Good morning, friends!
First off, I apologize for posting the wrong book title in yesterday's spotlight post. I had copied the bio and info from when I featured Christine last month, failing to proof my post.
Today, we are reviewing...
BLURB:
A runaway bride in hiding. A wagon master with rules. One wagon train journey could cost them everything—or lead them straight to love.
Amanda Crumb is desperate to escape. Trapped under her brother’s cruel thumb and facing a future she never chose, she’ll risk everything for a chance at freedom on the Colorado trail. When stern wagon master Charlie Holstead refuses to let her join his train, Amanda makes a reckless choice and hides in one of his wagons.
Charlie Holstead trusts order. Scarred by loss and determined never to marry again, the seasoned wagon master has one rule above all others: no unmarried women on his train. But when he discovers a fiery stowaway with nowhere else to turn, Charlie’s carefully laid plans begin to unravel. Protecting Amanda becomes far more dangerous than sending her away.
Even though Amanda is falling for Charlie’s steady strength, quiet faith, and the way he makes her feel safe for the first time in years, her brother’s threats and her own fears could destroy their fragile trust. And although Charlie is drawn to Amanda’s courage, tender heart, and fierce determination, the pain of his past and the risks of loving someone in danger keep him from claiming the future he wants.
Will Amanda and Charlie trust God—and each other—before the unforgiving frontier tears them apart?
One of the first things I noticed in the beginning of the book was the blurb, 'if you enjoy books by Karen Whitmere or Shanna Hatfield...'
I am a fan of both of those authors. Karen Whitmer ( Karen Whitmer-Gow/ Elizabeth Grayson) was a dear friend of my sister and I had the pleasure of getting to know her as well. Almost thirty years ago, I received a gift of embroidery scissors from Karen for one of her books. I can't remember the book now, but I cherish those little scissors. Sadly, Karen passed in 2025. I met Shanna at the last RT Convention in Dallas and have featured on the blog several times.
With that information, and having reviewed The Farmer's Wife last month, I was not surprised to find this book just as enjoyable.
Christine Sterling is one of the best novella authors I've read. She has the format down to a science. 'This is where we are, this is what's happening, this is where we find our happy-ever-after'.
I loved Amanda's determination to escape her brother and thwart his evil plan to use her as a bargaining chip in a high-stakes poker game. The fact he eluded to the fact the winner could do whatever they wanted with her was down right disgusting. However, Christine let this add to the characterization of why Amanda was desperate to get away, and why she chose Charles as her 'knight in shining armor'.
Which brings me to Charlie Holstead. He may not be in the market for a bride, much to his mother's dismay, but when he hears Amanda's brother's evil plan he sets his reservations aside to save her. He has his own history with the man. He won't let history repeat itself.
How Christine brought the two together was perfect. Mind you, if I'd crawled out of a wagon to go relieve myself and walked into a 'tree with arms', I'm not sure I'd have the control Amanda possessed. One more little nugget of showing the heroine's strength.
Christine Sterling is masterful and I hope to read more of her books, including the rest in this series as well as the first one we featured last month. She writes tight, while leaving nothing out in any of her series'. I encourage you to go to her Amazon Author Page link below and begin a summer full of entertainment and enjoyment. If you don't have time to curl up with a larger book, her stories are perfect.
I'm giving The Wagon Master's Wife...
You'll find more about Christine Sterling by following any of the links below.
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM GOODREADS AUDIBLE
All my best!
~ Angela
