🗒️🔨🏡 “Engaging Deception” (The Joplin Chronicles #3) (2023) 🏡🔨🗒️– Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: The Joplin Chronicles (Book #3)
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (December 13, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 0764235362
ISBN-13: 978-0764235368
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“A lively competition draws her into her rival's blueprints--and maybe even his heart.
Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it's only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she'll be working for her idol, Joplin's leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.
Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What's worse, Maxfield's current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder's work.
As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive's involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Bethany House (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I’ve read a LOT of new-to-me-authors over the past few years. And, I’ve enjoyed a lot of historical fiction as well. Yet, there are always authors and stories I haven’t been introduced to.
This was my first introduction to Regina Jennings and it won’t be the last. I thought the premise was interesting, and I am always on the lookout to expand my reading circle. I also liked the setting – Joplin, Missouri.
As of note, I have family in and near the area – so it is always nice to learn things about the areas that my family is from or lives in/near.
Prior to getting this book, I got the first two books of the series – Courting Misfortune and Proposing Mischief. I had not been able to read those prior to this one. While this one didn’t leave me confused and worked well on its own merits, I definitely recommend reading the first two books so readers can see the Kentworth family dynamics. There are also some references to events in the other books that play a bit in the part of this one.
That said …
The covers are all unique, featuring the heroine in her “element”. Though, I have to admit, book #2 looks far more mischievous.
Returning from the previous novels:
🚨 Calista York (former Pinkerton agent)
⛪ Matthew Cook (Calista’s husband; pastor)
🔨 Amos Kentworth (takes credit for Olive’s designs)
⛏️Maisie Kentworth (Cousin to Calista and Olive; Amos’ sister)
👩🏻🦳 Granny Laura
⛰️ Boone Bragg (Maisie’s husband, owner of Crystal Cave)
🏡 Mr. Blount (former client of Maxfield, hires “Amos” to re-do house)
🧓🏻 Oscar Kentworth (Olive and Willow’s father)
👒 Willow (Olive’s sister)
🚃 Graham (Willow’s husband)
In this book, readers are introduced to:
🗒️ Olive (architect in hiding)
🔨 Maxfield (architect, working on Dennis home, had just completed Blount home)
👧🏻 Stella (Maxfield’s daughter)
👦🏻 Leo (Maxfield’s son)
👒 Ruby (Mr. Dennis’ daughter)
🏡 Mr. Dennis (Maxfield’s current client)
💲Marlowe (Graham’s brother)
Right off, readers are introducing to Olive, who is grieving her mother’s death. It is hard for her as she’d spent the past few years caring for her.
She’s not the only one grieving – Maxfield Scott is still not over the death of his wife. While he’s “courting” Ruby, he’s having issues moving on.
He seems to throw himself into his work and gets caught up in a “competition.”
It starts when Oscar tells Olive about an addition that Blount wants on his home that Maxfield built – and Oscar wants Olive to show her talent.
Maisie ends up getting Olive a job as a “nanny” for Maxfield’s kids (oh, and they are so precious! I love Olive’s relationship with them).
Olive uses Maxfield’s books to work with her design. To do her research, Olive arranges for Maxfield and Ruby to see the Crystal Cave (interesting diversion).
Blount loves it, though Olive lets Amos pass it off as his – though he is truly uneducated and it really shows. Her father and most of her family want her to take credit for her work.
But, Ruby’s father wants to have the biggest house in Joplin so that causes the plans to change as well.
Maxfield finds out about the Blount house re-design which then causes issues with his current project.
He is then approached about a department store design, and as he values Olive’s opinion – he asks her input for it, since women will be going more than men.
Maxfield is beginning to re-think his courting of Ruby – especially when she only wants him when he is in a “good” mood. Though Olive isn’t looking for romance – her family is looking for romance for her, so much so her “brother-in-law” is called in for “assistance”.
After an incident at the Dennis home, Maxfield tells Olive about his wife, though that complicates what she does.
Of course, just as Maxfield and Olive get closer, he learns of her deception.
As always, it takes time for the hero and heroine to get together, and when they do – it is always a treat. This is even more of a treat given their journey, especially when Maxfield tells Olive “None of us are guaranteed a life free from sorrow” and telling they can’t prevent it. It is such a touching and endearing sentiment considering his own loss.
I absolutely ADORED this book! I was sucked right in and kept reading it from the time I started until I put it down. I read it inside of an 8-hour period, and stayed up a smidge past my bedtime to read it (about 1-2 hours). Those short chapters kept the story moving in addition to the author’s pacing of the story. It didn’t linger, but it sure wasn’t rushed. It was definitely difficult to put down and I really only sat it down between bites as I was eating (lunch, dinner, snacks), and a few chores.
I loved Olive’s remark about not setting her cap at Mr. Scott (Maxfield). It reminded me of Sense and Sensibility – both the book and 1995 movie (one of my favorites) about Marianne “setting her cap” at someone. [Watching the movie, I was team #ColonelBrandon all the way! And, naturally in the book after I saw the movie]. This book and and Sense and Sensibility are the ONLY instances, so far, where I’ve heard that phrase.
I had to laugh at what she said in chapter 3 – “When someone doesn’t want to tell me what we’re doing, it’s safe to assume I wouldn’t approve”. That can apply in ANY time era.
“Hayseed” Amos was a delight, but it was a wonder he wasn’t discovered sooner as a “fraud”. I have to admit, I sort of saw him ending up with who he did.
Ruby was 100% annoying. I just couldn’t find any redeeming quality about her (other than she ditched Maxfield eventually). I really didn’t like how she disrespected Maxfield about the construction site, and when he went to tell her – she didn’t want to hear it. Also, she only wanted him when he was “fun”, and her “issue” with the kids had me wanting him to dump her in the lake! Sorry, but the man has a right to grieve, and a responsibility to his kids.
After reading this, I am eagerly looking for some downtime later this year (if I can manage it) to read the first two books. I’m also eager to see what Jennings has planned next. I’m hoping more Kentworth family stories are on the way as the family tree is quite expansive.
As it is distributed by a primarily Christian publisher, there will be some themes of Christian faith. These are minor, and hardly noticeable. It will not appear as if the author is proselytizing in any way.
Fans of the author won’t want to miss this delightful story that balances grief, silly competitions, and a sense of humor guaranteed to make one smile.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Publisher: Bethany House (December 1, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN: 0764235346
ISBN-13: 978-0764235344
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“Calista York needs one more successful case as a Pinkerton operative to secure her job. When she's assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of a mob boss, she's sent to the rowdy mining town of Joplin, Missouri, despite having extended family in the area. Will their meddling expose her mission and keep Lila Seaton from being recovered?
When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children's home. He'll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm's way.
Calista doesn't need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can't let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark.”
Publisher: Bethany House (December 7, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN: 0764235354
ISBN-13: 978-0764235351
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“Only one person can give her the freedom she seeks--but is it worth the risk?
Maisie Kentworth is being forced to stay on her parents' ranch. After a short-lived relationship with the wrong man, she's worried about inflaming things further between her former beau and her protective family. Left to rue her mistakes, she keeps busy exploring the idle mine at the edge of their property, where she discovers a great treasure.
Boone Bragg is also stuck. With his parents on vacation, the management of Bragg Mining falls on him, and one of his advisors wants him as a son-in-law. One wrong move, and Boone will end up either offending an associate or marrying a woman he can't endure.
While closing up a spent mine, Boone gets two surprises. One is a spitfire farm girl who's trespassing with a pickax, and the other is the amazing crystal cavern that she's discovered. Suddenly Boone sees a way to overhaul the family business. With part of the cavern on Kentworth land, Boone makes Maisie a proposal that he hopes will solve all of their problems. Instead it throws Joplin into chaos, and it will take all of Maisie's gumption to set things right.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She's the winner of the National Readers' Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.
She can also be found on the following social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReginaLJennings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginajenningsauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reginajennings
**This review contains Amazon affiliate links.
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