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Where the Lost Wander
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In this epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail, a family and their unlikely protector find their way through peril, uncertainty, and loss.
The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowr
...morePaperback, 348 pages
Published
April 28th 2020
by Lake Union Publishing
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Yes, she did it again! Dear Amy Harmon turned me into an emotional trainwreck! I always tell myself before starting any of her books: “Nope! I’m not gonna cry! I’m gonna concentrate on funny things like my besties’ effort to squeeze her big butt into two size smaller jeans or my husband’s face expression when I serve him dinner.”
But, I failed again! I dropped ugly, nasty, tormenting, vicious, dirty tears! I cannot stop myself! This book has epic, heart wrenching, memorable, beautiful, genuine, ...more
But, I failed again! I dropped ugly, nasty, tormenting, vicious, dirty tears! I cannot stop myself! This book has epic, heart wrenching, memorable, beautiful, genuine, ...more

thank goodness for this book - for showing that historical fiction can be so much more than a WWII story.
whenever i think about the oregon trail, i will now remember of the hardships faced, the perseverance needed, the hope never lost, the heritage created, and the love that was found by the characters of this story.
this is a story of believing in a better life and searching for it, no matter the trials. this is a story about finding oneself when many other lives have been lost. but most notic ...more
whenever i think about the oregon trail, i will now remember of the hardships faced, the perseverance needed, the hope never lost, the heritage created, and the love that was found by the characters of this story.
this is a story of believing in a better life and searching for it, no matter the trials. this is a story about finding oneself when many other lives have been lost. but most notic ...more

Where the Lost Wander, an epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail is now available on Amazon in e-book, paperback, and audio.
READ NOW: KINDLE | PAPERBACK | AUDIO

READ NOW: KINDLE | PAPERBACK | AUDIO
He says he doesn’t want to dance,
but that’s what we do.
It’s just a different kind of dance.
His mouth is pressed to mine,
seeking and sinking.
We move together and apart,
all things working toward the same end.
Or the same beginning.
We are a circle of two.

I’m good with the animals,...more
I keep to myself, and I work

The time is 1853 and the prologue of Where the Lost Wander throws us into a horrible massacre. It hurts to read it, even if we don't know these people, yet. And then we go back months in time and get to know the May family, a mother, father, fours sons and Naomi, the twenty year old daughter. Naomi is already a widow, her childhood sweetheart, Daniel, dying three months after their marriage. Daniel was supposed to be on this trip over the Oregon Trail but he's been dead for over a year and Naomi
...more

4.5 stars
"The pain. It's worth it. The more you love, the more it hurts. But it's worth it. It's the only thing that is."
Wandering what to read next (See what I did there?) Look no further. Where the Lost Wander is a wonderful work of historical fiction that was inspired by real life people - John Lowry was the Author's husband five times great grandfather. I really enjoy when Authors can draw on their own personal real-life histories/stories to create fiction. This was done very nicely. I highl ...more
"The pain. It's worth it. The more you love, the more it hurts. But it's worth it. It's the only thing that is."
Wandering what to read next (See what I did there?) Look no further. Where the Lost Wander is a wonderful work of historical fiction that was inspired by real life people - John Lowry was the Author's husband five times great grandfather. I really enjoy when Authors can draw on their own personal real-life histories/stories to create fiction. This was done very nicely. I highl ...more

Apr 04, 2020
Brenda - Traveling Sisters Book Reviews
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
traveling-sister-reads,
behind-the-pages
Amy Harmon has joined us in the Behind the Pages group and has answered questions about her books, and writing process! She gave us some great insight into the story and characters and I love this one even more
To view the threads and see what Amy Harmon has to say, you can find it here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Giddy up! Make room on your TBR list for this daisy of a read!! I loved everything about this one!!
Where the Lost Wander is a fast-paced adventure packed gorgeous ...more
To view the threads and see what Amy Harmon has to say, you can find it here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Giddy up! Make room on your TBR list for this daisy of a read!! I loved everything about this one!!
Where the Lost Wander is a fast-paced adventure packed gorgeous ...more

This was so beautiful it hurt.
I was fairly sure I would give it a three stars upon finishing it, and I had good enough reasons for that, namely:
HOWEVER, after sleeping on it for days, the more I t ...more
“The pain. It’s worth it. The more you love, the more it hurts. But it’s worth it. It’s the only thing that is.”
I was fairly sure I would give it a three stars upon finishing it, and I had good enough reasons for that, namely:
↠ The journey these characters went through was tragic and arduous.
↠ The romance was underdeveloped.
↠ The plot was slow moving because it took 70% of the book to get to the climax.
HOWEVER, after sleeping on it for days, the more I t ...more

Apr 15, 2020
Lindsay - Traveling Sisters Book Reviews
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
netgalley
4 stars! An unforgettable journey following a group of emigrants on the Oregon Trail.
1853: John Lowry, a half-white half-Pawnee man, leads a group of families across the rough terrain of the Oregon Trail. The families each have their own horses and wagon packed with all that they own heading to start a better life out West. The families depend on Lowry’s experience and expertise to get them through the unimaginably difficult landscape and hostile areas. Their trek is gruelling and strenuous, un ...more
1853: John Lowry, a half-white half-Pawnee man, leads a group of families across the rough terrain of the Oregon Trail. The families each have their own horses and wagon packed with all that they own heading to start a better life out West. The families depend on Lowry’s experience and expertise to get them through the unimaginably difficult landscape and hostile areas. Their trek is gruelling and strenuous, un ...more

4.5 Be still my heart! I adored this story about love and hardship on the Oregon trail. It's 1853 and wagons full of hardy, in some cases desperate, people and family headed West. The Mays were one such family, their daughter Naomi had been widowed and traveled with them. John Lowry was a half Pauite, whose mother as she was dying brought him to his white father to raise. The mules they train are renowned and fetch a hefty price. He originally is only planning to go so far and then turn back. Hi
...more

Holy crap this was one Wild West journey with both beauty and violence across the rugged terrain from Missouri to California.
A journey across in the mid 1850’s is challenging, rugged and scary. But it’s the price to pay to start a new life in a place far from home.
A romance begins to bloom between a young widower, Naomi, and a half Indian, John Lowry. But violence also follows between tribes of both Indians and whites.
Amazing character depiction, Indian culture and the transcendence of the land ...more
A journey across in the mid 1850’s is challenging, rugged and scary. But it’s the price to pay to start a new life in a place far from home.
A romance begins to bloom between a young widower, Naomi, and a half Indian, John Lowry. But violence also follows between tribes of both Indians and whites.
Amazing character depiction, Indian culture and the transcendence of the land ...more

Apr 22, 2020
❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition

MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
'WHERE THE LOST WANDER:' Is a full length historical romance novel by Amy Harmon. Spoken in 'dual perspectives.' This is Naomi & John's story.
Naomi May is a young widow travelling on a wagon train with her family heading out west. And John Lowry is the man leading this wagon train, a mule breeder, he's half white, and half indian with a name of 'Two Feet' meaning he has one foot in the white man's worl ...more

4.5 stars
1853 ..The Oregon Trail
Life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death.
Naomi May is 20 yrs old, a recent widow after just three months of marriage, and is traveling with her parents and several brothers for a life out West.
John Lowry is a half Pawnee man who is on the trail to help guide the families West.
There is a beautiful love story here but what had me immersed in the story was the actual life on the trail, the family connections, and the encounters with the Indian ...more
1853 ..The Oregon Trail
Life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death.
Naomi May is 20 yrs old, a recent widow after just three months of marriage, and is traveling with her parents and several brothers for a life out West.
John Lowry is a half Pawnee man who is on the trail to help guide the families West.
There is a beautiful love story here but what had me immersed in the story was the actual life on the trail, the family connections, and the encounters with the Indian ...more

Some books are just worth waiting for...... I saved this one for a a few days break away and it was the perfect road trip companion, an engaging and moving story of the harrowing journey our west in 1850s America, the hardships and struggles that befell the folks who took the Oregon Trail in order to find better lives for their families is extremely well depicted and beautifully written.
I love the cover of this novel with the wagon trail heading off into the great unknown and its through books ...more
I love the cover of this novel with the wagon trail heading off into the great unknown and its through books ...more

It's time for my BEST BOOKS OF 2020 LIST
___________________________________
I’m only 37% into the book and already can tell it’s going to be a high starred read for me, maybe even my first 5 star book of the year.
Old school western romance, but absolutely beautifully written. Stunning prose, and a plot that leaves me amazed!
More to come...
Update and full review:
___________________________________
I’ve read MANY historical western romance over the years, and the plot for Where the Lost Wander isn’ ...more
___________________________________
I’m only 37% into the book and already can tell it’s going to be a high starred read for me, maybe even my first 5 star book of the year.
Old school western romance, but absolutely beautifully written. Stunning prose, and a plot that leaves me amazed!
More to come...
Update and full review:
___________________________________
I’ve read MANY historical western romance over the years, and the plot for Where the Lost Wander isn’ ...more

A novel which I found interesting mainly due to detailed descriptions of the Oregon Trail of which I am eager to learn more. The plot revolves around the brave people who decided to travel two thousand miles to seek better opportunities in new lands in the mid 19th century. While reading I was constantly googling pictures of the landmarks which the emigrants passed and I admit that this added to the intensity of the narration, which I appreciated a lot. The descriptions of daily challenges in th
...more

“Hating never fixed anything. It seems simple, but most things are. We just complicate them. We spend our lives complicating what we would do better to accept. Because in acceptance, we put our energies into transcendence.”
This novel has been sitting on my TBR list for a while. Sometimes I feel like a book ‘finds’ you when you need it’s message most. That is how this novel has found me. Naomi, John and their story I will carry with me for some time to come. This novel has moved me in a way that ...more
This novel has been sitting on my TBR list for a while. Sometimes I feel like a book ‘finds’ you when you need it’s message most. That is how this novel has found me. Naomi, John and their story I will carry with me for some time to come. This novel has moved me in a way that ...more

Amy Harmon is my favorite author because she never, never, never lets me down. It is obvious that she puts pieces of her heart and soul into every title and the world is a better place for her effort and artistry.
I've been putting off reading this book until I felt like I really, really needed an exceptional read. The last few months have been difficult, the last week even more so. Therefore, I knew it was time to crack open my epic-read rations. I so enjoyed getting lost and wandering around in ...more
I've been putting off reading this book until I felt like I really, really needed an exceptional read. The last few months have been difficult, the last week even more so. Therefore, I knew it was time to crack open my epic-read rations. I so enjoyed getting lost and wandering around in ...more

Wow I'm speechless! This was an amazing journey... ❤

This was my 11th book of Ms.Harmon and she always takes me to another places. Her stories always warms my heart and I always feel that amazing connection between the main characters. <3
So long story short, Amy Harmon is one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend this book to you. ❤
Expected publication: April 28th 2020
***ARC provided by NetGalley.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me,” Naomi whispers after a time, and I brush ...more

This was my 11th book of Ms.Harmon and she always takes me to another places. Her stories always warms my heart and I always feel that amazing connection between the main characters. <3
So long story short, Amy Harmon is one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend this book to you. ❤
Expected publication: April 28th 2020
***ARC provided by NetGalley.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me,” Naomi whispers after a time, and I brush ...more

Reviewed on: Ashes Books & Bobs.
Amy Harmon does it again and I can’t even say I’m surprised. She’s a dynamic writer, with each book being better than the last. Where the Lost Wander may be my new favorite of hers. I’m certain this book will be at the top of my list of favorites for 2020. The word that comes to mind as I reflect on this book is: rich. The writing, the storytelling, the characters, the pacing, literally every facet of the book is exquisitely done.
One of my favorite things about hi ...more
Amy Harmon does it again and I can’t even say I’m surprised. She’s a dynamic writer, with each book being better than the last. Where the Lost Wander may be my new favorite of hers. I’m certain this book will be at the top of my list of favorites for 2020. The word that comes to mind as I reflect on this book is: rich. The writing, the storytelling, the characters, the pacing, literally every facet of the book is exquisitely done.
One of my favorite things about hi ...more

Oct 14, 2019
ⒶH-ℳℰⒾ ♔♚♛Queen Of The Fat Cats♛♚♔
marked it as to-read
Recommends it for:
Wanna be writers...learn from a true master: Harmon sensei
Recommended to ⒶH-ℳℰⒾ ♔♚♛Queen Of The Fat Cats♛♚♔ by:
The constant quality of Harmon's writing. ALWAYS GOOD!
♥ UPDATE ♥ 4/28/2020 3:12 fangirling mode activated!!!

GUYS!!! This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
I repeat
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
It's LIVE, IT'S LIVE!!!


Live and already on top of the charts!!! So happy for Harmon-sensei!
Even better it's

For all of us in the KU elite!! We look all smug now!!

SMUG 'cuz it's FREE for us!!
BUDDY READ WITH THE WONDERFUL QT'S
The QT's are here, we're gonna buddy read this in the next few weeks ....we are so coordinated.

The QT's:
Elisa's 45% U ...more

GUYS!!! This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
I repeat
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
This. Is. NOT. A. Drilling!!!
It's LIVE, IT'S LIVE!!!


Live and already on top of the charts!!! So happy for Harmon-sensei!
Even better it's

For all of us in the KU elite!! We look all smug now!!

SMUG 'cuz it's FREE for us!!
BUDDY READ WITH THE WONDERFUL QT'S
The QT's are here, we're gonna buddy read this in the next few weeks ....we are so coordinated.

The QT's:
Elisa's 45% U ...more

Jan 24, 2020
Karren Sandercock
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
netgalley
In 1853, twenty year old widow Naomi May Caldwell joins her family when they decide to travel West on The Overland Trail and begin the long trip go to Oregon. Her parents are William and Winifred May, her older brother Warren and his wife Abigail and her brothers Wyatt, Webb, and Will are all traveling together.
Grant Abbott is the wagon master, he's in charge of guiding the 40 families along the trail, it will take five months and it's a 2000 mile journey. It's not going to be easy, most of the ...more
Grant Abbott is the wagon master, he's in charge of guiding the 40 families along the trail, it will take five months and it's a 2000 mile journey. It's not going to be easy, most of the ...more

Thanks To Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and Amy Harmon for my copy of: Where The Lost Wander.
In 1853, twenty year old widow Naomi May Caldwell joins her family when they decide to travel West on The Overland Trail and begin the long trip go to Oregon. Her parents are William and Winifred May, her older brother Warren and his wife Abigail and her brothers Wyatt, Webb, and Will are all traveling together.
Grant Abbott is the wagon master, he's in charge of guiding the 40 families along the trail ...more
In 1853, twenty year old widow Naomi May Caldwell joins her family when they decide to travel West on The Overland Trail and begin the long trip go to Oregon. Her parents are William and Winifred May, her older brother Warren and his wife Abigail and her brothers Wyatt, Webb, and Will are all traveling together.
Grant Abbott is the wagon master, he's in charge of guiding the 40 families along the trail ...more

4.5 STARS
Amy Harmon at her best! This is my 4th book by this author and I am sure of one thing after reading it - Amy Harmon can really write. Her prose is beautiful, flow of this story is well-paced and her characters are real-like and fleshed out.
Moreover, with this novel, she proves that she is great author of historical fiction. Firstly What the Wind Knows and now Where the Lost Wander. It was clear that Amy Harmon did her research well and provided detailed depiction of given historical p ...more
Amy Harmon at her best! This is my 4th book by this author and I am sure of one thing after reading it - Amy Harmon can really write. Her prose is beautiful, flow of this story is well-paced and her characters are real-like and fleshed out.
Moreover, with this novel, she proves that she is great author of historical fiction. Firstly What the Wind Knows and now Where the Lost Wander. It was clear that Amy Harmon did her research well and provided detailed depiction of given historical p ...more

Apr 20, 2020
Jennifer Kyle
added it
I’ve tried...
Dnf - 50 percent
I adore this author both personally and professionally. I went back into it several times and it’s just not holding my attention.
Dnf - 50 percent
I adore this author both personally and professionally. I went back into it several times and it’s just not holding my attention.

Oh, Amy Harmon, I don't know how you do it, but once again you take history (based on ancestors from your family tree), and make it so relatable that I feel every emotion as strongly as if I were experiencing it firsthand. You are truly the master of historical fiction!
I loved everything about this book. The prologue immediately takes your breath away, with a horrific murder and capture of the protagonist, Naomi, by a band of Indian warriors. The book then goes back in time several months, with ...more
I loved everything about this book. The prologue immediately takes your breath away, with a horrific murder and capture of the protagonist, Naomi, by a band of Indian warriors. The book then goes back in time several months, with ...more

“My mother’s people called me Two Feet. One white foot, one Pawnee foot, but I am not split down the middle, straddling two worlds. I am simply a stranger in both.”
The ache that I feel in my heart after finishing this masterpiece is very real. John “Two Feet” Lowry & Naomi “many faces” May just took the pieces of my broken heart, and carefully mended it back together.
I always walk away from reading one of Amy’s books feeling as though I’ve had an education. I became fully immersed in this rich, ...more
The ache that I feel in my heart after finishing this masterpiece is very real. John “Two Feet” Lowry & Naomi “many faces” May just took the pieces of my broken heart, and carefully mended it back together.
I always walk away from reading one of Amy’s books feeling as though I’ve had an education. I became fully immersed in this rich, ...more

Historical fiction that moves at the speed of wagon trains. But given the time period, it's hard to avoid. Admittedly, it was a challenge staying engaged and invested at first, but the story does pick up speed once climactic emotions get involved in the last 1/3 of the book. It's Amy Harmon so you know there will be big feels. Again, Harmon incorporates personal family history as a way to pay tribute to the generations of the past which I always find admirable. If you enjoy a variety of historic
...more

Amy Harmon has certainly become a go-to author for me in recent years and I loved her tale of two young people that learn a lot about love and forgiveness in this wagon train tale.
As I have said many times before, I love a good wagon train tale. Hooked right from the beginning, Amy Harmon illustrates the hardships and dangers of life as families leave the comfort of what they know to venture into the unknown. From the moment that Naomi May casts her eyes on John Lowry, the young widow dreams kc ...more
As I have said many times before, I love a good wagon train tale. Hooked right from the beginning, Amy Harmon illustrates the hardships and dangers of life as families leave the comfort of what they know to venture into the unknown. From the moment that Naomi May casts her eyes on John Lowry, the young widow dreams kc ...more

Where The Lost Wander, by Amy Harmon, is an epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail.
This is the story of Naomi May and John Lowry as they make the trek by wagon train to the west coast in the early 1850's. Fraught with hardship, fear and death the trials of their journey work to keep them apart.
A wonderfully descriptive setting and cast of characters held me in awe with their resilience.
Not normally a fan of western historical fiction I am so glad and thankful to have read this nov ...more
This is the story of Naomi May and John Lowry as they make the trek by wagon train to the west coast in the early 1850's. Fraught with hardship, fear and death the trials of their journey work to keep them apart.
A wonderfully descriptive setting and cast of characters held me in awe with their resilience.
Not normally a fan of western historical fiction I am so glad and thankful to have read this nov ...more

5 stunning stars
It is so easy to give this book 5 stars, I enjoyed every moment that I spent in this story. Picture the 1850s, Conestoga wagons packed with belongings, a mule man, families heading west, Indians, forts, illness, and characters that I did not want to say goodbye to at the end of the book. This was an emotional journey that was storytelling at its finest for me. If this sounds like something you would like, I highly recommend this one!
A group “train” of travelers sets out from Miss ...more
It is so easy to give this book 5 stars, I enjoyed every moment that I spent in this story. Picture the 1850s, Conestoga wagons packed with belongings, a mule man, families heading west, Indians, forts, illness, and characters that I did not want to say goodbye to at the end of the book. This was an emotional journey that was storytelling at its finest for me. If this sounds like something you would like, I highly recommend this one!
A group “train” of travelers sets out from Miss ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Turning Pages At ...: Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon | 65 | 44 | May 31, 2020 03:15PM | |
Nothing But Readi...: Harmon, Amy--Where the Lost Wander informal buddy read starts May 4, 2020 | 25 | 211 | May 11, 2020 06:38PM | |
Polls for our souls: HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY AMY HARMON SENSEI AND QT'S BR | 1 | 36 | Apr 28, 2020 12:19AM |
Amy Harmon is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good
...more
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“We spend our lives complicating what we would do better to accept. Because in acceptance, we put our energies into transcendence.”
—
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“That’s what marriage is. It’s shelter. It’s sustenance. It’s warmth. It’s finding rest in each other. It’s telling someone, You matter most.”
—
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