About the Author

CK Van Dam, a daughter of the Dakota prairies, creates stories about the strong women who have built our nation and our world.

Her debut novel, Proving Her Claim, was inspired from historical records that found 42 percent of women homesteaders successfully proved up their claims, while only 37 percent of the men received title to their lands. Proving Her Claim received two Spur Awards from the Westerns Writers of America.

Lone Tree Claim is the story of a Civil War widow who comes to Dakota Territory after the devastation of war. As a woman alone on the frontier, she fought nature as well as powerful cattle ranchers.

In Medicine Creek Claim, Charlotte and Lizzy Ward, start new lives on the Dakota frontier during the Civil War. Each sister finds a new purpose, a new life and a new love.

Iron Horse Claim recounts Lizzy Ward’s determination to build a resilient community of neighbors who would support each other in times of need.

She has also published two books for young readers: When the Chokecherries Bloom, and Every Dog Needs a Kid.