ReviewsByErin

Are you read for another Texas fairy tale retelling? Cloaked in Beauty blends Little Red Riding Hood with Sleeping Beauty for a romantic adventure with a little danger thrown in for good measure.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has been given an unusual task. Scarlett Radcliffe has been hidden away since she was a child, cared for by her grandmother and her faithful pet wolf. Though her father's death was ruled an accident, Scarlett's mother believes her uncle was behind the tragedy and that he will go further and harm Scarlett in order to claim as much of the family wealth for himself as he can. Now that Scarlett's twenty-first birthday is approaching, the time has come to find Scarlett and bring her home to claim her inheritance and legally move it out of her uncle's grasp.

While Philip is up for the hunt, he's unprepared for the depth of his feelings that blossom for Scarlett, now known as Letty, once she's in his care. He cannot take advantage of such a sheltered and generous young woman, but how could he do less than fall in love with her?

If you enjoy romantic fairy tale retellings, you'll love this one. I personally felt the love story was a little too prominent, and Letty as an isolated character didn't ring true for me. Uncle Drake was also entirely one-dimensional as a villain.

However, readers who enjoy getting swept away and suspending disbelief might be thrilled by the very things that bothered me, so I hope you'll check out the book for yourself. It's imaginative and you'll enjoy recognizing pieces of the fairy tales as they come across the page.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Snow White comes to Texas in this fairy tale retelling by Karen Witemeyer. Our heroine is Penelope Snow, a beautiful orphan now trying to make her way in the world as a personal maid to the vain Narcissa LaBelle, actress extraordinaire. Madame LaBelle insists no one shine brighter than she, so Penelope wears shapeless gowns and stays in the shadows. But one night, while wearing some of Madame's clothing so the seamstress can make the appropriate alterations, Penelope's beauty captures the wrong attention. As punishment, Penelope is taken out to the woods and left to die. Unbeknownst to her, in her possession is Madame LaBelle's secret stash of jewels, sewn into the boning of her corset.

Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley is suspicious of lovely females after what happened to his brother, but Penelope Snow and her sweet spirit draw him in. He leaves Penelope in the care of his grandfather and the six other older men who live together at the Diamond D Ranch and continues on his quest to find a jewel thief that is traveling the state. When the evidence leads to Madame LaBelle's troupe, he begins to wonder if Penelope's sweetness was an act. Has he endangered his grandfather and the other men?

This is a fun story with lots of Snow White nods, both hidden and overt. I loved spotting them as I read. It was amusing to extrapolate the seven dwarfs into the personalities of the old men at the Diamond D, and the scene where the cover comes from is simply lovely.

I would recommend this book for fans of western romances and fairy tale retellings. I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers because Madame LaBelle relies heavily on her seductive power to get what she wants, and Penelope's own assets are well discussed. It just seemed like that was more of a focus than it needed to be, though the rest of the story was a great adventure and held many laugh-out-loud moments.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.

 


The Horsemen are back! Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks are on a routine horse delivery when their skills are needed for a delivery of a different kind. A deranged woman in the throes of labor is threatening to leave her baby with the angels, and Mark and Jonah realize they can't leave her alone. When the baby is born and a doctor has the woman in hand, they are tasked with transporting the little one to Harmony House, the nearby foundling home.

Mark is shocked when Kate Palmer answers their knock. The same Kate who turned down his marriage proposal ten years earlier. What's she doing here—in Texas, and running a foundling home? 

While Mark and Kate reconnect, Jonah and Kate's partner Eliza get the new baby settled. While he's out, he learns about children who have been going missing. Who is snatching these kids? Why isn't the local lawman looking into this? Determined to put a stop to the threat and find the missing children, Jonah announces the Horsemen are on the case.

As Mark and Jonah track down leads, Mark's relationship with Kate flares to life again, and Jonah is drawn to the determined Eliza. The women aren't the only ones capturing their hearts. Getting to know the children of Harmony House as well as the local boxcar boys shows that their skills as men and leaders might be needed in different ways than ever before.

I really enjoyed this action-packed western. There's plenty of danger and suspense, with deep characters who will win your reader heart. The double romance is nice, though having four points of view did feel like it slowed the story down in parts, especially the beginning. That was my only small complaint, and then as the adventure really takes off, all of that balances out. I didn't want to put the book down until I knew that everyone was going to make it through safely!

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This novella collection features four lovely authors and their beautiful stories all centered around a live oak tree in Oak Springs, Texas. The first story is set in 1868, and we follow on through the years in 1891, 1945, and modern day. I really enjoyed each and every one of these novellas. Two of them made me cry! I would highly recommend this to readers everywhere.

Here's a breakdown of each novella:

Broken Limbs, Mended Fences—by Regina Jennings: Passing tests never came easily for Bella Eden, but when  and the schoolteacher left town and an injury forced Bella to give up her seamstress dreams, she inherited a teaching role. Now Adam Fisher has returned to Oak Springs, bringing back all the embarrassment of the worst day of Bella's life. Local farmers don't want to put faith in Adam's new threshing machine, so he proposes a contest. But things go sideways when Bella's teaching job hinges on the outcome. Can she rise to the challenge and pass the teacher's exam, or will he be a part of more of her ruined hopes?

Inn For a Surprise—by Karen Witemeyer: Barnabas Ackerly has a pocketful of protests when his employer sends him to Oak Springs to help his daughter open the Kissing Tree Inn. Phoebe Woodward's tastes tend toward the extreme end of Victorian romantic notions, and Barnabas's practical sensibilities are overloaded. Yet as the two are forced to work together, they find out balance between the practical and romantic might be the best place to build a business—and a relationship.

From Roots to Sky—by Amanda Dykes: Luke Hampstead should have died when his plane was shot down over Belgium on Christmas Eve of 1944. The only thing that kept him alive was writing a letter to his penpal, the sister of a fallen soldier. When Luke miraculously survives, he desires to deliver his letter to Hannah in person, so after his recovery he travels to Oak Springs. Hannah Garland is more than he ever imagined, and as he helps her with a project in her brother's honor, his own heart begins to heal and take flight in new directions.

Heartwood—by Nicole Deese: Arborist Griffin Malone returns to Oak Springs when his cousin hires him to check on the health of the famous Kissing Tree. That's not the only thing on Griffin's plan, however. He wants to find closure with Abby Brookshire, groundskeeper at the Kissing Tree Inn, and the woman he once thought he'd spend the rest of his life with. This novella deals with loss and hope for the future, and brings a fine conclusion to this wonderful collection.

I received my copy of the book from one of the authors. All thoughts in this review are my own.

 


Charlotte Atherton teaches at a school for gifted children, but her interest in the youngsters at the boarding school goes beyond merely professional. Many of the children see their parents but rarely, and some of them are orphans. When Charlotte befriends Lily's mother and then is named Lily's guardian when the woman is dying, Charlotte vows to take care of the little girl as if she were her own But when Lily's grandfather threatens to take her away and use her special talents for nefarious purposes, Charlotte goes into hiding to protect Lily—and two boys who would also be without a home as the school is forced to close its doors.

A former bounty hunter, Stone Hammond still "retrieves" every now and then—finding lost folks or investigating suspicious circumstances. When he's hired by Lily's grandfather to retrieve Lily, he's under the impression that Charlotte is a ruthless kidnapper. Though she's covered her tracks well, Stone finds her—and very soon realizes that the situation is much different than he was led to believe. When he verifies that Charlotte does have a legal right to Lily, he becomes her staunchest support in confronting the girl's white collar criminal of a grandfather.

While the threat of losing Lily and the boys weighs heavy on Charlotte's panicked heart, she must learn to trust God and this strong man He's sent into their lives. Everyone who is important to her has eventually left her, and there's no guarantee that Stone won't do the same. Meanwhile Stone begins dreaming of things he's never dared entertain before due to his own background. Things having to do with a home and family.

I loved this story! The characters are well-drawn and relatable. There's danger and intrigue to keep you turning the pages. While the children are well-behaved (as children in books tend to be!), they are also unpredictable and therefore they don't seem unrealistic. I really enjoyed the character journeys and am so glad I found this backlist titles from one of my favorite authors.

 


Abigail Kemp has kept up the operation of her father's bakery since his death six months ago. More than merely thankful for a way to provide for herself and her younger sister, Abigail loves making delicious recipes and has a good head for running the bakery. Unfortunately, the city council has decided to enforce an archaic law that says no woman can own a business in their town, and Abigail is faced with a choice: close up shop, or find a man willing to accept a proposed marriage of convenience in order to put his name on the deed. With a detailed contract in hand, Abigail begins making the rounds of Honey Grove's eligible bachelors.

Zacharias Hamilton is happy to be his own man after spending his youth raising his siblings. Now that they are grown and on their own, he loves being free from the weight of responsibility. When Abigail approaches him about her need, his first instinct is to run away—no matter how much the pretty young woman and her tasty baked goods have impressed him in the past. But thinking of Abigail having to tie herself to any of the other choices on her list makes him reconsider, especially when he learns that the city council is not the only danger facing the Kemp sisters. With a few adjustments to her thorough contract, Zach agrees to the marriage.

Overjoyed to have saved her bakery, Abigail tries not to let Zach's presence disrupt their daily lives. But, as she muses in Chapter 15, "Marriage to a man with a penchant for kissing was proving to be a trial." She's agreed to being open to a real marriage once they get to know one another better, but she's in no rush. Meanwhile her sister faces some difficulties and her former best friend is set on ruining everything Abigail touches, giving her plenty of things to focus on along with the daily workings of the bakery.

Wooing one's extremely practical but also beautiful and thoughtful wife is taking longer than Zach anticipated. He's up to the challenge, though he'd just as soon keep the shadier parts of his past hidden if he can. Soon all their wits will be required to outsmart those trying to bring them harm, and true intimacy also means being vulnerable with God and each other. Can these two ever find the words to say what's in their heart?

This story is a sweet delight that I thoroughly enjoyed. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, Zach is my favorite kind of hero, and Abigail reminded me of myself, making this a delicious confection for my reading tastes. Although I wouldn't recommend it for young readers, it was perfectly lovely as two broken yet seemingly strong people find their way to each other. This is a story I'll be reading again in the future.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I recently read three stories from this novella collection, being on a western kick to end 2018, and thought I'd share my thoughts with you.




"A Cowboy Unmatched" by Karen Witemeyer
Neill Archer left his home two years ago on a quest to prove himself. Now he's almost ready to return, but his trip is delayed when he is hired by an anonymous benefactor to repair the roof of a widow's house. He isn't prepared when the widow is young, very pregnant, part Comanche, and in a heated long-standing battle that may be more than she can win without his help.





"An Unforeseen Match" by Regina Jennings
Grace O'Malley's world is disappearing - literally. With blindness encroaching, Grace has had to give up teaching and is trying to settle into the cabin that has been provided for her. Things sure would be easier if she didn't have to live by herself. When a passing cowboy agrees to help with a few things around the cabin, the two find they share a lot in common - including some surprising things that may drive them apart.




"Meeting Her Match" by Mary Connealy
Life keeps jerking the rug out from under schoolmarm Hannah Taylor's feet. Hannah has taken great pride in being a discreet behind-the-scenes matchmaker, but now that she's in such a vulnerable place herself, the women of the town turn the tables and try to make sure Hannah is taken care of by someone who has long loved her from afar.

Evangeline Hamilton's mismatched eyes - one brown, one blue - have scared people away ever since she was a child. Orphaned at a very young age, Evie and her brother were sent on the Orphan Train to try to find a home. Her brother was always wanted, but Evie was not. He insisted they stay together, and eventually Evie found herself growing up in a family of ragtag but determined children who forged together to make their own family despite all the odds against them.

Now a young woman, Evangeline and the Hamilton men have a quiet homestead in North Texas. Zach is the gruff face of the family, the one who does business in town. Quiet Seth, who suffers from asthma, keeps the books and works around the house. Evie has a generous, delightful spirit but is reserved in public to avoid the teasing and scorn that her eyes tend to bring out.

Logan Fowler returns to the area where he grew up with one goal in mind: Find Zach Hamilton and make him pay for the way he cheated his father at a card game seven years earlier. Logan's father committed suicide because he couldn't handle losing his property, devastating the lives of Logan and his mother. Now that he's old enough to find Hamilton, Logan has crafted a plan to win back their land and restore his mother to the home she had to vacate in sorrow.

One thing Logan didn't count on was becoming captivated with Evangeline Hamilton. Her openness and love of life despite her public castigation quickly wins Logan over. He's torn between using Evie as a device against her brother and enjoying the genuine friendship that is blossoming between them. Is it possible that he can get justice on Zach and keep Evie safe from harm at the same time? When a threat makes itself known in the community of Pecan Gap, Logan will have to face his motives and choose his side in the battle.

This was a great story from Karen Witemeyer! Evie has a charming pureness about her, and readers will feel Logan's conflict. While the early parts of the book focus on Evie and Logan almost exclusively, there is plenty of danger and page-turning adventure in the second half. This is definitely my new favorite novel from this author, and I look forward to the next book in this series!

 


Set in Texas in 1885, this amusing story tells of one father going out of his way to fulfill his daughter's birthday wish. Joanna Robbins has been longing for a preacher to come to their community to share about the love of God. When she confides this desire to her ex-outlaw father, she could never have imagined the steps he was about to take.

Crockett Archer is traveling to interview for the minister's position in a south Texas town when his train is held up. He is shocked when he learns the gun-waving thugs are not looking for money or jewels - they want the preacher! Tied up and forced to go with them, Crockett soon comes face-to-face with the person indirectly responsible for his kidnapping: the red-headed and fully abashed Joanna. As she insists her father release him, Crockett can't help but be inspired by her faith and determination, and he begins to wonder if maybe this crazy beginning isn't the open door for which he's been waiting.

When Crockett tells Joanna he'd like to stay on as minister, she can't believe it. Her prayers have been answered at last! Even though her father Silas has turned away from his youthful thieving ways - except where a certain preacher is concerned - she knows he has never really believed in God. It's her dearest wish to see Silas come to trust Christ as Savior.

Joanna and Crockett work together to establish their little country church, but events seem to be conspiring to stop them from their goals. One young lady is out to secure Crockett as her husband as soon as possible, and a nosy marshal may sniff out Silas's secrets before his heart can be changed. There's a lot to enjoy in this faith-filled western adventure!

I really wanted to like this book. I was drawn to it because it looked like a fun western, and because I'm a sucker for marriage of convenience or mistakenly-needed shotgun marriage storylines, as you know in fiction they will always turn out well! But as much as I wanted to, this book put me off early and gave me no reason to invest my time or emotions in it.

The book opened with the young heroine, Meredith, acting on a schoolmate's dare to go onto the property of the reclusive Archer brothers. The Archers, though youngsters themselves, are orphans who are fiercely protective of their land and each other. In fact, they never leave their property! Meredith has an accident and is helped by Travis, the oldest Archer brother. Fast-forward twelve years, and we find out that Meredith has had a crush on Travis ever since then, though their paths have never again crossed. When she overhears a plot to take over the Archer ranch, she races to warn her childhood hero, but meets with another accident which leaves her stranded in their home for several days, necessitating a marriage to save her honor. The four brothers draw straws to see who will marry her, and of course Travis wins.

My first beef with the book was that Meredith behaved in an extremely modern fashion. Her thoughts and the actions she took were way past strong-willed and independent and not realistic at all. I like strong women, but when you are that set on your own way, you become foolish, heedless, and a liability rather than what a strong woman should be: an asset in every situation.

I found the actions of the Archer brothers to be unrealistic. If Travis really was the recognized leader, as he was presented, it isn't logical that they would "fight" over who would marry Meredith. And while I have no problems that he had protective feelings towards Meredith, I cringed every time the word 'possessive' was used in how he looked or acted. Women are not possessions, and men who view them that way are not the kind you want to be around. I understand that the author wanted to transform Travis from needing to control every situation to being free in Christ, but this behavior is one that should be seen as a warning sign, one that no woman should ignore.

Another problem was that the plot was immensely predictable all the way through. Even little twists in the plot were visible pages in advance, while the bigger turns were telegraphed from early in the story. It gives me no pleasure to ever write a negative review, because I love reading and supporting authors for the art they bring to us, but this one left me with no favorable impressions toward any of the main characters. I did think the author did a good job with having the characters learn spiritual lessons, and showed how they turned to the Bible in helping them make some decisions, which was the best example in the book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.