A Father's Dream by Heidi Ennis, a book review

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

My Take

As I read this book, it reminded me of a section of US History that I taught in the fifth grade. The unit discussed different tribal groups that use the Chinook language. The historical research behind this book is well-executed and covers topics we should all be aware of. A Father's Dream captured my interest because I love good character development. Details in the setting are also my jam, as I like to imagine myself wherever the book is set. I have always loved homesteading-type books; historical fiction is my favorite! When I taught fifth grade, the game "The Oregon Trail" was hot, and this book made me remember all the squeals of despair and giggles of happiness when they played it. The cultural aspect of the book was what kept me going, and like others who have read it, my favorite quote is something like this: The strength of women is strong when we are connected.

About the Author

Heidi Ennis

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!

A Father's Dream JustRead Tours blog giveaway

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!