Bride by Mail — Richard Puz

Independent and spirited, Eva is determined to seek a life that includes adventure and travel. Living in Ohio with her parents in the 1880s, her prospects reduce to Will's marriage proposal. Through fateful twists, she begins corresponding with Frank, a stranger who lives in the wilds of Washington Territory. As the love story unfolds, he asks her to come west and marry him. The prospect of a long trip is exhilarating yet daunting. All the while, Frank's letters detailing his adventures captivate Eva's imagination. Along with his brother, the young men head west with a wagon train and encounter dangers -- stampedes, cutthroats, and stumbling onto the “silent killer” of early western trails. Unexpectedly reuniting with their uncle, they track outlaws and a stolen gold shipment. Adding to their peril is the scheming owner of the Sourdough Wind Mine in the gold-mining camp of Yreka. The novel folds together two stories set thirty years apart, and shared through an exchange of letters. This fictional historical tale is based on a true story of love and adventure, during the period 1855-1880. Crisp action scenes, historical authenticity, and unique writing style elevate this novel among its peers. Years of research and travel underpin the book.