Book One
My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it
Synopsis
Louisa Bell never
wanted to be a dance-hall singer, but dire circumstances force her hand.
With a little help from her brother in the cavalry, she's able to make
ends meet, but lately he's run afoul of his commanding officer, so she
undertakes a visit to straighten him out.
Major Daniel Adams has
his hands full at Fort Reno. He can barely control his rowdy troops,
much less his two adolescent daughters. If Daniel doesn't find someone
respectable to guide his children, his mother-in-law insists she'll take
them.
When Louisa arrives with some reading materials, she's
mistaken for the governess who never appeared. Major Adams is skeptical.
She bears little resemblance to his idea of a governess--they're not
supposed to be so blamed pretty--but he's left without recourse. His
mother-in-law must be satisfied, which leaves him turning a blind eye to
his unconventional governess's methods. Louisa's never faced so
important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough?
My Review
I love when characters meet in unusual ways, and this one sure delivered! Louisa turns Daniel's life upside down, in good ways and unexpected ways. She is great with his daughters who can be a bit difficult, and following her instincts helps her provide what the girls really need beyond book learning. It's endearing how they are attracted to each other but fight their feelings since they don't think they are from the same walk of life- but Daniel thinks she's above him while Louisa believes the opposite. Louisa's rascal of a brother Bradley provides a humorous point of view, and I also loved Lieutenant Hennessy, the Major's right hand man and best friend who encourages his pursuit of Louisa. A vibrant cast of characters made this an enjoyable read and made me look forward to continuing the series.
Disclosure
statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from
a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley,
OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from
Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not
required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Novella 1.5
(from the Hearts Entwined collection- read my review here)
Synopsis
As punishment for his
recklessness, Private Bradley Willis is ordered to help a retired
cavalry officer move a herd across Indian Territory. No one told him
he'd be herding camels or that the captain's daughter would join them on
the trail. Despite the mysterious incidents halting their progress,
Bradley has to get this herd to Texas--or lose his commission.
Book Two
My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Synopsis
Hattie Walker dreams of
becoming a painter, while her parents want her to settle down. As a
compromise, they give her two months to head to Denver and place her
works in an exhibition or give up the dream forever. Her journey is
derailed when a gunman attacks her stagecoach, leaving her to be rescued
by a group of Arapaho . . . but she's too terrified to recognize them
as friendly.
Confirmed bachelor Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has
long worked with the tribe and is tasked with trying to convince them
that the mission school at Fort Reno can help their children. When a
message arrives about a recovered survivor, Jack heads out to take her
home--and plead his case once more.
He's stunned to run into
Hattie Walker, the girl who shattered his heart--but quickly realizes he
has a chance to impress her. When his plan gets tangled through
translation, Jack and Hattie end up in a mess that puts her dreams in
peril--and tests Jack's resolve to remain single.
My Review
In the first book I really felt for Jack and his unrequited love for Hattie. Their reunion is unexpected and again the author devises a highly unusual and entertaining first meeting! The way that they get to know each other again is so sweet, and their eyes are opened not only to the strengths, but also the weaknesses, flaws, and quirks. Jack comes to know the real Hattie, not just the enigma he placed on a pedestal, and Hattie quickly recognizes the significant changes in the young boy she knew and tolerated. Their relationship is rocky and goes through plenty of ups and downs that kept me glued to the pages. I loved Hattie's determination to make something of her painting talent, and Jack's devotion to the success of the school for Arapaho children. The pace is steady with humor, gentle romance, and some suspenseful action as the danger from the stagecoach robbery continues to plague Hattie. This one is my favorite of the series!
Disclosure
statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from
a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley,
OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from
Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not
required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Book Three
My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it
Synopsis
Caroline Adams returns to
Indian Territory after tiring of confining society life. She wants
adventure, and when she and her friend Amber come across swaggering
outlaw Frisco Smith, they find his dreams for the new territory are very
persuasive. With the much-anticipated land run pending, they may just
join the rush.
Growing up parentless, all Frisco Smith wanted was
a place to call his own. It's no wonder that he fought to open the
Unassigned Lands. After years of sneaking across the border, he's even
managed to put in a dugout house on a hidden piece of property he's
poised to claim.
When the gun sounds, everyone's best plans are
thrown out the window in the chaos of the run. Caroline and Frisco soon
find themselves battling over a claim--and both dig in their heels.
Settling the rightful ownership will bring these two closer than they
ever expected and change their ideas of what a true home looks like.
My Review
There is plenty of history in this exciting tale of the land run and the genesis of new towns and homesteads! Caroline and Frisco appeared in the previous books, but this one really explores their personalities and ambitions. They respected each other in their past roles, but now they are each branching out into new territory, literally! They begin to drive each other nuts before they engage in a conflict over a piece on land, but as they try to convince one another to just give up, they interact more and get involved in something bigger than they anticipated. I felt like the character development got lost a bit in the telling of the event's history, and I was filled with anxiety as I waited to see what the outcome of the dispute would be. Other issues arose for the characters which increased the sense of anxiety and suspense as I read. The new issues overshadowed Caroline and Frisco's dilemma and I felt that their resolution was a bit anticlimactic in comparison. I enjoyed the characters from the previous books, and it was great to see all the stories come full circle.
Disclosure
statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from
a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley,
OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from
Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not
required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Title: Hope Between the Pages
