Oregon!

Wagons West #4

by Dana Fuller Ross

They are the first wagon train to cross the American continent - and forge the Oregon Trail. Five-hundred courageous men, women and children, led by mountain man Whip Holt, they have survived the Rocky Mountain winter, fierce native attacks, and countless other hardships. Now, on the last leg of their journey, they face their greatest challenge yet. Three mighty nations have sent explorers to stake their claims - the English army, Russian agents, and American pioneers - but only one can win. Devoted to the dream of a new home, Whip Holt finds himself divided by two women: his wife, who is courted by both the English and the Russians, and Cathy van Ayl Blake, who is married to an American commander. Together, these would-be settlers must fight for what they believe in, or die for what they love - in the name of freedom, justice, and destiny. This is their story - the birth of America...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Audiobook, Historical Romance

419 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Dana Fuller Ross is a pseudonym used by Noel B. Gerson and James M. Reasoner.

Noel Gearson specializes in historical military novels, westerns, and mysteries. He also writes under the pseudonyms, "Dana Fuller Ross.", Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan. He has written more than 325 novels.

James Reasoner (pictured) is an American writer. He is the author of more than 150 books and many short stories in a career spanning more than thirty years. Reasoner has used at least nineteen pseudonyms, in addition to his own name: Jim Austin; Peter Danielson; Terrance Duncan; Tom Early; Wesley Ellis; Tabor Evans; Jake Foster; William Grant; Matthew Hart; Livia James; Mike Jameson; Justin Ladd; Jake Logan; Hank Mitchum; Lee Morgan; J.L. Reasoner (with his wife); Dana Fuller Ross; Adam Rutledge; and Jon Sharpe. Since most of Reasoner's books were written as part of various existing Western fiction series, many of his pseudonyms were publishing "house" names that may have been used by other authors who contributed to those series

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ends the first story ARC in the series, and I still don't like Whip because it is wife's fault that she gets attacked by a man because she put on face paint and a nice dress.

The Russian plots to gain control of the Pacific coast were fun to run though, even if it is heavily influenced by the Cold War.

And I know that this book, this series, represents a certain era in American history, and that how some of the characters think (such as Whip Holt and his reaction) are undoubtedly how many people thought back then, but still.

[iasa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yay! Life is easy for pioneers and everyone falls in love! Although this series is the reading equivalent of a slow moving, placid stream, the previous books have had more energy than this one. Nothing special happening here.

[Kennedy Maxey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was about time that Whip and Eulalia figured out how to talk to each other.

[D Heale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this series was supposed to end with this book but so many people wanted it to continue that the author did eventually write more. ( lots more!) I do look forward to continuing on.

[Linda Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this story. I really found the author very good

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far my favorite book in the series, and I liked it so much that I'm now eager to get to the next book. It was a little slow going at first, but once the wagon train actually reached Oregon and began to stake their claims and interact with the British settlement across the river, it picked up very quickly. There are many characters, but as the books go along their personalities seem to be evolving more and they're becoming more memorable, which makes me more vested in them. Whip Holt is still one of the more prominent characters, along with Lee Blake and their respective wives. We also meet a few Russians who join with the settlers, British officers - some sympathetic to the Americans, some who want them to leave, and some traiters. What would history be without a few of those?

[Gene Heinrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I finished another "quest" series this week (actually, this is only the main quest, but the series goes on for over 20 books - which I most likely will NOT read). The wagon train finally reached Oregon. This series of 4 books was fun and quick. Though basically a historical soap opera, I learn things about the first wagon train from New York to Oregon, and all the politics involved with settlers claiming the land. These books were great purge books between Dark Tower books... so, now off to read some "real" literature for a while.

[David A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical read. The wagon train has finally reached Oregon and this book covers the building of the settlement and arival of the second wagon train. Also covers the problems with the British and Russians.
The next book in the series is titled "Texas" so I am unsure what it will be about.

[Mandy Pinoteau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't care for this one as much as the other series.

[Brent Ecenbarger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm interested to see where the rest of this series goes from here as this felt like the end of the saga and there's still another (gasp) 21 books left in the series. The first book had a wagon train of people heading for Oregon territory, and this book is called Oregon! so I don't think it's a spoiler to say they arrive in this one. It actually happens fairly early and the rest of the book is about the characters settling in and most of them pairing off and getting married.

There are a few new characters in this one (as there have been in every book) mainly from the international and military sides of the story. When the Americans arrive, there is a British garrison/ford nearby with three prominent figures. One is the representative from the Hudson Bay Trading Academy, the other two are military people. One of the group will try to sabotage the Americans by any means necessary, the other two are more interested in keeping the peace and letting diplomats in London and Washington sort everything out.

There's also a Russian expedition that has landed in Oregon. Besides a good doctor, a fragile french beauty and a tough lady, there are a few evil Russian stooges who will try to sabotage the Americans by any means necessary. Will there be a team up with the bad British dude? Will there be Indian attacks? Will the Indians be able to shoot straight? The answer to none of these questions will surprise you.

I felt let down by this book because the last book seemed to up the stakes with a sickness going through the camp and killing and traumatizing several main characters. This book felt more like a predictable tv episode where all the good guys survive, the bad guys are ineffective and the words happily ever after practically float above every couple that gets married.

The two main characters up until this point, Whip and Cathy were teased out as the big drama for this book but the conclusion of their arcs was not thrilling. Cathy and Lee don't get a lot of time in this book, and Whip and Eulalia have some cringeworthy sections that really made me not like him as a character.

There were some fun parts. I enjoyed the people settling down. Some became farmers, other restaurant owners or even shipyard builders. There was a brief check in with the (better) protagonists from the first book. Overall it felt like a missed opportunity to capitalize on the dangerous thrilling set up of the first book, where everything got resolved too neatly.

[Paul F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oregon!" by Dana Fuller Ross is another 5-star novel in the "Wagons West" series. Ross' pioneers are on the final leg of their cross-continent journey, but British and Russian agents are still hard at work to derail the settlers' plans to claim the Oregon country for the United States. Whip Holt is torn between his wife Eulalia and Cathy Blake, nee Van Ayl. Whip and Cathy, despite their marriages to other spouses, still have strong love feelings for each other and it's an open question how those strong emotional attachments will affect their actions toward each other, and toward their spouses. Cathy's husband, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Blake, must walk a delicate tightrope between diplomacy and force. To what extent can he deal successfully, or not, with Colonel Phillips Morrison, a British uber-nationalist, the military commandant of the Royal Army at Fort Vancouver, across the Columbia River from the American emigrants? Two nations, one territory, joint occupancy, doesn't work very well. War and peace, maybe? Then, there are the Russian agents to consider, who would like to dislodge both the Americans and the British and claim Oregon for the Czar. Maybe one or two Americans might be persuaded to turn traitor to help the Russians? This novel is a guaranteed page-turner, the summit-point of the "Wagons West" series, in my humble opinion. Enjoy!

[Donna (Currently Busy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fourth book in Wagons West Series. While some characters are fictitious, others were actually present at that time in history. One example is Chief Factor Dr. John McLoughlin. Others are more obvious such as the POTUS, and John Jacob Astor. So it's fun for me to revisit historical facts after finishing a book like this.

New characters are introduced with their own set of problems while some of the original wagon train participants experience more drama and heartache to keep readers interested. One character that I found interesting in prior books was mentioned only once in this one and it was toward the very end. This character was Arnold Mell (Tonie's Uncle). Mr. Mell helped with scouting out the Rogue Indians that were causing problems with the settlers at the end of the book. Other than that, his particular storyline has been stopped or paused. Maybe he'll be mentioned again later in the series?

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series continues as the intrepid wagon train finds its way to Oregon, only to be in the midst of political intrigue with Great Britain, Russian and the United States all claiming the new territory. I had not read Wyoming and so the relationships were not quite real to me. The scout and leader Whip Holt is married to Eulalia and she is a real pain in the ass. The story with the Russian settlers was very nice I especially liked Olga's story. I am not sure if the money aspects of this venture are accurate, like how would a penniless Russian peasant be able to build and open a tavern, but it was a fun read.

[Shay Zanetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a bunch of this series in high school/college. I had completely forgotten about it until I stumbled across this one in Tin Can Mailman in Arcata. It didn't really stand the test of time, but it was fun to revisit.

[Katti Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandma is so sweet, she sent me this book in the mail. I read it at night before going to sleep and it was kind of the perfect level of “interesting” without feeling the need to stay up reading more. Good, chill, bedtime read.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book descended into predictable romance, although I did enjoy learning about the fight between America, Britain, and Russia for the possession of Oregon. Didn’t know that, even as an Oregonian.

[Kraig Kinnamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this series and since I'm limited to what I can get to in audiobook format I probably won't be able to read them all in order but I think I'm hooked. On to California next!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy this book once the characters got to Oregon. although parts of it were a little to focus on the bad guys

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The settlers establish their colony in Oregon, complete with their own council and common warehouse of supplies. I love the history and adventure in this series, but the matchmaking is getting old.

[Roxanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second favorite book so far on the series!!

[Lisa Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Americans, British and Russians are in a race to see who can settle Oregon first. The Americans work hard to build a village and succeed at banishing those we work against them.

[Amanda Eiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

what happened to whip? you can’t treat your wife like garbage for 99% of the book and try to make it up to her literally on the last page…(i ate it up tho!)

[Gena Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good piece of historical fiction. Similar to some of the western TV shows of the 60's which were so popular.

[Thomas Tidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice comfort western, with a very wholesome cinematic ending

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

4th book in the Wagons West series. The pioneers have finally reached Oregon after spending the winter in Wyoming. They build homes and plant crops. Some are ranchers, farmers, ship builders, blacksmiths. Lots of trades going on. The English commander is opposed to the settlers and causes some problems.

This book find Lee and Cathy Blake living in the army fort where Lee is the Commander. Whip and Eulalia Holt have settled on a ranch. Dr. Martin and Toni operate a small hospital. Ted Woods marries a Russian lady who came on a ship with other Russians at the request of the Czar who also wants to establish his claim to the territory. Sally married Tillman Wade. Hosea and Dolores marry. Ginny Dobbs marries a military man. Cathy Blake announces her pregnancy.

Of the four books that I have read so far, this is my least favorite.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It amazes me how fast these folks are getting married. Oh, she looks at him and smiles then in the next chapter they are hitched!

I really did enjoy Oregon! It had more action and twists than the previous novels. And all the competition over Oregon was very interesting, the british, russians and americans all trying to settle and stake their claims.

Eulalia has always been annoying, I am hoping that now that she & Whip have worked out their problems she will stop being such a pain.

[Amanda-Has-A-Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite fun. As with the last books British and Russian foes are going up against the usa trying (in vain) to stop the United States hold on Oregon. While the other books lacked action in this story Oregon actually stepped up and shows action! We also meet new characters and beloved characters from past books get some long due romance! So far this one (besides the intro book) is my favorite!

[Becky Mann · Rating 2 out of 5]

My mom recommended this series to me when I was in high school. I really enjoyed the tales of people traveling on the Oregon trail and settling in the West. However, I hated that Holt ended up with the wrong woman (in my view). I couldn't stand her and it pissed me off that he wasn't with Cathy. As a result, I stopped reading the series. If you like westerns, you may like this series.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook: Boring. I really had to push myself to finish this one. Lots and lots of characters, after a while I didn't even try to remember who they were. Lots of politics going on while trying to claim the Oregon land. I hate politics, not too different then than it is now, corruption and conniving and power struggles. I think I will wait a while before starting the next one in the series.

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Nice piece of Historical Fiction centering on the first large group of over 500 people traveling to and settling of the Pacific North West in 1839. I anticipated tales of struggling with Mother Nature and Native Americans but I also learned of the mutual land claims of the Territory by the British and Russians.