Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott - a book review

I really liked this story.  It is full of humor, history and interesting facts.  The story is set in the late 1800’s and most of the action takes place in the newly designated Yellowstone Park.  The author does a great job of merging the actual history of the park and the fictional story.  There are several interesting characters and she really brings them to life.  The main characters are Will, a soldier assigned to patrol the park and Kate, a widow with a young son , who runs one of the hotels in the park.  Kate makes a deal with Will to help him patrol and show him the dangerous areas. In turn, he will do odd jobs around the hotel.  The author used the patrols to paint us a picture of the park.  She does a great job of describing the danger and beauty there.  Will and Kate discover that they are attracted to each other but both have things in their pasts that make them reluctant to get involved.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.”

If I were to rate the story, I would give it a 4.5.  It was interesting with a little mystery built in and dotted with humorous dialog.  My only complaint was with the actual physical copy of the book.  If it were the e-book version, there would not have been a problem.  I had a physically hard time reading it, the print was lighter than most books and tired my eyes quickly.  I don’t know if it was intentional or maybe a misprint but it made it very difficult to read.

Read an excerpt HERE

 

You can learn more about Regina Scott HERE 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books and Baker Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

 

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A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham ~ a book review

 

As I was reading this book, I was reminded how, throughout history, our response to various circumstances can vary, and how sometimes, they haven’t really changed.

An important occurance in the story is a scarlet fever outbreak.  This book was written well before our current COVID outbreak and ironically, it was handled very similarly to how the current pandemic is being handled.  What struck me was how the small town, with all kinds of personalities, came together to get through it.

This is a story of courage and sacrificial love.  Aggie has come to a small, rugged town in the North Dakota territory in the late 1800’s and has learned to become an independent woman living on her own.  She has left an affluent family and beau behind to teach school.  We learn early on, that she has a secret that prompted her decision.  She is shocked to learn that one of the main reasons she left home, her former beau, James, has followed her there, and is now the town’s new doctor.

They have to put aside their hurt and work together to help the town survive the epidemic.  I’m not going to give the rest of the story away, but as God often does, He makes something beautiful out of the ashes of our disappointments.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Where you come from matters far less than where you're going

Six years ago, a shocking secret sent Agnes Pratt running in search of a new start. She found it in Penance, a rugged town of miners and lumberjacks in the Dakota Territory. In the shadow of the Black Hills, she became Miss Aggie, respected schoolteacher and confirmed old maid--despite being only twenty-four. But the past has a way of catching up with people.

When childhood friend and former sweetheart James Harris accepts a position as the town doctor, Aggie's pleasantly predictable days suddenly become anything but. James wants to know why Agnes left behind the life they had dreamed of creating for themselves--but he is precisely the one person who can never know.

Can a healing light be shed on the past? Or will the secret Agnes can't seem to outrun destroy her chance at happiness?”

It is apparent that the characters have a deep faith in God, it is more of an underlying thought rather than the main theme. I would call this a clean, sweet and wholesome historical romance with a subtle underlying faith theme.

This story highlights the impact of stigmas, secrets and prejudices.

This is a delightful and touching story that will leave you with a refreshing, feel-good feeling!

Go here to read an excerpt >>>> 

Learn more about Rachel Fordham here >>>> 

 

 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Reckless Love by Beth White - a book review

This is the third novel in Beth White’s Daughtry House series.  The author does a great job of including the back stories of the characters from the other novels in a way that makes this a great stand-alone story. 

The author includes a special reader’s note section at the end of the book that emphasizes her desire for historical accuracy. 

This book has a lot of characters and events that at times are hard to keep track of.  The author also acknowledges this in her note. 

The story takes place in the Civil War era of the southern states.

The main character, Aurora, is a spunky, feisty young woman with a strong faith in God.  She is the family matchmaker who hasn’t found her match yet, until she meets Zane.  A strong driven man obsessed with catching a murderer. He draws courage from his faith. He finds himself drawn to Aurora but is conflicted because of his determination to catch a killer and is reluctant to enter into a relationship with her.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“These two may have met their match--in each other.

In the fine tradition established by her Southern grandmama, Aurora Daughtry has recently orchestrated the marriage of her eldest sister and facilitated her middle sister's engagement. Just when it seems there is nothing left to absorb her considerable talent for managing people, in walks federal deputy marshal Zane Sager.

But Zane is not at Daughtry House for a vacation. He's tracking a killer and collecting two key witnesses to a federal judge's murder.

Aurora takes it upon herself to disabuse the cynical lawman of his conviction that the world is out to get him. But just as she's on the verge of cracking Zane's defenses, the man he is after reminds him that no one he loves is safe. Ever.”

This story is a suspenseful story full of political intrigue and excitement.  The author touches on racial tensions, Christian charity and love in a sweet clean romance with a touch of comedy.

Go HERE to read an excerpt

Go HERE to read about the author

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker

Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”