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Cutter's Creek #0.5

Montana Trails

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We all have dreams. For Florence Peterson, it was to leave her teaching position in Missouri or have her life relegated to the same thing day in and day out. On a lark, she sent a letter to a school in Oregon, never dreaming they’d answer! Now all she has to do is decide if she should take the position. Because it’s one thing to dream, another to have it come to life.

Alton Cutter had made the trip West more often than he’d like. Montana was fresh and new, and his brother was already there. With his wagons readied, the families in his wagon train readied too, all was well. Except for the crazy schoolmarm that had it in her head she could just “tag along.” He’d been planning this for too long to let some slip of a woman put a hitch in his plans. Let alone, his heart …

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About the author

Kari Trumbo

127 books424 followers
Kari Trumbo is a writer of historical and contemporary Christian romance and romantic suspense. She's a mom to four wonderful children. When she isn't writing or editing, she loves to read, sing, and knit. Kari loves curling up with a fluffy blanket when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, many cats and one sweet bunny.

She also writes women's fiction under the name Teri Blake.

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5 stars
193 (51%)
4 stars
112 (30%)
3 stars
48 (12%)
2 stars
15 (4%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,010 reviews39 followers
July 29, 2017
It was okay, not bad but not great either. Sadly, I found it a little boring.
Profile Image for Stephanie (Between the Coverz).
578 reviews6 followers
February 18, 2018
A story of moving far away and finding love along the way!

Montana Trails is the prequel to the Cutter’s Creek series. This is a story gives us the beginning history of how Cutter’s Creek came about. You will read about the hardships and long journey to get there. Along the way you will see the founders find love and go through different things that the long journey brings. Florence has decided that she is too old to find love and is determined to set off on a journey to start a new teaching job. Alton is determined and hopes to change Florence’s mind and to stay with him and give love a chance.

This is a great beginning to the series. It is full of romance, hardships, and relationship trials while keeping to the happy-ending that we all have come to expect. As I have come to expect with the books in this series, I had a hard time putting down, as it was a one-of-a-kind and captivating story. I couldn’t get to the end fast enough to see if love would win out or if Florence was determined to let teaching be what she was supposed to do with her life.

The characters are well developed, engaging and realistic. It is easy to connect with the characters. They aren’t perfect; they have their flaws just like you and I do. This makes the characters realistic and easy to have a connection with. They will quickly become like one of your friends, neighbors and family. I will definitely continue to read the series to see what happens with the rest of the characters. I am really curious if Amelia changes her way and finds love or stays the bitter girl that feels the worlds did her an injustice.

Kari Trumbo is a very talented author that gets better and better. She has a gift for writing entertaining and sweet stories. I have read several books by her and have not been disappointed yet! She has quickly become one of my go-to authors that I really enjoy reading. I recommend this book and series to anyone that enjoys reading a clean western romance with a delightful ending. This book is part of a series; however, it can be read as a stand-a-lone. If you are looking for a good series than Cutter’s Creek is a great place to start.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books89 followers
December 8, 2018
In Montana Trails Florence Peterson takes a chance and finds another path to Montana instead of Oregon. She is a teacher stuck in Missouri and wants something different so she applies for a job teaching in Oregon. The problem is that she has no way to get to Oregon through the vast territory between Missouri and Oregon.

Alton Wright is taking a wagon train west in a few weeks, mets Florence and then finds out she if friends with his nieces so he agrees to take her with him on his wagon train. It is a long tough journey to his brother's claim in Montana and when they get there Joseph is sick in a shack and given up.

Alton and Florence work with the people on the wagon train they brought with them to found a new town of Cutter's Creek. This is the background for the series with excerpts from coming books being written by a four women writer's team. It seemed appropriate that a town built with teamwork should be written about by a team of writers even if it fictional.
Profile Image for Elda.
1,203 reviews6 followers
March 13, 2020
Wonderfully written, heartfelt story about how Cutter’s Creek was founded and the first couple married there. I think they were smitten with each other the very moment they ran into each other (literally). I think I fell in love with Alton, the wagon master. The way Kari Trumbo describes him I picture him as a very tender but firm leader. Someone I wished I could have known and married myself. I also greatly respected Florence for her determination to earn her keep along the trail helping with all the regular duties of the wagon train including driving the oxen, which would have been very difficult for a petite woman. I have read stories about pioneers traveling by wagon train in my own family history and can appreciate the difficulties they went through. This story is an inspiration to me and a motivation for me to read more of these Cutter’s Creek stories.
Profile Image for Timothy Hendricks.
477 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2017
This was an excellent read. I look forward to reading more in this series as well as her other books. Actually I think this is the 3rd book of hers I've read and starting on another. The book ended up being different to me than the synopsis that caused me to want to read the book led me to believe.

I believe Alton Cutter was smitten with Florence Peterson when they first ran into one another. I think he hoped that by having her in his wagon that there might be the hope of something more with Florence Peterson. It took a while for her to warm up to him. But I think she was falling for him long before she was willing to admit to herself.
417 reviews
June 13, 2020
Wonderful Start to a Series!

This book sets up the Cutter's Creek series. It starts with Alton Cutter and his wagon train along the Oregon Trail. Many of the events seem likely and realistic.
This is a series with the same town, but multiple authors.I actually began reading the books by Vivi Holt and realized there were more. Unfortunately when I checked, not all authors have released there books to Kindle Unlimited. While I really enjoy this series I think I will stick to just the Kindle Unlimited books.
Profile Image for Becky.
176 reviews4 followers
August 24, 2017
A great prequel to the Cutter’s Creek series
I maybe one of the few who haven’t read any of the books in this series, yet. But, reading Kari Trumbo’s sweet reflections of the older Alton and Florence, as he tells the story of the journey they took from Missouri to Montana, I felt transported back in time. I was listening in on an older couple, reminiscing over their first meeting, and how they ended up being together on the wagon train. I'm ready to read more of the stories of Cutter's Creek!
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,021 reviews9 followers
December 24, 2017
When teacher Florence Peterson applies for an out of state teaching job she never thinks she will be accepted. When she gets a letter of acceptance and loses her current teaching job she must take a perilous journey along the early pioneer trails. She rides with Alton Cutter to Montana on her way to her new teaching gig. Things along the trail were harsh and their lives begin to change. Touching story with informative historical points.
Profile Image for Teresa.
182 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2018
This was a great story about having the courage to step out in faith and finding a life well worth the risk.
As always, Kari Trumbo writes in such a way that pulls you in on page 1 and won't let go.
My first Cutter's Creek book, I look forward to reading the entire series. I loved reading about Florence and Alton's meeting and can't wait to meet more of the series characters as I journey deeper into Cutter's Creek.
Profile Image for Sandra.
1,134 reviews45 followers
July 19, 2017
This is a short, easy, clean read. I chose this book because I like to read pioneer stories and learn about a different era and a different country. I enjoyed this story, but didn't really find it riveting.

I did like how the story started and ended though with Alton telling a sick and bed-ridden Florence a story. It brought me some sweet memories of The Notebook idea.

665 reviews
August 9, 2018
A new beginning.

Florence is a teacher in Missouri that no longer has family. She writes to get information on a teaching position in Oregon. When her current headmaster learns of this, he immediately fires her. She approaches Alton Cutter, who is scheduled to lead a wagon train west. Follow Florence's story westward.
2,365 reviews12 followers
August 27, 2018
3 stars
I purchased the novella Montana trails A Cutter's Creek Prequel by kari Trumbo and this review was given freely.
Spinster teacher Amelia and Alton Cutter fall in love on the wagon train drive to the Cutter claim in Montana. Hardship, death, and a budding friendship unfold in this short novella.
Profile Image for Ruth Ann.
246 reviews3 followers
March 25, 2020
Montana Bound

This was a great book written by Kari Trumbo and I really enjoyed reading it. A elderly couple telling a story, a young woman, a young man, friends, finding love, starting to build a town, marriage, a happy ever after? I would recommend this book to everyone. Buy the book and enjoy reading it to find out what happens
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,665 reviews1,227 followers
May 2, 2021
Alton and Florence, a true love story!

1864 heading to Oregon from Missouri, 32-year-old Florence Peterson wants to leave the tyranny of St. Cletus School for Girls' headmaster and start over.

Finally finding a wagon train that would allow her as a passenger, her two big stumbling blocks were having to travel with the guide, and how to pay for her passage.

Sweet, very brief story.
Profile Image for Leona Jackson.
247 reviews4 followers
June 6, 2017
Prequel

It was wonderful reading how the journey began. This little town makes one invest in the lives of the residents. A wonderfully written series. I look forward to more from Cutters Creek.
Profile Image for Robyn Echols.
Author 5 books28 followers
June 27, 2017
A nice introduction

I have read and enjoyed several of the Cutter's Creek books, but was glad to find this introduction. It helped me to better understand the setting and some major characters. It was well-written and engaging.
185 reviews3 followers
July 9, 2017
Fantastic beginning to this wonderful series. Gives the reader the history of the town.. who came in the beginning and why it was begun. Clean content with a historical western/country theme. I recommend for all!
Profile Image for Rebekah Gyger.
Author 2 books83 followers
August 30, 2017
This was a super sweet prologue to a series, telling the story of how Cutter's Creek came to be. The main couple were very well written and their love story was adorable. While some of the secondary characters were not as well written, I still think I might check the rest of this series.
Profile Image for Danielle Carpenter.
1,833 reviews11 followers
November 4, 2017

I think Florence had a lot of courage to hitch a wagon on the Oregon Trail. She irritated Alton, because she talked him into taking her with him. But let's face it, how can a man not fall in love with a woman with that much courage. I love the Cutter Creek books and look forward to many more.
431 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2017
Very Interesting!

An excellent book! Different and easy to read. Clean and sweet love stories. Very enjoyable and worth reading. Especially if you like your love stories without garbage!
23 reviews
March 9, 2018
Lovely beginning to tithe series cutter ‘s creek

I loved this of how cutter’s creek the town began even though I’ve read the rest of the series first. If you love historical books read Cutter’s Creek series
Profile Image for Sandy.
2,492 reviews10 followers
May 4, 2018
A great book

This was a good books that tells a story of some of the people who faced the hardships coming West to help build our country. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
454 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2019
She was a Teacher who needed a way to Oregon

I liked the way the story made her to decide to go to Oregon and then change her mind to go to Cutters Creek Montana. The way the story did the time frame was interesting also.
969 reviews6 followers
May 19, 2019
Settlers

Losing her job as a teacher Florence is ready,however she do a s not have money for the trip. to go to Org to be a teacher . The way she gets there and other surprises await one the trip.
488 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2019
Great Prequel

I enjoyed learning the back story of Cutter's Creek and especially the red church. Florence and Alton's story was so sweet. I definitely recommend this author and this book.
1,588 reviews14 followers
October 7, 2019
Very clean. They were all trying hard to keep their jobs priorities. But some of the group decided others could pull their load. It took everyone giving and helping others when needed. And it always came when others needed help. Like Julie
Profile Image for Sylvia Joseph.
136 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2019
Finding Love on the trail

A Fast good sweet read, with trials, learning, losing love ones on the way starting a new, went into getting old to fast, seem part of one story missed some I that should have happened before an abrupt ending.
490 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2021
This book is about Florence’s journey as she left Missouri to go to Oregon. Along the way, she befriended Alton and finally decided to follow him to Montana. It is written as a story told by Alton to entertain his wife several years later, as they reminisce the difficult beginnings of their town.
Profile Image for Dalletta Olena.
Author 1 book
September 28, 2023
Missouri to Montana by oxen cart.

A truly lovely story. Well written, with great character development. The end of the story is actually the beginning of a series. But it stands alone if you don't want to read the other books that follow.
54 reviews
November 13, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much. It was interesting to see how a teacher with no experience on the trail went from Missouri to Montana on a wagon train. I loved the characters of Alton and Florence. It made me want to read the other books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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