A truly excellent historical fiction novel! I enjoyed every aspect. The storyline was interesting and held my attention. The characters were also well-developed and realistically written. I especially enjoyed Dorothy, and appreciated her struggles as she moved toward her goal of being a writer.

As an added bonus, I felt that I learned a lot about the history and daily life in the 1850s.

All in all, a fabulous book! ( )

I enjoyed this book about a small town and the start of their first newspaper. There were some of the characters from the first book in the series, plus a few new ones including a stray dog that the protagonist adopts, a fake traveling preacher, and a guy trying to cause trouble. He brings the preacher and also is trying to disrupt the newspaper under orders from another guy back East who wants to start a hotel in town. ( )

I enjoyed the book, but it took me awhile to realize it was book 2 in the Mesquite Springs series.
It was a slow start for me, but the book had romance and mystery intertwined.
This is a non-preachy Christian book. I truly am enjoying the series but enjoyed the first book more. If you like historical fiction and want a good, clean read, you will enjoy this book. ( )

Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot
Series: Yes Mesquite Springs #2
Format: Softcover
Stars: 4 1/2
Recommend: Yes
Would Reread: Yes

I won the book from a LibraryThings giveaway.

I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.

For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspot.com/ ( )

As much as I enjoyed “Out of the Embers,” I have to say that I loved “Dreams Rekindled” even more. There will be one more book in this trilogy, and I presume that it will also have a fire-inspired title. Symbolic of so many things, in this case I personally think that the connotation evokes a sense of renewal and the presence of the Holy Spirit. While the books could be read as standalones, the stories have much more depth when read in their proper order; the backgrounds of the characters and of Mesquite Springs itself all contribute to the series as a whole, and seeing how they connect enhances the impact.

Combining romance and suspense with the happenings of small-town Mesquite Springs, Texas in the 1850s, Amanda Cabot tells the story of two people on a mission to take a new direction in life—one that sets them straight in each other’s path. Sister to Wyatt from the first book in the trilogy, Dorothy Clark dreams of a career as a writer, fueled by the recent publication of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Brandon Holloway seeks a quiet town to start over and establish his newspaper after an editorial brings devastation. However, “A newspaper is more than entertainment or simply reporting what happened. When an editor sees important issues, it’s his responsibility to bring them to everyone’s attention,” according to Dorothy. Truly, no matter what our past and present struggles, the Lord can use them for good in ways that we would never have thought possible, and usually there is a part of the resolution that speaks directly to us as a special nudge from God.

“Dreams Rekindled” raises issues that are mirrored in our current society. One of these is the feeling of guilt over perceived culpability in an unexpected situation over which someone had no control, as is the case with Brandon. Most of us have experienced this to some degree at one time or another, blaming ourselves for something beyond our control and thereby carrying a heavy burden that was never meant for our shoulders. Sowing division also plays a large role in the story as well as in today’s world. Then, as now, pitting citizens against one another is a sure way to tear a community apart and ultimately destroy it. “Dreams Rekindled” illustrates how this is so often done through nefarious means, planting lies and turning people against one another. As the apostle Paul exhorts in 2 Corinthians 13:11: “Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

One of the prominent themes in the novel is forgiveness. Forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others. Compassion and empathy go a long way toward healing wounds, especially when we seek to understand someone else’s point of view and perspective. Our own might not change, and while the other person may be in the wrong, some understanding can encourage better conduct and communication in the future. That is, after all, part of our mission as Christians: to be encouragers and to communicate well with the Lord and as witnesses for our faith. As Dorothy thinks to herself, “What an amazing answer to prayer.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )