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A Better Country #2
To the Uttermost
How far will he take his quest for vengeance?
Owen Lockart will track down and kill the man who murdered his three brothers and left him to die in the Colorado wilderness. And no one will get in his way.
Sally Reiner doesn't know a stranger. She thinks nothing of befriending Owen, her family's new ranch hand. Little does she know he's won her trust to gain information about her no-good murderer of a brother.
Will deceit and vengeance destroy Sally and Owen, or will they trust in the only One Who is able to deliver them?
Owen Lockart will track down and kill the man who murdered his three brothers and left him to die in the Colorado wilderness. And no one will get in his way.
Sally Reiner doesn't know a stranger. She thinks nothing of befriending Owen, her family's new ranch hand. Little does she know he's won her trust to gain information about her no-good murderer of a brother.
Will deceit and vengeance destroy Sally and Owen, or will they trust in the only One Who is able to deliver them?
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2021
1 person is currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Hall
19 books432 followersKristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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May 22, 2021I've definitely read this one more than once. :)
September 10, 2021
Well, this new-to-me indie author has definitely been a success so far! I might be slightly biased because I've loved westerns my whole life, but pfft, minor details.
The prologue was a fantastic way to open the book, and had me hooked from the beginning! An ambush, injuries (*smirks* if you know, you know), the terror of wondering if his brothers were alive or not...just yes.
The writing style really pulled me in. I was definitely invested in the story, and even though life has been insane, I found myself spending extra time reading it. Soooo...sorry to my epic boss for spending an extra long time watering the plants because I was reading. *grins sheepishly*
Owen's thirst for revenge, though I normally find that kind of thing highly annoying, actually kiiiinda had me on his side. Like, yeah, I knew it was wrong and everything, and I would've tried to talk him out of it, but I definitely understood why he was doing it and a tiny bit of me was like Mmm yes okay, go get 'im, tiger! But *cough* after Owen continually persisted for three hundred pages, it...kinda got old. Kinda.
Sally appeared to be your typical I'm-gonna-do-whatever-I-want-to-do-and-I-don't-care-what-you-think kind of female protagonists at first, but she wasn't, and I actually grew to love her. I loved how she was stubborn and determined enough to carry her weight and do what needed to be done when things got tough, but she also knew her limitations and listened to people's advice. I really loved Sally. (Though I'm sorry, I do. not. like. that. name. *cries*)
Doyle was definitely the sweet endearing man everyone wants as a grandpa. Rose was the sweetest thing. The kids were little terrors (honestly seemed like brats that needed some discipline to me, but I won't complain, as they weren't in the book a whole lot). Harry was incredible and the best character in the whole book.
The message of faith was strong—very strong. The message of forgiveness and leaving vengeance to the Lord was epic, and so was the salvation message, but...it was kinda...preachy. Okay, very preachy. I understand that Sally was just doing it out of concern, but in that one scene, I almost felt like I was reading a sermon, and it kinda jerked me out of the story.
All in all, though, I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a clean western with a good message!
*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
The prologue was a fantastic way to open the book, and had me hooked from the beginning! An ambush, injuries (*smirks* if you know, you know), the terror of wondering if his brothers were alive or not...just yes.
The writing style really pulled me in. I was definitely invested in the story, and even though life has been insane, I found myself spending extra time reading it. Soooo...sorry to my epic boss for spending an extra long time watering the plants because I was reading. *grins sheepishly*
Owen's thirst for revenge, though I normally find that kind of thing highly annoying, actually kiiiinda had me on his side. Like, yeah, I knew it was wrong and everything, and I would've tried to talk him out of it, but I definitely understood why he was doing it and a tiny bit of me was like Mmm yes okay, go get 'im, tiger! But *cough* after Owen continually persisted for three hundred pages, it...kinda got old. Kinda.
Sally appeared to be your typical I'm-gonna-do-whatever-I-want-to-do-and-I-don't-care-what-you-think kind of female protagonists at first, but she wasn't, and I actually grew to love her. I loved how she was stubborn and determined enough to carry her weight and do what needed to be done when things got tough, but she also knew her limitations and listened to people's advice. I really loved Sally. (Though I'm sorry, I do. not. like. that. name. *cries*)
Doyle was definitely the sweet endearing man everyone wants as a grandpa. Rose was the sweetest thing. The kids were little terrors (honestly seemed like brats that needed some discipline to me, but I won't complain, as they weren't in the book a whole lot). Harry was incredible and the best character in the whole book.
The message of faith was strong—very strong. The message of forgiveness and leaving vengeance to the Lord was epic, and so was the salvation message, but...it was kinda...preachy. Okay, very preachy. I understand that Sally was just doing it out of concern, but in that one scene, I almost felt like I was reading a sermon, and it kinda jerked me out of the story.
All in all, though, I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a clean western with a good message!
*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
November 20, 2021
Whoo, boy, lemme tell y’all, we could be here all day if I tried to recount every aspect of this book and everything I felt while reading it...and I reckon y’all ain’t got all day, now do ya? So I’ll just direct y’all to my review of the previous novel, Strangers and Pilgrims, here, which gives you the lowdown on Kristina Hall’s writing style and an overview of how she writes her novels.
Because, as a continuation of SAP, To the Uttermost is really quite similar in everything but the actual story—we even have the honor of hangin’ with the one and only Sally Reiner again!
To be truthful, Sally made this book. Without her, there’d’ve been no laughter, no raising of the eyebrows, no snortin’, no knee-slapping or hat-smacking, no eye rolls. Just plain ol’ readin’. Y’all, Sally is something else, lemme tell ya! She is so bright and snarky and absolutely high-lair-ee-us! Unlike any heroine I’ve ever read, she still had that naive essence of a little girl with the intelligence and maturity of a grown woman—and a fine sense of humor, to boot! You didn’t have to worry about Sally trying to be something she wasn’t—like one of them feminist heroines—as she was completely genuine and authentic, a strong woman in the truest sense, and I love that about her.
Plus her dialogue is priceless. Absolutely priceless, you guys.
Speaking of, I am amazed at how well Hall is able to make everything seem so realistic. Is it the simplicity of everything? The vibrancy of the characters? The authenticity of the dialogue? I dunno. All I know is that everything—from the dialogue to, most of all, the struggles the characters endure—is so real.
Especially the message and the beautiful themes of salvation, trusting in God, and eternity. I know some would call Hall preachy, but this so-called “preachiness” is pretty common in my household, so I don’t find it unrealistic or annoying or any of that. It’s real, it’s true, and it’s powerful. I appreciate that.
Not to mention I really liked how Hall developed the story and let certain issues simmer before she got into the excitement—of which there was plenty! There was plenty of drama and suspense, which y’all know I can’t live without! (In fiction, I mean. I’ll take peace and quiet in reality, thank you very much.) She has the perfect balance of humor, high stakes, and hope—a winning combination for any story!
All that said, I’ll admit that I didn’t like Owen all that much. I loved every other character—Harry and Rose, their young’uns, Doyle—apart from the villains (like that filthy, yellow, no-good snake Victor)…but Owen just kind of fell flat for me. Was it because he was so rude and resentful toward Sally, whom I adore? Possibly. Was it because he lacked the kindness, respectfulness, and honorableness that Harry possessed? Probably. Was it because he just wasn’t all that swoon-worthy? Um…no, of course not. Whyever would you presume me to be so shallow?
Naw, seriously. Hall wrote Owen’s character expertly. I just didn’t like Owen. It’s as simple as that.
On that note, I think she did a consummate job of writing Owen’s spiritual/redemption arc. I mean, every time I felt like his heart was softening, it hardened back up again, leaving me wondering if he’d ever open his eyes to see Jesus…if there was anything that anyone could do or say to change his perspective or at least get him thinking. As much as the odds were against us, love and truth prevailed, and it didn’t seem forced or ill-timed or any of that. It was, well, real. I know I keep saying that, but it’s the best way to put it.
And just to throw it in there, the western setting is also so accurately portrayed, at least in my mind. Never over-the-top or excessive. Always giving off that feeling of realism. And Hall does a fabulous job of wrangling action and everything else at the same time, although I’ll be honest with y’all…I’m into the lengthy poetic prose, so her straightforward style can be a bit...straightforward. Not a bad thing, though, because it certainly helps the pacing!
Y’know, I think that about sums it up. Makes this one of my five shortest reviews ever. Seriously, though, if y’all are wondering about anything else, y’all just read the book yourselves. You won’t regret it, trust me!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Because, as a continuation of SAP, To the Uttermost is really quite similar in everything but the actual story—we even have the honor of hangin’ with the one and only Sally Reiner again!
To be truthful, Sally made this book. Without her, there’d’ve been no laughter, no raising of the eyebrows, no snortin’, no knee-slapping or hat-smacking, no eye rolls. Just plain ol’ readin’. Y’all, Sally is something else, lemme tell ya! She is so bright and snarky and absolutely high-lair-ee-us! Unlike any heroine I’ve ever read, she still had that naive essence of a little girl with the intelligence and maturity of a grown woman—and a fine sense of humor, to boot! You didn’t have to worry about Sally trying to be something she wasn’t—like one of them feminist heroines—as she was completely genuine and authentic, a strong woman in the truest sense, and I love that about her.
Plus her dialogue is priceless. Absolutely priceless, you guys.
Speaking of, I am amazed at how well Hall is able to make everything seem so realistic. Is it the simplicity of everything? The vibrancy of the characters? The authenticity of the dialogue? I dunno. All I know is that everything—from the dialogue to, most of all, the struggles the characters endure—is so real.
Especially the message and the beautiful themes of salvation, trusting in God, and eternity. I know some would call Hall preachy, but this so-called “preachiness” is pretty common in my household, so I don’t find it unrealistic or annoying or any of that. It’s real, it’s true, and it’s powerful. I appreciate that.
Not to mention I really liked how Hall developed the story and let certain issues simmer before she got into the excitement—of which there was plenty! There was plenty of drama and suspense, which y’all know I can’t live without! (In fiction, I mean. I’ll take peace and quiet in reality, thank you very much.) She has the perfect balance of humor, high stakes, and hope—a winning combination for any story!
All that said, I’ll admit that I didn’t like Owen all that much. I loved every other character—Harry and Rose, their young’uns, Doyle—apart from the villains (like that filthy, yellow, no-good snake Victor)…but Owen just kind of fell flat for me. Was it because he was so rude and resentful toward Sally, whom I adore? Possibly. Was it because he lacked the kindness, respectfulness, and honorableness that Harry possessed? Probably. Was it because he just wasn’t all that swoon-worthy? Um…no, of course not. Whyever would you presume me to be so shallow?
Naw, seriously. Hall wrote Owen’s character expertly. I just didn’t like Owen. It’s as simple as that.
On that note, I think she did a consummate job of writing Owen’s spiritual/redemption arc. I mean, every time I felt like his heart was softening, it hardened back up again, leaving me wondering if he’d ever open his eyes to see Jesus…if there was anything that anyone could do or say to change his perspective or at least get him thinking. As much as the odds were against us, love and truth prevailed, and it didn’t seem forced or ill-timed or any of that. It was, well, real. I know I keep saying that, but it’s the best way to put it.
And just to throw it in there, the western setting is also so accurately portrayed, at least in my mind. Never over-the-top or excessive. Always giving off that feeling of realism. And Hall does a fabulous job of wrangling action and everything else at the same time, although I’ll be honest with y’all…I’m into the lengthy poetic prose, so her straightforward style can be a bit...straightforward. Not a bad thing, though, because it certainly helps the pacing!
Y’know, I think that about sums it up. Makes this one of my five shortest reviews ever. Seriously, though, if y’all are wondering about anything else, y’all just read the book yourselves. You won’t regret it, trust me!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
September 5, 2024
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. This was an enjoyable sequel to
Strangers & Pilgrims
and a good ending to the duology.
This is set some eleven years after the first book, and I was so pleased to see Sally as the MC! I enjoyed her a lot in the first book—she’s just so unique and sassy and sweet… although you wouldn’t guess the last one by how she talks! The writing style really suited her and Owen, and it was more unobtrusive than the first book’s.
My favourite character was Sally, of course, but I liked Owen well enough. I enjoyed seeing Rose, Harry, and Doyle again too. Although the plot was similar to the first book, it was different enough to not feel like a cheap repeat. Owen’s search for vengeance and the Reiners’ struggle with rustlers made for an action-driven storyline. I was definitely surprised by some elements, and really pleased with how it all turned out. The romance was pretty cute too, so understated. ;)
My favourite part of the book was definitely the message! Similar to the first book, and yet different, it was one I really needed to hear again: God rules, and we’ve got a better World that we’re heading to, so we don’t need to fear anything that happens to us on this earth.
Content: undetailed kissing & hugging; some mentions of outhouses & constipation; some violence.
A Favourite Quote: Enough worrying. God wouldn’t let anything happen to Harry that was outside of His plan. Yet people died every day. Good Christian people. She swiped a couple of strands of hair from her face. She couldn’t let worry get the best of her. God would keep them safe, either in this life or in the one to come. Neither Brooker, Vic, nor anyone else could pluck them from God’s hand. Yet she still had no assurance Harry would come back, whether today or any of the other days he rode off, but God called her to trust. Trust that He would guide her through whatever came. Trust that His plan was perfect even though she couldn’t understand it. Trust that nothing touched her unless He first allowed it.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “They’re glad to have you back.”…
“Samuel’s got a mighty fine way of showin’ it. If I hadn’t caught that thing, it’d have bounced off my head.”
Doyle grinned. “Wouldn’t have hurt you none.”
She returned the smile. “Why, thanks. Glad to know you don’t think I got brains.”
“Don’t prove it by misunderstanding a compliment. I was only saying how tough you are.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
This is set some eleven years after the first book, and I was so pleased to see Sally as the MC! I enjoyed her a lot in the first book—she’s just so unique and sassy and sweet… although you wouldn’t guess the last one by how she talks! The writing style really suited her and Owen, and it was more unobtrusive than the first book’s.
My favourite character was Sally, of course, but I liked Owen well enough. I enjoyed seeing Rose, Harry, and Doyle again too. Although the plot was similar to the first book, it was different enough to not feel like a cheap repeat. Owen’s search for vengeance and the Reiners’ struggle with rustlers made for an action-driven storyline. I was definitely surprised by some elements, and really pleased with how it all turned out. The romance was pretty cute too, so understated. ;)
My favourite part of the book was definitely the message! Similar to the first book, and yet different, it was one I really needed to hear again: God rules, and we’ve got a better World that we’re heading to, so we don’t need to fear anything that happens to us on this earth.
Content: undetailed kissing & hugging; some mentions of outhouses & constipation; some violence.
A Favourite Quote: Enough worrying. God wouldn’t let anything happen to Harry that was outside of His plan. Yet people died every day. Good Christian people. She swiped a couple of strands of hair from her face. She couldn’t let worry get the best of her. God would keep them safe, either in this life or in the one to come. Neither Brooker, Vic, nor anyone else could pluck them from God’s hand. Yet she still had no assurance Harry would come back, whether today or any of the other days he rode off, but God called her to trust. Trust that He would guide her through whatever came. Trust that His plan was perfect even though she couldn’t understand it. Trust that nothing touched her unless He first allowed it.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “They’re glad to have you back.”…
“Samuel’s got a mighty fine way of showin’ it. If I hadn’t caught that thing, it’d have bounced off my head.”
Doyle grinned. “Wouldn’t have hurt you none.”
She returned the smile. “Why, thanks. Glad to know you don’t think I got brains.”
“Don’t prove it by misunderstanding a compliment. I was only saying how tough you are.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
July 31, 2021
I have a fondness of books that get right to the point. Dragging things out just isn't always my style. So I was very pleased that To the Uttermost started out with almost immediate action and danger.
Gun fights, outlaws, and cowboys are three of my favorite things in stories. So I enjoyed Kristina Halls story about all three!
I didn't instantly connect with Sally, but more with Owen. He's got a self inflicted purpose that pushes him to his limits. And watching him come to terms with the fact that it's not the purpose God gave him was pretty cool.
Although, Owen called Sally infuriating, it was he that was such. He blames Sally for things she has no control over. And I never quite understood that anger. But he did redeem himself in end.
There wasn't a lot of romance but Sally and Owen definitely had some sparks. (even though they'd both deny it)
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about To the Uttermost but I came to really enjoy it and get into it. It had a really good storyline, deep characters, and the best faith content.
I was really encouraged on my walk with the Lord through these characters and their respective walks. The way they all cherished their relationship with God and each other just made me realize that I was lacking in my own. And how badly I wanted to change that. And any book that changes my relationship with the Lord for the better is a good book to me.
100% clean and 100% recommend.
**I was given a free copy of the book by the author. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.**
Gun fights, outlaws, and cowboys are three of my favorite things in stories. So I enjoyed Kristina Halls story about all three!
I didn't instantly connect with Sally, but more with Owen. He's got a self inflicted purpose that pushes him to his limits. And watching him come to terms with the fact that it's not the purpose God gave him was pretty cool.
Although, Owen called Sally infuriating, it was he that was such. He blames Sally for things she has no control over. And I never quite understood that anger. But he did redeem himself in end.
There wasn't a lot of romance but Sally and Owen definitely had some sparks. (even though they'd both deny it)
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about To the Uttermost but I came to really enjoy it and get into it. It had a really good storyline, deep characters, and the best faith content.
I was really encouraged on my walk with the Lord through these characters and their respective walks. The way they all cherished their relationship with God and each other just made me realize that I was lacking in my own. And how badly I wanted to change that. And any book that changes my relationship with the Lord for the better is a good book to me.
100% clean and 100% recommend.
**I was given a free copy of the book by the author. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.**
May 24, 2021
This was kind of a tricky book to review because I liked this book for some of the same reasons I found it frustrating.
It was a well written, Christian western, both of which I appreciated. I have been recently getting into westerns, so it was fun to read one by a Christian author.
The book kept me interested almost all the way through, but it was also almost too stressful for me. However, I think a lot of young readers might enjoy that. I know when I was younger I could handle intense books a lot better than I do now. So that is why it is good and bad. I enjoyed it because there was always something happening and I could hardly put the book down, but I also found it to be intense because lots of bad things kept happening. The poor Reiner family! So many things kept happening to them, one thing after the other, and so many injuries. There wasn’t a lot of detail of the wounds so it shouldn’t make any one too squeamish, but there sure were a lot of bullet wounds.
The Christian aspect of the book was also some thing I appreciated. It was very saturated with scripture and truth, but at the same time that too almost got to be too much when at moments it got preachy. Not that it is bad to fill your book with truth, but it sometimes got repetitive as the same truth was said over and over. Some people may love that and some people may find it to be too much. Also, I was kind of surprised that even though this was a strong Christian family and they talk a lot about God and really know the Bible, there was never any mention of going to church or any other believers in the community. Maybe that just didn’t fit into the story, but I just think that community with other believers should be an important part of one’s walk with God.
The good characters were enjoyable and fun while the bad guys were thoroughly bad. Sally is often joking around and making laughter out of situations that could be hard. Some of the time I loved that about her while other times I found it exhausting because it was just a little too much joking.
So if you like a scripture saturated, intense western with nothing inappropriate (in my opinion, of course) and you enjoy humor, too, with a dash or romance, this is probably a good book for you. Some major themes of the book was trusting God, forgiveness, and redemption.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author\publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
It was a well written, Christian western, both of which I appreciated. I have been recently getting into westerns, so it was fun to read one by a Christian author.
The book kept me interested almost all the way through, but it was also almost too stressful for me. However, I think a lot of young readers might enjoy that. I know when I was younger I could handle intense books a lot better than I do now. So that is why it is good and bad. I enjoyed it because there was always something happening and I could hardly put the book down, but I also found it to be intense because lots of bad things kept happening. The poor Reiner family! So many things kept happening to them, one thing after the other, and so many injuries. There wasn’t a lot of detail of the wounds so it shouldn’t make any one too squeamish, but there sure were a lot of bullet wounds.
The Christian aspect of the book was also some thing I appreciated. It was very saturated with scripture and truth, but at the same time that too almost got to be too much when at moments it got preachy. Not that it is bad to fill your book with truth, but it sometimes got repetitive as the same truth was said over and over. Some people may love that and some people may find it to be too much. Also, I was kind of surprised that even though this was a strong Christian family and they talk a lot about God and really know the Bible, there was never any mention of going to church or any other believers in the community. Maybe that just didn’t fit into the story, but I just think that community with other believers should be an important part of one’s walk with God.
The good characters were enjoyable and fun while the bad guys were thoroughly bad. Sally is often joking around and making laughter out of situations that could be hard. Some of the time I loved that about her while other times I found it exhausting because it was just a little too much joking.
So if you like a scripture saturated, intense western with nothing inappropriate (in my opinion, of course) and you enjoy humor, too, with a dash or romance, this is probably a good book for you. Some major themes of the book was trusting God, forgiveness, and redemption.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author\publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
September 28, 2021
fantastic book :p It was so awesome getting reunited with my Reiners!! They're all grown up :')
I loved Sally and Owen! Sally has a strong personality and it's just the best. Storms though....Owen had problems. Poor guy. The path of revenge does nothing for a person but drive them into selfish bitterness. Such a miserably myopic mindset. It solves absolutely nothing! But I'm happy with Owen's character growth :D It was also so nice having Rose, Harry, and Doyle in the story!! Wouldn't have been right without them :p so yeah. I definitely missed them all
Hah I will admit that I've read waaaay too many books like this lately (similar plots, similar characters, lots of tension and danger at every then lol), so it does get a bit repetitive, but I don't think it took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I mean....I would say reading a 400 page book in two days shows that I really liked it!
I loved Sally and Owen! Sally has a strong personality and it's just the best. Storms though....Owen had problems. Poor guy. The path of revenge does nothing for a person but drive them into selfish bitterness. Such a miserably myopic mindset. It solves absolutely nothing! But I'm happy with Owen's character growth :D It was also so nice having Rose, Harry, and Doyle in the story!! Wouldn't have been right without them :p so yeah. I definitely missed them all
Hah I will admit that I've read waaaay too many books like this lately (similar plots, similar characters, lots of tension and danger at every then lol), so it does get a bit repetitive, but I don't think it took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I mean....I would say reading a 400 page book in two days shows that I really liked it!
July 1, 2021
I may not have realized it at first, but To The Uttermost is the book I've been desperately searching for within the Christian fiction genre. I've become a little disheartened as of late seeing so many titles bearing the Christian fiction genre stamp, but that fail to truly have anything in them that's God honoring or scriptural based. It was completely refreshing to read this beautiful Christian western romance that's full of faith, suspense, family and a budding romance.
This was my first experience with a Kristina Hall novel, and I honestly wasn't sure what to expect, but I can guarantee that whatever expectations I might have had, this book definitely surpassed. Owen and Sally's story is not for the faint of heart, and it will probably keep you reading long past bedtime, but it's truly a remarkable tale that speaks volumes to Kristina's talent as a storyteller.
The story dragged me in right from the start, and I found myself on the edge of my seat at Owen vows revenge against the man (Guilford) who took his brother's lives, and finds himself on a quest for vengeance that goes against everything he was raised to stand for. Under the guise of growing closer to Guilford, he takes a job at the ranch where Guilford's sister is currently living, and befriends her under false pretenses. When he starts to care for the family who he's been taking advantage of, and the situations turn more sinister than anyone could have possibly prepared for, will he truly be able to let go of his quest once and for all, and trust that justice is only to be served by the One who desires us to love Him above all else.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one from start to finish, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a novel along the lines of Karen Witemeyer. It's well paced, well plotted, well developed, and so much more than you'd first expect when you first pick it up.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Kristina Hall for providing me with a complimentary copy to read and review.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was my first experience with a Kristina Hall novel, and I honestly wasn't sure what to expect, but I can guarantee that whatever expectations I might have had, this book definitely surpassed. Owen and Sally's story is not for the faint of heart, and it will probably keep you reading long past bedtime, but it's truly a remarkable tale that speaks volumes to Kristina's talent as a storyteller.
The story dragged me in right from the start, and I found myself on the edge of my seat at Owen vows revenge against the man (Guilford) who took his brother's lives, and finds himself on a quest for vengeance that goes against everything he was raised to stand for. Under the guise of growing closer to Guilford, he takes a job at the ranch where Guilford's sister is currently living, and befriends her under false pretenses. When he starts to care for the family who he's been taking advantage of, and the situations turn more sinister than anyone could have possibly prepared for, will he truly be able to let go of his quest once and for all, and trust that justice is only to be served by the One who desires us to love Him above all else.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one from start to finish, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a novel along the lines of Karen Witemeyer. It's well paced, well plotted, well developed, and so much more than you'd first expect when you first pick it up.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Kristina Hall for providing me with a complimentary copy to read and review.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 27, 2021
Y'all. I never ever really read western novels. Cowboy stuff was never really my genre, and the few that I've seen had failed to capture my interest. Well, suffice to say that the blurb for this book intrigued me right when I read it, and boy did the book itself meet my expectations!
Let me restart, explain myself a bit, and get all the words outa my brain.
To the Uttermost. What does it have for you? Man, it has many goodies. It focuses a lot on the Christian faith, which was so wonderful to read since it's something I really love in Christian fiction. There was a lot of emphasis on God's forgiveness, the salvation we find in Him, and trusting in Him. It was all so encouraging, and I couldn't help but be moved and inspired by the characters' faith!
And what else? Suspense. Action. And lots of stuff going on that made it very very difficult to stop reading. I was intrigued from page 1, but I hadn't felt the reading "drive" yet (is that a thing? I'll make it a thing), meaning I hadn't gotten hooked with the story till I just absolutely couldn't stop reading. I assure you, that came later, at like 30% of the book. (Before that, it was all still engaging, just again, I didn't feel that "drive"...lol!) By then, I was completely HOOKED! Like, I seriously seeriouslyyy just could not put it down! I had to keep reading to find out more! The stakes were real high, and Owen was making hasty and not-so-kind decisions that made me wanna strangle him a couple of times.
And can I please mention Sally (our heroine) real quick? She cracked me up like no other! Her humor is just amazing and she's 10000% plain awesome. I need someone like her in my life! Owen? Haha. Errr, yeah, so his brothers were murdered mercilessly by Sally's brother, and he's seeking revenge on him. Basically, I had no idea on earth how it was going to be with him and how he would change! But, he did in the way end, which though it felt like a fast turning point, it was still believable to me! (Proud of you, Owen.😌✋)
Now to the technical-y side! There wasn't much romance, but when it did appear, it was very subtle and mostly on Sally's side. Owen took a while since Sally was technically his "enemy". So, it's not a romance novel; it's the very definition of Christian Historical Page-Turner-Action Fiction (I'm making that a thing).
The book also isn't one that focused a lot on the setting and description -- it was very suspenseful and action-driven, with a straightforward writing style that wasn't descriptive in that poetic way. It was sufficient in conveying the character's thoughts and feelings, and it felt pretty well balanced out to me. The whole book really was incredibly enjoyable and fantastic, and I loved every single moment in this book!
To the Uttermost has most definitely convinced me to read more of the author's books! I mean, I think it's a must for me now to rely on her books to give me some good suspense, page-turner goodies... 😋
..
(And I'm not leaving before mentioning the cover because IT'S SO LOVELY. Lovely doesn't exactly seem like the appropriate adjective to describe a cowboy-western book cover, but o well... I LOVE IT)
Let me restart, explain myself a bit, and get all the words outa my brain.
To the Uttermost. What does it have for you? Man, it has many goodies. It focuses a lot on the Christian faith, which was so wonderful to read since it's something I really love in Christian fiction. There was a lot of emphasis on God's forgiveness, the salvation we find in Him, and trusting in Him. It was all so encouraging, and I couldn't help but be moved and inspired by the characters' faith!
And what else? Suspense. Action. And lots of stuff going on that made it very very difficult to stop reading. I was intrigued from page 1, but I hadn't felt the reading "drive" yet (is that a thing? I'll make it a thing), meaning I hadn't gotten hooked with the story till I just absolutely couldn't stop reading. I assure you, that came later, at like 30% of the book. (Before that, it was all still engaging, just again, I didn't feel that "drive"...lol!) By then, I was completely HOOKED! Like, I seriously seeriouslyyy just could not put it down! I had to keep reading to find out more! The stakes were real high, and Owen was making hasty and not-so-kind decisions that made me wanna strangle him a couple of times.
And can I please mention Sally (our heroine) real quick? She cracked me up like no other! Her humor is just amazing and she's 10000% plain awesome. I need someone like her in my life! Owen? Haha. Errr, yeah, so his brothers were murdered mercilessly by Sally's brother, and he's seeking revenge on him. Basically, I had no idea on earth how it was going to be with him and how he would change! But, he did in the way end, which though it felt like a fast turning point, it was still believable to me! (Proud of you, Owen.😌✋)
Now to the technical-y side! There wasn't much romance, but when it did appear, it was very subtle and mostly on Sally's side. Owen took a while since Sally was technically his "enemy". So, it's not a romance novel; it's the very definition of Christian Historical Page-Turner-Action Fiction (I'm making that a thing).
The book also isn't one that focused a lot on the setting and description -- it was very suspenseful and action-driven, with a straightforward writing style that wasn't descriptive in that poetic way. It was sufficient in conveying the character's thoughts and feelings, and it felt pretty well balanced out to me. The whole book really was incredibly enjoyable and fantastic, and I loved every single moment in this book!
To the Uttermost has most definitely convinced me to read more of the author's books! I mean, I think it's a must for me now to rely on her books to give me some good suspense, page-turner goodies... 😋
..
(And I'm not leaving before mentioning the cover because IT'S SO LOVELY. Lovely doesn't exactly seem like the appropriate adjective to describe a cowboy-western book cover, but o well... I LOVE IT)
June 3, 2021
This book definitely maintained my interest through the entire thing! While I found it initially a little difficult to keep track of all the characters, I was able to pick everything up within a few chapters. To The Uttermost starts out with some action pretty quickly and does a great job of enveloping the reader into the problems at hand, the post-Civil War landscape, and the high stakes each character faces. The story also includes really wonderful faith aspects and grapples with some of the biggest arguments that Christians face involving forgiveness, cleansing of sins, and the lines that separate sin and protection. I was impressed with how deftly Hall managed each discussion, and I really appreciated how well the topics were presented. There's one scene in particular where one character finally "gets" some of the things he's been told, and that one was so powerful and well-described that I just got the biggest grin on my face (and that doesn't usually happen while reading) -- so I really enjoyed reading this one overall. Additionally, the dialogue was perfect for the time period and worked very well to draw the readers in. It's a well-researched story, enjoyable to read, and obviously a lot of thought was put into its themes. I'll give it a solid 4.5 out of 5!
October 12, 2021
I was already invested in the characters in this book after reading the first book in this series (Strangers and Pilgrims) so I looked forward to seeing where things would end up for them after such a rough start for them all. I was rooting for them!
Hall does an excellent job with dialogue and threw in enough curveballs in the plot to keep me wanting to discover the outcomes of the events, but I didn't feel the depth of the individual characters' internal struggles that I felt in "Strangers and Pilgrims."
I was not disappointed--just not as hooked. I will still be looking into Hall's other works in the future though because I enjoy her stories.
*I am providing this honest feedback after reading a complimentary copy provided to me. It was understood that the complimentary copy of this book did not guarantee positive feedback.
Hall does an excellent job with dialogue and threw in enough curveballs in the plot to keep me wanting to discover the outcomes of the events, but I didn't feel the depth of the individual characters' internal struggles that I felt in "Strangers and Pilgrims."
I was not disappointed--just not as hooked. I will still be looking into Hall's other works in the future though because I enjoy her stories.
*I am providing this honest feedback after reading a complimentary copy provided to me. It was understood that the complimentary copy of this book did not guarantee positive feedback.
May 20, 2021
Another great read. I loved the characters and especially Sally's trust in God, her courage, and the fact that she knew even though she was saved, that she could still sin and needed God's help. I was touched by her gracious sense of forgiveness to others. Wonderful scripture inclusions throughout the story.
The storyline was definitely a page-turner for me. The suspense and the definite struggle within Owen as an unsaved person led by vengeance kept me engaged in the story. I couldn't wait to see how everything turned out. The ending didn't disappoint. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and choose to review it.
The storyline was definitely a page-turner for me. The suspense and the definite struggle within Owen as an unsaved person led by vengeance kept me engaged in the story. I couldn't wait to see how everything turned out. The ending didn't disappoint. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and choose to review it.
May 21, 2021
I wanted to read this book because I had enjoyed the first immensely. And I was not disappointed. This book was excellent. I couldn't put it down, the action just kept coming, it was unpredictable. The romance was clean and not overpowering the plot. Characters' actions made sense, and this story was Christian to the core.
I have always found Kristina Hall's work edifying and not something that merely claims to be Christian like some books. The passages where the characters talk about the Bible and Heaven always leave me encouraged and wanting to deepen my own walk with God. It was a pleasure to read this book.
I have always found Kristina Hall's work edifying and not something that merely claims to be Christian like some books. The passages where the characters talk about the Bible and Heaven always leave me encouraged and wanting to deepen my own walk with God. It was a pleasure to read this book.
May 28, 2021
To be completely honest, I expected this to be rather predictable. Good guy falls for bad guy's sister while seeking revenge on bad guy. So I was pleasantly surprised when there was quite a bit more to the story than that! The writing style was smooth and easy to read and drew me in over the course of the story. I could easily picture the scenes as they happened, especially the standoffs and showdowns along the way. I love being able to envision a good showdown. :) I enjoyed the way the romance was written, as a gentle, barely-there promise that added to the story instead of taking center stage.
I probably should have read the first book first, because I felt like all the characters descended on me at once without much description to help me keep them straight, but it got better as I went along. Sally definitely grew on me. I especially enjoyed her scenes with Doyle—he just may have been my favorite character. What a heart he had, even if it physically wasn't in the best of shape! I liked Owen, although I felt like I didn't see a lot of his personality aside from his much-repeated goal of killing the villain. I hope he and Sally took a good long time to get to know each other for real!
The gospel was clearly presented in this book, and characters honestly struggled to live out their faith. I could really identify with Sally's efforts to trust the Lord instead of worrying. A few scenes seemed a little unnatural, as if they existed only so the author could explain a biblical point, and while I understand the power of redemption and forgiveness, it did surprise me that Harry would so fully trust a man who had deceived and endangered his family. But the themes were good, and I did appreciate a Christian story that was not Christian in name only. Lots of action, which I enjoyed, and some truly nasty bad guys. Be prepared to stay up late for "just one more page"!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I probably should have read the first book first, because I felt like all the characters descended on me at once without much description to help me keep them straight, but it got better as I went along. Sally definitely grew on me. I especially enjoyed her scenes with Doyle—he just may have been my favorite character. What a heart he had, even if it physically wasn't in the best of shape! I liked Owen, although I felt like I didn't see a lot of his personality aside from his much-repeated goal of killing the villain. I hope he and Sally took a good long time to get to know each other for real!
The gospel was clearly presented in this book, and characters honestly struggled to live out their faith. I could really identify with Sally's efforts to trust the Lord instead of worrying. A few scenes seemed a little unnatural, as if they existed only so the author could explain a biblical point, and while I understand the power of redemption and forgiveness, it did surprise me that Harry would so fully trust a man who had deceived and endangered his family. But the themes were good, and I did appreciate a Christian story that was not Christian in name only. Lots of action, which I enjoyed, and some truly nasty bad guys. Be prepared to stay up late for "just one more page"!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 23, 2025
9/10
This year started with a bang by choosing this book first (literally).
Loved the protagonists (old & new) & other returning faces from the last book. Great story arcs & tons of charm.
This book is intense & was very hard for me to put down. (Which is great after having such a long reading slump at the end of 2023.) Even while working it was hard not to want to know what’s going to happen next.
Second-book syndrome certainly doesn’t exist here, as I loved it even more than Strangers & Pilgrims.
Great ending to a great series. I look forward to checking out the author’s other series this year!
This year started with a bang by choosing this book first (literally).
Loved the protagonists (old & new) & other returning faces from the last book. Great story arcs & tons of charm.
This book is intense & was very hard for me to put down. (Which is great after having such a long reading slump at the end of 2023.) Even while working it was hard not to want to know what’s going to happen next.
Second-book syndrome certainly doesn’t exist here, as I loved it even more than Strangers & Pilgrims.
Great ending to a great series. I look forward to checking out the author’s other series this year!
May 28, 2021
"Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Owen Lockart's mission is to kill Vic Guilford after he murdered his three brothers in cold blood and left Owen to die. He lies his way to work for Harry Reiner who is guardian of Vic's sister Sally. High-spirited Sally befriends Owen, trusts him and even comes to care for him. Until she learns his real motive.
Sally's growing faith is shaken when she remembers Owen's words. "Wasn't hard to get you to trust me. Wasn't hard to make you think of me as your friend. Wasn't hard to make you think I was a good Christian. Wasn't hard at all." Easy words for Owen to say. Hard for Sally to digest.
Good character development of Harry, Rose, Sally, Doyle and Owen. The family goes through some rough times with rustlers stealing cattle and threatening their livelihood. I appreciated their strong faith and fortitude. Sally is a bit of a smart mouth, but she loves her family and would do anything to protect them. Owen can't understand why Sally isn't like her brother. Until she tells him about Jesus.
Good clean Christian story. Learning to trust in the Lord, forgiveness and finding redemption.
I received an ecopy of this book from the author. The review is my honest opinion.
Owen Lockart's mission is to kill Vic Guilford after he murdered his three brothers in cold blood and left Owen to die. He lies his way to work for Harry Reiner who is guardian of Vic's sister Sally. High-spirited Sally befriends Owen, trusts him and even comes to care for him. Until she learns his real motive.
Sally's growing faith is shaken when she remembers Owen's words. "Wasn't hard to get you to trust me. Wasn't hard to make you think of me as your friend. Wasn't hard to make you think I was a good Christian. Wasn't hard at all." Easy words for Owen to say. Hard for Sally to digest.
Good character development of Harry, Rose, Sally, Doyle and Owen. The family goes through some rough times with rustlers stealing cattle and threatening their livelihood. I appreciated their strong faith and fortitude. Sally is a bit of a smart mouth, but she loves her family and would do anything to protect them. Owen can't understand why Sally isn't like her brother. Until she tells him about Jesus.
Good clean Christian story. Learning to trust in the Lord, forgiveness and finding redemption.
I received an ecopy of this book from the author. The review is my honest opinion.
December 14, 2021
First, I read these books too fast....lol...I just have to know what's gonna happen! Owen, ahh, his character is so well-rounded. I loved him. His arch, his everything that made him relatable! Sally was a great character too, I love her sense of humor and how she tries to cover what she's really feeling with laughter.
I loved seeing Harry, Rose, and Doyle again! I loved the line this story walked and the redemption arch and the action!
Wow! I really liked this one! My sisters are tired of hearing me ramble about how much trouble Owen is in or Harry or Sally....hahaha...But most of all I love how Kristina's stories present that perfect picture of God's love and forgiveness! It warms my heart! I every time I get to a scene where I know the character is going to make his important decision about trusting God I feel so happy inside because I know it's going to be delivered well!
~Kayti
I loved seeing Harry, Rose, and Doyle again! I loved the line this story walked and the redemption arch and the action!
Wow! I really liked this one! My sisters are tired of hearing me ramble about how much trouble Owen is in or Harry or Sally....hahaha...But most of all I love how Kristina's stories present that perfect picture of God's love and forgiveness! It warms my heart! I every time I get to a scene where I know the character is going to make his important decision about trusting God I feel so happy inside because I know it's going to be delivered well!
~Kayti
March 31, 2022
This book was so captivating! The plot was absolutely amazing! There was one plot twist right after another which definitely kept me guessing the entire time. The historical accuracy is applaudable. The dialog was amazing (and often funny too). While I did like Owen and Sally fairly well, I think I liked Harry, Rose, and Doyle even more so. (I seem to have a thing for side characters. Haha.) I also enjoyed the strong Christian theme of trusting in God.
My main problem with this book is that it promotes the “once saved, always saved” theory which I do not believe is Biblical. There were also some mentions of outhouses, gunshot wounds and blood (not detailed), and mentions of cussing (no actual cuss words used in the book). The romance was minimal, but there was still a little. There was some touching and hugging throughout the story, and hand holding in one scene.
Since this is book 2 in a series (and I haven’t read book 1 yet), I think there was some character background that I was missing. However, To the Uttermost can be read as a standalone.
Overall, the book was very enjoyable and suspenseful with a good lesson woven throughout. I recommend it for readers 13+ who enjoy historical Western stories. Also to anyone who likes a good, intense read.
3.5 Stars, but rounding up because of Goodreads star rating system.
If you would like to read my full review, you can find it on my blog…
To the Uttermost: Book Review
*I received an eBook copy of To the Uttermost in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts are my own.*
My main problem with this book is that it promotes the “once saved, always saved” theory which I do not believe is Biblical. There were also some mentions of outhouses, gunshot wounds and blood (not detailed), and mentions of cussing (no actual cuss words used in the book). The romance was minimal, but there was still a little. There was some touching and hugging throughout the story, and hand holding in one scene.
Since this is book 2 in a series (and I haven’t read book 1 yet), I think there was some character background that I was missing. However, To the Uttermost can be read as a standalone.
Overall, the book was very enjoyable and suspenseful with a good lesson woven throughout. I recommend it for readers 13+ who enjoy historical Western stories. Also to anyone who likes a good, intense read.
3.5 Stars, but rounding up because of Goodreads star rating system.
If you would like to read my full review, you can find it on my blog…
To the Uttermost: Book Review
*I received an eBook copy of To the Uttermost in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts are my own.*
June 16, 2021
To the Uttermost had a great storyline with lots of action.
The dialogue was fitting for the characters and the time period. The author did a great job on setting, including the lifestyle the characters would have had in reality for that time. Sally is a well-developed character who will grab your attention. One part Calamity Jane, one part Pippi Longstocking.
The dialogue was fitting for the characters and the time period. The author did a great job on setting, including the lifestyle the characters would have had in reality for that time. Sally is a well-developed character who will grab your attention. One part Calamity Jane, one part Pippi Longstocking.
November 13, 2021
Another great read in the A Better Country series. Even though this is book two in the series it can be read as a stand alone. It's full of action, danger and has a strong Christian message. If you are a fan of Christian Western's you don't want to miss this book. I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 12, 2024
I enjoyed the first book in this two book series earlier this year, and knew I had to read Sally's story soon! Well, it took a little longer than expected, but I finally did!
Wow, I thought the first book was good, but this one?! It's in whole different level. I found the time skip to be well done, the family lived peaceably on the ranch for around a decade by the start of this book, and throughout the story we get glimpses of their lives and what's changed in that time. It was a great way to connect the stories without having to have read both, keeping both independent enough to be fully readable whether together or separate, which I liked.
The themes of faith, family, and forgiveness in this one were still there, and I honestly think that they were even better portrayed and explored here! To truly appreciate the story, I do recommend reading them both and in order, because they are both well worth reading. But yes, this one offers a wonderful and touching conclusion to the duology that I loved! Definitely a new favorite and likely one of my top reads this year! (Possibly even my top read! So good!)
Wow, I thought the first book was good, but this one?! It's in whole different level. I found the time skip to be well done, the family lived peaceably on the ranch for around a decade by the start of this book, and throughout the story we get glimpses of their lives and what's changed in that time. It was a great way to connect the stories without having to have read both, keeping both independent enough to be fully readable whether together or separate, which I liked.
The themes of faith, family, and forgiveness in this one were still there, and I honestly think that they were even better portrayed and explored here! To truly appreciate the story, I do recommend reading them both and in order, because they are both well worth reading. But yes, this one offers a wonderful and touching conclusion to the duology that I loved! Definitely a new favorite and likely one of my top reads this year! (Possibly even my top read! So good!)
July 9, 2021
To The Uttermost is a gold old-fashioned western complete with good guys and strong women, rustlers and secret agendas. I enjoyed the story telling and the reflection of faith in the characters when it came to decision making especially at the end!
January 31, 2022
Victor Guilford killed Owen's brothers and left him for dead, and Owen will do whatever it takes to get vengeance on the man - even work with and pretend to make friends with his sister. Sally has become part of the Reiner family since her abandonment by her brother Vic, and she'll care for her adopted family to her last breath. When the Reiner family ranch is targeted by rustlers, both Owen and Sally must decide how much they're willing to put on the line to protect the family and the ranch - and when Victor returns, Owen must decide how much his vengeance is worth...
Having met Sally in book 1, it was great to see her get her own story - but their ranch seems to be in a most unsafe part of the country, because it's in trouble again! With messages about deceit, vengeance, and the need to look to God when things get tough, it's a story that made me think at times, which was good. At the same time, while I appreciated the inspirational content, it did feel a little heavy-handed or preachy at times, unusual for this author. However, the ending was satisfying, and there were some good twists along the way. Note that while characters are shared with the previous book, this can be read on its own. In regard to content, there is again some violence, but it's not graphic. All in all, not my favourite by the author but still a good, satisfying read.
Note that I received a review copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
Having met Sally in book 1, it was great to see her get her own story - but their ranch seems to be in a most unsafe part of the country, because it's in trouble again! With messages about deceit, vengeance, and the need to look to God when things get tough, it's a story that made me think at times, which was good. At the same time, while I appreciated the inspirational content, it did feel a little heavy-handed or preachy at times, unusual for this author. However, the ending was satisfying, and there were some good twists along the way. Note that while characters are shared with the previous book, this can be read on its own. In regard to content, there is again some violence, but it's not graphic. All in all, not my favourite by the author but still a good, satisfying read.
Note that I received a review copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
July 20, 2021
Although I haven’t read the first book in this series, To the Uttermost stands alone just fine. There were a few brief references to events in the first book, but I understood this second novel perfectly without knowledge of previous events in the series.
The author nailed the Western setting; I felt immersed in the frontier world she painted. (I would have liked a little more idea of where they were in the US, but that’s a small quibble.) The story went along at a nice clip, and I never felt bored. The dialogue was well-written and realistic, and the banter had me smiling at times. (However, I did think that some of Sally’s jokes were a little mean rather than funny, and some of the jokes seemed a little forced.) And the characters and thematic material were both very well done.
Owen’s character arc, especially, was gut-wrenching and hard to read but very well done. Themes of revenge, forgiveness, and the redeeming power of the Gospel were woven beautifully into the story, and I was pleased with how exemplary many of the Christian characters were. Although many books are marketed as “Christian fiction,” God is often an afterthought. Kristina Hall didn’t fall into this trap. The characters’ faith shaped every part of their lives, and although they were definitely flawed, they always sought Christ’s example. While on this earth, Christians definitely still commit moral failings after they’re saved. But if they truly want to follow Jesus, they try to reject sin and turn towards the Giver of all good things. These characters felt like real Christians to me, and their journeys were uplifting and encouraging to read about.
To be honest, I thought this book would be a typical Western romance, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was much more than that. (There was actually just a very tiny touch of sweet, perfectly appropriate romance.) Thematically rich with well-constructed scenes, characters, and plot, To the Uttermost is a well-written piece of Christian fiction.
I’m not the target audience for this novel; I don’t read a lot of typical Westerns or typical “Christian women’s fiction.” (That is, the kind you’d find while flipping through a Christianbook catalogue or perusing a Parable store.) But I did enjoy To the Uttermost. The three stars is largely just the result of my personal preference, since I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would a novel in my usual genres. So, disclaimer: this is not my favorite genre, but it was a well-crafted, enjoyable Western novel. If you love Westerns and edifying Christian fiction, To the Uttermost is worth a read!
3.5 stars
Content: violence
*I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
The author nailed the Western setting; I felt immersed in the frontier world she painted. (I would have liked a little more idea of where they were in the US, but that’s a small quibble.) The story went along at a nice clip, and I never felt bored. The dialogue was well-written and realistic, and the banter had me smiling at times. (However, I did think that some of Sally’s jokes were a little mean rather than funny, and some of the jokes seemed a little forced.) And the characters and thematic material were both very well done.
Owen’s character arc, especially, was gut-wrenching and hard to read but very well done. Themes of revenge, forgiveness, and the redeeming power of the Gospel were woven beautifully into the story, and I was pleased with how exemplary many of the Christian characters were. Although many books are marketed as “Christian fiction,” God is often an afterthought. Kristina Hall didn’t fall into this trap. The characters’ faith shaped every part of their lives, and although they were definitely flawed, they always sought Christ’s example. While on this earth, Christians definitely still commit moral failings after they’re saved. But if they truly want to follow Jesus, they try to reject sin and turn towards the Giver of all good things. These characters felt like real Christians to me, and their journeys were uplifting and encouraging to read about.
To be honest, I thought this book would be a typical Western romance, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was much more than that. (There was actually just a very tiny touch of sweet, perfectly appropriate romance.) Thematically rich with well-constructed scenes, characters, and plot, To the Uttermost is a well-written piece of Christian fiction.
I’m not the target audience for this novel; I don’t read a lot of typical Westerns or typical “Christian women’s fiction.” (That is, the kind you’d find while flipping through a Christianbook catalogue or perusing a Parable store.) But I did enjoy To the Uttermost. The three stars is largely just the result of my personal preference, since I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would a novel in my usual genres. So, disclaimer: this is not my favorite genre, but it was a well-crafted, enjoyable Western novel. If you love Westerns and edifying Christian fiction, To the Uttermost is worth a read!
3.5 stars
Content: violence
*I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
July 23, 2021
This book is very good. I love the strong gospel message in this book that is missing from so many Christian books these days but not so with this one. However, I didn’t feel like I was being preached at, it was just a natural part of the story.
This book also has a great message of forgiveness that takes some longer to get ahold of then others.
Sally reminded me of Annie Oakley with her read heart and her spunky personality 🙂
If you like historical fiction with a touch of romance and a western flare you will like this read.
A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.
This book also has a great message of forgiveness that takes some longer to get ahold of then others.
Sally reminded me of Annie Oakley with her read heart and her spunky personality 🙂
If you like historical fiction with a touch of romance and a western flare you will like this read.
A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.
June 14, 2021
Earlier this year, I read Strangers and Pilgrims, the first book this series, and I enjoyed it so much. To the Uttermost was somehow just as good, or even better!
First of all, the characters. I love Sally so much. She was great in the first book, and in this one, she's come into her own. She cracked me up so much - she's not big on mincing her words. At all. Owen had some problems (revenge issues), but I thought he was well-done in his quest for vengeance. When someone is that caught up in revenge, that's basically all the person is going to think about. But I loved seeing Sally tease some laughs out of poor Owen - the guy needed some humor in his life after all he'd gone through! After reading what he and his brothers had suffered at Vic's hands, I could sympathize with his feelings (but definitely not his actions). Even in all of his deceit, I couldn't be too frustrated with him - plus I knew he'd come around eventually. (Right, Owen?)
And I can't refrain from talking about all of the side characters - Rose, Harry, Doyle, and all of the kids. Doyle is just the best, and his and Sally's relationship was really sweet. I always enjoy seeing people from earlier books in the series show up again, and it was fun to see Rose and Harry older and as parents. And yes, I am purposely omitting Vic, because he was nasty. No one likes him.
And the plot. This was intense. Owen's deceit, Vic's ruthlessness, and Sally's stubbornness all come together explosively. There's plenty of action in this book - you will not get bored! And let's just say, Vic has a twisted mind, but having Sally's brother as the villain set up a whole new level of interesting relationships.
I can't finish this review without talking about the moral. Owen's quest for revenge failed so many times, and when he finally realized that he'd become just like his mortal enemy in his search for vengeance ... wow, that was powerful. Forgiveness was also an important part of this book, shown through the Reiner family's acceptance of Owen even after all that he had done to them. And Sally's struggles with worrying and trust were very relatable - and I loved how she dealt with it in such a straight-forward manner. The Gospel was clearly presented throughout the book, which, of course, is the greatest gift of forgiveness anyone could be offered.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading To the Uttermost, and I'm sad I won't get to see any more of Sally. Anyone who likes Westerns will heartily enjoy this fast-paced book!
First of all, the characters. I love Sally so much. She was great in the first book, and in this one, she's come into her own. She cracked me up so much - she's not big on mincing her words. At all. Owen had some problems (revenge issues), but I thought he was well-done in his quest for vengeance. When someone is that caught up in revenge, that's basically all the person is going to think about. But I loved seeing Sally tease some laughs out of poor Owen - the guy needed some humor in his life after all he'd gone through! After reading what he and his brothers had suffered at Vic's hands, I could sympathize with his feelings (but definitely not his actions). Even in all of his deceit, I couldn't be too frustrated with him - plus I knew he'd come around eventually. (Right, Owen?)
And I can't refrain from talking about all of the side characters - Rose, Harry, Doyle, and all of the kids. Doyle is just the best, and his and Sally's relationship was really sweet. I always enjoy seeing people from earlier books in the series show up again, and it was fun to see Rose and Harry older and as parents. And yes, I am purposely omitting Vic, because he was nasty. No one likes him.
And the plot. This was intense. Owen's deceit, Vic's ruthlessness, and Sally's stubbornness all come together explosively. There's plenty of action in this book - you will not get bored! And let's just say, Vic has a twisted mind, but having Sally's brother as the villain set up a whole new level of interesting relationships.
I can't finish this review without talking about the moral. Owen's quest for revenge failed so many times, and when he finally realized that he'd become just like his mortal enemy in his search for vengeance ... wow, that was powerful. Forgiveness was also an important part of this book, shown through the Reiner family's acceptance of Owen even after all that he had done to them. And Sally's struggles with worrying and trust were very relatable - and I loved how she dealt with it in such a straight-forward manner. The Gospel was clearly presented throughout the book, which, of course, is the greatest gift of forgiveness anyone could be offered.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading To the Uttermost, and I'm sad I won't get to see any more of Sally. Anyone who likes Westerns will heartily enjoy this fast-paced book!
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