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Trails of the Heart #1
Oregon Bound
1852 Illinois
Eva Thompson has her future mapped out. Marriage to David Clarke and a family is all she wants.
Her Pa has other ideas. He insists on taking the Oregon Trail to a better life and favors Harold Chapman as Eva's suitor.
Marriage to Harold will provide Eva with everything she needs except . . . love.
Can David overcome the prejudices of the past, the challenges of the present to give Eva the future she desires?
Based on true diaries from Oregon Trail pioneers
Eva Thompson has her future mapped out. Marriage to David Clarke and a family is all she wants.
Her Pa has other ideas. He insists on taking the Oregon Trail to a better life and favors Harold Chapman as Eva's suitor.
Marriage to Harold will provide Eva with everything she needs except . . . love.
Can David overcome the prejudices of the past, the challenges of the present to give Eva the future she desires?
Based on true diaries from Oregon Trail pioneers
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2017
1102 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Wesson
111 books357 followersRachel Wesson was born in Kilkenny, Ireland but considers herself to be from the capital, Dublin as that's where she spent most of her life. Her dad brought Rachel and her two sisters out every Saturday to give their mother a break. He took them to the library and for ice-cream after. It took a long time for her sisters to forgive her for the hours she spent choosing her books!
She grew up driving everyone nuts asking them questions about what they did during the War or what side they were on in the 1916 rising etc. Finally her Granny told her to write her stories down so people would get the pleasure of reading them. In fact what Granny meant was everyone would get some peace while Rachel was busy writing!
When not writing, or annoying relatives, Rachel was reading. Her report cards from school commented on her love of reading especially when she should have been learning. Seems you can't read Great Expectations in Maths. After a doomed love affair and an unpleasant bank raid during which she defended herself with a tea tray, she headed to London for a couple of years. (There is a reason she doesn't write romance!). She never intended staying but a chance meeting with the man of her dreams put paid to any return to Ireland. Having spent most of her career in the City, she decided something was missing. Working in the City is great but it's a young person's dream. Having three children you never see isn't good for anyone. So she packed in the job and started writing. Thanks to her amazing readers, that writing turned into a career far more exciting and rewarding than any other.
Rachel lives in Surrey with her husband and three children, two boys and a girl. When not reading, writing or watching films for "research" purposes, Rachel likes to hang out with her family. She also travels regularly back home - in fact she should have shares in BA and Aerlingus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 28, 2022
This is a good book for readers of any age. The story involves the challenges and excitement of traveling by wagon train to Oregon. Young Eva is traveling with her parents as well as brothers and sisters on the trek along with her romantic interest. There are other books in the series and I will look forward to reading them. It reminds me greatly of books that I enjoyed as a young teenager.
February 10, 2018
This book was better written than most in the genre. But as others have commented, it was light on real history of the Oregon Trail. The description says that it was based on real diaries, but I wonder how true that could be, unless this particular family didn't run into that many problems. I thought it unlikely that the heroine's father would have kept insisting that she marry a particular person who showed his true colors early on in the story.
May 15, 2025
A book I would have loved as a teen or young reader. Go, Becky! I liked the few instances of recipes that were shared! That's real research... the rest of it felt kinda like Oregon Trail the video game of old😆 like the scene that said, 'So and so got sick last night and I can't believe it, but they died! And two of three children too' (bawhaha). I could hear the sad music of the video game!!
April 7, 2018
Definite must read
Takes about the Oregon Trail show how much strength and courage the people traveling had. This book will surprise you with every turn
Takes about the Oregon Trail show how much strength and courage the people traveling had. This book will surprise you with every turn
July 31, 2021
A little too light on history and heavy on sugary sweetness for me but that might be perfect for someone else. For me, it was just OK (thus 2 stars) but for someone else, I think this could be an enjoyable light easy read.
I found it hard to believe that this wagon trail encountered such relatively light challenges and hardships on the Oregon Trail - in fact, their greatest source of problems was one of the travelers in their group. I think there was a brief mention of cholera, a few dangerous river crossings , and very few deaths or serious injury/ailments.
They had a few encounters with Native Americans including one where despite the experienced captain of the wagon train telling the settlers not to "joke around with Indians because they don't have a sense of humor" (um ok, wut?),
The heroine and her family have a remarkably progressive attitude in their encounters with Native Americans during their trip which felt somewhat inauthentic and anachronistic. I mean, if you're a sheltered white woman from this time period who had been fed nothing but stories of savagery at the hands of "indians", I don't think your first reaction would be to befriend them if you encounter a brave by yourself on an isolated trail. I could see them coming to that realization after getting to know them, but at the first encounter to have no fear? I mean, it would have been nice if that was normal for that time and place, but it was not. It felt like modern sensibilities were slapped into the story in a way that wasn't credible.
I also didn't understand why one character insists on marrying his daughter to a man who shows over and over again that he's an awful person. Things have to escalate to a ridiculous point before he relents. And why What does come through pretty loud and clear was how much crap women had to put up with and how little agency they had in life.
I found it hard to believe that this wagon trail encountered such relatively light challenges and hardships on the Oregon Trail - in fact, their greatest source of problems was one of the travelers in their group. I think there was a brief mention of cholera, a few dangerous river crossings , and very few deaths or serious injury/ailments.
They had a few encounters with Native Americans including one where despite the experienced captain of the wagon train telling the settlers not to "joke around with Indians because they don't have a sense of humor" (um ok, wut?),
The heroine and her family have a remarkably progressive attitude in their encounters with Native Americans during their trip which felt somewhat inauthentic and anachronistic. I mean, if you're a sheltered white woman from this time period who had been fed nothing but stories of savagery at the hands of "indians", I don't think your first reaction would be to befriend them if you encounter a brave by yourself on an isolated trail. I could see them coming to that realization after getting to know them, but at the first encounter to have no fear? I mean, it would have been nice if that was normal for that time and place, but it was not. It felt like modern sensibilities were slapped into the story in a way that wasn't credible.
I also didn't understand why one character insists on marrying his daughter to a man who shows over and over again that he's an awful person. Things have to escalate to a ridiculous point before he relents. And why What does come through pretty loud and clear was how much crap women had to put up with and how little agency they had in life.
May 11, 2022
Great story, a lot.) of small errors of punctuation and typos, mostly, not enough to stop me from reading.
18 yr old Eva doesn't want to leave Virgil for the Oregon Trail. For one thing, she'll miss her granny, who isn't up to the trip. Plus, she'll miss her friends. And she may end up forced by her dad to marry a man who is a drunk and a bully, not the one she has loved since they were kids (and who reciprocates her feelings). Plus, she has twin 16 yr old sisters, one a tomboy and a flirt, the other quiet and far more observant that anyone realizes...plus a 7 yr old brother. And she knws her mom doesn't really want to go, either.
But her dad says they're going. Period. End of discussion. His wife and children must follow him.
David is one of 2 sons of the town drunk. After they buried their mother, the older one left David alone and no one has heard from him since. He hasn't enough money to go...but hires on with a family from town that has 2 girls but no sons. He makes a mark for himself on the trail and with the trailmaster. He is just gaining some success despite his father's alcoholism when Eva's father's preferred beau for her daughter accuses him of a crime. Like the bully he is, it seems he has managed to manipulate others into backing his story.
Is David guilty? If he isn't, why won't anyone defend him? And who is it that believes in David so much - not Eva, as a hint - who will make sure there is, at the very least, a trial instead of a lynching? Who else seemingly inadvertently helps Eva out, and David as well? Will Eva's dad ever see his preferred husband for Eva as the lying, cheating boozer he is, and realize that David will cherish his daighter and do his utmost to provide for her?
18 yr old Eva doesn't want to leave Virgil for the Oregon Trail. For one thing, she'll miss her granny, who isn't up to the trip. Plus, she'll miss her friends. And she may end up forced by her dad to marry a man who is a drunk and a bully, not the one she has loved since they were kids (and who reciprocates her feelings). Plus, she has twin 16 yr old sisters, one a tomboy and a flirt, the other quiet and far more observant that anyone realizes...plus a 7 yr old brother. And she knws her mom doesn't really want to go, either.
But her dad says they're going. Period. End of discussion. His wife and children must follow him.
David is one of 2 sons of the town drunk. After they buried their mother, the older one left David alone and no one has heard from him since. He hasn't enough money to go...but hires on with a family from town that has 2 girls but no sons. He makes a mark for himself on the trail and with the trailmaster. He is just gaining some success despite his father's alcoholism when Eva's father's preferred beau for her daughter accuses him of a crime. Like the bully he is, it seems he has managed to manipulate others into backing his story.
Is David guilty? If he isn't, why won't anyone defend him? And who is it that believes in David so much - not Eva, as a hint - who will make sure there is, at the very least, a trial instead of a lynching? Who else seemingly inadvertently helps Eva out, and David as well? Will Eva's dad ever see his preferred husband for Eva as the lying, cheating boozer he is, and realize that David will cherish his daighter and do his utmost to provide for her?
October 2, 2017
This novel is a good clean historical romance which begins in Virgil, Illinois in 1852, before the Civil War when many Wagon Trains were headed out West. The Thompson family, Pa, Ma, Eva, the oldest daughter, the twins Johanna and Rebecca, and Stephen, the youngest of the family was headed to Oregon on a Wagon Train.
This is a love story with trials and hardships along the rough journey. Pa had a young gentleman picked out for Eva to marry. Eva was in love with David Clarke and had been for a long time. David Clarke could not keep his eyes off of her. David was determined to marry Eva even if he had to travel clear across the country just to be with her.
The story includes history, drama, lost children, cooking over open fires, bad weather, crossing rivers, Indians, sicknesses and deaths. I enjoyed the the story, it could have described the adventures and actions in more detail, although it was a very enjoyable read. It was a fast read and a lovely love story.
This is a love story with trials and hardships along the rough journey. Pa had a young gentleman picked out for Eva to marry. Eva was in love with David Clarke and had been for a long time. David Clarke could not keep his eyes off of her. David was determined to marry Eva even if he had to travel clear across the country just to be with her.
The story includes history, drama, lost children, cooking over open fires, bad weather, crossing rivers, Indians, sicknesses and deaths. I enjoyed the the story, it could have described the adventures and actions in more detail, although it was a very enjoyable read. It was a fast read and a lovely love story.
September 20, 2018
This is a quick read and I enjoyed it a lot because of the interesting characters, the humor and the different relationships. I liked the characters and especially Eva and her twin sisters who each had different personalities and strengths. I also liked how they teased one another but also supported each other throughout the book. There was always tension between Eva and her father because of her desire to be with David and her father’s prejudice against him. Eva’s mother is fierce and intuitive and loves her family very much. I really liked how she came around to being on Eva’s side and stood up to her husband. David proved over and over that he was better than Harold. I look forward to continuing on with this very enjoyable series. (Karen's review)
July 24, 2021
I loved this book! Set on the Oregon trail (of course) I really loved the background and the time period, just always giving you the feel of people on the move, working together, making meals and fires at night parking for a day or two, being watched by Indians, etc.
It was smooth reading and a great story!! It’s sad how little women were regarded back then. I don’t want to give spoilers, but I was happy with the way it all came together in the end, and I’ll definitely read book two.
The only down side of this book was when Harold and his friends were caught by the Indians and brought to them, it felt that a chapter was yanked out there, I actually had to go back me read to see if I missed something?
It was smooth reading and a great story!! It’s sad how little women were regarded back then. I don’t want to give spoilers, but I was happy with the way it all came together in the end, and I’ll definitely read book two.
The only down side of this book was when Harold and his friends were caught by the Indians and brought to them, it felt that a chapter was yanked out there, I actually had to go back me read to see if I missed something?
January 28, 2018
This is a clean historical romance novel about an early wagon train from Virgil, Illinois, to the west. Eva Thompson's family decides to take up stakes and move west when the wagon train leaves. This occurs around 1827. Eva is in love with a long time classmate David Clarke but her father wants her to be beholding to the son of the Mercantile owners Harold Chapman. While on the wagon train to the west Harold begins to show his true colors. There are those who die from sickness, accident and disease. You'll enjoy the happily ever after at the end.
August 11, 2020
Eva Thompson is traveling on the Oregon Trail with her parents, twin sisters, and brother. Also traveling is the young man she loves (David) and another young man who wants her to love him (Harold). Harold keeps doing things to try to make David look like a bad choice, but his actions make him look like the bad choice. David is helpful with everyone while Harold tries to cause problems.
Read this book to find out who ends up winning Eva's hand in marriage. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in this series.
Read this book to find out who ends up winning Eva's hand in marriage. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in this series.
September 27, 2021
Trials, adventures and love.
Uprooting your family’s lives had to be a difficult and hard decision. One not made lightly. How devoted these women were to their husbands. Yet this mother would show her strength and wisdom many times.
No one knew what would be waiting on the trails. Eva was one of the young ladies able to have her true love be able to make the journey with her as David was able to help another family on their journey west. I wish there had been more about their lives once they made it to Oregon. Guess I’ll have to read the series.
Uprooting your family’s lives had to be a difficult and hard decision. One not made lightly. How devoted these women were to their husbands. Yet this mother would show her strength and wisdom many times.
No one knew what would be waiting on the trails. Eva was one of the young ladies able to have her true love be able to make the journey with her as David was able to help another family on their journey west. I wish there had been more about their lives once they made it to Oregon. Guess I’ll have to read the series.
July 6, 2023
Eva Thompson’s Pa is determined to take his family to a new life in Oregon. Eva is adamant she won��t leave David, the love of her life behind. But Pa wants her to marry Harold Chapman, the son of a wealthy store owner. Marriage to Chapman will provide Eva with everything a woman could want except love.
David Clarke wants to make Eva his wife, even if that means traveling across country. Through the trials and tribulations of the journey across the plains, will Eva’s pa see David for the exceptional young man he is or will he remain blinded by the past?
David Clarke wants to make Eva his wife, even if that means traveling across country. Through the trials and tribulations of the journey across the plains, will Eva’s pa see David for the exceptional young man he is or will he remain blinded by the past?
September 2, 2018
Enjoyed the book. Story of oldest of three daughters. Began with the fathers decision to head to Oregon, the reluctance of the rest of the family and finished partway through the journey . Sister number two story is the next book. Her father had plans for her to marry the merchants son who she despised. That was the story that unfolded as the traveled. I wish there had been a bit more detail of the daily life and landmarks but I will read the next book.
September 4, 2017
Eva's pa has decided that his family is moving to Oregon. Eva doesn't want to go but she convinces her beau to go also. She loves David and has for years but her pa wants her to marry Harold because he is rich. Harold makes her skin crawl. How can she convince her pa that David is the man for her? A short story of life on a wagon train. It could have used a better editor but was entertaining.
December 12, 2017
A short story about Eva and her family moving to Oregon on a wagon train. David Clarke is on the train and wants to marry Eva but since his father is the town drunk; her father is against it. Harold is also on the train and he wants to marry Eva also. There are Indians, soldiers, disease and a wrongful death in the story.
January 21, 2020
Good Book
I love books about wagon trains,and this was pretty good. This is my 2nd book by this author and she comes through,though the main character Eva wasn't as interesting as her twin sisters. The other characters in the book was good too, only l wish it had more Christian faith in the book,that why 4 stars. But l liked the book.
I love books about wagon trains,and this was pretty good. This is my 2nd book by this author and she comes through,though the main character Eva wasn't as interesting as her twin sisters. The other characters in the book was good too, only l wish it had more Christian faith in the book,that why 4 stars. But l liked the book.
October 5, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. Having traveled through much of those areas, I really enjoyed seeing how the interstate highway system so often parallels the old wagon train routes. And that those settlers used the same places we enjoy today as markers along the trail. As always the characters were excellent and fully drawn out. Loved it!
December 29, 2021
I was thoroughly enjoying this book as I was very interested in the experiences of the early American pioneers. It started off really well and I was very engaged in the storyline, however the last few chapters were so predictable it was a great disappointment and I skimmed over them as I couldn’t wait to get to the end.
April 15, 2024
An easy, entertaining read. I feel like the Oregon trail was WAY more challenging than this book depicted but it was still a fun read and I enjoyed getting to know the characters, while getting a glimpse at life on the Oregon trail. It was heavy on relationships (both friend and romantic) and not as heavy on actual events happening.
July 10, 2024
On The Oregon Trail
This was really good western romance! The author really brought the characters to life. There was lots of love and family interplay. It was the tale of a family of girls on their way to Oregon by wagon train. It describes their struggles and growing loves along the way. I would definitely recommend it!
This was really good western romance! The author really brought the characters to life. There was lots of love and family interplay. It was the tale of a family of girls on their way to Oregon by wagon train. It describes their struggles and growing loves along the way. I would definitely recommend it!
June 8, 2017
Oregon Bound
4 stars is what I would give this book but for some reason my Kindle wouldn't rate it. This book had everything drama suspense and romance. A good book for anyone.
4 stars is what I would give this book but for some reason my Kindle wouldn't rate it. This book had everything drama suspense and romance. A good book for anyone.
June 29, 2017
Love is everywhere.
True love lasts forever. Really a great story of a love that lasted through childhood. A bully that really can't take rejection. A group of people facing a new beginning with a lot of trials and hardships.
True love lasts forever. Really a great story of a love that lasted through childhood. A bully that really can't take rejection. A group of people facing a new beginning with a lot of trials and hardships.
November 3, 2017
Amazing book!
I have really enjoyed reading the first book in this series, i have already purchased books 2 and 3.can hardly wait to see what happens next, such a clean historical romance! I loved it.
I have really enjoyed reading the first book in this series, i have already purchased books 2 and 3.can hardly wait to see what happens next, such a clean historical romance! I loved it.
January 26, 2018
I'm not usually into Western reading but found this a refreshing change. The story seemed well researched, the plot steady and interestingwith engaging and believable characters. I found the little details of everyday life and problems encountered made the story even better. Don't miss reading this book.
August 24, 2019
This Oregan Trail novel was not as realistic as some that I have read though some trips may have experienced more accidents, tragedies, and death than others. This one had more of a light-hearted romance type format to it.
December 3, 2019
Inspiring Oregon Trail story
This inspiring Oregon Trail story will catch you on page one. The characters are so real and the scenes so beautifully described you feel you are standing right there. This is a quick read, you will want to finish it the evening you start it.
This inspiring Oregon Trail story will catch you on page one. The characters are so real and the scenes so beautifully described you feel you are standing right there. This is a quick read, you will want to finish it the evening you start it.
August 15, 2020
Exciting
I've always loved the tales of the Oregon Trail, this one was so authentic I felt I was there. The love, drama, and heartache was very prevalent and made you appreciate a life well lived.
I've always loved the tales of the Oregon Trail, this one was so authentic I felt I was there. The love, drama, and heartache was very prevalent and made you appreciate a life well lived.
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May 11, 2021A book for young people
I did not realize this story wss for the younger set. The simplified wrotong, the emphasis on fidelity, respect for your elders and, yes, chastity was all there to teach our younger people.
I did not realize this story wss for the younger set. The simplified wrotong, the emphasis on fidelity, respect for your elders and, yes, chastity was all there to teach our younger people.
May 22, 2021
Oregon Bound
This was a great story. Wagon train headed to Oregon .60 families were involved in the traveling . Eva and David were in love in Virgil. David got a job on the wagon train helping another family. Many adventures in this story enjoy.
This was a great story. Wagon train headed to Oregon .60 families were involved in the traveling . Eva and David were in love in Virgil. David got a job on the wagon train helping another family. Many adventures in this story enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews