Crossing the Wide Forever

By: Missouri Vaun

Narrated by: AJ Ferraro

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

Cody Walsh leaves Arkansas for California. Lured by stories of opportunity, even for women, Cody disguises herself as a man and prepares for the arduous journey west.

Lillie Ellis leaves New York to accept a post as a schoolteacher on the frontier near a small homestead she just inherited from her uncle. Lillie’s ultimate desire is to become a painter, and she hopes the Kansas frontier will offer her the freedom to follow that dream. In the 19th century, a young woman has few options in the East that don’t revolve around marriage and motherhood. Lillie is interested in neither.

Cody rescues Lillie after a chance encounter in Independence, Missouri. Their destinies and desires become entwined as they face the perils of the untamed West. Despite their differences, they discover that love’s uncharted frontier is not for the weak in spirit or the faint of heart.

©2017 Missouri Vaun (P)2019 Bold Strokes Books Inc

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I hate to say negative things about books. However, I know I appreciate someone letting me know when to avoid a book and why. The story had potential but fell flat. The worst part was the narrator. The narration was terrible. No emotion and one of the main characters, while only 18 yo, sounded like a 12 yo young boy. Actually he kind of sounded like Linus from Charlie Brown. I know this is an experienced narrator, and maybe it's just me, but this voice would have been better suited for reading instructions on how to plant begonias rather than reading a romance book.

Had Potential

I LOVE lesbian period pieces especially if it is in the 1800's. I was so excited when I saw this book I could not wait to get it. I always listen to the audio sample as the narrator has such a huge impact on an audiobook but i failed to do it due to my excitement. I respect all writers because what they do us harder than one may think but i feel thus book was written in a huge rush and there was no research done for that time period. The book needed an editor as well. Just looking up a few facts online would have helped a great deal. But I could have still loved the book but the narration was just way off. Again I feel the narrator did no research to play this role. The delivery of the words and sentences was just not how it should have been. I feel this novel could have worked better with an experienced narrator like Abby Craden, Nicola Victoria Vincent or Angela Dawe. Again, my respect to AJ, I could never be a narrator and I am sure others loved it but for me it was all rushed and not directed or edited.

Faumance romance to fall in love with

I loved the book and loved the audiobook even more. The story is adorable, the romance is so sweet. The setting is well researched and written and the chemistry is wonderful. Loved the narration too and felt that it enhanced the story

Good to pass the time... story lacked depth

Unlike other titles such as “Chasing Sunset”, I felt as though this story lacked the depth that should be accompanied with such a plot and time period it was set in. There were opportunities for conflict and character exploration/growth but it just didn’t happen.

Loved it

It is always fun to go back to the far past and read books that tell the story of the pioneers. As usual Missouri Vaun came up with a well written book, accurate details, great characters. And AJ Ferraro never lets down when she narrates.