Rating: 
Summary: Desire and Courage on the Oregon Trail
Review: An exciting read. Two sisters traveling with a wagon train find love and adventure but ultimately learn there are somethings you just can't share even with a sister. Twists and turns from start to finish. Enjoyed the book very much.
Rating:
Summary: The Scout - Intense, vibrant and a keeper!
Review: I've read all of Ms Banning's books, each with increasing pleasure, and this story of two honorable people, one torn by guilt and the other by a promise taken to extremes, is vivid, compelling, funny, and exceptionally moving.Constance Weldon and her younger sister, Nettie, a spoiled brat if ever there was one, are part of a wagon train bound for Oregon when Major John Montgomery and his long-time companion, Billy West, are assigned escort duty. John and Constance are soul mates, but thanks to Nettie, seem destined to live apart - and frustrated. The tale of these four characters is deftly interwoven, adding to the vibrancy and complexity of the novel. Ms Banning has a gift for writing that appears simple on the surface, but resonates deeply with true human emotions, frailties and virtues. Her characters are richly drawn, not merely with words, but with dialogue and action. The difficulties of the Oregon Trail are a background to human endurance and the aching need to love and be loved. The Scout is definitely a keeper, a book I'll reread with pleasure. Well done, Lynna!
Rating: 
Summary: exhilarating historical romance
Review: In 1860, the Weldon sisters left their home in Ohio when their father, a widower banker, decided to relocate in Oregon. In Independence, Missouri their dad died leaving the two young ladies to fend for themselves although they sign on to a wagon train. Led by the older sibling Constance, she and Nettie continue on the journey west The wagon train asks for help from the military stationed at Fort Kearney to escort them through Indian Territory. The post Commandant Colonel Butterworth sends Major John Montgomery and Billy West. Meanwhile Constance and John fall in love, but Nettie selfishly covets the major too. As the siblings argue over whether Nettie is pulling her weight, Billy tries to get her to see he is the one for her. However, besides understanding their deepest feelings, they must contend with Yellow Wolf who has stolen horses from the wagon train and plans to abduct the older Weldon female because of her kindness towards him. This is an exhilarating historical romance that enables the reader to taste the hardships and dangers of the trail. The story line engages the readers from the moment that John almost gets shot by a frightened traveler. The key cast members are a delightful group to follow though Nettie's behavior will have fans wanting to smack her. Still the audience will enjoy traveling west with these intrepid souls, but will especially value the two lead couples. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: exhilarating historical romance
Review: In 1860, the Weldon sisters left their home in Ohio when their father, a widower banker, decided to relocate in Oregon. In Independence, Missouri their dad died leaving the two young ladies to fend for themselves although they sign on to a wagon train. Led by the older sibling Constance, she and Nettie continue on the journey west The wagon train asks for help from the military stationed at Fort Kearney to escort them through Indian Territory. The post Commandant Colonel Butterworth sends Major John Montgomery and Billy West. Meanwhile Constance and John fall in love, but Nettie selfishly covets the major too. As the siblings argue over whether Nettie is pulling her weight, Billy tries to get her to see he is the one for her. However, besides understanding their deepest feelings, they must contend with Yellow Wolf who has stolen horses from the wagon train and plans to abduct the older Weldon female because of her kindness towards him. This is an exhilarating historical romance that enables the reader to taste the hardships and dangers of the trail. The story line engages the readers from the moment that John almost gets shot by a frightened traveler. The key cast members are a delightful group to follow though Nettie's behavior will have fans wanting to smack her. Still the audience will enjoy traveling west with these intrepid souls, but will especially value the two lead couples. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable...
Review: It's been weeks since I've finished reading this book, and the fact I'm still thinking about it prompted me to write in my two cents.
Banning has the knack for creating believable, vibrant characters that I feel worth spending the time getting to know. I read many novels where the characters are over-the-top perfections cut from a stereotypical mold that is more reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster than real life.
The action was swift, the description vivid, the love story sweet and endearing and emotional. These are the things that make a great book, in my opinion.
I look forward to Banning's future releases.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read!
Review: MAJOR JOHN MONTGOMERY - a man who is seemingly dead inside emotionally -
BILLY WEST - pushing forty years of age and John's trail companion for the past ten years.
COLONEL HARRISON BUTTERWORTH - He commands John [and tells him to take Billy with him] to escort a small wagon train a couple of hundred mile through Indian Territory.
Joshua Duquette - an inexperienced wagon train leader
ARVO and his seventeen year old brother, CAL OLLESEN - they are trailing along a herd of mares to breed horses when they settle in Oregon.
And so many others that will figure in book #2 HIGH COUNTRY HERO. CONSTANCE ELIZABETH WELDON - "Cissy" - has taken over the driving of their father's large wagon that was painted a bright blue and has been raising her 17 year old sister since her mother died.
NETTIE WELDON - a very spoiled, self-centered young girl who has a lot to learn about life. Billy West had her pegged to a tee.
Then YELLOW WOLF, a lone Cheyenne brave showed up and relieved the Ollesen brothers of several mares and he was planning to abduct Cissy.
Cissy begins to leave loaves of bread behind for Yellow Wolf following a hinted suggestion by John. Nettie shows a apptitude for encouring learning in the children and escaping from any hard work. She is more interested in flirting with John. The heartbreak and hard life on the train to Oregon was so real that we had to make the trip mentally with this courageous group of people. That is the sign of a true story teller. Ah, but continue the story of these people many years later in HIGH COUNTRY HERO. [grin] Another keeper! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and well worth reading again this winter.
Rating:
Summary: Happy Reader, Happy Trails
Review: Romance on the Oregon Trail in 1860 comes alive through grasshoppers, blue skies, and, of course, those sweet stolen kisses in the midst of a dust storm. Constance Weldon and John Montgomery, the military escort assigned to the wagon train, circle each other while holding tight to their own thoughts. Constance's diary entries and John's gossipy sidekick Billy reveal the true feelings involved although the arrow of love has to dodge Constance's sister . A fun, engrossing read with cross-currents of passion!
Rating:
Summary: True Grit Woman Style
Review: The Scout shows us how tough it was to travel into unknown territory, Indian territory, being a young woman who not only had to drive a Conestoga Wagon, but had to do all the chores and take care of her younger sister who refused to lift a hand to do anything. Through it all she found true love with a man who thought he had died inside and would never love again. But when it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Lynna Banning did an incredible job honoring those women who did travel out west, leaving behind their friends and families and any sense of civility to find something new in life. While it was difficult they persevered so we could have all we have today.
Rating:
Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read!
Review: The story as outlined above is accurate and the detail of the perils facing those heading west is excellent. There can never be too much said about the courage of those early pioneers, men and women. Having said that, "The Scout" is a quick read, with a superficial story and superficial characters! (It always amazes me when people diss a book I've truly enjoyed but now I understand how it happens.)
Constance and her sister Nettie are travelling to Oregon on a wagon train run by an incompetent wagonmaster. Although that is always possible, everything I've ever read speaks to the incredible experience and expertise of wagon masters of that era.
But... Nettie is a spoiled brat, not only does she not help but she whines incessantly about everything. Constance (who journals throughout the book to keep us posted) facilitates Nettie's behaviour but gripes about it and Nettie constantly in her journal! Enter Major John and Billy. The major is assigned to protect the wagon train through indian territory with his sidekick, "old " Billy who is about 40, talks constantly and speaks poorly. (His diction is constantly corrected by perfect Nettie who is 17 by the way) Major John is hurting from an experience that we don't have a clue about and is distant and fairly antisocial but dedicated to his duty. So he does his job with skill. Having met the major twice Constance decides she is in love with him. And one huggy/feely encounter convinces john that he is a "man" again and cares about Constance even if she is not the "pretty one". Several comments are made about her lack of beauty which is a turn off. Well, Nettie decides she wants (and needs to be married) to the Major and tells his superior that he got her pregnant!!..(Constance hasn't noticed the signs of the 3 month pregnant girl). John has to marry nettie or be courtmartialed even though he tells his superior (who has been his boss and friends for years) that he hasn't touched her. He honors his betrothal to Nettie by sleeping "one time for memories" with Constance. We eventually find out John has lost his wife tragically and he was determined not to love again. And that Constance would not ruin her sisters happiness, etc...so they all meet at the altar. Where with this and that, Nettie winds up married to Billy ( her senior by 20+ yrs) and Constance winds up married to john......In between this stuff there is an excellent scene about Constance getting injured and John doctoring her to save her life. But I never understood why he shot his rifle at the indian's feet instead of killing the indian before he attacked constance. That didn't figure. A lot about this book didn"t figure. If you can get around my totally biased account of this story, you'll probably enjoy it. I sure didn't. A waste of time and money.
Rating:
Summary: Intense Conflict, Outstanding Characterization
Review: These are hallmarks of talented Lynna Banning, along with outstanding attention to detail and beautifully written stories. The Scout is no exception. When courageous Constance Weldon joins a wagon train with her willful, spoiled sister, she never dreams she'll find the one thing she cannot have. Major John Montgomery shields his heart but cannot deny his feelings for the quiet, beautiful woman who must sacrifice her happiness yet again. During the Oregon Trail journey, these star-crossed lovers will find love and courage. Can they deny their happiness for a greater cause? Readers will find a true hero in Major John, a proud, compassionate heroine in lovely Constance. This is a story to be savored.
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