Harvest House Publishers
Featuring: Elizabeth Martin
304 pages ISBN: 0736948716 EAN: 9780736948715 Kindle: B008N0YXCK Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
Elizabeth and James Martin had dreamed of heading west
along the Oregon Trail, where his family had already gone,
but after James' death, Elizabeth put away that dream to
raise son Jamie (who later decides he should be called J.T.
because Jamie is too childish) and daughter Ruth on their
little farm in Kentucky. But the dream is revived after her
brother Matthew Dawson goes to pick up his fiancée
Violet to bring her to his parents, Asa and Clara Dawson,
house for Christmas Eve dinner, only to return alone. His
fiancée and his best friend Walter had run off together
leaving Matthew to face the gossip. He's ready to leave
town now, but the family talks him into waiting until he
cools down. Elizabeth takes it as a sign from God that she
and her children should go west with Matthew. After trying
to talk them out of it their parents end up getting the
fever too and all make plans to travel together
The first obstacle they encounter turns out to be a
blessing. Brady, a freed slave, who had stayed and worked
for Elizabeth, doesn't want to work for the new owner of
her farm. He feels that they think they bought him with the
farm, so with the papers that freed him in hand; he joins
his "family" on the trail.
Along the trail Matthew finds himself interested in one of
the fellow travelers, after finding Jess is really Jessica.
Elizabeth finds herself thinking about the
buckskinned scout for the wagon train Eli Kincaid, though
the last thing on her mind should be romance. Well, perhaps
the thought was setting in the back of her mind causing her
to daydream just a little. She's even more confused when
fellow traveler and wealthy lawyer Will Bramford starts
showing up at odd times to help her.
What readers might want to keep in mind is that WESTWARD
HEARTS is
book one of a series, so you will be left hanging a bit,
but waiting for the next book will be worth it.
Melody Carlson writes an incredible story with many varied
characters, some you would love to meet in real life and
others, you are glad are only in her imagination. Through
rain and mud, tempers, gossip and accusations, a tornado,
Indian encounter and some prejudices that even Elizabeth,
who is an abolitionist, has a moment with, the family
continues on their way with the feeling that the good Lord
is watching over them. As you travel with the wagon train
in this book, with the day to day life laid out before you,
with its dramas and monotony, you are pulled into what the
emigrants went through in the 1850s in hopes of free land
and a better life.
Bestselling author Melody Carlson begins an inspiring new
series of adventure and romance on the Oregon Trail.
Kentucky, 1854—Elizabeth Martin has mourned her husband’s
death for three years, but now she feels ready to fulfill
the dream they had shared—to take their two children west.
The dream becomes reality when her middle-aged parents and
bachelor brother surprise her with the news that they want
to go as well.
After converting three of their best wagons to prairie
schooners and thoroughly outfitting them, the little party
travels from Kentucky to Kansas City, where they join a
substantial wagon train. Elizabeth soon finds herself being
drawn to the group’s handsome guide, Eli Kincade.
The long journey and deepening relationships challenge the
travelers to their core, and Eli’s mysterious past leaves
Elizabeth with more questions than answers. She knows
there’s no turning back, but she wonders, What have I
gotten myself into?
About This Series: The Homeward on the Oregon Trail series
brings to life the challenges a young widow faces as she
journeys west, settles her family in the Pacific Northwest,
and helps create a new community among strong-willed and
diverse pioneers.