by Kathleen Denly
Publisher: Wild Heart Books
Series: Chaparral Hearts
ISBN: 978-1942265399
I was invited to join the launch team for this book. Since I love historical fiction, how could I resist? I was sent the book for review.
Summary:
Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.
On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.
After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.
As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.
On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.
After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.
As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.
My Review:
If you're a fan of historical fiction, you're not going to want to miss out on a) this entire series and b) book 3 in the series.
I really liked Margaret Foster. I could relate to her so well. lol We meet her as she's helping a girl escape a bad guy. Then things went south for her and just kept getting worse. Margaret was trying to do good and all she got was grief. Poor lady! It looked like her luck was changing as she went from San Francisco to San Diego, but she learned very quickly that people still viewed things very differently than she did. I love when the female main character doesn't put up with nonsense and stays true to herself. She does see how she needs to make certain changes, but it just shows how "human" she is.
Then there was Everett. I'll have to be honest here. That fella had me pulling my hair out and I wanted to box his ears. I could understand how he struggled with so many of his choices, but his decisions kept going from bad to worse. With each choice the hole he was in kept getting deeper and deeper. I really felt bad for the guy because he just couldn't catch a break.
We also get to know Katie and Fletcher. They showed how hard life was living in the squalor of San Francisco. Two young people just trying to get by. One trying to go based on faith while the other on their own sensibilities. What do you do when one of the most dangerous men in the city is your father?
All of their storylines overlap at one time or another, but separately, their each show a need for God's help and guidance. I really appreciated the author's inclusion of so much scripture and dependence on the Lord. Such a good reminder to the reader that we need to not lean on our own understanding.
I really liked Margaret Foster. I could relate to her so well. lol We meet her as she's helping a girl escape a bad guy. Then things went south for her and just kept getting worse. Margaret was trying to do good and all she got was grief. Poor lady! It looked like her luck was changing as she went from San Francisco to San Diego, but she learned very quickly that people still viewed things very differently than she did. I love when the female main character doesn't put up with nonsense and stays true to herself. She does see how she needs to make certain changes, but it just shows how "human" she is.
Then there was Everett. I'll have to be honest here. That fella had me pulling my hair out and I wanted to box his ears. I could understand how he struggled with so many of his choices, but his decisions kept going from bad to worse. With each choice the hole he was in kept getting deeper and deeper. I really felt bad for the guy because he just couldn't catch a break.
We also get to know Katie and Fletcher. They showed how hard life was living in the squalor of San Francisco. Two young people just trying to get by. One trying to go based on faith while the other on their own sensibilities. What do you do when one of the most dangerous men in the city is your father?
All of their storylines overlap at one time or another, but separately, their each show a need for God's help and guidance. I really appreciated the author's inclusion of so much scripture and dependence on the Lord. Such a good reminder to the reader that we need to not lean on our own understanding.
About the Author:
Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn't writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
Kathleen tied for Second Place in the 2017 Badge of Honor Contest and won first place in the historical romance category of the ACFW First Impressions Contest in 2017. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the San Diego Christian Writers’ Guild.
Kathleen tied for Second Place in the 2017 Badge of Honor Contest and won first place in the historical romance category of the ACFW First Impressions Contest in 2017. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the San Diego Christian Writers’ Guild.
1 comments:
Thank you for your thoughtful review.
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