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My perfect day: Laptop; WiFi availability; Java Mocha; characters demanding their stories be told; a plot that comes together; and hours to live in an alternate reality. Afterward, I return home to wash dishes and vacuum.
Seriously, I have always loved reading, and now I love writing. As a preteen, I devoured Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Mysteries. When I reached my teen years, the romance genre became my favorite and that has never changed. A few years ago, I decided to try my hand at writing and I've been doing so with a passion ever since. I have written around twenty novels and novellas in the genres of contemporary western romance, historical western romance, and fantasy romance. Because I hate saying goodbye to characters who have lived with me for months, I usually create a series so they can be revisited from book to book.
Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite
The year is 1866 and Thomas and Hallie Wells are ready to head west. They have sold their farm, and almost everything they have in anticipation of moving to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. When Tom is killed just about a month before the five month trek begins Hallie is determined that she and her young son Timmy will forge ahead with Tom's plan but she will need someone to drive her wagon west. She decides to ask her neighbor Cooper Jerome who Tom had said was a just and good man. Cooper, recently home from war, is fighting his own demons, but decides he will see the Wells safely to Oregon. With many obstacles along the way, they come to rely on one another and soon find themselves drawn to each other. Will they follow their hearts or allow the misgivings they feel keep them apart?
I have always found the stories of the wagon trains heading west to be quite fascinating and "Cry of the West: Hallie" is rich in detail allowing me to visualize the obstacles the travelers faced. I thought that Hallie was such a strong female lead, but Ms. Clay also allows us to glimpse a more vulnerable side of her. Cooper was a perfect match for her, and I kept my fingers crossed hoping that he and Hallie would realize that as well. I found the snippets of his past to be quite intriguing, allowing me to understand why he felt the way he did. I could understand why they fought their feelings, but in a rugged setting hearts don't always follow protocol. I also enjoyed the character of Timmy, who was protective of his mother. We see the kind boy he is, but also get glimpses of the man that he would someday be. The secondary characters in the story really keep the plot interesting. The author provides a few laughs but also some very heart-touching moments as well. While there are a few minor instances of strong language, I also find an inspirational slant as well, which makes for a good balance. Overall, it was easy to see that Ms.Clay really did her research when it came to the Oregon Trail. She brings the trip west to life, making me feel as if I was actually on the journey myself. I really look forward to reading more from this talented author!
