Messenger By Moonlight

I have such passion for historical fiction novels based on historical facts, in this case the Pony Express as the backdrop for Stephanie Grace Whitson's latest novel, Messenger By Moonlight. While the story line revolves primarily around Annie Paxton, the sister of Emmet and Frank, who find themselves in a bit of a predicament when they find their family home and farm lands sold from out under them to settle their father's excessive debts. Believing that God is in the details, they pack all their belongings into three trunks and head out to St. Joseph, Missouri in search of new futures. One thing is for certain, Emmet and Frank want to make sure that all of Annie's dreams come true and that begins with finding ways to earn money so she can have the home she has always wanted.

Frank and Emmet try their hand at auditioning for the Pony Express and find that they are but a handful that will be based in remote home station in Nebraska. Fearing she will be left alone, the brothers assure Annie, that they have secured her a job as a cook at the station house working for George Morgan, a man with a less than stellar reputation, but one they feel will be the best for all of them. They promise Annie if they can all do their part for two years, she will have everything she has ever wanted and more. For Annie it will mean learning to cook for more than 4 people, as not only will she have to deal with the stagecoach passengers but men who serve one of the local outposts at the fort as well. In fact, they are sure, Annie will have no problem with being alone once the local population finds out how beautiful the local cook at the station house is.

Now they will each face uncertainties they had never dreamed of before. Annie is trying to find her way in a world she knows very little about, working for gruff old man who has very little to say to her and instead keeps out of her way most of the time. Frank has to come to terms with the fact that Annie and Emmet have their faith to fall back on, while he struggles to come to terms with the fact that there is a God often times when you least expect Him to show up. Emmet, believes that he can save up enough money to secure the future of a girl he left in Buchanan County, Missouri if he can prove he can provide for her. But like all great novels, things aren't going to be as simple as that.

I received Messenger by Moonlight by Stephanie Grace Whitson compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest and personal opinion. I really loved this novel because it involves not only Annie's story but also that of Emmet and Frank. They each have a bit of growing up to do and the challenges of life on the wild frontier is not always an easy one. The challenges of riding for the Pony Express isn't as straight forward as you might imagine as riding long distances can take a physical toll of the body as well as dealing with adversities like Indians, uncooperative horses and weather just to name a few. But the mail must move forward and this is a well written and engaging novel that fans of historical fiction will absolutely LOVE! 5 Stars in my opinion. An author's note at the conclusion of this novel highlights some of those unique facts about the Pony Express she used in the creation of this novel.

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Messenger By Moonlight by Stephanie Grace Whitson

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Messenger by Moonlight is available in paperback and eBook formats at your favorite retailer. ISBN: 9781455529087, 352 pages.