Trail To Bliss

Harriet Goodspell and her two female recruits are on their way to the alleged bastion of wickedness, Contention City, Arizona, to bring the word of God to the lost souls there. During their trip a broken wagon wheel strands them in the desert. Never failing to believe that God will deliver them from their predicament, they make the best of it by singing hymns until a disheveled man in a clown costume stumbles into their campsite and collapses.

Josh Crandal has wandered in the desert heat for days. He sustained a head injury after being literally tossed from McClamerty's Medicine Show and Circus with nothing but the costume on his back. He hears what he thinks are angels singing and follows the voices, thinking he is dead.

Hattie and her friends do what they can for Josh and he recovers. While grateful for the women’s care, Josh thinks Hattie and her friends are foolish for traveling by themselves, let alone to Contention City. After failing to talk them out of it, he agrees to try to fix their broken wheel, but then intends to be on his way. He is determined to get his money and belongings back from the circus owner who stole his property and tossed him out on his rear. As one thing after another keeps Josh from leaving, he and Hattie begin seeing each other in a different light.

Trail to Bliss is a very sweet romance between two very likeable people. Ms. Van Eperen’s vivid descriptions of life on the trail, interlaced with Josh and Hattie’s love story and several colorful secondary characters, make this a very engrossing read. Though not described as an inspirational romance by the publisher, Trail To Bliss certainly is inspiring. Never are Hattie’s faith in God or her desire to preach made light of. She never lowers her morals, even after falling for Josh. She just allows herself to hope for true love within the context of her beliefs.

I highly recommend Trail To Bliss to readers looking for a warm, funny and historically accurate Western Romance! I look forward to Ms. Van Eperen’s next story.

Reviewed by: Shelley