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 ending 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.

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

Five stars! A great book with fantastic characters! ( )

Evelyn Radcliff has always lived in fear since her parents' murder. Even now, 10 years later, she still feels the eyes of someone watching her every time she goes into town. So when the orphanage where she has lived and now works suddenly burns to the ground, she is apprehensive that it may be The Watcher. Evelyn and a fellow orphan Polly are the only survivors of the fire...and no one must know they are survivors. Evelyn decides to leave Gillmorton and Logansville and start a new life with young Polly who is like the sister she never had. When they reach the town of Mesquite Springs, they run into rancher Wyatt Clark and are provided a place to stay with his family. Evelyn starts a new life in Mesquite Springs and is just beginning to find happiness by following in her parents's footsteps by opening her own restaurant, Polly's Place, in town. However, her fears were not left behind in Gillmorton, they have followed her to Mesquite Springs - and with good reason. Someone may be trying to kill Evelyn once more, but why?

This was a very good book, as was the second book in the series Dream Rekindled. I have since found out there is a third book in the Mesquite Springs series! I must definitely pick that up and see what is next for the citizens of Mesquite Springs, Texas. Thank you so much LibraryThing Early Reviewers for the opportunity to read & review these great books! ( )

From the book:
"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 refuge 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. "

A clean Christian story that has the reader on edge wondering what will happen. For those who have been in the Hill Country of Texas, they will connect with the area.
Evelyn is a strong character in the story. Wyatt is a rancher and invites Evelyn amd Polly, the other survivor of the fire, to stay with him, his mother and his sister.
My first read by Amanda Cabot but not the last.
A 5 star read.
I recieved a complimentart copy of Out of the Embers. These are my opinions. ( )

*I received a review copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.*

Set in the Texas Hill Country in the mid-1850s, Out of the Embers is a lovely historical fiction novel that offers a little bit of everything. A brave, independent heroine, well-drawn characters, gentle romance, and mystery and suspense all come together to make this a page-turner.

Amanda Cabot writes both captivating characters and strong storylines. Evelyn Radcliffe is brave, loving, and independent with rather modern thoughts for a woman living in this period – her new friend Dorothy even more – and I’m here for it.

When I started the story, I thought it was a historical romance with a mystery, but it’s really equal mystery and romance. It’s also not just Evelyn’s story. Out of the Embers is also the story of Wyatt, a handsome horse rancher who is anxious to raise enough money for his sister and mother that he can leave Mesquite Springs and explore the country. Both Wyatt and Evelyn appear dead set against getting married, ever, so of course, it makes sense they would fall for each other.

The beginning chapters introduce the individual storylines that will intertwine. First, there is Evelyn and Polly’s quick escape from Logansville and the orphanage, looking for a place to stay. Next, we meet Wyatt, who is unfulfilled by horse ranching and has an itch to find something greater. Then we meet Rufus Bauman, clearly tortured by something in his past, but we don’t know who the “she” he and his wife are referring to. Equally curious is a mysterious and nasty cotton baron who is up to no good, but who is the “she” he had killed?
Intrigued yet?

The first two chapters initially felt a bit disjointed as so many characters and stories are introduced, but are seemingly unrelated. From there, the unfolds quickly. The tension in the story is palpable, adding to the page-turning quality. Cabot manages not to show her hand until the very end, keeping the tension high throughout.

Cabot does a lovely job of world-building, from the description of the new town to the fields of Texas bluebonnets. We get a solid feel for the way of life these Texas settlers lived – the town, its surroundings, the generosity of its people and the way they go about their day. Mesquite Springs is growing, leaving the door open for many future stories of the residents of this town.

Ultimately, this is a story about trust. Evelyn and Polly arrive in town pretending they are sisters. Evelyn assumes a different last name. She doesn’t even KNOW Polly’s last name. Evelyn and Wyatt learn to trust each other, and earn Polly’s trust in them.

Revell is known for its Christian fiction, and elements of the genre are expressed via biblical references. Thankfully, these fit the characters and context. It does not feel preachy, but instead, complement the storyline.

Readers who like their historical romances served up more than a dash of suspense will not be disappointed with Out of the Embers. ( )