Revisiting the Oregon Trail with Lacy Williams

Hi, readers! Lacy Williams here today to talk about wagon trains and the Oregon Trail.

I was surprised and delighted when my editor asked me to take part in the 2015 multi-author continuity (series) about couples finding love on the Oregon Trail. This series includes WAGON TRAIN REUNION by Linda Ford (April) and WAGON TRAIN PROPOSAL by Renee Ryan (June). The series follows siblings Ben, Emma (my heroine!) and Rachel as they travel west and fall in love along the way.

I had a lot of fun researching for this story. According to the Oregon-California Trails Association (www.octa-trails.org), it’s estimated that about 500,000 people followed the cross-country trails to California, Utah and the Pacific Northwest.

wikipedia.org

Does anyone else remember the old video game from the ‘90s, “The Oregon Trail”? I used to play it for hours, traveling with my fictional family to try and beat the computer… Yeah, good times.

I spoke with a reader recently who said, “I didn’t like that game—I didn’t like it when my characters died.” Unfortunately, from my research, I learned that the game was pretty realistic. Thinking about the rough conditions and limited medical knowledge and supplies, it is not surprising how many men, women and children didn’t make it.

I don’t know if I would’ve been brave enough to leave the “known” behind on the hope that something better was out there. But there were many courageous souls who did!

In my book, WAGON TRAIN SWEETHEART, hero Nathan is a trapper who has nothing to lose. He’s a loner with a past he’s ashamed of and when he is blamed for a series of thefts in the wagon train, he isn’t surprised.

Shy Emma hates injustice almost as much as she hates being the center of attention. Before she can find the courage to stand up and defend Nathan, he becomes unconscious from the onset of measles.

When no one steps forward to help Nathan, Emma is stuck with the job. She quickly discovers there is more behind the man’s enigmatic, quiet exterior.

Then the question becomes, will she stand up to her brothers, who want her to marry someone entirely different?

For Nathan, the only question is why a beautiful, intelligent woman like Emma wants to be friends with a slug like him. He’s never known anyone like Emma before and can’t stay away—even though he knows he should.

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Or, if you’d like to try out a sample of all three books in the series, grab the Journey West sampler (FREE!):

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What about you? Any favorite video games or computer games from the past? Let's talk in the comment box!

FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: Wagon Train Sweetheart by Lacy Williams

A Promised Bride 

Emma Hewitt never thought she'd travel thousands of miles to wed. Yet Oregon is where she'll meet the groom her brothers have chosen. After years of nursing her ailing father, Emma's social skills are lacking. An arranged marriage is only sensible. And her growing feelings for Nathan Reed, a worker on her wagon train, are surely better forgotten. 

Nathan knows he's wrong for Emma. He's too rough, too burdened with guilt over his past. But when Emma nurses him through a fever, she sees something in him no one ever has. Now he wants to be a man worthy of her love. Emma's loyalty to family has always come first. Will she find the courage now to follow her heart? 

Journey West: Romance and adventure await three siblings on the Oregon Trail 

INTERVIEW:

How exciting to visit with Nathan and Emma, the hero and from Wagon Train Sweetheart. This book was written by Lacy Williams and is a May 2015 release from Love Inspired Historical.

Nathan and Emma stride quietly near a Conestoga wagon pulled by a team of four oxen. Before and behind them, the wagon train snakes through the plain. A bright blue sky forms an inverted bowl overheat and the sun beats down on them mercilessly. They are surrounded by the lowing of cattle, the chatter of women, and children laughing and running.

But Emma and Nathan are quiet, pensive, as they walk together.

1. Why did you decide to join a westward bound wagon train?

Nathan keeps his eyes on the oxen as he shrugs. “Needed a fresh start,” he mumbles. “With the pay I’ll make driving this wagon, hopefully I can buy some land.”

Emma’s eyes linger on Nathan, not the landscape. “My oldest brother came west. When my other siblings heard about the rich land and the opportunities, they were gung-ho to join up.”

Nathan’s eyes come up and they share a glance, as if there’s more behind Emma’s answer, but she doesn’t elaborate.

2. What is one thing about you that no one else knows?

Nathan’s silence is so long as to grow uncomfortable.  

Emma’s eyes glow with concern, but she doesn’t press him to answer. Obviously, he has secrets aplenty. Her cheeks flush a pretty pink. “I’ve never had a beau,” she admits.

“Nothing to be ashamed of,” Nathan adds quickly.

“I’m not ashamed.” And her chin has come up.

Nathan’s lips twitch, but he doesn’t outright smile.

3. What is your best quality?

This time, Nathan is quick to answer. “Don’t have one.”

Emma laughs, the sound like a tinkling bell, and his eyes slide to her before darting back to his task driving the oxen. Her merriment abruptly cuts off when she realizes how very serious he is.

In fact, a muscle twitches in his cheek.

“You’re an excellent hunter,” she says.

He snorts derisively.

“And you see things others don’t.”

“That’s a quality?” he asks, his voice hard as flint.

But Emma’s lips have taken on a stubborn pinch. “You’re a good friend. To me and to others.”

He shakes his head, but beneath his beard his cheeks redden.

4. What is your worst fear?

Emma’s eyes make a quick scan of the horizon as she answers, “Thunderstorms.” Her eyes make a sweep of the grass in front of her. “Snakebite.” Her eyes narrow. “Starvation.”

While her attention is elsewhere, Nathan watches her closely. When she senses his gaze on her and looks up, he jerks his face to the side. “Those are valid concerns,” he says, “But my worst fear is losing someone close to me. Again.”

Emma’s expression softens with compassion, but she knows now is a time to stay silent and not press him to admit more.

5.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

A happy bark sounds and a small brown dog appears out of the grass that is taller than the animal.

“Mutt,” Nathan greeted. Looking almost embarrassed, he says, “Can’t get rid of him. Keeps following me around.”

Emma smirks. “Perhaps it’s the ham you feed him off your plate.”

Nathan shrugs, unwilling to admit differently.

6. What is the one thing you’ve learned by traveling on this wagon train?

Emma and Nathan glance at each other.

“I’ve learned that friendship can come from the most unexpected places. And not to judge someone by first impressions.”

Nathan’s eyes go off to the distance as he admits, “Some folks are worth making friends with.”

The wagon train continues its westward trail, and Nathan and Emma’s friendship blossoms into something else entirely. WAGON TRAIN SWEETHEART is available now!

About the author:

USA Today bestselling author Lacy Williams works in a hostile environment (read: three kids age 5 and under). In spite of this, she has somehow managed to be a hybrid author since 2011, publishing 17 books & novellas. Lacy is also the Managing Editor for Redbud Press, an inspirational romance publisher. Lacy’s books have finaled in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards (2012, 2013, & 2014), the Golden Quill and the Booksellers Best Award. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc. If you haven’t already, visit Lacy’s website (www.lacywilliams.net) for a free contemporary cowboy novella.