Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot

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?

My Thoughts

Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot is the 2^nd 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. 

Dreams Rekindled can be obtained from Amazon* along with Out of the Embers which can borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (first book in Mesquite Springs series).  You can find Amanda Cabot's other novels here.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews.  It is the first novel in A Peach Coast Library Mystery.  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Take care of yourself, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Tender Hope by Amanda Cabot

Happy Dumbstruck Day!  A day to be totally dumbstruck over the things you see, hear or read (or that someone actually created this day).  On this day in history. . . Yellowstone became the United State's first national park in 1872, silly putty invented in 1950, Monopoly was created in 1933 and the Girl Scouts were founded in 1912.  To find out what other events happened on this day, click here.  One Potato, Two Potato, Dead by Lynn Cahoon will release on March 19 with Murder Once Removed by S.C. Perkins.  The Hidden Corpse by Debra Sennefelder published on March 26. It is the second A Food Blogger Mystery.

A Tender Hope by Amanda Cabot transports readers to August 1881.  Thea Michener is leaving Ladreville to become the new midwife in Cimarron Creek, Texas.  Thea needs a change after the murder of her husband and giving birth to a stillborn boy.  Her marriage was complicated near the end and she will be happy to shed her widow’s weeds.  Aimee Jarre is going with Thea in the hopes of locating her birth mother.  They arrive in Cimarron Creek to find Ranger Jackson Guthrie on the front porch of their new home with an infant in his arms.  Ranger Guthrie was following Thea to Cimarron Creek when he came upon the baby alone near cacti.  He has been on the trail of The Gang of Four (as they have been dubbed) since they injured his partner and killed his younger brother.  Guthrie believed Thea was the female member of the gang until he sees her in person.  As it turns out, Thea may hold the key to tracking down these ruthless bandits who manage to disappear after each robbery.  Neither party may be looking for love, but God has other plans. 

                                           

A Tender Hope is the final book in a Cimarron Creek Trilogy.  A Tender Hope can be read alone, but, after reading it, you will want to go back and read the other two books in the series. The couples from the first two books are included in A Tender Hope.   I thought A Tender Hope was well-written with gentle pacing.  Amanda Cabot has a casual writing style that engages the reader and draws them into her tale. The Christian elements are nicely integrated into the story.  I like that it was light but meaningful.  Thea’s story was intriguing.  New details are added as the story progresses, and I like how it all tied together.  Guthrie and Thea’s romance plays out softly and sweetly.  Aimee is seeking answers on her birth parents and she gets so much more (I do not want to give away any spoilers).  Nate Kenton and Warner Gray provide humor to the story.  Both men are seeking wives and women are scarce in their area.  I liked that the author gave many of the females in the story occupations and strong voices.  I was very happy that A Tender Hope was not a typical historical romance.  There is mystery, suspense and action along with family, friendship, love, and faith. A Tender Hope has a satisfying conclusion that will leave readers smiling.

A Stolen Heart (on Kindle Unlimited) and A Borrowed Dream are the first two novels in the Cimarron Creek Trilogy.  I am going to share my review of Trouble on the Books by Essie Lang tomorrow.  It is the first book in A Castle Bookshop Mystery series.  I hope you have a gratifying day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Borrowed Dream: Cimarron Creek Trilogy

Greetings!  A Charming Corpse by Tonya Kappes will be released on April 20.  It is the eleventh book in A Magical Cures Mystery series.  The Amish Teacher's Gift by Rachel J. Good and Expiration Date by Devon Delaney are coming out on April 24.

A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot is the second novel in Cimarron Creek Trilogy.  Catherine Whitfield is the schoolteacher in Cimarron Creek and lives alone since her mother passed away.  Catherine has a strong dislike of physician’s courtesy of the local doctors archaic practice of bleeding, purging and blistering which hastened her mother’s demise.  Catherine has a chance to marry, but she does not want to be a person’s second choice.  Austin Goodard is the new widower in town with a young daughter, Hannah.  He has traveled across the country to hide from Sherman Enright.  Sherman is a dangerous criminal who wants Austin to use his surgical skills in a way that goes against Austin’s values.  Unfortunately, Sherman is not one to take no for an answer.  Austin has bought a ranch and is keeping his medical background under wraps.  Catherine and Austin are brought together in their desire to help Hannah, who has become withdrawn and quiet, and assist Seth Dalton.  Seth has an abusive, slave driver for a father and natural artistic skill.  Austin is falling for the schoolteacher, but she is unaware of his secret. In order for Austin to have the future he envisions with Catherine, he will have to deal with Sherman Enright. 

A Borrowed Dream is well-written, has a steady pace and delightful characters.  The characters are well-developed and, most of them, are warm caring people that you would want as friends. Sherman Enright and his minions along with Seth’s father provide a counterpoint to Austin and Catherine. There are smooth transitions as the story goes from one scene to the next.  Amanda Cabot has a fluid writing style that gives readers an engaging novel.  It is a multi-layered story (which I loved) filled with suspense, mystery, history and romance.  I had no idea there were plastic surgeons that far back in history.  The author included some research information at the end of the book that propelled me into finding out more about the profession (it is fascinating). The Christian element is present and is gently woven into the story (forgiveness, prayer, having faith, trust, helping others and letting God show you the way).  It is done with a light touch. A Borrowed Dream can be read alone.  The characters from A Stolen Heart are in A Borrowed Dream, and it is nice to catch up with them.  Grace Sims is a character introduced in the story (Catherine takes her in), and I hope we get to find out more about Grace in the next book in the trilogy.  A Borrowed Dream is a heartwarming and charming story that will delight those who read it.

I sincerely hope that you have a beautiful day.  Make sure to take time out to relax and do something that you enjoy (makes you happy).  I will be featuring The Weaver's Daughter by Sarah E. Ladd on Monday.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader