It is my pleasure to have Winona Bennett Cross return with her Oregon Trail Historical Romance, Rebecca's Journey.
Tell us, Nona, why you wrote this book and what makes it special to you...
Thanks for having me back in the spotlight, Pam. As with Dianne's Destiny, the reason behind Rebecca's Journey is very personal. You see, I never thought about writing until I became disabled from a fall. When the fog of not being able to work as a nurse again lifted, I found myself thinking about writing. I always enjoyed writing assignments in school and college. One morning I was "surfing" and came across a free writing course. I registered. I wrote some really bad stuff. But I learned bit by bit.
The idea for an Oregon Trail came into my head. Why? Because in 1968 during American History class my teacher, Mr. Haynes, taught about the Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion in such a way that I loved it. I didn't know that interest in, and love of, the Oregon Trail had settled in my heart until I needed it.
So, I started scribbling notes, doing research, and prepared to write. After many years, stops, and starts Rebecca's Journey finally came to fruition. I wrote about her, the emigrants, the hardships, and the perseverance it took to walk for six months among danger, changing landscape, hunger, fatigue, illness, and unseen challenges to reach an unknown land. The dream was there for the emigrants.
Rebecca Pierce is an 18-year-old girl traveling with her mother. She's stubborn, knows what she wants, becomes a leader, and falls in love despite vowing never to do so. She's set in her ways, independent, and confident. Almost a girl out of time in 1845.
By the way, I posthumously dedicated Rebecca's Journey to Coach Jerald Haynes.
Oh how wonderful! Give us more please...
Sure!
Here's the Blurb: Determined to keep a vow made to her dying father, independent eighteen-year-old Rebecca Pierce sets out on a wagon train on the Oregon Trail in 1845 with her mother. Rebecca is strong and takes on a leadership role.
Zachary Miller is traveling alone with nothing more than what he can carry and his horse. He is assigned to help Rebecca and her mother from the first day on the trail. Zachary falls fast for Rebecca but she is conflicted about her growing feelings.
When Rebecca is kidnapped by an obsessive man, she is left injured, in pain, depressed, and losing the belief she had in herself.
Zachary is angry and wants revenge. He feels like there is nothing he can do to help Rebecca although he tries to do all he can.
Will their newly developed relationship recover and allow them to regain their growing love?
And an Excerpt: Rebecca allowed him to pull her so close she could feel his heartbeat. She wanted to close every gap between them.
“Have you ever been kissed, Rebecca?”
Zachary’s fingers on her cheek tingled in a pleasant, but different, way, leaving unexpected warmth. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Shaking her head, she confirmed that she had never been kissed.
Zachary chuckled. “Let me fix that.”
When Rebecca first felt the soft, tentative touch of his lips she knew kissing him was the right thing to do. He kissed her lips, her cheeks, her eyelids, and her lips again. The kiss deepened yet remained soft. She kissed him back without worry, shame, or guilt. Everything about Zachary felt comfortable. She didn’t know what to do or say when the kiss ended, so she got her shawl from the saddle and spread it on the grass.
Aww...Everyone LOVES that first kiss. How sweet! Please share your bio and links to connect with you...
