Out of the Embers

Author: Amanda Cabot
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Mesquite Springs #1
Release Date: March 3, 2020

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.

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Reviewer: Debra Webster

Evelyn and Polly ride a wagon away from the past and fearful happenings. They are taken in by a kind family that helps them work through the fear and protects them when the past comes calling. The truth about the murders in their former community sets Evelyn free from the fear that was a part of her daily life. The truth sets us free and fear only has the power we give it. We are told to rest in God, fear is a lie that keeps us from resting. Evelyn learned these lessons.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group (Revell) through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Abigail Harris

Beautiful! I had to read this book when I saw the cover, it was just so pretty. I've heard of Mrs. Cabot, I've seen her books, and even started to read one once, but for some reason, I never finished it.

When I requested Out of the Embers, I thought that it would be a sweet easy to read historical romance. I was wrong. Weirdly I had an easy time getting interested in the book, but as I hit the hundredth page, I lost interest. I don't know why since up until then, I had enjoyed every page. I especially liked Wyatt with Polly, so sweet! 

So, Out of the Embers got set aside for a little while. But since it was a review book, I had to pick it up again soon after, and since we were taking a ride to get out of the house for a while (COVID-19 sure has given more reading and driving time), I grabbed two of my review books. One of which happened to be Out of the Embers, now I knew the ending since I had flipped through the last pages trying to find an interest in finishing the book. I picked up where I'd left off knowing the end, yet not knowing how the ending had come to be.

And I'm so glad I picked Out of the Embers up again! I loved it as I read the rest of the book, the characters were lovely, the plot well wrapped up, and Polly stayed as darling as ever.

My one and only problem was Wyatt, well, not Wyatt, but the fact that the empty feeling he struggled with was filled by Evelyn and Polly and not God. The faith elements in the whole book felt slightly superficial, almost like they were added as an after the fact.

Aside from the lack of faith that I feel Wyatt had, the rest of the book was well written, and I enjoyed the story.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing (Revell) through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Marta Aldrighetti

Texas. Evelyn is an orphan and shares her life with the other 20 children in the orphanage near Gilmorton. 

Their stories are sad, they are alone without relatives and love.
Evelyn also fears someone is watching her.

This is the second time I have read a book by this author, I enjoyed reading it. It is a well-written curious/mystery/love story. Nice cover.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing/Revell, through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

Set in the Texas Hill Country in 1855, Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot is a great start to her Mesquite Springs series.

I enjoyed meeting the many interesting, well-drawn characters and basking in the warmth of the Mesquite Springs hospitality. I admired Evelyn’s courage, ingenuity, and determination in the face of enormous difficulties. Wyatt was a wonderful, compassionate hero, and Polly stole my heart. I loved the way the inhabitants of Mesquite Springs rallied around Evelyn and Polly and helped them in their time of need.

While there is plenty of suspense, intrigue, and a dash of romance in this story, Cabot has also woven threads of hope, faith, and healing into it to add some inspiration. I’m looking forward to the other books in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

Out of the Embers is a strong beginning for the new series by author Amanda Cabot. Starting off with a sense of eeriness, we meet Evelyn and her young charge Polly. Both are orphans and both are about to be uprooted again in their lives.

Due to circumstances beyond their control, they make their way west to the town of Mesquite Springs to begin a new life and to try to feel safe again. Here is where we get to know Wyatt, Dorothy his sister, and Isolde his Mom, as well as many other town folks.

Wyatt and his family have also been through their own tragedy, and both Wyatt and his sister are feeling trapped in their lives. I liked how the author dealt with both of their discontentment as some of us are facing that very feeling in our own lives.

This is my favorite story to date by author Cabot. Between the sweet romance, the other two men vying for Evelyn's hand, and the mysteries that keep surrounding Evelyn and Polly and the dangers those present, this story kept me turning the pages long into the night. And the cover is gorgeous. I look forward to more of this series and getting to visit this town and its inhabitants again.

I was provided a copy of this story from the publisher Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Abigail Thomas

Out of the Embers is a sweet story where love is learned, and the truth truly does set you free. When Evelyn Radcliffe and a little girl named Polly are saved by God’s divine hand from a devastating fire that took the lives of every staff member and child living at the orphanage in Logansville, they begin a new journey together. This journey is steeped in lies that both Evelyn and Polly feel is for the best. With Evelyn pretending the two are sisters and changing their last names to Radner, and Polly keeping quiet about what her real last name is - even from Evelyn - a web is spun that Evelyn begins to struggle with.

“Oh, how she hated the web of lies she’d spun! More than anything, she wished she could undo them, but how could she do that and ensure that she and Polly would remain safe?”

In the town of Mesquite Springs, Wyatt Clark is looking for something more, and he believes this “more” will come as soon as he is able to leave the town where he grew up. But when Evelyn and Polly ride into his life, his struggle with what qualifies as “more” begins to take form.

The characters in this story were easy to like, and their faith in God shone through in their speech and prayers. They came across as genuine, with hurdles to jump and lessons to learn. I found myself rooting for Wyatt and Evelyn, and trying to predict what would happen to Polly by story’s end.

The added suspense was a nice touch, and I liked how Amanda Cabot kept you guessing about the Watcher. I couldn’t predict where she was going with that, and for that I’m grateful.

The one problem I had with this book was that it seemed to move too slow for my taste. I struggled to pick up the book, and when I did, I could only read it for a short amount of time before putting it down and finding something else to do. It wasn’t until the twenty-forth chapter that it finally picked up for me, and I didn’t want to put it down. This doesn’t take away from the fact that it was a beautiful story, but it did make it difficult to read.

If you enjoy reading historical fiction filled with a heart for God and a message to learn, then I would recommend this book. Amanda Cabot’s second book in the Mesquite Springs series focuses on Wyatt’s sister, Dorothy, and with the opportunity to read the first chapter of that story, it is one I want to read.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

Cabot kept me up late because her stories are awesome, and this one is no exception. Just wow!

I love her stories because they're exciting, have some danger in the mix and love as well. Especially God's sweet love. There's nothing like His sweet love. Don't you just love when the Lord sends someone to the right place at the right time? I sure do! And Evelyn and Wyatt are no different. 

Cabot is a great storyteller, and I love how she pulls you in right from the beginning. Before you know it, you're in the story with Evelyn, Polly, Dorothy, and Isolde. Oh, and we sure can't leave Wyatt out! That would be just awful. I didn't want to leave them after the story was finished. This is just one of those stories that will leave you thinking about it long after it's over. I believe that's there's more to tell. I can't wait! 

I love Wyatt. He's such a delightful person to be around, and oh my "sigh." Can't you just picture him handsome, kind, caring, loving? But I do know one thing! He's sure not perfect, not by any means! 

Evelyn is carrying a load herself. But then again we all have some sort of baggage. We are a work in progress as they say. I still like her, though. Why is that you ask? Evelyn has a way about her that can calm even the wildest storms in life. She's a lovely person inside and out and has a gentleness about her that seems to except everyone from all walks of life. Sometimes things in life can make us come out a better person and yes, even make us even closer to the Lord. 

Little Polly is like a sister to me, even though she's hard to get to know. As we read further on, we soon find out why. Poor little girl. 

This was an excellent book that has forgiveness, truth, and grace. ( For we are saved by grace). There are some wonderful messages woven throughout the book that is sure to capture your attention. At least I hope they do. 

I feel so honored to get to read these wonderful books! 

There wasn't one thing that I didn't like about this book. It was very well written with the right amount of everything in it. 

Ya'll be sure to pick up your copy of this book when it comes out. I highly recommend it. This book deserves more than just five stars. The cover is lovely ya'll! 

My thanks to Baker Publishing Group/Revell and Netgalley, through Interviews & Reviews, for a copy of this wonderful book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Linda Klager

I thought the name of the book was so appropriate. Evelyn and Polly's life was saved from flames (or embers) when the orphanage where they were living burned down.

I was very much attracted to the book by the beautiful cover of a young woman in the 19th century looking over the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. I love Bluebonnets, the State Flower of Texas, and am glad that the author included them on the cover. I have visited fields of bluebonnets and love their color and fragrant scent.

The main characters, Evelyn, Polly, and Wyatt, were drawn to each other from the start. I like how the author weaved them into the storyline.

Evelyn was haunted by sensing a "Watcher." Have you ever felt someone watching you? Maybe it was for a valid reason, or maybe it was to harm you. Towards the end of the book, Evelyn found out who this person was.

Evelyn was a very loving and caring woman for Polly. Evelyn always sensed that Polly was a very special child even though she had a birthmark on her face. That did not bother Evelyn at all.

There was a villain in the story. There also was a person who had really bad anger issues. The author kept me guessing "who done it." If you like adventure, drama, danger, mystery, and a clean romance, then this is the book for you. I love Amanda Cabot books and give this one five stars.

The only thing I wish that were included in the book was the recipe for Oatmeal Pecan Pie. Maybe Amanda Cabot can include that recipe in a future book?

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews.

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