Hi all:
I get many newsletters advertising book offers and although my reading list is beyond full, often one of the books catches my attention. It might be because it comes at the right time because I’ve read many books in one genre, but… Here is one of those.

Phoebe’s Promise (Oregon Sky Series Book 1)by Kay P. Dawson
A SWEET, CLEAN ROMANCE NOVELLA
In order to keep a promise she made to her dying mother, Phoebe sets off with her younger sister to head across the country on a wagon train bound for Oregon. Dressed as a boy, all she has to do is find the captain of the outfit and convince him to take them along.
When Colton sees the young boy in front of him, he knows instantly it’s a woman – and he has no choice but to take them along. Their wagon is packed and ready to go.
The weeks ahead will bring many challenges, heartbreak, and hardships. Does Phoebe have the strength to get them safely to Oregon? And, can she learn to trust Colton to help when it’s needed?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phoebes-Promise-Oregon-Sky-Book-ebook/dp/B01DTBHY46/
https://www.amazon.com/Phoebes-Promise-Oregon-Sky-Book-ebook/dp/B01DTBHY46/

About the author:
Kay P. Dawson writes sweet western romance – the kind that leaves out all of the juicy details and immerses you in a true, heartfelt love story. Growing up pretending she was Laura Ingalls, she’s always had a love for the old west and pioneer times. She believes in true love and finding your happy ever after.
Happily married mom of two girls, Kay has always taught her children to follow their dreams. And, after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 39, she realized it was time to take her own advice. She had always wanted to write a book, and she decided that the someday she was waiting for was now.
She writes western historical, contemporary and time travel romance that all transport the reader to a time or place where true love always finds a way.
You can connect with Kay through her website at KayPDawson.com or sign up for her newsletter by texting ‘DAWSON’ to 42828.
She also has an active fan group where she hangs out with her readers…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaypdawsonfans/
My review:
This is a sweet novella, a clean romance, and what’s more, it’s FREE. I was intrigued by the historical setting (as I had read about the Oregon Trail years back) and by the description of the book. I wondered how the girl pretending to be a boy would work out in such circumstances.
The novella moves at a good pace and has all the elements fans of the genre would expect: a man a and woman destined for each other who try to resist the evident attraction between them (it’s complicated), a love rival (well, two, one each), setbacks, misunderstandings, past difficulties that get in the way, and family matters (that at times help and at others hinder the path of true love).
The setting works well for the novella, and we get a good sample of the difficulties of the Trail and how hard it must have been for the pioneers, although the amount of detail would not satisfy a keen reader of historical novels. The characters are likeable and relatable, and although it is a short book (it includes two chapters of the next book in the series as well, so it is shorter than it seems), we get to care for them and want to see them settled and happy, especially after the hard times they have to live through. Both of the main characters, Phoebe and Colton, carry a weight of guilt because they feel they have not protected their families as they should and although they might play tough and pretend to be hard, they have hearts of gold and are loyal to a fault. Although Phoebe is hard-working and determined, she does not subvert the boundaries of her gender, and at times is in need of rescue (although she does a fair amount of rescuing herself, mostly emotionally). Colton is not a flawless hero, but rises up to the challenge, and beyond, when is needed.
The author is particularly skilled at managing to make readers connect emotionally with the characters and the events, without going over the top pulling at our heartstrings. There are sad moments, but there are also joyful and light moments and, overall, this is an uplifting read.
An easy read, with likeable characters, a romantic couple we root for from the beginning, and an interesting background. Although it is not full of surprises, it will satisfy fans of the genre. I became fond of the characters and enjoyed the sample of the next novel, so I might visit again.
Thanks to the author, thanks to all of you for reading and remember to like, share, comment, CLICK (it’s FREE!) and REVIEW!
[amazon_link asins=’B075J8C9TQ,B01LE1BX9U,B075R51JKF,B015WZYEVI,B01FP256UQ,B079PRBDY2,B01N7G85NB,B01M0NQ1CU’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’wwwauthortran-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d4529a9a-131e-11e8-a3e6-6d2de4083654′]
Nice to get things for free, but the cover alone would send me running for the hills, I’m afraid. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I didn’t think this would be one for you, Pete, although there is plenty of variety to come. And the actual story of the trip and the pioneers is well done. Have a great week.
This sounds like a lovely little romance, Olga.
Thanks, Robbie. It is. I have a soft spot for Westerns and particularly the life of the pioneers has always intrigued me. You have to be in the mood for it, but you’ve said it. A lovely little romance.