Sing in the Sunlight (Chaparral Hearts #2) by Kathleen Denly

 

                                                                       Book Synopsis

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.

Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.

Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they're married.

Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda's not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?

My thoughts:

This is the second book in the Chaparral Hearts series by Ms. Denly, but can be read as a standalone.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Clarinda Humphrey and Richard Stevens.  I’ll be honest, it took some time for me to get interested, but once I did, it was hard to put down.

My heart ached for Clarinda for both her physical and emotional scars which are both so difficult for her to overcome. I loved Richard immediately, he’s the reason why I kept reading as fast as I possibly could.  I was surprised and happy to reconnect with a couple of characters from the first book Waltz in the Wilderness.

Overall, I thought the premise was interesting, the characters proved to be memorable and the authors writing pulled me into her story.

An e-book was provided to me from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.