A Tender Hope

Author: Amanda Cabot
Genre: Historical Romance

As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it's time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek's midwife, she has no intention of remarrying. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn't sure her heart can take it.

Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn't concerned only with the baby's welfare. He's been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated--and he'll need Thea's help if he's ever to find the justice he seeks.

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Reviewer: Linda Klager

I love the cover of the book.  About 3/4 through the book the author even described what Thea was wearing and after reading her description, I looked at the cover again and saw how accurate and beautiful was the details of the dress.  I also loved the photo of the home that was in the background.  

I thought the author began with a great story of what the main character, Thea Michener, went through after the death of her husband and baby.  The range of emotions that Thea experienced was very vast. The author explored these emotions very well.  One can only imagine how Thea felt.  Also, Jackson experienced loss and the author also did a very good job letting the reader know how difficult his life was and how hard it was to be a Texas Ranger.

The development of the two key persons was really good, too.  This happened at a good pace.  There were a lot of characters in this book - over 40 as I counted them as I experienced them.  

One should never jump to conclusions - this can cause a lot of heartache and misunderstandings and this happened in Thea's life and also in Jackson's life.  

One of cute statements of the book was from Jackson's superior when he told him that he could not ambush the woman you love, but that you needed to woo a woman with flowers and candy and tell her that she was loved. I got a chuckle out of that statement, but Jackson took the suggestion and began to woo Thea after his superior told him that he was married for a long time and he wooed his wife and asked her to marry him.

I was so glad that the author explained "A Tender Hope".  It was the hope that Thea had to start a new life in a new town.  She did realize her dream. 

Book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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Reviewer: Camille Murray

I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but I decided to try something different this time. The promise of a little bit of mystery and action is what convinced me to pick it up.

I liked the main character, Thea. She was always optimistic and ready to do what she had to do. The elements of mystery kept me interested in the story, and the missteps of Jackson in courting Thea were funny.

There wasn’t as much action as I hoped there would be, but maybe I’m just not used to the expectations of the genre. The climactic scenes seemed rushed, and the conversation in the bar was just way too out in the open.
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Overall, it was a cute read, and I enjoyed it.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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Reviewer: Marta Aldrighetti

Reading the book,  set in a small village in Texas, you feel like at home, with simple and busy people, each with a different past, different dreams, but a sense of help and justice.

The story seems so real that you'll hope, think, love the characters and the funny misunderstanding between the two boys.

The book is well written, easy and fast to read, sometimes scary, sometimes romantic. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading it.

I appreciate the map of the village and the family tree at the beginning of the book. The cover is nice, with a strong young woman, with hope to the future.

I will read other books by this author.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

If you have been following the goings on of the people of Cimarron Creek, you will love this latest edition by Amanda Cabot.

One of the great things about this series is that each book can be read as a standalone, but the characters from each book beginning with A Stolen Heart and the previous book A Borrowed Dream make you want to read the entire series. And some of them make their way into this last novel, which I loved. I will miss the characters of this charming little town as I'm sure the author will miss writing about them.

Thea Michener is new to Cimarron Creek and she brings along a friend by the name of Aimee Jarre. For those who have read the previous novels you will be surprised (so I'm not spoiling it). Suffice it to say that both Thea's story and Aimee's are well thought out, interesting, heartwarming and of course, full of suspense.

Love abounds in this book with many characters finding their special someone, but the love story between Thea and Jackson is one that will stay with you a long time.

I will miss these characters, but the ending was very satisfying. Invest yourself in the whole series!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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