Valley of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling

Back Cover:

Cassie Lockwood's mother died when she was little, so Cassie traveled with her father's Wild West Show and became an amazingly skillful trick rider, likened by some to the famous Annie Oakley. When her father died, she continued to work with the show, having nowhere else to go.

Now Cassie has discovered that "Uncle" Jason, the show's manager, has driven the show into debt, and he's absconded with what little money was left. Devastated, Cassie decides to try to find the hidden valley where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. She has only one clue. She needs to find three huge stones that look like fingers raised on a giant hand.

With Chief, a Sioux Indian who's been with the show for twenty years, and Micah, the head wrangler, she leaves both the show and a bundle of heartache behind, and begins a wild and daring adventure.

Review:

Lauraine Snelling did a great job on her book, Valley of Dreams. As the first in her Wild West Wind series, Snelling definitely drew me into her story and left me wanting more.

The book has two plot lines: one about Cassie Lockwood searching for her father’s dream valley, and another about Ransom Engstrom and his family worrying about paying the bills. Snelling did a fantastic job keeping the two separate plot lines interesting, as well as keeping the reader wondering how the two stories will connect.

The characters were a great part of the story. The continuing development of each character was wonderful to read. I kept wanting to know more about each character, and the author revealed just enough through the story to keep the reader engaged.

It was interesting to read about the hardships Cassie had to face, even though the problems Cassie faced where somewhat unrealistic, since she lived a very sheltered life before her adventure began.

I was pleased the book overall, and am definitely looking forward to Lauraine Snelling’s next installment in the Wild West Wind series.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.