Title: A Distance TOO Grand

Author: Regina Scott

Series: American Wonders Collection book 1
Chapters: 30

Pages: 384

Genre: Christian Historical fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

I'm not going to lie the first thing that drew me to the book was the cover. A young woman standing on a cliff with what looks almost like the Grand Canyon in the background with a camera, and I was hooked even more when I learned that it was about a female photographer in the 1870s when that wasn't a field really opened to women. I've always been a huge fan of photography I guess I have my mom to think for that. She was the one who introduced to me my favorite photographer, Dorothea Lange who was most known for her dust bowl era photographs.

So I was excited to read a story about a fictional female photographer 60 years before. Meg Pero is determined to take her father's place on the survey crew as the photographer even if Captain Ben Coleridge doesn't want her there. These two have a bit of a history together when he was a cadet at West Point and her father was the school's photographer until something happened that caused the two to be separated. But neither knowing why. Meg wants to prove that she can make it as a photographer in a male-dominated field and follow in his footsteps. Ben wants to be the solider that his father wanted him to be.

Regina Scott is an author that I've never read before so I didn't know anything about her books or her writing but with this being historical fiction one of my favorite genre's I had high hopes and I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the first chapter. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and well as picking up other works by this author. For readers who enjoyed Karen Barnett's Vintage National Parks series, I think they will enjoy this book and future series about the areas of the country before they were national parks as the next book in the series will take place in the United States oldest National park.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I have travelled by plane, car, bus, train, boat and r.v. throughout the U.S. and in other countries. I have seen mountains and oceans. I have experienced the beautiful countryside of small villages and majestic views. So travelling West with Meg and Ben was a delight. I was able to "picture" what Meg was trying to accomplish.

I enjoyed going on this adventure. The scenery was so realistically described that you could actually see yourself in those glorious locations.

Meg didn't believe she could do it all. She was driven to be the best photographer she could be. Because of this, marriage or having a relationship could not be an option. This is so different in today's world.

This is Book One of a new series by Regina Scott. I really look forward to reading the next book. I love being able to travel and not leave my recliner!!!

I received this free from Revell to review.

About Regina
Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first Regency romance novel until she had learned a bit more about writing such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and plot. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing. The Regency romance The Unflappable Miss Fairchild was her first novel to be published (March 1998). In 2011, she was delighted to move into Christian romance with the publication of The Irresistible Earl. October 2019 will mark her debut for prestigious publisher Revell. Her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese; and a large number have been issued in hardcover, large print editions. She has twice won the prestigious RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice award for best historical Christian romance of its type, for The Heiress's Homecoming in 2013 and Would-Be Wilderness Wife in 2015.
Regina Scott and her husband are the parents of two sons. They reside in the Puget Sound area of Washington State on the way to Mt. Rainier and are members of the Church of the Nazarene. Regina Scott is a graduate of the University of Washington. She comes by her writing talent naturally--both her parents were excellent writers in their vocations as teacher and electrical technician. Her mother envisioned the plot for "Sweeter Than Candy," the novella which was written as a tribute to her.
Regina Scott has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, dressed as a Regency dandy, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research, of course. Her extensive historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection takes up the entire closet in her office.

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? Despite growing up in the west, I have yet to visit the Grand Canyon. I’ve only seen it in pictures, movies, and my imagination when I read books set there. I want to see it someday, but when I do, I do not want too see it as close as Meg and Ben do in A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott. If you, like me, are looking for an adventure in the Grand Canyon with a lot more risks than you are comfortable taking in real life, then you might enjoy this book too! There are adventures with fire, mountain lions, storms, and greedy men. There is also a lot of historical details in this book. You’ll learn how places were mapped and explored back in the 1870’s. You’ll also learn about photography during this time period. It really is fascinating! If the adventure and history haven’t made you want to go pick up this book, well maybe the thought of a sweet romance between two former sweethearts will, because that’s in this book too. I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical romance, national parks, and adventure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I was really excited to see Regina Scott get published with Revell and jumped at the chance to review A Distance Too Grand. The cover of this book is gorgeous! I have never been to the Grand Canyon but I did feel like I was right along with for this adventurous trek! I liked Meg’s passion and dedication to her job. I can’t imagine taking pictures that took that long and with that much expensive equipment! I did feel like the story got a bit bogged down and didn’t take any real interesting twists or turns that I was hoping for to keep me more engaged. The descriptions of the land were amazing. Maybe it was just me but I did have a little trouble keeping a few of the guys on this trip straight. The other characters were memorable enough that I really enjoyed them or wasn’t sure what they were up to until the end. I did hope for a bit more emotional investment and wasn’t as engaged as I had hoped. Overall, I am glad that I read it. I received a copy of this book, all opinions are my own. I rate this book 3.5

This is a fantastic story of courage and faith. Both are needed when one is on your own. Meg has lost her father and she needs a job to earn money. Her father had her helping him to take pictures so she knows everything. She decides to help the army photograph the Grand Canyon. She wants to take such great photographs that she can earn money on the photos later. I love the history and the descriptions of the Grand Canyon. I also love the romance also. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A Distance Too Grand is an attention grabbing historical novel with a Grand Canyon setting. The story revolves around an Army survey crew primarily searching for the perfect place to build a road across the immense mostly unexplored canyon. Meg Pero is a photographer who hopes to take her deceased father’s place on the crew but meets resistance because of her gender. Only because of a time crunch is she accepted to the team who just happens to be led by the very man she once rejected.

This story is not only a tale of second chance romance (you knew that didn’t you?) but is also a riveting account of the hardships and dangers faced by the team as they traveled to the canyon and began their exploration. A steady plot and excellent characterizations made the story a joy to read. As one who has always been afraid of heights, I had to admire Meg’s sometimes daredevil attempts to get the perfect photograph. A bit of mystery and a thread of faith added the perfect touch.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Distance Too Grand and look forward to future novels by Regina Scott.

I enjoyed, A Distance Too Grand. The story is filled with mystery, adventure and romance. Meg is a strong woman determined to accomplish her goal to be an excellent photographer. Regina Scott created Meg's character as a great example of a lady who not only respects the beauty God created, but a woman willing to take risks. Ben's character has a great capacity for love and adventure. One of the things I like most about the story is the thread of hope, where Meg and Ben both contemplate the love God has for them. The other character that takes center stage in this story is the Grand Canyon. You get an up close view of this incredible work of art. If you enjoy historical fiction set in natural surroundings and filled with adventure, you'll love this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Everyone has a story to tell. You just have to listen."

If you have never visited the Grand Canyon, you are definitely missing out on a spectacular experience. In the meantime, you can read A Distance Too Grand, the first book in the American Wonders Collection by Regina Scott, because it provides an entertaining story amidst the canyon's grandeur long before humankind set up a national park, hiking trails, helicopter rides, and a Skywalk.

Meg Pero learned photography at her father's knee and accompanied him on many expeditions. Photography is her passion, and no man in this US Army is going to stop her from going on an expedition along the Grand Canyon's North Rim to assist in mapping out a safe passage for future travelers. What she doesn't count on is running into an old beau, Ben Coleridge, who is leading the expedition. What ensues is a grand adventure filled with danger, betrayal, new friendships, love, and spectacular vistas just begging to be captured on film.

The romance and Christian aspects are high in A Distance Too Grand as both Meg and Ben realize their past feelings for each other are still burning and their need to rely on a higher power to see them through the pain of loss and the many threats lurking among the beauty of the canyon. With modern digital photography, it can be easy to forget how cumbersome and time consuming taking pictures was back in 1871. The equipment alone is a burden, but Meg never stops looking for that perfect shot, even though it means hauling around a large camera and tripod and carefully packing the many plates for the entire trip. Capturing and developing that perfect shot requires plenty of patience and determination because the entire process from start to finish can take hours.

Regina Scott skillfully captures that long-ago world of old-time photography and delivers a lively, thrilling, and uplifting tale of two people who are given a second chance at love. Can these two headstrong individuals finally see eye to eye and make it work? Will a catastrophe end their chances before they can even begin? Finding that out as the chapters unfold is only one of the many entertaining aspects of A Distance Too Grand. Scott's writing style is simple yet detailed enough to spark the imagination and propel the story along at a brisk pace. Through Regina Scott's wonderfully written prose, you can almost see the canyon and feel the rugged allure of one of nature's wonders.

I enjoyed this trip to the Wild West. I can only imagine what it must have been like for them to come upon the Grand Canyon for the first time. I didn’t know that anyone had ever tried to find a way to travel through it. It was fun seeing it through Meg’s eyes and her camera lens.

The members of the expeditionary team each have their own roles but they work together well. Meg is a strong, independent woman. She feels out of place in society but right at home climbing down a cliff to get the perfect shot. It was fun seeing a woman in an unconventional role for the time: a woman acting as the expedition photographer.

This was a great start to the series. I’ll look forward to the next one. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Book 1 in the American Wonders Collection

#ADistanceTooGrand #Netgalley

The world needs more books like this! The first in a new series by Regina Scott, A Distance too Grand takes readers to the historical Grand Canyon with a cast of delightful characters. The author describes the setting beautifully and really lets her photography research shine!
Excellent offering. I can see this appealing to many conservative romance readers and those who love historical westerns.

A Distance too Grand was my first book by Regina Scott and definitely won’t be my last. There was mystery, adventure and romance. I loved the sweet romance between Meg and Ben and how he doesn’t give up on her. The other characters are great too and I figured out early on who the bad guy was. I haven’t been to the Grand Canyon yet but it’s on my bucket list. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series about Yellowstone!

A Distance Too Grand is a perfect example of why historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Regina Scott took an event that actually happened - in this case, surveying the Grand Canyon, and made the event completely her own. In my opinion, it takes an especially gifted writer to do that. But Scott was up to the task!

This story managed to hook me early. First, the Grand Canyon is probably one of the most majestic sights I have ever personally seen, but more so because the main character - Meg Pero - has something to prove, and she starts the story with a disadvantage simply because she’s a woman.

**The Characters of A Distance Too Grand**

In addition to Meg Pero, Captain Ben Coleridge is the other half of the protagonist team. Captain Coleridge will be commanding the Army’s survey team, and Meg will be fulfilling her recently-deceased father’s contract with the Army to photograph the canyon. However, when Meg show’s up just as the expedition is about to begin, she is surprised to learn that Ben - a former love interest - will be the leader. Although both Meg and Ben try to be professional about the situation, Regina Scott quickly locks in this subplot.

Yes, this story has a fair amount of romance, but that doesn’t - in my opinion - take anything away from the grandeur and the adventure of the survey team’s mission.

We also have Dot Newcomb and her husband, Hank. Dot is the only other woman on the team. Her job was to fix the meals. Hank’s job was to do the mapping of the canyon. Their marriage was rock solid at the beginning of the expedition.

The character arcs were well done, yet not as predictable as you may initially think. That’s a good thing.

**Technically Speaking**

This book was well edited. I didn’t make note of any SPAG problems.

The pacing was also on point. I enjoyed the way Scott wove in the elements of danger throughout the expedition. I also thought the increasingly prominent element of faith was injected very skillfully, and the Bible references were all appropriate. As with the other elements in this story, the build to the climax was very well done.

I recommend this story to anyone needing some grand adventure in their minds!

I half enjoyed this book. I guess I wasn’t too crazy about the writing style. There were times I was pulled into the story, but others I felt it was lacking and I could just stop reading. The only thing that kept me reading was to see how the mystery was solved! The story was very intriguing and I throughly enjoyed seeing how she overcame being a female photographer.

Regina Scott is the author of numerous novels, but this is the first I've read. And I quite enjoyed it!

Scott writes very colorful and lively characters; from quiet, dutiful Ben, to adventurous, strong Meg, to shy Meadows, cantankerous Dot, and kind Hank. Each was unique and that made the story all the more interesting.

Similarly, Scott describes the setting of the story in a very vibrant style, and I can easily picture the beautiful Grand Canyon, even though I have never been there. The author also takes the time to describe in detail the photography process, which was very fascinating to read. Details like this always help to make the story feel richer. There were a few times the wordings of things confused me and I had to reread the sentence or paragraph several times to understand what was happening. A tad more editing for clarity would have been nice. My one other complaint would be that the plot felt a bit slow; nothing seemed to really happen for a large part of the book.

All in all, though, I enjoyed reading this historical romance, and recommend it to lovers of Western romances!


FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

A Distance Too Grand
American Wonders Series - Book 1
By Regina Scott

Revell - October 2019

Inspirational Historical Romance


Meg Pero had learned from her father how to be a photographer, and now that he had passed, she was using those skills to make a living. She could not live the society life. She needed to be independent and pursue her passion of photography. The contract she had was the ticket to her new life. She would be the photographer hired by the Army to join a survey of the Grand Canyon. She would not let the fact that they were expecting a man sway her.

Nor the fact that the man leading the expedition was the man whose marriage proposal she had turned down.

Captain Ben Coleridge was on two missions. One shared with the team, one a secret. For both, the safety of the group was always a priority. He knew the dangers they faced, but something was suspicious. He needed to focus on his two assignments, but the more time he spent with Meg, Ben realized that he might now have a third goal. Winning the heart of this amazing woman once and for all.

A Distance Too Grand was a beautiful romance with the most amazing backdrop. What is more awe inspiring than the Grand Canyon, and this group is part of a survey trying to learn more about it, and hopefully find a passage through it. It was fascinating to see what went on in a survey, and as someone who enjoys photography, I loved learning a bit of the process from that time. I am always a sucker for a reunion romance, and adored watching Meg and Ben navigate not only the Grand Canyon, but the treacherous path to finally find love together. The Grand Canyon was the perfect setting for Regina Scott's introduction to her new American Wonders series. I look forward to visiting Yellowstone in the next book.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

So I requested a review copy of this book by accident. Sort of. See, at first glance, I thought it was by Regina Jennings, an author a friend of mine has been recommending for a while. The cover of this one has that same whimsical, fun, lighthearted feeling as Mrs. Jennings’s novels usually have. Once I realized it was by a Regina of a different surname, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d be in for. I was still hopeful about that cover, though, as it remained beautiful and inspirational.

Much to my great and happy surprise, this story turned out to be quite wonderful. It was adventurous, mysterious, sweet, dangerous, and faith-filled. I rather enjoyed it from beginning to almost-end. The romance in this story was sweet. Sometimes it was cheesy, but it was also clean and mostly realistic. The characters were quirky and unique, with great goals and dreams but also facing pasts and trials to overcome.

The only thing that seemed out of character for both of the leads was the final scene. It was a bit deflating for me, because the guy resorted to bribery and the lady chose to push a bit of feminism, neither of which had seemed like their personalities up to that point. Had the final scene been more organic and consistent with the two leads’ characteristics from the previous chapters, this would have easily been a five-star favorite. Even with the disappointing ending, this turned out to be a four-star book for me. Maybe another read-through of it down the road will give me a new appreciation for the ending. A friend of mine I buddy read this book with didn’t feel the same snag on the ending as I, so there’s hope that other readers will adore it.

Overall, I treasured my time with this book. It was neat to see the Grand Canyon so gorgeously described. I’ve been to this amazing place a few times, and it always takes my breath away. This book captured that awe.

Anyone who has visited the Grand Canyon will enjoy reading about Meg Pero’s trip as a photographer for the U.S. army in 1871. Meg had worked as an assistant photographer with her father , taking pictures during the Civil War and afterwards.
She would be traveling with a small group of soldiers and Captain Benjamin Coleridge, a man she had grown close to but refused to marry a few years ago.
Colonel Coleridge leads the group on their mission to search out new routes through the Arizona territory and on a secret mission....

This book has a lot to say for itself: the art of photography, the Grand Canyon, the requisite bad guy, a missing person, an expedition and leader, a camp cook and surveyor, and a few extra characters.

Meg Pero is a photographer trying to fulfill her late father's contracts, including one with the army to go and photograph the Grand Canyon, while Ben Coleridge is trying to figure out where to put a road to go down to the bottom of the Canyon. At one time, Meg and Ben were dating while Ben was attending West Point. Ben's mother discouraged the relationship because Meg was not in the same social strata as Ben's family. Ben has not come to terms with Meg's turning his proposal down. She won't tell him the real reason, but she just says it is best for him. They end up working pretty closely together and for Ben, that's another chance to win Meg's heart. Of course, there is the requisite bad guy who tries to sabotage the expedition, sets a fire to the camp, and tries to kill everyone in the expedition.

Regina Scott writes a character-rich novel with incredible settings and scenery. She paints glorious pictures in the reader's mind with her words. This is my first novel by her, but it sure won't be my last. Her talent for writing is incomparable. Five Star Book, with two thumbs up, and a pre-prepared glass slide ready for your best photographic shot.

I wish to thank Revell Publishing for continuing to produce high quality Christian fiction and for partnering with NetGalley.com to provide the galley I read for this review. These opinions are quite my own, and not in any way dictated by Revell.

This new to me author provided several days of great entertainment. I enjoyed the sweet romance and found the interaction between different characters a lot of fun. I cheered when the villain was fully unmasked and sighed when the heroine received proper recognition. Learning about early surveys of the Grand Canyon was fascinating. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

An excellent historical adventure with strong characters and good mystery and second-chance romance. The scenery was well-written and the entire book was riveting in it's unfolding. I will definitely be recommending to fellow readers who enjoy a wholesome and engaging tale with roots in historical America.