Love’s Winding Road by Susan F. Craft is the first book in Craft’s Great Wagon Road series. This story is quite the adventure! After reading this story, I am even more grateful than ever that I live in 2024 and not 1753. The days of traversing the American wilderness in covered wagons was not for the feint of heart. You had to be more than tough to survive — you had to have God on your side. In this story, our main characters are Rose and Daniel. Man, do they go through some arduous experiences. From inclement weather, to wild animals attacking, to kidnapping, and to attacks by warring Native Americans, this story brought the terror of travel in the 1750s and then some. I loved many things about this story. I appreciated the sense of community the travelers created right from the start. It makes sense that they would grow a close bond. They all really had to work well together just to survive. That would make anyone form a close bond. I enjoyed seeing Rose and Daniel’s relationship grow even as they were forced into a marriage of convenience. Yeah, that was a hard moment for both of them, but they went into their forced relationship honorably and compassionately. As far as characters go, Rose is a very sweet heroine and Daniel is the best kind of hero — the protector kind. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you need saving Daniel will be there! My favorite aspect to Daniel is his compassion. Rose’s sister, Norah, has lived through some of the worst things a woman could live through — you’ll have to read the story to find out — and Daniel accepts her as a sister right away. He genuinely cares about Norah’s well-being and offers her a place in his and Rose’s home. It’s very sweet and endearing. I wish more people were like Daniel — able to see the hurt someone is walking through and be willing to shoulder a little of their pain.

I know this review does not do this story justice. For a book that’s only 266 pages, Love’s Winding Road sure does pack a mighty punch. If you are a fan of highly engaging, intense Historical Romances full of adventure, then this is the story for you. You definitely do not want to miss out on this story!