Cabot continues her Mesquite Springs historical romance series (following Out of the Embers) with the middling story of Dorothy Clark, who longs for a career as a writer in mid--19th-century small-town Texas. In 1856, Dorothy's prayers of becoming a reporter appear to be answered when newspaper editor Brandon Holloway arrives in town and hires her to write for the paper. The two immediately clash, though, when Brandon avoids taking a stance on slavery--even though Dorothy wants to publish an abolitionist editorial. Brandon's stance comes from his father's death a few years before in a riot sparked by Brandon's public support for the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin and his denunciation of slavery. Still full of guilt, Brandon is unwilling to listen to Dorothy's entreaties. But through her attention and persistence, Brandon rediscovers his courage to champion the values he holds dear. Brandon's admiration for Dorothy sparks his romantic interest, and Dorothy, afraid to love as a result of losing her own father at a young age, decides it's worth the risk. While Cabot does a fine job of building the tinderbox local politics of Mesquite Springs, the plotting is predictable and several threads are left disappointingly unresolved. Series fans will hope for a return to form next time. (Mar.)

Cabot continues her Mesquite Springs series, following Out of the Embers (2020), by bringing readers to 1856 Texas. Dorothy, another young member of the Clark family from the Circle C ranch, is living near Mesquite Springs, where her brother, Wyatt, has recently become mayor. She is working in a restaurant but dreams of writing for a living, although she doesn't believe that is actually possible for a woman like her. Meanwhile, an anonymous piece she wrote promoting the town draws newspaper reporter and editor Brandon Holloway to Mesquite Springs. Can Dorothy help Brandon start a successful paper? What if she falls for him? She is afraid of both love and loss. Can Brandon change her mind? Soon someone starts stirring up trouble, and it looks like there may be a call to shut the paper down. As Cabot explores what can happen when rumors and deception take root, the main characters courageously commit to telling the truth no matter the consequences, drawing on their steady faith. A compelling tale for inspirational and romantic suspense fans.