Journeying

by: Barbara Fleming

Published by: Five Star (August release)

Reviewed by Shawn Remfrey
The year is 1872, and everything is different than it is today. To escape a marriage she does not want, Hannah Morris sneaks away in the middle of the night to journey west, where she will be free to be with the man she loves. Her love, Lucas, is a black doctor. Due to time, station, and skin color, they cannot be together in Ohio.

Heading out west proves to be more difficult than Hannah had originally imagined. The trip is hard enough for other couples, but having a travel companion with dark-colored skin makes it much tougher for Hannah and Lucas, since tempers are still riding high after the Civil War.

Barbara Fleming did extensive research on her ancestors and those of the Colorado foothills before writing this book, and it shows. The fictional characters of Hannah and Lucas, as well as all the others, are created so well that they are entirely realistic. Not only do you believe they actually lived in the 1800s and traveled west, but you believe you’re right there with them. I learned more about the late 1800s reading this book than I did throughout my years at school. Barbara presents everything in such a way that you just soak it right in and crave more.

This book reminded me a lot of “Little House on the Prairie,” but with more drama and romance. You really get a glimpse of what law enforcement and families were like in Colorado at the time. The romance between Lucas and Hannah is enchanting. Being the underdogs, you can’t help but root for them throughout the entire story.

My only complaint with this book is that I would have enjoyed a little more sizzle. It was a good book, a good read, but it lacked that something extra that made it amazing.

Armchair Interviews says: Thorough research made this Regency historical romance most interesting.

Author’s Web site: http://www.AuthorBarbaraFleming.com