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Robin Reardon
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On Chocorua: Book 1 of the Trailblazer series Kindle Edition

by Robin Reardon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 35 ratings
See all formats and editions
A mountain. A blizzard. A young man new to hiking and to love, making mistakes in both.

First year of college is a great time to re-invent yourself. Nathan Bartlett takes the opportunity very seriously--maybe a little too seriously. And he makes mistakes.

His mistakes? Falling for a straight guy who reminds him of his beloved older brother. Getting too invested in the substance abuse disorders of two other students. And climbing a mountain in a snowstorm for all the wrong reasons.

But he also develops friendships that will be his for life. He faces his inner demons and comes up with a plan. And he realizes that answers to important questions are seldom waiting on the surface but must be worked for, or struggled for, or suffered for--and sometimes all three.

Nathan is a trailblazer on his own journey. His success will be measured not by how well he follows someone else's path, but by whether he can forge his own. This first book in a series of three novels gets Nathan started on a journey that will teach him about himself, about life, and about love.

Walk with him.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Trailblazer
  2. Print length
    299 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 2, 2019
  6. File size
    482 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I have done some hiking in my time. Like Nathan, I hiked the Piper Trail up Mt. Chocorua during a snowstorm one March, my own very first hiking experience. I know what he went through, and I know why he did it. 

When we're young, before our brains have developed to the point where we understand consequences, we have an irrational sense of immortality. It's a good thing for me that I was still young enough to be immortal that winter when I was foolish enough to make this ill-advised climb, because otherwise I would likely have died. Like college freshman Nathan, I hiked Chocorua on the Champney Falls Trail the following summer, alone. Like Nathan, I watched some idiot driving golf balls off of boulders at the summit. And, like Nathan and his brother Neil, when I climbed above tree line I experienced that conviction that I am both infinitesimally small and, at the same time, an integral part of the massive Universe.

In the next book of the Trailblazer series, On The Kalalau Trail, college senior Nathan will hike along the Napali Coast on the Hawai'ian island of Kaua'i. Although I have hiked a portion of this trail, Nathan will travel much farther down the coast than I did. He will relish the tropical trade winds, marvel at the sheer drop from the trail into deep ocean, shiver inwardly at the cairns erected to commemorate lives taken with sudden force by an unpredictable, capricious ocean. He will travel through a land so rugged that places where a helicopter might land, even in an emergency, are few and far between. And he will meet people who, once they arrived on The Kalalau, could not bring themselves to leave: the Kalalau Outlaws.

The title of Trailblazer's third book, On The Precipice, refers to an extremely dangerous climb up the eastern cliff face of Champlain Mountain on Mount Desert Island in Maine. Although I have climbed Champlain from the western approach and have stood at the top of the Precipice Trail, I have never scaled the cliff side. Many have; and each year, at least a few of them fall to their deaths. It is a dramatic, exposed ascent, profoundly affected by weather. Expert climbers can make disastrous mistakes if they take the trail for granted or lose focus as they climb. Nathan, out of college and contemplating the rest of his life, must make a choice. He must weigh the power of his body, his strength of will, and his readiness to take a life-altering risk, and then decide whether the precipice life puts before him is worth it.

Note that while reading all three of the Trailblazer books in order will take you on Nathan's journey with him--his first love, his successes and failures, and the maturity he gains along the way--each book can be read and enjoyed individually. 

From the Inside Flap

Each book in the Trailblazer series stands alone. To see Nathan's full journey, read all three!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07MTSK7YX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IAM Books (February 2, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 2, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 482 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 099884148X
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

About the author

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Robin Reardon

Robin Reardon

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

The only thing wrong with being queer is how some people treat you when they find out. We've come a long way as a society around queer issues, but not nearly far enough. There's lots more to do, and I want to be a part of that.

I am an inveterate observer of human nature, creating stories about all kinds of people, some of whom happen to be gay or transgender or bisexual or intersex—people whose destinies are not determined solely by their sexual orientation or gender identity. I write endings that are realistically hopeful rather than sugary and/or "happy ever after." Check out the Publications page (https://www.robinreardon.com/publications) on my website for a list.

After my first novel (A Secret Edge) was published in 2007, I was thrilled that readers assumed I was a gay man. I took it as a great compliment. One reviewer had looked at my website before publishing his review and saw that I was not a man. His comment: “I think it’s wonderful that a lesbian can write so convincingly about gay males.” I took this as a compliment, as well. Even so, it was at that point that I realized I had to come out as straight.

Winning awards is always an honor.

- A Secret Edge was a finalist in the 2007 annual Lambda Literary competition.

- The Evolution of Ethan Poe was on the 2012 ALA Rainbow List and won first place in several Rainbow Awards categories.

- Waiting for Walker was awarded a cash prize by the North Street Book contest.

- On Chocorua (book 1 of the Trailblazer series) won first place in the 2020 Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence.

- For Love Of God (book 1 of the Blessed Be series) was selected to be on Q Spirit’s top books of 2022. 

I have contributed work for LBGTQ+ charitable causes, including a novella benefitting The Trevor Project and a short story supporting author Brent Hartinger's Real Story Safe Sex Project.

Posts on my blog (https://www.robinreardon.com/blog) give you my take on current events concerning LGBTQ issues as well as the occasional informational post about upcoming books or other news.

I write in a butter yellow study overlooking the Boston skyline.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
35 global ratings
REARDON SOARS WITH ON CHOCORUA
5 Stars
REARDON SOARS WITH ON CHOCORUA
Robin Reardon’s characters, plot development, and rich narrative are at their best. Reardon’s incredible talent makes this novel sing with truth and accuracy as the man character, Nathan Bartlett, “trailblazes” through Chocorua while etching out his own personal journey. As Nathan delves deeper into his own internal demons, he must devise a plan to deal with the present. Will he be able to conquer both the physical and mental mountains? Reardon’s richness makes the reader want to walk with Nathan and leaves the readers wanting more, which masterfully sets up the Trailblazer series. John-Michael Lander, author of Surface Tension, Spandau Ballet, and Life's a Beach.
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Top reviews from the United States

Patrick Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars A great story dealing well into a young mans life.
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
Ive been a fan of Robin Reardon for a long time and was looking forward to reading this series since it was announced. It was a great book to begin a new series with, especially see the great character development and understanding of self. The development of the story kept me intrigued. Announcing a character dying off in the frist few pages, was a new idea. But it worked well inside the story. It was nice to get to see the relationships grow especially given the fash backs and how the characters could grow through those scenes. The pacing was good and kept the reader engaged and made me want to read. Robin makes you care, smile and worry about her characters in all of her books, but to see what the characters went through in this book empathizes those points.
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Cynthia Shepp
4.0 out of 5 stars Coming-of-age
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2020
A great coming-of-age tale of a college boy who is off on his on for the first time. He gets into all kinds of scrapes from first kisses to sexual exploration to drug experimentation, to falling for the wrong guy. It’s an emotional journey of growing up, making mistakes, and learning from those mistakes. Not an HEA, but I imagine he’ll get one eventually. Great descriptions throughout the book. The author really knows how to set a scene. I’d recommend giving this one a try.
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Daniel Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
I have read many of Robin’s books and I always love the characters and this one is no exception. I love how Nathan is constantly challenging himself to learn what all of his feelings mean. To feel love and belonging from Neil and wanting to replicate it as he comes out is powerful and has me reflecting on my own journey. As with all of Robin’s stories, I can clearly picture the characters and who they are in my life. I started and finished this book during the 2020 Pandemic which has been a time of great reflection and reminded me how much I miss my personal reading time. I have no doubt this book will stay on my mind for some time like so many of Robin’s books. Thank you
One person found this helpful
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Art Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Imagery
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book grabbed my interest and held it. The interaction between the characters, the conflicts, and the settings were clearly described. The setting in the White Mountains was well described without bogging in details. The description of the descent on Mt. Washington and the weather along Lion's Head trail and Tuckerman Ravine took me back to my one barely prepared for summer climb. The love shared by the brothers was well described and offsets the heartaches Nathan experiences with Daniel and Alden. When Daniel and Nathan climb Chocorua unprepared for the blizzard that envelops them, it let me know how lucky I was when I climbed Mt. Washington unprepared. Still, with the description Reardon provides, I would like to revisit those mountains. This story is so worth reading. Highly recommend>
One person found this helpful
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mw
3.0 out of 5 stars Just ok
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2020
Dull in some parts this was nothing new I got this book for free and honest review
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Don Hodges
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it.
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am just not good at writing reviews, but I am going to say what is popping in my head. I loved this book (and series). Nathans search for his identity echos many gay mans search. The character development is smooth, and does not feel rushed. His search for his inner harmony is beset by life's stumbling stones just as my life has been beset by them. That being said, I think if I could give more than 5 stars I would. Well done!
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Kevin Niman
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Start!
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2020
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This is such a great start to the Trailblazer Series! I am a huge fan of Robin Reardon as it is. I was excited when she announced that she was writing a trilogy!
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Naturegirl25
5.0 out of 5 stars Read it!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book was wonderful. Emotionally hard to read at times so watch out but so good. I look forward to the next.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars More quality as expected
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
Robin managed to write with apparent authority on the subject she choses. Nathan is older than her usual protagonists and more nuanced. An excellent read
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Ralph
3.0 out of 5 stars The story just dragged
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
The idea was ok but there was page after page where very little happened and I just knew I had better books to read stored on my kindle.
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