Love and Order by Jennifer Uhlarik ~ a book review

This is a very entertaining story set in the Colorado Territory in 1873. I will preface this review by saying I was reading an advanced reader copy that may not be the same as the final revised published version. That being said, this was a story that drew me in and kept my attention to the end.

The story has a long list of characters and the publisher has included a list at the beginning of the book which is very helpful.

Calliope (Callie) is a female Pinkerton agent, who is under cover as Miss Jarrett and on the trail of a serial killer. She is accompanied by a fellow agent, Joe Trenamen, posing as Mr. Nesbitt. While they are conducting their investigation, Callie is also on a search for her brother and sister. They had all been on an orphan train and adopted by different families. Along the way, Callie and Joe realize they are attracted to each other but resist their feelings.

While Callie is undercover, she finds her brother but can’t tell him who she is for fear of exposing her mission. As it turns out , her brother, Rion, becomes the main suspect in the murders and Callie determines to clear his name. Someone is obviously framing him, but who and why?

This story does not shy away from the importance of faith and prayer. However, it does not come across as too preachy.

The only complaint I had with this ARC, is one that I hope was resolved in the final publication. While Callie is undercover, the only person who knows her true identity is Joe. But, at one point, Hattie,the daughter of the woman who runs the boarding house, gives her a telegram addressed to Calliope Wilson from her sister, Andie. Unless I missed something, Hattie only knew her as Miss Jarrett. As I said, this may have been corrected in the final revision.

This story is packed with adventure, suspense, mystery and love. It is obvious that the author had done a lot or research on life in the old west and especially in the court system.

This is from the publisher’s website:

"Wanted: Family, Love, and Justice

Separated as children when they were adopted out to different families from an orphan train, the Braddock siblings have each grown up and taken on various jobs within law enforcement and criminal justice.

Pinkertons Callie Wilson and Joe Trenamen come to Cambria Springs to stop a killer. But when evidence points to a ghost from Callie’s childhood, she must choose between two men she loves.
 
Falsely accused, bounty hunter Rion Braddock vows to prove his innocence. Former flame Maya Fellows and dime novelist Lucinda Peters both offer help, but is either beauty truly on his side?
 
In her first solo case, attorney Andi McGovern defends Rion, but the infuriating prosecutor, Daniel Littrick, outwits her. Following a hunch could win her case—or leave Andi dead.
 
Can these couples stop the true culprit and right the greatest injustice of Callie, Andi, and Rion’s lives?”

This is a clean, Christian faith based, exciting historical romance. Readers of Christian romance will not be disappointed.

Go HERE to read an excerpt

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley through their ARC 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.”