Hattie Walker dreams of becoming a painter, while her parents want her to settle down. As a compromise, they give her two months to head to Denver and place her works in an exhibition or give up the dream forever. Her journey is derailed when a gunman attacks her stagecoach, leaving her to be rescued by a group of Arapaho . . . but she’s too terrified to recognize them as friendly.Confirmed … friendly.
Confirmed bachelor Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has long worked with the tribe and is tasked with trying to convince them that the mission school at Fort Reno can help their children. When a message arrives about a recovered survivor, Jack heads out to take her home–and plead his case once more.
He’s stunned to run into Hattie Walker, the girl who shattered his heart–but quickly realizes he has a chance to impress her. When his plan gets tangled through translation, Jack and Hattie end up in a mess that puts her dreams in peril–and tests Jack’s resolve to remain single.
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I thoroughly enjoyed The Lieutenant’s Bargain, the charming second installment in Regina Jennings’ Fort Reno Series. The story started quickly with the stage that is supposed to deliver Hattie Walker safely to Denver robbed and leaving everyone but Hattie dead. Rescued by Indians, then rescued again by someone from her past, Hattie is not at all happy with how her life is going. Determined to find her way to Denver before it is too late to enter a painting in an exhibition, she chafes at being confined to Fort Reno but agrees to a bargain with Lieutenant Hennessey. She can’t wait to leave but will he manage to change her mind?
With a balanced blend of light-hearted moments, historical facts, a bit of action, danger, and mystery, plus the expected romance, The Lieutenant’s Bargain was everything I hoped it would be. It was fun to witness the spiritual and personal growth of both Hattie and Jack. The author’s vivid imagery almost made me feel as if I were there experiencing everything along with Hattie. I loved touching base again with Daniel and Louisia from the first book of the series, Holding the Fort and learning how their life together was going. Reading this book was such fun but it also gave me food for thought about how we view others.
The Lieutenant’s Bargain is a must read if you enjoy your history mixed with a touch of faith, romance, and humor. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and am hoping it features Louisa’s brother
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and Bethany House. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Jack Hennessey has pined for the girl back home ever since school days in Van Buren, Arkansas. Now, he focuses his time and energy on working with the Indian tribes and convincing them that sending their children to the mission school is a good thing. When he receives word that there’s a survivor of a stagecoach robbery who’s in the custody of the Arapaho, he heads out to help, never dreaming that the survivor would be none other than the girl from home.
Hattie Walker only wants to paint. After rejecting multiple marriage offers, her parents agree to send her to Denver with the stipulation that she must prove herself a successful artist or else she’s to come home and settle down with a husband. Unfortunately, she is the lone survivor of a stagecoach robbery and finds herself all alone on the prairie – except for the Indians. When the cavalry officer comes to rescue her, she thinks she recognizes him, but not quite.
Jack simply wants to impress Hattie, even if she doesn’t remember him. But, what he asks the Arapaho Chief to do and what actually happens become two different things and now Jack must figure out a solution – a bargain – to try to keep Hattie happy. But, will he ever be happy again?
What follows is a story filled with every possible emotion. What Hattie experiences with the robbery is terrifying, yet the author shows how God provided protection for Hattie. Then, after Hattie is rescued, I struggled to like her because she came across as very selfish, but her character development is wonderful. She went from an unlikeable spoiled brat to a caring, loving, mature woman. Jack’s character starts out as a guy who is focused on appearances and proving himself. He grows into someone who is willing to sacrifice his passions and interests for the well-being of others. They both acknowledge their flaws and weaknesses and seek to improve and change to a better person.
In addition to the romance is a suspense story. There’s the secondary story about the robbery – who was the criminal? Will he get caught? What happened to the gold? The answers unfold gradually and I was satisfied with the conclusion.
Finally, there’s the story of the Indians. I appreciate the fact that the author is using real history to compose her story.
All in all, it’s a solid story that flows very well from book 1 in the series. I loved following up with the other characters introduced in book 1 and I’m eager to read any future stories the author bases on Fort Reno.
Romance – PG
Language – Clean
Violence – non graphic
My rating – 5 stars.
What do you get when you mix a beautiful young lady who is stubborn, a little self-centered and sometimes judgemental with a handsome soldier who is compassionate, smart. but a little naive and often oblivious and throw them together because of a stagecoach robbery and a subsequent rescue by Indians? You get adventure with a capital A, romance with a capital R and fun, lots of FUN! I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book and I also thought that this was one of the most romantic books that I have read in quite a while. Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has loved Hattie Walker since he was a young boy and thoughout this book he alternates between hope and despair that she will ever realize his deep feelings, let alone recipricate them. Hattie has a hard time forgetting about the skinny classmate who was so smart and so overly eager to share his knowledge. Her opinion, however, changes when an unexpected Arapahpo wedding ceremony forces them to act like happily married newlyweds to preserve and maintain the relationship that Jack has established with the Cheyenne and Arapahpo Indians. Many of their encounters with these two tribes and the other residents at Fort Reno are hilarious and those that they experience in the privacy of their home alternate between awkward to extremely sweet and romantic. I can easily picture a madcap comedy with Hattie Walker and Lieutenant Jack Hennessey as the main characters!
I’ve read several of Regina Jennings’s books but this may be my favorite! I recommend The Lieutenant’s Bargain for anyone who enjoys Christian romance with historical facts woven into the story.
I was given the chance to read this complimentary copy from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. These are my honest opinions.
This is the first full-length novel from Regina Jennings that I have read and I’m totally hooked! If you enjoy historical romance, you will definitely enjoy this one. The writing is fluid and easy to follow, the characters are endearing, and the plot is fun with a bit of suspense and intrigue thrown in.
Hattie, an aspiring artist, gets robbed on a coach heading to Denver and is rescued by an Indian tribe working in tandem with the US government as reservations are being created. Jack, a lieutenant in the US Army that is serving the reservation, has always admired Hattie from afar while growing up and seizes the opportunity to “rescue” her from the Indian tribe. Misunderstanding and miscommunication bind them as husband and wife as they both try to figure out why they hold on to the dreams that they have. Hattie is strong-willed, stubborn, and somewhat immature and spoiled in the beginning but is also tender, vulnerable, and has a huge heart and an infinite capacity to love. Jack has always been a nerd with a nose buried in a book but has grown up to be a confidant man, interested in the welfare and preservation of the tribe even as they are forced to assimilate. As they struggle together to sustain a school for the tribe’s children and find out who had robbed the coach, their friendship and love bloom.
Even though this is book 2 in the series, it can totally be read as a stand alone. But now I need to go back and read the first book, Holding the Fort!
I was given a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers (Baker Publishing Group) and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Do you listen to audiobooks? I do when I’m at the office. I mean, I’d never stay up with my monthly TBRs if I didn’t listen to a handful of those. But once in a while I come across a book that has people looking at me whenever they walk by my cubicle because I’m smiling and laughing at whatever I’m listening to. Regina Jennings’ The Lieutenant’s Bargain was one of those books.
The misunderstandings with Hattie and Arapaho who rescue her, Jack and the Arapaho when he goes to rescue Hattie, and even Hattie and Jack are entertaining and hilarious. And even though it takes Jack and Hattie a bit too long to discover exactly what they got themselves into, readers catch on quick which just makes it even more enjoyable. Plus, you have Hattie who has the heart of an artist and Jack who is a by-the-book scholarly type. What could possibly go wrong?
While the laughs are abundant in this story, there’s also some great lessons immersed in there. The distrust the Native Americans had for the white man, the struggles to educate the Native Americans, and the danger of the time.
As Jack and Hattie stick to the constraints of their bargain, they struggle to find the courage to let go of their insecurities and tell the other the truth in their hearts. And that journey is a blast to take with these characters Jennings created.
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Hattie Walker would rather paint nature than marry any of her suitors. She convinces her parents to let her travel to Denver via stagecoach to pursue her art career, but when the stagecoach is ambushed, her plans go awry. Rescued from the elements by the Arapaho Indians, and rescued from the Arapaho by former suitor Lieutenant Jack Hennesey, Hattie soon finds that she’s trapped at Fort Reno with Jack for the indefinite future.
To her surprise, the annoying boy from her hometown isn’t quite as annoying anymore. Instead of pointing out the flaws in her schoolwork and her logic, he’s busy fostering friendship with the local tribes, establishing a school to educate the native children, and most of all, keeping Hattie safe from her mistakes, her misconceptions, and her nightmares. Will Hattie realize Jack’s worth before he keeps their bargain and sends her on to Denver? And will Jack read the signs right this time when he’s always read them wrong before?
This cute romance kept me reading too late into the night. Both the hero and the heroine are endearing characters. Hattie is an outspoken confluence of independence and clinginess. Jack is admirably clever in most things and astonishingly obtuse when it comes to matters of the heart. The scene where Hattie decides to re-organize Jack’s parlor bubbled over with humor as did the letters exchanged by Jack and his commanding officer, Major Adams.
This book also touches on the historical situation of Native American children attending schools, learning reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic as they learn to live in the white man’s world. The Darlington School is portrayed in a positive light, with Jack striving to understand the native culture even as he encourages them to abandon it (a view point radically different than that shown in Between Earth and Sky by Amanda Skenandore). The poignancy of the situation is not ignored, however, and Hattie composes one of her best sketches as she watches a young native lose his precious braids to the teacher’s scissors.
If you are looking for a lighthearted western romance with original characters, this is the book for you. This novel is the second of the Fort Reno series, but it can clearly stand alone as I didn’t even realize it was part of a series until I looked the title up on Goodreads after reading it.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
They are out of the frying pan & into the fire…
I have to confess that once again I didn’t read the blurb for a book before deciding I wanted to read it. Really all I had to see was that it is Regina Jennings latest. I stumbled on her books several years ago and have now read nearly all of them published since then.
My second confession is that I really think The Lieutenant’s Bargain is my favorite Regina Jennings book, at least so far. The story started off with a bang, almost literally, and took off from there. The mixture of historical romance, moments of humor, and a dash of danger with some surprising results, was just right. There was an additional depth to the story that surprised me in the best of ways. Both Hattie and Jack have a lot of maturing to do, she with her somewhat spoiled childishness, and he with his unrealistic ideal of her perfection. Watching the two of them discovering themselves, with all of their flaws and hidden strengths, and each other was a delight to read.
The Lieutenant’s Bargain is a wonderful addition to The Fort Reno Series set in the historical Fort Reno and Darlington Agency of Indian Territory in Oklahoma. It’s a charming story of finding out what really matters in life, of love and learning to sacrifice for those you love, and of finding beauty in the most unexpected places.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I listened to the wonderful audiobook. I’ve listened to both books in this series now and they were great listens!
Hattie Walker doesn’t want to get married.
She wants to be an artist, Her parents have given her two months to prove herself and get a painting in a reputable Denver exhibition, so she’s travelling to Colorado to try and make her mark in the art world. Otherwise, it’s go home to Van Buren, Arkansas, and plan for her future. A stagecoach shootout leaves Hattie as the only survivor … and therefore the only eyewitness to murder. But that’s nothing compared to being kidnapped by Indians for who knows what nefarious purpose.
Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has never been interested in marriage.
The only girl he was ever interested in never showed the slightest sign of liking him. But now he’s rescuing the survivor of a stagecoach robbery, and it turns out to be his childhood sweetheart. Anxious to impress, he asks the village Chief to arrange a ceremony … and ends up married.
Oops. Not quite the impression he wanted to make.
It’s a great set-up: a marriage that’s neither mail order bride nor marriage of convenience, but marriage all the same. And between two people who know and like each other, although that doesn’t mean they actually want to be married. It makes for a fun story, with a lot of great scenes as the two get to know each other and consider their options.
Parts of the novel show the hopefully well-meaning but almost certainly misguided colonialism, with the attempts to integrate the local Indian tribes into the white man’s world (and isn’t that phrase telling: the white man’s world. Not the white world. That’s still a distinction we’re all fighting for). Some Native American readers may say this history is sanitised and sugar-coated, and they’d probably be right.
However, this novel is intended as light entertainment, not a serious treatise on the faults of colonialism (of which there are many). On that level, it works.
The Lieutenant’s Bargain is the second book in the Fort Reno series, but can easily be read as a standalone novel. Recommended for fans of Christian Western historical romance … especially those who like a little humour in their romance.
Thanks to Baker Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Every book I read by author Regina Jennings is better than the one before. Book 1 in this series, Holding the Fort, was such an enjoyable read that I had high hopes for Book 2. And I wasn’t disappointed. The Lieutenant’s Bargain was rich in humor and history. I loved it!
An independent heroine and a dashing army hero who have a past cause some interesting situations. So well developed you’ll thoroughly enjoy getting to know the characters in this story.
Jennings did a very good job researching for this story and the notes at the end will enhance what was written as a historical novel. Full of surprises, this book is a great read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
If you need a break from life and could use a good laugh then look no farther. The writing is well developed and you can imagine Hattie and Jack in the circumstances that revolve around them. I can see the look on his face when she sat beside him on the couch and wanted to kiss him, it cracked me up. I don’t want to include spoilers so I will just say her antics involving Jack will keep you smiling every time you think of it. The roller skating scene is memorable. I think these are my two favorite characters from this author, although I’ve enjoyed each book I have read by her. I also enjoyed the historical aspect of the Indian children and the changes they had to endure. Throw in some danger to keep you on your toes and you have the makings of an entertaining and enjoyable read. I appreciated the authors notes at the end for explaining certain things incorporated in the story. My theory is move this one to your must read pile.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Love Love Loved it!!!
I wholeheartedly loved this book! I was drawn into the story from the first moment I pressed play. It had me on the edge of my seat from the drama then giggling from a few misunderstandings and surprises.
Of all the things that could have happened, Lieutenant Jack never expected to find a woman needing to be rescued. There is a funny line Hattie says to herself about being saved by the Indians and held captive by the Calvary. I loved seeing her connect with the children and how her heart changed as time went on.
This is a wonderful drama with bits of Regina Jennings trademark humor infused throughout. A message of faith and trusting God is gently woven around the natural scenes. Teaching the young Indian children and their parents the Christmas story through a school program was brilliant.
There are too many fun moments for me to mention. I loved seeing characters from the first book included here but I think this story stands on its own.
I highly recommend this book. I spent the entire day and most of the night listening. Only pausing for a few important business matters.
*This review is based on the Audible Unabridged version.
In the first book I really felt for Jack and his unrequited love for Hattie. Their reunion is unexpected and again the author devises a highly unusual and entertaining first meeting! The way that they get to know each other again is so sweet, and their eyes are opened not only to the strengths, but also the weaknesses, flaws, and quirks. Jack comes to know the real Hattie, not just the enigma he placed on a pedestal, and Hattie quickly recognizes the significant changes in the young boy she knew and tolerated. Their relationship is rocky and goes through plenty of ups and downs that kept me glued to the pages. I loved Hattie’s determination to make something of her painting talent, and Jack’s devotion to the success of the school for Arapaho children. The pace is steady with humor, gentle romance, and some suspenseful action as the danger from the stagecoach robbery continues to plague Hattie. This one is my favorite of the series!
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
This book was so good. I loved Jack from the previous novels and was looking forward to reading his story. It kind of had a bumpy start, but I loved it by the end
At first Hattie got on my nerves. She was shallow, selfish and didn’t know how to or didn’t care to sympathize with other people. She only cared about what she wanted. Jack has been a favorite of mine since the beginning of the series. He loves books and so things like cleaning get forgotten (happens to me too), and he puts everyone before himself. I didn’t see a happy ever after with them. WOW those last few chapters turned out to be GREAT! So happy it ended the way it did.
Lieutenant Jack Hennessey is in charge of trying to convince the Arapaho to send their children to school at Fort Reno. While Jack has been trying to learn their culture and language, the chief has been reluctant to do so since Jack is a bachelor. When the fort is notified that the tribe has rescued a woman from a stagecoach attack, Jack volunteers to go so he can continue his talks with the chief.
Jack is shocked to find that the survivor is Hattie Walker, a childhood classmate, who he has loved for years. Thinking he has finally found a way to get her attention, he asks the chief to perform a ceremony handing her over to him. Because of a misunderstanding in translation, Jack and Hattie are married instead. Striking a bargain, Jack agrees to help Hattie continue on her journey if she will help convince the Arapaho to let the children come to the fort.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While the series got off to a slow start, this one focused more on the characters and was back to the trademark style of Regina Jennings. It is built on growth, maturity, humor, sacrifice, faith, and love. Jack and Hattie’s story was the best so far and I was sad for it to end.
I received a free paperback copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.
Another awesome story in this series! I didn’t think I could love a book as much as I loved the first book in the series but I did! At first I wasn’t sure if I could like the heroine, Hattie. I completely sympathized with her, of course! She was traveling and was the victim of a stagecoach robbery in which she was the only one not killed. She fought for her life and was the victim of PTSD as time went on. However, when she was saved by her childhood friend, Jack Hennessey, who is a Lieutenant in the army, she isn’t very grateful. Jack has loved Hattie from afar for many years and never thought she would return his affections. He can’t believe she’s actually at Fort Reno where he is stationed! He bends over backwards for her but she doesn’t seem to care that much. I had a hard time warming up to Hattie for quite awhile. However, pretty soon, she started coming around when she saw Jack’s work with the Indians in the area and some other happenings. I liked the character development of both of them! I can’t wait to read the final book soon!
A match made in heaven or a happy misunderstanding? Both of these thoughts would be an appropriate description of this book.
Hattie is on her way to Denver when a bandit holds up the stagecoach killing the driver and passengers. She barely escapes because she took a pit stop in a ditch. Running from outlaws, freezing, and frightened she is eventually rescued by Indians. It seems her luck couldn’t get any worse until it does.
Jack is a Lieutenant stationed at Fort Reno and is asked to remove a white woman from the Arapaho tribe. She is causing quite the ruckus. He quickly realizes that she is the girl from his childhood whom he has always carried a torch for. To impress her he asks the chief to turn her over to him in a ceremony, so she will be impressed. He just didn’t realize that it was a marriage ceremony.
With a beginning like this, you know it’s going to be a fun book to read. I was not disappointed in the slightest. I devoured this book in a day and a half. I loved Jack and Hattie’s adventures as they try to remain friends, while attracted to each other. There were many awkward situations and misunderstandings that kept me amused and anticipating what would happen next.
This is a romance with suspense. The gunman is still on the loose and until he is captured, Hattie is the only witness. I loved the humor and the characters. This is a book that I recommend! It has Christian themes and mild kissing.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The Lieutenant’s Bargin by Regina Jennings is the second book in The Fort Reno series. It is a great inspirational historical romance that definitely won’t disappoint.
Hattie Walker dreams of being a painter and wants to prove to her parents that she has what it takes to make it as a painter, but also at being independent. They agree on a compromise so Hattie’s adventure starts out with a long trip across country to Denver where she will display her work in a public exhibition. However her trip becomes derailed and makes a turn that she never anticipates.
Lieutenant Jack Hennessey is surprised to find out that the only survivor of a stagecoach attack is staying with a tribe that Jack has been working with and that the survivor is a girl who broke his heart years ago.
I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
I loved this book, just as I did the first in the series, “Holding the Fort.” This story had me, literally, bursting out laughing at all hours of the night! I loved the humor, history and action sequences. The storyline hooked me from the get-go and was very intriguing!
Author Regina Jennings is an EXCELLENT storyteller! She has written a keeper here! Jack was a very unique and lovable hero, while Hattie was a vulnerable, yet determined, heroine. A recipe for a beautiful romance and an INCREDIBLE story!
Regina Jennings has fast become one of my go-to authors for a good laugh and I always enjoy whatever premise she dreams up! She doesn’t use your run-of-the-mill storylines, but rather comes up with unique ideas, usually based on some piece of history that is little-known and ripe to be expounded upon!
I just can’t say enough about the pleasure I derived from this book! It was SOOOO good! Definitely worth the read! (And I’m SUPER excited for and looking forward to the next book in this series, “The Major’s Daughter”!)