On The Kalalau Trail

Self-discovery. Sounds simple, right? After all, you’re already there. You’re already you. So it can surprise us that it takes so much time, and so much effort. It surprises Nathan Bartlett. 

In the first Trailblazer book (On Chocorua), Nathan’s adored older brother had died a tragic death. Two years later, during this second book, his grandmother—who’d raised her three grandchildren alone since Nathan was a baby—passes on as well. 

Nathan realizes he hadn’t really known the people he’d loved. So he goes on a quest, searching for connections he hadn’t known how to make in life. Part of Nathan’s journey is a physical one, a hike promoted by Conroy Finnegan of Finnegan’s Walks. 

Conroy is sexy, very masculine, and charismatic—a rolling stone with no moss, a gypsy rover, leading a life with no strings attached, and he seduces Nathan in more ways than one. His invitation is irresistible:

“Come experience a place where the physical and the spiritual are one. A place where magic happens, where the very names are magical: Na Pali. Ho’olulu. Waiahuakua. Hanakoa. Hanakāpīʻai. Nathan, come to Kaua’i.”

Conroy leads Nathan to paradise and lets him find his own way back. Nathan begins his journey as a searcher. On the way he becomes a seeker. These states of mind are different. And neither is in itself the end of Nathan’s journey.

Walk with him.

In "On The Kalalau Trail," this second book of the "Trailblazer" series, Reardon gives us two sides of Nathan Bartlett—the strong exterior, able to deal with death and then carry on, and the sensitive and sometimes childish Nathan who is searching for who he is. In reading about him, we also read about ourselves. This is Reardon’s great skill; she allows us to find ourselves in the characters she develops in her own special and gorgeous prose. (Amos Lassen, Lassen’s Reviews)

A young man's journey of self-discovery continues in "On the Kalalau Trail," the inspiring, heartfelt second entry of author Robin Reardon's compelling, contemplative "Trailblazer" series. With another volume forthcoming, Reardon leaves us breathlessly anticipating whatever further adventure and excitement await Nathan Bartlett (Christopher Verleger, Edge Media Network

I adore everything about this “Trailblazer” series. The characters, the story, the grown-up, intelligent feel of the internal dialogue and development, and of course the amazing backdrop. Having finished “On Chocorua” and “On the Kalalau Trail,” I’m ready for the next one. (Cheryl Headford, Love Bytes Reviews)