#SaturdaySpotlight is on Winona Bennett Cross & Winter at Journey's End!

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of All Christmas thru Christmas on Saturday Spotlight. The last time Winona was here, she shared with us her Oregon Trail novel, Rebecca's Journey. Today, she's going to give us the scoop on Winter at Journey's End, a companion novella to Rebecca's Journey.

Welcome back Nona! Tell us why you wrote Winter at Journey's End and share your blurb and an excerpt...

Thanks for having me in the spotlight again, Pam. Winter at Journey’s End is an 82-page novelette and is about the first winter the characters from Rebecca’s Journey spend in the new community. I wrote it because I wanted the characters and readers to get a glimpse of life for emigrants who traveled the Oregon Trail in a wagon train for six months.

This book was as important to me as Rebecca’s Journey. Historically, the Westward Expansion and Oregon Trail is one of my favorite periods of American History. 

Blurb: Will Rebecca and Zachary’s dreams and plans come to fruition despite the struggles they face in a new land?

Rebecca Pierce and Zachary Miller began the arduous journey on the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri as strangers but wound up in Journey’s End, Oregon Territory betrothed. Snow and ice, rumors of a threat from their past, and miscommunication separate the couple, nearly ending their relationship and Rebecca’s life. Plans for Christmas festivities and their wedding celebration are jeopardized by what could be an immovable wedge.

Will Rebecca and Zachary overcome the obstacles, move forward with their marriage and settle in the cabin they built overlooking a flowing stream and pine forest?

If you love Historical romance stories filled with trials, tribulations and triumph, get Winter at Journey’s End, a companion novella in Winona Bennett Cross’s The Journey Series, and celebrate life with these characters all over again!

Excerpt: Zachary and Rebecca stood near a small patch of land near the stream on the south side of their property.

“This would be the perfect place for us to have a garden. The soil seems fertile, it gets good sunlight, and it would be easy to divert water from the stream to keep it watered.” Zachary walked the plot from side to side measuring it. “We can plant tomatoes, potatoes, squash, onions, and pole beans on the south side. Maybe a fruit tree ot two would do well on the west side. What do you think?”

Rebecca hugged him from the side. “I think you’re right. But I want flowers. Maybe climbing roses near the cabin, honeysuckle by Aaron’s hut, and sunflowers like we found on the trail along the west.”

Zachary laughed and bowed. “As you wish, my love.”

Rebecca giggled, squatted down, and hugged her lifelong companion. “Get down, dog. I’m happy to see you but where is Aaron?”

Patriot, Glory, and Misty whinnied. Rebecca and Zachary turned as Aaron urged Misty into a trot. He stopped next to them.

“Morning. It’s good to be home. Even better to know my little house will be warm. The bigger fence will be appreciated by the horses and the cow. How are you? Everyone in town sends their love. Of courses, Emma and Sarah sent food.”

We’re fine. Perfect. We were just planning a spring garden over by the stream. We’ll have food and flowers. Let’s get the animals settled and get you inside where it’s warm.” Zachary looked over his shoulder and winked at Rebecca.

“Remember those climbing bears I made? Some of the town folks asked me to make some for their children. They’ll pay five cents each. I’ll make some of my own money to help around here. Geroge said he would stock the whittled animals in the the store for me. Isn’t that something?” Aaron opened the door to his home, stopped at the threshold, and gasped.

“What’s got your attention?” Zachary asked.

“A bed. I have a bed! And a rocking chair. Where did it come from? I’ve never had a real be before. Just pallets on the floor.”

“Go on in. George built the bed and chair for you. The ladies made the bedding. Sarah got the cookware and a few dishes for your home.”

Zachary looked at Rebecca. Tears streamed down her face. “You deserve every gift. You are our brother in every way.”

Aaron sat in the rocking chair and rocked for a moment then lay on the bed. “Nice. This is nice.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

What a sweet scene! Most of us can't imagine not having a "real" bed to sleep in! How about giving us your bio and how we can connect with you and where to find Winter at Journey's End...

Winona Bennett Cross (Nona) lives in Wichita Falls, Texas. She recently moved from Durant, Oklahoma. She has two sons and two granddaughters. Angus, a finicky and nosy gray tabby cat, shares her home.

Nona's heart lies in the desert and oilfields of west Texas and New Mexico where she was raised. In 1969 she graduated from Lovington High School, New Mexico.

Nursing was the lifelong dream Nona achieved in 1985 from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. A fall in the hospital ended her career. She specialized in Labor and Delivery, Women' Health, Community Education, Perinatal Bereavement, and Nursing Education at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Nona is a member of the Central Region Oklahoma Writers (CROW), the Oklahoma Romance Writer's Guild (OKRWG), the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. (OWFI) and Women Writing the West (WWW). Find and connect with her on her Website, Facebook, FB Author Page, X, and Instagram.

Winter at Journey's End can be found at Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback and other online retailers HERE.

Thank You SO Much, Nona!

That's it for this week friends, Until next week, I'm Wishing You and Yours a Merry Christmas & Blessed & Prosperous New Year.

PamT