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Hot on the Trail #2
Trail of Hope
Callie Lewis is alone on the Oregon Trail. After her brother’s death, she has been left to fend for herself on a journey she never wanted to take. Her only hope for safety and a life at the end of the road is to become a trail bride and wed grieving widower John Rye. But John is harboring secrets that could end their hasty marriage before it has a chance to begin.
When a vicious tornado wakes John from the stupor the death of his wife left him in, he is ready to embrace Callie and the new life they could have together. But John is not the only one with designs on his new wife. Miles away from civilization, in a wagon train bristling with secrets and suspicion, John must catch a thief, fend off his rival, and reclaim his life to build the future Callie deserves.
In their darkest moments will they bring each other hope or misery?
When a vicious tornado wakes John from the stupor the death of his wife left him in, he is ready to embrace Callie and the new life they could have together. But John is not the only one with designs on his new wife. Miles away from civilization, in a wagon train bristling with secrets and suspicion, John must catch a thief, fend off his rival, and reclaim his life to build the future Callie deserves.
In their darkest moments will they bring each other hope or misery?
ebook
First published November 24, 2014
429 people are currently reading
1523 people want to read
About the author
Merry Farmer
265 books1,126 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Merry Farmer lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Justine and Peter. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. Her books have reached the top of Amazon's charts, and have been named finalists for several prestigious awards, including the RONE Award for indie romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
July 14, 2022
I don't read Westerns often, so I looked around a bit until I found this one for a RATA. It was an enjoyable plot about a marriage of convenience. The couple are cute and become friends before they become lovers. The mystery part of the book was rather obvious. I rate this 3.5 and round up for a fun well written story.
October 27, 2015
* received ARC in exchange for honest review
I am not a writer, I leave that to those that are talented with words. But I will try to explain why I liked this story.
This is a story about John Rye and Callie Lewis.
John is a grieving widower.
Callie is alone on the Oregon Trail.
I am very happy for not missing the second book in Merry Farmer's new series.
Both Callie and John have been hit by grief and due to circumstances find themselves together and pushing forward.
We don't realize how hard life was for a single woman on the Oregon trail.
Callie squeezed her hands in front of her, almost as if she was praying, then glanced up to meet his eyes. “Mrs. Weingarten tells me I’m in a dangerous position. I think she’s right. I’m alone now, with no protection. She thinks I should make a trail match, that I should marry one of the single men traveling with us.” Her face grew progressively redder as she spoke, but speak she did.
Callie is so brave, and I am so sad for her – losing her entire family like that. I can’t fandom how it is to be alone in the world.
But he’d made a promise to at least try to be a good husband to Callie until they reached Denver City. She waited for his answer with so much expectation that he had to answer, “Of course.”
Oh, yes, and now the bath in the stream :)
“But where’s the rest of it?” Barney hollered.
The miners were always making trouble, and that Elton was no better. I felt that something bad would happen with that lot.
“Thanks though,” she finished.
John wanted to confront Elton so he would stop pestering Callie. When they will do something substantial?! :D
“You like your husband,” Mrs. Weingarten interrupted her thoughts with a knowing grin of another kind.
Mrs. Weingarten already noticed that Callie likes her husband, but what with the John? Will he ever noticed any woman except his dead Rebecca?
“We can do this.” He stroked his fingers clumsily across her wet hair and the side of her face. “We’re not alone. We are alive and we can do this. You’re not alone. I’m here. I’m alive. I’m going to live a long, long time.”
John finally decided that he wants to live!!! :D
“This is for you.” John handed her one of the steaming cups when he walked back, a bright smile on his usually dejected face and light dancing in his formerly dull eyes. Had the storm changed him somehow?
Well, Callie still doesn’t know how is John reacting when she is near him. ;)
He grinned, rubbing the growth on his chin. “You wouldn’t find it too scratchy when I kissed you?”
John is trying to make a move, but it seems that Callie still doesn’t believe that it is her that he wants.
“Gotta have that deed with me to claim the property,” he explained, wringing his hands. “My bull-headed brother put the land in the care of the bank. They won’t let no one go out there but me, but they don’t know me from Jefferson Davis. I gotta show them the deed to prove I’m me in the first place.” Clearly he didn’t think much of the idea.
I think, that all that fuss about the teapot has something to do with the missing deed!
“So would Shannon,” John agreed. “She loved a good sunset.”
Callie is still jealous of Johns late wife. She is not seeing that he is already besotted with her!
“Oh? Let me see.”
Oh, my God, they noticed something in the teapot! Will they finally revel the truth?!
“I—” She didn’t know what to say. Her heart caught in her throat and all she could think, all she could say, was, “Yes.”
And finally the lovemaking scene… They only took 90% of the book for that :D
“I’m alive,” he said. He turned his face up to the heavens and raised his voice. “I’m alive! Alive and in love with the most magnificent woman I’ve ever met.” He lowered his eyes to her, then leaned in to kiss her once more. “You brought me back to life, Callie. When I thought you were in danger….” He shook his head. “I thought I would charge out here and find that teapot, but instead I found my wife. I love you. I will always love you.”
Finally!!! Every story has a happy ending ;)
Nice story, believable ;)
Recommendations :D
I am not a writer, I leave that to those that are talented with words. But I will try to explain why I liked this story.
This is a story about John Rye and Callie Lewis.
John is a grieving widower.
Callie is alone on the Oregon Trail.
I am very happy for not missing the second book in Merry Farmer's new series.
Both Callie and John have been hit by grief and due to circumstances find themselves together and pushing forward.
We don't realize how hard life was for a single woman on the Oregon trail.
Callie squeezed her hands in front of her, almost as if she was praying, then glanced up to meet his eyes. “Mrs. Weingarten tells me I’m in a dangerous position. I think she’s right. I’m alone now, with no protection. She thinks I should make a trail match, that I should marry one of the single men traveling with us.” Her face grew progressively redder as she spoke, but speak she did.
Callie is so brave, and I am so sad for her – losing her entire family like that. I can’t fandom how it is to be alone in the world.
But he’d made a promise to at least try to be a good husband to Callie until they reached Denver City. She waited for his answer with so much expectation that he had to answer, “Of course.”
Oh, yes, and now the bath in the stream :)
“But where’s the rest of it?” Barney hollered.
The miners were always making trouble, and that Elton was no better. I felt that something bad would happen with that lot.
“Thanks though,” she finished.
John wanted to confront Elton so he would stop pestering Callie. When they will do something substantial?! :D
“You like your husband,” Mrs. Weingarten interrupted her thoughts with a knowing grin of another kind.
Mrs. Weingarten already noticed that Callie likes her husband, but what with the John? Will he ever noticed any woman except his dead Rebecca?
“We can do this.” He stroked his fingers clumsily across her wet hair and the side of her face. “We’re not alone. We are alive and we can do this. You’re not alone. I’m here. I’m alive. I’m going to live a long, long time.”
John finally decided that he wants to live!!! :D
“This is for you.” John handed her one of the steaming cups when he walked back, a bright smile on his usually dejected face and light dancing in his formerly dull eyes. Had the storm changed him somehow?
Well, Callie still doesn’t know how is John reacting when she is near him. ;)
He grinned, rubbing the growth on his chin. “You wouldn’t find it too scratchy when I kissed you?”
John is trying to make a move, but it seems that Callie still doesn’t believe that it is her that he wants.
“Gotta have that deed with me to claim the property,” he explained, wringing his hands. “My bull-headed brother put the land in the care of the bank. They won’t let no one go out there but me, but they don’t know me from Jefferson Davis. I gotta show them the deed to prove I’m me in the first place.” Clearly he didn’t think much of the idea.
I think, that all that fuss about the teapot has something to do with the missing deed!
“So would Shannon,” John agreed. “She loved a good sunset.”
Callie is still jealous of Johns late wife. She is not seeing that he is already besotted with her!
“Oh? Let me see.”
Oh, my God, they noticed something in the teapot! Will they finally revel the truth?!
“I—” She didn’t know what to say. Her heart caught in her throat and all she could think, all she could say, was, “Yes.”
And finally the lovemaking scene… They only took 90% of the book for that :D
“I’m alive,” he said. He turned his face up to the heavens and raised his voice. “I’m alive! Alive and in love with the most magnificent woman I’ve ever met.” He lowered his eyes to her, then leaned in to kiss her once more. “You brought me back to life, Callie. When I thought you were in danger….” He shook his head. “I thought I would charge out here and find that teapot, but instead I found my wife. I love you. I will always love you.”
Finally!!! Every story has a happy ending ;)
Nice story, believable ;)
Recommendations :D
November 16, 2020
This was a lovely slow burn historical story that was unexpectedly hot.
I wasn’t as convinced by the conflict, it was painfully obvious what was going on and the fact that both of them didn’t seem to get it was a bit aggravating.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into this.
Complete story, available on ku.
I wasn’t as convinced by the conflict, it was painfully obvious what was going on and the fact that both of them didn’t seem to get it was a bit aggravating.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into this.
Complete story, available on ku.
Want to read
November 18, 2015Free 11-17-15 (Historic Western Romance)
http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Hope-Hot-...
http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Hope-Hot-...
February 13, 2021
A well-written story with characters who were easy to like and root for. A nice, getting-to-know-you romance. Great escape reading. I rarely have time to read a book in one sitting, but this one I did, because it kept me turning the pages. A recommended read.
August 11, 2017
Very well written. Compelling marriage of convenience Western historical. The relationship between H and h was realistic and developed naturally. I enjoyed it very much.
December 14, 2015
The reason I gave this novel 1 star is because of the heroine, Callie. What a woos! This woman had absolutely no backbone. On the Oregon trail with her brother and his family from Pennsylvania, her brother, wife, and his son catch a fever and die. Callie is left all on her own. Because she is such a woos, she thinks she needs protection, someone to take care of her so she marries John Rye, a recent widower.
I can't stand women who are complainers and can't stand up for themselves. All Callie did was complain of how she didn't want to move west, she hated the plains, she was homesick and wanted to go home. She didn't want adventure, wasn't interested in exploring and seeing the beauty of the plains. Wasn't open to new experiences. And when the tornado hit all she did was stand there terrified. I don't understand why Farmer would write about a protagonist who was so lifeless.
Also, the "intimacy" between John and Callie was weird. They both feel a physical attraction toward each other and they are married but for some reason John takes it slow and Callie, being her frady cat self simply wonders what all her feelings are and doesn't act on them. Come on! You are 24 years old, you are sleeping with a man, you are attracted to him, DO SOMETHING!! Any woman with blood in her veins would have acted on her attraction to John and moved things forward.
I didn't finish this novel because it just became too irritating to read. Luckily the Kindle copy I had was free.
I can't stand women who are complainers and can't stand up for themselves. All Callie did was complain of how she didn't want to move west, she hated the plains, she was homesick and wanted to go home. She didn't want adventure, wasn't interested in exploring and seeing the beauty of the plains. Wasn't open to new experiences. And when the tornado hit all she did was stand there terrified. I don't understand why Farmer would write about a protagonist who was so lifeless.
Also, the "intimacy" between John and Callie was weird. They both feel a physical attraction toward each other and they are married but for some reason John takes it slow and Callie, being her frady cat self simply wonders what all her feelings are and doesn't act on them. Come on! You are 24 years old, you are sleeping with a man, you are attracted to him, DO SOMETHING!! Any woman with blood in her veins would have acted on her attraction to John and moved things forward.
I didn't finish this novel because it just became too irritating to read. Luckily the Kindle copy I had was free.
June 28, 2015
When Callie's brother, sister-in-law and nephew die on the trail, she is prompted to marry and do so quickly. A single girl with no protection is in danger on a wagon train. A quick glance around and a visit or two convince her that John Rye is her best hope. But John is a widower, still in love with his dead wife. And he's keeping terrible secrets.
This was a great story, watching John and Callie become friends and learning to care for each other. A tornado brings clear thinking to John and things change from that point. These characters were great.
The language was clean and the sexual situations were written with taste. Still get a chuckle at this wagon train that is nothing like I've ever read before. Looking forward to book three.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I did enjoy the book.
This was a great story, watching John and Callie become friends and learning to care for each other. A tornado brings clear thinking to John and things change from that point. These characters were great.
The language was clean and the sexual situations were written with taste. Still get a chuckle at this wagon train that is nothing like I've ever read before. Looking forward to book three.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I did enjoy the book.
March 26, 2016
I enjoyed this book better than Trail of Kisses. The progression of the relationship seemed realistic and unrushed. I liked the changes that John had to go through, and the natural insecurities that Callie had as the new wife of a widower. It was really interesting how these two books happened in the same wagon train, with the same major events, but were completely different stories. Now I want to see what happens with Emma and the Doctor.
p.s.
p.s.
September 14, 2015
Arc provided in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book A LOT better than the first one. Both characters were very relatable to me, especially the heroine. Their relationship was meaningful and well written and the love scenes were HOT!
I will definitely be continuing with this series. Recommended to fans of western romanceç
I found this book A LOT better than the first one. Both characters were very relatable to me, especially the heroine. Their relationship was meaningful and well written and the love scenes were HOT!
I will definitely be continuing with this series. Recommended to fans of western romanceç
September 21, 2020
This book was really different in that it showed the hero with realistic issues and challenges . The Hero is very depressed and suicidal with plans to complete this trip and then end his life when he meets and enters a marriage of convenience. The book does a great job showing his journey from grief to regaining his will to live and love again. I really enjoyed it.
December 1, 2015
This was a free book on Amazon and it wasn't bad considering. The romance was sweet but much of the plot cycled round and around before reaching a conclusion.
October 12, 2020
Pros: strong writing, likeable characters, good setting descriptors but not overly heavy. Character driven. Sex scenes nice, not over the top. They're NOT spicy, based on this reader's interpretation of spicy. I'd rate it a 2.75 level. While i would have enjoyed more heat, it wasn't a big drawback for me. If you're looking for more this book might not satisfy you, but the lack of spice didn't detract from the pleasure of the read. This actually read more like a sweet, getting to know each other romance. There wasn't a great deal of sexual tension, which helped make the sex scenes more realistic, although John being hot and bothered when it got to that stage was TOTALLY REALISTIC.
Cons: this reader, having experienced grief in depth, found John discarded his grief for his wife far too quickly based on the impression I had as to how deeply he loved his wife. That impression is based on his intentions and/or actions following his wife's death. The period between her death and how quickly he fell in love with Callie is very unrealistic from that perspective. I could have bought it at a 1 year time span, but six months just didn't mesh. The timing of when he refers to Callie by his wife's 1st name was a bit off. It comes too late in the story, and made this reader question the love he had for Callie. It made me wonder if he might still be deeply in love with his dead wife and he'd mistaken his feelings for Callie and she was a rebound love. While his intentions/actions played into the character's motivation, overcoming his grief from his wife to falling in love with Callie was accomplished in way to short a time to make him a less realistic character. It also irritated me that he didn't emphasize to Callie that he would always have a place in his heart for his dead wife. It was in this internal thoughts, but his reassurance to Callie fell short IMHO. A lot of readers of this genre are well familiar with the loss of a spouse and will find the timing unrealistic, as I did. I also thought John acted extremely rather young for a 37-year-old man in the frontier west. I would think that most men of his age would be a little bit more hardened and worldly than he was.He came off more as a mid to late 20s type of hero, which isn't in a bad thing. His behavior just didn't ring true in terms of his age. HOWEVER, a younger man might have been more realistic in terms of his grief recovery.
I liked Callie. She handled her grief with losing her brother and his family In a manner that was realistic. Although 1 or 2 of her meltdowns did not equate with the strength I saw in her in other portions of the book. But grief manifests differently in people. Of the two characters, I found her the strongest. I do wish she'd shown that strength with Elton though. There she became a bit of a mouse and that did her an injustice. While the small mystery was quite small, I did know who the "villain" was long before the big reveal.
FINAL OPINION
Despite my criticisms, none of them outweighed the simple enjoyment of the read. It was well-paced, likable characters, and lovely development of the romance. I recommend this book to escape from the horrors of covid-19 and the stress of being in close quarters with loved ones. It will keep you occupied for a couple of hours and leave you in a better emotional place. IOWs it will keep you out of jail for days after the read is finished, because it gives you warm fuzzies .
Cons: this reader, having experienced grief in depth, found John discarded his grief for his wife far too quickly based on the impression I had as to how deeply he loved his wife. That impression is based on his intentions and/or actions following his wife's death. The period between her death and how quickly he fell in love with Callie is very unrealistic from that perspective. I could have bought it at a 1 year time span, but six months just didn't mesh. The timing of when he refers to Callie by his wife's 1st name was a bit off. It comes too late in the story, and made this reader question the love he had for Callie. It made me wonder if he might still be deeply in love with his dead wife and he'd mistaken his feelings for Callie and she was a rebound love. While his intentions/actions played into the character's motivation, overcoming his grief from his wife to falling in love with Callie was accomplished in way to short a time to make him a less realistic character. It also irritated me that he didn't emphasize to Callie that he would always have a place in his heart for his dead wife. It was in this internal thoughts, but his reassurance to Callie fell short IMHO. A lot of readers of this genre are well familiar with the loss of a spouse and will find the timing unrealistic, as I did. I also thought John acted extremely rather young for a 37-year-old man in the frontier west. I would think that most men of his age would be a little bit more hardened and worldly than he was.He came off more as a mid to late 20s type of hero, which isn't in a bad thing. His behavior just didn't ring true in terms of his age. HOWEVER, a younger man might have been more realistic in terms of his grief recovery.
I liked Callie. She handled her grief with losing her brother and his family In a manner that was realistic. Although 1 or 2 of her meltdowns did not equate with the strength I saw in her in other portions of the book. But grief manifests differently in people. Of the two characters, I found her the strongest. I do wish she'd shown that strength with Elton though. There she became a bit of a mouse and that did her an injustice. While the small mystery was quite small, I did know who the "villain" was long before the big reveal.
FINAL OPINION
Despite my criticisms, none of them outweighed the simple enjoyment of the read. It was well-paced, likable characters, and lovely development of the romance. I recommend this book to escape from the horrors of covid-19 and the stress of being in close quarters with loved ones. It will keep you occupied for a couple of hours and leave you in a better emotional place. IOWs it will keep you out of jail for days after the read is finished, because it gives you warm fuzzies .
June 12, 2020
This is an OK Western romance novella, with a likable couple, but I would have liked more backstory on both John and Callie.
Callie was likable, but I found it difficult to believe she could have dealt with her grief as well as she did. I get that she had no choice, since she was on a wagon train -- but losing your entire family all at once (3 people!) would have been enough to emotionally cripple almost anyone.
John was likable too, but it seemed like he held on to his grief over the loss of his first wife and son too much. He was determined to just be sad, since he didn't want to live without them, until Callie showed him that he could be happy again. It was like he didn't want to get through his grief, but just wanted to let it slowly consume him.
I also wanted both John and Callie to talk to each other a little more. They both made assumptions about each other that were wrong, simply because they didn't communicate well. That led to unnecessary misunderstandings and hurt for both of them.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
Callie was likable, but I found it difficult to believe she could have dealt with her grief as well as she did. I get that she had no choice, since she was on a wagon train -- but losing your entire family all at once (3 people!) would have been enough to emotionally cripple almost anyone.
John was likable too, but it seemed like he held on to his grief over the loss of his first wife and son too much. He was determined to just be sad, since he didn't want to live without them, until Callie showed him that he could be happy again. It was like he didn't want to get through his grief, but just wanted to let it slowly consume him.
I also wanted both John and Callie to talk to each other a little more. They both made assumptions about each other that were wrong, simply because they didn't communicate well. That led to unnecessary misunderstandings and hurt for both of them.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
January 28, 2019
When you whole family dies on a wagon trail you have little choice but to do what everyone wants you to. It is not allowed for a woman to travel alone. When the group tell Callie she must marry she is beside herself. Who would she marry the choices aren’t the greatest. After looking over each single man she finally decides to go with one she thinks she can live with. Not only does she have to get use to a husband but there is someone out there that is trying to make trouble. Something is missing and some think it is in her wagon. There are a few mishaps happening. The plot is about death, secrets, and the people who are left behind.
I did enjoy this story, the characters were wonderful, I had no trouble feeling their pain and emotion. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and how John kept her safe and watched over her. My heart went out to him from his lost to what he held inside. It is a story that held my attention.
I did enjoy this story, the characters were wonderful, I had no trouble feeling their pain and emotion. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and how John kept her safe and watched over her. My heart went out to him from his lost to what he held inside. It is a story that held my attention.
January 21, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Callie was travelling west by wagon, she was with her family. Two weeks before they left Independence, Missouri; her brother, his wife and baby came down with high fevers. They didn't make it very far, her family passed away. Now she was all alone on a wagon train going where she didn't want to go. Going west was her brother's dream, not hers. What was she to do now?
John Rye was a sad soul, just having lost his wife six months ago. He noticed Callie talking with a bunch of ladies after the quick funeral for her family. He had an idea of what they were talking about.
Callie eventually came to talk to him, and she couldn't even ask him the question on her mind.
Will they be a match?
Callie was travelling west by wagon, she was with her family. Two weeks before they left Independence, Missouri; her brother, his wife and baby came down with high fevers. They didn't make it very far, her family passed away. Now she was all alone on a wagon train going where she didn't want to go. Going west was her brother's dream, not hers. What was she to do now?
John Rye was a sad soul, just having lost his wife six months ago. He noticed Callie talking with a bunch of ladies after the quick funeral for her family. He had an idea of what they were talking about.
Callie eventually came to talk to him, and she couldn't even ask him the question on her mind.
Will they be a match?
September 21, 2020
Quite Different!
I just loved the way John suddenly 'wakes up' to realise that there is in fact life after death (the death of his beloved wife whose memories seem to haunt him).
Callie also faces family death yet she is stronger and deals with it far better than John does, but she needs a husband's protection and so they marry.
This is a beautiful love story with some interesting supporting characters thrown in for good measure and it was a pleasure to read how Callie and John managed to cope with their new lives and how they learned to like and trust and later love each other.
The story is worth reading and I can happily recommend it.
I just loved the way John suddenly 'wakes up' to realise that there is in fact life after death (the death of his beloved wife whose memories seem to haunt him).
Callie also faces family death yet she is stronger and deals with it far better than John does, but she needs a husband's protection and so they marry.
This is a beautiful love story with some interesting supporting characters thrown in for good measure and it was a pleasure to read how Callie and John managed to cope with their new lives and how they learned to like and trust and later love each other.
The story is worth reading and I can happily recommend it.
September 22, 2020
An addictive book about love on the Oregon Trail
I couldn’t put this book down! Really couldn’t! This moving love story set Oregon Trail was a perfect alchemy of loss, hope, love and bad guys that you can’t wait to see caught! I loved that John Rye wasn’t the best looking guy but that Callie chose him because of his kindness. I loved how their relationship grew and progressed in the novel. And now I can’t wait to read the other books in the series as well!
I couldn’t put this book down! Really couldn’t! This moving love story set Oregon Trail was a perfect alchemy of loss, hope, love and bad guys that you can’t wait to see caught! I loved that John Rye wasn’t the best looking guy but that Callie chose him because of his kindness. I loved how their relationship grew and progressed in the novel. And now I can’t wait to read the other books in the series as well!
September 23, 2020
Wagon Train Tales
This is one of many tales of life on wagon trains moving West to open the frontier. What happens to a woman traveling alone? What types of people traveled in this manner? What disasters awaited these weary travelers? How did they lighten their loads (not those on their wagons)? This story tells of life and death, love and greed, honor and dishonor, good and evil. I will follow this series to read more of these times, both the good and bad.
This is one of many tales of life on wagon trains moving West to open the frontier. What happens to a woman traveling alone? What types of people traveled in this manner? What disasters awaited these weary travelers? How did they lighten their loads (not those on their wagons)? This story tells of life and death, love and greed, honor and dishonor, good and evil. I will follow this series to read more of these times, both the good and bad.
June 15, 2021
A fun, Western romp in a wagon train. I've read A LOT of romances set in this era so i was surprised that there was actually an... event (without giving any spoilers) that I'd never encountered before.
Sure, there was a lot about the plot that was very predictable. I can't imagine many people haven't figured the big mystery out by the end. But the main characters are delightful and their love story beautiful, so I honestly couldn't care less.
Sure, there was a lot about the plot that was very predictable. I can't imagine many people haven't figured the big mystery out by the end. But the main characters are delightful and their love story beautiful, so I honestly couldn't care less.
January 3, 2020
Cute but dumb
The hints and bumbling of the villains were laughable. The main characters were nice. I liked that he was a glasses wearing merchant. There were some genuine moments of realism, but they were quickly overshadowed by the dumb. Any trail boss worth his salt would have kicked the trouble makers out.
The hints and bumbling of the villains were laughable. The main characters were nice. I liked that he was a glasses wearing merchant. There were some genuine moments of realism, but they were quickly overshadowed by the dumb. Any trail boss worth his salt would have kicked the trouble makers out.
September 20, 2020
John's Life is Saved
John's wife and infant son were dead. His only thoughts were to join them. Callie needed a man to help her through the trail so she asked John to marry her. He thought he could and still go on with his own plans after they arrived in Denver City. Then Callie would be free to find true love. The best laid plans and all.
John's wife and infant son were dead. His only thoughts were to join them. Callie needed a man to help her through the trail so she asked John to marry her. He thought he could and still go on with his own plans after they arrived in Denver City. Then Callie would be free to find true love. The best laid plans and all.
September 21, 2020
Sweet fun
A very sweet fun story. I didn’t think I’d like him when we first met him. But his character developed to a very sweet, loving, fun character. It was a little disappointing how long it took for them to come to the conclusion of what was going on. But they got their happy ever after and that makes me happy.
A very sweet fun story. I didn’t think I’d like him when we first met him. But his character developed to a very sweet, loving, fun character. It was a little disappointing how long it took for them to come to the conclusion of what was going on. But they got their happy ever after and that makes me happy.
September 26, 2020
Not hot...
The only thing hot about this book was the weather and the air each character had spewing out of their 1 dimensional mouths. I had to give it 1 star because the elements of a story were kind of there and the plot kept me busy. But thank goodness the trail is over. I’m tired.
The only thing hot about this book was the weather and the air each character had spewing out of their 1 dimensional mouths. I had to give it 1 star because the elements of a story were kind of there and the plot kept me busy. But thank goodness the trail is over. I’m tired.
May 7, 2023
Tail of Hope (Hot on the Trail Book 2)
The love story of Callie and John. Callie has lost all of her family and now the she must marry a single male for protection on the wagon train. Six months ago Job lost his wife and son and now he is taking a new wife. Someone on the trail is stealing thinks. Can they find the thief and can Callie and John find love.
The love story of Callie and John. Callie has lost all of her family and now the she must marry a single male for protection on the wagon train. Six months ago Job lost his wife and son and now he is taking a new wife. Someone on the trail is stealing thinks. Can they find the thief and can Callie and John find love.
August 22, 2017
Historical Western Romance
This book was funny in the end and sad in the beginning . The Bride and groom met on a wagon train. The rest of the story you will enjoy reading I did!!!
This book was funny in the end and sad in the beginning . The Bride and groom met on a wagon train. The rest of the story you will enjoy reading I did!!!
August 26, 2017
Loved it!
A wonderful story with great characters. Callie and John both suffered heartache. But do they overcome it to find love? Only one way to find out. This one is going on my list to be revisited again later.
A wonderful story with great characters. Callie and John both suffered heartache. But do they overcome it to find love? Only one way to find out. This one is going on my list to be revisited again later.
September 21, 2020
Were trail brides really a thing? A single woman asks a stranger to marry her for protection? And why did it take so long for them to figure out what was happening, when the clues were so obvious? It’s a nice story, but, honestly, the cluelessness of these people had me wondering.
September 27, 2020
Good Read
Good read. Flowers easily. Charge were easy to like. Some suspense, trying to figure out which ones were the bad guys. Had figured them out ending with a good outcome. Tough journey for all, in that time.
Good read. Flowers easily. Charge were easy to like. Some suspense, trying to figure out which ones were the bad guys. Had figured them out ending with a good outcome. Tough journey for all, in that time.
September 28, 2020
John and callie
Well written and good story . John and allied lost so much on the train to Denver City. John his first wife and child and callie her brother his wife and little. But they came through by finding each other . Great characters and wood highly recommend.
Well written and good story . John and allied lost so much on the train to Denver City. John his first wife and child and callie her brother his wife and little. But they came through by finding each other . Great characters and wood highly recommend.
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