Wagon Train Wedding

Love on the Santa Fe Trail #2

by Linda Ford

From an award-winning author with more than one million books sold, a new series of four heartwarming historical romances about life on the Santa Fe trail. each book can be read as a stand-alone.Judith Russel is devastated by the death of her fiancé and vows to never again trust her feelings toward a man.Gil Trapper is the wagon train scout and owner of several freight wagons. Freighting is going to give him the future he’d thought he lost. He has no interest in love after the woman he intended to marry broke his heart.Judith and Gil are forced to marry after they spend a night alone together saving a lost child. Their marriage of convenience doesn’t change anything. Judith can’t trust Gil and Gil will never open his heart to Judith. But as they work together to care for the tiny child that needs them, they can’t help growing closer to each other.Will time spent together facing the challenges of the trail, the joy of the child, and the truth about their past experiences force them to admit their growing love or drive them apart forever?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Christian Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Westerns

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

Linda Ford grew up devouring books and making up stories in her head—often late at night when she couldn't sleep. But she hadn't planned to write. Instead, she dreamed of running an orphanage. In a way, that dream came true. She married, had four homemade children, adopted ten and lived (at times, endured) the dream.

Writing first took her to non-fiction human-interest articles for newspapers and eventually a non-fiction book about tuberculosis set in the 1930s and 1940s (Touched By The White Plague). But romance had always been her first love and she turned to writing love stories. She is multi-published in the CBA market.

She lives on a small ranch in Alberta, Canada, where she can see the mountains every day. She and her husband continue to enjoy their children and grandchildren.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook of this one and really enjoyed the story!! Historical romance set on the wagon trail! Loved Judith’s strength, and the slow burn romance between Gil and her!! This is my second book by this author and I like her writing style!

[Pamela McCullough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good job

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of this series did not disappoint! In fact, I may have loved it a sliver more than book 1.. but just a sliver! Not a true Marriage of Convenience story as much as a Marriage by Circumstance one. It was sweet watching Gil and Judith work through their differences while caring for Anna. On to book 3!

[Myriam Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the series

[Teena · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story plods along, then has a plot twist near the end

Overall it was a decent story, but the FMC's obsession with hunting down the unknown stepbrother of her dead fiance plods along in a very tiresome way until nearly the end.

She joined the wagon train with a mission to find a man she's never met and only knows by the name of Jones--a man she blames for her fiance's suicide. During the journey, she goes missing--and the MMC is sent to track her down. He finds her with an orphaned toddler, and further searching reveals the wrecked and ransacked wagon, her dead mother and dying father.

As if no one anticipated this might be the case, it is then too late to travel back to the wagon train--and the MMC, FMC, and toddler spend a miserable night trying to stay warm huddled together. They are discovered by more of the wagon train people the next morning, immediately judged immoral by the group, and forced into marriage despite nothing even remotely untoward having occurred other than being alive and having fallen asleep.

This I have a HUGE problem with. You wonder why Christianity is so hated. The Lord Himself would NOT have been as stupid as this group of people were. Instead of caring about the tragedy that had befallen the parents of the baby, being grateful the missing woman had been found alive and unharmed, and using the brains the aforementioned Lord gave them, this stereotypical bunch of idiots came to the conclusion that the young woman was forever RUINED by having survived the night in the company of the lone man THEY had sent to look for her to begin with. In their view, she'd have been better off dying than being found ALIVE, fully-clothed, with a toddler AND her rescuer, asleep. (Now, had the lost woman and her rescuer been awake and walking back to rejoin the wagon train, I have the feeling this might have gone down differently....but perhaps not.)

The Preacher's wife (wasn't she basically a midwife in the first book, compassionately delivering the baby of the woman who'd been lured into a sham marriage and then dumped, pregnant, when her so-called husband's actual wife appears out of nowhere?) was all about preparing for the oh-so-necessary wedding in the wilderness, with no thought or prayers for the departed or the actual well-being of any of the three. These wagon train folks are the kind of "Christians" that have never, ever had the right to cast such judgement on others but yet have done so over and over again, doing so much harm--and this is part of why all Christians are now judged as equally shallow and dangerous.

Putting these stereotypes/this situation in this book was a huge mistake because it only serves to perpetuate both of these deeply harmful attitudes: that a church-going Christian has the right to judge and condemn others (but you don't), and that all Christians DO judge and condemn others (but they don't, not if they truly understand the teachings of Christ).

Perhaps this reaction to a situation was historically accurate to some degree, but using it as a plot device in today's world in a book that is trying to convey a positive message of faith, hope, and healing it is a cringe-worthy error. Anyone picking up this book as a Seeker is only going to be reminded of how far they are from God, and will be discouraged from drawing nearer to Him. I sincerely doubt that was the intended effect, but here we are.

Aside from this excruciating start to their marriage, the FMC's continued obsession with finding the mysterious step-brother of her dead fiance gets in the way of the story. Over and over and OVER it arises, drug out way too long--but then we get the plot twist. Unfortunately this occurs near the end, when you're beginning to regret having read this story at all. The conclusion happens fairly quickly, and it leaves a dissatisfied feeling. All that whining (both internally and verbally) you read through, and then SURPRISE! it's all good?

I really hope subsequent books focus more on just how powerful, loving, and GOOD God is than on making fictional characters say and do stupid things that drive more people away from seeking Him. :(

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet romance.

Judith and Gil are forced to marry after they spend a night together on the trail. Judith had gone missing while rescuing a young girl, and Gil finds her, but it's too late to make it back to the rest of their group. Neither are happy about it, but Judith agrees when Gil says that they can raise Anna.

Both Judith and Gil are good, kind people with hurts in their past. Judith is bound and determined to find her deceased fiance's brother in order to hold him accountable for his role in the death, and Gil's former fiance cheated on him. Gil has a variety of other dark secrets in his past as well. As they raise their new daughter, they overcome their old hurts and become not just a couple, but a family. They were good leads and I enjoyed reading about them. I always like reading about a forced marriage, and I liked that here and the twist of having them raise Anna as well.

The historical aspect felt strong. They faced a lot of dangers on the trail, from the environment to illness to outlaws, and that kept the pacing up and gave plenty of opportunity for Gil and Judith to grow closer.

I didn't like the whole mystery of Judith trying to find Frank's brother. I figured out what was going on pretty early, and wish that it hadn't been so obvious and that there had been more resolution to it. Judith had spent the whole book looking for him, but then hardly anything comes out of it. I also wish we had gotten a better understanding of who Frank was because he was very one note and I didn't totally get how his story worked out.

The romance part of this was good, but the mystery part didn't work for me, and I wish that had been handled differently.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[Melanie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Hidden Gems Books for the ARC of Wagon Train Wedding. This review is voluntary, independent and uncompensated. I'm sure fans of squeaky-clean, Christian romance will enjoy this foray into American history during the settle meant of the West. Judith, who goes in search of her dead fiancé's half brother, joins a wagon train west to the Santa Fe trail. She's reeling from false guilt at his suicide, and blames the missing stepbrother, know only as "Jones," for robbing her fiancé's investments and causing his suicide. As she travels with the wagons, bent on vengeance, circumstances force her to spend an unchaperoned night with Gil, who is one of the freighters and also the wagon train's scout. Nineteenth century mores prevail, the pair are forced to marry, the child they went out to rescue becomes their orphan to adopt and raise, and it's all fine... Until diphtheria, trail raiders, bad weather, and worse luck besets them. No spoilers, but the harsh realities and continuous challenges of wagon-train travel form a backdrop of danger and drama to a very quiet, slow-burn of a love story between Gil, whose first love jilted him, and Judith, whose fiance abandoned her by suicide. Themes of vengeance, forgiveness, faith, and faithfulness figure in the romance, which concludes with a promise of coming HEA.

[💋Meme Chanell Book Corner💋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read historical Christian romances, but this story the blurb just pulled me in.
This is such a heartwarming story that deals with love and lost and finding your way again.
The characters Gil and a Judith both dealt with lost a Judith losing her fiancé and Gil finding the love of his life with another. When Judith gets lost off of the wagon train Gil is the one whom finds her with young Anna she lost her parents. After they spend the night together. A very innocent night together.Gil and Judith are forced to marry to save her reputation.

Judith only agrees if she can keep Anna as her own. Through their travels Gil starts to want more. He wants to settle down get some land and build a home for he new acquired family, but Judith is stuck on finding her deceased fiancée’s step brother to let him know he is the blame for his brother’s death.

With this going on this may cause the couple to break up, because a man only can take so much and how can Gil love a woman whom can’t let go of her past love. It will take some faith for this family to make it through. And also with the fear of diphtheria will this family of three get their happily ever after.
This is a sweet clean read and is perfect for anyone who is into historical romances with surprise wedding and a sweet little orphaned baby girl.

[Rosemary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traveling on the Santa Fe Trail in late fall can be dangerous but that doesn't stop Judith Russell. She's on a mission. She plans to confront her fiancée's stepbrother and tell him that his dishonesty contributed to Frank's death. However, life has other plans for her. She finds a small girl wandering alone, she saves her, but becomes separated from the wagon train. When Gil rescues her they are forced to spend the night together. Convention demands they marry. Can they become a family? Little Anna needs them. She's an orphan. I enjoyed this sweet story. Judith is a strong determined woman who wants to keep the baby and be a mother. I could feel her love for the child. Gil is a kind and caring man. He falls in love with Anna and finds the family he wants. I was worried that a misunderstanding would keep these two from finding the happiness that they deserve. The setting is interesting. I like this type of story. The characters are richly drawn and compelling. Wagon Train Wedding touched me and I felt good. Linda Ford did a wonderful job. She made me believe that happiness is in within reach.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an outstanding, historical, Christian romance story that I enjoyed reading. Judith is taking care of the sweet baby. Judith found the baby near a wrecked wagon. Judith got lost, heard a baby crying and found a Wagon with the baby's parents dead. Judith wants to keep the baby.

A young handsome man, Gil rides up on his horse, findng Judith and the baby crying. Gil stayed to console them. As it got later all three went to sleep. Early the next morning the wagon master found and insisted Gil and Judith had to marry to save Judith reputation. Because they spent the night together even if they only slept and cared for the baby.

This is a well written historical novel of the old West during the wagon train days. The characters were well defined. I felt the adventures of the time period was well written. One thing I did find was the ride in the wagons were too long. The days could have been shorter, less repeating the daily trips and chores, and less about finding Frank's brother, maybe add more adventures. I recommend this book to everyone, Children included. Thank you Ms Ford for sharing this book with us.

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger and Illness Stalk the Santa Festival Trail

Judith and Gil met when she found a baby girl along the Santa Fe trail whose parents had died during the diphtheria epidemic. Gil was traveling the trail with a wagon train as a scout and was looking for a wagon that became separated from the group. There he found Judith with a baby girl who was the daughter of the deceased couple. After burying the couple it was too late in the day to catch up with the wagon train. The following morning they buried the couple, looked through the wagon for food and clothing for the baby and burned the wagon to stall the spread of diphtheria. They then joined the wagon train but had to be in isolation from the group until it was determined that no one in their group of three was infected. Because of their unchaperoned night together, there was a quick wedding after the burial of the victims and Judith, Gil, and Anna followed the wagon train for a period of time.

Read this book to learn more about their following the wagon train at a distance until it was clear that no one was ill. I enjoyed this book and hope you will also.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written, this historical romance hits all the right notes.

Still reeling from the death of her fiance, Judith has no intention of ever marrying. Gil has been burned by an unfaithful woman before and has no desire to risk his heart again. But circumstances demand they marry, and Judith sees it as the only way she can be a mother to the orphaned child she found.

As the wagon train continues its journey, Gil and Judith have to find a way to make their marriage work without being diverted from their original goals. Through it all, their faith in God undergirds their faith in the future and in their marriage. The surprise twist at the end explains so much, for both of them, and gives them both the peace they were seeking.

This is a beautiful love story, one that sweeps the reader back in time to vividly experience the joys and hardships of the early pioneers. The characters are well developed and the situations are true to the time period. The ending was a bit abrupt, but ultimately satisfying. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story about two brokenhearted people with love to give, but not the trust they need to give it. Gil is a kind, caring and generous man who was betrayed by the faithless woman who broke his heart, and by the father who gave Gils money to his step-brother. Judith is a strong, brave, determined and caring woman who had her heart broken by the fiancé who chose death over her and life because his step-brother stole his money. While on the wagon train that Gil is a scout on, Judith becomes friendly with Gil. One day Judith finds a little girl and ends up staying away from camp overnight with Gil. Her brothers, and the rest of group force them to marry. But they each have an agenda, and both are stubborn about how the marriage should be, and which actions are more of their more important. Add a few twists to the story and you get one great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the theme of this with the wagon train and life on the trail. The time period is interesting. A woman's reputation was guarded so when Gil and Judith end up spending the night together because they were rescuing Anna, life got interesting. Not only were they forced to get married (to save Judith's reputation), they were exposed to diphtheria so they could not join the wagon train. They were forced to follow at like a 100 feet away. They had to spend 10 days riding like that. Then Anna had a runny nose, so they still weren't allowed to join the camp. Turns out Anna is just cutting a tooth, so everything is fine. They survive the diphtheria crisis - neither camp is infected. But those days of constantly depending on each other seals the deal. Their forced marriage turns into love as they care for Anna because neither one of them wants to give up Anna.

[Carolyn Hone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too long and a little boring

I certainly liked Gil and I liked Judith. Judith was more likable when she was a tough, capable sister to Warren and Luke. Her hang up with Frank and her gullibility to Frank’s lies were disgusting. When I saw that this book was 390 pages, I thought “Oh crap I well have to read approximately 400 pages of two people who can’t get over hangups—and then there is a crying toddler for quite sometime. The ending was a surprise and I didn’t think there was much clarification or proof of the character of Frank/Ollie. I guess I’m disgruntled, because I was married to a man like this who painted himself as a victim and blamed everyone else for their circumstances. They are a selfish and an unrealistic person. I also had to skim fast over 80 pages. Too drawn out and a bit boring.

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gil and Judith

Girl was a scout and the owner of three trade wagons on the wagon train going to Santa fe. His heart and trust were trampled by a previous fiancee and he decided to never trust is heart agsin. Judith was betrothed before and her fiancee commuted suicide. She felt responsible for causing him to kill himself. They were forced to spend the night all e on the trail and the reversal and her two brothers forced them to marry to protect her reputation. Not a good start. Will they ever be able to overcome their hurts from the past and find a happy life together or will they only ever have hurt and distrust? This is a great love story of their wagon train journey. You will see will enjoy it.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book

This is the second book in the "Love on the Santa Dr Trail" book series. I loved the first story and now the second story is loved just as much. I look forward to reading all the books in the series. This story continued with characters that I got to know from the first story, so I was intrigued to read this story to find out even more about the characters and who would be next to find love on the Santa Fe Trail. There's an interesting twist towards the end of the book that I wasn't expecting, but it made me love the story even more. I won't spoil it by giving the information away, you'll have to read it for yourself. I know you're going to love it just as much as I do.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

After loving the first book in the series, I was excited about reading this one. However, I had problems with this book starting with the forced marriage between two basic strangers who had simply been alone together for a night after finding an orphaned toddler. It wasn’t as if they’d been discovered unclothed. Second, Judith’s obsession with finding her former fiancé’s stepbrother (because she held him responsible for the fiancé’s death) became annoying and silly. Third, there were so many editing errors in the book, I wanted to go over it with a red pencil.
I like Linda Ford but this was sadly a miss for me.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, heartwarming story about pioneers and life on the Santa Fe Train. Judith lost her fiance and Gil had an ex-fiance who cheated on him but as a couple can they overcome their pasts. These two go through so much on their journey and I loved the way the author describes every twist and turn with such detail. This is a historical romance with well developed characters, great writing and a story line full of the struggles and heartache of the Santa Fe Trail. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Marzlie Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life amid a wagon train to Santa Fe

Diphtheria had hit another wagon train group, leaving a toddler alone. Judith decided she would take her and in order to do that she married Gil. Because they would have to be in quarantine to make sure she was okay. So their wagon had to be away from th others until they all three had not gotten the diphtheria. Then we go along on the trip with numerous adventures.
The book has great well created characters that make a great story
This. book is well worth your time to enjoy

[Ashlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss girl was a tad dull and slightly dimwitted. It didn't make much sense that she was so desperate and eager to settle for Frank, when shady was his adjective. Red flags were all around the guy, including a fake name, but apparently our MFC was color blind at the time. Me, personally, I prefer self-respect. And oh, Gil! How sweet he turned out to be! And the baby! Let's not forget the baby! At the end of the day (or story) it was a cute read, a little agitating, but very light. There was so much time to see the relationship grow, and I liked it very much.

[Ru4repeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Defeated beyond recovery... they quit living."

Terrible that it happened in the story, and in real life. I felt like the story didn't resolve why that happened to Frank, or the family dynamics with the stepbrother.
There were several times I got bored and skimmed to move the story along.
The shadowing on the cover from Judith's face and her body really bothered me. So much in fact that I almost skipped over this book. Sadly, I don't feel like I would have missed out on much if I had.

[Geraldine Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Reading this story although I had the story figured out before I was half way through. I enjoy these stories that center around the wagon trains. I can only imagine what some of our ancestors went through searching for a better life. It was a hard dangerous life. Looking forward to more from this author I would enjoy a book that continued with the couple s starting and following the family i n their new home

[Peggy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

I read all types of romantic novel from sweet to erotic, but nothing trumps a beautiful detailed love story. Story always comes first. This series is about real life men and women. Each strong and true in their way, how their belief in God enabled them to face the good, bad and hardship and delight along the trail. Me Ford's novels are balanced with the right amounts love story and Christian faith.

[Anne Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagon Train Wedding:Love on the Asante Fe Trail

Another great book by Linda Ford in the Wagon train Romance Series.Judith finds a baby all by herself on the prairie and she and the scout Gil discover that her parents were killed.They take too long getting back to the wagon train and have to spend a night out on the prairie.Many things happen from that night they spawn alone.I couldn’t put it down until I was done.

[Julie Mock-Linville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected

Excellent story with unusual twists and turns. The characters were relatable, as well as interesting; familiar yet new. As it follows another story the reader gets a peek into the previous characters’ lives, as the main characters lives intertwined with the other members of the wagon train.

Hopefully the next book in this series will be as enjoyable as the first two.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the Love on the Santa Fe Trail series is a well-written story that I enjoyed reading. Gil, Judith, and the others from wagon train go through so much as they try to get to where they are going. A fire and loss of two of the wagons are just one of the things. I received a copy from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily reviewing this book.

[Regina Buccelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

With God's help, everything works out for the best.

Wonderful story, so true to life sharing feelings, fears, doubts and dreams. The author makes you feel like you are also along with the wagon train and has you worry about weather, crossing the rivers, looking for firewood and in the same strain, enjoying the music, sunsets and friendships.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book

Ms. Ford takes readers across the Santa Fe trail in her series. She uses the dramatic backdrop of the American West to share a little history and a story about two people thrown together by circumstances that result in a hasty wedding. Not only must Judith and Gill navigate the dangerous western route but they must also learn to love and trust one another.

[Jo M. Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wagon Train Wedding

At first it was hard to get into, but the more I read and the more events unfolded, the more I became interested. I did love a couple of bible verses that had special meaning to me, in fact I saved them to my notes to refer back to. I like to have books that can touch me and give me words of encouragement. Thanks for those bible verses. J O