In the summer of 1880, twelve-year-old Alice Calder is left alone to run the family's horse ranch on the outskirts of Baker City, Oregon, after her ma, pa, and little brother die of smallpox. The ranch is all she has left of her family, and she will do whatever it takes to hold onto it, even if it means greeting strangers at the business end of her Winchester rifle.

But when a man bearing an uncanny resemblance to her ma rides up and claims to be her Uncle Hank, Alice must decide whether to turn away blood kin or accept his help. It's a decision that will ultimately lead her on a journey of strength and resourcefulness across two territories, as she comes to terms with the meaning of family and just how far she's willing to go to save it.

The year is 2007 and the Stardust Casino is scheduled for demolition. Grace's chance to see the icon from her past one last time fades, after the car she's driving breaks down outside Little Rock, Arkansas. But on their way to the Grand Canyon, Ray and his eleven-year-old son, Benny, stop to help, and before Grace has time to talk herself out of it, she accepts their offer to take her to Las Vegas. As Ray's classic Olds Cutlass eats up miles of highway, Grace can't shake the feeling the boy controls the journey and something greater than their physical selves is riding shotgun.

At a gas stop in Oklahoma, Benny knocks over a garbage can and discovers a bag full of money. It's not long before the man who hid the bag is on their tail, demanding its return. But despite Ray's efforts to comply, nobody anticipates the resourcefulness of a boy like Benny, launching father, son, and Grace "...on the trip of a lifetime, with unexpected, often hilarious, results." ~Patricia Day, 5-Star Readers' Favorite

Claire Stanfield became a lawyer to make her father proud, but after a troubling case leaves her shaken, she escapes to Alaska and immerses herself in the world of dog sledding. Dillon Cord became a police officer to serve his community, but he moves to Nome in the wake of a life-altering incident. For both, the Iditarod--the toughest sled dog race in the world--offers a chance for forgiveness, redemption, and healing.

After meeting unexpectedly just ten days before the race, Claire and Dillon are drawn together by the shared challenge of surviving the merciless Alaskan wilderness out on the trail. With the help of their strong-willed sled dogs, the two mushers navigate treacherous mountain paths, as well as their own budding relationship. If they can come to terms with their pasts and stay focused on the dangerous trail ahead, Claire and Dillon might have a chance to create something special--but only if they reach Nome in one piece.