Jena's Choice
Beverly J. Scott
(Guest Reviewer - Christy Tillery French)
2004 Bookman Publishing
ISBN: 1594533318

On a Texas ranch Jena & her younger brother stand by their older brother's grave. Shocked & grief-stricken by his murder, Jena is not comforted by the Sheriff's comment as he joins the mourner: “There are no clues.”

In the ten years since the Grant family moved to Texas, they have faced the accidental death of their parents, a baby sister, & now Jared. At eighteen, Jena is overwhelmed by the responsibility of the welfare & safety of Randy & their ranch.

Seven days after Jared's funeral the powerful & menacing Walker clan ride in making demands. Everett Walker wants their land, claims Jena, a mere girl, could never run a ranch. When she refuses his offer, Everett suggests she marry one of his sons. When Everett's suggestion turns into an ultimatum, Jena balks. Carl Walker taunts her with whispered threats against Randy unless she agrees.

Guest Reviewer Christy Tillery French writes:

Jena Grant is in dire circumstances as she is left to run her parents' ranch. To add to her strain, her neighbor, Everett Walker, a man of power & intimidation, has been after the Grants' land for years. He & his two sons have embarked on a plan of harassment toward the Grants & have threatened harm to any ranch hand who works for them.

Fearing the Walkers will force her to marry into their family, Jena runs an ad in the local newspaper for a husband, someone to help run the ranch.

Flint McKay is a half-breed (white & Apache), a man shunned by the local townsfolk & who has grown up with prejudice. Flint was Jarred's best friend & has known Jena for years. After he learns of Jena's search for a husband & concerned for her welfare, he proposes.

Unknown to Jena, Flint has been in the horse breeding business & has built a good reputation. When he discovers that Jena does not have the money to make the mortgage payment, he pays off the entire balance of the ranch, thereby ensuring it will not be lost to the Walkers.

Jena & Flint wed in haste. Jena makes it clear to her new husband that their marriage is a business arrangement only, but Flint has other plans. He is attracted to the independent, fiery Jena & sets out to woo her. Jena, however, has lost too many people she has loved & is determined not to love another.

& when the Walkers learn of the marriage, they vow revenge.

Beverly Scott has written a compelling romance nicely meshed with mystery & adventure. Interwoven throughout are bits of history involving the Apache nation & the government's efforts to force them onto a reservation.

Jena's Choice is filled with intrigue, romance, mystery, & suspense with nonstop action. This is one mesmerizing book that will have readers quickly turning pages, anxious to read what happens next.

Beverly Scott is a talented author, one I highly recommend. Jena's Choice only serves to confirm this opinion.

More from Beverly J. Scott:
Righteous Revenge
Ruth Fever

Christy Tillery French is the author of The Bodyguard
(01/30/05)

Guest Reviewer - Christy Tillery French
2005©Christy Tillery French