Wagons West and A Few Bumps in the Road 

As more and more wagon trains began traveling west, unsettled lands opened up to permanent residents. The midwestern states were first considered the untamed frontier, but after gold was discovered in California and fertile farmland in Oregon, more adventurous souls headed west. Forts were established to help protect the pioneers against hostile Indians and give them a place to purchase needed supplies. Forts Laramie, Bridger, and Hall were built of logs and boards in what is now Wyoming. Fort Boise in Idaho was first constructed of adobe, and Fort Kearney used adobe, sod, logs, and boards in Nebraska. Others also joined the long string. Travelers were excited to visit a fort to break the harsh, routine life on the trail. However, they found the prices outrageous due to the costs of getting the goods there, and many couldn't afford them.

In my new release, A Few Bumps in the Road, Judith Johnson takes her younger brother and travels along a portion of the Oregon Trail to Kansas as a mail-order bride after their parents die. She meets her intended and his brother at Fort Ferguson, a fictitious fort based on others I had researched. Her husband, although handsome and charming, turns out to be a womanizer and an alcoholic. Judith is determined to make her marriage work, and she keeps telling herself that her situation could be worse. At least, Calvin's older brother is stable and responsible, providing a home for all of them on the farm. However, farm life on the prairie can be difficult in 1850, and Calvin's attitude causes even more struggles. Yet, she believes that God has a plan somewhere in all this.  

Although A Few Bumps in the Road is part of the Idioms & Cliches series, like all of my books, it can also be read as a standalone. The novels are loosely connected by the generations in one family. They are all available in print, Audible, and Kindle. In fact, Brad Leaf, who also narrated the Audible versions of Maneuvers and Buy the Book, had this one ready before the print and Kindle versions were published. And the last two books in the series, Got Your Goat and Taking Stock are already up for preorders.

Link to Book on Amazon

Link to Audible

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