Book Review and Print Giveaway: Scattered Petals by Amanda Cabot

This is a warm and rich story that addresses some difficult issues in a lovely way.

Scattered Petals (Texas Dreams Book #2): A Novel

by Amanda Cabot

• File Size: 575 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0800733258
• Publisher: Revell (March 1, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B00B5J4PTC

Genre: Historical Romance, Christian
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010

Longing for adventure, Priscilla Morton leaves Boston and heads for Texas, never dreaming that the adventure she seeks will leave her badly injured and her parents dead. Priscilla is determined to rebuild her life and make a home for herself in the beautiful Hill Country. But the bandits who took her parents' lives also destroyed her hope for the future.

Ranch foreman Zachary Webster knows what the future holds for him, and it's not a woman like Priscilla. She deserves a cultured East Coast gentleman, not a cowboy who's haunted by memories of his mistakes. The best thing he can do is leave her alone.

When necessity draws them together, Priscilla and Zach begin to forge a life that, like the scattered petals of her childhood, is filled with promise. But then the past intrudes, threatening their very existence.

Review:
Priscilla Morton always longed for adventure so she is thrilled to have talked her parents into traveling from Boston to Texas for the wedding of her former brother-in-law, Clay. Unfortunately bandits attack the stage coach, killing her parents. Although her life is spared when she is rescued by a passing Ranger, the physical and mental damage has already occurred that causes her to believe her future is ruined. She may never be able to be close to a man and have the family she once dreamed of.

Zachary Webster is a hard working foreman overseeing two ranches for Clay. He is immediately smitten by Priscilla but realizes that she is scared at the mere sight of him. Besides, he knows he has sins from his own past that make him unworthy of such a lovely woman.

Circumstances bring Zach to propose a marriage of convenience which Priscilla reluctantly accepts. Although their marriage is not one in truth, they soon find comfort in the daily presence of each other. But another tragedy threatens to pull them apart. Priscilla thinks that Zach doesn’t really want her, especially since she has not been able to overcome her fear of men. Zach continues to think he is unworthy of her because of his past misdeeds. He also thinks that perhaps Priscilla has feelings for the handsome Ranger who continues to deliver reports in person on the success, or lack thereof, in finding the outlaws.

While Priscilla and Zach face their personal demons the town is facing a widening gulf of prejudice. Isabelle, from a French family. and Gunther, a German widower, have fallen for each other.  Isabelle’s family and the other townfolk are against any mixing of the two countries. Priscilla and Zach reach beyond their own problems to try to find a solution for Isabelle and Gunther.

There is more going on too as the son of the town’s founder escapes from his work program and begins a journey of evil and revenge back to Ladreville. There is plenty of movement and conflict in the story to keep the reader interested. It had me wondering about how prejudices regarding different cultures and unwed mothers have changed over the years. I also had to wonder about the evil nature of some people.

The reading is easy and God’s messages are shared in a very nature and gentle fashion. As in “Paper Roses”, the first book, I loved the meaning of ‘Scattered Petals.’  Our Book Club members all enjoyed the book and I recommend it to those who like historical romance.

This book was read for my church Book Club.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Print Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 20, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on September 21, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Giveaway: Paper Roses (Texas Dreams Book #1) by Amanda Cabot

This is a charming, sweet Western Historical Romance with a little suspense and mystery.
Paper Roses (Texas Dreams Book #1): A Novel
by Amanda Cabot
384 pages
Publisher     Revell; Reprinted edition (January 1, 2009)
ISBN-10     080073324X
ISBN-13     978-0800733247
Genre: Inspirational Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publication Date: January 1, 2009
The future stretches out in front of Sarah Dobbs like the pure blue Texas sky. Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom, Austin Canfield, a man she has never met but whose letters have won her heart from afar. But there is one problem--he has died. And Sarah cannot go back East.

As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother, Clay, struggles with his own muddled plans. Though he dislikes working on the family ranch and longs for a different life, Clay is driven to avenge his brother's death. But something between them is growing and neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit it.

Book 1 of the Texas Dreams series, Paper Roses will sweep readers into the Hill Country with a tale of love and loss, closed doors and beautiful possibilities that will leave them wanting more.

Review:
Sarah is a beautiful young woman but flawed. A bad riding accident as a child left her with a limp and terrible fear of horses. She has been raised in society but now faces shame as a result of her father’s heavy financial losses and the resulting death of her parents. She has gathered all that she has left and is determined to make a new life for her younger sister and herself in the rugged lands outside of San Antonio, Texas. She has fallen in love with Austin Canfield, the man who wrote her such beautiful letters–her ‘paper roses.’

Sarah is met at the train station two hours later than expected but that is not the worst of the news. Clay, Austin’s brother, has to break the news that Austin is dead. He was murdered and Clay’s bitter heart is set on finding the killer and exacting revenge. In the past year Clay’s pregnant wife died and his father suffered a stroke. Clay is bitter against God and most anyone else who has a positive attitude.

Clay expects Sarah to turn tail and return to Philadelphia. He is surprised when she announces she is staying but she doesn’t want to be a burden. She sets her mind on finding some work to support herself and her sister. When other work falls through she proposes to the controlling Mayor that she open a school. The community agrees and she finds herself rotating class weekly from the German church to the French church. Unfortunately, her students rotate weekly too as the parents refuse to let their children mingle.

Through strategic maneuvering Sarah finally brings the children together. It is much harder to bring the parents together though. Tempers and prejudices are becoming more enhanced as thefts increase around town. Sarah continues to focus on others while Clay focuses on his revenge.

I liked the historic difficulties presented in the mixed community. Ms. Cabot uses Sarah’s persistent and nonjudging character to lead by example. She encourages the community to begin to see themselves as Americans with different backgrounds and traditions that can be blended to create new traditions.

I also enjoyed how this couple struggles and finally come together. Both have issues of unforgiveness that they have to overcome. The story shares more than just a romance as it addresses numerous small town issues. Matters of revenge and prejudice, and Godly lessons are handled gently. The writing is smooth and easy.

This was our ladies’ book club selection in May. The consensus was that we all enjoyed the easy flow, sweet romance and nice story.

This title was picked for our Ladies' Book Club choice.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the Review Copy:

 ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US ONLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 12, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 13, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.