"The Journey of Josephine Cain" by Nancy Moser

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

The Wild West has always been my era.  It's the time period in history that has fascinated me since I watched Little House on the Prairie with my parents and grandparents.  There's just something about the independence and the undeveloped, wild beauty that draws me - and apparently I'm not the only one, because it drew thousands during the frontier era.

That very rawness is what captivates in this story.  You can't help but wonder what the suitable beau has up his sleeve, because it's obviously not just his elbow, and Josephine's developing maturity is worthy of a cheer.  It's the sheer possibilities of the story that delight.  In Washington Josephine is shuttered into following her mother's expectations of a proper young socialite, but in the West anything is possible.  She can throw her sensibilities to the wind and dare to dream, and it's the hope for a fireworks-shooting romance that will keep you turning page after page.  

I loved the real history tucked neatly into this story.  The tidbits are relatively unknown but real and add a distinct flair to the plot.  These new characters and stories keep the reader on her figurative toes, which must have been how Josephine felt when venturing off into this wild new land.  

Whether you come down on the side of the immigrant pulling himself up by his bootstraps or prefer to read about princesses strong enough to tough out the proverbial pea, you'll find what you're looking for in The Journey of Josephine Cain. 

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Nancy Moser is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011." Nancy and her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest.

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

I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

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