Book Review

In the beginning of the book, Josephine was a spoiled,
whiney, uninteresting, shallow young woman – a girl who insisted on having her
own way. The book ended with Josephine marrying. She became a strong,
intelligent young woman who confidently made her way in the Wild West. I liked
the mature version of Josephine. The difficulty for me was the story was not
long enough for Moser to develop Josephine’s growth as a character. The change
from shallow Josephine to the interesting person she became was abrupt. I think
I would enjoy reading more about Josephine as she was at the end of the book.
For history buffs, the story is an interesting chronicle of
the period as the tracks are laid through Nebraska, Wyoming and finally on to
Promontory Point in Utah. Moser painted a picture of the ruggedness and the
depravity of the temporary towns that followed the railroad workers. There were
multiple saloons, gangs of outlaws and a house of prostitution, all
transportable from town to town. Moser is from Nebraska and she described the
prairie well – from the tall grass as high as a man’s head to the gorgeous
sunsets.
I enjoyed the character of Josephine’s Aunt Bernice. Frieda
Schultz, Josephine’s ladies’ maid was also interesting and appealing. General
Cain, Josephine’s father was difficult to figure out. He was a man with strong
leadership talents. He made his daughter’s wishes come true, yet was absent
from his marriage. Josephine’s mother was the mother you can be thankful you
never had.
Over all, this book is a good story and I do recommend it. It
portrays an interesting period in the history of the United States. Also, Moser
fleshes out her characters well – especially the secondary characters – the ones
who play a supporting role. It is also a book that showed the strength of
women. Women who played an important role in settling the West.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a
review. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the book
When a socialite from the nation's
capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life
is changed forever.
A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.
A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.
About the Author

Learn more at Nancy at: http://nancymoser.com/