On Her Way Home by Sara Petersen

ISBN: 978-1499330595

Published: May 2014

Published by: CreateSpace 

Trade Paperback, 364 pages

In search of a new path in life, Jo Swenson, a young school teacher from Illinois responds to an ad for a ranch hand on a remote cattle ranch in rugged Montana. Mac, the ranch owner is a tough, hard-working, aloof man who resents the intrusion of a woman on his ranch.  As the summer of back-breaking work progresses, Jo and Mac are drawn to each other, but both of them have secrets from their past that keeps them apart. I felt like I was watching an old-time Western movie, replete with horses, cattle branding, and dusty cattle drives.

The author is obviously familiar with that part of the country as she writes that “Montana was a rugged heaven with its giant evergreens cresting jagged mountain peaks and hiding sky clear lakes. Unique wildflowers and bright green grasses flowed over the ground, their melodious waves of light and color disappearing into wooded forests. This country was like a battery for the soul, charging and energizing the spirit of a person, with its strength and beauty.”

The character development is so well done that the reader is captivated by each of the people in this story. They are “real” people that the reader can identify with. I cared about what happened to each one, especially lovable 5-year-old Sam.

There is enough drama, excitement, and intrigue in this novel to appeal to a wide range of people. And once again, it confirms my view that it is possible to be an excellent storyteller without resorting to profanity and/or explicit sex. I believe that the story reflects the author’s elevated values.

I loved this debut novel and highly recommend it.