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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The author's loyal following will be delighted, September 10, 2004
This is the third Beverly J. Scott book I've reviewed. Every book she writes is exciting, entertaining, delightful, sensuous, and more. She's gained a loyal following for good reason.
The setting of Jena's Choice is late 1860s Texas. Eighteen year old Jena Grant has had too much sorrow in her young life. First her parents died in a freak accident. Then her older brother Jared is killed by a back shooting coward, leaving a grief stricken Jena and her younger brother Randy to manage their large cattle ranch. Jared is barely in his grave when Everett Walker comes calling with an ultimatum. Jena must either marry one of his sons or lose the ranch. Everett and his son Carl are bullies, neighboring ranchers who rule that area of Texas through intimidation and violence. Jena knows only too well the kind of man Carl Walker is, and vows to control her own fate.
Flint McKay was Jared Grant's best friend for years. Flint is a half breed Apache living in a white man's world. He and his little sister Marissa were orphaned at an early age. His parents' deaths remain a mystery. When Flint offers to marry Jena, she decides to go with the familiar. She's known Flint for years and trusts he is a decent man. Despite Flint's wishes otherwise, their marriage is a business proposition, nothing more. Jena has vowed that no man or husband will ever share her bed.
Everett Walker wants Flint, Jena, and Randy dead, and he wants the Grant ranch by any means. Carl Walker wants Jena. She's been his sexual obsession for several years. Her marriage to an Indian enrages him. The Walkers and their cohorts use every means at their disposal to rid themselves of anyone who stands in their way.
Flint proves himself to be a devoted husband and an efficient overseer of the ranch. Jena learns surprising secrets about her handsome husband and her brother Jared. Flint honors their business arrangement, but sets out to teach his fearful wife the full meaning of love and desire between a wife and husband. The story sizzles as Ms. Scott allows the chemistry between Flint and Jena to slowly simmer over time. She also does a thorough job of developing her characters as they are forced to face the prejudices of the times. Indians, Mexicans, and blacks are reviled. Prostitutes are treated as less than human cast offs by townsfolk. And yet it is Flint's Apache relatives, a loyal black man, Jena's Mexican cook, and several prostitutes who rally to the Grant's defense against the Walkers.
Action and adventure, love and romance, courage and devotion -- all contribute to the story in tantalizing ways. If you're a fan of tasty romances laced with action, be sure to check out Jena's Choice.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommended, September 3, 2004
Jena Grant finds herself in dire circumstances after her brother Jarred is murdered by an unknown gunman. Her parents having previously died in a mysterious buggy incident, her only surviving relative is her brother Randy. Everett Walker is a man of power and intimidation who has been after the Grants' land for years. He and his two sons, Carl and Chase, have embarked on a plan of harassment toward the Grants and have threatened harm to any ranch hand that works for them. In an effort to gain control of the ranch, Everett Walker demands that Jena marry his son, Carl. Fearing the Walkers will force her to marry into their family, Jena runs an ad in the newspaper for a husband, someone to help run the ranch.
Flint McKay is half-white and half-Apache, a man who is shunned by the local townfolk and who has grown up with prejudice. Flint was Jarred's best friend and has known Jena for years. Concerned for Jena's welfare, he asks her to marry him after he learns of Jena's search for a husband. Unknown to Jena, Flint has begun a horse breeding business and has been steadily building a good reputation. When he learns that Jena does not have enough money to make the mortgage payment, Flint pays off the balance of the ranch, thereby ensuring it will not be lost to the Walkers.
Jena and Flint marry in haste in order to escape Carl Walker's demands on Jena. When Everett and Carl Walker learn that the two are married, they become enraged and vow to seek revenge. Jena makes it clear to Flint that their marriage is a business arrangement only but Flint has other plans. He is attracted to the independent, fiery Jena and begins a strategy of seduction. The two face numerous challenges by the Walkers while growing more attracted to one another. However, Jena has lost too many people she has loved in the past and is determined she will not love another.
Beverly Scott has written a compelling romance nicely meshed with mystery and adventure. Interwoven throughout are bits of history involving the Apache nation and the government's efforts to force them onto a reservation. The dialogue is fitting of the locale and time frame with characterization masterfully portrayed. The story is filled with intrigue, romance, mystery, and suspense with nonstop action. This is one mesmerizing book that will have readers quickly turning pages, anxious to read what happens next. Ms. Scott's style is unique and refreshing; she is an extremely talented author who belongs on the bestseller list. I highly recommend her.
Reviewed for Midwest Book Review
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bowker Review, September 9, 2005
Following her much-acclaimed novels "Righteous Revenge" and "Ruth Fever," author Beverly J. Scott delivers yet another outstanding offering, titled "Jena's Choice." Deftly interweaving romance, courage, intrigue, and suspense, she creates an absorbing historical fiction, set in rural Texas during the late 1860s.
When the story opens, eighteen-year-old Jena Grant is mourning the loss of her older brother Jared, who was cold-bloodedly murdered by an unknown assailant. Jared's demise is a terrible blow to Jena, who is still coming to terms with the death of her parents in a freak accident just a few years ago. The responsibilities of managing the family ranch and her younger brother Randy now rest on her shoulders. Though the immensity of the task seems overwhelming, this feisty and spirited young woman resolves to get on with her life.
Jena does not anticipate the problems running a ranch pose. Firstly, a wild, white stallion pursues her mares. Secondly, her ambitious and powerful neighboring rancher Everett Walker and his two sons Carl and Case cause her trouble. Walker gives her an ultimatum: within forty-five days, she must either sell her ranch to him or marry the despicable Carl. Since both the prospects are appalling, Jena faces an agonizing dilemma. She also frets because Carl menacingly threatens Randy's life.
Refusing to be intimidated by the Walkers, Jena chooses to take charge of her destiny. Marriage seems to be her best protection, but not to Carl. Unmindful of the repercussions, she advertises in the newspaper - "Wanted a mail-order husband, tall, dark, handsome and good with a gun." However, none of the men who respond to Jena's advertisement is a suitable match for her. Instead, she accepts the marriage proposal of Jared's dear friend, a half-breed Apache named Flint McKay. It is a marriage of convenience that Jena does not intend to consummate.
With their carefully laid plans being shattered, the Walkers wage a personal vendetta on Jena, deliberately attempting to undermine the McKays' ranching efforts. While bravely battling their adversaries, Jena and Flint uncover many secrets, including the identity of the murderer of both their parents. Jena also discovers surprising facts about her dead brother. Flint sets out to win the affections of his wife, and over a period, their relationship blossoms into love.
Scott has written an engaging tale that combines artful storytelling with pageturning suspense. The rampant prejudice against Indians, blacks, and Mexicans prevalent during that time, as well the stigma against prostitutes come alive in the story. While the strong protagonists and the development of the relationship between them are the novel's greatest strengths, a colorful cast of secondary characters, regional focus, authentic dialog, and lyrical descriptions add further appeal. This book is another hit from the gifted author.
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