Friday, September 21, 2012

Where the Trail Ends-Melanie Dobson

Where the Trail Ends


Melanie Dobson

Summerside, Oct 1 2012, $12.99

ISBN: 9781609366858



In 1841, eighteen years old Samantha Waldron and her younger brother Daniel continue the trek along the Oregon Trail after their parents die. They hope to safely reach Willamette Valley before winter leaves them stranded in a life threatening situation. Their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River. However British exporter Alexander Clarke rescues them and escort them to Fort Vancouver.



Many men want Samantha, but she is attracted to Alex who apparently does not feel the same way about her. When his fiancée arrives, Samantha decides she must leave the fort as she cannot cope with seeing her beloved with another woman. However when Daniel vanishes, her only hope to find her sibling resides with Alex.



Where the Trail Ends is a fantastic historical as Melanie Dobson once again has armchair readers believing they are on trekking nineteenth century Americana (see Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa). The lead couple is a solid duet as they and others bring to life the Oregon Trail and Fort Vancouver as the romantic subplot supports the vivid look at 1840s manifest destiny fulfilled by daring people taking dangerous risks in search of a better life.



Harriet Klausner



No comments: