Ever Faithful – A Vintage national Parks Novel – by Karen Barnett

As someone who has traveled to Yellowstone when I was a teen, I really enjoyed getting to virtually revisit the park!

Ever Faithful – A Vintage national Parks Novel – by Karen Barnett

***Kept Me Guessing***

Yellowstone Natl Park, WY, 1933

This story focuses on the Pack Rats, Pillow Punchers, and Pearl Divers also known as the park’s hotel staff, or Savages (smile) as well as some Rangers, and President Roosevelt’s new Civilian Conservation Corps (the CCC).

22-year old Elsie Brookes has been working summers to save enough money to earn a teaching degree and go to college like her friend’s Mary and Rose.

Teddy Vaughn is a new ranger who gives her stomach flutters, but she needs to focus on her job and caring for her ailing mother, not to mention her closely guarded secret.

Sweet Scripture Reference: “Yes, indeed. ‘Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”  It’s not just the key to a happy home, Elsie-” “I know. It’s the key to a happy life.” Only her parents could make the golden rule sound romantic.

Joining the CCC camp are many struggling young men, arriving from New York area, who haven’t seen work or a decent meal in a long while. This is their chance to earn a paycheck to send home, learn a trade and get a free education.  But for Nate Webber, it’s his chance to keep his younger brother out of jail.  He had never been out of the city and wasn’t sure what to expect. “The sky back home had never looked like this. He could almost touch it, brush his finger against the glittering edges of the distant stars. “God”. He breathed the word, more in reverence than in vain. What other response could a man have in the face of such wonder?” Working out in nature may be just what he needs, plus no one need know about his shameful secret.

The park descriptions are lovely: “A small herd of elk grazed on the green lawn surrounding the lodge.  A cow elk, heavy with her unborn calf, lifted her head to stare back, chewing leisurely.  The animals had over three thousand square miles of park to wander but seemed to prefer it here.”

The mystery of the story kept me guessing all the way through.  There are several characters that keep the story in interesting.  I loved the raccoons!

Tea Moment: “Her friend took a sip of her coffee and made a face. “Why do I always think I’m going to like this stuff? I want to be all modern and sophisticated with my black coffee, but I still prefer iced tea.””

Amen Sister!! (haha)

NOTE: This is a stand-alone novel available 06/18/2019, and fine to read out of order, as per the author.

The first 2 books are “Where the Fire Falls” and “The Road to Paradise” which I both really enjoyed.

5 Stars.

FREE STUFF – Go to the author’s website Karen Barnett Books dot com to keep up with her news and click FREE STUFF to get a free novelette, vintage style postcards, digital poster and bonus eBook “Women of the National Parks”.  Amazing!

Thank you to Waterbrook Publishing and NetGalley for a digital edition. My opinion is my own and given freely. 

Until next time, hugs and a cup of tea, Heather Elizabeth

The Road to Paradise

art by: Creative Carmella Designs Incidentally her
shop is closed because her family is busy visiting
all of the National Parks in her home state! How cool is that?
But check the link above later if you are interested in her beautiful style.

The Road to Paradise – A Vintage national Parks Novel - by Karen Barnett

Ashford Washington 1927

Margaret Lane: Ch. 1 As a child she’d dreamed of living and working in Mount Rainier National Park, a park her father had campaigned to create. In time she realized that the daughters of United States senators didn’t run off to live in the woods.  They endured a slow death at the hand of high-society parties and tedious political functions.

She has an opportunity to be a naturalist, studying the park and all its glorious details God has laid out. Margie’s former fiancé is a villain you love to hate! So smug, so self-righteous, and so calculating.

Chief Ranger Ford Brayden enjoys a simple, bachelor lifestyle in the park.  He is quite surprised to be saddled with the nature smitten Margie and fully expects to send her packing in short order. That is until he realizes who her father is and what her presence means to the park. He is a kind man, but a little inclined to make assumptions and definitely outside his element when outside of the park.  He has no use for God and cannot understand how Margie can see God in EVERYTHING.

Sweet God Moment: Ch. 22 Her hero, John Muir, had spent weeks and months rambling the High Sierra.  Margie closed her eyes, the expansive view overwhelming her senses. Lord, help me find my way.  I love Your creation, but I’m not ready to spend the night alone out here.  A gentle breeze lifted the ends of her hair, bringing the lush smell of the heather. She took a deep breath, thankful for her slowing heartbeat. God was present, even out here in the dark. Scripture floated into her mind, and she whispered the familiar words to the wind: “The darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”

Karen certainly crafts a beautiful story and the words pull you right into the scenery.

Tea Moment:   First off, this book starts out with two mentions of tea. One in the dedication and then a quote under that from C.S. Lewis – one we all know and love, I’m sure. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” Surprisingly, I would not read tea related text until the final chapter of the book, and then my heart was quite happy indeed; Luke popped outside, a giant grin lighting his face. “I thought I heard voices.  I’m glad you survived the trip. I’ve got the kettle on. Would you like some tea?”

Margie threw her arms around him. “I would love some. I’m so glad to see you.”

NOTE: This is a stand-alone novel, and fine to read out of order, as per the author.

After reading Where the Fire Falls, I happily gobbled up this story and truly loved it.  Now on to the FREEBIE short story, Christmas in Paradise, posted on her website. My opinion is my own and given freely (true story!). 

Read: 6/14&15/2018 - Reviewed: 6/23/2018 / 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆

FREE STUFF – Go to Karen's website to get a free novelette, vintage style postcards, digital poster and bonus eBook “Women of the National Parks”.  So generous and fun!

My posts related to this one: Bookmark Fun

Where the Fire Falls

Until next time, hugs and a cup of tea!

In my cup: Gaither Promise Tea - sent by a dear friend & how I love it!
The tag reads: "Gentle Shepherd, we need your strength from day today."
I am on the hunt for more, but alas I think it may no longer be made
(at least not by Gaither).
After searching Google (as I am multitasking while writing this,
it seems to be made by Scripture Tea.  They mention
American Hero Tea on their site, but no way to order it...
grrrrrr. Hopefully, I figure it out! 
It would be super cute for Fourth of July!

SO MUCH TO LOVE IN YOSEMITE

I visited Yosemite several times as a girl and it is a wonder with all of its giant redwoods, sequoias, pine scents, cool breezes, waterfalls, giant rocks, cliffs, trails and wildlife.  This book made me want to travel there again.  Some of daycare Littles are there now camping and celebrating a fifth birthday! Hooray!!

I figured a thermos of tea was appropriate for the wilderness (smile).

Where the Fire Falls – A Vintage national Parks Novel - by Karen Barnett

1929

Olivia Rutherford is an aspiring Watercolorist and currently portraying herself as a free-spirited flapper among California’s nouveau riche. Clark Johnson is a guide in Yosemite National Park, and on a quest to discover God’s ultimate path for his life.  He’s managed to pretty much avoid women for the last three years.

Ch. 1 “I’m not afraid of women. … They’re just a highly unpredictable species.  One minute they’re as sweet as honeysuckle; next you find yourself up to your kneecaps in hellfire.”

When the two are thrown together they both begin a journey of self-discovery and share the amazing beauty of the park. However, deception, secrets and danger follow them around creating a rocky path at times.

Tea Moment:   Ch. 4 Vanderbilt was a pith helmet short of an African safari.  Next thing you knew, he’d be demanding tea from a china cup.

I loved the campfire songs! Red River Valley is a favorite of mine and the old hymns touched my soul.

There is so much beauty captured in this story. Ch. 10 “God saved up the best bits of creation and spent them here.” Ch. 11 The sun’s radiance still played off the summit in the distance, the details in the granite exposed by the long reddish rays blending light and shadow. Ch. 16 God’s presence was in Yosemite… Every blade of grass, every breath of wind, even the light passing over the polished granite and dancing through the waterfalls’ spray seemed touched by His spirit.

Thank you to Karen Barnett for alerting me to the BOGO deal. I took advantage of the pre-order opportunity & am so happy I did.  I cannot wait to receive The Road to Paradise. My opinion is my own and given freely.

Read: 6/6&7/2018 - Reviewed: 6/8/2018 / ☆☆☆☆☆

CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO FREE STUFF

FREE STUFF – Go to the author’s website to get a free novelette "Christmas in Paradise", 8 free vintage style postcards, digital poster and bonus eBook “Women of the National Parks”.  So generous and cool!

John Muir is also mentioned a few times in the book, so I wanted to also share my recently purchased copy of Muir’s The Boyhood of a Naturalist.  It is over 100 years old and after reading Where the Fire Falls, I look forward to jumping into this book.

I do hope you will be able to add these to your TBR list, and perhaps enjoy a bit of Yosemite or another National Park.

Until next time,

Hugs and a cup (or thermos) of tea!