TRAILBLAZER: The Nathan Bartlett Story

Own all three TRAILBLAZER books in one e-book

Most authors I know feel at least a little mournful when they write the final sentence of a story. This is especially true for me with my Trailblazer series.

I’ve told the story of Nathan Bartlett as he grew from a naïve and impressionable college freshman, through a phase of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, to a point in his life where he’s ready to love and be loved. 

Nathan is far from perfect. He has made bad decisions, been attracted to the wrong men, and jeopardized his closest friendship. He’s misunderstood some of the most important people in his life

On Chocorua found him following an irresponsible leader up a mountain during snowstorm, an adventure that was Nathan’s first hike and nearly his last. In On the Kalalau Trail, Nathan’s battle is between his need for connection and his attraction to a man who doesn’t know the meaning of the word and doesn’t want to. And in the final book of the series, On The Precipice, Nathan struggles to see through his bias and open his eyes to the potential of a man he initially sees as weak. 

But his foibles are balanced by a quiet nobility. Throughout the series, despite having been badly hurt by someone addicted to fentanyl—or perhaps because of that pain—he’s determined to help substance abusers find their way through the terrifying forest of addiction. Even as he is blazing his own trail, he seeks to help others blaze theirs. He knows that just as each life is unique, each of us must find and follow our own trail.   

Nathan Bartlett has been a real person for me. I’m as honored to have known him as I am sad to say good-bye.

View From the Kalalau Trail, Kaui’i

Parkman Mountain, Acadia National Park