A Love More Precious Than Gold by Carol Colyer

Surviving the Frontier, One Ego at a Time

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gabriel begins this journey as the kind of self-absorbed man who likely thinks the wilderness exists solely to provide him with a scenic backdrop. It takes a stagecoach robbery and being left for dead on the trail to finally puncture that ego. Fortunately for him, he’s found by Ava, a woman with significantly more grit than the outlaws currently on his heels.

The story hits its stride as Ava navigates the harsh realities of the frontier, mothering a stuttering boy from the orphan train while nursing Gabriel back to health. There is a refreshing lack of posturing here; the stakes are life and death, particularly as they dodge the men who betrayed Gabriel’s family and now want him silenced.

The action is lean and constant, but the real heart is the shift in Gabriel’s character. Under the pressure of the trail and Ava’s steady, quiet faith, he actually manages to grow up. It’s a sharp, well-paced survival tale that proves a solid partner is worth more than any gold strike.