Friday, November 20, 2020

Book Review - Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott (American Wonders Collection)


My Review

Nothing Short of Wondrous is a historical novel set in 1886.  It tells the story of Kate Tremaine, a widowed single mother who runs a small family-owned hotel in Yellowstone Park.  When Lieutenant William Prescott comes to patrol the Park, he meets Kate and there is an immediate connection.  There are some real dangers, though, that must be overcome before they are safe and able to move forward.

I wanted to read Nothing Short of Wondrous because I loved the first book in this series. I am fascinated by the history of the National Parks and enjoy the old fashioned storytelling of these books.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!  Kate Tremaine is a heroine to pull for -- strong, determined, a wonderful mother, someone who has compassion for protecting animals (endangered bisons) and the environment.  Will is someone who has a mystery in his past, but he proves time and again that he is a caring, strong person.  I really enjoyed their love story.

As a lifelong animal lover, I really appreciate the animal protection theme in this book as well.

Regina Scott has a real gift for combining lively storytelling, engaging characters, and descriptions rich with period detail.  There are place descriptions like:

"
The Geyser Gateway salon had high ceilings with massive wood beams holding an oil lamp chandelier. She’d recently lowered, cleaned, and refilled the lamps herself, so they glowed with a golden light. The fireplace was of stones gathered from the Firehole River, the grays, rusts, and tans complementing the wood of the walls. The burgundy upholstery on the two curved-back sofas flanking the hearth had been brushed, the blue-and-burgundy-patterned rug on the floor beaten. Through a wide archway directly ahead, the six tables— four big enough to seat eight guests apiece— were draped in smooth white linen Pansy had ironed only yesterday, and most of the ladderback chairs stood ready to receive their guests for dinner" (eBook location 224).

I highly recommend Nothing Short of Wondrous for fans of historical fiction, inspirational fiction, and the National Parks. Do yourself a favor and read the first book in the series as well. You are in for a treat!

Book Synopsis

It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.

Author Bio

Regina Scott is the author of fifty works of warm, witty historical romance, including A Distance Too Grand. She was twice awarded the prestigious RT Book Reviews best book of the year in her category. A devotee of history, she has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research. She and her husband of thirty years live south of Tacoma, Washington, on the way to Mt. Rainier.

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