Turner's Woman

Trail Blazers #1

by Jenna Kernan

Jake Turner was a man of secrets...and even a woman he'd saved from a Crow massacre couldn't be privy to his true mission. But Emma Lancing was a woman of surprises, blossoming like a cactus rose during their arduous trek through the Western wilderness. Resourceful, brave and beautiful, she alone made him question his solitary life by proving to be the perfect partner for his adventurous soul!

Emma Lancing's only escape from an abusive, hopeless future lay in trusting a man who made it clear she was not welcome in his world. Even so, she was drawn to Jake Turner's rugged fearlessness and independent spirit, which stirred in her unrealized strengths and undreamt-of passions!

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Westerns, Historical, Western Romance, Historical Fiction, Adventure

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Thank you for finding me on GoodReads.

Find my social media links here: https://linktr.ee/jennakernan

Here's a bit more about me...

Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Jenna Kernan has written over forty novels, most recently penning domestic thrillers. Her debut thriller, A Killer's Daughter, won the bronze medal in popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards in 2021. Jenna’s 2022 domestic thriller, The Ex-Wives, won the gold medal in the same category. The Nurse, was released in 2023, The Patient's Daughter released in 2024, and The Fake Mother in 2025. Her thrillers are intense, unsettling, and gripping with unexpected twists and turns.
Jenna began her writing journey penning historical romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Find them here: https://www.jennakernan.com/books-1
A member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Florida Mystery Writers and Novelists, Inc. and a natural redhead living with her husband on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jenna has recently increased her sunblock to SPF 50.

Jenna offers a FREE BOOK as a welcome gift to new VIP Readers. Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/jennakernan/grippi...

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Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. I found Emma to be a wonderful heroine. She saved the hero numerous times, survived harrowing situations, and fought to be strong when she was bred and raised to be weak by a bully of a father. I liked Jake, but this book stands out because of Emma. Jake was a little too preoccupied about being trapped into marriage for my tastes. I was like, "get over it." Otherwise he was a great hero, who knew how to live off the land, and could get himself and Emma out of a tight fix.

I like the way Emma stood toe to toe with him and had just as valid a reason not to want marriage. She kept him guessing and made him have to reevaluate his perceptions about womankind, and didn't demand his love. In fact, he fell in love with her because of the incredible woman she was. I loved how she moved on to find a life for herself and he found his way to her, because he couldn't live without her.

This story is vivid with scenes of surviving the elements as Emma and Jake crossed the frontier. There are moments that make you hold your breath and wonder whether they will persevere in the situations they end up with. It's why I enjoy westerns and frontier reads. Each time I felt more admiration for Emma's strength. If you like romances full of adventure and facing the elements, living in the wild, with character who persevere together and to find a great love in the process, you'll love this book.

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed and long

I feel like it took me forever to read this. Jake Turner finds a female survivor of an Indian massacre. He takes her with him as he is on a mission for the president. They travel everywhere. Over the mountains, through the desert, and Mexico and they have quite the adventures. He was almost taken in by a woman who was pregnant with another mans body and she tried to say it was his. She had a miscarriage and he high failed it out of there. He doesn't trust women but he really wanted the heroine and he was hot and cold. She proved to be an amazing woman. Great shot, hunted well, never complained and had am inner strength. There is an evil father out of the picture but he does show up. This is clean but there is a fade to black love scene when he tells her he loves her but unfortunately he was drugged up and doesn't remember. So much going on but I lived the heroine. She was amazing and st the end of their journey I believed in their love!

[Dorine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turner’s Woman by Jenna Kernan is an almost perfect story. It’s exactly how I love frontier adventure, filled with danger and resiliency.

See this review in full color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.

This book is so good that it would have received 5 stars, if not for the need of a final line editor. The storytelling is excellent, engaging my senses, and encouraging me to read faster. It has a good romance, even though it’s a bit more sensual than I prefer.

There are large sections of this novel that are perfect, so I know editing was done. In addition, there are areas that contained misspelled words and verb tense issues, enough to pull me out of the story. I can ignore grammar issues here and there, but consistent sections that need attention make me stop and think, when I’d rather be ensconced in this exceptional storyline.

I found this author through Wendy the Super Librarian’s Unusual Historical Top Picks for May 2020 post. After looking at the series as a whole, and reading some blurbs and reviews, I felt inclined to buy eight of them. I’m so glad I did because I’m hoping they’ll all fall into my favorite theme of wilderness survival in historical romance.

Emma is a resourceful heroine who comes off as needy in the very beginning when she survives a massacre, but soon proves her worth. Jake takes her with him on his journey, even though it goes against his better judgment. Emma surprises Jake with her shooting accuracy that keeps them well fed, plus saves Jake’s life more than once.

Great first line…

“The odor of coffee and chewing tobacco reached Jake Turner seconds before the jangle of metal bits in the mouths of nervous horses.”

I knew right away I could look forward to a wilderness man’s point of view, which is definitely on my list of preferences.

WHY WAS THIS BOOK ON DORINE’S TBR? I’ve spent most of my summer (2020) outdoors camping and gardening, so the thought of winter gives me a sense of loss. Which is why grabbing books with wilderness themes to get me through winter is pretty common right now. So yes, this was on my TBR, but not for very long. Thanks Wendy! It suited our challenge theme of danger perfectly.

This was read in October 2020 for our TBR Challenge, but once again I was out in the wilderness camping and never uploaded this review. I found it when I was writing the review for the next book in 2021, so I thought I’d finally get this up on my blog so there’s consistency in the series. Besides the fact that it’s so good that I’d like to remember why I enjoyed it.

TURNER’S WOMAN is a good frontier adventure that held my attention from the beginning. Both characters were interesting and I enjoyed their interaction. I love wilderness travel stories like this.

If you love frontier adventure as much as I do, grab the series and we’ll explore our thoughts as we read. I’d love to discuss these books with other like-minded wilderness story lovers. WINTER WOMAN is next. How appropriate for when the snow flies. Or when we’re roasting in the summer in 90 degree weather and need to dream of the cold.

Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. A digital copy was purchased. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media. #TBRChallenge #RomBkBlog

[Sherron · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Catheryn]

DNF at 27%

I'm having a hard time continuing the book. Its not bad, but I'm not liking either character. I might come back and pick this up again. Just feels pretty slow moving.

[Larena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Romance

Jake Turner bargained for the life of the sole survivor of a Crow massacre instead of leaving her. He knows the feelings that he feels for her when he looks at her, which he can’t explain, jeopardizes his secret mission. Now he thinks he is saddled with unwanted baggage. Emma Lancing is just full of surprises though. She is beautiful as well as quick-witted and bold. Soon she has roused Jake’s admiration and his ardor. As each day she turns from being a liability to the ideal partner.

The only thing Emma wants is to escape a bleak future under her abusive father’s boot-heel, at least at first. She is willing to risk everything to evade his tyranny. She also vows to never again be ruled by a man. Though journeying with Jake gives her a different view and soon has her longing to join him on his adventures and to taste passion in his arms. Emma may be a woman who is determined to keep men out of her life, but she just may have met her match.


This is a book that starts out fast and just keeps going from there. The early beginnings of the west come to life in this story with each word that the reader reads. The characters come to life for the reader as they get more and more into this book. It also proves to be a hard book to put down as the reader will want to find out just what happens next and how it all comes out for Jake and Emma. This is another great book from an author that proves she knows how to bring both the story and the characters to life.

[Maria Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Emma completely stole my heart in this book. Part One was incredibly descriptive, while Part Two was action-packed and fast-moving. The character development was rich and fully realized. I especially loved their dynamic — though Jake’s character could be a little hard to read at times. He was single-minded and consumed by his past trauma, unable to see the bigger picture despite Emma proving herself time and again.
Emma’s courage as she traveled with Jake West was phenomenal and so commendable. In Part One, I loved seeing the explorers’ journey through the Pacific West and experiencing the beauty of the natural world — the antelope, the deer, the streams, the flowers. The author’s descriptive language made the story come alive. I truly felt like an explorer alongside them, witnessing every part of their adventure as Jake mapped the routes that would later guide the wagon trains.
I’ve read many Westerns and historical fiction novels, but this was the first one I’ve encountered that focused on the actual process of charting trails and creating routes from East to West. Emma was an amazing character — fierce, courageous, and completely endearing. The detailed topography and vivid depictions of the terrain made their journey fascinating to follow.
The only thing I wished for was that Jake had been more open about his emotions. Rather than reading his feelings through regret, I wanted to hear him express his love for Emma directly.
Overall, it was an incredible book, and I’m so excited to read the next story in the series!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping, dramatic, shocking and powerful story depicting one man's journey across the country when California was still being discovered by Americans. If you have a weak stomach, or are sensitive to gory details you might want to pass on this book. Jake is a brave, determined and untrusting man who is tasked with making his way to California, and mapping the way, for the president. Emma is the daughter of a career military man, who has bullied her and kept her prisoner. She's on her way to her father from one fort to another when her party is attacked and everyone except her is killed. Jake manages to save her, then refuses to take her back to either fort, because he is on a time sensitive journey. She doesn't stand up to Jake because she's afraid that he's like her father. But they both learn just how strong and brave she is. Along the way they face setback after setback, sometimes being in grave danger, and they each fall in love, both refusing to acknowledge it because neither wants to be trapped in a marriage. It starts off slowly, but picks up as the action picks up. It's sad and tragic and interesting.

I recieved a copy of this book from booksprout and am voluntarily reviewing it.

[E Oygard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading

It was hard to imagine that a story which for the main part revolves around only two main characters, alone, travelling and seeing no one, would hold my interest, but this story succeeded. The interaction between Jake Turner, a man who believes all women are out to trap a man into marriage and Emma Lancing who has been mentally abused by her father all her life was completely entertaining.
Jake has an important job to do which involves crossing the country. He rescues Emma, the only survivor of a Crow attack and does not have the time or inclination to see her to safety. She must travel with him.
Emma is a beaten down woman, afraid of a man's anger. The story of how they both take a good look at their own strengths and weaknesses is extremely enjoyable as he struggles to see her as an independent woman and she realises she is not going mad and can be his equal.I
The story is well written and marks the attempt to find a trail across country for the first wagon trains.

[Amanda Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While on a scouting mission for Andrew Jackson himself, Jake Turner finds a woman and a small group of men in a shootout with an Indian tribe. Jake bargains for the woman, Emily's life and gains a female partner that he didn't want or need.

Emily is grateful to Jake for the rescue, but she has no desire to live with an overbearing man like her father has been. She chooses to travel with Jake instead of making her own way back to her father.

Let's be truthful here, Jake is a jerk. I could say worse, but jerk sums it up nicely. He barely redeems himself. He had second thoughts about trying to save Emily, he was going to give her two days of supplies and leave her on her own and threatened to leave her more than once. He constantly accused of her of trying to seduce him and it was him that wanted her.

I enjoyed the drama and emotion of the story, but did not like Jake at all. I wished for more steam and for him to grovel at her feet when he finally pulled his head out of his a**.

[J Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good adventure book with romance

I think "Turner's Woman" is equally an adventure book and a romance. When Jake first meets Emma she is in a very precarious position. She is surrounded by furious Natives and many dead white men. Jake wishes he could just leave her to her fate with the Natives. He can't though, so he brings Emma along on his months long journey to California.

This story is very interesting and Jake and Emma are wonderfully complex characters. I gave only 4 stars because of the many mistakes in grammar, punctuation and syntax. I find that sort of thing very offensive. It bothered me enough that I am not sure I will read the next book in this series.

As stated, this is a very interesting story that held my interest well. If you can ignore the errors, you will no doubt like this story. I did. Enjoy!!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Yes!!! This one hit the spot. I love frontier/western romances and this one was near perfect. Emma is a strong, resilient and smart heroine who can take care of herself. I loved her! Jake is pig headed at times and definitely has very misconstrued ideas about women, which annoyed me at times, but he was respectful and appreciative of Emma’s level headedness. He also thought her to be self Sufi isn’t and how to survive. Although there is insta-lust the romance is a slower burn (thank god). I was a little peeved about all the lusty descriptions at the start but it got better. I also was a little annoyed at how Jake would just generalize his one bad experience with marriage and paint all women with the same brush. Other than that I loved how this story takes place in the wilderness travelling to the west. Very unique and interesting setting!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's strange to think about what people went through going from the east to the west in the 1800's. This story makes me tired just reading it. All day in the saddle. How many times did they stop so they could re-leave themselves. How did they make food that can take four hours or more and still get all the sleep they could. The trip was months long. Danger from animals, Indians, to fall off a horse or just to get sick. This couple went through a lot but finely came through the other side with mission accomplished. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.

[Elaine Hamner-Yard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series from 3 to 1. It is a fun read with some realistic encounters between animal and human. Interesting research about Indian tribes and their cultures. That alone is worth the read. Early 1800's was a harsh time out west. No Wal-Mart or Costco to shop. So how white man survived is due to trial and error and if a friendly tribe took them in.
Dialogue can be funny between H and h. The trauma and PTS is shown well by action. Characters grow by experiences. Limited food supplies are addressed. This is a great look backward into the early westward movement and the stupid things early pioneers did until they learned the hard way. I enjoyed this series and encourage others.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! I highly recommend this story as it is a fictionalized tale of history in our country. The author added remarks regarding her research which I found interesting and factual. The 1830’s were rugged, harsh and unforgiving. Traveling across the continent was dangerous and mapping the quest was difficult. In this story-line, Jake Turner was traveling at the request of President Jackson in order to map trails to the Pacific Coast. Along the way, he encountered an Indian massacre where he met Emma Lancing, the lone survivor. The story is an adventure from that moment and I’ll long remember the trials along the trail. Thanks for a great read!

[Bea Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly the best heroine I've ever read in romance... and I mean ever. She was quiet yet incredibly brave, she showed her mettle time and again, she proved herself, and best of all she maintained her dignity throughout - she didn't beg of fawn over this dude, she didn't surrender to her treacherous body, she was a woman who listened when he said 'I'll never marry, and I'll never marry you' and said 'fine then' and set her ambitions to a new guiding star. It was up to him to follow, to beg, to earn her love. YES!!!

And wow, non stop adventure romance here. I was up till the small hours reading because no way could I sleep with this sort of mad adventure going on.

[Sally J Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main characters in this book are Jake Turner, an Army officer traveling to the west coast in 1830, and Emma Lansing, a General's daughter, who's being escorted to her father's fort. Jake saves Emma from capture by native Americans and reluctantly takes her along with him. Their journey to the Pacific is full of dangers from people, nature and weather. You are drawn into that time and place by the historical authenticity of the author.

It's a superb story of two determined people on an unknown journey. The hardships of the times and dangers they face. A truly gripping book.

[Tripip · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this adventurous wild frontier novel involving Jake, a man on a mission to reach the West Coast, and Emma, a daughter escaping the tyranny of her father. I loved Emma's character. She was a strong, resilient woman proving herself capable in some of the direst situations. Jake was a strapping, alpha male although his continued distrust of females was a bit tedious. Both are leery of matrimony given their prior history so will they get their HEA?

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story .
While I don't read much historical romance stories . This is a fantastic story. This story has action and suspense and a very interesting storyline . I was inraptured from the beginning and read all at one time . Author is new to me but I'll definitely be reading more of her stories . I highly recommend reading this wonderful story .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several books written Jenna Kernan; she has done a great job at writing a good book. She is becoming one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is saved after a Crow massacre and he is in a mission. He agrees to bargain for her although he wishes he had not as he is on a secret mission. She had enough of her abusive father and she did not expect to be with another man. She surprises him with her skill and help. Will she fall for him? Will he fall for her? Can they be the best one for the other? See how th mission goes

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[marceline · Rating 5 out of 5]

That cover is just not it! But this book is! It was a good read.

The H is a whole lot frustrating even as we are in the last chapters, but still he gets some pass on my books. My favorite though is the h character development. I like her. I cheer for her. She saves the H more than he has saver her, to be very honest. Also, I want her father to be given some form of punishment, but we don’t see that at all. In the end, the book is still a satisfactory read.

[Sandra Whittiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turner's Woman (Trail Blazer's Book 1)

Emma and Jake do not meet in any kind of conventional way, he saved her life. But at that moment , his life was not his own. He had the chance to help open the way for all the people who would brave the wild frontier. Now, whether he liked it or not, he also had a partner.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written

I enjoyed this story with its historical glimpse into the land west of the Mississippi in the 1830s with insight into the attitudes of the native tribes, the political situation in Alta California, plus the relationship between the two characters, both dealing with emotional baggage. A lot of action and suspense.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure in the wilderness. Mrs. Kernan is a fabulous writer. She can really keep her readers going. I bought her 2nd book in the Trail Blazer series also. I hope by now she has a new proof reader as there aren't so many in this book but there's tons in the 2nd book. Bummer, it's really distracting to the reader. If you get paid, please put out professional books.

[Diane Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turner's Woman By Jenna Kernan

Five stars, love this book. It had everything, passion, mystery, drama, and hope. Emma was tired of being dominated by men. Especially her father. Getting lost she ends up with Jake, who has his own baggage. As they make their and mapped their way to California. All types of problems come their way, including love. Good ending.

[Elke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual fare

I usually don't read historical romance, but I'm glad I've found this author. The story was very enjoyable and I've already one clicked the next book in the series.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenna Kernan’s writing is light, refreshing and compelling. Her characters are gritty, wholesome and unique and her storytelling is a shining example of perfection. I deeply enjoyed Turner’s Woman and can’t wait to delve into the next Trailblazers book!

Highly Recommended
4.5 Stars

[vickieallred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

I loved the story and the characters. This author creates an interesting tale that draws you in and makes you care for the characters. I loved this western and look forward to reading more from this amazing author.

[Natalie F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful book

This was such a great book, I am so glad I found this author. The book is filled with a adventure and kept me captive until I finished it. I loved the characters. Their strength. Such an interesting story.