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Cindy Rinaman Marsch
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Blizzard: A Story of Dakota Territory (The Ramsdell Family) Kindle Edition

by Cindy Rinaman Marsch (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 237 ratings
A homesteading farmer, his pregnant wife, their daughter, and the grandmother wake to a beautiful winter morning on the prairie. And then it descends upon them - the infamous Children's Blizzard of 1888. Who will survive?

With characters from Rosette: A Novel of Pioneer Michigan, “Blizzard: A Story of Dakota Territory” captures in one sod shanty the dramatic effects of a storm on the bodies and spirits of people who have internal storms of their own.

Cover painting and design by Betsy Marsch, illustrator and cover designer for Rosette: A Novel of Pioneer Michigan and cover designer for Solomon Ramsdell: A Novel of the Civil War Era.
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  1. Print length
    30 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 25, 2016
  5. File size
    3.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

  • "I loved 'Blizzard,' as I loved Rosette. The link to the actual Children's Blizzard [is] fascinating! . . . [Marsch has] given Rosette such life . . ." (Advance Reader)
  • "[The storm is] gripping and tense . . . awesome and God-awful." (Advance Reader)

From the Author

As I researched the life of Rosette Cordelia Ramsdell Churchill and her family members, I learned of a significant coincidence of their timeline with the famous Children's Blizzard of 1888. Research into that amazing storm set my imagination running to what it might have been like for the family. This story takes us into the crucible with them.

This story can stand alone but also serves as a prequel to Rosette: A Novel of Pioneer Michigan. Also planned are Solomon: A Novel of the Civil War Era and a transcription of Rosette's 1856-58 journal.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01H849XRG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Moraine's Edge Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 25, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 30 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0997112726
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 237 ratings

About the author

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Cindy Rinaman Marsch

Cindy Rinaman Marsch

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Cindy Rinaman Marsch was born in Jacksonville, Florida at the end of the Baby Boom, the oldest of seven siblings in blended families. She became a Seminoles football fan at Florida State University, taught at Auburn University, and in 1986 married Glenn Marsch, a professor of physics. The Marsches have four grown children and keep a garden and hobby winery in Western Pennsylvania.

Cindy works as a freelance editor helping other authors realize their publishing dreams, after decades homeschooling her own four children, establishing a now-thriving private school, and teaching online and in colleges. Her own debut novel ROSETTE offers an episode of unknown history with imaginative speculation. The companion short story "Blizzard" adds a chilling episode of Rosette's life. A companion novel, SOLOMON RAMSDELL, debuts in early 2021, with other projects to follow.

The original paintings for the cover of Cindy's books and 24 charcoal illustrations for the paperback version of ROSETTE were completed by Cindy's daughter Betsy. Learn more at BetsyMarsch.com .

Contact Cindy Rinaman Marsch via info@morainesedgebooks.com and through her websites at MorainesEdgeBooks.com and RosetteBook.com.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
237 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a strong story of life, with one review highlighting its heart-rending portrayal of the 1888 blizzard. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting its vivid descriptions and word pictures. Additionally, customers appreciate the book's readability and depth, with several mentioning its well-researched content.

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Story lengthReadabilityWriting qualityDepth
25 customers mention "Story length"18 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the story length of the book, describing it as a strong and exciting narrative about life in the Dakotas, with one customer particularly noting its vivid portrayal of the 1888 blizzard.

"This is a heartfelt and atmospheric tale that captures the rugged beauty and harsh realities of frontier life, transporting you back in time...." Read more

"...Blizzard” showcases Rosette’s strength, resilience, and ingenuity. A lot of people would have crumbled under the pressure, but not Rosette...." Read more

"...What follows is a very detailed, very heart rending telling of the blizzard and its effects on this small party of Illinois transplants...." Read more

"Cindy Rinaman Marsch's "Blizzard" sets a new standard in survival stories...." Read more

14 customers mention "Readability"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well worth reading, describing it as wonderful and interesting, with one customer noting it's an excellent continuation of the author's first novel.

"...character development, this historical novel is both moving and immersive—a great pick for fans of pioneer stories and family sagas. Amazing work!" Read more

"...This story is extremely well-written and engaging...." Read more

"Blizzard is an excellent continuation of Cindy Marsch's first novel, Rosette...." Read more

"...To find out please read the book, I found it very interesting, tense, a story worth reading." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one review noting how the author skillfully weaves lyricism and physicality throughout the narrative.

"...With vivid descriptions and strong character development, this historical novel is both moving and immersive—a great pick for fans of pioneer..." Read more

"This was a strongly described well written account of the blizzard and how it affected one family. It was only a short story though?..." Read more

"Ms Marsch paints a very real picture of the worst of life on the Northern Plains. I'm richer for the reading of it. Thank you." Read more

"...This story is extremely well-written and engaging...." Read more

4 customers mention "Depth"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book, noting its well-researched content and strong descriptions.

"This was a strongly described well written account of the blizzard and how it affected one family. It was only a short story though?..." Read more

"...Not very long, thankfully but did provide some unique insights into just how hard life was to early settlers on the prairie and how cruel winter..." Read more

"...What follows is a very detailed, very heart rending telling of the blizzard and its effects on this small party of Illinois transplants...." Read more

"I found Cindy's book well researched and exciting...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Valkyries United
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and immersive tale of love, challenges and survival
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a heartfelt and atmospheric tale that captures the rugged beauty and harsh realities of frontier life, transporting you back in time. Centered around the resilient Ramsdell family, the story brings to life the trials of survival, love, and determination in the unforgiving Dakota landscape. With vivid descriptions and strong character development, this historical novel is both moving and immersive—a great pick for fans of pioneer stories and family sagas. Amazing work!
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  • J Stanley
    3.0 out of 5 stars very short
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was a strongly described well written account of the blizzard and how it affected one family. It was only a short story though? I guess I should have paid attention to the page length when I got it, but I was surprised when it even ended at 85 percent and had the rest an excerpt from Rosette book.
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  • Richard Skorupski
    4.0 out of 5 stars An exciting short story.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ms Marsch paints a very real picture of the worst of life on the Northern Plains.
    I'm richer for the reading of it.
    Thank you.
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  • [Roxie Reviews]
    5.0 out of 5 stars “Blizzard” is a short story that Cindy Rinaman Marsch recommended I read before 'Rosette’
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    “Blizzard” is a short story that Cindy Rinaman Marsch recommended I read before 'Rosette’. It takes place in 1888 on one fateful day in Dakota Territory during The Children’s Blizzard. Rosette, her son DeWitt, his pregnant wife, and their young daughter are caught in the storm with nothing but a shack and their own wits to survive.

    I read this story as part of my #yearofindiewomen. I was contacted by the author about this story for an honest review, and I downloaded the story for free during a free Kindle promotion.

    Before I read this, I had never heard of The Children’s Blizzard (also called the Schoolhouse Blizzard). (I will admit, I am not a well versed in history, as shameful as that is.) If you haven’t heard of it either, here’s a brief explanation from Wikipedia:

    The **Schoolhouse Blizzard, also known as the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard, School Children’s Blizzard,[1] or Children’s Blizzard**,[2] hit the U.S. plains states on January 12, 1888. The blizzard came unexpectedly on a relatively warm day, and many people were caught unaware, including children in one-room schoolhouses. (…) The blizzard was preceded by a snowstorm on January 5 and 6, which dropped powdery snow on the northern and central plains, and was followed by an outbreak of brutally cold temperatures from January 7 to 11. The weather prediction for the day was issued by the Weather Bureau, which at the time was managed by Adolphus Greely; it said: “A cold wave is indicated for Dakota and Nebraska tonight and tomorrow; the snow will drift heavily today and tomorrow in Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin.”[1] (…) What made the storm so deadly was the timing (during work and school hours), the suddenness, and the brief spell of warmer weather that preceded it. In addition, the very strong wind fields behind the cold front and the powdery nature of the snow reduced visibilities on the open plains to zero. People ventured from the safety of their homes to do chores, go to town, attend school, or simply enjoy the relative warmth of the day. As a result, thousands of people—including many schoolchildren—got caught in the blizzard. The death toll was 235.[3] Teachers generally kept children in their schoolrooms. Exceptions nearly always resulted in disaster.[4]

    What a tragedy. Can you imagine how scary that was to live through? And what an awful way to die? Marsch does an impeccable job of conveying just how terrifying it must have been through the eyes of Rosette as she is trapped in her son DeWitt’s tiny shack with her granddaughter as the storm beats down.

    Shortly before the storm sets in, DeWitt and his heavily pregnant wife set out, walking, to a hotel in town so she could give birth, so not only is Rosette worried about keeping herself and her granddaughter warm and alive, but she’s no idea if her son and daughter-in-law are alive out there in the midst of the blizzard.

    “Blizzard” showcases Rosette’s strength, resilience, and ingenuity. A lot of people would have crumbled under the pressure, but not Rosette. She held strong and keeps her wits about her for herself and her family.

    This story is extremely well-written and engaging. I felt like I was right there with Rosette and Floy as they hunkered down in the freezing shack, pooling their body heat against the beating winds and snow, hoping their loved ones would return home. My heart raced along with Rosette’s as she searched the shack for something to form into a bell to signal DeWitt and Lillie in the direction of home, and I could very nearly feel the icy winds on my face as she faced them to post it outside the door.

    If I wasn’t already excited to read 'Rosette’ because of Marsch's explanation of the novels origin, this story would have hooked me completely.

    Read this review and more on my blog at roxiewrites (dot) tumblr (dot) com.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Major T
    3.0 out of 5 stars Short Tale of a Fierce Winter Storm's Impact on a Homesteader Family
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Short story of survival on the rugged plains of Dakota Territory. Lots of trivial details that help make the story seem more real but drag the pace down to a crawl. Not very long, thankfully but did provide some unique insights into just how hard life was to early settlers on the prairie and how cruel winter storms can be. Having grown up in neighboring Minnesota I can relate to awesome power of midwest winter storms and I remember reading of deaths on Dakota farms caused by fierce winter blizzards.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good characterization and descriptions. A short but powerful look into the hard work and sacrifice involved in wresting a living
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    You can almost feel the wind and snow pouring into the little soddy house on the Dakota prairie. This short book gives only a little taste of the Children's Blizzard of 1888 when so many, mostly children, died in the snowstorm that caught so many unprepared. These people were pioneers who had suffered through many severe storms but were nonetheless lulled by the mild morning and were quickly overcome by the speed at which the weather changed into a terrible blizzard.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Bonnye Reed Fry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Blizzard is an excellent continuation of Cindy Marsch's first novel, Rosette. We join Rosette at her son DeWitt, very pregnant daughter-in-law Lillie and granddaughter Floy as they wait out the birth of the child in a tiny rented shack on the outskirts of a tiny town 60 miles from their homestead in Marshall County, Dakota Territory. Lillie is not willing to go through another birthing without a midwife. With them they have their three head of cattle - their milk cow, her female calf and a yearling bull calf, the splinter seed of their herd, their latest enterprise after suffering several disappointments in Dakota.

    The day starts promisingly - sunny, bright, eaves dripping after weeks of below zero weather. Rosette and Floy start the washing and turn out the cows to get some fresh air and graze through the loosening snow, and DeWalt and Lillie head the three miles into town to get her set up at the hotel and introduced to the midwife. And before the couple get halfway to town, the blizzard blows in on top of them all.

    What follows is a very detailed, very heart rending telling of the blizzard and its effects on this small party of Illinois transplants. Ms. Marsch brings meticulous detail to the art of living in 1888 Dakota Territory, and the effects of storms in that neck of the woods. This is a book I can happily recommend to friends and family. Can't wait for the next tale from Cindy Rinaman Marsch.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Decline to state
    2.0 out of 5 stars Would do justice to a grade school essay.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Poorly written.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Debbie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and powerful story of pioneers in winter
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Having enjoyed this author's debut novel Rosette, inspired by a real-life journal, I was pleased to learn she had subsequently written a short sequel based on a single episode when Rosette is living with her son DeWitt, daughter-in-law Lillie and small granddaughter Floy in a tiny sod shanty in harsh prairie country. When a freak snowstorm descends unexpectedly just as DeWitt and nine-month-pregnant Lillie have started walking to the nearest town where she is to give birth, Rosette has to act fast to save her family.

    The severity of the storn is life-threatening even for those indoors. We share Rosette's anxiety and fear as she battles for her family's survival. The author conveys very effectively the emotional and physical strains of living in such punishing conditions, which make one wonder how on earth any pioneer community survived long-term.

    The details of Floy's relationship with all three adults in this claustrophobic home are painted sensitively and touchingly, as is Rosette's position in a household where she is less than welcomed by her daughter-in-law at least.

    Like the author's first novel, this reminded me very much of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic autobiographical tales, especially "The Long Winter", and renewed my admiration for the early settlers of North America.

    Marsch has tapped into a rich seam and niche here, and is carrying it off with a pleasing balance of insight, compassion and fact. I hope there will be more to come, whether in quick reads. Like this one or full-length novels.
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