This past week I had the pleasure of reading my friend Tammy Barley's debut novel Love's Rescue, published this July by Whitaker House Publishers.
Folks, this book is outstanding.
During 1863 as the Civil War is raging in the East, in Carson City, Nevada, Jessica Hale is embroiled in her own version of the War when Northern empathizers overhear her sending a telegram regarding the whereabouts of her Confederate soldier brother, Ambrose. Later that same day she loses her entire family in a fire, and cattleman, Jake Bennett, comes to her rescue. He takes her to his remote ranch in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. From there the reader is taken into the world of the old West where life is at times almost idyllic, and at other times as raw as the land.
As I walked alongside Jess's soul-journey from despair and hopelessness to abiding joy and hope restored through her relationship with God and with Jake, I found I didn't want to put the book down. Tammy's beautiful way of bringing out setting and making it come alive caused me to feel like I was right there with the cattlemen as they wrangled calves, cut the herds and chased down stampeding Mustangs. I was also there as Jess found herself restored through her coming to peace with what had happened to her and her family.
Jake also has a backstory of difficulties, and as he works to help Jess heal, he finds himself able to finally heal as well, and to love again.
The only quibble I have with the story is that I felt that the prologue could have been either cut or woven into the story altogether. I am not a great lover of prologues and find the use of any over the length of a page or so a great bother. Even so, I did read it, and it did provide background information necessary to understanding Jessica's point of view at the beginning of the story.
After that, it was a long, delightful and most enjoyable read. All told at a calming pace that made me feel each time I picked the book up like I was sitting on Tammy's front porch with a frosty glass of sweet tea and being told the most wonderful of stories.
To help whet your appitite, check out this trailer, then head on over to Amazon or CBD and lasso yourself a copy:
2 comments:
Ooohhhh, that looks so good! the video alone has me itching to get my hands on it. I'll have to get this book!
I loved it! I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, but this was great. I'm already looking forward to the next in the series!
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