Sunday, January 8, 2017

For the Record by Regina Jennings






Betsy Huckabee has big-city dreams, but nobody outside of tiny Pine Gap, Missouri, seems interested in the articles she writes for her uncle’s newspaper. Her hopes for independence may be crushed, until the best idea she’s ever had comes riding into town.

Deputy Joel Puckett didn’t want to leave Texas, but unfair circumstances have made moving to Pine Gap his only shot at keeping a badge. Worse, this small town has big problems, and masked marauders have become too comfortable taking justice into their own hands. He needs to make clear that he’s the law in this town–and that job is made more difficult with a nosy reporter who seems to follow him everywhere he goes.
(excerpt from back of book)


For the Record was my third foray into Regina Jennings creative workings and, hands down, my favorite to date!

I adored Betsy's character. Her imagination, her stubborn streak, her fierce loyalty and dreams all equally balanced with her very believable flaws to present the most human of Jennings heroines yet. With her personality leaping off the page, I was curious how Jennings would pair up (because let's be honest in this genre someone is going to get paired up) such a vibrant character while not overshadowing the other.  But while Betsy draws in a readers heart as she chases her dreams Joel draws in the sense of mystery and urgency as  he seeks to tame Pine Gap and his aching past.

Together these characters made a formidable pairing that kept me hooked for hours.

One thing I appreciate about Jennings is her environment, to set herself apart from her contemporaries I find Jennings has a real ability to insert humour that is accessible  to the reader and would still have been appreciated by  the locale. The treasure trove of Pine Gap humour and mountain quirks easily transports readers into the charm or danger depending on the scene that would be expected of the mountain town and had me longing for a few days walking the forest trails myself. Jennings, at their best, has the ability to infuse charm into her worlds and the people within them and that is what makes the characters come to life.

With such strong characters and setting, the story itself was a lovely post-holiday read that wasn't  hard to follow but still gives lots of enjoyment as readers find out the truth behind the standoffish deputy and walk with Betsy as she wrestles what  cost her dreams are worth. For the Record has strong biblical messages and a satisfying resolution to each  story line Jennings introduces.

4 out of 5 stars



"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

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