A Path Worth Taking

by Mariella Starr

Four years of Civil War have taken their toll on Bethany St. Claire. She is no longer a sheltered young girl. She has lost everything, and duty to her brother has forced her away from what little she had left of her former life. When more tragedy befalls her, she is left destitute. Her choices are few and frightening. She must choose a husband, otherwise a man she despises will decide for her. The memories of one night of passion have sustained former Lt. Garret Wakefield through the horrors of battle. He returns to find the girl of his dreams, only to be told she is promised to another. A man of honor does not interfere with a betrothal, so he returns to his former profession as a scout for a wagon train. Fate brings Bethany under Garret’s watchful guard again, but his job takes him away from the wagons more often than he is there to protect her. While he is gone, tragedy strikes. Left with nothing but the clothing she is wearing, Bethany must take a husband to survive. Garret is not going to allow another man to have what was once his. He wants Bethany for his own, and he will have her. He offers marriage because there is no other way to protect her. She needs a husband, and he needs a wife and a companion to help him build a future. Their new life together will be difficult, but they must form a strong bond to survive in an untamed territory. Can a forced marriage endure the hardships they must face? Can a Southern beauty find happiness as the wife of a man who believes in spanking? Disobedience and transgressions are not allowed, and Garret has discovered a bared bottom over his knee is a very efficient method of handling a wayward wife. This books contains the spanking of adult women and sexual scenes. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase this book.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2016

Reviews

[Ginger Nickles Osborne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Path Worth Taking was a fine read--well-written with an interesting plot. Once I got into it, it was hard to put down and I stayed up way too late reading it. After I finished, though, I kind of wanted to go take a bath. The first chance meeting between Garrett and Beth was a surprise and I thought the scene of him leaving to go back to war was touching, even though I didn't feel as much of a connection between them as I would have liked. For her, at least, love with a strange soldier didn't quite ring true.

Once they reunite on the wagon train, I'm happy for them--their night together during the war has obviously stayed with both of them and their marriage of convenience is something they both have wanted for a while.

But then the spanking. I've never read a domestic discipline story before and I wouldn't like to read another one. Before anybody says anything--I know that things were different then and that the man was the head of the house and women were to obey and all that--but I really hated it. And I hated her reaction to it--she cries and then realizes she has misbehaved and jumps right back in the sack with him and claims they have a "good marriage." How a woman could have a romantic evening with a man who has just spanked her with a hairbrush-----

This might be some people's bag, but it's just not mine. His switch from disciplinarian to lusting husband didn't work for me. Again, it's not the subject matter or the gender dynamic, even though the over-the-top misogyny was annoying. It's just too weird for him to spank her until she cries and lock her in her bedroom (until he wants sex) and for her to be okay with that.

After I finished, I just kind of sat and shook my head. I didn't even know what to say.

[Hope W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review and was thrilled. This historical fiction was captivating as it took me from the Civil War to the wagon trains of the West. Beth St. Claire met Lieutenant Garret Wakefield as he led his unit into her property during the end of the Civil War. While Beth, her friend Lettie, and Lettie's brother hid from the soldiers, she saw him take over her family home and stay in it as his soldiers stayed in the fields. While sneaking in one night Garret found her and they wound up enjoying each other for one night that neither forgets. As time went on they were lucky enough to run into each other after the war ended. I loved how the author passed the large span of time without it being distracting or unrealistic. Once they met and reconnected, life took on a new level of meaning and love.
The author kept my attention from start to finish. She took the readers on a journey from the trials of war, wagon trains west, and challenges the settler's faced after their arrivals. She included details that were true to these time periods as well as were interesting and informative. I just could not put this book down. Come take this journey that is filled with crime, loss, challenges, adventures, family, friendships, laughs, lust, sex, spankings, and above all else a lot of love. Way to go. I highly recommend this wonderful book!

[JD (on semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the authors in this genre, Mariella Starr writes the most fleshed-out and best-written books, with well-researched, historical plotlines; themes usually involving strength during adversity; and complex characters with detailed backstories, aspirations, and motivations. Her women are independent, smart, and resilient; her men appreciate these qualities (and, thus, don't try to change them as many in this genre do). I don't like the fact that the discipline is non-consensual, but it's less harsh than many and the women aren't lessened because of it.

If you're looking for straight-up erotica and very detailed sex scenes, these author's books aren't for you. In fact, these are really more stories with spanking rather than spanking with stories and, quite frankly, the domestic discipline could be removed and these books would be just fine (and might find a larger audience). But if you're looking for more serious matter to underpin the domestic discipline -- detailed, full-length storylines with likeable characters -- you will like Ms. Starr's more recent books (I'd stay clear of her earlier ones, which are far more problematic in terms of conservative ideology and harsh punishments).

4 stars. I highly recommend this book.

Note: I adhere to the ratings system as laid out by Goodreads: 2 stars = it was okay; 3 stars = liked it; 4 stars = really liked it; 5 stars = it was amazing. I gave this book 4 stars because I really liked the MC and the historical plotline, even though I'm not a fan of DD. I do not think that every book I read is "amazing;" further, I think that it cheapens the rating system to always assign 4 or 5 stars. If a book really earns the 4 or 5 stars (and I realize that this is, to some degree, subjective), I'll give them -- but it certainly shouldn't apply to every book. YMMV, and everyone should enjoy/rate these books as they wish.

Additional Note: I did not receive this book as an ARC; I'm not another author who hosts or is hosted by other authors in this genre on our websites; and I'm not friends with the authors IRL, "friends" on this site, or friends on any social media site.

[Charity Thornhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all time fav!

So, I bought this book several years ago when I had a nook. Found myself constantly rereading it, so when I bought a kindle, this book was one of my first purchases. Years later and I still love this book.
There is absolutely everything to love about this book. It isn’t historically correct per say, but it’s a romance that attests to hard times, friends finding one another again, and love.
I will forever keep this book as one of my favorites!

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

TO NEW BEGINNINGS

I enjoyed this well written and emotional historical that starts during the Civil War and then goes westward to Colorado. In Barnesville, Maryland, eighteen-year-old Bethany St. Claire is left trying to hold down the family homestead and orchards along with free blacks, Lettie and Jacob. In 1863, a new Union regiment showed up, and they must hide in the tunnels for safety. Beth thinks it is safe to go into the house and retrieve a few items and is captured inside by Lt. Garret Wakefield. She must not let him know about Lettie and Jacob and spends a night that includes giving up her virginity. He leaves the next day, and she goes on with her life.

The war ends her brother Nate returns and blames her for losing the homestead, which was burnt to the ground along with their orchards shortly before his return. In 1868 he insisted that they will move to Oregon with a wagon train. The journey is doomed early on, the wagon master has it out for Beth, and then Nate gets sick and dies, leaving Beth at the mercy of others. Garret is a scout on the wagon train, and when he learns that the wagon master is going to force her to marry, he convinces her to marry him. It takes these two five years to reunite from when they first met; it must be fate.

The story is the journey of two people forced into a marriage to protect Beth, but not a hardship because they do have feelings for each other. Life isn’t easy in the wilderness, and there are dangers with both two legged and four legged creatures. The love and passion that Garret and Beth have for each other sustain them through some rough times, heartaches, crisis, life, and death situations and together they forge this wilderness to create a home and raise a family, some by blood, some by love, and others as dear friends. The story is full of the erotic passion between Garret and Beth but also includes multiple spankings when Beth puts herself in danger or gets too sassy. Along with the historical times, it brings out issues with the changing times, the transcontinental railway, the problems with Indians, and the unscrupulous people after the War Between the States.

[Brev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. What a wonderful book this is! The story is set in the second half of the nineteenth century and the prologue is set during the civil war when Garret and Beth first meet. Their lives follow different paths and they meet up again on a Wagon Train heading west. The author has created an absolute gem of a book. There is a strong sense of time and place and Ms Starr seems (as far as I can tell,) to have researched the period well. She vividly records the sense of hope, fear, courage and danger faced by early settlers in the West. She doesn't shy away from the brutality of the time but neither does she dwell on the gruesome details. Each character is so realistically and beautifully drawn that you feel you have actually met them in real life. The two main characters are fully rounded and credible. Garret is honest, hard-working and strong minded but he isn't perfect which makes him much more believable. He loves Beth dearly and tries to protect her but he sometimes finds her willful and strongminded. Beth has had a gentle and priviledged upbringing but she finds herself first of all having to cope with the privations of war and then the hardships of travelling west and finally the challenges of learning to be a settler's wife. She is strong-minded, brave and loving. The sparks often fly between her and Garret but the passion of their love always draws then back together. This story has it all, romance, courage, heartbreak, heroism, fun and laughter. I cannot recommend it too highly.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ten stars were available, this book would deserve them. Follow Bethany St. Clair from the hidden tunnels beneath her family's destroyed farm house in Maryland to her new beginnings in Colorado. The Civil War took everything. Lt. Garret Wakefield took her innocence in a moment of passion, which she did give willingly, and left the next morning to continue fighting his war. Her home and orchards were eventually burned to the ground. Beth's brother returned from the war to nothing remaining and demanded Beth follow him west by wagon train to a better life. She had no choice but to follow. Marcella Starr did a phenomenal job of researching the 1860s Civil War and the events which took place then and following that devastating time when so many tried to take too much of their past with them and went west. Her descriptions of the trials of travel by wagon train as well as the Indian culture and soldiers out west are spellbinding. Like most disobedient women back then, it was deemed necessary that Beth be on the receiving end of a bare bottom spanking on occasion to keep her safe, but rest assured that it was delivered with much love as well as determination. It's a great, erotic, ACCURATE historical romance, with a lot of compassion, adventure and suspense. This story of Bethany St. Clair is a fantastic read and I couldn't put it down. This book will not disappoint. I was given an ARC copy for an honest review. I loved this book.

[Rjr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story of a DD relationship that takes place during and after the Civil War. What begins as one night of human comfort between two very war weary people, develops into a happy marriage through some difficult times. The couple's initial meeting and how they both came to be in that place was a great view of the difficulties of the Civil War. That they met again later was a small miracle. The war changed so many people's idea of what their future would or could be, so when they do meet again, these people are looking at vastly different futures than they may have imagined growing up. They both are determined to make a good life and marriage as they deal with starting over in the west. Even though marriage is forced upon them, it is not a hardship. What is difficult, is learning about each other and each other's expectations. For the woman, having a husband hold her to account to his rules, is very difficult especially since she answered to almost no one during the war. There are many ups and downs and their experiences felt very true to me. This was a hard book for me to put down as I couldn't wait to see where their personal journey would take them. I enjoyed it very much and know I will reread for the rich characters, interesting plot, and great depiction of a loving DD relationship. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thoughtful book by this author! This book works because of the wonderful characters that the author has developed in Garrett, Beth and all of their supporting cast. Garrett is strong, honest, protective, fair and believes that a man should be the head of his house. Beth is a strong, feisty, hardworking and determined woman that is faced with many hardships but continues to prosper. They find each other, fall in love and marry and this book follows their journeys. These journeys are packed with much adversity, fear and hard work but they continue to work together, love each other and believe in each other and they succeed. I would recommend this book as you will not be disappointed. Please note, I did receive a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this my honest review.

[emlv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my honest review for my ARC copy. During the civil war era, Beth is left to her own devices with two servants…not slaves, despite their color. They are loved and paid and more like family. But during war times, it was important for them to remain hidden. For that matter, it was equally important for Beth. When ‘blue bellies’ ride up to her home, they run to hide in a room from a tunnel beneath the house, but the men remain in the house for days. When all is quiet and Beth thinks it’s safe, she tiptoes up to get more supplies. She finds the Lieutenant is still there, and when he realizes she is not the boy she’s dressed as, insists she have a dinner with him. One thing leads to another and they share a passionate night. He leaves…and she knows she won’t see him again. Time of course, proves her wrong. This is a well written book that shares a glimpse of days gone by.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The story was so well done and realistic. I actually learned a lot about history while reading this. It just transports you in time and takes you on this amazing journey. While this was a domestic discipline romance, the spankings were not the main focal point of the story, there was an actual plot! It was a historical novel that just happened to have spankings. I loved that we got to really "see" them. This book is not just over the course of a few weeks it takes place over a longer period of time. Garret and Beth were amazing as well as all their family and friends.
If you like historical novels with an alpha male, relatable heroine, a little spanking, and a lot of loving then give this one a try.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review

[BlushingButterflyBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. The characters are so well-written that you really know them ...even the minor characters! The plot is full of action that illustrates the joys and challenges of settling the west as well as that of marriage and friendship.

Beth has had to overcome one challenge after another since the Civil War. Luckily she had her best friend, Nettie. And by chance, she encounters Garret. One night of passion ends and Garret leaves to finish his job in the Army. The two meet again on a wagon train and quickly wed. If you enjoy books with strong, believable characters, then read this book. There are some spanking and explicit scenes. All of them enhance the telling of this tale.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Garrett and Beth met under unusual circumstances. They married under just as unusual circumstances. But their marriage was a good one. The story was not predictable. I really enjoyed the length of the book and the length of time the book spanned. I liked how many characters the book introduced into the story, although most of them were not central to the story. It was interesting to see the author approach race relations in the book as well. In general it was a well written story with some spice and spankings mixed in. It is definitely worth reading!
*I received this book as an ARC, but the review is all my own.

[SH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, don't miss this!

I always know this author is going to take me on a wonderful journey and this book is a perfect example! A fantastic story with quite a bit of depth, strong characters, suspense, danger, adventure, romance and steam, all written with enough detail to keep you engaged. Quit reading here, buy the book and hang on for a wild ride!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC read.
This is a western DD story of a couple who have an intimate encounter and then go their separate ways until they meet again on a wagon train while travelling west. By the end of the trip Garrett and Beth are married. This a great book. Adventure, love and the trials and tribulations of life in the west.

[Toni L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally the ebook I read are shorter than this story so I was initially a bit wary of committing to a book this length. Once I started, however, I soon forgot my concerns as I became engrossed in the story. Yes, there were quite a few coincidences in the overall book but they were easily overlooked as each character brought added depth and interest. A great read.