Book Review and Giveaway: A Texan's Choice, Heart of a Hero Series #3 by Shelley Gray

This is a lovely story of love and redemption.
A Texan's Choice, Heart of a Hero Series #3
By Shelley Gray

Amazon link
File Size: 1316 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Fiction (October 1, 2012)
ASIN: B01ES91T12
Genre: Western Romance,Christian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Texas, 1874. Long ago, Scout Proffitt gave up on ever being a man of honor like his Civil War hero brother Clayton. But when Scout steps foot on the rundown remnants of the Circle C ranch, he wonders if maybe-just maybe-the Lord has something different intended for him.
Rosemarie has lived most of her life doubting her worth and shouldering the blame for her brother's death. But when a stranger rides onto her ranch, claiming he owns it, she suddenly is given a choice: either keep looking at the dark side of life . . . or dare to dream.

Review:
This is a lovely story with a realistic setting in 1874 Texas and some darker characters. Scout Proffitt and Rosemarie are two damaged people who find love, worth and redemption.

Rosemarie lives with her family on a dirt-poor farm in Texas. Her father, a squanderer, is on his death bed with a room full holding death watch. Rosemarie is barely allowed in the room, much less near enough to say goodbye. But Rosemarie is used to being ignored and treated as less than worthless. Her family abandoned her emotionally when she was nine years old and it doesn’t matter how hard she might try to work, it will never be enough.

Scout Proffitt is a wanted man, a known killer. He wanted to follow in his big brother’s footsteps as a war hero when he ran away from home over 15 years ago. But living in the world without resources didn’t turn out as he planned. He thinks he may have found a way out when he won a farm in a bet a few months back. He shows up to find the farm is mostly dilapidated and dreary. The man he is claiming it from has just died.

Though stoic, Scout is inwardly dismayed when Rosemarie’s mother and sister pack their things and leave…leaving Rosemarie behind. She proposes that she clean and cook for him if he lets her stay. He agrees she can stay for two weeks.

Just as Scout and Rosemarie are trying to sort out a new living arrangement, four outlaws show up to seek Scout’s leadership for a job that promises them all a new start. Scout can’t turn down the opportunity so once again he rides off and Rosemarie is left alone.

Rosemarie is a mistreated soul who shows gumption and strength of character just in moving forward each day. Scout is a good man inside with a dark past that haunts him. I couldn’t help but root for them. The messages of love and redemption are shared through the story and not in any preachy way.

The story jumps a bit as the chapters move to introduce the four outlaws who eventually show up at the ranch. This was a little confusing but I was sure there would be a connection. I read this with my Ladies Book Club and we all noted that there were numerous typographical errors and several fact errors that should have been caught during editing. Although noticeable, it did not damage our enjoyment of the story.

The story reads easily and kept my attention. This is the third in the series and reads fine as a standalone but I was glad to realize that I had books one and two in my Kindle library. This is the second story I read by Ms. Gray and I am impressed by her versatility. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy western historical romance with a lovely message of redemption.

I picked this book up in print at Christianbook.com for $2.49 a copy for Ladies Book Club.

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Review: The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries #1 by Debbie Viguie

This is a solidly entertaining mystery: good plot and warm characters (except for the killer, of course).
The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries #1
by Debbie Viguie

File Size: 1027 KB
Print Length: 290 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press; 1 edition (March 1, 2010)
Publication Date: March 1, 2010
ASIN: B00AKJXORW
Genre: Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Cindy’s church is getting ready to celebrate Easter, and Jeremiah’s Temple is preparing for Passover when Cindy literally stumbles over the body of an unknown man lying dead in the sanctuary. The church was locked, and a bloody cross necklace on the floor seems to be the only clue. The killer is likely a member of the congregation, but there are hints that similar deaths have happened in the past. Are Cindy and Jeremiah dealing with a serial killer? They have to unravel the clues before Easter Sunday arrives and more people die.
Cindy and Jeremiah come from two different worlds, even though they work right next door to each other. Cindy is a strong Christian who lives a normal but somewhat dull life, working as a church secretary. Jeremiah is a Reformed rabbi with a mysterious past full of danger and excitement. But one eventful Easter/Passover week, the two find themselves working together to solve a murder and stop a serial killer from striking again. Solving the mystery should put an end to their alliance, but the church secretary and the rabbi quickly find themselves enmeshed in another mystery. Soon the two form a friendly alliance and friendship, exploring personal history and faith and growing closer with each passing adventure. Despite their differences Cindy and Jeremiah find a lot of common ground.

Review:
Cindy is the secretary at her Presbyterian Church. They are preparing services for Easter when she opens the church one morning and tumbles upon a body in the sanctuary. A dark figure rushes in upon hearing her scream. Initially she is frightened but he introduces himself as the neighboring Rabbi, Jeremiah. Thus begins an unlikely friendship as Cindy continues to uncover bodies and Jeremiah continues to come to her rescue.

The murders are being posed to represent scenes from the Biblical week leading up to Easter. Cindy and Jeremiah are intent on helping the police find the killer as the gruesome scenes escalate. The detective, Mark, has to investigate to eliminate Cindy and Jeremiah as suspects, especially since they seem to show up at each crime scene.

This story jumps right into action with the first body appearing very early in the reading. It continues at a good pace with natural dialogue and actions of the characters. The author maintains a bit of mystery as to Jeremiah and his history throughout the story which adds an interest element. I enjoyed learning details I didn’t know about the Jewish celebration of the Passover Seder.

There was a touch of crossword puzzle questions which I always find fun and Ms. Viguie adds humor through the dialogue too. There were a few inspirational tidbits but nothing preachy. I really liked the positive message the Rabbi shared to help deal with the deaths of friends and loved ones.

Although the name was familiar, I didn't initially recognize that this is an author I read and reviewed before: Kiss of Night. This was an easy, fast paced mystery and I would enjoy reading more in the series (and more by Ms. Viguie). I recommend this to readers who like a good mystery with warm characters.

This is a title from my Kindle library, free in 2010. It is one of the titles for my 2015 TBR Pile Challenge.