The Road to Paradise - by Karen Barnett (Paperback)

About the Book

"a historical romance about a determined young naturalist resolved to work in the dazzling-but-untamed Mount Rainier National Park in 1927"--

Book Synopsis

An ideal sanctuary and a dream come true-that's what Margaret Lane feels as she takes in God's gorgeous handiwork in Mount Rainier National Park. It's 1927 and the National Park Service is in its youth when Margie, an avid naturalist, lands a coveted position alongside the park rangers living and working in the unrivaled splendor of Mount Rainier's long shadow.

But Chief Ranger Ford Brayden is still haunted by his father's death on the mountain, and the ranger takes his work managing the park and its crowd of visitors seriously. The job of watching over an idealistic senator's daughter with few practical survival skills seems a waste of resources.

When Margie's former fiancé sets his mind on developing the Paradise Inn and its surroundings into a tourist playground, the plans might put more than the park's pristine beauty in danger. What will Margie and Ford sacrifice to preserve the splendor and simplicity of the wilderness they both love?

Karen Barnett's vintage national parks novels bring to vivid life President Theodore Roosevelt's vision for protected lands, when he wrote in Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter: "There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred."

Review Quotes

"Don't miss Karen Barnett's new release The Road to Paradise. This novel combines endearing characters taking on big challenges, nail-biting moments hoping that the land developer doesn't win the day, the magnificent setting in the national park at Mount Rainier, and happiness that there will be more books like this one. Keep it up, Karen."
--Lauraine Snelling, best-selling author of the acclaimed Red River of the North series and many other novels

"A story as invigorating, inspiring, and perilous as Mount Rainier itself! The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett pulled me in with humor and fascinating characters and a delicious romance, then kept me up late as Ford and Margie strive to save the national park that seems determined to kill them. The author's experiences as a park ranger give this novel both authenticity and passion, and I can't wait for her next national parks book!"
--Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of When Tides Turn

"Karen Barnett has done it again: held me hostage from the first page and made me like it. This seasoned author takes us to new heights as we encounter stories behind the formation of our national parks. Great characters, precise and fascinating images, a plot that kept me turning pages. The Road to Paradise is a top-notch novel that will remind readers of why we love our national parks and make us want to visit every single one, envisioning where the characters found their faith, friendships, and love. But I don't plan to climb Mount Rainer...this author already did it for me!"
--Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author of This Road We Traveled

"A true delight. With its expertly rendered setting of breathtaking beauty and danger, combined with charming characters and a swiftly moving plot, The Road to Paradise is a journey worth taking more than once!"
--Jocelyn Green, award-winning author of The Mark of the King

"The majesty of Mount Rainier shines in Karen Barnett's lush novel. The story is both gentle and inviting, with a warmth that meanders its way along every page and a setting that captivates. Barnett's broad brushstrokes pay homage to a magnificent landscape, yet her gentle sketches draw the reader's heart to the intricacies of God's creation--not only in nature itself, but in the human heart."
--Joanne Bischof, author of The Lady and the Lionheart, RT Book Reviews 5 Star Top Pick!

"As fresh as the northwest woods, The Road to Paradise is just that, a reading adventure replete with romance, suspense, and poetic prose, all wrapped in a gorgeous vintage cover. Having lived and worked in the national parks, I found this novel to ring with authenticity and spirit. Karen Barnett does credit to one of America's most picturesque historic places. Well done!"
--Laura Frantz, author of A Moonbow Night

About the Author

KAREN BARNETT is an award winning author of four novels who draws on her firsthand experience as a naturalist, former park ranger, and outdoor educator to transport readers to America's national parks.. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two children.