The Platte River Waltz, The Growler Brigade

Volume Two of a stirring adventure

The Growler Brigade is the SECOND book in The Platte River Waltz series.Together the two volumes take the reader on a journey with the intrepid souls who packed up their lives and walked across a hostile continent to a new life. The first volume is Orphans in the Storm.
Seventeen year old Josh Bonner, at the very outset of the journey, is orphaned during an outbreak of cholera. The cholera has also killed off the Hampton family with the exception of their daughter Elizabeth. Rather then abandon everything and turn back, the two young people push on, exploring new lands and each other.

"What a wonderful and superbly written account of a journey West!
I was completely absorbed by the remarkable characters and sweeping landscapes- caught so brilliantly by the magnificent writing and plotting!
A winner!!!"
--as reviewed on goodreads.com--

The scout is the first to recognize the mettle of Josh Bonner, taking the novitiate under his wing. Others in the party, a missionary couple, an adventurous sawbones, and a clan of farmers, quickly recognize the newcomers as a formidable alliance that drives the expedition across the wild prairie. The land, the weather, and human frailty threaten, but cannot daunt their resolve. Populated with compelling characters, colorful dialog, intriguing subplots, and thrilling encounters; Bonner's Road West explores a period of American history largely passed over by contemporary historical fiction

"I have to say that this was one of the best books I have read in the past year. A few minutes ago I ordered Vol.2, and cannot wait to start reading it. I'm surprised a book this good was self-published.."
--review on Amazon--

In the first volume of The Platte River Waltz, Orphans in the Storm we accompanied Josh, Elizabeth, Jubal and the rest of the emigrants as far as Fort Laramie. They learn how to fend for themselves as nature, man, and their own temperament test them.

The Growler Brigade picks up the Bonner tale as the train departs the fort. Soon they hear of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Creek in California. Josh and Elizabeth abandon going to Oregon and opt for California, along with several other wagons. Delacroix, the scout, lets Josh lead the smaller party over one of the numerous cutoffs on the road to test him. The cutoff behind them, the train splits, with the smaller party bound to seek their fortune in the gold fields.

Josh leads the small party through The Great Basin and into the Sierra Madre Mountains just as winter begins to close the passes. Barely making it through the Bonners meet Duncan Shipwash, a mining engineer in search of backers. Together, they find a promising claim in an arroyo and plan for an arduous ordeal as the snows shuts them into the canyons.

Readers Praise Volume One, Orphans in the Storm

I am not one to write reviews but this book is so well written I feel compelled to take the time. The characters are interesting, the plot compelling. I felt pulled back in a time of history that makes me marvel at the ingenuity, tenacity, and courage of our nation's settlers. A good piece of fiction that rings historically true. I also felt the author was sensitive to our Native Americans.