Lone Star Trail (The Texas Trail Series)
READERS ROUND TABLE - August 1, 2011Lone Star TrailbyDarlene Franklinis a captivating story about faith, friendship, family,  and ultimately, love. From their first meeting, the Fleischers find their new life  in America closely intertwined with the Morgans, a deeply rooted Texas family.Strong  character development bringsLone Star Trailvividly to life. Wande Fleischer  is a hard working and cheerful young woman who quickly adjusts to her new life.  Texas is a harsh land that exacts a heavy toll on the Fleischer family, but Wande's  strong faith guides her through life's joys and sorrows.With his father's  untimely death, Jud Morgan was forced to grow up quickly and become the man of the  family. Fiercely loyal to the state that has taken so much from him, he distrusts  the German immigrants. When misfortune befalls the Fleischer family, Jud begrudgingly  offers his assistance. Initially suspicious of the German customs and traditions  that Wande introduces, Jud slowly realizes he shares the same values and faith as  the Fleischer family and the German community.Well rounded secondary characters  provide depth and tension to this tightly plotted novel. Marion Morgan's unconditional  friendship eases Wande's transition to her new life. An additional subplot revolving  around Marion presents added conflict and interest toLone Star Trail.InLone Star Trail,Darlene Franklinteaches an understated yet powerful  lesson about acceptance that transcends time and culture. The underlying message  of faith is gently and subtly demonstrated by the actions and thoughts of all of  the key characters.Lone Star Trailis a richly drawn and multi-layered novel.  Fans of historical inspirational fiction are going to love this first installment  ofThe Texas Trailseries.Rated 4.5 Gold Crowns by Grace!GENRE  GO ROUNDHarriet KlausnerAugust 4, 2011 In  December 1845 The Fleischer German immigrant family arrive in Carlshafen, Texas  but while living in the tent city Ulla becomes ill from the pox and dies. While  the family grieves their loss and push forward to Victoria, another daughter depressed  Wande wonders whether her fiancé Konrad will be in town to greet her. Their  wagon breaks down and another driven by Jud Morgan with his mom and sister Marion  with him fails to stop over the pleading of the two females.Wande and Marion  become friends over the objection of Jud. He personally loathes the German invasion  as an affront to his late dad who died during the war of independence a decade ago.  Jud particularly detests the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in  Texas as he believes these newcomers want to establish a New Germany deep in the  heart of Texas. However, he also admires and likes Wande, whose fiancé chose  someone else.The first Texas Trails Morgan Family historical romance is  a superb timely antebellum thriller that focuses on discrimination against new immigrants.  Jud and Wande are a fabulous pairing as he loves her yet hates who she is. Unless  he learns tolerance towards German émigrés he has no chance at happiness.  Readers will relish this powerful character driven issue dominated tale and will  also appreciate the next entry, The Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis.