Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot
Book Summary
Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot takes us to Mesquite Springs, Texas in November of 1856. Dorothy Clark is helping at Polly’s Place while Evelyn and Wyatt Clark are on their honeymoon. She is enjoying the independence of living in the apartment above the café, but Dorothy wonders what will happen when Evelyn returns. Dorothy is grateful her friend, Laura Downey is handling the cooking. Dorothy’s dream is to be a writer, but she does not know how to make her dream come true. Brandon Holloway is getting a fresh start in Mesquite Springs where he will be starting a newspaper. This will allow Dorothy to achieve her dream if she can convince Brandon to let her contribute. She is attracted to Brandon, but Dorothy has promised herself that she would never marry. Things fall into place with the newspaper, but then odd events begin to happen that divide the town. There is a man who has plans for Mesquite Springs, and they do not include a newspaper. What will happen to Mesquite Springs?
Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot is the 2nd book in the Mesquite Springs series. Dreams Rekindled can be read as a standalone for those who have not read Out of the Embers. I thought Dreams Rekindled was well-written with developed characters. My favorite character was Nutmeg, Dorothy's rescue dog. He was a cute and clever canine. I thought the author captured the time-period (button hooks, printing press, the printer’s type, a woman’s reticule, Uncle Tom’s Cabin) and the setting (especially the small-town feel). I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Mesquite Springs and the surrounding countryside. Dorothy Clark and Brandon Holloway are attracted to each other from the beginning, but grief and past events prevent them from acting on their feelings. I liked that the characters are realistic with strengths and weaknesses. To counteract the good guys, we have a villain. Phil Blakeslee arrives in town the same day as Brandon. He is an artist who is town for nefarious purposes. He is working for the mysterious Mr. K who has his own agenda for Mesquite Springs. Phil has a troubled background that has influenced his opinion of newsman and ministers. I like how everything came together in this story. Faith is woven into the story. It added just the right note. I enjoyed the suspense and mystery. It added depth to the story. I quickly turned the pages eager to see how this story would turn out. There are a couple of unanswered questions at the end of the book. We will have to wait for the next installment to get those answers. Dreams Rekindled is a complex novel with family, friends, faith, hope, foul play, and forgiveness.
Kris
The Avid Reader
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review Dreams Rekindled. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it and wasn't at all surprised that Nutmeg was your favorite character. She was SO much fun to create!
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