The Spark of Love

Recently a question was posted in a Facebook Group that I absolutely had to answer.  The question was how many Christian fiction authors have you read more than three of their books.  My answer was that the list was too long to mention them all.  There are some authors I've read everything they've written, others I've read all of a specific genre they've written, and others I've been a bit more picky about reading their offerings. Amanda Cabot would definitely fit in the category of authors I've read more than three of her books. 

The Spark of Love is the final book in the Mesquite Springs series and can be read as a stand-alone, but it does help to read the others first.  In this book, the reader almost needs a playlist to keep up with all the villains who populate the plot, and it's hard to figure out who some of the good guys are. 

One of the most entertaining scenes is close to the beginning of the book when Alexandra is about to board a stagecoach.  She attracts the unwanted attentions of two rough and rowdy cowboys and her rescue comes in the guise of Gabe Seymour, a private investigator who is looking for her father. 

Alexandra is an heiress whose money is tied up in a trust that can only , but all her suitors know about her is that she has money.  Franklin wants her money to settle his debts and will go to any length to get it.  Because of his threats, Alexandra feels the need to flee New York.  So she goes to Mesquite Springs, Texas, where her father is supposed to be building a hotel.

Gabe is looking for Alexandra's father because he was a con man who bilked people out of their money.  He was not the only one looking for Alexandra's father, and between those looking for her father and those looking for her, both of them had their work cut out for them. 

Alexandra's father is less than thrilled to see her and convinces Gabe to keep her away from the hotel he's building.  At the same time Gabe feels the need to protect Alexandra. 

This book is a bit predictable with the development of the plot, with the love story between Alexandra and Gabe, with the with the actions of the villains of the story, but the sheer number of bad guys is a bit daunting.  The setting is a fictional town in Texas that fits with a number of places I know in Texas, so it is very believable. While this is not my favorite of Amanda Cabot's books, it is a worthwhile read. 

Four Stars

Revell Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.