It’s been a few weeks since I shared a “First Line Friday” and thought today would be perfect with my review of Regina Jenning‘s latest novel, Holding the Fort. I love her books and this newest one is going on my keeper shelf too.
Here’s my REVIEW:
Everyone has those authors they trust to deliver a great story every time. Regina Jennings is one of those for me. I’m always entertained. I’m always hooked. This latest novel – Holding the Fort – was an absolute delight to read. It was charming, unique, and witty, as Regina’s books always are.
I loved Louisa. The difficulties of her past made her shine as a tried-and-true heroine. She feels her imperfections deeply, but her heart is kind and she’s braver than she thinks. I admired her grit and determination to be a better person. Watching her relationship with the Major and his girls unfold was adorable and endearing.
And Major Daniel Adams was a great leading man, who steps onto the page with flare and feeling. He’s honest and smart, good at his job and a loving father. His feelings for Louisa melted my heart. Despite their obvious differences, they really do compliment each other perfectly.
If you enjoy historical romance, this is one I highly recommend. It’s not weighted down with too many historical facts and yet it still pulls you right into the era with grace and realistic descriptions. I can’t wait to read the rest of this new series!
I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
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?
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And the first line is:
“The fumes of the gaslights at the foot of the stage protected Louisa Bell from the more noxious odors of her audience.”
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Find “Holding the Fort” on
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ChristianBook
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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
Merry Christmas!
I just bought this book. Can’t wait to read it. Great first line!!!
Today on my blog I am featuring Desert Duet by Debra Marvin. I’m just beginning chapter 3, so I will leave the first line from that chapter.
“The new gray fedora, with its crisp, black grosgrain band, would be a stylish, but dismal failure at preventing sunburn.”
I’m really enjoying this story! Happy Friday. 😊
So glad you stopped by, Nicole, and shared such a great first line. Happy New Year!!
This looks like a wonderful book! Regina Jennings is a great author. Merry Christmas Savanna!
Hi Heather! Hope you get to read it soon. It was so much fun. Hope you have a blessed 2018, my friend. 🙂
I read that a few weeks ago and just loved it! It was the first of her books I had read, but I’m already looking forward to the next one!
My first line comes from Deborah Raney’s Circle of Blessings:
Dakota Territory, 1864
It was almost closing time, and in all of his seventeen years, James Collingwood could not remember being so bone-weary as he felt tonight.
Merry Christmas!
Love your first line, Phyllis. I sooo want to read Deborah Raney’s books. 🙂
You definitely must read more of Regina’s too. I’ve loved every one I’ve read.
Thanks for visiting. Happy New Year!
I’ve recently finished Holding the Fort, and I loved everything about it.
I’m sharing from All is Bright by Andrea Grigg over on my blog, a wonderful novella set in Australia … which means a summer Christmas (FYI, that’s normal for me. Not so normal for most of you, or for my Icelandic pastor and his family.)
I’m currently reading A Sweethaven Christmas by Courtney Walsh, an new favourite author. Here’s the first line:
“Why is that woman staring over here?” Lila shifted in the tall-backed linen-covered chair and nodded towards a blonde woman at the bar.
I suspect this is going to be more than a Christmas story …
Blessings as you celebrate the birth of our Saviour this week!
So glad you could visit, Iola. I’ll have to check out that book by Courtney Walsh. Sounds like fun. 🙂 Happy New Year!!
This sounds like an interesting read! I enjoy historical novels, especially the late 1800s, when my maternal grandparents were born!
Yes, definitely pick up a copy, Barb. You’ll be so glad you did. 🙂
What a great book! Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas, Savannah!
Thanks for visiting, Melanie. Happy New Year!!
I’m about halfway through this book and loving it! I absolutely adore Regina’s sense of humor!
She has such a unique storytelling voice. I love it! So glad you’re enjoying it too, Winnie. Happy New Year!
I love Regina Jennings’ novels, and this looks like another good one. The book I’m featuring on my blog is A Match of Sorts by Lucette Nel. Merry Christmas!
So glad you could stop by, Anneliese. 🙂 Love your name, btw. 🙂 Hope you have a blessed 2018!