Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings is the first in a new series Joplin Chronicles. I live close to Joplin, so I found it fascinating to see what type of town it was historically.  

I enjoyed seeing the heroine, Calista, as the Pinkerton detective. The story kept me guessing as to if she would find the lost daughter. It was a very satisfying ending. 

The author balanced humor and series storylines for an enjoyable read.  Some of the scenes with Calista and Matthew, the pastor were funny.  Matthew dealt with some interesting situations trying to be a pastor to this unusual group of miners. 

I was pleased with the author’s ability to create strong female characters that were also likable. 

I look forward to more in the series.  

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

With Courting Misfortune, Regina Jennings has once again crafted a book with a great cast of characters and plenty of incentive to keep turning pages.

I love a good Pinkerton story, and Courting Misfortune did not disappoint. Calista’s determination makes her a great detective, and I enjoyed watching her go about the city trying to find Lila. Matthew’s presence not only provides a distraction but also conflict that threatens to keep Calista from her goal. The resulting tension is delicious and keeps you turning pages.

And the secondary characters definitely provide comedic relief. The antics of Calista’s cousins had me laughing out loud, and I loved their interactions with both Calista and Matthew.

I loved the reminder that not everything is as it seems. Matthew assumes Calista is a sheep gone astray, not realizing she has a deep faith that sustains her. A lot of this issue stems from Calista’s willingness to enter a gray area in order to progress in her investigation. I think this definitely gives Christians some food for thought. Is it important how we present ourselves to the world? And does our conviction to witness to lost souls sometimes lead to an inflated sense of self-importance? Matthew’s frustration that his mission wasn’t going the way he wanted definitely made me wonder about this. Do we want to serve God or create a name for ourselves? I think it’s an easy line to cross.

I think Matthew’s zeal and the lessons he learns also deepened the romance with Calista. Their determination to help others is what makes them a great couple, even if it sometimes creates conflict between them. But all that conflict made the ending that much sweeter.

I could say so much more, but I want to avoid spoilers. Let’s just say Jennings takes you on an adventure filled with misunderstandings, mishaps, and an unexpected twist.

Overall, Courting Misfortune is an entertaining read historical romance readers will love.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Some books are a pure joy to read! I found that while reading Courting Misfortune that I was just smiling the whole way through it and even laughing aloud in some parts. Calista York's family was so entertaining and reminded me a bit of my family. The baby raffle in the story was definitely one of the most outrageous things I've ever read about but is a real event that has happened in the past. I love Matthew's very black-and-white attitude, it's people like him that lead the charge on change and reform. People with a very black-and-white attitude are most effective when they have someone by their side who have the same hunger for justice but are able to see the gray areas and soften their edges and approach. Such a person is Calista, who's pursuit of justice is sincere though the way she goes about it isn't as straight cut as Matthew's. Their first meeting was so much fun to read! So take a journey to Joplin, the raucous mining town in Missouri. Follow Matthew as he tries to right the wrongs of the city and Calista as she attempts to work undercover while hiding her true motives from her family. Courting Misfortune was both entertaining and enjoyable, you won't be disappointed!

I added Courting Misfortune to my reading list based on the recommendation of readers in my online community. Then when Regina Jennings secured a spot as a finalist in the 2020 Christy Awards, it amped up my desire to begin reading her new series. 

What friends had to say about the author was true, she expertly uses humor and wit to capture and hold the attention of her audience. I especially enjoyed this aspect of the story when it was delivered through Calista's family. Maise, Howie, and Granny's antics provided some of the best laughs.
Calista and Matthew both had admirable reasons for being in Joplin. She's on a mission to save a woman who had reportedly been kidnapped and taken to a house of ill repute. Matthew had come as a missionary—bent on saving the citizens of Joplin from vice. They would have made a good team had Calista been willing to break her cover and confide in him. Instead, she spends a prolonged period of time spinning outrageous stories in order to maintain her cover as a Pinkerton. For this reason, I had difficulty comprehending how their romance could progress. 

Courting Misfortune was a little too light and whimsy for my tastes, but I can see how it could provide the perfect escape for others. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

An entertaining story to start off a fun new series

This story reminded me a lot of Jen Turano's books, though the comedy's a little more understated, not quite as "madcap".

Calista is trying to figure out how to find & rescue a missing young woman, so she can become a Pinkerton detective. Matthew is trying to figure out how to rescue lost souls, so he can become an effective pastor.

They're both earnest, a little light on life experience, & slightly bumbling, and eventually decide to work together - especially since Calista's surrounded by relatives trying to keep her out of trouble despite herself. It makes for both funny and occasionally dangerous situations.  It did feel a little laggy toward the middle, but nothing excessive.

It's an enjoyable story that has a bit of a twist at the end to keep you second-guessing things along the way - I totally recommend it!

*Romance level:  sweet kisses, nothing graphic

*Religion:  Christian, but organic to the story & not heavy-handed at all

I really enjoyed this book!  I think my favorite part of this novel was the characters.  They are spunky, independent, fierce, and endearing and I liked Calista and Matthew instantly.  Their banter throughout the story is entertaining and fun to read.  I liked their interactions and their growth.  The addition of the mystery and suspense of the novel only serves to make the story even richer and deeper, and some of the levity is broken up with the hilarious scrapes that Calista finds herself in throughout the story.  The spiritual theme of finding God’s calling is clear in the novel and really applicable to my own life.  I greatly enjoyed this novel and look forward to more in the series!  There is a novella that preludes this book but it is not absolutely necessary to read that first.  However, I highly recommend both the novella and this new novel!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I enjoyed Ms. Jennings writing style. It makes reading her books very enjoyable. In fact I mistakenly picked up the first I read of her books thinking it was a different author. As I read I kept thinking how much better this one was than the last I'd read. It was only after I finished that I realized she was not the same author. And this Ms. Jennings was so much better.

I liked the main characters. Calista is a strong female that doesn't seem to have much fear, even when she maybe should. And she is determined to do something good with her life. Matthew also has those same desires. He is determined and desires to do good in the world. They both learn a lot over the course of the book.

I also loved the secondary characters. Calista's family seems to be filled with fun characters and some parts of the family are particularly quirky. Loved the cousins and the grandmother. It appears that this series will all take place in Joplin. I hope that means some of these fun characters get their own books.

As far as the missing persons mystery goes, I kinda figured it out before the reveal but I wasn't entirely correct. Saying anything more than that would be a spoiler.

There are some Christian themes in the story which were perfectly natural in these characters. No big sermons in your face.

I'm giving this 5 stars because I really can't think of anything that I just didn't like about it. It was an enjoyable read.

Sex: leering, propositioning - not overly graphic
Language: no
Violence: yes - not overly graphic
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

Fans of Jen Turano will love Regina Jennings' Courting Misfortune. Calista York is an independent, young woman of means who is an undercover Pinkerton agent-in-training looking for a Chicago mobster's missing daughter who was last reported as being seen in Joplin, Missouri. Matthew Cook, new to Joplin, is a young pastor called to work with the miners hoping to strike it rich in the ore fields, miners who frequented Joplin's bars, gambling halls, and brothels. Matthew and Calista both want to serve God by helping others, but will that calling unite or separate them? Jennings has the perfect mix of history, romance, humor, and mystery. The full cast of fun, quirky characters make for a fabulous, fun read. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Courting Misfortune from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had never read Regina Jennings before, but the premise of this book, following a female Pinkerton agent on a mission to save the daughter of a mob boss and finding herself at odds with the pastor out to keep her out of trouble and expose her intrigued me. And the story more or less lives up to expectations. 

Calista is such a wonderful heroine, and I liked how resourceful she was in tackling what was thrown at her. She does have a tendency to find trouble, but it just makes her more charming. 

While Matthew seems like an unlikely partner for her, I liked their dynamic and how it evolved from them being at odds to falling in love naturally.

The supporting cast was a lot of fun, especially Calista’s crazy family. And the fact that they are apparently featured in a prequel novella as well? I’m definitely intrigued! 

The pacing was a bit slow at first, but I think it helped to establish the real sense of suspense. The mystery had a lot of twists and turns I was not expecting.

This was a great introduction to Regina Jennings, and I’m excited to try more from her. If you love Christian historical romance, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

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.  

All Calista wants to do is be a Pinkerton agent.  One last successful assignment is all she needs to prove herself.  The only problem is that she is sent to Joplin where she has lots of family and Joplin is a wild town.  How can she remain incognito when she runs into family at every turn.  Then there's Matthew.  He's trying to keep her from entering into the den of iniquity.  

This is a good book that I recommend.  Who knew that Joplin had such shady beginnings.  

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

I really liked the last third of this book, but the first two-thirds dragged for me somewhat. I just didn't enjoy Calista or Matthew as characters; Calista's constant lies, while perhaps necessary for her job, made it hard to really connect with her--and the lies she tried to pass off about being a nurse, when she obviously couldn't even handle anything remotely connected to nursing didn't make her seem like the most competent of detectives. It made it hard to see why Matthew would even want to put up with her at all. I also found myself more irritated than endeared by Calista's extended family. So, I struggled through the first two-thirds of the book, but I did like the remainder. There were some good messages about how God works in people's lives as well as some really nice romantic lines. 

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

"Thanks for making me do what I didn't want to do. Thanks for making me be a better person than I want to be today."

Regina Jennings once again delivers a historical romance with wit, charm, funny laugh-out-loud scenes, and wonderful characters with a subtle undercurrent of intrigue and mystery. This novel kicks off her new Joplin Chronicles series set in late 1890s and it promises to be an exciting and adventurous series. Calista is an undercover Pinkerton agent in training who has been sent to Joplin, MO to find a kidnapped daughter of a Chicago mobster. Her enthusiastic devotion to her calling as an investigator, ingenuity, and cleverness are unparalleled though she does constantly get into one scrape or another while on the job. Her physical proximity to her large, influential extended family in Joplin hinders her work but provides for much amusement. Matthew is a farm boy who's followed God's calling to Joplin to preach and minister. His naive, good-hearted, compassionate nature is refreshing and lovely though he needs to learn humility in the hardened mining town. There are plenty of memorable scenes like playing charades, foray into seedy bars, volunteering at an orphanage, Bible studies in Matthew's little cottage, and a baby raffle in the midst of Calista and Matthew each finding the right path that God is calling them to. If you enjoy well-written, fun historical romance, you will definitely enjoy this book.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Courting Misfortune
by Regina Jennings
Back of the Book: "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."
Impressions: This was a charming mystery and romance.  
Rating: Alcohol, prostitutes, pregnancy out of wedlock, selling babies, assault, and deception.
Liked: I enjoyed all the characters in this book. They worked well together. 
Disliked: At the beginning of the book, Matthew appeared to be more backward country. He certainly developed quickly in the ways of the world as he lived in Joplin. I feel like he would have kept some more of this country talk and ways even as he sharpened to the city.  
Learned: Even when God calls us to do something our path may not be straightforward and clear. I was inspired by Matthew and Calista's why to their ministries: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due seasons we shall reap, if we faint not."
Quotes: "The church is for sinners, rich and poor. Some come to us already trained and disciplined, while others have only begun their journey. If we turned away everyone who hadn't surrendered their will, where else would they hear the challenge to do so?"
"You know, it's frustrating to be the one who sees what should be, young man. To see what no one else wants to see. But maybe that frustration is only telling you that you're in place to do the most good."
"Matthew had come to Joplin with the intention of interrupting the cycle that caught the miners --from the promise of easy riches, to poverty, to pain, to numbing the pain by utilizing the ever-present alcohol."
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review shared here.

Wow! When I started this story I expected a “fluff” read, (a book to read when you’re brain dead and don’t want to follow a complicated story line) and while this IS a light read, and fun, the story twists and turns in ways you’ll never guess! 

I think you’ll enjoy Courting Misfortune, and I’m grateful I was given the chance, through NetGalley, to read an advance copy! (All opinions are my own bla bla bla)

An intriguing, valuable read from Regina Jennings!  Courting Misfortune is a romantic, inspirational, and exciting story, and is one of my new favorites of Jennings novels.

The character connections within the story never failed to surprise me.  Of course, I won’t give anything away here, but readers will be perpetually intrigued by the plot’s twists and turns!  This story also gave me valuable reminders about the importance of not judging people whose shoes I haven’t walked in.  I empathized with and felt for each of the characters in this story, and the lessons I learned from them will stay with me.  There are also funny moments that made me smile, and wonderful imagery that captivated me. 

Fans of authors such as Regina Scott and Tracie Peterson won’t want to miss Courting Misfortune! 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Courting Misfortune is the first novel in Regina Jennings new The Joplin Chronicles series. There is a prequel novella titled, Intrigue A La Mode, but I did not read it and I had no trouble whatsoever following along with the characters and plot line in Courting Misfortune. 

I am usually completely entertained by Regina's writing and read Mended Hearts, part of The Kissing Tree set of novellas, just prior to reading Courting Misfortune.  Where that story was thoroughly enjoyable and what I would call characteristic of Regina Jennings...Courting Misfortune, was a bit of a departure from what I would normally expect.

I had a lot of trouble getting into this novel.. Overall I enjoyed reading about Matthew and Calista, but I have to admit her Joplin relations, Amos and Maisie, sort of drove me crazy.  I guess I am not a Missouri country girl at heart. I found it odd that the distinguished Pinkerton Agency would send an operative into a town where that person would be recognized and thus need to play themselves with very little cover.  That being said, it didn't make sense to me that Calista, being a relative new agent and having a lack on anonymity, would be sent on this recovery mission without another operative to assist. I appreciated Matthew's enthusiastic zeal to serve God and his willingness to change direction when he realized there might be a better way to minister to the miners of Joplin.  There were a few funny plot twists and a tender reunion that will warm your heart. 

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free copy of Courting Misfortune.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

Calista York is trying to solidify her position as a Pinkerton Agent but things get complicated when she gets sent to investigate a kidnapping in her cousin’s hometown.  She meets up with a preacher who’s trying to make a difference in this rowdy, mining town but she can’t be herself while trying to solve the case which takes her into many of the seedier areas of town. Soon her cousins and family are involved and things become a big mess….or do they? Sometimes what seems a mess to us is just another piece of God’s plan. 
I enjoyed this book.  Calista is funny and resourceful.  She’s quick-witted and sharp tongued.  She’s full of adventure and dedicated to her cause.  She and Matthew are fun to watch together.  She appears to be everything he isn’t looking for in a lady but he keeps finding himself drawn to her. This may be a good thing as she has a tendency to get into trouble.  
There is a novella prequel to this series, but this book can easily be read as a stand alone.  It’s a delightful read.  I’d recommend it.  Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

The Joplin Chronicles
Book 0.5:  Intrigue a la Mode (also found in the “Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection)
Book 1:  Courting Misfortune

I finished reading "Courting Misfortune" by Regina Jennings, and it was good! 5⭐. I loved the characters. The secondary characters, Amos & Maisie, were hilarious. I can't wait to read what's next!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced read. All opinions are my own.

Pinkerton agent on probation, Calista York heads home to Joplin, MO for her latest case. She is trying to disguise herself and go places where no respectable women go, while attempting to keep her job secret from family. Matthew, an honest,  wanna be missionary is trying to win souls in the mining community of Joplin, a little naive , but he knows something is up with Calista. Apparently there's a novella that has some of the previous characters? I didn't read that, but I followed along fine. The flaws in Calista and Matthew are both realistic and sometimes humorous. I enjoy Regina Jennings books, and found this one just as enjoyable as the others. I'll be telling my friends who like her to read this one.

I discovered Regina Jennings by reading the Kissing Tree novella collection, which I thoroughly enjoyed. When I saw she had a new series starting, I knew I wanted to check it out! This book had a lovely premise - a female pinkerton agent coming to a seedy town to find a kidnapped woman who was in danger - where she has the possibility of being recognized by family members and where she happens to meet the man of her dreams while on her mission. This book had some thought provoking moments and some hilarious moments. It also had a pretty solid faith thread. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 for 2 reasons. Primarily, I struggled to really connect with the main characters (this may be in part because I'm still on a book hangover from the book I read prior to this one that was one of the best books I've read this year). Calista felt flighty sometimes and didn't seem to be able to keep all of her stories straight, which didn't click with me as a Pinkerton (even if she was new to the job). And Matthew was super-judgy, which I found to be an extreme hindrance to his role as a missionary to the sinners...... The second issue I had was that the romance was super fast and at times didn't make sense. Those concerns aside, the story line was still good and I did still enjoy the book. Calista's family was hilarious and I loved what they added to the story. The mystery that Calista was trying to solve had an extremely satisfying conclusion that I hadn't seen coming and the last 10% of the book brought it from 3.5 stars to 4 stars for me. I really enjoyed the ending and how everything concluded. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.