The Gantlet

"Rarely does a debut author deliver such profound emotional depth, vivid historical storytelling, and character journeys that feel as lived-in and true as J. James Wheeling's beautifully intertwined novels-Gantlet and Kismet left me breathless." -Candace Sinclair, Editor and Book Strategist

The Gantlet is an intertwined novel with Kismet in a brand new American western series - the Zephyr Series. Set squarely in the gold frenzy of 1849, The Gantlet is a story of personal discovery, tragedy and triumph woven through actual events and historical figures. Success in the California gold fields was not guaranteed and neither was surviving the arduous trip, no matter what the route. Peril existed around every corner. Even if one arrived on California's golden shores, personal character and grit were the only things one could count on.

Dearest Dot...Learned illicit family business...Must flee Boston... For your family's safety say nothing to my father... Meet me in San Francisco... Please... Love Dash

No excuse is good enough for the vague note Donovan O'Creigh leaves for the woman he had planned to marry. But fearful of his father's retribution for blatant disobedience, he needs to leave town and fast. He is lucky his best friend has one spot left on the Bostonian team in a wagered race to the California goldfields. No one considers how dangerous the trip will be and who will survive to capitalize on the wager. Their fate decided by a flip of a coin, Donovan's team uses the intercontinental river system to speed them to the continent's center before venturing off across the vast and dangerous wilderness of the American West. On the way, Donovan hopes Lillia Soilleux loves him enough to protect him and do as his note asked.