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Sunday, September 30, 2012

New giveaway! Now I'm giving away a copy of Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson (with bonus review!)

About the book:

A young woman traveling the Oregon Trail in 1841 must rely on a stranger to bring her to safety. After losing her parents along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her young brother, Daniel, must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. When their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to escort them to Fort Vancouver. A number of men vie for Samantha’s affections, but the only one who intrigues her is the one she cannot have. When Alex’s betrothed arrives from Britain, Samantha becomes determined to create a home far away from the fort. But when Daniel disappears into the wilderness alone one night, Samantha must rely on the man she loves to rescue her brother before it’s too late.

My review:

In some ways this story reminded me of others I'd read about the journey west on the Oregon Trail, but strangely it was less depressing than most. I liked how the author portrayed the heroine and the mettle she had that helped her endure to the end. It took a lot of determination to survive back in the pioneer days. So many people died on the way. But at the same time, for those who arrived, there had to be so much joy at arriving at their destination, especially after having traveled for so long.

The love story was sweet and the tension between them palpable at times. But the hero was a man of honor, and of course, there had to be the typical misunderstanding that often happens in romantic fiction. I enjoyed the story and the strong heroine, and at the same time I didn't find it as compelling as some of Melanie's other books. But I couldn't stop reading, so the pacing was just right to keep me hanging on to the end. If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll enjoy this novel. It shows the many of the hardships the emigrants traveling out west experienced, but without the gloomy feeling that often accompanies such historical tales.


Now for the question: Do you have any relatives who went to Oregon searching for a better life? I did. My grandmother road to Oregon in a covered wagon in the early 1900s. She was born in 1898. Yes, some people still traveled out west the old fashioned way even at the turn of the century. She told me this herself when she was still alive back in the late 1980s. Her family moved to Oregon from Oklahoma where she was born.

Where the Trail Ends was published by Summerside Press and will release October 1st.


14 comments:

Ladette said...

I don't have anyone that I KNOW of that traveled out... but my family is not very historically knowledgeable about the family.

Sounds/looks like a great book though!

ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

Norma S said...

Hi, thank you for giving me a chance to win "Where the Trail Ends " by Melanie Dobson. As far as i know we didn't have any relatives to go out there in wagons on the Oregon Trail. God bless you.
Norma Stanforth

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

Norma, you need to leave your email or I can't contact you if you win.

Sheila Deeth said...

Since all my relatives were in England, none on the trail, though we've blazed our own trail and ended up in Oregon anyway.
sheiladeeth at gmail dot com

Judy said...

None of my relatives went on the Oregon Trail. It would have been neat if they had. What a great story they could have told.

I love Melanie's books and I would love to win a copy of, Where The Trail Ends.

Blessings!
Judy
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jes said...

No I ddon't have any relatives you went to Oregon searching for a better life. "Where the Trail Ends " sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!

Jes
jswaks at gmail dot com

apple blossom said...

No I never had relatives that went to Oregon for a better life

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

ASC Book Reviews said...

I do not know if I had any relatives that traveled the Oregon trail. It' possible on my mother's side, but I think doubtful on my dad's.

This books sounds very good to me though! Please enter me :)

Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez

amada_chavez[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

Acts 16:31 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)

Anonymous said...

I really want to read this book. It sounds like a wonderful love story with adventure. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Boos Mum said...

No, my family still hasn't made it out west yet. Maybe we will be the first. Thanks for the giveaway.

sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

karenk said...

to answer your question...no, at least not that i know of.

thanks for the chance to read this beautiful story

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Merry said...

No, but I love Oregon trail stories. My parents went west to Oregon after WWII to begin anew, so Oregon was my home state. Please include me in the drawing.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

...and the winner is

Jes!

Jes said...

Looking forward to reading it! Thank you!

Jes

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