Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents’ murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a … talented horse rancher whose plans don’t include a family of his own.
At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?
Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.
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Amanda Cabot has written an intriguing, chilling mystery, and she winds it through the pages of a sweet romance in a way that made me keep turning the pages fast to see what was going to happen next. An absolutely excellent read.
Have you ever read a book that weeks later, you’re still thinking about? Well, that’s the way I feel about Amanda Cabot’s Out of the Embers. Cabot does such a good job of setting you in the Hill Country of Texas. I really want to travel there one day when the bluebonnets are blooming like the way they were in the story! And her characters. Wyatt Clark is the kind of man that is every woman’s secret wish! Strong, rugged-looking, honest, and vulnerable. And that he works with horses is just icing on the cake.
Everything Evelyn has been through has made her a strong woman. It took a lot of courage for her to strike out across Texas with a six-year-old after the orphanage where Evelyn had grown up in and now worked burned to the ground. I loved the way Cabot worked in the intricate details of two crimes that followed Evelyn and Polly
I loved watching not only the romance develop between Wyatt and Evelyn, but Wyatt as he struggled with what he wanted to do. Evelyn always knew what she wanted, and she knew what Wyatt needed. And the cast of secondary characters is so good. I was sorry when the book ended…but then I realized there would be more! And the next one is about Wyatt’s sister, Dorothy.
I read and recommend a lot of books, but Out of the Embers is one story you do not want to miss.
I love Amanda Cabot’s stories, and this one is another good one. It’s set in an area of Texas where I have lived. I enjoyed revisiting this area in the historical story. Amazing characters, both the good ones and the bad ones. Very well-developed, even most of the minor characters. The characters had enough secrets to keep me guessing until the very last few chapters. I loved taking the journey. There were surprises along the way. You won’t want to miss this book set in the Hill Country of Texas in the middle 1850s.
My first foray into fiction—aside from fantasy—was historical romance. As a youth, I devoured everything written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott, and L.M. Montgomery I could find. Later, I graduated to the more adult works of Francine Rivers and Liz Curtis Higgs. Why am I rambling about other authors? Because upon reading Out of the Embers, I now consider Amanda Cabot to have well-earned her place in the upper echelons of legacy authors. I could not find a single flaw with her work. Often I was far too busy being lost in the past with her characters to reflect on it.
Out of the Embers begins with the story of Evelyn and Polly, orphans who, after a devastating fire, become set adrift in the Texas Hill Country. In the land of big skies and bigger storms, Evelyn can only hope to get herself and Polly to safety. Enter the Clarks. Wyatt and his mother and sister take the orphans in, unaware of their pasts. But Wyatt’s no fool. He knows Evelyn is hiding something, and he hopes she’ll eventually trust him enough to reveal the truth. Out of the Embers may be a romance, but it’s just as much about the town of Mesquite Springs and its colorful cast of residents. With perfect pacing and immersive world-building, Amanda Cabot pulls you deeply into the daily lives of people not so different from us. All of them are seeking meaning and purpose in their lives. While some, like Wyatt Clark, believe they need to leave town to discover this purpose, others like Evelyn are simply grateful to find a home. I loved the contrast between Wyatt and Evelyn’s stories and all they represented. So many people are never satisfied in their circumstances, always looking over the next horizon. Only to discover, much like the Clarks, what they’ve been searching for was right in front of them all along.
Some sweet romances have a tendency to gloss over the uncomfortable and downright ugly parts of life. Life in the Old West was no picnic, and Cabot doesn’t gloss over the hard truths of life in the 1850s. Many things are simply accepted as “the way things are,” but this doesn’t hold true for everyone, especially the strong women at the heart of Cabot’s story. Several characters in Out of the Embers struggle with what we now call mental illness, and how poorly people understood their struggles at the time. There are also underlying hints of the unrest leading to the Civil War, mentions of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the awful way people treated orphans and the derelict of society. Rather than dwell on all these evils, Cabot chooses to focus Out of the Embers on a message of faith and hope.
There are so many interweaving facets to Out of the Embers that make it more than just another historical romance. I expected the themes of faith and romance peppered throughout Cabot’s narrative. What I didn’t expect to find was a colorful cast of characters with their own stories and a genuine beating heart at the center of it all. Some books breathe, I’m convinced. Some make you feel things or touch you in subtle ways. Others simply dazzle with prose or the author’s ability to bring the past to life. Amanda Cabot has done all these things and more with the first in her Mesquite series. I look forward to devouring the next series, and hope you’ll agree when I say Out of the Embers is as beautiful and perfect as the Texas Bluebonnet.
**I was provided with a copy of Out of the Embers by the publisher and this is my voluntary and honest review.**
When I started this book, I was quickly immersed in the characters, scenery, and even the mystery that is dangled in front of the reader with only tidbits revealed here and there to keep the reader engaged and on the edge of their seats.
There was so much to like about this book I don’t know where to start! The setting is the Texas Hill Country which is beautiful today, I can only imagine what it was like when this book was set. Rolling hills painted with bluebonnets in the spring….sigh, a place I want to visit. The characters are diverse and complex and while we know some of the histories of the main characters, we don’t know everything yet and it leaves much more to be discovered in future books in this series. But we do learn about their strengths, weaknesses, desires, and hopes for the future. There are even a few antagonists in this book that while they might have some redeeming qualities, are not portrayed in a positive light and it adds to the complexity of the story. Sam would be the biggest one in the book and I can only hope that a future book will focus on him and he is able to redeem himself.
I love the town of Mesquite Springs and especially the diner that Evelyn opens in town. The description reminds me so much of the restaurant in When Calls the Heart. I loved that they would sit single people wherever there was an open seat. What a great way to get to know someone new in town, whether just passing through or a resident. And that Oatmeal Pecan Pie? I don’t like pecan pie but now I am intrigued.
Wyatt has so much going on in his life and I can feel his struggles with running the ranch and supporting his mom and sister. I don’t think he gives them enough credit, but in his defense sometimes you can only go by past actions of people. I think a huge boost to his mom’s wellbeing was bringing Evelyn and Polly to their ranch to dry out and stay for a few days. It gave her a purpose which is something she needed.
There are actually three different storylines and the author weaves a suspenseful tale that kept me wondering who these characters were, what they wanted, and what the end result would be with the culmination of the book. Part of the story I was able to figure out, but part of it was quite a surprise to me. I really liked the suspenseful part of wondering who these other characters were since their story didn’t flow with Evelyn or Polly’s story.
There are many faith-based parts in this book which include a character surviving a potentially fatal injury. I think that each verse or faith section only strengthens my belief that people are inherently good and will prove that in various situations. Or if they are evil that they will receive their just rewards.
Overall this was a fantastic book and there is probably so much more I could say but then you wouldn’t have anything left to read. We give this 5 paws up.
This story quickly became a page turner, we are shown characters with so much hate, greed, and total disregard for human life. Also we are give a character, Evelyn Radcliff, who takes a little orphan girl under her wing, gives her love and makes her her own.
This is Evelyn’s and Polly’s journey, and we are enriched by some of the people put in their path, but we see a side of evil that is horrible.
The author gives us a little bit of sweet romance, people who open their homes to complete stranger, and others who are unable to control their tempers, or ever care about human life. There is also a man whose goal is to receive forgiveness, but when we find out what has happened, well, it is scary.
Now I’m looking forward to the second book in this series, and if it’s as excellent as this one, I can’t wait!
I received this book through LibraryThing, and was not required to give a positive review.
I tend not to read romance stories because they are either sugary sweet or sexual explicit, not much a reflection of real life.
I do like a period piece. Amanda Cabot managed to have the perfect mix of mystery, romantic rivalry and describing life in a small Texas town circa 1855. Plenty of interesting characters.
This is the first book in a series and I liked the characters enough that I will be looking out for when the next book is published.
This book is to go live in March 2020.I enjoyed this Romantic Suspense. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I’ve given it a 5* rating. While I didn’t have time to read this very fast, it wasn’t because this book didn’t keep me guessing and wondering what would happen next. There were a couple unexpected curves that happened that kept me wondering. Finally I stayed up way late this morning to finish this because the suspense was getting to me a little. I’ll certainly be reading more of this author’s work
I really enjoyed via audiobook this sweet historical romance set amid a backdrop of suspense in the Texas hill country in the mid 1800s. Evelyn and Wyatt’s relationship developed naturally as Evelyn tried to carve a new life for herself and Polly in Mesquite Springs. The multiple points of view added a level of mystery and suspense while faith themes provided a supportive backdrop throughout this inspirational novel. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series!
Main character Evelyn Radnor (actually, Radcliffe) escaped a fire that burned the orphanage where she was living as a helper. She had gone into town with a young girl by the name of Polly who also lived at the orphanage, and who also had a secret about her past. Evelyn always had a feeling that someone was watching her. When she and Polly were caught in a storm, they met Wyatt, who took them back to his ranch. Wyatt’s family changed the futures for Evelyn and Polly, although not without a lot of drama in the meantime! I loved this book! It held my interest every minute!
I n the early 1900’s there wasn’t much hope for orphans. This book follows Evelyn and Polly, two unrelated orphans who become family to each other. They get established in a new town after the orphanage is destroyed by arson. But someone is after them; they don’t know who or why. It ends happily, but beware, it is the first of a series. I will look forward to the next book!
Times in history where young people overcome in childhood things that would stager adults are always amazing. This story shows the strength humans can have through the most difficult of times. All young adults and adults should read this.
Christian Historical. When Eveyln was younger her parents were killed, she was hiding under the bed while the killer was looking for her. She’d been sent to an orphanage and was always afraid to leave, feeling she was being watched whenever she went into town. When she and one of the girls were in town, the orphanage was burned down with everyone in it, so she fled with the girl. Circumstances brought her to a town where she felt at home, and people who were good to her. Changing her name, she started a new life, and came to care for the owner of a horse ranch and his family. Be sure to set aside time as you near the end as you won’t want to put it down. The mystery takes a twist and it’s fast paced. Excellent read. Looking forward to the next in the series!
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#OutOfTheEmbers #NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book! The plot was unique and well written and grabbed my interest from the very beginning. The characters were multifaceted and endearing and had me rooting for their success. I would definitely recommend this book!
If you’re looking for a book filled with adventure, suspence, and sweet romance, look no further! Cabot skillfully interweaves all of these elements in her novel, set in the 1850’s, in Texas. The more I read, the faster I wanted to turn each page. By the end of the book, I honestly felt as if I had become a character as an onlooker in the plot! I can’t wait to hear about the next book in this upcoming series.
I was hooked on this book from the first page! Ms. Cabot does an amazing job of pulling the reader into a murder mystery that goes unsolved throughout the book.
As we follow the characters, mayhem and love take over. Eventually, the mystery is solved and there is a HEA.
I recommend this story for those looking for an adventurous Christian, historical fiction read.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
It’s the 1850’s Texas and Evelyn Radcliffe needs to run some errands for turn orphanage she has lived in for the past 10 years. Wanting to go with her, she decides to take six year old Polly with her. They returned back to the an orphanage of ruins after a fire had swept through. Was this arson? Was Evelyn suppose to die in the fire like her parents did. Was someone after her? Find out when you read this historical fiction by Amanda Cabot.
This story starts out quite sad, with Evelyn and Polly loosing everything and everyone they had. There was a lot if deep dark emotions as they deal with their loss. I grew to love Evelyn and Polly, their characters developed well as they started a new life. I loved the small town of Mesquite Springs and it’s caring people. It seems the perfect place for Evelyn and Polly, and the nice family helping them became a big part if the story. There is a lot going on here in this book. And the plot is interesting enough that you will want to keep reading to know the ending of the story. If you enjoy a good clean historical fiction, this is one you will enjoy. It’s a nice start to a new series.
Out of the Embers, written by Amanda Cabot, tells the story of Evelyn Radcliffe, a young woman living in Texas during the 1850s. A decade earlier, her parents were murdered. Since then, Evelyn has lived and then worked at an orphanage.
Every week or so, Evelyn’s employer sends her into the nearby town for supplies and errands. Each time she enters the town, Evelyn feels like she is being watched…
For the complete review, please go to https://kindredconnection.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/out-of-the-embers/.
This is the first book in a new series by the author. I love the time period that Ms. Cabot has written about. It is not one that I get to read often. This book is set in Texas in the 1850’s. The main characters, Evelyn, Polly and Wyatt are well written, and you can see that they are fast friends. The characters are real feeling, flawed, have hopes, dreams and are fearful. Evelyn is afraid of the “watcher” who she feels is watching her from a distance. Can they be the same person that burned down the orphanage? There is mystery in this book that I tried to solve – but was thrown through twists and turns. I cannot wait until the next book!
Well written, flowing storyline, and original
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Beautiful! I had to read this book when I saw the cover, it was just so pretty. I’ve heard of Mrs. Cabot, I’ve seen her books, and even started to read one once but for some reason I never finished it.
When I requested Out of the Embers I thought that it would be a sweet easy to read historical romance. I was wrong, weirdly I had an easy time getting interested in the book but as I hit the hundredth page I lost interest, I don’t know why since up until then I had enjoyed every page. I especially liked Wyatt with Polly, so sweet! So, Out of the Embers got set aside for a little while but since it was a review book I had to pick it up again soon after and since we were taking a ride to get out of the house for a while (covid-19 sure has given more reading and driving time…) I grabbed two of my review books, one of which happened to be Out of the Embers, now I knew the ending since I had flipped through the last pages trying to find an interest in finishing the book. I picked up where I’d left off knowing the ending yet not knowing how the ending had come to be.
And I’m so glad I picked Out of the Embers up again! I loved it as I read the rest of the book, the characters were lovely, the plot well wrapped up, and Polly stayed as darling as ever.
My one and only problem was Wyatt, well, not Wyatt. But the fact that the empty feeling he struggled with was filled by Evelyn and Polly and not God, the faith elements in the whole book felt slightly superficial, almost like they were added as an after the fact.
Aside from the lack of faith that I feel Wyatt had, the rest of the book was well written, and I enjoyed the story.
I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing (Revell), through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.