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Second Chances #1

Come Home To Me

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Jake Owens is tired of life on his parents’ Montana ranch, catering to city folk who want a taste of old-fashioned country living. He enjoys life in the fast lane, with fast cars and even faster women. When he falls in with the wrong crowd and is accused of murder, a stranger’s bizarre offer at a second chance might be his only hope to clear his name.

Rachel Parker is highly devoted to her family. A tragedy prompts a daring move to the Oregon Territory for a fresh start in a new land. After meeting the wagon train’s scout, the meaning of a fresh start may be more than she ever imagined.

Jake can’t believe he’s been sent back in time to act as scout for a wagon train headed for Oregon, and given the added burden of keeping one emigrant woman safe during the journey. He and Rachel are confused by their attraction to each other. Jake’s ill-mannered, unconventional ways are overshadowed only by his notorious reputation. Rachel’s traditional values and quiet, responsible character are the complete opposite of what attracts Jake to a woman. When their forbidden attraction turns to love, what will happen at the end of the trail?

252 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

814 people are currently reading
1847 people want to read

About the author

Peggy L. Henderson

74 books322 followers
I never thought I'd be a writer, much less publish a book some day. I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I guess life just had other plans for me. When my husband and I decided to start a family, vet school pretty much went out the window. I used to work with a vet who had three children while going through vet school. To this day, she is my hero.

I live with my husband and two teenage sons in southern California. I have a Welsh pony and a miniature horse (down-sized from a barn of six horses). A crazy Labrador retriever who is a food vacuum, three cats, two parakeets, four bearded dragons (my compromise with my sons when they wanted a snake), and a small flock of chickens complete our menagerie of critters. I can’t imagine my life without my animals. My dream is to live in Montana some day.

Four years ago, I began writing a story that, for whatever reason, was stuck in my head for almost a year. I have been an avid romance reader for a long time, and the idea took hold to - why not? - write my own! What a simple idea, right?
It has been a long and difficult journey from my first sentence to a completed, and hopefully polished, manuscript. Today, I have a completed series of 5 books and a novella in what I called The Yellowstone Romance Series, two books in my new Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, and I am currently working on the final book in a trilogy set in the Grand Tetons.

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5 stars
813 (46%)
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305 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
Profile Image for Ingie.
1,480 reviews167 followers
October 10, 2015
Written October 10, 2015

3.7 Stars - A sweet lovely story I couldn't but love

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A Time Travel Topic is never waisted time for me. A half "extra star" for a surprisingly NICE old-fashioned romance story.

I listened to the 8:41 hrs audiobbok narrated by Cody Roberts.

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Come Home To Me is a lovely time-travel historical set in the 1840s US western about the people doing the long and dangerous wagon traveling to a new future in Oregon.

Jake Owens is a raised Montana ranch cowboy who's getting in trouble when leaving the old style country life for fast cars and even faster women in the big city. This book starts when Jake ends up in jail accused for crime —innocent of course— and get a second chance for a change and different "turn" in life.
« ‘Jake can't believe he's been sent back in time to act as scout for a wagon train headed for Oregon, and given the added burden of keeping one emigrant woman safe during the journey.’ »

Rachel Parker is a young woman highly devoted to her family, three children and is after a tragedy moving to the Oregon Territory for a fresh start in a new land. ~ Then she meet the wagon train's scout. A strange but very attractive man.
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Come Home To Me isn't a perfect audiobook or a romance without some lacks.

Cody Roberts the male narrator here did it pretty well even if it felt slightly home-made and amateurish (!!!) - but overall good enough. ~ The fact is that this narrator has a bit boring slow style when reading and I must admit I got a bit frustrated at times. But maybe it's good for me, I have to teach myself patience ... and enjoy the slow phase or slow things (as a way of narrating) too. Right?

The romance story and storyline itself is beautiful and quite heartwarming. Very romantic, tender and cutely sweet. I felt for these characters and really appreciated not completely predictable story-plot. Add the good extra to get to know more about this historical time. Those impressive brave (often poor ordinary) people doing these long and dangerous "wagon-train's" back then are for sure admirable.
“There’s only one girl in my life. I love you, Rachel,” he murmured.
He cupped her face between both hands, then brought his mouth down on hers in a kiss that made her legs turn to rubber.'

A few minor complaints this time but I sincerely enjoyed. I'll continue with more western romances from this author aome day.

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I LIKE - romantic sweet cowboy historicals
Profile Image for Lisa Kay.
924 reviews557 followers
April 1, 2013
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★★★★☆ This is a nice escapist story combining time travel and the Old West that happened to be Western & Medieval Romance Lovers’ BOM for March, 2013. Since I had already bought it, I was looking forward to it and it didn’t disappoint.

I liked Jake and Rachel – and her nephews – and their adventures. Of course, the “wagon train” setting is one of my favs. I also liked that Jake had a chance to correct his course in life and “cowboy-upped,” so to speak.

Sure, there was some question with regard to the whole “time-travel/butterfly-future effect” – and it flitted through my mind at the end – but that isn’t exactly why I was reading the book.

I’ll certainly read more by this author. While I didn't gobble it down in one bite, but enjoyed it each morning for about a week, I could tell she’s got that certain “something-something” that comes across on the page.
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,713 reviews1,042 followers
April 3, 2019
I was really skeptical picking this audio book. I never heard of the author, none of my goodreads friends read it, the story about time travelling is not my thing. But during my bad day at work, i give it a try.

I was sucks into the past really quick. Following Jake. And his adventure in 19 century. How he captures a heart of young woman named Rachel. Now the 60% of the book is very very heavy with the banter between Jake and Rachel. Too dragging and too much unnecessary conversation. The rest of 40% is interesting because the plot thickening. I am not going to divulge much of the story here. It is a good read. The ending is really makes me smile and swooning a bit.

However....
I wish the author can invest a bit more of the shocking feeling being transform into 2 centuries back. I feel Jake does not given opportunity to feel his shock. Instead he acts like he belongs in 19 century instead of 21 century. Thats my only disappointment on this book.

4 stars
Profile Image for Auj.
1,683 reviews118 followers
December 11, 2021
Jake's given a chance to do over his unfortunate circumstances if he goes back in time to escort a bunch of people to Oregon. One in particular is the pretty Rachel Parker. Little does he count on falling in love with Rachel.

It was a cute book. I feared it would be a clean romance, and it was close, but not quite.

Though the time Jake traveled back to wasn't so particularly interesting (prairie America, 1848), I still enjoyed the story. Though if I were given the opportunity to time travel, and I was sent back to 1848 in America, I wouldn't be too happy. There are far more interesting times I'd like to see and experience!!!

I also liked the ending, how it seemed that they wouldn't get their HEA.
Profile Image for Sunny☼.
171 reviews15 followers
January 19, 2013
We all dream of having a second chance at one time or another. To Pull back those words, deed, or mistake and do it again in a better way. Jake Owens gets this wish. He has been set up for murder by a fast and loose woman he has known only for a short while.

His is given the task of travelling back in time and using skills he has already gained on his family ranch, lead a wagon train from Iowa to Oregon. He is also charged with the care of everyone on the trip, but especially Rachel Parker.

Rachel has lost her parents and is in the care of her brother and his sons. She must pose as his wife because the wagon master will have it no other way. Jake is the guide.

As the trip progresses many well researched things happen to the group and to Jake and to Rachel. The ending is not what is expected...it is better than expected. The whole story flows, peaks interest with every page and is filled with very real human emotion. A friend suggested this book to me and I am so very glad I followed her advice. I am now looking forward to the next book in this Second Chance Series by Henderson.
Profile Image for Heike.
662 reviews55 followers
December 10, 2019
Jake Owens, dude rancher son and hired man in Montana, is tired of f***ing all the willing city slicker guests and flees to Los Angeles. With a city slicker guest he is f***ing. Just leaves the ranch and his family behind after he knows the girl for a week. There are some real country values, let mom and dad find another Cowboy in the middle of the season.
Now in the big city he may or may not shot a clerk when robbing a convenience store under the influence of drugs. He goes to jail where someone offers him a "Second Chance". Go to Idaho and bring some people to Oregon. He'll find out that he goes to Idaho 1840 *oops*.
There he falls for a woman who is married (!!!!) with three boys. That does not keep gigolo Cowboy from molesting her, trying to kiss her, actually kissing her, .... and if I wouldn't know better I would be sure that this guy is the villain of the story. WOW! How on earth could this story have a 4+ star rating?

This was ... unexpected.

What to like about the book. I liked the buckskin mare. She was nice.

The guy made me so mad, if I were a violent person I would set heaven and earth into motion to get my hands on him. *ARGH*
Profile Image for Shirl.
198 reviews
November 16, 2012
2nd chances, growing feelings, full of twist and surprises along a journey back in time with a growing romance that Jake and Rachel cannot ignore.
Will scouting for the wagon train, something he didn’t want to do, help Jake find out what he really likes and wants in life?
Will watching out for Rachel, bring out feelings Jake didn’t know he had?
Do they both get a 2nd chance in life?
Come Home To Me, is a heart warming story and every time you think you know what is going to happen, a new surprise happens.
This is a fast paced page turner. Wonderfully written that makes you feel like you are right there with them. A must read for any romance lover.

Was even better the second time!
Profile Image for Elena Johansen.
Author 5 books30 followers
March 21, 2018
I liked the idea of a fish-out-of-water, time-travel love story, but that is definitely not what this is. Jake blends into the role of a scout on the Oregon Trail so well he ends up leading the wagon expedition by the end, and aside from a bit of confusion right at the beginning, he doesn't really make any mistakes.

The love story between him and Rachel is full of complications, certainly, but the chemistry between them, which started out electrically physical, fizzled out, turning into a bland mushiness.

The setting made it a more interesting read, certainly, so the time travel part wasn't entirely wasted, even if how it happens is a huge question mark.

But what really did this story in for me was a side character's death. Yeah, people die on the Trail all the time, the story doesn't shy away from that at all--but this was the heroine's brother, and he died of cholera, and she mourns him for exactly the length of time it takes her grief to overrule her sense and make her jump Jake. He refuses--of course--but after that, the story continues on without Rachel at all affected by his death emotionally, and only inconvenienced by it because (since she was posing as his wife, not his sister) the wagonmaster doesn't want to allow her to continue the journey without a man/husband to help her.

The brother's death, while entirely believable in the setting, doesn't have any weight to it, because it's so obvious he died to make space for Jake to move into Rachel's life. Beyond transparent plotting, and unless the point is that life is worthless on the Trail--which is a morbidly unusual bent for a romance to take--then it really demeans the family relationship to set up the brother as a human obstacle, then kill him off and not care about it afterward.
Profile Image for Dena.
4,455 reviews12 followers
June 6, 2013
This is a time travel book that takes place in the present to 1848.

Jake is a wild cowboy who has no direction. He likes his women fast and his pace is furious. He is tired of living the cowboy lifestyle and doesn't want to do anymore cattle drives. After his involvement with Sandra he decides to forsake all women and turn his life around, now all he has to do is get rid of the murder charge.

Rachel is from the past taking on family responsibilities after her brother's wife dies. She doesn't mind and is ready for a change in scenery so she decides to go to the Oregon territory.

After he accepts his second chance and realizes he needs to protect Rachel until they get to Oregon, he realizes maybe this isn't so bad. Through sickness and violence they end up in Oregon city but maybe not everything is as it seems.

This book was fabulous the emotions and the story was incredible. I actually felt for Rachel and I am surprised because historical romance is usually not my thing. Thanks to a challenge I took a chance and am happy I did.
Profile Image for Barb O.
7 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2012
One thing you can always count on with Ms. Henderson's novels is unexpected twists and turns! I read all of her "Yellowstone Romance Series" and absolutely loved all of them! So I was very eager for this book to come out!!! Ms. Henderson has a fantastic way of writing that not only draws you into the story, but allows you to see, feel and experience all of the action, drama and romance right along with the main characters, Jake and Rachel. These are real people and situations we can all relate to, even though the story takes place 160+ years ago! I found myself with a smile on my face, tears in my eyes, fists bunched in anger, leaning forward in anticipation and a fan blowing on my blushing cheeks! This is a true gem with a unique spin. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book!!! I am already looking forward to the future books in the Second Chances Time Travel Romance series. I hope it won't be a long wait!
Profile Image for Debbie "Buried in Her TBR Pile".
1,902 reviews298 followers
June 18, 2016
Nice, fast, easy, low angst, story about a young man given a second chance to make different choices in life. The H faces a potential life sentence in prison and is offered a chance of redemption. He is unaware that the second chance is during the early 1800s on a westward wagon train. H must protect h (unknown to him) and 3 small children during the long and arduous journey. Enjoyable read & a freebie. 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Poonam.
311 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2013
An enjoyable read. Wasn't expecting it to be a time travel love story.Loved the epilogue.

It was a bit predictable in the end about what gonna happen with Jake and Rachel when she fully realized that Jake had told her the truth about him being in the future and her compelling need to be with him in the future too.All in all it was a good read.
Profile Image for Lisa.
469 reviews38 followers
January 7, 2016
Come Home To me, was heart warming story, I enjoy a good time travel romance, love these two Jake Owens, and Rachel Parker. If you enjoy time travel then this book is for you, I give this book 5 stars

Happy Reading

Lisa
Profile Image for Anne.
546 reviews130 followers
August 25, 2013
What a wonderful time travel western story. loved all the characters and always a great story from Peggy Henderson
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
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April 20, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/20/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for  ☔️ Stormy Day Reader .
1,208 reviews41 followers
November 11, 2013
My Blog review :)
Author: Peggy L. Henderson
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Source: Kindle Freebie
252 pages

I was looking for something different to read and since I'm doing the clean out your e-reader challenge I went through my kindle freebies and found this little gem. I absolutely loved this book. I'm actually very disappointed that the next book in the Second Chances series Ain't No Angel isn't out yet. According to the author Peggy L. Henderson the book should be coming out this month! For those of you who follow my reviews my reaction to this book may come as a surprise. For over 2 years now I've read mostly paranormal romance. I think I'll have to look for more time travel romance because this was really neat.

Come Home to Me starts off in present day with Jake in jail for murder. His new lawyer offers him a second chance if he scouts for a wagon train on the Oregon trail. Little does Jake know that agreeing to this sends him 150+ years into the past! This is where he meets Rachel. Rachel is traveling with her family and finds herself attracted to Jake from the start. But she has a lot in the way... like a husband and 3 kids. There are a lot of surprises along the way in the 5 months that Jake leads the emigrants to Oregon City. I found the whole story captivating. I loved Jake and Rachel. I cheered for them and cried for them.

Although this isn't my regular genre it has opened up a whole new genre to me and I look forward to the next book in the Second Chances series. This is a romance like no other I have read. I'm not sure how many other books there are out there like this but I think Peggy L. Henderson did a wonderful job capturing what life was like on the Oregon Trail. It makes me glad for modern conveniences while longing for a simpler way of life.

Favorite Quote:

"A man doesn't look at a woman the way he looks at you with the intention of walking away."
Profile Image for Thom Swennes.
1,822 reviews57 followers
June 24, 2016
Twenty-four-year-old Jake Owens is in a world of trouble. Charged with a murder that he couldn’t remember if he’d committed or not, he was facing a life sentence without a hope of reprieve. That was until the lawyer in the expensive suit enters his cell. With so much evidence stacked against him, even though he thought that he was innocent, he resigned himself to life in prison. The well-dressed man before him made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. With a glass of water they sealed a deal he didn’t really understand.
The next morning he wakes, mysteriously transported to the past, with a wagon train consisting of stock and wagons for fourteen families. The year is 1848 and the party is camped on the outskirts of Kannesville, Iowa, on the eastern bank of the Missouri River. The agreement of the previous night came flooding back to him. “Take these families safely west to Oregon.” He was to take a special interest in one particular woman, Rachel Parker.
The wagon train meanders westward toward the settings sun as romance buds, leaving the sweet scent of love with each new day. The proverbial boiling of water in a medical emergency finally has a viable reason. Trouble seems to follow Jake wherever he goes.

The beauty of time-travel is when the contrasts are stark and harsh. With the essence of Zane Grey’s Fighting Caravans, the story of a perilous trek to the west coast, the distant vistas flow from every page. Unfortunately, the trip is like a covered wagon road trip, with the emphasis on relationships rather than the dangers of the expedition. It reads more like a historical romance of the past (R-rated, to be sure) but little inconsistencies may grind at true history buffs. One of these dubious assertions is the use of the Sharps rifle. The initial patent dates from September 12, 1848. The rifle entered mass production in 1851, making Jake’s use of one of these rifles an impossibility.
Notwithstanding these flaws, it is an interesting story and I enjoyed it as I’m sure many others will.
Profile Image for Diane Jewkes.
Author 4 books14 followers
December 30, 2012
When you pick up Peggy L Henderson's Come Home to me, make sure you have lots of time. This story is so engaging you won't want to put it down until you get to the last word. I lost sleep last night because I couldn't stop until I knew that Jake Owens and Rachel Parker found their happily ever after. The story is engaging and draws you in. The characters are beautifully detailed and the journey across the Oregon Trail is rich with sights, sounds and smells.

I lost a night's sleep over this book...and I couldn't be happier!
Profile Image for Linda Denison.
33 reviews
June 6, 2019
Jake takes the wrong path, enticed by a pretty woman who turns out to be bad news. After getting accused of murderer, someone offers him a way to clear his name... a way that is destined to change his life, as he travels back in time to a wagon train in 1848.
Profile Image for Timothy Hendricks.
477 reviews6 followers
December 30, 2017
I very much enjoyed this book. I find Peggy Henderson to be an excellent writer. I have read couple of her other books and recently purchased 2 more of her books. I am not sure how I feel about the time traveler aspect to this book; but nevertheless I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also liked the fact that she included a historical piece at the end of the book talking about the Oregon and Mormon trails.

I myself have studied the history of the Westward migration. And as a Latter-Day Saint I am quite familiar with westward movement along the Mormon trail and some of the experiences they had. Also as a Genealogist I have family members that traveled both the Mormon and Oregon trails. One of the things I have learned is that one of the things that were included when the pioneers packed their wagons is lumber for the purpose of burying people. They knew their was a possibility of loss along these trails.

People today can't imagine what these people dealt with. Can you imagine packing lumber in your SUV for the purpose of possibly burying a family member on a trip across the country? No. We don't have to think of such things. Of course even driving across country from east coast to west coast only takes days. In the pioneer days it took months.

We don't really fully understand how blessed we are. And we are blessed because of them, the pioneers who came before us.

The book was well written. At no time did it feel rushed and it came to a logical conclusion. I look forward to reading her other books.
Profile Image for Patti.
128 reviews5 followers
January 16, 2021
A sweet story, if not particularly well written or entirely believable. Even acknowledging that time travel is not realistic to begin with, once that plot device becomes the basis of the story certain things need to be adhered to within the framework. I’m not sure that was accomplished in this book.

My beef with the novel came down to two big things, though:

1) The treatment of Native Americans. While it’s historically accurate for the people of 1848 to look upon them with fear, hatred and distrust, it would have been nice to use Jake, as a 21st century man, to be more of a foil to that attitude. He regularly uses the term “Indian” himself, laughs off a joke a fellow traveler makes about “savages” and implies at least on one occasion that they shouldn’t be trusted and/or taken seriously. We are supposed to believe he is enlightened because he knows Indians back in present day Montana and sporadically uses the term Native American. Sorry, not buying it. At that point, the whole book just came off as racist.

2) The casual use of sexual assault against a young teen to further the MCs romance, while painting said victim as a villain who got what she asked for. Ugh. NO. JUST NO.

Ultimately, this book seems like it was written in 1982 rather than 2012. It had a lot of promise, and I liked Rachel the heroine, but it was just too problematic to recommend.
Profile Image for Michelle Louise.
441 reviews20 followers
September 16, 2017
Unique take on time travel romance

Jake Owens is in trouble. Framed for murder, he doesn't have a whole lot of options and when an stranger in the guise of his new lawyer offers him a chance to do things over, he leaps at it. The catch? He has to escort a wagon train over the Oregon trail in 1848.

To say that having the guy be the time traveler is rare is underselling that. Only in knight in shining armor by Jude Devereaux and some of the later outlander books have I seen that. And in both of those books the woman was the primary traveler. This was different and I liked it. It also isn't your typical location. Which I fully appreciate.

The historical and survival details were great and I loved that the author acknowledged the liberties and changes made... This shows care and research.

I also liked the characters. They were easily relatable and fun to follow around. The conflicts were realistic as well. The story is full and complete and ends happily.

I'm happy to give this five stars and I will be checking out more from this author.
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,147 reviews25 followers
December 31, 2019
Jake finds his time and space to be the man he's meant to be!

Jake's life in the present time is in shambles, so when he finds himself transported to the past, he's got a second chance to carve out for himself the life he wants to live. Rachel is everything lovely about a 19th century young pioneer woman, and she's absolutely perfect for Jake.

As this romance takes place during a wagon train trip on the Oregon Trail, there's plenty of intense action and adventure. These situations are where our young couple learns the true character of the other, and their love story was simply beautiful right from the start. There's a lovely HEA waiting at the end of the trail. I loved this story so much I immediately purchased and read the rest of the series.
113 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2022
A very unique version of a time travel romance

Time travel romances are unique in finding different ways and means for allowing people to find their true loves. This was truly fascinating in how the author approached the details in how the time travel occurred. It also helped that the beginning of the story began and ended in the State that I live in, Montana. The details of the grueling wagon train daily life made me believe I was actually there. Ah the ❤, tragedy, hope and perseverance were so mesmerizing. I've finished the book and I believe a modern shower is in order...after that I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Nikole Fucci.
16 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2018
Another winner!

After reading another time travel book this week, I uploaded a few more. This was one of those. Didn't even realize it was the same author. Another winner. The author writes so well. I couldn't put it down. The love story drew me right in. Can't wait to read more by Peggy Henderson!! I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good romance and specifically historic romance set in early america. An if you're not sure about time travel! Give this or any of Peggy's books a shot.
19 reviews
May 3, 2018
The Oregon Trail

It was different reading about a guy going through time travel but I enjoyed the change. Thankfully he knew a lot about roughing it during the 19th century or it could have proven even more difficult than it was. The Reverend Johnson plays the role of a pseudo-angel and gives Jake a task you accomplish, which he does, and falls in love, which wasn't part of the plan. Does he stay with her in her century or did he lose her when he returns to his own? I recommend that you read this book to find out the outcome.
Profile Image for Pepca.
334 reviews
May 19, 2017
Kindle freebies are often hit-and-miss, but this one was definitely a hit!

There was just enough conflict and uncertainty to keep me on my toes (and make me a bit hella frustrated a few times) and keep things interesting, so much so I couldn't read fast enough.

The descriptions of the past and the westward movement were wonderfully vivid and I loved the main characters (and a few others). The romance developed very organically and made up for such a lovely story of two people who really do belong together. I only wish we could .

Overall, I found this story both compelling and lovely.
Profile Image for Terri.
899 reviews
December 8, 2021
Time travel to the past and find your true love. That is what happened to Jake. This book starts us in present day and Jake is given a second chance by agreeing to travel to the past and help a wagon train to Oregon. He never in his wildest dreams thought he would find what he had been looking for on this journey but he did.

This is a great story and I really enjoyed it. It's sweet with a hint of passion. It shows the hardships these pioneers faced and their determination to start new lives out west.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews

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