Trials, Romance, and Faith on the Oregon Trail

antique photo of wagon train
A western silhouette of a couple dancing together

Journey of Honor
Journey Series Book 1

Dance under the stars and moon. Ford rivers. Climb mountains. Trade with Native Americans. Heal the sick. Bury the dead. Live with indescribable fatigue, fall in love, celebrate at the end of the trail…

two gold rings on paper

Wedding at Journey’s End
Journey Series Book 1.5

Following several months of clearing land, building homes, and fencing forces Rebecca Pierce and Zachary Miller to postpone their wedding. February, and the promise of spring, becomes the perfect timing for the wedding the new community has been anticipating.

old schoolhouse painting

Journey of  Hope
Journey Series Book 2  

James and Elizabeth Miller and their daughters Katie, Hazel, Helen, and Ruth finish their trek tired, dirty, and grief stricken.  

Wildflowers along a trail
Wildflowers along a trail, at Tom McCall Nature Preserve, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.

Journey of Healing
Journey Series Book 3 

Aaron Smith was twelve years old when he crossed the country with his parents. He learned to have hope and honor despite the tragedies and uncertainties in the early years of his life. Now, he had to learn how to be a man.     

Read More Here

Why Open Rood?

Open Rood sounds strange, but several years ago my husband and I thought it would be interesting to name any business we started The Open Rood. Why? Because my husband is named Frank Cross; Frank=Open (honest) Cross=Rood (an ancient name for cross). It’s merely a play on words. 

From the Blog:

  • Summer of ’23

    Summer of ’23

    In 1984 Bryan Adams sang a great song, Summer of ’69. I loved that song. Still do. It reminds me of my own summer of ’69. The year I graduated from high school. The Summer of ’23 has been full of good and bad. It began on May 2nd when my husband, Frank, had open…

    Read More

  • Dianne’s Destiny

    Dianne’s Destiny

    Dianne’s Destiny was my first published book. I joined several fellow members of the OKLAHOMA ROMANCE WRITERS ASSOCIATION to write a series titled “Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll”. The series was published by The Wild Rose Press. Each author chose a rose color for their story. I chose the Yellow Rose meaning the story had…

    Read More

  • Keeping Sharp: A Legacy of Love

    Keeping Sharp: A Legacy of Love

    The grandson proudly follows in his grandfather’s footsteps keeping a legacy alive.

    Read More