Ever Faithful - by Karen Barnett (Paperback)

About the Book

"Vibrant historic Yellowstone National Park comes to life in this romantic mystery about a man hiding the truth, braving the west to become something more--and the woman who must confront his deception"--

Book Synopsis

Vibrant historic Yellowstone National Park comes to life in this romantic mystery about a man hiding the truth, braving the west to become something more--and the woman who must confront his deception.

A man who can't read will never amount to anything--or so Nate Webber believes. But he takes a chance to help his family by signing up for the new Civilian Conservation Corps, skirting the truth about certain "requirements." Nate exchanges the harsh Brooklyn streets for the wilds of Yellowstone National Park, curious if the Eden-like wonderland can transform him as well.
Elsie Brookes was proud to grow up as a ranger's daughter, but she longs for a future of her own. After four years serving as a maid in the park's hotels, she still hasn't saved enough money for her college tuition. A second job, teaching a crowd of rowdy men in the CCC camp, might be the answer, but when Elsie discovers Nate's secret, it puts his job as camp foreman in jeopardy. Tutoring leads to friendship and romance, until a string of suspicious fires casts a dark shadow over their relationship. Can they find answers before all of their dreams go up in smoke?

Review Quotes

"If you haven't yet discovered Karen Barnett's Vintage National Parks novels, Ever Faithful is a great place to start. Vividly set amid the stunning beauty of Yellowstone's bubbling hot springs, forested mountains, and thundering waterfalls, Ever Faithful celebrates the history of one of the US's oldest national parks. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, giving a time of national crisis the immediacy of heart and hope. Elsie, Nate, and the whole cast of characters had me caring, cheering, and second-guessing as a suspenseful plot and engaging prose kept the pages turning. Ever Faithful will delight fans of Karen's other National Parks novels and new readers alike."
--Lori Benton, author of Burning Sky, The King's Mercy, and other historical novels

"Karen Barnett captures the lively time and place of Yellowstone in the 1930s in this charming and wholesome love story. Firefighting CCC crews and hardworking pillow punchers (housekeepers in Yellowstone-speak) live, work, and play in the national park while learning to trust themselves and their faith to make life-changing decisions. This book made me want to go to a dance in the now-demolished Canyon Hotel, take a ride in a yellow bus driven by a 'jammer, ' and wander around Mammoth hoping to run into Herma Baggley, Yellowstone's first female interpretive ranger."
--Alicia Murphy, park historian at Yellowstone National Park

"With just the right touch of mystery and romance, Karen Barnett brings 1930s historic Yellowstone National Park to life in her new novel, Ever Faithful. You'll fall in love with her strong yet vulnerable hero, Nate Webber, who struggles to overcome his hidden challenges, and you'll want to cheer for her spunky heroine, Elsie Brookes. Karen's background as a park ranger and her skillful research bring richness and depth to this delightful and inspiring story. Highly recommended!"
--Carrie Turansky, award-winning author of No Ocean Too Wide and Across the Blue

"I loved, loved, loved Karen Barnett's Ever Faithful! Set in iconic Yellowstone National Park during the Depression, this story offers high stakes, rugged romance, and a mystery with a twist. Ever Faithful is as wonderful as the wonderland it's set in. Thank you, Karen, for a fantastic read!"
--Leslie Gould, Christy Award-winning and best-selling author of over thirty novels, including A Faithful Gathering

About the Author

KAREN BARNETT, author of Mistaken, Out of the Ruins, and Beyond the Ashes, is a former park ranger. She worked as a ranger naturalist and outdoor educator at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Silver Falls State Park, and Mount Rainier National Park. When not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, and public speaking. She lives in Oregon with her family.