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17 May 2014

Regina Jennings's "Caught in the Middle" Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels



Caught in the Middle

Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings
Book 3 of the Ladies of Caldwell County


My OWG blog angels introduced me to Regina Jennings books two years ago, but I didn't get a chance to read her work until recently.  I began with the novel that the Angels raved about: Sixty Acres and a Bride.

In the month of March, while recovering from foot surgery, I made up for lost time and read all three of her books on my Kindle!

Anne Tillerton is the abused wife from Sixty Acres and a Bride. SPOILER: She had ended up killing her husband when he tried to assault Rosa. The story starts out with a literal bang when Anne rescues a train being robbed and she shoots the toe off one of the bandits! She'd intervened when Hero Nicholas Lovelace (the antagonist's brother from book one) was trying to protect one of the young ladies. He would have been attacked if Anne had not acted. 

In Regina's latest book we finally get to understand what had happened to Anne. She'd been brought up by an unloving father and then been lured into intimate relations with her teacher, who becomes her husband.  After marriage this pedophile also becomes physically abusive. Is it any wonder that Anne has no desire to remarry? She's been hanging out with a bunch of buffalo hunters and is still a crack shot.  Nick is now living where Anne has ventured off to while searching for her old friend to bring back to a nearby town to serve as a cook. But her "friend," who has had an illegitimate child, is living is what we soon discover is a bawdy house. And the woman departs with a new consort leaving behind her infant son!

Anne takes the child to  Nick's office, since he offered his assistance, if she needed it, after the train robbery   Nick meanwhile is running for a political office and Anne wants to return to her group of buffalo hunters. But the baby grows on both of them as they begin to love the little boy and grow in their relationship with each other.

You will find yourself rooting for this unlikely couple all the way through! Strong story and character arcs.  Well done, Regina!

Bibliotherapy elements: Abandonment, abuse, adoption, trust, and learning to love again!



You can purchase this and other books by Regina at AmazonBarnes and Noble, and CBD and other bookstores.

Giveaway: We're giving away two books this week. One is an autographed copy of Caught in the Middle and the other is winner's choice of any of Regina's books, choice of format.

18 comments:

  1. Caught in the Middle was an amazing story wasn't it CARRIE?! That would have been an awesome month for you, getting to read ALL of Regina's books together. I hope that helped make up for the foot surgery just a little bit, lol. ;) Thanks for your wonderful review!

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    1. Yes, was I ever grateful to have had all of her books to read, Noela! I really enjoyed your's and Teresa's reviews! Have a blessed day/night!

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  2. What a wonderful review, CARRIE! Would you believe I read the spoiler alert? haha

    Does sound like a really neat book. Thx for the review!

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  3. CARRIE thanks for the great review!! I loved all of the books in this series! Regina is a wonderful writer!! I can't wait to see what Regina writes next! :)

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    1. TY for recommending Regina's books to me, Teresa! I really enjoyed them!

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  4. Thank you for a wonderful review, Carrie. I life took a turn when I finally made up my mind at thirty six to complete my college education. I worked and went to school nights and summers and received by Bachelor's degree with a specialization in Elementary Education and went on to teach school

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  5. What a great review! I'm not always spellbound by a review. I read the Sixty Acres book but didn't realize she had written 3. Will have to check that out. Would love to see the conclusion to this story!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. Yes, there is a novella, too, Melody! A surprising and satisfying conclusion!

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  6. Would love to read it.
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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  7. Always love reading your wonderful views on the books you read, Carrie - thank you for this one!!

    I'm sure you loved having the opportunity to read Regina's three books in a row as much as I enjoyed reading Julie Lessman's nine books in a row. The very best way for sure - uninterrupted reading pleasure. I'm now reading all five of Laura Frantz's books - finishing in time for her latest releasing in Sept. and Julie's latest releasing in Oct.. However, I may be able to squeeze in a few more books in the next few months and since I already have "Caught in the Middle" - would love to be entered to win another of Regina's books!!

    And, Diana - I read the spoiler also. At my age - will forget it by the time I read the book anyway (LOL)!! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of Regina's books!! Love you ladies!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I was so thrilled I was able to have all three of those books, four counting the novella! Wow, Bonnie--you are going to be busy! My very fave Laura book is The Frontiersman's Daughter but The Colonel's Lady is a close second! Lovely writing.

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  8. Such a great cover picture. Thank you for another great review.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Mary, they do a great job on those covers, don't they, Mary? Bethany House seems to have some wonderful folks working on them!

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  9. Hi Carrie. Thanks for this great review. Job well done as usual. :) I also have the Sixty Acres and a Bride, so would love to win this book of Regina's. Love these contest. Also love you OWG girls, as you know by now. LOL All are so good at their reviews. Please put my name in the pot for drawing. Love you all. GOD bless you. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  10. Wow! What an adventure of a book.
    God bless you
    Chris
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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