"She's a thoroughbred. . . trying to pas herself off as a mule."(91)
Title: Holding the FortSeries: Fort Reno, Book 1
Author: Regina Jennings
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: December 5, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
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With Miss Bell as the Teacher, Everyone's Bound to Learn an Interesting Lesson
Dance hall singer Louisa Bell has always lived one step from destitution. When she loses her job at the Cat-Eye Saloon, she has nowhere else to go but to her brother, a cavalry soldier stationed in Indian Territory. But he's run afoul of his commanding officer. Unsure what she can do to help him and desperate for a job, she doesn't protest when she's mistaken for a governess at the fort. How hard can teaching really be?
Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno, especially raising two adolescent daughters alone. If this new governess doesn't work out, his mother-in-law insists she'll raise the girls herself--far away from the fort. Miss Bell bears little resemblance to Daniel's notion of a governess--they're not supposed to be so blamed pretty--but he finds himself turning a blind eye to her unconventional methods. Louisa has never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough to help her brother and to secure the respectable future she's sought for so long?
Dance hall singer Louisa Bell has always lived one step from destitution. When she loses her job at the Cat-Eye Saloon, she has nowhere else to go but to her brother, a cavalry soldier stationed in Indian Territory. But he's run afoul of his commanding officer. Unsure what she can do to help him and desperate for a job, she doesn't protest when she's mistaken for a governess at the fort. How hard can teaching really be?
Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno, especially raising two adolescent daughters alone. If this new governess doesn't work out, his mother-in-law insists she'll raise the girls herself--far away from the fort. Miss Bell bears little resemblance to Daniel's notion of a governess--they're not supposed to be so blamed pretty--but he finds himself turning a blind eye to her unconventional methods. Louisa has never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough to help her brother and to secure the respectable future she's sought for so long?
MY THOUGHTS
First off, never was a fan when people compare women to animals. However, Regina Jennings did so in the most acceptable way I can imagine - in a book that is appropriate in setting and period. And might I add also for the most delightful of characters? We are of course talking about the heroine in Jennings' latest release, Holding the Fort, Louisa Bell.
"I am Lovely Lola Bell. They will be enchanted by my performance and will love my show." (6)
Delightful and highly entertaining, the author gave each character their own distinctive personality while able to capture readers' attention and love them equally. OK, maybe not equally. Since I find Louisa's spirited personality, and her act quite amusing, but her brother, Private Bradley Willis has that mischievous sparkle that I can't help but gravitate towards.
Speaking about the act, it was fun seeing how Louisa tried to pass off as a governess, and the girls' gradual acceptance and love of Louisa. Of course, in all seeing how Major Daniel Adams fall for Louisa and his misconception of what she's up to created some comical, yet sweet moments. From the start, readers will probably guess what to expect when the big reveal happens, and I thought it was done tastefully and the solution played out well.
In all, Holding the Fort makes for one enjoyable read with laughter, mischief, a bit of drama and yes, romance. So don't miss out this first book in a new series, Fort Reno.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of A Most Inconvenient Marriage, Sixty Acres and a Bride, and Caught in the Middle, and contributed a novella to A Match Made in Texas. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children.
CONNECT WITH REGINA: website, facebook, twitter
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| Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography |
CONNECT WITH REGINA: website, facebook, twitter
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I loved this book, loved it! I am a forever fan of Regina Jennings!
ReplyDeleteLol. Me too! Only my 3rd, I believe of Regina's full novels and I loved them all so far!
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteRegina is a favorite, can’t wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful review!!
ReplyDeleteIf I wasn't sick I'd be finishing this by now!!
I love Reginas books!!