Slow Train to Nowhere: Rosalee

 “I do not want to go meekly to my fate”—Rosalee Thompson

About the Book: Adopted as a tiny girl straight off the orphan train, Rosalee Thompson has always been pampered by her wealthy parents. Now a young woman, she chafes at the restrictive bonds of the ribbons and ruffles, chosen for her by an over-protective mother. When the choices made for her include a prospective husband, she becomes a runaway bride.

     Matthew Speedwell has a past he’d rather keep hidden and ideas for a future he’s not sure he can achieve. The last thing he expects is to be made part of a reluctant bride’s snowy escape. He believes he’s not good enough for Rosalee, but his heart has ideas of its own. As, so it seems, does Miss Rosalee.

Our Review: And so concludes this compelling American Historical series.         After disembarking the Orphan Train, four of the five orphans suffered untold abuse and neglect while Rosalee was pampered, petted and above all—wanted. Desperately as it turns out. Rosalee knows that; she reminds herself of the facts every day of her life. Imagine her guilt and self-derision each time she encountered one of “the others” in the small town of Clabbers Mills.

     To find herself, in truth to save herself, she does the only thing she feels possible—she runs. Straight into Matthew Speedwell who, in his own way, shows her things she never felt possible. Along with the new new chances come risks—ones which Rosalee learns to face on her own.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Slow Train to Nowhere: Rosalee merits a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews