The Journey West

California Pioneer #1

by Elaine L. Schulte

Only halfway there! How could they manage that distance again, with the California mountains even more rugged than the Rockies?

So far, Abby Windsor Talbot has enjoyed a life of wealth and privilege. But suddenly she finds herself orphaned, bankrupt, and dependent on the assistance of her Christain relatives who are moving west. Stunned by the turn of events, she must learn to cope with the physical and emotional strain of a wagon train journey in the company of a family whose faith she cannot understand, and a young man whose presence disturbs her.

The Journey West is the first book in the exciting story of the Talbots, a Christian family determined to penetrate the west with the reality of God's love.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Romance, Christian Fiction, Historical Romance

274 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

About the author

Today, you might find Elaine Schulte at the gym, observing from the sidelines as young gymnasts take their first tumbles on the balance beam. Tomorrow, she might be sitting a few rows from a stage, watching as kids audition for Christian theater.

When you find Schulte, you'll notice she's holding a pen in one hand and a notebook in the other. Whatever kind of book she's writing whether historical fiction, a book for preteens, or an adult novel she feels that research is necessary to create an accurate, relevant story. "I do a lot more research than you'd think," says the author of 27 novels.

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing story was just as wonderful this time around as the four times I read it in my teens. I'm so glad to have revisited this old friend. I can hardly wait to reacquaint myself with its sequels as well.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Journey West is a Christian historical novel that proved to be lackluster in many ways. With characters being killed off from start to finish, a rather rushed conclusion, and a writing style that is best described as merely tolerable. If you're looking for Christian fiction that brings history to life, go check out something by the Thoenes. Unless you're a die-hard Westward Expansion fanatic, you should really skip The Journey West.

[Arnetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was interesting to me as I love history, especially the pioneers who traveled west in wagon trains. The lead character is 17 when the book starts and it follows the stress that engulfs her for the next year of her life. As most Christian fiction it does have the happy ending of the character turning to God to help her with the challenges of life. Interesting characters and plot twists.

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, so let's get started:

This book is...not good. I am one for long, flowy sentences, but there were so many times where unnecessary words were used. At one point, the author made the comparison "blackbird to an exotic bird". Why not say "peacock"? Things like that were so grating to me.

The book is very, very preachy. It is Christian lit, so I expected it, but it was heavier handed than I expected.

I realize I am not the target audience. Though I am a Christian, I do not normally read this genre. This book is definitely intended for those already serious in their faith. This is not a book designed to introduce readers to Christianity. It comes on too strong. For people wishing to fortify their own faith, it's fine, if you can deal with the poorly written prose.

[Leslie Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many hard trails come upon Abby. Her parents die, she hears about their scandal, she must journey west as the pioneers… Then she falls in love with Daniel, but he seems to keep pushing her away. She believes he is in love with Rena and becomes jealous. In the midst of this their are marriages, births, and deaths all happening among the emigrants of this journey. Her uncle and cousins try to help Abby find God…

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me bawling my eyes out at 3 am in the morning. The ending is sooo good but also so heartbreaking & you can feel & relate to emotions that the characters are going through. I will continue to read the rest of the books that line up next to this one. I cannot wait to have them all on my bookshelves.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about the Talbot family. Abigail has just found out that her parents are dead and she is leaving the East to live with an Uncle in Independence, Missouri. Also, in one year they are leaving to join a wagon train to California. She must decide to stay in Independence or travel with the family West.

[Cindy DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It wasn't strictly a romance, but had lots of history. It had a good message, but I don't think that non-Christians would stick with it long enough to get to the main point. I am looking forward to book 2.

[Kalisha Bertram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Story was Amazing!
It showed me clearly how pioneers lived. I didn't even know some of the hardships people faced journeying west.
The only thing I didn't like was that the book ended to soon! 😄

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read books like this, but I love this time in history, and Abbys struggles are very realistic

[Tiffany L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!!

[Tiffany Cusick-Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in my teens and loved it then. Decided to hunt down the rest of the series and revisit it. Still moves me to tears. Wonderful writing and historically accurate.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby Windsor Talbot enjoyed life in her wealthy finishing school until her parents are killed just before her graduation and she discovers they were bankrupt and that her father had a mistress with 5 other children. Her uncle and his adopted son take her back to Missouri with them. This very Christian family is planning to emigrate to CA the next year by wagon. Abby finds it very difficult, especially not sharing their faith. She learns and is helped by her dying cousin Rena and the adopted son Daniel, who she marries just before reaching CA.

[Sariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read, but I feel like a lot of it got dragged out. Most of it was spent on everything before their journey, and it never stated if they made it or not. A lot of heartache, but a nice reminder of having faith and relying on God to help through troubling times. I especially loved how Daniel had a quote for any and every situation.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definatly what to read if you are looking for a new romance novel to read. It is about a girl who has to travel to California because her parents have died, but she doesn't want to go. It would mean giving up a life of wealth. But when she meets Daniel, she doesn't know what to do.

[Partridge Public]

Schulte, Elaine PB

[Megan]

[April/May?]

[R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy romance, not bad but not really good.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

was a very good bok

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice and quick read!!

[Cws]

JF-YASch

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

great!