As punishment for his recklessness, Private Bradley Willis is ordered to help a retired cavalry officer move a herd across Indian Territory. No one told him he'd be herding camels or that the captain's daughter would join them on the trail. Despite the mysterious incidents halting their progress, Bradley has to get this herd to Texas--or lose his commission.
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.
Regina Jennings is yet another author that I think I should be reading more of. I've read her first novel. I know I enjoyed it, but I don't remember the same amount of humor that is present in this novella. I certainly wasn't prepared for the idea that camels play a huge role in the story, both from a humor stand point but also as a matter of poignancy. What could have been a set up for cheesiness or slap stick humor provides a unique circumstance for the story, setting up for some pithy dialogue between Bradley and Ambrosia. Their scenes together are humorous, yet crackle with tension at times, in a rather swoon-worthy way. Just an all-around entertaining and adorable story!
I've loved the three previous books I've read by this author, and this novella was no exception! Regina's books are always so unique and fun that I am sucked in from page one and hate to stop reading, such was the case with this novella! The camels brought such a unique element to the story! I loved both Bradley and Ambrosia, there were so many humorous moments in their adventure that I loved, and the way both their characters developed was awesome! I loved this novella, I think it just may be my favorite Regina Jennings book yet!
Do you love a good adventure with fun and unique angles? "Bound and Determined" checks all the right boxes, and was a pure delight with its originality and wit.
Private Bradley WIllis will be familiar to readers of Jennings' Fort Reno series. As someone not always in good graces with his superior officers, Bradley often finds himself needing to prove his merit and worth to the cavalry. After another questionable incident, Bradley is given the task of escorting a retired captain across Indian territory. How hard could that be?
It turns out Major Adams left out a few details about his assignment. The captain has acquired a train of camels and is seeking to travel overland with them to his Texas home. The assignment also didn't mention Captain Herald's daughter Ambrosia, who is along for the journey and is sweetly but stubbornly on the lookout for ways to convince her father to abandon the camels.
Ambrosia is worried about her father's health and she doesn't want to give up their garden to house a bunch of smelly camels. She thought if she couldn't convince her father to change his mind that she'd at least be able to find ways to dissuade anyone who was sent to help them. It turns out she's met her match in Private Willis. As determined as she is to find ways to abort this mission, he's equally as determined to see it through.
The camels add a wonderful amount of personality to this novella. I learned a lot of things about these wonderful animals that I never knew before! I laughed at loud at Bradley and Ambrosia's antics, and there's enough action and danger to keep you glued to the pages. A highly recommended story from Regina Jennings!
These two main characters had strong wills and lots of determination. There was plenty of humor sprinkled throughout this novella, yet it had its serious moments, as well. If ever there was the complementary companion for Bradley Willis, it was Ambrosia Herald. I loved the way they connected and fell for each other.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
First sentence: August 1885 East of Fort Reno, Indian Territory "I don't want to die on an empty stomach. Oh, please, don't let me die hungry." Private Morris smashed his had down flat as he leveled his pistol against a shelf of rock. Premise/plot: Ambrosia is bound and determined to stop her father's plan of herding camels. Her father, a retired captain, is convinced that camels are the next big thing--that camels are better equipped for the old west than horses. His daughter is not convinced. Her plans to sabotage him before their journey begins...fails. Private Bradley Willis is unlike the other men who've been easily spooked by the camels and Ambrosia's lies about the camels. Willis doesn't scare easy. Soon both father and daughter realize that he's one of the most courageous men they've ever met. Will Ambrosia and Private Willis make a match of it?
My thoughts: I liked this one. I really did. It was a quick read. It was silly, but it was an intentional silly. (You know how some Christian romance novels are over-the-top silly but you get the idea that they're not meant to be? You feel that they're meant to be taken seriously as DRAMA.) This was just what I needed after reading Mary Connealy's The Tangled Ties That Bind.
Again, I wasn’t fond of Ms. Jennings portrayal of her female lead for about half of the book. But our sweet Private Bradley Willis saw a spitfire and a challenge in Ambrosia Herald, the daughter of an Army captain who needed some old friends herded from Garber, Texas to Fort Reno, Oklahoma…camels to be exact.
I tell you what, I learned a lot about camels. And Regina Jennings must have done a bit of research on these fascinating animals.
Cute plot and cute little romance. I love that Ambrosia saw the fun, kind and protective nature of Private Willis and was completely okay with him just being a private.
This fun story takes us on a bit of a journey across the hot, sun-baked land of Oklahoma. Private Bradley Willis is assigned to accompany retired Army Officer, Herald across Indian Territory as they herd not cattle, but Camels. More surprises are in store as Bradley realizes that Officer Herald’s daughter is also along for the trip, and she is trying to keep them from getting to Texas.
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
That was a really enjoyable ride .. with the camels no less the story is very cute about private Willis and his journey with General Harold and his daughter Ambrosia to get a herd of camels to a safe place away from danger, I enjoyed the relationship in this novella and it went smoothly with me :)
This is a wonderful book! I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. The camels were the star of the book! I've always liked camels and these were heroes! My only complaint is that the book wasn't long enough. I would have liked to see how the romance between Ambrosia and Bradley turned out.
Story #3 was written by the wonderful Regina Jennings. This was book 2 to her "Fort Reno" series.
I have yet to pick up book 1, but after reading this story there is no doubt that I'll grab it soon. I think this was probably my favorite story out of the collection. Though they all had their charms, something about this one had me smiling from ear to ear.
I loved Private Bradley, he was such a care-free spirit, but underneath that young "kid" was a thoughtful gentleman! He was a loyal in everything he did, though not always to the liking of other people.
I loved the chemistry between Bradley and Ambrosia! Their dialogue was witty, and quirky and just cute.
Both of these characters were very "young" and immature when the story started, but I definitely saw major "growing up" going on throughout the pages.
The ending was so cruel to my poor heart, but I can't wait to see if they make an appearance in Fort Reno again.
This story was a delight to read and I rated it a 4/5 stars.
Yes its a novella! Its also one of the best full story novellas I've read and I LOVED it!! The camels are hilarious and adorable and I want my own herd of them, LOL! The witty and flirtatious banter between Bradley and Ambrosia had me smiling from page to page! But before you think this is just a sweet little romance, a fluff piece, suddenly a gang of outlaws shows up and the action and suspense kicks in!! I read this in an afternoon and was enchanted!
Bound And Determined – a Fort Reno Series Novella by Regina Jennings LOVED IT August 1885, East of Ft. Reno, Indian Territory Once again Private Bradley Willis, has made a snap decision that has landed him in hot water. For retribution, he will be sent off to help a former cavalry officer, Captain Herald, move his heard across the plains and back home to Texas. However, when he arrives he is stunned to learn the heard is camels! In addition, he will meet his match in gumption with the officer’s daughter, Ambrosia Herald. Ch. 3. His mouth twitched. “I’m not your father ma’am. It doesn’t matter a whit to me if you get riled up, if you pout, or if you threaten to run away from home. I specialize in reckless, dramatic gestures, and I doubt any of yours would impress me.” I enjoyed this adventure very much, especially since I just read book 1 a few ago. The camels add a lot to the story and I enjoyed getting to know more about the interesting animals.
If not for the fact that I'd already read the first book in this series...I STILL would've loved this novella!! Wow! I absolutely fell in LOVE with everyone in this story, including the camels! Lol, they were such weird little oddballs, but completely ADORABLE. And smart! I had already liked the character of Bradley Willis after reading "Holding the Fort" (book #1 in the "Fort Reno" series), but this story brought him more fully to life and I was able to understand him better. Once again, he had me laughing out loud at times and grinning from ear to ear at others! Amber's determination and straightforwardness were no match for his stubbornness (or was it loyalty?...) This was such a unique story! And I don't just mean from other books, but also from within its own series! I loved that the author found a unique piece of history that isn't widely known, and focused the story around it. Just makes it that much more intriguing! I'm so excited and will be eagerly awaiting book #2, "The Lieutenant's Bargain", set to release in December!
This novella by Regina Jennings is part of the Fort Reno series and is delightful. I have read many of her books and I am always entertained. Some are a little more lighthearted than others. This series has been full of adventure, romance, fun and some twist and turns. Even though Private Bradley Willis saved the entire troop, he disobey orders and played alone maverick to do so. He is now being punished and has to take this mysterious assignment to save his commission. He has been ordered to help a retired Calvary officer take a herd across the desert in Indian territory. He was not told it would be a heard of camel. But the biggest challenge is the officer's daughter who has decided to come along for an adventure.
This is a cute story about people looking beyond themselves and to what others may truly need.
Ambrosia and her mother don't want the camels to make it to their new home in Texas. Ambrosia's father needs the camels as a reminder of who he was and those he'd lost. Bradley needs to prove himself so his superiors will look favorably on him again.
The journey is difficult and fraught with danger, but the camels add some very humorous moments.
I didn't read the first story in the series, but I didn't even realize that there was a first story, so I'm not sure if they need to be read in order.
"Bound and Determined" by Regina Jennings, I love the spirit and sparks in this story! We have a Private in the Army, the Calvary unit, who has a free spirit which gets him into trouble. As punishment for his most recent infraction, he is assigned to a retired Army General who was on a mission of his own. The General, wanted to move his herd across Indian Territory, in the hottest part of summer. There is hilarity and action that ensues as they set out to complete their mission. I really enjoyed this story.
This book # 1.5. Not sure why Private Willis didn't get his on book but just like his sister's book it's not finished. The book itself is good. I wouldn't think I would like the camels but by the end I was rather fond of them. Bradley and Amber are made for each other. They went back and forth with the quips with not a hitch. I was happy that he finally started listening to someone other than himself. If you haven't read the first book, you need to do this one makes more sense.
Bound and Determined by Regina Jennings May 6, 2020 5 stars I have never read a story about camels, and ended up watching a few videos to understand their movements and mannerisms better! What was truly remarkable was that they were actually used, as this book describes, for the military, and that the US Army had an experimental Camel Corps from 1855 - 1866. I loved this story and one of my favorite things about historical romances is learning cool things like this about our past, while falling in love with the character of people and the heroes of yesterday, both actual and fictional!
What fun! Bradley was always a favorite supporting character of mine in the trilogy and I’m so glad he got time to shine in this novella. I loved the chemistry between the H and h and laughed out loud several times during the book. I wish it had ended a bit differently...a bit more wrapped up, but I’m still giving it 5 stars because I loved everything till the last paragraph! Even for being a shorter book it had great pacing and I didn’t feel cheated at all. Great for a fun, quick read that lifts the spirits.
I was so excited that there was a story about the mischievous Bradley Willis. The fact that Amber was as spunky as she was, was perfection. I just wish it was a bit longer, or maybe the stories will continue in the rest of the series. If not I’m hoping for another novella on them. As much as it could be a stand alone, it was better for having read the first book. Hilarious characters, Regina Jennings amazing writing, and camels! 🐫🐪🐪🐫🐪
This story made me laugh in a few places for the best reasons. The banter between the MCs was so well done! I liked the ending. It didn't feel rushed. The story was sweet and clean with just enough adventure to keep me turning pages. And the faith element was evident in the lives of the characters. If you enjoy those sorts of things, you'll probably want to give this book a try.
Who would ever think about camels in the west helping the Calvary! This book expounds on this as a retired Calvary officer saves the camels. His goal is to bring them home. His daughter goes along the journey to make sure her father stays healthy. Mix in Bradley from other Fort Reno books and it makes for a fun story!
Regina Jennings books are just fun to read! She puts her characters in such situations that you just can't wait to see what they do next. Her books will lift your heart and make you laugh! And the characters mess up BUT GOD helps them through! You won't be disappointed in any Regina Jennings book that you get!
This was an okay story. It took me several days to read due to life in general, but it didn't pull me in enough to make it a priority. That being said, I am curious about the other characters in this story that have their own books....I'd like to read them.....eventually.
The banter and antics of the two main characters make this novella charming and fun. And the camels... well, I doubt you've read a western tale like this one. I hadn't. Loved it.
I haven't read much from Regina Jennings, but this story has made me a fan. She delivered a hilarious yet historically accurate tale with a impressive character growth and sweet romance arc. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella even without having read the Ft. Reno series. Sign me up for more!