Josie

Josie is the protagonist of Heroes of the Frontier. She is 40 years old and the mother of two young children, Paul and Ana. Josie takes her children and runs away to Alaska where they drive around somewhat aimlessly in an old, rented RV. Josie made the decision to leave Ohio after a series of events left her fed up with her life and worn out. She blames herself for the death of her young patient, Jeremy, who enlisted in the military after she encouraged him to join and he died while serving. She has lost her dental practice because a woman named Evelyn was diagnosed with a mouth tumor that the lawsuit claims she should have seen. And, Carl, the father of her children has announced that he is marrying his current girlfriend.

In the beginning of the novel, Josie is depressed, anxious, angry, and has extremely low...