Continuing the legacy of the RIBBONS OF STEEL series, this romantic new epic from the best-selling author team of Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson joins the dangerous and exciting exploration of the western frontier. Furthering the legacy of Carolina and James Baldwin begun in the RIBBONS OF STEEL series, Pella and Peterson's newest venture pushes West and features the romances and adventures of a new generation of Baldwins. In this engaging first book, Westward the Dream, Brenton and Jordana Baldwin make a trip across the continent to California, leaving a home ravaged by the Civil War. Planning to visit the gold fields and photograph the wilds of western America, the travelers become tied to the establishment of the Union Pacific Railroad. Romance blossoms along the way, but dangers threaten to turn the dream into a tragedy. (c) Amazon.com

I enjoyed this depiction of the building of the transcontinental railroad. It depicted the bravery of the people who ventured forth to the new lands over sometimes hostile land. Often they had to stop and work in order to afford the next leg of the journey. I enjoyed the international flair as well. Great read!

"Westward the Railroad!" Had Been the Battle Cry, but Would That Dream Only Lead Them Apart? Brenton Baldwin had promised to provide a safe escort to California for Caitlan O'Connor, who is in search of her brother Kiernan. But as they neared the Nebraska Territory boomtown of Omaha, the thought of taking her further west caused Brenton grief. Now that his heart was totally hers, how could he leave her once they finally arrived at Kiernan's door? While he couldn't imagine life without her, he could hardly expect her to jump at the opportunity to become his wife. With the arrival of spring in 1864, Kiernan and Victoria O'Connor struggle as his work on the Central Pacific Railroad keeps them separated for long periods of time. While Kiernan is put in charge of the dangerous task of blasting through Bloomer Cut in the Sierra Nevada, Victoria reaches out to assist a needy Chinese woman and her baby. But an accident with explosives suddenly changes everything, leaving Victoria and Kiernan with no means to support themselves. Jordana Baldwin's passionate dream of a future in the West has refused to surrender to a host of seemingly insurmountable roadblocks. Will her flare for adventure take her beyond her brother's protection...or that of the handsome young cavalry officer who always appears at the right moment? (c) Amazon.com

This was a great sequel! Bring on the third!

The Race to Complete the Transcontinental Railroad Accelerates.... Will Sabotage Thwart Their Dream? The strife of the Civil War has ended, but the Indian wars on the Plains have intensified and the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads are locked in a high-stakes competition to link the eastern states with their western counterparts Jordana Baldwin had come to California by stagecoach to help her sister Victoria, but after three years she has grown restless and feels the need to do something different. When her writing catches the attention of an eastern newspaper, she takes on the guise of a man to report on the progress of the rail line--and spy for the Central Pacific. But Jordana has continued to correspond with Captain Rich O'Brian, who has left the army and now works for the Union Pacific. When they meet again, romantic sparks fly, but Rich's past still looms between them. Since his wife's death, he's made it clear he wants no ties to another woman, yet he realizes he's fallen in love with Jordana. As the last tracks are laid to join the East and the West, will competing interests keep Jordana and Rich apart...or bring them together? (c) Amazon.com

This was NOT a disappointing finale to the trilogy! I enjoyed this series a lot! Yeah to Pella and Peterson for another great series!!