Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

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.

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, A Borrowed Dream, and A Tender Hope, as well as 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 at www.amandacabot.com.

What a great way to start a new series! Out of the Embers is the first book in Amanda Cabot's newest series, introducing us to the little town of Mesquite Springs in the 1850s.

When I first chose this particular book, I did so based on the description--- thinking it was going to be much more of a mystery/suspense read. While there were certainly elements of that, it wasn't quite as dominant in the story as I had expected. In many cases, this might keep me from enjoying the story as much--- I live for a good mystery and higher paced suspense moments... but I must say I didn't miss it here. We are given just enough of a glimpse of both Polly and Evelyn's pasts to leave me wanting more. We are also given the occasional glimpses from a few side character's points of view that had me wondering exactly who they were and how they fit into it all. It might have been- for the most part- a slower paced read... yet, I still couldn't put it down.

And of course, what's a good read without a little romance too? The love story between Evelyn and Wyatt was delightfully sweet. I truly enjoyed getting to know these great characters. They weren't the only ones though, there were many other townspeople that I enjoyed getting to know too, and I couldn't help but hope that we will have the chance to visit them again in future books in the series and see them get their happily ever afters too.

If the goal of the first book in a new series is to have readers coming back for me, Out of the Embers certainly has succeeded in that... I cannot wait to read more. If you love a good clean romance, with a hint of suspense- this is one you'll want to check out!