A Father's Dream: Read an Excerpt + Enter to Win

A Father's Dream JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Father's Dream by Heidi Ennis, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Father's Dream
Series: Columbia River Saga #1
Author: Heidi Ennis
Publisher: At the Foot of Mountains
Release Date: December 11, 2023
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A young Swedish immigrant determined to survive.

A mountain guide haunted by his past.

In 1883, in the Pacific Northwest, their lives collide in a faith-filled historical romance of courage, forgiveness, and second chances.

Johanna Amalia Nilsdotter Oman has left everything she knows behind. By crossing an ocean and a continent, she now faces the two-hundred-mile journey up the Columbia River into Washington Territory. Her father purchased land near Lyle with dreams of building a sawmill, and Johanna is determined that nothing—not distance, danger, or loneliness—will stop her from reaching their new home.

John is a man running from everything. Haunted by shame and regret, he has chosen the wilderness as his grave, determined to vanish into the mountains and die alone.

But before he can disappear, he accepts one final job: guiding a Swedish settler named Nils Oman into the rugged foothills above the Columbia River. The promised twenty dollars will buy him freedom—or so he believes.

But God has other plans. When Johanna’s path collides with John’s, both must face the truth they’ve been running from. In the shadow of towering evergreens and the roar of the Columbia, they will discover that even in the darkest wilderness, God’s love brings redemption, healing, and the courage to begin again.

Fans of Christian historical romance, frontier love stories, and faith-filled pioneer fiction will be swept away by this tender story of hope, forgiveness, and second chances in the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Author's Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Book Excerpt

And Johanna was an immigrant, an immigrant girl, a beautiful girl dressed as a man. Anyone with eyes could see that. Please, stay hidden, he begged the spirits or God or whoever was listening, if anyone was even listening.

“Come on, Captain,” the young one drawled and took a step forward. “Let me have a little fun? No one will even know.”

The officer held his hand up to stop him as they all heard the movement next to them. John just wanted to scream or kill them all. Maybe both.

“Is there a problem, sir?” Johanna stated in that ridiculous man voice. “If not, I will ask you to unhand my guide.”

The officer and the young man peered around John. Both tilted their heads to the side and their demeanors changed.

“Uh, Captain,” the young one began, “I’ve changed my mind.”

John had a plan. The one behind him was easy. The officer would be last. He would go for the young one first. Johanna would be the distraction. It was their only chance, and he would pay whatever price he needed to, even with his life.

He took a deep breath through his nose, planted his feet to step back and then lunge, just as Johanna stepped around him and between them all.

A fawn amongst a pack of wolves.

About the Author

Heidi Ennis writes Christian historical romance set along the Columbia River, where faith, hope, and love meet the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Her stories celebrate courage, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit—woven into real history and the landscapes she cherishes.

When she's not writing, you’ll find her sipping coffee with a dog or two at her side, exploring the outdoors, or sharing random PNW history facts with her family. Heidi loves languages, Pacific Northwest history, and telling stories that leave readers encouraged and inspired.

Follow her at atthefootofmountains.com for new releases, sneak peeks, and stories that lift the heart.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Father's Dream (Book One) and An Echo of Courage (Book Two) plus a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 19, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 26, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Monday, January 19, 2026