Jennings Winningly Combines Humor, History, and RomanceLouisa Bell never wanted to be a dance-hall singer, but dire circumstances force her hand. With a little help from her brother in the cavalry, she’s able to make ends meet, but lately he’s run afoul of his commanding officer, so she undertakes a visit to straighten him out. Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno. He can barely … Fort Reno. He can barely control his rowdy troops, much less his two adolescent daughters. If Daniel doesn’t find someone respectable to guide his children, his mother-in-law insists she’ll take them.
When Louisa arrives with some reading materials, she’s mistaken for the governess who never appeared. Major Adams is skeptical. She bears little resemblance to his idea of a governess–they’re not supposed to be so blamed pretty–but he’s left without recourse. His mother-in-law must be satisfied, which leaves him turning a blind eye to his unconventional governess’s methods. Louisa’s never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough?
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. TOO MUCH LIKE A HALLMARK MOVED, YOU KNOW WHO IS GOING TO MARRY WHOM AFTER THE SECON CHAPTER. VERY UNINSPIRING
A little bit different story. A dance hall singer travels to Indian territory to tell her brother to straighten up because she has lost her job and can’t help support him. On her way there she meets a missionary women who is ill that is supposed to go to the same fort that she is headed to. She agrees to deliver a crate of books to the commanding officer at the fort. The missionary woman was supposed to be the new governess for the commanders daughters, upon arrival the men at the fort believe she is to be he new governess, she needs a job so she doesn’t confess that she is not who they think she is. I very much enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.
light but entertaining
In
A great read!
I love the characters in this book. There is timely humor that makes the characters realistic and likable. I love that the hero is able to get past his prejudices to see what really matters ,that we cannot all start from the same playing field but can rise above where we start
I rate this book as one of my favorites. I enjoyed the story so much. It was fun, engaging and so heartwarming. Daniel was an inspirational character. He is just plain adorable and has so many wonderful qualities that out shine his faults. The way he treated and respected Louisa is a beautiful portrayal of how Christ sees us. Even though He knows our faults He loves us despite them and offers amazing grace. Louisa was also a wonderful character and I could relate to her well. She is someone who maintained integrity in a career that was frowned upon but it was the only way she could support herself. Sometimes our circumstances dictate our paths in life but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to do and be our best.
A fun plot, author Regina Jennings did a good job of showing us life on a fort in the 1800s. The story started out slow for me, but it picked up a few chapters in, and I enjoyed the characters. From drama to laughing, this book was entertaining.
I thought Louisa’s ability to teach was a bit polished for someone who wasn’t a teacher but it wasn’t bad. The romance that blossomed was sweet and clean.
If you’re looking for light reading, with humor and history thrown together, then you’ll enjoy Holding the Fort. I look forward to reading book 2.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Regina Jennings employs a writing style that is as refreshing as it is laugh out loud funny. Somehow her characters find themselves the quirkiest situations.
In Holding the Fort, book one of The Fort Reno Series, readers are introduced to Louisa Bell, the governess for the children of Major Daniel Adams, the commander of Fort Reno, and a widower with girls. Louisa and Daniel’s first meeting begins with a rather interesting fall from a horse, his. Having disciplined one of the soldiers under his command for riding a horse bareback and standing, Major Adams rides his horse away from the fort to give it a go himself. Completely unaware that he is not as alone as he thought, losing his balance and tumbling from the horse when he sees the lovely Louisa Bell standing in the path ahead of him. Louisa, on her way to the fort, offers him aid.
Upon her arrival at Fort Reno, Louisa is mistaken for the new governess for the girls, a job she is wholly unsuited for. A former vocal performer at the Cat-Eye Saloon, Louisa needs employment while she tries to locate her errant brother, a soldier at the fort. Hardly equipped to teach, Louisa finds herself spending nights studying the textbooks in order to maintain the charade. Why the youngest girl is better at math than Louisa herself!
Fun and quirky situations pop up as Louisa continues her position as governess and her search for her brother. Doesn’t Major Adams recognize her you ask? No, he bumped his head pretty hard in his fall from the horse and doesn’t remember much of the accident. But, Louisa does.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. You will too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House, and am under no obligation to write a review.
This is Christian Romance done right.
Louisa Bell, aka Lola Bell, is a dance hall singer who has just been replaced by a younger woman. With nowhere to go, she heads to Fort Reno where her brother is stationed. She’s just learned that he’s gotten himself in trouble, so she hopes that she can help him. In the meantime, Major Daniel Adams is struggling with raising his daughters who are getting to an age that they need a woman’s help. So, he decides to send off for a governess from the nearby Mennonites. While enroute to the fort, Louisa meets Major Adams’ intended governess who is turning back due to allergies and agrees to deliver the educational materials to the Major. Upon arrival with the books, she is mistaken for the governess. Without any other options, Louisa decides to continue with the ruse, but as she gets to know the girls and their father, her deception weighs on her conscience. Can she reveal her true identity and risk getting sent away?
What follows is a lot of humor, tender romance, and a slice of history. Within the developing romance between Louisa and the Major are some truly funny scenes. And, even though this is a fictional story, the author details at the end how real history and real people were introduced within the story.
A primary theme within the story is the redemption available through Jesus. At the beginning of the story, Louisa doesn’t trust God or church goers. But, as she observes other Christians and listens to them, she softens and accepts the Gospel message. Another smaller theme is forgiveness. Will she be forgiven if she reveals her past and the deception she’s living as a governess?
Romance – G / tame PG
Language – clean
Violence – one fight scene, man thrown from horse and hits head, causing bleeding.
My rating – 5 stars