Out of the Embers ~ Review

Out of the Embers
Mesquite Springs #1
By Amanda Cabot

Evelyn Radcliffe has spent the last 10 years hiding, but whenever she leaves the orphanage that has been her home since her parents' murders she feels as if someone is watching. And when the orphanage is burned to ashes Evelyn is convinced that the sheriff was wrong - her parents' killer escaped.

Evelyn is determined to keep Polly, the young orphan girl who was in her care at the time of the fire, safe. And safety lies faraway from where Evelyn has always lived. Her westward path takes them into the Texas Hill Country and Mesquite Springs. Convinced that this is where she and Polly will settle, Evelyn puts her culinary skills to good use by reopening the town's only restaurant. Putting the past behind her Evelyn and Polly soon find themselves at home and making new friends including the Clark family.

Finding Evelyn and Polly taking shelter from a downpour, Wyatt Clark does the neighborly thing by offering them shelter in his home with his family. Wyatt dreams of a life far from the Circle C but duty ties him to the ranch. And when Evelyn's past seemingly finds her in Mesquite Springs Wyatt finds his dream of traveling taking second place to Evelyn and Polly's safety.

Out of the Embers is a historical romance that is set in 1855 Texas and is the first book in a new series by Amanda Cabot. This is an enjoyable read that fans of Amanda Cabot's previous works will love. There is just a hint of mystery concerning both Evelyn and Polly that will keep the reader intrigued. This would make an excellent stay-at-home read if you have extra time on your hands. It would also make a great book club choice as each of the various characters bring something different to the story. This isn't a deep thinking book but it is the perfect way to escape into the past of Texas's Hill Country and enjoy a few hours getting to know some new friends.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

A young woman with a tragic past

has arrived in town . . . and trouble

is following close behind

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 shelter 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.