For those times when you have to stay where you are (like right now), it doesn't get any better than taking a mental vacation by reading about a plucky young mother running her own hotel in the heart of Yellowstone country and falling in love with the handsome lieutenant who's assigned to protect the park.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel set in the late 1800's, when tourism in Yellowstone was on the increase. The widowed Mrs. Kate Tremaine is introduced as the managing genius of the Geyser Gateway Inn. Between charming the guests and threatening to shoot the guests if they dare lay one finger on any of the park's natural features, she has plenty to do. But when a cavalry detachment sets up camp nearby, she finds herself with one more job: act as guide for the soldiers until they know their way around. In return, Lieutenant Will Prescott promises to help her with odd jobs around the inn. The two of them immediately spark each other's interest, but first they have to deal with poachers, hotel rivalry, forest fire, and the looming challenge of a Yellowstone winter.

The story pulled me in. I loved the setting and thought the characters of Kate and Will were well drawn. Even though Will had a tragic backstory, it was nice to see that it didn't derail the relationship or create melodrama. What the reader wants from a book like this is just to see two nice people enjoy each other's company and learn to trust and love. And that's what the reader gets here.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for this advance review copy. Book goes on sale Oct. 20. ( )

A fun clean romance with a strong female lead who doesn't let anyone push her around. A bit of adventure with lots of interesting historical facts and descriptions of Yellowstone. An enjoyable read! ( )

I just finished another of her books, and it was so good so I had to pick this one up. I love how the author ties fact with fiction in these novels, and really brings out the women during this time, when it was really a man's world. Women were not yet seen as capable of accomplishing things unless through their husband or father. She does a great job with the detail and facts of the stories. I have learned a lot from reading her novels and look forward to reading about other women in history who may have been "forgotten". Thank you to LibraryThing for the free book from the giveaway. ( )

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of the book from the author via Lone Star Book Blog Tours/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I’m giving this novel four-and-a-half stars, rounded to five for reporting in booksellers.

Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott is a sweet Christian historical fiction. Inspired by the discovery that the US Cavalry were among the first to manage Yellowstone National Park, Scott crafted an inspiring tale of a widow who manages a hotel in the park, and a dishonored-but-honorable Cavalryman who guards the park and falls for her. This is the second book in her American Wonders series and is a stand-alone story.

The story unfolds steadily, and while predictable, I was surprised to find myself drawn in emotionally, protective of Kate and her fight for her hotel. Danger presents itself in the form of both man and nature. The dialogue is strong and the action well-written.

Scott draws wonderful, colorful characters. The author also does an incredible job with the setting. I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Yellowstone, but her vivid descriptions of its natural features, as well as of the hotels, capture the beauty of the area, from the bubbling “paint pots” to the chalky soil that floats up every time someone hops off their horse. This kind of escape is particularly welcome now when travel has been put on the backburner for me.

Revell publishes lovely Christian romances, and the one between Kate and Will is one that grows slowly and chastely (as one would in 1886). Faith is gently woven into the narrative.

The cause of Will’s shame isn’t revealed until much later in the story, and when I learned of it, I don’t know that it merited the buildup and wish it had been revealed sooner. There were also a few mysteries in the story that I figured out far before the characters in the book did, but that didn’t take away from the tension and the conflict.

Overall, Nothing Short of Wondrous offers colorful characters, a gentle romance, a bit of mystery and danger, and a breathtaking setting with historical details that feel well researched. Fans of historical fiction set in the early days of the American West will delight in this book. ( )

This is the 2nd book in the American Wonders series. I did not read the first book but was able to read this one without missing details from the first book, so it can be read as a stand-alone. Although I found it to be slow at times and it did take me a while to read, I found it to be an interesting book, as I do love historical fiction stories. It has good character development. I will read more from the series. ( )