Monday, June 5, 2017

"The Road to Paradise" by Karen Barnett - A Vintage National Parks Novel

Margie Lane, avid naturalist, convinces her father to procure her a position at Mount Rainier National Park, but the head park ranger Ford Brannon isn't thrilled to have a book-smart socialite with no survival skills tagging along all summer. When Margie's former fiance decides to develop the park, making plans to turn it into a tourist playground instead of the pristine wilderness preserve it was meant to be, it's up to Margie and Ford to stop him.

While I have been to several national parks out west, Mount Rainier is not one of them (though I've seen the peak from Victoria, BC). The book certainly makes me want to go out and visit! I got a kick out of Margie, since she can quote scientific names and seems to love wildflowers as much as I do--maybe even more. And we both have a habit of watching what's growing near our feet when out hiking rather than keeping an eye on what's ahead.

It's an entertaining read, particularly if you are environmentally inclined, or love the old poets, like Emerson. The romance is sweet and the 1920's setting fresh, with some inspiring thoughts on God's hand in nature. The villain was a touch over-the-top, but that just means one can despise him without pity or guilt. I look forward to more Vintage National Parks novels!

(And for the record, this is not a mystery; I kind of thought it might be, based on the cover, but it is not--more a historical romance.)

I received a free book from Blogging for Books; I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Vintage National  Parks
1. The Road to Paradise


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