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Homeward on the Oregon Trail #2
A Dream for Tomorrow
Bestselling author Melody Carlson (more than 5 million books sold) continues her Homeward on the Oregon Trail series with this second romantic adventure.
Elizabeth Martin and her two children have made it through the easy part of their journey, but now their wagon train faces high mountain passes, dangerous river crossings, and decreasing supplies. Desperate circumstances bring out the best and worst of the travelers, including Will Bramford, the wealthy widower who is pursuing Elizabeth, and Eli Kincade, the independent and solitary guide who has stolen Elizabeth's heart.
As the group reaches the Oregon Country, the emigrants part ways to find their new homes. Elizabeth and Will and their families have made arrangements to board a ship that will take them south along the coast. Will Eli change his plans and accompany Elizabeth to her new and permanent home? Or will his mysterious past continue to keep them from love?
Elizabeth Martin and her two children have made it through the easy part of their journey, but now their wagon train faces high mountain passes, dangerous river crossings, and decreasing supplies. Desperate circumstances bring out the best and worst of the travelers, including Will Bramford, the wealthy widower who is pursuing Elizabeth, and Eli Kincade, the independent and solitary guide who has stolen Elizabeth's heart.
As the group reaches the Oregon Country, the emigrants part ways to find their new homes. Elizabeth and Will and their families have made arrangements to board a ship that will take them south along the coast. Will Eli change his plans and accompany Elizabeth to her new and permanent home? Or will his mysterious past continue to keep them from love?
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
63 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
418 books3,246 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 6, 2019
I loved it! Melody Carlson never fails to draw this reader into her stories. In A Dream for Tomorrow, the second book in her Homeward on the Oregon Trail series, she certainly didn't disappoint her readers. A very well researched story . This author has the ability to make readers feel that they are with the characters traveling the dusty trails on the journey to their new homes.
The going is rough, but then no one ever told the early pioneers it would be easy. Carlson pens an original and unpredictable story as her characters slowly make their way across desserts, mountains and rivers. She adds just a touch of romance to stir up emotions. A realistic story that gives readers a view into early travels and to what our ancestors persevered on their journeys towards a new and better life.
I highly recommend this entire series to all fans of Melody Carlson. All readers of clean and Christian Fiction. It's a good family book that helps readers appreciate our ancestry a lot more as we realize what they endured for a better life. Things we take for granted .
This book has been in my TBR pile for sometime now and I ask myself, "Why did I take so long to read it". All opinions expressed here are my own honest ones. A review was not requested.
October 23, 2013
Title: A DREAM FOR TOMORROW
Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2013
ISBN: 978-0736948739
Genre: Historical/Western/women’s fiction
Bestselling author Melody Carlson (more than 5 million books sold) continues her Homeward on the Oregon Trail series with this second romantic adventure.
Elizabeth Martin and her two children have made it through the easy part of their journey, but now their wagon train faces high mountain passes, dangerous river crossings, and decreasing supplies. Desperate circumstances bring out the best and worst of the travelers, including Will Bramford, the wealthy widower who is pursuing Elizabeth, and Eli Kincade, the independent and solitary guide who has stolen Elizabeth's heart.
As the group reaches the Oregon Country, the emigrants part ways to find their new homes. Elizabeth and Will and their families have made arrangements to board a ship that will take them south along the coast. Will Eli change his plans and accompany Elizabeth to her new and permanent home? Or will his mysterious past continue to keep them from love?
A DREAM FOR TOMORROW is the second book in Ms. Carlson’s Homeward to Oregon Trail series. Readers will want to read the first book in the series Westward Hearts as these books do not stand alone.
If you like books about traveling on the Oregon Trail, this series is for you. However, I really have to say that I have read other books set on the Oregon Trail, and in comparison this book really has nothing bad happen. I mean, there are some bad things, just not a lot.
A DREAM FOR TOMORROW is slow, and there’s a lot of telling, just like the first book in the series. It’s a book that is easy to put down and even the parts that could be really exciting and edge of the seat are flat and uninteresting the way they are written. I usually love Ms. Carlson’s Christmas stories and some of her young adult books, but this one missed the mark completely with me.
If you like western historicals, then you might be interested in reading A DREAM FOR TOMORROW. The third book in the series, A Home at Trail’s End is available now, and is next on my to-read list. 3 stars. $13.99. 304 pages.
Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
February 2013
ISBN: 978-0736948739
Genre: Historical/Western/women’s fiction
Bestselling author Melody Carlson (more than 5 million books sold) continues her Homeward on the Oregon Trail series with this second romantic adventure.
Elizabeth Martin and her two children have made it through the easy part of their journey, but now their wagon train faces high mountain passes, dangerous river crossings, and decreasing supplies. Desperate circumstances bring out the best and worst of the travelers, including Will Bramford, the wealthy widower who is pursuing Elizabeth, and Eli Kincade, the independent and solitary guide who has stolen Elizabeth's heart.
As the group reaches the Oregon Country, the emigrants part ways to find their new homes. Elizabeth and Will and their families have made arrangements to board a ship that will take them south along the coast. Will Eli change his plans and accompany Elizabeth to her new and permanent home? Or will his mysterious past continue to keep them from love?
A DREAM FOR TOMORROW is the second book in Ms. Carlson’s Homeward to Oregon Trail series. Readers will want to read the first book in the series Westward Hearts as these books do not stand alone.
If you like books about traveling on the Oregon Trail, this series is for you. However, I really have to say that I have read other books set on the Oregon Trail, and in comparison this book really has nothing bad happen. I mean, there are some bad things, just not a lot.
A DREAM FOR TOMORROW is slow, and there’s a lot of telling, just like the first book in the series. It’s a book that is easy to put down and even the parts that could be really exciting and edge of the seat are flat and uninteresting the way they are written. I usually love Ms. Carlson’s Christmas stories and some of her young adult books, but this one missed the mark completely with me.
If you like western historicals, then you might be interested in reading A DREAM FOR TOMORROW. The third book in the series, A Home at Trail’s End is available now, and is next on my to-read list. 3 stars. $13.99. 304 pages.
March 12, 2013
For the most part, I enjoyed the first book in this series, Westward Hearts. I really like Oregon Trail stories, and that part of the first book was great. There were a few things in the previous novel that I thought were a bit out of place, and I didn’t always connect with the setting or characters.
But all of those issues were completely resolved in this second offering, which made it much more enjoyable for me. I don’t know if it was because I already knew the characters and setting or if the writing was just that much more engrossing, but I felt much more connected to Elizabeth and her surroundings in this book. I had much more of a sense of actually journeying with Elizabeth and her family. It was also really, really helpful that there was a character introduction list at the beginning of the book. I think all series books should do this! It makes it easier to remember what happened in the first book, especially when you are a book reviewer who reads many, many books in between.
I also thought that the spiritual side of this book was clearer than in the previous one. The gospel and other aspects of faith were seamlessly woven throughout the story and within the characters’ lives. I liked how Elizabeth and her family related to the other members of the wagon train, especially the ones who were difficult. They did sometimes come off as a bit too perfect, but it was a great example of how to truly relate to others, solve problems, and have meaningful relationships.
Read my complete review here: http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
But all of those issues were completely resolved in this second offering, which made it much more enjoyable for me. I don’t know if it was because I already knew the characters and setting or if the writing was just that much more engrossing, but I felt much more connected to Elizabeth and her surroundings in this book. I had much more of a sense of actually journeying with Elizabeth and her family. It was also really, really helpful that there was a character introduction list at the beginning of the book. I think all series books should do this! It makes it easier to remember what happened in the first book, especially when you are a book reviewer who reads many, many books in between.
I also thought that the spiritual side of this book was clearer than in the previous one. The gospel and other aspects of faith were seamlessly woven throughout the story and within the characters’ lives. I liked how Elizabeth and her family related to the other members of the wagon train, especially the ones who were difficult. They did sometimes come off as a bit too perfect, but it was a great example of how to truly relate to others, solve problems, and have meaningful relationships.
Read my complete review here: http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
June 11, 2018
The second half of the Oregon Trail journey and the resolution of Elizabeth's romantic triangle. This really feels like a rosy picture of the trail. Yes, there are deaths, plus awful racism, but few things can't be solved with prayers and late night talks, etc etc. Elizabeth is practically an angel. Does she have flaws? I suppose her flashes of temper in defense of other people and their rights are probably meant to be flaws. And she did have doubt and guilt over convincing people to join her in an area that might not be as safe as she had thought. Anyway, I remain fascinated by trail life, so I continued. Elizabeth's family was seriously lucky, every step of the way. I still like Will better than Eli, but at least Eli got a personality here. I don't think these are the author's best works, but they aren't bad.
August 28, 2018
What the pioneers went through to establish our country ; what perils and joys they experienced along the way . It was totally by God's grace that enough of them survived to colonize the West !
I have enjoyed reading of Elizabeth's struggles , dreams, and through her eyes , I have been reminded of where I spent half of my lifetime growing up . I'm looking forward to the third and final installment of this series .
I have enjoyed reading of Elizabeth's struggles , dreams, and through her eyes , I have been reminded of where I spent half of my lifetime growing up . I'm looking forward to the third and final installment of this series .
October 5, 2017
Enhanced by history
I loved how the author used pieces of history, geography, and current events of the times to provide context to her story. I also enjoyed how the author streamlined the story by focusing on a group of characters that illustrated and answered the question, "What would it have been like on the Oregon Trail?"
I loved how the author used pieces of history, geography, and current events of the times to provide context to her story. I also enjoyed how the author streamlined the story by focusing on a group of characters that illustrated and answered the question, "What would it have been like on the Oregon Trail?"
November 25, 2021
I liked the first one better, but I still enjoyed this book. The details about the wagon train may seem tedious to some, but I like getting the history of things. The part about Mrs. Taylor stubbornly refusing to leave behind her piano at first was frustrating and awful. She basically killed her husband over a stupid piano. Over time, however, the event softened Mrs. Taylor and humanized her from the character she was in the first book. Speaking of characters, several from book one practically disappeared. I loved Jess, for example, and found her love story with Matthew so sweet. In this book, however, she was just sort of there, hovering in the background. Some characters disappeared completely.
Eli pulled away from Elizabeth in this book and wasn't around much either. This annoyed me too because I loved Eli and shipped him with Elizabeth. He disappeared completely for the second half the book to lead an offshoot of the wagon train, making me worry that she was going to end up with William instead. Boring, flat William. She doesn't end up with him, thank God, but it seemed odd that we had to endure so many lengthy conversations between the two completely devoid of any chemistry. It was painful. Why have Elizabeth spend so much time in this book with William, when that wasn't end game? I wanted more of her with Eli! The parts with him were fantastic, don't get me wrong, it just seemed that the author was emphasizing the wrong relationship. For what purpose? To trick us? Then, the sudden resolution with Eli and his proposal happened in the last like three pages of the book. He came back and just proposed? What about how mysterious he still is? What about his wanderlust? Did he really have a Native American wife and son who died of smallpox? Because it seemed like that was just Elizabeth's educated guess, she never asked for details about the family he lost. She just deduced it from the fact that he lived with a Native American tribe for a few years. I would have just liked for them to have some actual conversations before a proposal. Yes, they talked, but there were some life details that I would think need to be addressed. Maybe people didn't care about that stuff back then and figured you'd get to know each other after you're married.
I know I sort of went off on my issues with the Will/Eli stuff, but I did still enjoy this book. And since it's act two of a trilogy, I'll hold off on harsher judgment until I read book three.
Eli pulled away from Elizabeth in this book and wasn't around much either. This annoyed me too because I loved Eli and shipped him with Elizabeth. He disappeared completely for the second half the book to lead an offshoot of the wagon train, making me worry that she was going to end up with William instead. Boring, flat William. She doesn't end up with him, thank God, but it seemed odd that we had to endure so many lengthy conversations between the two completely devoid of any chemistry. It was painful. Why have Elizabeth spend so much time in this book with William, when that wasn't end game? I wanted more of her with Eli! The parts with him were fantastic, don't get me wrong, it just seemed that the author was emphasizing the wrong relationship. For what purpose? To trick us? Then, the sudden resolution with Eli and his proposal happened in the last like three pages of the book. He came back and just proposed? What about how mysterious he still is? What about his wanderlust? Did he really have a Native American wife and son who died of smallpox? Because it seemed like that was just Elizabeth's educated guess, she never asked for details about the family he lost. She just deduced it from the fact that he lived with a Native American tribe for a few years. I would have just liked for them to have some actual conversations before a proposal. Yes, they talked, but there were some life details that I would think need to be addressed. Maybe people didn't care about that stuff back then and figured you'd get to know each other after you're married.
I know I sort of went off on my issues with the Will/Eli stuff, but I did still enjoy this book. And since it's act two of a trilogy, I'll hold off on harsher judgment until I read book three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2020
Elizabeth and her family are slowly making their way closer to Oregon, one day at a time with their wagon trail. The road isn't getting any easier, and not even has made it this far, but Elizabeth and her family are thankful they were able to experience this journey together and stay safe. After some of their group leaves to take an alternate trail that takes longer, but costs less, the group misses their friends, but know they'll all meet up again at the end. The hardest person to say good-bye to for Elizabeth is Eli, which is unsettling for her. She's not sure she's ready to feel for another person so soon after James' death, and Eli has made it clear he loves being on the trail and settling down isn't for him. Elizabeth, on the other hand, has a family and needs roots. She knows in time she can make it work, maybe Will can provide some distraction for her breaking heart, even though she thinks of him as nothing more than a good friend. She knew the trip out west wasn't going to be easy, but does it need to be hard emotionally too?
The ending for this book was no surprise, but now I need to find the third book in the series so I can finish. As it is, it does leave the reader with some sense of finality, but I read a sneak peek of the final book at the end of this book and I would like to see where it goes. They are settled now, so that's not going to be the story. I suppose the process of getting a home set up is probably as hard as getting to that home in those days. I definitely recommend this series
The ending for this book was no surprise, but now I need to find the third book in the series so I can finish. As it is, it does leave the reader with some sense of finality, but I read a sneak peek of the final book at the end of this book and I would like to see where it goes. They are settled now, so that's not going to be the story. I suppose the process of getting a home set up is probably as hard as getting to that home in those days. I definitely recommend this series
February 19, 2020
Highly recommend if you love all things Oregon Trail! This is the second in a trio of books about a family’s journey on the Oregon Trail. These books go into detail and dive into some aspects I have rarely read about (in fiction books). One thing I loved in this book was the journey on a raft with their wagons. Also, the boat ride afterward. We readers always hear about the actual trail riding, but rarely about the times the pioneers had to be on the water. Wonderful!
August 21, 2021
A Love Worth Waiting For
Elizabeth, Eli and Will. The triangle continues as these two men make their feelings known for Elizabeth. Who would win her heart? As they travel the trail on this long wagon train, losing some of the pioneers, having to leave supplies along the way, making new friends and saying goodbye to others, you can become part of the adventure. Very good book. Read and enjoy.
Elizabeth, Eli and Will. The triangle continues as these two men make their feelings known for Elizabeth. Who would win her heart? As they travel the trail on this long wagon train, losing some of the pioneers, having to leave supplies along the way, making new friends and saying goodbye to others, you can become part of the adventure. Very good book. Read and enjoy.
October 15, 2019
Book 2
Continued to enjoy this story. Again the ending seems incomplete so that I will read the next book. Because I loved the complete trip, I had to up my rating. The research by the authors shows. Having visited many of the place along the trail, my memories of my adventure flooded my mind and made me pause in my reading, just to remember. Thank you.
Continued to enjoy this story. Again the ending seems incomplete so that I will read the next book. Because I loved the complete trip, I had to up my rating. The research by the authors shows. Having visited many of the place along the trail, my memories of my adventure flooded my mind and made me pause in my reading, just to remember. Thank you.
February 12, 2023
I loved all three of these books. They are full of happiness and love. Having taught children about the Oregon Trail, I felt I was a part of the pioneers and their advetures.
I would recommend these three books to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.. Easy read and very upbeat. Read them in order.
I would recommend these three books to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.. Easy read and very upbeat. Read them in order.
January 21, 2018
I don't know if I will read the third book in this trilogy, since book 2 ends at getting the wagon trail to its destination. But the first two books were a nice, gentle view of the pioneers traveling across America, w/o any Indian fights though it did depict a number of trials along the way.
August 23, 2018
Disappointing and predictable
Book 1 entertained enough to purchase book 2 if this series, but book 2 was a rather slow uninspiring tale. Real life can often feel that way, but novels are usually designed to entrance.
Book 1 entertained enough to purchase book 2 if this series, but book 2 was a rather slow uninspiring tale. Real life can often feel that way, but novels are usually designed to entrance.
August 29, 2017
I loved this series. I could not but them down till I finished.
July 30, 2018
A great continuation of this series!
January 2, 2019
Easy light read, somewhat entertaining.
January 7, 2019
Went along slowly but was okay to read.
March 29, 2019
Enjoyed this one, too... easy read. Onto the last in the series.
July 20, 2019
Great read - kept my interest
I enjoyed the first book and this one pulled me right in and we continued on the wagon train together! I felt like i was right there with them.
I enjoyed the first book and this one pulled me right in and we continued on the wagon train together! I felt like i was right there with them.
March 22, 2020
Another enjoyable read.
June 26, 2021
Continuing on the Oregon Trail with the second book of the series. I enjoyed getting to know the characters better. A little more action and drama in this one, really kept me interested. Looking forward to reading the conclusion!
July 11, 2021
Though I enjoyed this second book in the series, and the continuing development of characters, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book.
May 20, 2022
Really enjoyed the second book in the series. The continuing story was educational, intriguing and was a real joy to read! Starting the third book immediately! Love this author!
July 6, 2022
Some Oregon Trail insights, although the locations are a bit mixed up.
August 7, 2022
To really enjoy read this series of three in order.
December 28, 2022
This book continues the story of the wagon train to Oregon, the last half of their journey.
March 16, 2023
Part of a series. Finally arrived in Oregon.
February 5, 2024
I enjoyed this second book in the series, but plan to read all three to get the whole story. Getting to know the characters even more deeply was nice, and the suspense in the romance department added to the interest.
January 28, 2023
Good but not as authentic ad others I've read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews