Title: Soda Springs
Author: Carolyn Steele
Genre: Historical Romance (Frontier)
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Date of Publication: December 2015
When Tessa Darrow discovers her father burning his Civil War uniform, she has no idea how his secret will devastate their family and drive them from their home in North Carolina. The family journeys along the Oregon Trail until tragedy strikes, leaving Tessa and her father to build a new life in Soda Springs, Idaho. But life in the West doesn’t mean forsaking the gentility of her Southern upbringing, not with the likes of William Bates and Peter Sundstrom competing for Tessa’s affections . . . This sweeping story illuminates an oft-forgotten era in LDS Church history. Filled with drama, humor, and enduring love, it's a thrilling read for history buffs and romantics alike.
Excerpt:
“Father, what are you doing?” Tessa whispered as loudly as she dared, fearful of waking the rest of her family. “Stop!”
Go back inside,” he hissed at her.
She gasped in horror. “Your uniform!” Flames consumed the gray woolen coat and trousers. “Why?”
My Review:
Full of twists and turns, Soda Springs takes the reader for a wild ride across the American continent from North Carolina in the last days of the Civil War to Soda Springs, Idaho, where Tessa Barrow and her father find themselves stranded due to tragedy and disease. The characters grow in unexpected directions in this second historical romance novel by Carolyn Steele, which leads to an ending I didn't see coming. Good job, Ms. Steele!
Purchase Links:
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Born and raised in Utah, Carolyn Steele was introduced to western novels at a very young age by her grandfather, the son of a gold miner. She has been writing technical and marketing communications for most of her adult life. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in numerous national magazines. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Utah.
Married and living in Salt Lake City, Utah, Carolyn loves researching obscure history then weaving it into stories. She also enjoys family dinners with her children and grandchildren, photography, travel, golf, reading, and all forms of needlework.
Find Carolyn:
Website | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Pinterest
I hope you'll give Soda Springs a try.
I also enjoyed this book. The lilting, beautiful writing took me away and transported me to the plains of Idaho in the 1860s. If you like historical fiction, you will love this book--and learn a lot in the process of reading.
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