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The Scout
EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED WAS AN ARMY SCOUT'S JOB ...
Still, Major John Montgomery never anticipated finding love along the Oregon Trail. But Constance Weldon, outspoken, courageous and possessed of a quiet beauty completely at home under the wide Western sky, was like a balm from heaven to his wounded soul ...
She'd promised her dying father she'd drive their wagon west, and Constance Weldon was always and forever a woman of her word. Though keeping that word had proven to be difficult, even dangerous, when her selfish younger sister regularly refused to pull her weight. And when the younger woman set her sights on John Montgomery, the only man Constance had ever dared desire, Constance had finally had enough!
Still, Major John Montgomery never anticipated finding love along the Oregon Trail. But Constance Weldon, outspoken, courageous and possessed of a quiet beauty completely at home under the wide Western sky, was like a balm from heaven to his wounded soul ...
She'd promised her dying father she'd drive their wagon west, and Constance Weldon was always and forever a woman of her word. Though keeping that word had proven to be difficult, even dangerous, when her selfish younger sister regularly refused to pull her weight. And when the younger woman set her sights on John Montgomery, the only man Constance had ever dared desire, Constance had finally had enough!
295 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2003
6 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Lynna Banning
77 books83 followersI was born in Oregon and raised in northern California. While growing up I listened to my grandparents' and my mother's stories about life on the ranch they owned in Douglas County, some miles east of Roseburg.
Later (after I retired from work as a professional editor for an aerospace firm) I began writing fiction based on these stories... my first book was "Western Rose," which is based on the unusual courtship of my grandparents.
A medieval studies major in college, I have also written two medieval novels, one about a Crusader knight and a girl raised in a harem (!) who end up at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine when she was Queen of England. The second novel is about a Templar knight who falls in love with a young woman troubadour... but of course because of his vows of chastity, he cannot marry.
I hope you will enjoy my books; I always like hearing from readers, so feel free to email me (carolynw@cruzio.com) and also see my website - http://www.lynnabanning.com.
Later (after I retired from work as a professional editor for an aerospace firm) I began writing fiction based on these stories... my first book was "Western Rose," which is based on the unusual courtship of my grandparents.
A medieval studies major in college, I have also written two medieval novels, one about a Crusader knight and a girl raised in a harem (!) who end up at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine when she was Queen of England. The second novel is about a Templar knight who falls in love with a young woman troubadour... but of course because of his vows of chastity, he cannot marry.
I hope you will enjoy my books; I always like hearing from readers, so feel free to email me (carolynw@cruzio.com) and also see my website - http://www.lynnabanning.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 23, 2013
One of my pet peeves is characters who are martyrs to their horrible families. This story takes that theme in an unexpected and really interesting direction, because the heroine recognizes her sister's narcissism, admits to feeling fear and hatred towards her, and grows a pair. Although the writing isn't particularly deep and , I was impressed by the originality of the story.
February 22, 2018
3 e 1/2
"La desiderava a tal punto che non riusciva quasi a respirare. Santo cielo! Si stava innamorando di quella donna coraggiosa e testarda! Fu una scoperta così inaspettata e sconvolgente che Montgomery scoppiò a ridere forte e lei sollevò il capo guardandolo con aria interrogativa. «Non è niente» mentì lui. Invece non è vero. È tutto."
Più leggo romanzi di quest'autrice più apprezzo le sue scelte originali sull'ambientazione e la profondità psicologica (nel bene e nel male XD) dei suoi personaggi ;D Anche qui abbiamo uno sfondo insolito, un viaggio nel vecchio west tra carovane, indiani e fortini militari, in un epoca in cui viaggiare era non solo una grande avventura ma un grande rischio e la vita era molto dura sopratutto per le donne... ed è qui che entra in gioco Constance alias la Wonder Woman Martire XD Onestamente, per quanto l'abbia apprezzata come personaggio per la sua forza (morale e non) e per la sua lealtà, non ho sopportato il fatto che fino alla fine rimanga "legata" al suo ruolo di sorella maggiore/madre...l'altruismo è bello ma una sana dose di egoismo non guasta se uno vuol vivere la propria vita XD Affascinante anche se forse meno approfondito il personaggio di John, molto bella anche la sua amicizia con Billy che risolleva l'atmosfera a tratti un po' cupa ;D L'unico personaggio che proprio non ho sopportato e avrei voluto finisse sotto le ruote di un carro dall'inizio alla fine è ovviamente Nettie! Un tale mostro di egoismo, di ingratitudine e di cattiveria non si è mai visto in un libro e onestamente non ha avuto alcuna maturazione o miglioramento nel corso della storia.... il fatto che da sola riesca a manovrare tutti i personaggi senza colpo ferire e alla fine ne esca pure felice e soddisfatta, con tutti che la coccolano e vezzeggiano mi ha lasciata senza parole D: Per il resto pollice in su ;D
"La desiderava a tal punto che non riusciva quasi a respirare. Santo cielo! Si stava innamorando di quella donna coraggiosa e testarda! Fu una scoperta così inaspettata e sconvolgente che Montgomery scoppiò a ridere forte e lei sollevò il capo guardandolo con aria interrogativa. «Non è niente» mentì lui. Invece non è vero. È tutto."
Più leggo romanzi di quest'autrice più apprezzo le sue scelte originali sull'ambientazione e la profondità psicologica (nel bene e nel male XD) dei suoi personaggi ;D Anche qui abbiamo uno sfondo insolito, un viaggio nel vecchio west tra carovane, indiani e fortini militari, in un epoca in cui viaggiare era non solo una grande avventura ma un grande rischio e la vita era molto dura sopratutto per le donne... ed è qui che entra in gioco Constance alias la Wonder Woman Martire XD Onestamente, per quanto l'abbia apprezzata come personaggio per la sua forza (morale e non) e per la sua lealtà, non ho sopportato il fatto che fino alla fine rimanga "legata" al suo ruolo di sorella maggiore/madre...l'altruismo è bello ma una sana dose di egoismo non guasta se uno vuol vivere la propria vita XD Affascinante anche se forse meno approfondito il personaggio di John, molto bella anche la sua amicizia con Billy che risolleva l'atmosfera a tratti un po' cupa ;D L'unico personaggio che proprio non ho sopportato e avrei voluto finisse sotto le ruote di un carro dall'inizio alla fine è ovviamente Nettie! Un tale mostro di egoismo, di ingratitudine e di cattiveria non si è mai visto in un libro e onestamente non ha avuto alcuna maturazione o miglioramento nel corso della storia.... il fatto che da sola riesca a manovrare tutti i personaggi senza colpo ferire e alla fine ne esca pure felice e soddisfatta, con tutti che la coccolano e vezzeggiano mi ha lasciata senza parole D: Per il resto pollice in su ;D
February 21, 2018
Loved the book!
Another great book by Lynna Banning! There were some slow places in the book and it was disconcerting to jump from one scene to the next so abruptly. Overall, I still enjoyed the book. Although Nettie was a little irritating to listen to.
Another great book by Lynna Banning! There were some slow places in the book and it was disconcerting to jump from one scene to the next so abruptly. Overall, I still enjoyed the book. Although Nettie was a little irritating to listen to.
June 16, 2019
Mr. Welton, a widowed banker, suddenly decides to move his two daughters and their belongings to Oregon in 1860. At the usual jumping off point for western travel, Independence, Missouri, Mr. Welton suddenly dies. His two daughters, Constance and Henrietta (Nettie), are left on their own. Fortunately, they were already signed up to join a wagon train of 11 wagons. The wagon master, Mr. Duquette, was green (otherwise he would have known that wagon masters didn't allow women to travel alone. They could not keep up with the families with men -- who could handle the most strenuous tasks. Single women were a severe liability to a wagon train with unhappy Indians around).
Fortunately, Duquette had the sense to ask for a military escort through Indian Territory. Fort Kearney's post commandant, Colonel Butterworth sends Major John Montgomery and Billy West. It doesn't take long for the experienced military men to argue with the inexperienced Duquette.
That isn't the only tiff in the wagon train; Constance is almost worn out because she does the lion's share of the work and Nettie avoids it as much as possible. Billy is very interested in Nettie but Nettie wants John Montgomery. Soon, Constance and John fall in love. But there is other trouble because the Indian Yellow Wolf wants Constance.
I've never known anyone who deserved the phrase, 'a piece of work' more than Nettie. She's always been pampered by her parents and now feels it is her right. Even though she knows Constance is interested in John, Nettie decides she wants him. In fact, she gets Colonel Butterworth to force John to marry her or face a court-martial.
The characters are interesting and most (except Nettie) are great to get to know. This is a pleasant story about difficult conditions; the problems keep the reader turning the pages.
Fortunately, Duquette had the sense to ask for a military escort through Indian Territory. Fort Kearney's post commandant, Colonel Butterworth sends Major John Montgomery and Billy West. It doesn't take long for the experienced military men to argue with the inexperienced Duquette.
That isn't the only tiff in the wagon train; Constance is almost worn out because she does the lion's share of the work and Nettie avoids it as much as possible. Billy is very interested in Nettie but Nettie wants John Montgomery. Soon, Constance and John fall in love. But there is other trouble because the Indian Yellow Wolf wants Constance.
I've never known anyone who deserved the phrase, 'a piece of work' more than Nettie. She's always been pampered by her parents and now feels it is her right. Even though she knows Constance is interested in John, Nettie decides she wants him. In fact, she gets Colonel Butterworth to force John to marry her or face a court-martial.
The characters are interesting and most (except Nettie) are great to get to know. This is a pleasant story about difficult conditions; the problems keep the reader turning the pages.
August 23, 2012
Endearing historical western romance set on a wagon train journey to Oregon. Loved Constance and John. They didn't beat around the bush when they fell in love. But her younger sister, Nettie, was a manipulative, self-centered, obnoxious piece of work, and was, of course, determined to throw their romance off course to the very end. She certainly didn't deserve Constance. Nice ending though I thought Nettie deserved more comeuppance. Sweetly entertaining. 3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews