In celebration of the release of Harmony on the Horizon, book 3 in the Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen Denly is offering a giveaway!

One winner* will receive:

• 1 Handmade tag-style bookmark – Darcy Quote

• 1 Sing in the Sunlight Bookmark

• 1 Harmony on the Horizon Sticker

To enter, leave a comment on this blog and sign up for Kathleen’s Readers’ Club here: http://bit.ly/KRCMemberSignUp 

Deadline to enter is 11:59pm NZT on Monday 17 January. Winner will be announced in the comments for this post and contacted via email.

*Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

Book Review

Margaret Foster has come to San Francisco to find work as a teacher. However, she has an unfortunate incident on her way to her interview and is rescued by the handsome Fletcher Johnson but is turned down for a job. She then travels to San Diego at the suggestion of businessman Everett Thompson. Everett doesn’t let on, but his business is in trouble … including his property and businesses in San Francisco.

Back in San Francisco, Fletcher Johnson is a kind of Robin Hood figure, gambling and forging documents to help keep vulnerable women out of harm’s way. One of them is Katie, who has trouble holding down a job (a result of a violent and abusive background).

I got  little confused when the novel didn’t go in the direction I’d expected. The story had two couples in two different locations (something that wasn’t made clear in the book description). Once I worked that out, I was able to settle in and enjoy the novel.

The research was a definite strength of the novel.

I enjoyed the insights into early San Diego, and thought the author did an excellent job of integrating actual historical events into the plot. While the research was evident, it never overpowered the storyline.

The novel also did an excellent job of showing the explicit and implicit racism of the white settlers in San Diego and their interactions with those of other races. I was unpleasantly surprised to learn that the event I thought didn’t seem realistic was an event based on an actual court case in San Diego. If only this kind of behaviour was only historical …

The San Francisco-based part of the plot was equally well researched, and showed the depravity of many of the powerful players in the poor areas, as well as the racism against the Chinese.

The other strength of the novel was the Christian element. Both women were Christians and were able to live out their faith in a way that influenced others, including the men in their lives, to reconsider their views on faith as the novel progressed.

Overall, Harmony on the Horizon had strong female characters, a solid Christian thread, and excellent research. It’s a solid end to Denly’s debut trilogy.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kathleen Denly

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

 

Find Kathleen Denly online at:

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About Harmony on the Horizon

Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.

On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.

After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.

As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.

Find Harmony on the Horizon online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads