🐎🌩️🏡 “Claiming Her Legacy” (2022) 🏡🌩️🐎 – Blog Tour & Book Review
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Claiming Her Legacy by Linda Goodnight, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
MY REVIEW
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Love Inspired (Harlequin Books), for providing an advanced review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I have to admit – I’m drawn to purple covers. There is just something about them I LOVE. Even better? Storm clouds. A lady with a rifle? That’s giving off some strong old western TV show (or movie) vibes. I’m not into westerns, but this cover truly grabbed me.
As of note, my mom grew up on westerns – especially “family” type ones like Bonanza and The Big Valley. I have to admit, this book kind of gave me The Big Valley vibe, which was my favorite of the western series.
Another, interesting reference – the Malone family got their land in the Oklahoma Land Rush in 1889, roughly a year before the story takes place. The Oklahoma Land Rush was also mentioned, and a HUGE part of the Far and Away (1992) plot.
So, those who have seen the series and movie I referenced might be interested in this.
That said …
Those not familiar to the LOVE INSPIRED (LI) line (trade – books like this, or the smaller monthly ones) – these are generally a “Christian” themed line from Harlequin. As a result, these will have strong tenets of the Christian faith, some more so than others. There will be mentions of God, trusting Jesus, using or mentioning prayer.
This book is the first “trade” version I’ve read, although I do have another one I bought, it is stuck in the never-ending TBR stack. While I don’t know how that one fares with regard to the “Christian” element – this one definitely has FAR stronger themes than the smaller books. As this author is new-to-me, I don’t know if that is her particular writing style or with this being expanded, it is more heavily mentioned.
That didn’t bother me as it really fit the story and the situations, but it MIGHT bother some readers. I didn’t find it too “preachy”, but some readers might. There is a reference Willa makes about her sister Mercy being a better Christian than she is because of the thoughts she has. This has been a contentious point for some reviewers.
LI books are also “cleaner” reads – there are no off-page or referenced intimate scenes and language is kept mild (even free from common “barnyard” language).
And, given that this is “historical” or western, there is some language that could “offend” today’s readers, especially in today’s climate where the words and tone are different. Words used: lame, cripple, gimp(y). Even the term “Indian” could be offensive when applied towards Native Americans.
Some of the themes and elements are authentic to the time and not necessarily accepted today – particularly when it comes to Native Americans, “First People”, or “Nations” and incidents between them and the settlers. The author remains authentic to the time period, though not taking a stand one way or the other.
Another notion that might offend some – Willa’s age of 30 being considered as an old spinster. There were expectations of women with regard to their ages. Also, it was believed that women were delicate and weak, thus unable to do things – hence why a man was needed and often required. In addition, there is reference to an older man attempting to use Savannah as a “brood mare”. While reprehensible, that was the time back then. Saying that does not excuse it, but rather puts it into perspective for understanding and clarity – as well as being “realistic”.
One caveat about creating a story set in such times is adhering to authenticity in language, social settings, as well as the culture. The author manages to do this incredibly well with the characters. Though one complaint of mine is that some of the language seemed far too modern for the book, set in 1890 Oklahoma.
The characters are in line with the genre of the book:
🏡 Willa Malone (30; old spinster, tomboy, head of the household)
🩺 Mercy Malone (age unknown; middle sister; the “healer”)
🏡 Savannah Malone (20; the “lame” sister, cook, and lover of fanciful things; the one Homer has his eye on)
🐎 Gideon Hartley (former tracker, currently a drunk)
⛪ Isaiah Baker (a friend of Gideon’s; Godly man)
🏦 Theodore Pierce (banker, smarmy)
💰 Charlie Bangs (man who shot Finn Malone; bounty on him could pay off the Malone loan)
👒 Belle Holbrook (widow, enigma, business partner of Gideon)
Despite the myriad of characters, the story is told only from Willa and Gideon’s POV. Though I would’ve loved Mercy’s POV as well as Belle’s.
As far as “trigger” and content warnings – there are also elements and/or mentions of: prostitution, mail order brides, excessive drinking, mentions of slavery and aftermath, thoughts of suicide expressed, graphic description of a burn victim, as well as a child orphaned when his entire family dies (common occurrence in those days).
The characters are wonderfully crafted and portrayed – from the bad guys to the good guys. I have to admit that Willa was definitely a favorite of mine. Gideon was an on/off favorite of mine.
Claiming Her Legacy is appropriately titled given the plot of the story. And, the first two lines really got my attention: “Papa was dead. Murdered.”
Finn Malone has been murdered by Charlie Bangs in what appears to be a case of claim jumping. But, Finn left his three daughters with a note on their land – if they can’t pay it, they will lose their home. They are also barely getting by. The only option Willa has – get the outlaw and collect the bounty. She gets the idea after a bounty hunter, who was looking for Charlie, is killed.
To do that – she needs a guide/tracker. That brings her to Gideon.
Unfortunately, Gideon is in no condition to lead Willa. Even if he was – he doesn’t want to. He’s out of the business for personal reasons. He’s also a drunk. He can’t seem to quit drinking without severe side effects (today’s common withdrawal symptoms).
Willa is desperate and hounds Gideon. It isn’t revenge driving her, it is the fact that Pierce (the banker) has called in the loan sooner – due two months earlier than he agreed. He does offer to buy the property but Willa doesn’t want to sell. In addition, the elderly Homer Baggley seems set on “courting” Savannah, even telling Willa they’re engaged (they’re not).
After seeing Willa with Pierce, Gideon decides to agree to help Willa. Of course, he doesn’t say “when” they’ll set out on their “hunt”. That is until an issue with one of Isaiah’s kids puts Gideon’s drinking problem into perspective.
Willa gets Gideon through a rough and traumatic process. (Those who’ve watched family members might be disturbed by it – which is the only reason I mentioned it).
Willa doesn’t understand why Gideon is drinking – it has to do with his family. Still, he tries to warn her about what she is getting into with hunting Charlie Bangs. Still, Willa has no choice.
There are some sweet moments between Gideon and Willa before they set out on their journey. Willa even admits to herself she’d loved to be wanted and chosen but feels she’s been on the shelf too long. [Back in that time – she actually was].
The “bounty-hunting” doesn’t start until about 58% of the way in. The trip isn’t free of calamity – even the death of some travelers leave the two with a hard decision to make.
As the two hunt down Charlie, Gideon begins to think he might want a future with Willa, but he has to resolve a past with his father, though that won’t be easy given what happened in that past.
The ending is somewhat predictable overall, but there are some surprises I didn’t see coming. There are a few loose ends – Homer, who I wonder what happened to; and figuring out about the boy who drowned because of Gideon.
Given the type of book this is, the chapters – except for a few – are relatively short. This keeps the story on pace without slugging along or racing towards the end. The author uses engaging dialogue, and some unique “big” words – one of my favorites was “vexatious”. The author definitely drew me right in and kept me reading until the very end.
I couldn’t put it down and finished it inside of a 15-hour period with a few breaks. I did read most of it (about 70%) inside of a 2-hour period. Quick note – the book shows no sign of wear. That’s how fast I read it.
I loved the realistic feel the author brought to the novel and at times felt like I was watching a movie or a mini-series. Of course, one aspect that could be funny or downright annoying – Willa seemingly wanting to shoot people who irritated her or annoyed her. Is it bad to say I almost agreed with her?
The issue of prostitution (sex workers in the brothels/bordellos) is addressed through the human trafficking angle. While it is true that did happen, there were women who did willingly work at saloons.
There were two types to be honest – the ones who worked at brothels and the dance girls. Dance girls wouldn’t be caught with the “workers”. In fact, “many were widows or needy women of good morals, forced to earn a living in an era that offered few means for women to do so.” (https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-paintedlady/)
Claiming Her Legacy is an intensely deep and rich book that delves into the harshness of what settler life was like, sacrifices that families made. It is emotionally gripping, suspenseful, as well as inspiring.
That’s not to say there weren’t moments of levity or humor:
Page 22 – “Homer was sixty if he was a day and only washed once a year if the creek was high and warm.”
Page 167 – (Gideon) “I was out for a stroll and saw three
lovely ladies walking alone. Perhaps you’d allow me to walk with you.”
Willa
snorted “Why would you walk? You have a horse.”
“Well, look at that. He must’ve followed me.”.
I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to read another book by Linda Goodnight, and since this seems like a standalone book, I am a bit disappointed in not being able to revisit these characters again.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 5, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 12, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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I would love to read this.
ReplyDeleteAmazing cover
ReplyDelete