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foraging_pages's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet, 1800s, Calvary-inspired, Western, Christian romance! The perfect gentlemanly man in uniform meets a lowly dance hall singer parading as a governess to his daughters? Sold.
carlsfisch's review against another edition
5.0
“Holding the Fort” was a page turner I couldn’t put down, and might be my favorite book by Regina Jennings to date! As an Okie, I loved the historical references to Indian Territory and now I may need to take a short road trip to Fort Reno! I’m looking forward to the next books in the series!
sleepy_giraffe's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
Loved this newest book from Regina Jennings. She is quickly becoming a favorite of mine in the Christian romance genre. This story is about Louisa, a singer in a saloon who finds herself out of a job. Her brother is stationed at Fort Reno and has recently gotten himself into trouble with the Fort's commander Major Adams. She decides to go visit her brother and convince him to stay out of trouble. On the way, she helps a soldier who falls off his horse doing a silly stunt. When she arrives at the Fort, she is mistaken for Major Adams' governess and soon realizes that the soldier she helped is really the tough commander Major Adams. As she tries to pass herself off as a governess, she soon realizes she is out of her element. While Major Adams suspects something is off with the new governess, he is quickly appreciating how she is with his daughters and is falling in love with her. As Louisa becomes more and more comfortable with Major Adams and his family, she must decide whether to tell them the truth or continue on with her charade.
rosannelortz's review against another edition
5.0
Louisa Bell has been singing in a saloon for years, but she knows that a career based on her vivacious good looks won't last forever. When she learns that her scapegrace brother Bradley is in trouble again, this time with his army superiors, she heads to Fort Reno to try to help. When Major Adams, a widower trying to raise two spirited daughters, mistakes her for the governess who is supposed to be en route, Louisa goes along with the deception. Over the next months, she struggles to keep up with the girls' studies and to contain her burgeoning feelings for Major Adams. In the end, the truth must come out--but will the gentlemanly major be scandalized to learn that he's fallen for a dance hall girl and not a proper governess?
This charming story made me burst out laughing in several places. Major Adams, although a competent military man, is out of his depth trying to manage the irrepressible Louisa. When he mistakes Louisa's brother Bradley for her beau, his jealousy leads to all sorts of antics. We also meet handsome Jack Hennessy, the Major's loyal wingman and the hero of his own book in The Lieutenant's Bargain (Fort Reno #2). All in all, this was a delightful read. Recommended.
This charming story made me burst out laughing in several places. Major Adams, although a competent military man, is out of his depth trying to manage the irrepressible Louisa. When he mistakes Louisa's brother Bradley for her beau, his jealousy leads to all sorts of antics. We also meet handsome Jack Hennessy, the Major's loyal wingman and the hero of his own book in The Lieutenant's Bargain (Fort Reno #2). All in all, this was a delightful read. Recommended.
ihavenouseforit's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
hugbandit7's review against another edition
4.0
When you are in the mood for a trip to the old west, life in a fort, and a sweet story about faith, love and forgiveness then this should be one of the books you pick up to indulge that feeling.
While this book is labeled as western Christian romance, it is not heavy on the religious aspect. There is the right balance of faith/religion, love, action and the wisdom of two young ladies.
This story touched my heart in many ways. Louisa was way out of her element pretending to be a governess to the Major's two daughters. But she would stay up reading ahead so that she could instruct these young ladies in their studies. Don't get me wrong, she was not unintelligent, she had just not gone very far in school which is not surprising for the time. But when it came to instruction on areas such as singing - this is where she excelled. The way Louisa handled herself in various difficult situations was admirable...however, she probably should have come clean much sooner about who she was and why she was at the fort. Daniel (the Major) was a widower trying to do his best in raising two rambunctious girls, away from civilization...and with an overbearing mother-in-law that wanted the girls to live with her. He is strong in his faith which is what ultimately helps Louisa admit her past and accept her destiny. I cringed at the thought of how Daniel would react when the truth came out about Louisa. However, his reaction was that of a Godly man that believed in truth and forgiveness. I laughed along with Daisy and Caroline as they fought against instruction from Louisa, but came to love her in the end. Daisy's innocence is quite captivating as she has no filters on what comes out of her mouth. As they say, "out of the mouths of babes!" But I felt this just added to the complexity of the characters and the situations they faced.
This story was also educational as it depicted life in a fort during the late 1800's. There were Indian raids from those tribes not wanting to change their ways. The author researched the background on this story quite well and I might have even learned a few things.
While this book is labeled as western Christian romance, it is not heavy on the religious aspect. There is the right balance of faith/religion, love, action and the wisdom of two young ladies.
This story touched my heart in many ways. Louisa was way out of her element pretending to be a governess to the Major's two daughters. But she would stay up reading ahead so that she could instruct these young ladies in their studies. Don't get me wrong, she was not unintelligent, she had just not gone very far in school which is not surprising for the time. But when it came to instruction on areas such as singing - this is where she excelled. The way Louisa handled herself in various difficult situations was admirable...however, she probably should have come clean much sooner about who she was and why she was at the fort. Daniel (the Major) was a widower trying to do his best in raising two rambunctious girls, away from civilization...and with an overbearing mother-in-law that wanted the girls to live with her. He is strong in his faith which is what ultimately helps Louisa admit her past and accept her destiny. I cringed at the thought of how Daniel would react when the truth came out about Louisa. However, his reaction was that of a Godly man that believed in truth and forgiveness. I laughed along with Daisy and Caroline as they fought against instruction from Louisa, but came to love her in the end. Daisy's innocence is quite captivating as she has no filters on what comes out of her mouth. As they say, "out of the mouths of babes!" But I felt this just added to the complexity of the characters and the situations they faced.
This story was also educational as it depicted life in a fort during the late 1800's. There were Indian raids from those tribes not wanting to change their ways. The author researched the background on this story quite well and I might have even learned a few things.
adventuresofaliterarynature's review against another edition
5.0
Regina Jennings has a talent for creating unusual circumstances for her characters that result in a bit of hilarity and create a unique backdrop for the romance. This book was no different and had many amusing moments as well as a sweet love story.
Louisa definitely didn't have it easy growing up but she's doing the best she can. I admired the way she never shirked away from the hard work. When she was fired she immediately sought more work and when she was mistaken as a governess she worked tirelessly to learn what she needed to help teach the girls. She may have been one of the world's most unconventional governesses but she was exactly what Daniel and his girls didn't realize they needed.
Daniel was as by the book as they come but he also had a bit of an adventurous side, and a soft side where his daughters were concerned. He was also very astute and didn't let puzzles go unsolved for long.
On paper Louisa and Daniel may not have made sense but they complimented each other and made a well matched couple.
Caroline and Daisy, Daniel's daughters were entertaining and definitely added a fun element to the story. I also liked Louisa's brother Bradley and Daniel's second-in-command Jack, I'm hoping we get more of their stories in the coming books.
Overall this book was a wonderful book that had me reading non-stop and staying up till almost 1 AM to finish it!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Louisa definitely didn't have it easy growing up but she's doing the best she can. I admired the way she never shirked away from the hard work. When she was fired she immediately sought more work and when she was mistaken as a governess she worked tirelessly to learn what she needed to help teach the girls. She may have been one of the world's most unconventional governesses but she was exactly what Daniel and his girls didn't realize they needed.
Daniel was as by the book as they come but he also had a bit of an adventurous side, and a soft side where his daughters were concerned. He was also very astute and didn't let puzzles go unsolved for long.
On paper Louisa and Daniel may not have made sense but they complimented each other and made a well matched couple.
Caroline and Daisy, Daniel's daughters were entertaining and definitely added a fun element to the story. I also liked Louisa's brother Bradley and Daniel's second-in-command Jack, I'm hoping we get more of their stories in the coming books.
Overall this book was a wonderful book that had me reading non-stop and staying up till almost 1 AM to finish it!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.