DREAMS REKINDLED
Mesquite Springs, Book 2
BY AMANDA CABOT
Categories: Christian Historical Fiction/ Romance/ Stand-Alone
Publisher: Revell
Date of Publication: March 2, 2021
Pages: 352
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He’s bound and determined to find peace . . . but she’s about to stir things up. Dorothy Clark dreams of writing something that will challenge people as much as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin seems to have. But in 1850s Mesquite Springs, there are few opportunities for writers–until newspaperman Brandon Holloway arrives, that is.
Brandon Holloway has seen firsthand the disastrous effects of challenging others. He has no intention of repeating that mistake. Instead of following his dreams, he’s committed to making a new–and completely uncontroversial–start in the Hill Country.
As Dorothy’s involvement in the fledgling newspaper grows from convenient to essential, the same change seems to be happening in Brandon’s heart. But before romance can bloom, Dorothy and Brandon must work together to discover who’s determined to divide the town and destroy Brandon’s livelihood.
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Don’t abandon your dreams. Life is too short to waste a single minute.”
With quotes like this reflecting one of the central themes of the book (and my personal motto), Dreams Rekindled earned top marks for me as early as ten percent into it. That Ms. Cabot crafted a sweet, engaging, faith-centered, suspenseful story solidified my first impression by the end.
The characters are well-developed and, while numerous, are distinct from one another. Nutmeg is my personal favorite and I suspect, loved by many readers as well. Dorothy resonated with me, especially her desire to become a writer. I liked that once she was presented an opportunity to fulfill that dream, she grabbed it with enthusiasm. I adore Brandon for giving her that chance and for treating her as his partner in his fledgling newspaper from the start. I appreciate the highlighting of family, friendship, and community in this story, a signature of Ms. Cabot’s writing. The relationship between Dorothy and her mother is particularly poignant as it’s essential to Dorothy’s reasoning behind her reluctance to fall in love and marry.
While there’s a clear delineation of good and evil in the book, there’s also shades of gray in the form of Phil Blakeslee. It’s a testament to Ms. Cabot’s talent that his character elicited my sympathy despite his duplicity and misguided beliefs. The end of his arc both satisfied and saddened me.
Love is a precious gift. Don’t squander it, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
The romance between Dorothy and Brandon started with friendship and built slowly through open communication and shared values. I loved that once Brandon realized his feelings for Dorothy, he declared it right away. She took longer to get there, but Dorothy didn’t draw out the suspense after she realized she returned his love.
A great read all year round, but especially significant during this season of reflection, particularly the parts about sinners and forgiveness.
I’m glad to see Evelyn, Wyatt, and Polly in this book. I’ll be going back to read their story Out of the Embers next while I wait for the third book in the series. Thanks to Lone Star Lit and Revell for providing me with a print copy and to NetGalley for the eBook. All opinions are my own. I’ll end with an advice from the book that I’m personally following:
Enjoy every minute of the life you’ve been given.”
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of Out of the Embers, as well as the Cimarron Creek Trilogy and the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more:
║Website ║ Facebook ║ Blog║ BookBub ║
║ Twitter ║ Goodreads
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ONE WINNER receives both books in the Mesquite Springs Series
+ Bluebonnet Ornament + $25 B&N Gift Card.
(US only. Ends midnight, CST, 3/12/2021)
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
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3/2/21 |
Character Interview |
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3/2/21 |
BONUS Promo |
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3/3/21 |
Review |
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3/3/21 |
BONUS Promo |
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3/4/21 |
Author Interview |
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3/5/21 |
Review |
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3/6/21 |
Excerpt |
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3/7/21 |
Excerpt |
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3/8/21 |
Review |
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3/9/21 |
Deleted Scene |
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3/10/21 |
Review |
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3/11/21 |
Review |
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3/11/21 |
BONUS Review |
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Maida Malby 
Great review — sounds like there is so much to love in this book and that it has story lines that will fill many readers’ buckets.
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Absolutely. A fantastic read at any time of the year, but especially significant during this time of spiritual reflection.
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