A missing heiress. A wicked scheme. And a small Texas hill town called Mesquite Springs.

Alexandra takes a daring journey across 1800s America to find her father. It just so happens she isn’t the only one searching for her father, and the other players in this dangerous game have far less noble purpose. Luckily, Gabe finds Alexandra Tarkington first. Sparks fly, but who can be trusted? The road brings them to Mesquite Springs, a booming Texas town ripe for prosperity, and exploitation.

To those who have read the first two books in this series, I don’t need to tell you how lovingly constructed The Spark of Love is. If I wasn’t fully aware how much work goes into writing a novel, I’d say Amanda Cabot could write these books in her sleep. I have yet to be disappointed by her lovely work.

That being said, while I liked some of the suspense aspects of this book, I felt less invested in the outcome. And while I loved the main characters, I didn’t care for the romance. The first book featuring Wyatt and Evelyn’s story remain my favorite and, in my opinion, the strongest. But lovers of sweet and spiritual historical romance will be drawn in by Cabot’s fantastic storytelling.

"This is Mesquite Springs. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone's invited to everything."

The Spark of Love (2022, Revell), third in the Mesquite Springs series by Amanda Cabot, is a standalone Christian historical romance set in 1857 Mesquite Springs, Texas.

Rating: 4 stars

Is it clean/chaste? Yes.
Other content issues: some mild to moderate violence
Christian elements: A brief discussion about demons (not part of the plot)

The heroine: Alexandra Tarkington, heiress, has been under the guardianship of her great-aunt, Helen, since her mother's death. Since then, she's only seen her father once per year. Alexandra has a threatening suitor, and decides to flee New York and join her father in Texas, heading for "the springs," which she knew would be mistakenly assumed to be Saratoga Springs, New York.

The antagonists:
*Franklin Beckman, Alexandra's threatening suitor, who wants her fortune in order to "pay my debts and make me a rich man"
*Jason Biddle, a close friend of Franklin, who orders Jason to "find her and talk her into coming back and marrying me… If she won't marry me, I want her gone. I don't want some other man getting all that money."
*Mr. Phineas Drummond, Mr. Tarkington's junior partner, and Sonny: Mr. Drummond orders Sonny to "Find her [the girl] and then… "

The hero: "Whether they were famous, infamous, or somewhere in between, Gabe rarely failed in finding them. That was his job." Gabriel Seymour is an investigator based in Columbus, reportedly "as good as a Pinkerton." Jason Biddle claims Mr. Tarkington is a swindler and is indirectly responsible for Jason's father's death. He asks Gabe to "find Calvin Tarkington and put him behind bars." Jason agrees to investigate. By chance, he encounters Alexandra in her travels and rescues her from some overly-enthusiastic men by proclaiming, "Darling! I thought I'd missed you." Alexandra accepts Gabe's offer of rescue, later informing him that "I considered my choices and you…smelled better."

What I liked:

*The plot. The plot was interesting and creative.
*The characters. Villains aside, the various characters felt real and relatable.
*The town. The community was well-developed, and I'd say that the town WAS a character in and of itself.

What I didn’t like:

*This wasn't quite an instalove story, but I thought it came pretty close. Gabe and Alexandra become interested in one another pretty early on, and I felt that it was a bit too much, too soon.

*I personally found the number of antagonists difficult to keep track of. It didn't help that it takes me a long time to get through books these days. I would have benefited from a post-it note to stick onto my Kindle between readings.

Book recommendation: The 12 Brides of Summer (Collection 2), which features Amanda Cabot.

The bottom line: This book feels like a clean Western romance with a bit of action and mystery. I'm sure this won't be the last Amanda Cabot story that I read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of the book.

I do enjoy good historical fiction, and Amanda Cabot is a good historical story teller.

But this book was a little boring to me. I felt I didn't know enough about the main character's back story to know whether the things her father was being accused of were true or not. Normally we, as readers, are given inside information to everyone's thoughts and pasts, but in this story the author chose to keep us in the dark as much as the main character was. I don't think it worked to her advantage.

The love story unfolded over time, and it was a nice, gentle tale, but it did take a while for it to build. Once the couple got together, the story seemed to drag on. The 'mystery' that was presented in the book was, to me, not very compelling, and the whole plot seemed a bit surface in the details, rather than well thought out.

I would definitely read more of Amanda Cabot's books, but this one is not a favorite.

Sweet story. Lovingly written. A good balance of suspense and romance.
I love a cozy read and this was a great one!

My thoughts: this third book in the series wraps up the mystery thread that worked through all three books nicely. We catch up with familiar characters and get a few new ones and we leave the area wishing there might be more books set in that part of Texas. However Ms Cabot has a new series coming out set in another part of Texas and she promises that we will fall in love with that too. If you love historical romances with a touch of mystery you will want to read this book and any of the others in the series. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

The Spark of Love includes courageous heiress Alexandra Tarkington who secretly flees New York for Mesquite Springs, Texas to avoid marrying a man she doesn't love and investigator Gabe Seymour as well as several men with aliases! Alexandra's father who she has only see a couple of weeks per year since a young child is building a hotel in Mesquite Springs but does not want a woman involved in his business! Gabe is in Mesquite Springs to find the man whose scheme caused his father to lose his life savings. I admired Alexandra for finding ways to involve herself in the hotel. I wondered if Alexandra's father was a honest man or not. I enjoyed revisiting Mesquite Springs and old friends. The Spark of Love was an intriguing story of an adult child wanting her father's love. I recommend this historical book to others. I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot is a sweet historical romance paired with mystery and a bit of suspense.

While I did not enjoy The Spark of Love as much as I’ve enjoyed other Amanda Cabot books, I still consider it a good read.

Gabe is a solid hero with a sense of integrity and a backstory that explains his actions and thought process. Alexandra’s determination and insecurities make her a relatable heroine who is easy to root for.

Those this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I have not read the previous books but was able to follow along. I am intrigued, though, and would not mind reading the other two books now that I’ve been introduced to the characters.

The mystery aspect was compelling, and Cabot managed to build some suspense. While providing the antagonists’ viewpoints did up the suspense, some of the scenes showing their thought process were so short, I found myself wondering if they could have been cut. I’ve decided that, overall, the scenes did help move the book along and give the reader insight into why the villains acted the way they did. For me, though, the most compelling mystery was the truth behind Alexandra’s father.

There’s also some great discussions about faith, belonging to God, and dealing with anger and vengeance. Alexandra’s spiritual arc hit me the most, and I think several readers will find hers relatable.

Overall, The Spark of Love is a sweet story historical romance fans will love.

The Spark Of Love is a historical romance with a touch of suspense. Alexandra must flee from a dangerous man who is after her inheritance. She was raised by her aunt and had little contact with her father growing up but she decides to run to the small town in where her father who she has had little is building a hotel. Along the way she meets a private investigator and falls in love. I enjoyed the slow build in their relationship. What brought the book down for me was the relationship with the father. After committing many crimes and putting his daughter's life in danger due to his shady relationships, all is forgiven in the end when he says he is sorry and says he loves Alexandra. He faces no consequences for years of terrible choices that destroyed many lives.
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley. I was not required to post a positive review.

Review posted via. Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4663962949
The Spark of Love is the third and final novel in the Mesquite Springs Series. We first meet Alexandra Tarkington as an heiress moving from New York to Mesquite Springs with plans to reunite with her father. On the journey, Alexandra meets Gabe Seymour after he rescues her from unwanted attention. The two quickly become fast friends, learning they have the destination of Mesquite Springs. Upon her arrival, Alexandra's father does not return the warm welcome. In fact he tries to have her return to New York on the next stagecoach. Alexandra refuses and in no time has settled in teaching the school children to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe. Gabe Seymour is not as he seems. He is a investigator who has come to find evidence against a swindler. Come to find out Alexandrea's father is the same man he is after. When Alexandra has attempts made on her life, both she and Gabe must work together to find who is after her before the time runs out.

Even though this is the third book in the series, it did not take away from this story. I loved the characters and the plot. I was intrigued throughout the novel and loved the ending. I would recommend this book to any friend.

The Spark of Love is the third and final title in Amanda Cabot’s Mesquite Springs series. I have had the privilege of devouring all three of these books. And I do mean devour! This series is filled with mouth watering dishes and desserts. I think I love great food as much as a good romance. The Spark of Love has that too, by the way. The chemistry and conflict between Alexandra and Gabe is palpable. Even as you are cheering on their romance, you are equaling wondering how they will work through the deception from the very outset of their relationship. The pages fly by as Alexandra finds herself in one close call after another with Gabe not far behind.

Although you can certainly read this book as a stand alone, I think it is best read in the context of the whole story. If not, you might be a little confused about some of the main characters. Book #2 left us on a cliff hanger, and this title picks the story right back up. Time in Mesquite Springs is not wasted though. If you’re like me, you will love the small town feel and its simple people, flaws and all. I’d pack up my bags and move right in if that were possible. The relationships and the fullness of the characters just gets better with each book.

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews.

This is the last book of the Serie Mesquite Spring. I read the second one Dreams rekindled last year and enjoy it.

The spark of Love is about Alexandra a young heiress fleeing from a suitor who is only interested in her inheritance. She leaves New-York for Mesquite Spring, Texas to be with her father who is building a hotel. She meets Gabe seymour on the train but she doesn’t know that he has been hired to find her father…

She tries to help her father, she doesn’t really understand the real motivation behind her father’s new endeavour but she want to be useful and closed to him. Gabe and Alexandra spent a lot of time together with the new friends they made on their arrival and they love blossom little by little throughout the story.

I liked Alexandra’s character, her determination and her willingness to get involved in the school and life in Mesquite Spring. I have already read two books from Amanda Cabot and I like her style and this is a book I’ll recommend.

The Spark of Love is the 3rd in the Mesquite Springs trilogy by Amanda Cabot. Like each of the books in this series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but you'll have a much richer foundation by beginning with the first and reading them in order. Ms. Cabot's writing is replete with descriptions that make you feel as though you are whisked back in time and part of the town itself. The amount of historical research the author does shows in each of her books, and I find these details to be particularly interesting. Alex, like the other female heroines in this series, is a strong, independent woman, especially for the time period. She's definitely my favorite and most relatable of the three. This is also my favorite story in the trilogy - it's quite complex, with lots of secrets, lies, false identities, etc. The characters are fully human - each with flaws and weaknesses, having made mistakes, but also revealing good hearts and true love. Biblical principles including forgiveness, redemption, family, and love lie at the heart of the tale, and of course we're treated to a happy ending. The only negative for me would be the number of characters - it became difficult to keep track of them all and all the minor storylines. 4.5 stars!

This story was a beautiful telling of a woman coming into her own. It was her search for what she thought she was missing in her life. Alexandra is a smart and resourceful character. She was smart enough to see through fortune hunters. Gabe is an excellent investigator, though he doesn’t see the whole of what he was hired to do.

The things that make this story wonderful are the growth in the characters, the friendships, the search for truth, and the mystery in the background. Alexandra and Gabe were wonderful. I liked the growth in Calvin as well. Alexandra was able to show him who she is.

I loved the setting of Mesquite Springs, Texas. The people were everything people in a small town should be. Sam and Laura proved to be good friends and the Christian message in the story was everything I look for in a story like this.,

Stories of redemption and forgiveness like this are needed. The message is sweet and healing. That is what makes this story so good and relatable, It is the message of healing and the different kinds of love.

I received an early copy through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing the interactions between Alexandra and Gabe as they try to figure out exactly what is going on. Alexandra has moved away to a small town and is trying to start over. She works to fit in her new town but soon finds that all is not as it seems. I liked seeing how things evolved and how the relationships changed along the way.

I received a copy of the book to read, the review is mine.

Spark of Love is a return to Mesquite Springs that Amanda Cabot fans will thoroughly enjoy. Afraid for her safety, heiress Alexandra Tarkington finds herself fleeing the comforts of New York to find her father in Mesquite Springs, Texas. Running into Gabe Seymour is more than a coincidence, in spite of the way things appear to Alexandra. Unwanted courtships seem to be the least of her concerns when she finds herself in danger, but the biggest threats could be the reality of her father’s business schemes and the potential loss of the only suitor who actually holds her heart. This novel reads as a stand-alone, but reading the first two books in Cabot’s Mesquite Springs series is a delightful opportunity to get to know Alexandra’s new and dear friends, Evelyn and Dorothy. Stand-alone and series readers alike will appreciate the character development and unpredictable turns of events in Spark of Love.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

One of the things I enjoy in Amanda Cabot's books is that she addresses topics I don't typically see in Christian fiction. In The Spark of Love, Alexandra Tarkington has arrived in Mesquite Springs to find her father, who is the mysterious Mr. King from Cabot's previous novel, A Dream Rekindled. On the stagecoach, she met Gabe Seymour, who is looking for her father as well. Gabe is a private investigator, hired to find the Mr. King that has defrauded many people with fly by night investment schemes. I really enjoyed the finale to the Mesquite Springs trilogy and look forward to Cabot's next series.

“We all make mistakes, but only strong people admit their mistakes and make sure they don’t repeat them.”

The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot sends the reader back to Mesquite Springs, Texas, continuing the series with another exciting tale filled with lies, fake personas, friendship, and love. In 1857, high-society girl Alexandra Tarkington has been living with her Aunt Helen in New York since the death of her mother. Her father, Calvin Tarkington, visits only occasionally, leaving Alex to believe she is unloved and a disappointment. When a suiter’s advances become too forward and borders on violent, Alex decides to flee to her father’s side in Mesquite Springs, Texas. On the last leg of her journey, Alex shares a seat on the stagecoach with Gabe Seymour, who is intent on seeing Calvin as well but for a very different reason.

Secrets and lies swirl throughout Alex’s life the minute she meets Gabe, but the immediate attraction between the two is anything but false.

The Spark of Love is the perfect addition to the Mesquite Springs series and could be read separately. Several characters, however, do overlap, so reading them in order is advised. Plus, all the books are delightful, so you won’t want to miss a single thing.

Even with love blossoming all over the place, The Spark of Love has enough evildoers and mysterious happenings to keep Alex on high alert because she knows her adamant suiter, Franklin, from New York won’t stop until he claims her as his wife and amasses her fortune in the process. Will she be safe in Mesquite Springs with her father and with Gabe always by her side? The readers know almost everything, but several characters, including Gabe and Calvin, are harboring several explosive secrets that could destroy Alex beyond repair. So much is going on in this story, but Amanda Cabot expertly stitches everything together in a thrilling tapestry adorned with emotional revelations that explode bit by bit, leaving both the reader and the characters catching their breath and marveling at how the strength of such genuine love and devotion can vanquish so much greed and lies.

The pacing is quick as Gabe and Alex interact and are falling in love one minute and then encountering unexpected dangers the next. Recurring themes in this book and across the entire series are friendship and true love. When new people make their way to Mesquite Springs, which is an oasis in a world of scams and lies, they encounter friendly faces and kind hearts, and no one can apparently resist Evelyn’s famous oatmeal pecan pie. With their own kind hearts and friendliness, both Alex and Gabe fit right in with all the other wonderful inhabitants of this growing Texas town.

Amanda Cabot always creates such interesting characters and riveting plots, with just enough adventure and danger to even out the sweetness of infatuation and happily ever after. If The Spark of Love is your first book by this incredible author, then it will no doubt spark your interest in discovering her other books and series. You’re in for a treat!

Alexandra Tarkington rushes away from New York and the unwanted suitor who threatened her and cares only about her inheritance. She finds a refuge in Mesquite Springs, Texas, where her father is starting a hotel. Two men with ulterior motives find her there, in addition to Gabe Seymour, whom she met on the train. Unknown to her, Gabe has come to investigate her father’s unethical past business practices. Will this ruin their budding romance? The intriguing novel, set in the 1850s, has plenty of suspense and twists, which keep readers digging for more. The entire compelling series is best read in order, but each book can stand on its own. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own. #TheSparkofLove #NetGalley

The Spark of Love is the first of the Mesquite Springs historical fiction novels by Amanda Cabot that I have read. I don't expect it to be the last. I love the descriptions in this book! I felt a bit sorry for the heroine, Alexandra Tarkington, and not just because she has such a long name! The poor young lady just didn't know who she could trust. There were so many secrets being kept, it would take a bank vault to contain them all.

I definitely enjoyed this book. Who wouldn't enjoy a book where a handsome stranger just shows up and protects the heroine precisely when she needs it treating her with dignity and respect.

Small town friendliness winds through the novel. Mesquite Springs is the kind of small town I'd love to live in... but a 2022 version. I like indoor plumbing and air conditioning! The main characters, Gabe and Alexandra make fast friends in the little Texas town. These new friends take them in and immediately treat them almost like family. The developing relationships of some of the townspeople is an interesting side story as well.

I recommend this as a relaxing spring time or summer time read to anyone who likes historical romances—especially those who like settings in Texas.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Amanda Cabot has put so many wonderful books out over the years and I have read them all.
I always get excited when I see she has an upcoming book ready to publish as her books are ones not to miss.
The Spark Of Love is the third and final book in the Mesquite Springs series and I am sorry to see it end but greatly anticipate what she'll have out next.
I enjoyed my time in the little town of Mesquite Springs and meeting it's residents.
This book taking place in the Texas Hill Country is full of intrigue,action,suspense and believable characters.
This is a great conclusion to the trilogy and though it can easily be read as a standalone it makes for such fun reading to read the whole series.

Pub Date: 01 Mar 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.