Hills of Nevermore by Janalyn Voigt – Review

About the Book

Can a young widow hide her secret shame from the Irish preacher bent on helping her survive?

In an Idaho Territory boom town, America Liberty Reed overhears circuit preacher Shane Hayes try to persuade a hotel owner to close his saloon on Sunday. Shane lands face-down in the mud for his trouble, and there’s talk of shooting him. America intervenes and finds herself in an unexpectedly personal conversation with the blue-eyed preacher. Certain she has angered God in the past, she shies away from Shane.

Addie Martin, another widow, invites America to help in her cook tent in Virginia City, the new mining town. Even with Addie’s teenage son helping with America’s baby, life is hard. Shane urges America to depart for a more civilized location. Neither Shane’s persuasions nor road agents, murder, sickness, or vigilante violence can sway America. Loyalty and ambition hold her fast until dire circumstances force her to confront everything she believes about herself, Shane, and God.

Based on actual historical events during a time of unrest in America, Hills of Nevermore explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west.

Amazon | B&N | BAM! | Goodreads

In My Opinion

I’ve only read a couple of Janalyn Voigt’s fantasy novels, so I figured I’d give her historical/western ventures a go. While the setting and prose were wonderful in some regards, I found the story lacking in a few areas, making this one a middle-of-the-road read for my personal preferences.

There were a couple of instances where the timeline is questionable. Other times it’s obvious how much time has passed, though. My biggest distraction with this book is the way the author tells the reader Shane is speaking in with an Irish lilt. This could have been more effective with a word or two spoken by Shane showing it. Then I had a hard time connecting with Shane and America. In fact, I was much more interested in what was happening between Nate and Addie.

That said, there is a wonderful message of forgiving one’s past mistakes and accepting God’s grace. Plus, between the miners, the cook tent, the two romances, and the crime occurring, the plot moves along at a good pace.

 Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.