Allie Kirkland has always heard the call of her father's unfinished destiny. When she's offered a production assistant's job on a docudrama filming in the hills near Moses Lake, Texas, the dream of following in her director-father's footsteps suddenly seems within reach. The reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step into the film industry. A summer on set in the wilderness is a small price to pay for a dream.

But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delavan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the region's folk songs. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.

When filming begins, strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, and everyone in Wildwood--including Blake Fulton, Allie's handsome neighbor on the film set--seems to be hiding secrets. Allie doesn't know whom she can trust. If she can't find the answers in time, history may repeat itself...with the most unthinkable results.
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My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this Moses Lake novel by Lisa Wingate. I have read the other three, and would recommend them as well, but this one is my favorite.

This book contains two distinct storylines, one set in the 1860's and one is current day. The author weaves these two storylines together in a most incredible way, making the past "touch" today.

I loved both Allie Kirkland (present day) and Bonnie Rose (from the past). Both were very unique characters in their own way, and the unfolding story of Bonnie Rose touched my heart.

I believe the author must have done quite extensive research for this book. This historical detail was amazing, and it made the story very believable.

What really made this book stand out for me was the subtle suspense that builds throughout the book as the mystery of Bonnie Rose unfolds.

I believe this book will appeal to many types of readers. It contain historical fiction, action/suspense, mystery, as well as contemporary fiction.

For those who have read previous Moses Lake novels, you will enjoy appearance from old favorites such as Mart McClendon, Pop Dorsey, and the Frontier Woman. If you haven't read them, this book will read quite well as a stand alone.

This is an all-around great story to read.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishe

Deb’s Dozen: 12-Word Summary – Mysterious location, mysterious circumstances. Is the past coming alive in Wildwood Creek?

Allie Kirkland wants to follow in her film director father’s footsteps. She remembers his “ability to create things that never were.” She has defied her mother and step-dad to stay in school studying film-making.

When Allie gets the opportunity to work on the Mysterious History docudrama miniseries about Wildwood Creek, she is drawn in, almost against her better judgment. The director, Rav Singh, was known for projects “rife with dark psychological stuff that tended to explore the worst side of human nature.”

Allie and her best friend, Kim, are in for the adventure of their lives. Allie is hired to be a production assistant even though she has almost no experience. Kim is hired to be one of the actors – one of the women working in the bathhouse. They’re counting on their neighbor, Stewart, to use his prodigious research skills at the library where he works to get them more information about Wildwood Creek. Allie is especially interested in the mysterious and infamous Bonnie Rose, who once lived in that long ago vanished community.

Wildwood Creek is a departure from Lisa Wingate’s other Shores of Moses Lake books. I didn’t even realize the location was in that area until Allie takes a trip to the location prior to the commencement of shooting the docudrama. I’ve loved all of the books set in Moses Lake. With this book, I admired the ability of Wingate to modify her writing to match the mood of the melodrama that takes place in the book. Well done!

Come along with Allie and Kim as they experience pioneer life in the gold-rush town of Wildwood Creek, Texas – you’ll be thrilled you did!

Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books (I’m exhausted just reading her bio). She’s a Christy Award finalist, a seven-time Carol Award nominee, and the winner of 2011 and 2012 Carol Awards. She and her family live in Central Texas. For more information on Lisa and her books, visit www.lisawingate.com.