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16 August 2018

My Heart Belongs in Galveston, Texas: Madeline's Search by Kathleen Y'Barbo


Barbour Publishing (2018)

Publisher Summary:
Journey now to Galveston, Texas, of 1880...
Where is Mrs. Smith's granddaughter? Who is the mysterious Mrs. Smith?

Pinkerton agent Jonah Cahill is hired by the mysterious widow to find her lost granddaughter, rumored to be living in Galveston, Texas. Though Jonah prefers to travel alone, Mrs. Smith insists that she and her companion accompany him. Madeline Latour, investigative reporter, has been acting as Mrs. Smith’s assistant for several months, and Madeline will not allow anyone—even a Pinkerton agent—to ruin the story of a lifetime. The pair forges an uneasy truce as the investigation grows dangerous.

Is there a bigger story beyond a missing girl to be revealed?

Andrea Stephens' Review

I don't think I'm spoiling anything if I say, “Yes. There is a bigger story beyond a missing girl!”
What a great story it is too! Kathleen Y'Barbo gives us an adventure-filled tale of a missing granddaughter, possible pirate treasure, mysteries and the reluctant reuniting of a formerly engaged couple. Will they be able to get over past betrayal and find love again? You will have to read the book yourself to find out!

Jonah Cahill grew up in a house built on top of land that famed pirate Jean Lafitte built and burned his house down, leaving behind the legacy of the possibly buried treasure. As a child, Jonah enjoyed digging holes in the basement but never found anything. Now grown, he is a Pinkerton Detective working a private case for Mrs. Smith, searching for her long lost granddaughter.

Madeline Latour, comes from a family of professional secret keepers. She works at a newspaper in New Orleans but is posing, undercover, as a writer working for Madame (Mrs. Smith) putting all her memories on paper, while secretly hoping to find a bigger story.

I liked how Jonah says, “Hello, Madeline.” when he sees her. The banter between the two is very entertaining. The two are not exactly happy about working with each other in the beginning, but do eventually remember that they once “made a good team.”  Once they overcome their past, they realize they still make a good team.

As Jonah and Madeline search for Madam's granddaughter, we meet many interesting characters, some with mysteries of their own that need solving.

It's very hard to write a review for this book without giving spoilers. There are many plot twists and several surprises. I will tell you that I loved it and did not want it to end.
The faith element is lightly sprinkled throughout the book and I really liked how Jonah listened to “that still small voice.”

This is another 5 Star book for me! I highly recommend it. If you are a history buff, Kathleen provides some very interesting author notes, telling us some real history and where she had to bend it a little for this fictional story.

The My Heart Belongs series is taking a summer break and will return in November with
My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Clarissa's Conflict by Murray Pura. I can't wait to read it!

Purchase: You can view ALL the My Heart Belongs books and find links to purchase at this link: http://www.myheartbelongs.com

Giveaway: A copy of My Heart Belongs in Galveston, Texas: Madeline's Search by Kathleen Y'Barbo. Answer this question: What is your "happy place" for vacation?


37 comments:

  1. Great review! Thank you so much, Andrea! (Love this book's cover, too...)

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    1. Thank you, Susie! I love all the covers for this series.

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  2. Wonderful review, Andrea. A happy place for vacation for me is with a quiet place viewing mountains and waterfalls or a cabin in a wooded area that has modern conveniences.

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    1. A mountain view and waterfalls sound very relaxing, Marilyn. Modern conveniences are a must for me too.

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  3. This sounds like a great book. I don't get to go anywhere on vacation very often, so just about anywhere is my"happy place". I have been to Galveston an d enjoyed it. I wonder what it would have been like in 1880.

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    1. Hi Susan! It is a great book. I haven't been able to go on a real vacation for quite a while now. It's nice to find a "happy place" just about anywhere. Books are good vacation spots for me.

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  4. My happy place for vacation would probably be the mountains, at least something cooler than sweltering Texas heat. Although I would not be opposed to a trip to Galveston, it’s been a very long time since I’ve been there. I love Pinkerton detectives and the mysteries in this one sound really good.
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
    Perrianne Askew

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    1. I've seen the scorching heat of Texas on the news. I would want to get away too, Perrianne. This book is full of mysteries. I think you will like it!

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  5. Thank you for the great review, Andrea! Now I am totally intrigued with wanting to read this book...."adventure-filled tale of a missing granddaughter, possible pirate treasure, mysteries and the reluctant reuniting of a formerly engaged couple."....Squeal!! What"s not to like?! I can't wait to read this book!! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!!! ~Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Alison! It was a fun book to read. What is your "happy place" for vacation?

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    2. My happy place for vacation is reading a book at the beach or by the lake, and also enjoying these two settings with my family :)

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  6. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book, I love Kathleen's books. My happy place right now would be about a week just to be by myself and be able to do what I want, lol. Nope no kids at home but a retired husband, lol.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Hi Wendy! I fully understand where your happy place would be. LOL I'd like to go there too.

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  7. Thank you for the great review. I know I'm going to enjoy this read.

    My happy place is anywhere I can put my feet in the ocean.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com


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    1. It's been 9 years since I've been able to put my feet in the ocean. It sounds wonderful.
      Thanks for stopping by, Mary.

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  8. Wonderful review, Andrea! I grew up not far from Galveston. I'd love to read this one. I have enjoyed this series!

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Hi, Caryl! I've only been to Galveston in books. Where is your "happy place" for vacation?

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  9. My happy place is Disney World!!

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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    1. Hi, Mindy! I have so many happy memories of being happy in Disney World!

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  10. I have read most of the books released in this series but not this one yet. My happy place would be somewhere historic, where I could tour places of interest. A nice B & B and go out to eat. And of course READ!

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    1. That sounds like a good "happy place." It's always fun to see history.

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  11. Thank you for sharing! My happy place for vacation would be Mackinaw City. I loved it there. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi, Melanie! I've never been to northern Michigan. Carrie shares her pictures on Facebook, it looks beautiful.

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  12. My happy place is sitting on my deck sipping iced tea reading a book listening to the birds and looking at the mountains. I would love to see the beach one more time.

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    1. A mountain view is so nice. I lived near mountains for one year. I still miss the view.

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  13. I think my favorite place to be would be in a well-equipped cabin with a wrap-around porch beside a lake that has the mountains in the distance. It would be quiet with the birds singing, the frogs croaking and the breeze rustling the pine trees. Thanks for the giveaway - I have read most of the My Heart Belongs books and have not had the opportunity to read this one. :)

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    1. Betti, take me with you! It sounds divine. I've been blessed to be able to read all the books in the series so far. I think there are only two left.

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  14. My happy place is reading a book at the beach.
    We have some of these books in the church library.
    Thank you for giving me the opportunity to win this book.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Janet! I just realized, I've never read a book at the beach. I was always swimming or looking after siblings then my daughter. I did build a beautiful sand sea turtle once.

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  16. Going anywhere with my Hubbie! This year we are going to th UK for our 40th Anniversary using our frequent flyer miles.
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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    1. That sounds like a wonderful trip, Faith! Have fun and Happy Anniversary!

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  17. This book sounds very interesting! My happy place for vacation? The mountains! I really miss living in the mountains. I always found it so peaceful and relaxing. jumpforjoy at gmail dot com

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    1. Joy, this is an interesting book. Mountains are beautiful!

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    2. Congrats, Joy, you are the winner of a copy of Kathleen Y'Barbo's "My Heart Belongs in Galveston, Texas"! Thanks for sharing your happy place with us!

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  18. Thanks for the review! This is an era i enjoy reading about in fiction.

    pattymh2000+at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Patty! I've enjoyed reading in this time period too. Where is your "happy place" for vacation?

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