I never knew I needed "Vintage National Park romance" as a genre until I came across this book. How lovely a concept is that?! This should definitely be a thing (and fortunately, it is now: this is just the beginning of the series).

The love story was sweet, but the real star of the show was the PLACE! This story is set at Mount Rainier in Washington state in the 1920's.

Margie, the daughter of a state senator, is on her way to the park to work as a naturalist and hopefully hide from her fiance, who has turned into much more trouble than she bargained for. At the park, she meets Ranger Ford Brayden, a strong and steady but emotionally wounded man who lost his father a couple of years ago to a climbing accident. Ford is dubious about Margie's ability to handle herself in the wilderness, especially since she seems to approach life with a very Pollyanna-ish attitude. She spouts nature quotes and poetry left and right and seems to pay more attention to the beauty of nature than to its danger. As he gets to know her, though, he finds that not only is she charming, she has the common sense and authenticity that make her a perfect match for the national park (and for him).
Hijinks ensue when Margie's fiance arrives, full of plans to develop the park into a playground for the rich and famous. What Margie feels driven to do to stop him leads to one of the most gripping and vivid portions of the book. The sense of place created by this author is truly magnificent. It's not surprising to learn that the author spent time working at Mount Rainier, because the level of detail and imagery she created really transport the reader. So much so that last night I dreamed I was in Tacoma staring at the mountain. I'm not even kidding. :)
This is a "Christian romance," so the characters' faith or lack of it plays a part, and that aspect of it felt occasionally more heavy-handed than what I would normally read, but that is a personal preference.
On to the others in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for this digital review copy. ( )

The cover of Karen Barnett’s The Road To Paradise so perfectly complements the story it hardly needs a review. Mount Rainier, snow-capped, guarding the hills, with trees and lodge, and old-fashioned car on the road… Road to Paradise is firmly set in America's recent history, in a time when business interests competed with a human need for rest, relaxation, beauty, and the power of nature—or is that today? It’s a time when a woman fights against the assumptions of her family—that too might be today, and not just for women. It’s a time when it’s not right to buck the system, but nature, red in tooth and claw, is also our home. We invade the lands of mice, and men delight in tearing down, rebuilding, entertaining… A Road to Paradise reveals a place where beauty is fragile enough without the invasion of a city’s lights, and tells a story of a man and woman falling in love, against their will and wisdom, guided, perhaps, by the hand that made it all.

The Road To Paradise includes many Biblical references from a character well-versed in her faith. But she's not so well-versed in the ways of human nature. She sees beauty as God’s gift, but if God gives beauty, why does he make this mountain so dangerous that lives are lost at the whim of a winter storm. Seeing God’s hand in good coincidence, who can she blame for the bad?

More than a love story, more than a painting of nature and history, The Road To Paradise is as enticing as its scenery, as thought-provoking as good and evil, and as satisfying as a walk on Mount Rainier. It’s highly recommended.

Disclosure: Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

In this first book of the Vintage National Parks series, author takes us to Mount Rainier in Washington State. Signed into law in 1899 by President William McKinley, Mount Rainier National Park is the nations’ fifth national park and the first created from a national forest.

Sit back and get ready to enjoy the beauty of the park as author Karen Barnett describes it’d splendor. The majestic beauty of the park is only accentuated by the wonderful little yarn Barnett unravels.

It’s 1927. Margaret (Margie) Lane is an avid naturalist. She has fled to the park after her former fiancé strikes her. Margie is a senator’s daughter and has only known the lap of luxury. But she’s more than willing to give it up to settle herself in God’s beauty.

Unknown to her, Margie’s father has made a significant donation to the park in order to secure her a position for the summer. The calendar may read June, but there is still snow on the ground.
Margie reports to Chief Ranger Ford Brayden, who is extremely uncomfortable with a green-horn woman in his park.

The park has been Ford’s life. He took over his father’s job when he died attempting to scale Rainier. Ford hasn’t come to terms with that yet although it’s been two years now.

Margie manages to provide a radiance to the park that is warmer than the upcoming summer. Soon Margie’s ex-fiancé shows up, doing his best to disrupt the mountain’s peace. Margie has other plans and will stop at nothing to thwart him, including attempting to climb to the summit.

The Road to Paradise is the perfect summer read. All the descriptions of the snow and the budding spring soon make readers forget that sweat is dripping down their spines. The interaction between the characters is honest. The plot moves along nicely and the pacing keeps readers quickly turning the page to learn what happens next.

The Road to Paradise receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world. ( )

Title: The Road to Paradise (A Vintage National Parks Novel #1)
Author: Karen Barnett
Pages: 344
Year: 2017
Publisher: Waterbrook
My rating is 5 stars out of 5.
Ashford Brayden, or Ford to most everyone, can’t believe he has to spend his summer babysitting a senator’s daughter who thinks she knows nature! Ford meets Margie Lane and realizes she has lots of book knowledge, but no practical hands-on experience. Why must he be saddled with her? He reluctantly takes her on hikes and tours of the park and slowly realizes her faith guides her life and she sees God at work in every aspect of life. He is still doubting a God who would take his father’s life in an avalanche that happened two years ago. Margie’s zest for life begins to impact Ford and he comes to want to spend more time with Margie, but could a park ranger and a wealthy senator’s daughter actually have a successful relationship?
Margie Lane has wanted to be a park ranger since she was a young girl, but in 1927 in Washington state that is unheard of. She will settle for spending time in her beloved park at the foot of her beloved Mt. Ranier. She has no desire to climb the mountain as she is afraid of heights, plus women don’t do that sort of thing, right? She likes Ford and admires his survival skills, but knows she can’t allow a relationship with him as he hasn’t given his life to God. Also, she has an obsessive ex who wants her to bend to his will, but this would make Margie miserable. He wants her at all costs and when he threatens her beloved park, Margie has a big decision to make.
This is an absolutely delightful story! At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Margaret Lane as she seemed very naïve, but the more I read the more I came to her viewpoint and could identify with her love of God. Every small flower or plant showed God’s unique creation to Margie and she was in awe of her Creator. She felt nearest to him while in nature. I came to see how strong Margie’s faith was and how she lived her life full of faith as an example to all around her. The vivid descriptions of the scenery put me right there on the mountaintop and nearby surroundings. I can’t wait for more books in this series! I highly recommend this wonderful story of the early history of our National Parks System along with an added bonus of a romance!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

I loved everything about this story. The characters were so much fun. There was laughter and crying. There was a bit of suspense also. I did not want to put this book down. This really kept me wanting more. I enjoyed learning about the national park system and a bit about how it worked in the beginning. I received a copy of this book from bloggingforbooks for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )