Book Review | Courting Misfortune

Bethany House, Books Review, Christian Fiction, Christian Writers Guild, Historical Fiction, Novels, Romance, Writing Spot

Today’s book review features

Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings.

Book Blurb

Calista York needs one more successful case as a Pinkerton operative to secure her job. When she’s assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of a mob boss, she’s sent to the rowdy mining town of Joplin, Missouri, despite having extended family in the area. Will their meddling expose her mission and keep Lila Seaton from being recovered?

When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children’s home. He’ll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm’s way.

Calista doesn’t need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can’t let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark.

From Goodreads

Author Information

Historical romance author Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She’s the winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award, and a Christy Award and Oklahoma Book of the Year Award finalist. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. Her latest book, Courting Misfortune, is set in Joplin, Missouri, and received a Publisher’s Weekly starred review. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.

From Author Website

Danielle’s Review

Calista York is a probationary Pinkerton Agent with everything to prove. When her boss sends her after a kidnapped woman, she must go undercover. But working so close to her grandmother’s ranch puts in her hot water with the family, and the handsome preacher living next door to her hotel.

I love Calista. The push-pull of her situation keeps her, and readers, off kilter the whole story. Every time she thinks she has a step forward, her family or preacher Matthew Cook throw a wrench in her plans. Her bravery and desire to do whatever necessary to find the kidnapped girl is incredibly commendable. If only she could tell Matthew and her family so they wouldn’t think her wayward ways were real.

Matthew is a bit more challenging to get to know. On one hand he is an over-zealous missionary and yet in someways naive. Attempting to help Calista complicates things in a good way and I like how his determination to do to good is at the root of all his actions. It makes him the perfect hero opposite Calista.

Courting Misfortune is a fun historical romance set in the troubled city of Joplin, Missouri. Nothing in that town is as black and white as it seems.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Retail Links

*Affiliate links, I may receive a commission based on purchases

*Amazon | BN.com


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *