’s high desert. There, Undina experiences love anew, and her family flourishes, until another twist of fate tests their mettle. Even as life tosses her from one storm to another, Undina’s poetry, filled with hope, becomes her sanctuary. Alone but not forgotten, she discovers that her homeland of Iceland will always remember her. Further from Home is an untold story of resilience, love, and the enduring spirit of an Icelandic poet. It is the second installment in the captivating Restless Journeys series.
Book Three in the Restless Journeys series.
The Oregon Trail almost broke her, but Lizzie wouldn’t give up…not even if she was only seventeen years old with an infant. If she had to travel 2,000 miles across prairies, mountains, and deserts in a covered wagon to be with her husband, so be it. If her friends ridiculed and threatened her because of her friendships with Indians, she wouldn’t budge. If people questioned how a woman could be a doctor to her neighbors and a medicine woman to the Indians, she just shrugged and did what she felt called to do. The governor of the state applauded her “lifetime of kindness.” A respected writer of the time wrote that she answered “…the call of Indian and white man by foot, by horse, and by canoe…” wherever she was needed. The hummingbird and bear claws were symbols of help and healing, and these were the symbols of Lizzie Perry. This heroic story shows the strength and determination of a real pioneer woman as she settled in the American wild west. The First Medicine Woman is a standalone novel which is also the third book of the Restless Journeys series.
Book Four in the Restless Journeys series.
Blanche, a 16-year-old whose adventurous spirit won’t allow her to accept anything but a life full of wondrous experiences, is always ready for what comes next. Meanwhile, Walter, a 23-year-old mechanic and musician, is determined to find his fortune in gold. Their lives couldn’t be more separate until an accident in their small Oregon town brings them together. These two ordinary people embrace the world together—facing the hard realities, failures, and trauma that life throws at them. Through it all, the two never give up on their dreams, believing something magical is just around the corner. With devotion and stubbornness, they pursue each other’s passions and embark on a journey in search of fortune. During their time together, they shared a lifetime of wounds and wonders, thousands of dances, and many disappointments along the way, and when they inevitably fall in love, the world is turned upside down. Their love never fades, their music is always sweet, and on their search for gold, they find something far greater in value than what can be found in the mines. A Search for Gold weaves together the threads of the first three novels of the Restless Journeys series.