Alta California 1830?sYoana Armenta knows she is doomed to a miserable existence after her betrothal is broken. But when her reckless behavior results in her and her TÃa being captured by bandoleros, Yoana fears her impulsive nature may cause irreparable disaster. Amado Castro gave a death bed promise that he intends to keep ? at all costs. When that means endangering Yoana’s life, he struggles … struggles with the decision to honor his word, or to protect Yoana, whom he has come to care for more than he could have imagined. Now as the women face a fate worse than death, Amado and Yoana both have choices to make. Will they each be willing to surrender self, and trust God, even if that means the worst could happen?
more
This is a historical fiction story of two women kidnapped by bandits. The characters show many biblical principles about revenge, forgiveness, and grace. I liked the story.
Bandolero, by Nancy Farrier, is a wonderful story not to be missed by readers who love historical fiction. Set in Alta, California in the 1830s, readers are introduced to Yoana and Amado, both strong and evocative and yet both with hurts and sadness in their lives. The author has written a beautifully engaging tale of faith and love, loss and hope, and the importance of family. As well as the interesting historical aspects of the book, there are lots of inspirational messages in this book, issues from the past and present, finding encouragement through prayer and scripture stories and the hope of lives being changed. With expert writing and great characterization, the author quickly draws the reader into this exciting story of kidnapping, bear attacks, gunfights and keeps the excitement high right until the dramatic conclusion. There is lots of tension, romantic as well as wondering how things are going to turn out–who is Amado? and what is his purpose to be involved with horse thieves? Why does Yoana’s father despise her and how did her mother die? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this new to me author. I received a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
What a fascinating Christian historical novel! I was initially drawn to it as a Southwest desert dweller and was quickly captivated by the story, characters, and culture. The author is adept at showing faith of some characters and how adversity grows faith in others. The characters are well-defined and the plot is finely-executed.
Despite her genteel and comfortable upbringing at the home of her father, the well-known Don Armenta in 1800’s Alta California, nineteen-year-old Yoana has not had an easy life. Her father, renown for his excellent horses, has hated her since her mother’s death and will seldom speak with her. Today he made an exception. The young man who she was promised to at a very young age, Gabrio, has sent a letter breaking their engagement. She has gotten to know and love him over the years through their letters to each other, and she has been looking forward to their future marriage. With their engagement broken, she is destined to be trapped at the rancho.
Leya, her beloved Tia who raised her, is the only person who does love her. Of course, God does, as well, but she wants the love of a man, in the same way Leya, stolen and scarred by bandoleros when a young woman, has longed for human love. Yoana wants to ride her horse, taking Leya as chaperone, and two of the vaqueros as protectors due to the risk of bandoleros in the area. Yoana takes the high risk of running her horse, charges on a sudden downhill run overlooking a valley where a herd of her father’s horses are. A small group of rough men are with the horses. One shoots at one of the vaqueros, frightening her horse so badly she fell off. Both vaqueros are shot, and Yoana and Leya have been kidnapped.
Amado is with the bandoleros. He left his home and future when making a deathbed promise to his brother and is new to this rowdy band. He recognizes Leya and hopes she doesn’t recognize him. He then recognizes men on the hill who see the kidnapping, and knows he is in a world of trouble if they see who he is. He tries to get the bandit who grabbed the women let them go and let the one vaquero still alive return to where they came from – just take the herd of horses they came for. The evil man, with evil intentions, refuses. Amado has no choice but to join him in taking the women to the camp.
This well-written novel is at times beyond frightening, at other times reflect a strong, amazing faith in some of the worst circumstances a woman could find herself in. It shows the faith of a woman who has already endured horror in her youth at the hands of bandits, a faith that gets even stronger in the enemy’s camp. We see the power of God working in the heart of Amado, struggling with whether to keep his word or protect the women and in the heart of Yoana as she learns about trusting God in the hardest days. We also see the horror that the women who have lived in the camp for years have endured. When Yoana’s father refuses to pay a ransom for her, there is only worse to look forward to.
I am beyond impressed with this amazing story, want to read the next in series, and highly recommend it to those who appreciate Christian historical fiction in Mexico Territory in the early 1800’s with growing faith and the possibility of romance.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not requested.