Kathleen Denly

I appreciate the author letting readers know at the beginning that there are sensitive subjects in the book that may be a trigger some. This gave me a clue that the story was going to be emotional. The story is filled with danger, secrets and flawed characters. I liked how the author takes each character and gives them trials.

Preston is a good example of a man who has a past he tries to forget. His skills with guns give him recognition and top billing at shows. When he leaves the show he travels to finally be with his sister. The author does a great job of capturing the time period with cattle drives and hard work at the ranch. Maybe Preston can settle down and help his sister and brother-in-law make their ranch profitable.

Lucy hears a secret that could cause someone to go to jail and endanger her and her mother’s life. I liked how Lucy yearned to be reunited with her mother. Lucy travels with her friend to a ranch to get away from those who want to cause her harm. Maybe she should have stayed and told the law what she witnessed and overheard. But her desire to escape them made her run instead.

My favorite character is Opal who is Lucy’s mother. Her life has been one bad decision after another. Some call her horrible names and shun her. Her addiction causes her to not think straight and pushes Lucy away. This character went through so much but her desire to turn her life around shows us how much God loves us unconditionally. I loved following her and how she begins to accept forgiveness from God.

The story is not without danger, greed, violence and secrets. Each character in the story is very well written and I enjoyed reading how trust and forgiveness leads to new relationships. We witness a relationship restored and redemption that leads to freedom from the enemy. This is definitely a good story where faith, trust and forgiveness is the key to a new beginning.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (mehr)

Shoot at the Sunset is the fifth book in Kathleen Denley's Chaparral Hearts series. This is an interesting Christian historical romance to read. It is well written with wonderful caring characters. I found it interesting to read the background story of the siblings and as they return to be together . The love between the sibling is very visible in how they care for each other. While the older sibling is very private and doesn't care to have strangers around, she is welcoming to the women and children that arrive from the home where her younger sister was raised. It is enjoyable to see how the couple that run the home make such a positive change in people's lives.

I found this to be an very enjoyable story to read. It is filled with action and suspense. This is also a story of second chances for families that have been split apart.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.… (mehr)

“Keeping secrets only led to haunting regrets.”

Kathleen Denly pens yet another exciting historical romance novel, Shoot at the Sunset, that is part of her Chaparral Hearts Series. If you enjoy Westerns, action, romance, and Biblical truths woven into an engrossing story, you won’t want to miss this one!

I loved that the author gives a trigger warning for various situations( carefully discussed in the book) including abuse, addiction, rape, and PTSD. I also loved that the backstory was smoothly and interestingly related, at no point feeling like an information dump. With several years between stories, it can be easy to forget who’s who without extra help to jog your memory.

Just as there is a strong attraction between Lucy Arlidge and Preston Baker, I was definitely drawn to this couple and the story Denly deftly weaves as well. We discover Lucy,
a good friend and travel companion to Biddie Davidson, agrees to travel to Ginny Baker’s ranch partly out of desperation and fear. “Though of no blood relation, Henry and Cecilia Davidson had long treated Lucy as though she were their daughter. But could such a love withstand so much loss? Or would the only family she had left reject her as Mama had?” With these motivating thoughts in mind, and a desire to keep the people she loves safe, Lucy makes some choices that I just wanted to say, “Get some wise advice.” Or, “Talk to the other person(s) involved. But Lucy is determined that secrets revealed could mean loved ones hurt or killed.

Preston, a sharpshooter at a traveling show, has responded to his big sister Ginny’s letter for help on the ranch. Memories, guilt, and a family sin pattern plague him, keeping him from being the man he wants to be. What will it take for Preston and Lucy to stop depending on theirvoen wisdom and seeking that of the Lord’s, instead?

Forgiveness, trust, second chances, and God’s ability to change a person are all themes of this memorable book.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. I also purchased my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“You are your own person, and you get to decide who you want to be.”

“God’s timing, though occasionally mysterious and frustrating, is always best in the end.”

“Truth’s truth no matter how you dress it up.”… (mehr)

This was quite an enjoyable book that had me reading long into the night.
One of my favorite parts of this one was Eliza's personality. She was so feisty and always knew what she wanted to do, even if it wasn't well-thought-out. Eliza also grew a lot as a character just as those around her did.
I also really noticed the language of the book. It used a lot of words that are somewhat uncommon and I really liked how it flowed.
As for the adventure, it was perfectly woven throughout the whole novel, making it difficult to put down. Just when I'd think that the characters were out of danger, a new situation would arise.
All in all, I give this a solid 4/5 stars and recommend it to fans of adventure and history.
Thank you Kathleen for sending me this book.… (mehr)