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Cowboys & Harvey Girls #3
Pathfinder
Return to a time
when the West was Wild...
Captain Max Winslow was once a pathfinder for the Army, blazing trails and keeping his brothers-in-arms safe. Now he's the star of a Wild West show, reminding curious audiences of days long gone. The world around him may be changing, but that doesn't mean he has to accept it―not when there are frontiers yet to be explored.
When Max first sets eyes on no-nonsense Harvey Girl Emma Elliot, he knows that anything between them would be impossible. She's a realist embracing what the future holds, while he's a dreamer, determined to preserve the West he once knew. And yet something about Emma's strength of will calls to him. It isn't long before Max must decide: is there room in his dream for love, or will his resolve to hang on to the past jeopardize their future?
when the West was Wild...
Captain Max Winslow was once a pathfinder for the Army, blazing trails and keeping his brothers-in-arms safe. Now he's the star of a Wild West show, reminding curious audiences of days long gone. The world around him may be changing, but that doesn't mean he has to accept it―not when there are frontiers yet to be explored.
When Max first sets eyes on no-nonsense Harvey Girl Emma Elliot, he knows that anything between them would be impossible. She's a realist embracing what the future holds, while he's a dreamer, determined to preserve the West he once knew. And yet something about Emma's strength of will calls to him. It isn't long before Max must decide: is there room in his dream for love, or will his resolve to hang on to the past jeopardize their future?
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published December 31, 2019
7 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Anna Schmidt
64 books221 followersAnna Schmidt's historical novel, THE WINTERKEEPER, received a Five Star rating from Reader's Favorites. Reviews for the story have been strong including one from the Historical Novel Society that raved: "The storytelling and scene building are masterful and create an immediacy that keeps the reader turning pages. This is a writer who feels words as well as thinking them." Anna is a three-time finalist for the coveted RITA award presented annually by Romance Writers of America. In addition she has been a four-time finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine—an award she has won twice. Her latest novel RENEGADE is the second in her new series: Cowboys and Harvey Girls and is available now. Publisher's Weekly hails the series as: "Easygoing western romance readers will cheer for this good-hearted heroine to achieve all her dreams." Anna splits her time between Wisconsin and Florida, noting that, “I am blessed to have a career that travels well!”
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 24, 2019
As the star of a Wild West show, Captain Max Winslow wants things as authentic as possible, and this includes having some Blackfoot Indians as part of his cast. Max has both educating and entertaining in mind. Max and some of the cast are staying in what was known at that time as the Harvey corporation in one of their hotels. Meeting Harvey Girl Emma Elliot proves to be the perfect distraction while in residence.
Max and Emma hit it off from the very beginning. However, there are plenty of obstacles in their path. For one thing, with Emma being house mother to the girls in residence leaves very little chance that anything blooming between her and Max could lead to anything long-term. Considering that Max and his show will eventually move on lends truth to that fact.
Despite that, the connection is there between Max and Emma. Emma cannot help but think of her friends Grace and Lily. This is because being a Harvey Girl precludes Emma finding long-term love, yet that is exactly what her friends did (in books one and two, Trailblazer and Renegade, respectively). Emma can't help but wonder if she too will find everlasting love when it comes to Max. Just when Emma thinks she can actually dream of such things, obstacles get in their way, and it is these very things that concern both her and Max.
This lovely romance by Anna Schmidt touches on serious issues, especially when it comes to the hatred of some of the Indians in Max's cast. That was rather heartbreaking for me to read, but I do applaud Ms. Schmidt for addressing the realities of things and keeping things as factually as possible. I do wish I had read the previous books in this story, although Pathfinder did perfectly well as a standalone. I am not certain if there will be more books in the series, but if there are, I certainly will be sure to read them. This engaging read had a wonderful conclusion.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Max and Emma hit it off from the very beginning. However, there are plenty of obstacles in their path. For one thing, with Emma being house mother to the girls in residence leaves very little chance that anything blooming between her and Max could lead to anything long-term. Considering that Max and his show will eventually move on lends truth to that fact.
Despite that, the connection is there between Max and Emma. Emma cannot help but think of her friends Grace and Lily. This is because being a Harvey Girl precludes Emma finding long-term love, yet that is exactly what her friends did (in books one and two, Trailblazer and Renegade, respectively). Emma can't help but wonder if she too will find everlasting love when it comes to Max. Just when Emma thinks she can actually dream of such things, obstacles get in their way, and it is these very things that concern both her and Max.
This lovely romance by Anna Schmidt touches on serious issues, especially when it comes to the hatred of some of the Indians in Max's cast. That was rather heartbreaking for me to read, but I do applaud Ms. Schmidt for addressing the realities of things and keeping things as factually as possible. I do wish I had read the previous books in this story, although Pathfinder did perfectly well as a standalone. I am not certain if there will be more books in the series, but if there are, I certainly will be sure to read them. This engaging read had a wonderful conclusion.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 24, 2019
Pathfinder is the third book in Anna Schmidt's early 20th century western series Cowboys & Harvey Girls. I really enjoyed the first book, but was a bit disappointed in the second. Luckily, the third installment seems to have gotten the series back on track.
Captain Max Winslow was formerly a pathfinder with the military, but now he's the star of a Wild West show. Max wants to educate people in the way the West used to be, besides entertaining the masses. In order to save money, Max and the show's manager decide the troop should stay in Juniper for the season, Juniper being the home of one of the famed Harvey House restaurants and inns. At the Harvey House, Max meets Emma Elliot, manager and house mother to the other Harvey Girls. Emma always dreamed of excitement and travel, and feels left behind after her two best friends found their true loves and married. Sparks fly between the two, and they begin to wonder if life can be more together than each has separately. Events begin to intrude, however, determined to keep them apart.
The story started rather slowly and I was having a bit of trouble staying focused. However, I kept with it and was glad I did. The romance between Max and Emma was rather sweet, though not chaste. It was a lovely change of pace that they didn't hide their feelings and affection for each other. Besides the romance, some suspense infused the story, together with some domestic violence and racial discrimination against Native Americans. My favorite parts, though, were the appearances of Grace and Lily, Emma's best friends who starred in the first two installments. All in all, it was a fun romance.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Captain Max Winslow was formerly a pathfinder with the military, but now he's the star of a Wild West show. Max wants to educate people in the way the West used to be, besides entertaining the masses. In order to save money, Max and the show's manager decide the troop should stay in Juniper for the season, Juniper being the home of one of the famed Harvey House restaurants and inns. At the Harvey House, Max meets Emma Elliot, manager and house mother to the other Harvey Girls. Emma always dreamed of excitement and travel, and feels left behind after her two best friends found their true loves and married. Sparks fly between the two, and they begin to wonder if life can be more together than each has separately. Events begin to intrude, however, determined to keep them apart.
The story started rather slowly and I was having a bit of trouble staying focused. However, I kept with it and was glad I did. The romance between Max and Emma was rather sweet, though not chaste. It was a lovely change of pace that they didn't hide their feelings and affection for each other. Besides the romance, some suspense infused the story, together with some domestic violence and racial discrimination against Native Americans. My favorite parts, though, were the appearances of Grace and Lily, Emma's best friends who starred in the first two installments. All in all, it was a fun romance.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
January 13, 2020
A good mix of western and romance set in a time when the "wild" was being tamed out of the west. Two characters with completely different goals for their future meet and inevitably decide they can both bend their goals a little to make room for each other. A different kind of western and a different kind of romance make the combined story entertaining and worth your reading time.
January 29, 2020
I enjoyed this glimpse at life in a small town as viewed by a Harvey Girl, Emma and a Wild West Show entrepreneur, Max. Life gets challenging when prejudices abound and injustices transpire. Attraction, desire and love are worth fighting for when the odds against you are high. My first book By Anna Schmidt. I will look for her other work.
April 8, 2020
Loved it! Max and Emma’s story has all the good stuff. There is romance, suspense, crime, and an amazing cast of characters. I found the story to be unique and interesting, especially with the transition from the Old West to the 1900’s. I highly recommend this series. It has been fabulous to read.
January 5, 2020
Highly entertaining, action packed and engaging adventure filled with exciting charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and undeniable passion.... was a great read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this wild west, down home romantic journey!
March 17, 2020
Action packed with relatable characters make this a great easy to read western romance. While part of a series it is easily read as a standalone novel. It was nice to revisit with some earlier characters as well.
February 4, 2024
Fantastic Series
When I read a series, I don't write a review after each story . I write a review at the end of the series. This was a great series and I highly recommend it. Has a set of values that would come in handy today. Read and enjoy.
When I read a series, I don't write a review after each story . I write a review at the end of the series. This was a great series and I highly recommend it. Has a set of values that would come in handy today. Read and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews