Good Friday, everyone!
My book club’s selection for October was A Tender Hope by Amada Cabot, and I read it this week finishing it Tuesday night at 12:30. Can you tell I enjoyed the book? It isn’t a book I would normally pick up to read, but once again, my book club made a great selection! (more about that later)
Here’s the back cover copy:
As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it’s time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek’s midwife, she has no intention of remarrying and trying for another child. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn’t sure her heart can take it.
Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn’t concerned only with the baby’s welfare. He’s been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated–and he’ll need Thea’s help if he’s ever to find the justice he seeks.
Amanda Cabot invites readers back to Cimarron Creek for a tender story of loss, betrayal, and love in the majestic Texas Hill Country.
My take:
Without the prodding of my book club, I probably would not have discovered this great book! I don’t normally read historical fiction, but since it was the pick…Good thing, too. It had everything I love about a book in it–a mystery and suspense and a love story–enough twists and turns to satisfy any suspense reader.
Thea Michener was a feisty heroine and I really enjoyed getting to know her. There were two stories running through the book. That of Thea and Jackson Guthrie ( a real heartthrob!), and Aimee Jarre and Nate Kenton. I loved watching the relationships develop. Aimee had her own story that kept me engrossed.
The book was about new beginnings, reconciliation, and forgiveness, not to mention matchmaking on the part of several of the characters. And baby Stuart was a bonus.
A Tender Hope was set in a beautiful little town in Texas that I would love to visit! I know, I’d have to go back over a hundred years, but I loved Cimarron Creek. If you enjoy stories about Texas Rangers with a good deal of suspense thrown in, you’ll love A Tender Hope.
Quick Question: In the book, Thea believes something based on her own assumptions. Have you ever believed something only to discover you had wrong information? What did you learn? Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a print copy of A Tender Hope. Entries must be in by Sunday night and have Continental US addresses.
The discussion on the bookclub starts soon, and if you’d like to join us, click here.
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Comments 31
What a gorgeous cover!! Definitely on my TBR list. Thanks for the recommendation! (Obviously, you can’t add me to the list, since I’m not from the US!)
Author
Monique, I wish it weren’t so prohibitively expensive to mail a book to you in New Zealand! Thanks so much for stopping by each week!!!
Haha, yeah, me too!! And you’re welcome; I love reading your blog! So thanks for your regular posts 🙂
I have this series so skip me for the drawing! I love the cozy community Amanda weaves together.
Author
Jessica, I haven’t read the other stories, but I will now! Always good to ‘see’ you here. 🙂
Pat, regarding your question, who of us hasn’t made a conclusion or decision based on incorrect or incomplete information? The more painful the result, the more likely we are to be more cautious in the future. Being wrong can sometimes sting pretty hard. So the lesson is to double check and triple check our assumptions, pray about it, and make our decisions based on that.
Author
Amen, Tim! But so often I forget to pray about a situation…so I learn the hard way. Thanks for stopping by.
You wrote a great review here and added to my enjoyment of the book which I’ve also just read. Thanks!
Author
Thanks, Delores. I went back and added a link to the bookclub discussion but here it is again, in case anyone wants to join us. https://www.acfw.com/book_club
Thanks for sharing your review. I have not read this book and it certainly looks like one that I would enjoy. Acting on misinformation or incomplete information has certainly brought changes into our life, to the point of my husband losing a job over something totally incorrect! In hindsight, one can only feel that it was the Lord’s will being worked out in a way that we would probably not have chosen. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Author
That happens sometimes, Betti. We can’t always see what God has in mind, but it’s always better than what we think. Even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. 😉
Enjoyed your review. About assumptions that turn out wrong. Our Panama City town is still recovering from Hurricane Michael that plowed through here a year ago October 10. Everyone in town has had to learn if a contractor promises a to show up “tomorrow” don’t assume it will happen. “Tomorrow” generally means I may or may not show up and I may or may not have the right materials for the job when and if I get there.
Author
Oh, my goodness, Sally Jo! But that doesn’t just happen in Panama City. lol Thanks for stopping by.
As a parent, I have made assumptions about my children’s behavior that has often proved incorrect. Most of the time my mom’s intuition is correct, but not always. God has had to humble me, and thankfully, our children have be ready and willing to forgive.
Author
I can identify, Beth! Thanks for visiting my blog!
This book sounds like a very good read and the cover is Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your book review. We should all learn from our mistakes and not do them again, the problem is when we keep on making the same mistake and not learning from it. Just like taking things for granted, we don’t miss things until we don’t have them . Have a Great weekend. God Bless you.
Author
Good thoughts, Alicia. I really enjoyed the book. It’s always good to ‘see’ you here.
I have definitely decided what I feel about a situation or someone incorrectly. I think I have a tendency to project maybe? Always best to not assume. This sounds like a good book that I will look into. I used to read a lot of historical books but not so much anymore. Thanks for the review.
Author
It is a good book, Gloria and I plan to read the others in the series. Thanks for stopping by.
I already have this book and finished it this morning! It makes me want to read the previous two books! Get ready for a great discussion! Did you catch the grammar reference when she was with Charity? That made me laugh! Page 311!
Author
Yes, I saw it, Paula! And it made me laugh, too. I’m looking forward to the discussion. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for sharing your review. I enjoy historical fiction set in the Old West. Include a Texas Ranger and you will probably hook me. As for those assumptions, I don’t recall the exact statement but I was told years ago that jumping to conclusions can result in a very hard landing.
Author
Love the statement you remembered, Edward. I think you’d like this story. Always good to ‘see’ you here.
I really enjoyed reading this book also. I’m blessed to receive ARC’s of Amanda’s books.
Author
You are blessed, Lucy! This is a great story. Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like a good series. We all sometimes need reminders that we are not all knowing.
Author
Amen, Joni! I’m looking forward to reading the other books! Thanks for stopping by.
Pat, thank you for the recommendation. This book sounds like one not to miss.
Author
I really enjoyed it, Caryl! Thanks for dropping by.
I read the first book in this series and loved it. But then again, historical is my favorite genre next to suspense. I have the rest of this series on my want-to-read list for sure. I learn so much about places in a historical and Cimaron Creek is one I would have loved to visit!
Author
I’d love to visit Cimarron Creek, too, Trixi. Thanks so much for stopping by!