Her Abundant Joy

Title: HER ABUNDANT JOY
Author: Lyn Cote
Publisher: Avon Inspire
June 2010
ISBN: 978-0-06-137342-8
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Mariel felt forced to leave Germany after her father’s shameful death. But the only way she would be allowed to go to Texas with some of her other countrymen would be either as a wife or as a servant. So, Mariel signed on as a servant, and endured a grueling voyage from Germany to Texas. But when they get there, they discover a rugged frontier, with no shelter and huge amounts of rain.

Texas Ranger Carson Quinn is just looking forward to a hot meal, a hot bath, and a warm bed, but he couldn’t leave these immigrants just standing in the rain with no place to go. So he rents them a warehouse to stay in overnight and to store their belongings in and promises to take them to their land holding, but warns them it would be an even worse journey that the voyage, and that many would die enroute. Still, many of the Germans opted to walk all the way to their new homes.

Mariel wasn’t given much choice. She longs to be free of her cruel taskmaster, but doesn’t know quite how to get free. As Carson watches Mariel struggle to hold her head high, he longs to protect her—but war is brewing, since Mexico will not accept the U.S. annexation of Texas without a fight. What will it take for Mariel and Carson’s love to have a chance?

HER ABUNDANT JOY is the third and final book in Lyn Cote’s Texas Star of Destiny series. I have read the first two books in the series, but HER ABUNDANT JOY stands alone. I think this was the best book in the series.

I enjoyed getting to know Mariel and Carson and the trials of living on the historical Texas frontier. One had to admire the courage of both the rangers and the settlers. This was a good series, and if you like historical fiction then HER ABUNDANT JOY is not to be missed. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $12.99. 294 pages.