Raina's Choice is a simple tale of two people caught up in circumstances outside their control. Both were seeking freedom from drudgery and imprisonment. Both found each other and sensed a rescuer in the rough, a potential savior of sorts. Both leaned on each other in their direst moments and in turn found a friend. Both searched for more out of life and eventually found purpose.

Tyler Kincaid was a rough and tumble man, a drifter who worked where he could to survive. He ended up working on the railroad in Mexico where he eventually got caught between two sides in a revolution. He was thrown in prison, along with his friend, Jim, and left to work in the mines until their death. Being a gringo did not stand in their favor. But his resourceful friend arranged escape for the two of them. Jim gave his life so that Ty would find his freedom, something Tyler never forgot. Ty eventually arrived in Texas and worked several jobs to earn his passage further to the northwest. He was unaware, however, that the Mexican government had put out a notice of arrest and reward on posters.

Raina Vernay grew up in the Silver Dollar Saloon, La Tete, Louisiana, that her mother owned. When her mother passed on, she left ownership of the saloon to both her daughters. Raina's sister Roxie married a hard man whose only interest was to get his hands on the business. He made life miserable for both women, especially for Raina, who had grown to become a beauty. Her brother-in-law made it clear, as Raina approached adulthood, that he wanted her. She was desperate to get away, but had already been caught once trying to flee. So she waited for an opportunity to escape. One evening, she met a surprisingly thoughtful stranger whom she overheard talking about his journey northwest to the Oklahoma Territory--Indian Territory. But before he made it to bed that night the sheriff of La Tete arrested him when he recognized Ty from the wanted posters.

However, all this gave Raina an idea for a plan of escape. Even though Ty was in jail, she managed to get him out, sell her part of the deed for the saloon to the town's lawyer, and escape that same night hiding under a pile of straw on a horse-drawn wagon. But that was only the beginning of Ty and Raina's adventures.

What drew me most in this wild west tale was Ty Kincaid's integrity of character. He was not a stranger of hardship, cruel circumstances and the unfairness of life. Yet in spite of all that, he would get back on his feet and try again to make the best of a situation without complaint. When he worked, he worked hard. He took care of Raina even after they reached their final destination, Fort Smith, in the Oklahoma Territory. He had a core of trustworthiness that made him a strong person. In much the same way, Raina was also a person with steel in her make-up. She was an intelligent woman who was not afraid of hard work or of serving others when she needed to. She was especially persistent in her efforts to find her father in this new land.

But sometimes a person's greatest strengths can become one of their greatest weaknesses. This was true of Ty. His persistence, stubbornness and self-sufficiency were great qualities, especially once Ty took on the job of Marshall out in Indian Territory. But it also built a wall between him and God. There is no question in my mind that the author built into this story great moments where God was seeking Ty out to be His own. It is one of the things I admire most in this author's writing. He doesn't expend a lot of words about the spiritual side of this book. Instead, he demonstrates the tug-of-war through events and incidences. Ty was a bit too hard-headed, so God had to allow a few things to shake him up so he would listen to His voice. This is what makes the second half of the book so suspenseful, filled with anticipation, tension and tragedy.

While there was a lot to enjoy in Raina's Choice, I would be remiss if I didn't mention some of the disappointments I felt as I followed the story line. I was a bit disappointed in the rough writing style the author employed. Taking into account common speech patterns of the characters, I felt the remaining narrative faltered in grammar and immature sentence structure. Sometimes conversations fell flat, narratives were not as insightful as they could have been, and interpersonal relationships remained shallow when opportunities for more depth were passed over. In a some instances, I saw a few inconsistencies in the story line, although it wasn't too noticeable. It did catch my attention. Overall, the book is a pleasant read, but does not hold a place among my favorite books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Netgalley on behalf of Barbour Publishing Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

Review From a Gilbert Morris Fan

I have been a fan of Gilbert Morris' books ever since reading the House of Winslow series. Raina's Choice is book 3 in the Western Justice series. It's a stand-alone novel and you do not need to read the first two books in order to understand the third. The main characters in the book are Raina Vernay and Tyler Kincaid.

Raina has inherited half of the Silver Dollar Saloon from her mother. Her sister owns the other half, but is married to a man who cares nothing for her and is constantly making advances toward Raina. Raina wants nothing more than to run away and start a new life. The opportunity presents itself when Ty comes to town. He is a stranger, but is also running away from his past. Raina breaks Ty out of prison, sells her half of the saloon, and heads to Fort Smith with Ty. She is in search of the father she has never known and believes him to be somewhere in Indian territory, based on a single letter she has which her father wrote to her mother many years ago. When she arrives in Fort Smith, she shows some people an old photograph of her father, hoping they may have some idea where she might find him. Ty takes her on a journey to track down one of the leads about her father.

Raina meets a man named George who begins to care for her and wishes to marry her. This disturbs Raina. It also disturbs Ty. Could it be because they have fallen in love with each other? While questioning herself and God about what to do about George, Raina gets word that Ty is dead. She is deeply saddened by the news and realizes at that point that she cares deeply for Ty. Is it too late? Will Raina be given a second chance at true love?

Raina's Choice is a good book, though not the best I've read by Gilbert Morris. It held my interest and was an easy read. If you enjoy reading about the Old West, you will like this novel. Gilbert Morris was a Pastor for ten years and then became an English professor at a Baptist college. His novels are always well researched and full of historical detail. They always carry a strong message of faith, too. I recommend Raina's Choice as a very decent Christian Historical Fiction novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Title: Raina’s Choice (Western Justice #3)
Author: Gilbert Morris
Pages: 318
Year: 2014
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
Raina Vernay is a pretty, young woman, working in a saloon she inherited from her mother. Her sister’s husband is pressuring her to go to bed with him, which she wants no part of. She is desperate to escape his clutches. She has a letter from her father, who her mother ran off several years ago, that gives his last known location. She decides she will try to find him and make a home with him. Her only means of getting to him is with Ty Kincaid, a drifter who has just come to town, heading in the same direction as where her father was last known to be. Can she find the father she has never known or is she too late?
Ty Kincaid has led a hard life. He has worked various jobs, been wrongfully imprisoned, escaped prison and is now sicker than a dog. He arrives in La Tete, Louisiana where he meets Raina. He stops in for a drink in her saloon, but the local sheriff recognizes him as an escaped prisoner from a Mexican wanted poster. He arrests Ty and puts him jail. Raina and Ty reach an agreement where he will help her get north to find her father. She breaks Ty out of jail, cares for him during a severe case of pneumonia, and arrives with him in Fort Smith. Ty needs a job so he becomes a marshal for Judge Isaac Parker, the hanging judge. He doesn’t really want to be a marshal, but doesn’t know what else to do to earn a living. He and Raina have a tie of shared experiences, but do they love each other? As the story continues, Raina is offered marriage by someone other than Ty. Will she accept? Why wouldn’t she? How does Ty feel about this marriage proposal that suddenly occurs?
This third book in the Western Justice series is only slightly better than book two, which I rated as two stars. I found the same deficiencies in this book with flat character development, abrupt introductions of new characters and not being realistic in some instances. The only reason I rated this book is rated three stars rather than two stars is the realistic struggle Ty goes through while waiting on God to show him what to do with his life as well as good tension for Raina to experience after the shoot-out Ty is involved in. I have read this author’s Lady Trent series, was entertained and thoroughly enjoyed it so I know this author can write. I hope he writes another mystery series as I would definitely read that genre from this author. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this Western Justice series.
My rating is 3 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )