Lanterns and Lace

DiAnn Mills creates a compelling story in Laterns and Lace, the second book in her Texas Legacy series. Jenny arrives in Kahlerville with the intent of taking her niece back home. A mysterious man, Aubrey, is a step behind Jenny and trust is not his middle name. It is a story of good and evil and the power of love.

Once again DiAnn Mills has woven a story of love, stubborn pride, and tenacity into an exciting read. The moment Jenny Martin steps off the train in Kahlerville, Texas and faints into the arms of Aubrey Turner, you know you will be in for an unexpected adventure. In search of her deceased sister's child to return her to her family, Jenny meets Grant Andrews, the child's father, and discovers a task more difficult than she could have imagined. Jenny's strict parents have disowned her sister Jessica because of her lifestyle in Texas. Strict upbringing by non-Christian parents and their attitude towards Jessica, gives Jenny the stubborn will to return her young niece to her rightful grandparents. As her relationship with Grant changes back and forth, that same stubborn will gets Jenny into trouble, and she learns things about her sister Jessica's life in Kahlerville that will lead to more danger. DiAnn also created a cast of secondary characters the reader will not soon forget. Grant's family and Mimi add color and humor to a story filled with emotion and mystery.

Jenny Martin arrives in town with only one goal, find her sister Jessica's young daughter and take her back east. Jessica is dead, and on her deathbed she left her baby to Doctor Grant Andrews. Grant has adopted Rebecca and loves her as if she really were his own. Jenny's upbringing was cold and emotionally strict. However, she is sure her parents will welcome Jessica's child into their home. Aubrey Turner arrived on the same train,and tries to pass himself off as a friend of Jenny's and her protector. She doesn't know him and is suspicious of his motives. He shows up wherever she goes, pretending to be someone she should know, and she begins to feel he is stalking her. Jenny and Grant struggle to arrive at a decision concerning Rebecca, and as rumors fly around town, it becomes obvious someone is out to cause trouble. DiAnn Mills has written another intriguing western romance with a plot that will keep the reader guessing. If you liked her Leather and Lace, you'll want to read Lanterns and Lace.

In 1895 in Cleveland Jenny Martin learns that her fallen dove sister Jessica passed away leaving behind a two years old daughter, Rebecca. She travels to Kahlerville, Texas to bring her niece home with her. The trek on the Union Pacific is stifling and difficult with Jenny obtaining no sleep and little to eat. In the small Texas train station, Jenny faints; hitting her head as she is ill. Fellow passenger Aubrey Turner who knows all about her and her sibling sends for Dr. Grant Andrews who arrives to help Jenny. Jenny soon learns that Grant has adopted Rebecca and with the help of his housekeeper Mimi is raising the child with love. Ready to contest custody, Jenny realizes that her niece is contented living with Grant and Mimi. Still though she reluctantly accepts that Rebecca needs to remain with Grant, she still wants to be there as a loving aunt; besides which she likes the town and its residents. As Jenny and Grant begin to fall in love, their differences over the role of God in their lives keeps them apart; whereas he has found the Lord, she was raised to believe solely in science. Meanwhile Aubrey insists he and Jessica were an entry and that she died hiding a treasure of his that he demands Jenny find or else people she cares about will die. This superb western romance is a terrific inspirational tale that interweaves its message of have faith in the Lord whether things are going good or bad into the exciting plot so that sub-genre fans first and foremost obtain a strong late nineteenth century Texas tale. Jenny and Grant debate faith vs. Darwinism until she eventually finds religion in the "foxhole". Readers will enjoy this action-packed story line, which brings to life this bygone "Wild West" era. Harriet Klausner

Lanterns and Lace is another enthralling tale from gifted author DiAnn Mills. Second in her Texas Legacy series, this story keeps the reader guessing with all its suspenseful twists and turns. As with all of Mills's books, Lanterns and Lace moves beyond its historical setting to speak to today's readers with timeless themes of faith, honor, and redemption. DiAnn Mills never fails to deliver a compelling story. Once again, she has raised a lantern to light our way to adventure.