OUT OF THE EMBERS

Mesquite Springs, Book One

by

Amanda Cabot

Historical Fiction / Christian Romance

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: March 3, 2020

Number of Pages: 336

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Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents’ murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don’t include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

Praise

“Out of the Embers is part prairie romance, part romantic suspense. I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a book more. Amanda Cabot has written an intriguing, chilling mystery and she winds it through the pages of a sweet romance in a way that made me keep turning the pages fast to see what was going to happen next. An absolutely excellent read. And now I’m hungry for oatmeal pecan pie!”  — Mary Connealy, author of Aiming for Love, book #1 in the Brides of Hope Mountain series

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When I started this book, I was quickly immersed in the characters, scenery, and even the mystery that is dangled in front of the reader with only tidbits revealed here and there to keep the reader engaged and on the edge of their seats.

There was so much to like about this book I don’t know where to start!  The setting is the Texas Hill Country which is beautiful today, I can only imagine what it was like when this book was set.  Rolling hills painted with bluebonnets in the spring….sigh, a place I want to visit.  The characters are diverse and complex and while we know some of the histories of the main characters, we don’t know everything yet and it leaves much more to be discovered in future books in this series.  But we do learn about their strengths, weaknesses, desires, and hopes for the future.  There are even a few antagonists in this book that while they might have some redeeming qualities, are not portrayed in a positive light and it adds to the complexity of the story.  Sam would be the biggest one in the book and I can only hope that a future book will focus on him and he is able to redeem himself.

I love the town of Mesquite Springs and especially the diner that Evelyn opens in town.  The description reminds me so much of the restaurant in When Calls the Heart.  I loved that they would sit single people wherever there was an open seat.  What a great way to get to know someone new in town, whether just passing through or a resident.  And that Oatmeal Pecan Pie?  I don’t like pecan pie but now I am intrigued.

Wyatt has so much going on in his life and I can feel his struggles with running the ranch and supporting his mom and sister.  I don’t think he gives them enough credit, but in his defense sometimes you can only go by past actions of people.  I think a huge boost to his mom’s wellbeing was bringing Evelyn and Polly to their ranch to dry out and stay for a few days.  It gave her a purpose which is something she needed.

There are actually three different storylines and the author weaves a suspenseful tale that kept me wondering who these characters were, what they wanted, and what the end result would be with the culmination of the book.  Part of the story I was able to figure out, but part of it was quite a surprise to me.  I really liked the suspenseful part of wondering who these other characters were since their story didn’t flow with Evelyn or Polly’s story.

There are many faith-based parts in this book which include a character surviving a potentially fatal injury.  I think that each verse or faith section only strengthens my belief that people are inherently good and will prove that in various situations.  Or if they are evil that they will receive their just rewards.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

Evelyn took a deep breath, trying to calm nerves that were as jittery as if she’d just drunk a full pot of coffee.

“That’s what marriage is, Wyatt. Not all couples work together like the Fosters or my parents, but if they truly love each other, they both have a part in decision making. They consider the other person’s needs and their dreams.”

“Until I met you, I felt like a flower seed planted deep in the earth, waiting for rain before it began to sprout. You’ve been that rain. You’ve given me what I needed to grow.”

“You’ve shown me that lvoing someone doesn’t mean being burdened.  It’s a gift that opens our hearts to new possibilities.”

Overall this was a fantastic book and there is probably so much more I could say but then you wouldn’t have anything left to read.  We give this 5 paws up.

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, the first book of the Cimarron Creek trilogy, as well as the Texas Crossroads series, the Texas Dreams series, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming.

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THREE WINNERS

One Grand Prize Winner: 

Copy of Out of the Embers + Special Hill Country Sweets Cookbook

+$25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card 

Next Two Winners:

Copy of Out of the Embers + Special Hill Country Sweets Cookbook 

+ $10 Starbucks Card

March 10-March 20, 2020

(US ONLY)

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