You can count on this author for a sound, historical fiction set in the midwest. I was excited for a new series from Jennings, and this one was no disappointment.

After a somewhat slower start, the pace of this book accelerates and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed that we have the main female character as a Pinkerton agent, and that the large majority of the tension revolves around that storyline. Matthew has his own agenda of course, but really it takes a back seat to the main plot. I loved Calista's personality and her heart, which comes through clearly on the page.

I read a complimentary eARC thanks to Netgalley. This is my honest review.

Courting Misfortune offers an interesting look at a Missouri boomtown, a realistic description of the life of miners at the beginning of the twentieth century, and glimpses of Pinkertons and railroads. Regina Jennings cleverly presents her main character as Calista York would have wanted us to see her. She looked like a girl fresh from the farm trying to make her way in the city. By the time the reader gets to the end of the story, Calista appears intelligent, well-trained, and sophisticated. Calista is a Pinkerton agent who is sent to her hometown to find a kidnap victim. Her family causes her delightful problems impeding her progress with the case. This is an entertaining historical romp.

3.5

‘Don’t be afraid to deal with the mess, son. The sweetest moments come from the most offensive fertilizer ‘

Calista York is a budding Pinkerton agent sent to Joplin to find a mob boss’s kidnapped daughter. Joplin is a wild city and she is soon swept up. Trying to find jobs to help her complete her goal, she happens upon Matthew Cook, a man who yearns to be a missionary. Goodness knows, this town needs the Lord’s help! What with miners who can’t feed their families because of drinking, a brothel, a baby raffle, Matthew’s work is cut out for him. Add in a few members of Calista’s odd extended family, this book is a recipe for a good read. Full of wit and good lessons, this will satisfy a reader’s heart.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a digital copy of this book via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is my own.

Courting Misfortune is the first in the Joplin Chronicles series by Regina Jennings.

Calista York is a young woman determined to prove herself as a Pinkerton agent. Sent on a mission to find a missing girl, Calista finds herself in the depraved town of Joplin. A town filled with miners, rich on Saturday and poor by Monday. As Calista tries to ingrain herself into the town, she is distracted by Matthew Cook, a young pastor bound to help the lost souls of Joplin. And it doesn't help that her cousins show up at the most inconvenient times.

Matthew has felt the call of God since he was young, and has made a promise to go to the worst place on earth. He finds just that in Joplin. His high moral standards make him a great hero. Was he being too idealistic? But he cared. He mourned the Joplin residents weaknesses.

Yet they both are encouraged by this verse. " And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due seasons we shall reap, if we faint not."

Humorous and light hearted, with a bit of danger and romance, Regina Jennings makes for interesting reading.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Net Galley and the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

This book was received as an ARC from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book took a whole left turn and unexpected events shook my whole mind to another degree. From the very first page, I could not help but be hooked. The backstory for Calista was so enticing that you could not help but see if she will solve the case no matter the circumstance and then enter Matthew with his own story connected to the case that Calista is trying to solve and of course they get involved with one another and chaos erupts. I was waiting for a good Christian Fiction novel to arise and since we have a following in our community, I will be happy to tell them that a good one is coming to our collection.

We will consider adding this title to our Christian Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

COURTING MISFORTUNE by REGINA JENNINGS takes place in the mining town of Joplin in 1898 with Calista York leaving Chicago on assignment from Robert Pinkerton to find gang boss Jinxy Seaton's missing daughter, Lila, who was last seen at the infamous brothel, the House of Lords, in Joplin. Calista is of course undercover and her bahaviour really worries pastor Matthew Cook who often has to get her out of trouble. She cannot come across as too respectable as she wants to be able get into dens of iniquity. Her job entails her being a good actress, but we see her conflicting emotions. I love the way she really wants to help hurting people, as does Matthew, the difference being that she feels God has sent her to help one person and Matthew feels the Lord has led him to Joplin to help everyone there.
it is a story about sacrifice, with Matthew taking a job in the mines in order to better understand the miners, and Calista working at the children's home in order to find anyone who may know Lila, They may have to sacrifice even more as they try to be true to their separate callings.
There is quite a bit of humour, especially when her overpowering cousins and terrifying grandmother find out she is in Joplin.
We are reminded that God can use imperfect vessels in order to bring about His perfect will, as we see in the case of the baby raffle.
There is so much in this fast paced and exciting story and I was kept guessing right to the end. It is altogether a most enjoyable read and one I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Having read other historical fiction stories pertaining to Pinkerton detectives, I was eager to read this one in a new series by Regina Jennings called the Joplin Chronicles. The cover grabbed my attention immediately and drew me right in.
While I enjoyed this story of intrigue and budding romance, it took me a little while to get into fully as the cast of characters initially presented seemed hard to connect with. The heroine herself did not seem secure in her role initially, waffling among different decisions and choices of persona. The story then took off and connected better as the characters’ motivations became more clear. I loved the hero, Pastor Matthew Cook, and how he tried to improve the lives of those around him while seeking God’s direction for his life. Now that the groundwork for the series has been laid in Book One, I would expect forthcoming books in the series to be quite engaging, given the nature of the town and some of its residents! All in all, this was a very enjoyable read, laced with intrigue, danger, romance, and moments of humor as two people tried to discern God’s path for their lives.

I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are my own.

#CourtingMisfortune #ReginaJennings #NetGalley #BethanyHouse

Regina Jennings has been a hit and miss author for me and sadly this one was a bit of a miss for me.
From characters who either lacked personality or had confusing personalities to a plot that was a little hard to believe and a bit all over the place I just found myself not connecting with the story at all.
This will probably be many other people’s cup of tea but it wasn’t mine

I was excited to read the follow up book to "Intrigue a La Mode'. While it's part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone book. It was great to meet some familiar characters from that book in this series. I liked the main character in the book Calista - She is written as a strong independent female. I must admit that it did take me a little longer to warm up to the hero but I got there in the end.

This book involves a mystery and several side stories. Those side stories definitely added to the book. I loved the quirky history behind the people and events written in the book and will probably research them after writing this review. I got this book in exchange for an honest review. I do recommend it - you'll enjoy it. Then go back and read "Intrigue a La Mode'! You're welcome.

"Courting Misfortune" is a delightful historical romance by Regina Jennings. Quirky family members, deep faith, light mystery, and sweet romance are all combined in an easy-to-read, thoroughly enjoyable story. This story will keep you smiling as you read, but also shows depth of compassion and love for members of society often overlooked and ignored. This is a FANTASTIC read!

Callista York is trying to prove she can do everything she sets her mind to. But what if doing her job is actually going to harm someone? Can she fool her family and the man she's giving her heart to? When did being a Pinkerton get to be so difficult and why can't she keep her story straight!?

Callista had some qualms about the case in the first place because it involves an individual in organized crime. I mean, is that even something they should be taking. And when it becomes clear that her assignment doesn't want to be found for good reason can she finish her job and keep the individual safe?

This was a fun book that read quickly. I really enjoyed the orphanage parts. Callista has a lot to learn about babies! And I had to agree with the preacher that auctioning off a baby was very unorthodox and probably should not have happened. Though then we wouldn't have had the hilarity of Callista becoming an instant mother thanks to her cousins.

Speaking of cousins you definitely want to read up to find out about Maisie. She's a hoot and definitely a great supporting character. Grandma is a close second. The women in this family are definitely unique!

Highly recommend that you read this book. It's fun and one that I would read again. Can't wait to see where this series will go.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

THOROUGHLY ENJOYED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK,
especially Calista's crazy family.

When I first read "Intrigue a La Mode", a story featured in “Serving up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection”, I knew this story was immediately going on my TBR list.

Set in Joplin, Missouri 1898

Calista York is determined to prove herself as a Pinkerton detective; currently on probation. "Jinxy stood when she entered. Two hundred and fifty pounds of sausage and cannelloni stuffed into a striped suit." The gangster's daughter has gone missing, and Calista is tasked with finding her. Unfortunately, she is sent to a heathenous town filled with miners and harlots just very near where many of her relatives live. "Years of rough-and-tumble summers full of pranks and plots had honed all of the family's senses to expect the unexpected and to improvise when necessary, but if word got back to Calista's parents that she was undertaking such a dangerous profession that would be the end of it." "When Calista had applied for the job, she'd known she would be sacrificing safety and comfort. She hadn't known she'd be asked to forfeit love as well."

A newcomer to Joplin is determined to win the souls of said heathens and stop a local baby raffle. "It had seemed so simple back home in Pine Gap. Matthew Cook had heard the call of God since he was young." "From the altar of his country church, Matthew had promised God to go to the darkest, most desperate place on earth." However, Calista York seems to confound him at every turn, and saving her soul may just be what breaks him.

Calista's cousins are a hoot and boy did they make me laugh. "Oh, we know the fear of the Lord, but there's lots of ways to have fun that the Lord hasn't thought to expressly prohibit," Amos said. "Finding those things is our specialty." He wasn’t kidding! Read for yourself and laugh out loud!

TEA QUOTE: Loretta came inside cradling a jar of stout tea with tea bags still floating. "If you have a pitcher, I'll dilute it," she said, "Made no sense to mix it at the tent and carry it over heavy."

As I am getting stingier with my five-star ratings, it's saying something that this is one I rate as EXCELLENT. This story was gifted to me via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion without expectation or compensation.

Note: Intrigue a La Mode is 0.5 in the series.

If not already done, reviews will be posted closer to the release date to my blog, AMZN, B&N, BAM, CBD, Goodreads, Google Play Books, KOBO, & Pinterest.

I am at a loss as to how to begin this review. Did I enjoy the book? Yes, in parts, but not all of it; there were parts I found tedious and I was tempted to skip ahead to the end instead of reading all the way through. Are the characters believable? Yes, they have true "people" qualities. Are the settings realistic? Absolutely. Is the plot easy to follow? Yes, it is. In those questions, this book checks all the boxes. Regina Jennings writes well-researched historical romances with relatable characters and situations.

Calista York is a probational Pinkerton Agent tasked with finding the daughter of a known mob boss from Chicago. The last place the woman was known to be was in Joplin, Missouri--a place Calista knows well because a lot of her family lives there.

Matthew Cook is a missionary to the miners in the Joplin area, and meets Calista as she's about to go into a restaurant known to house "soiled doves." He wants to prevent her from getting involved into that particular lifestyle, but because of the secretive nature of her business, she can't tell him what she's really doing.

A matter of misunderstandings and misdirections makes the plot move. This is a four star book worth reading.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.