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The Sierra Chronicles #1
Love's Rescue
In 1863, the War Between the States is dividing more than just a nation. To escape the conflict, Jessica Hale and her family flee their Kentucky homestead and head for the Nevada Territory. Her brother, Ambrose, committed to the Confederates, rejoins the Kentucky militia and is disowned by his father. But the worst is yet to come. When Unionists presume the family to be Confederate sympathizers, they set a devastating fire to their home. All alone and then "kidnapped" by cattleman Jake Bennett, Jessica is taken to a ranch deep in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. But, can Jessica overcome her resentment toward Jake for failing to save her family?
When Jake launches a plan to help Jessica's brother escape from prison camp, she sees him for the honest, good-hearted Christian man that he is and now knows the depth of his love for her. Through the lingering smoke and smoldering ashes from her ruined home and murdered family.
When Jake launches a plan to help Jessica's brother escape from prison camp, she sees him for the honest, good-hearted Christian man that he is and now knows the depth of his love for her. Through the lingering smoke and smoldering ashes from her ruined home and murdered family.
768 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Tammy Barley
14 books18 followersMy novels will carry you back in time to the far reaches of the American West, place you into the saddle of a running horse, and slip you into the cool water of a purling river on a sweltering summer night. I write that you may experience it all firsthand, the stories unfolding around you, woven throughout with bold, unforgettable men and plenty of romance. I write that you may live the adventure!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 13, 2009
Love's Rescue is a good title for this book. Jake rescues Jess because he knows she would be in danger when her house was set afire and her family all perished that were in the house. Jess kept trying to run away but Jake had his ranch hands on alert to not let her for her own safety. Also he understood the grief she was dealing with and knew it would take time for it to heal.
Jess loved her brother so much that when she found out he was imprisoned in a Union camp and still alive she plans to go rescue him. But by this time Jake has caught onto her ways and his men and him are ready to go help her. I got a chuckle out of the scene where she tries to sneak out of Motel and go alone and they are all waiting for her. But that is near end of story so you have to read the whole book before you realize how much the ranch hands had grown to love and care about Jess.
This book will grip you and draw you in from the very beginning and keep your interest all the way to the end. Indians, cowboys, soldiers and faith all in one. I loved the way the scriptures were used all through the book like in real life when a person is going through a difficulty. I went through a couple of rough periods and this book uplifted me and kept me uplifted to overcome them.
The book will show you the depths of true love people can have for one ano
Jess loved her brother so much that when she found out he was imprisoned in a Union camp and still alive she plans to go rescue him. But by this time Jake has caught onto her ways and his men and him are ready to go help her. I got a chuckle out of the scene where she tries to sneak out of Motel and go alone and they are all waiting for her. But that is near end of story so you have to read the whole book before you realize how much the ranch hands had grown to love and care about Jess.
This book will grip you and draw you in from the very beginning and keep your interest all the way to the end. Indians, cowboys, soldiers and faith all in one. I loved the way the scriptures were used all through the book like in real life when a person is going through a difficulty. I went through a couple of rough periods and this book uplifted me and kept me uplifted to overcome them.
The book will show you the depths of true love people can have for one ano
November 26, 2012
If I had a shelf for "heroine singlehandedly ruined the book", this would be on it. Naive and full of self-importance she definitely did not have.
DNF
DNF
September 27, 2025
This was an enjoyable read. Would reread and do own. However it gets four stars because I cannot find the second in the series and it makes me sad that I cannot.
April 11, 2010
It’s 1863. To escape the ravages of war, Jessica Hale’s family leaves their beloved home in Kentucky for a new life in the Nevada Territory.
Jessica’s brother, Ambrose, is determined to help defend their southern homestead. Against his father’s wishes, the young man joins ranks with the Kentucky militia and returns to the south. When Ambrose goes missing in the midst of the War Between the States, Jessica’s attempts to find him set off a chain of events that will change her life forever.
In the wake of a close encounter with political fanatics, Jessica loses everything that matters and then finds herself spirited away to a remote ranch in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. There, Jessica’s every effort to escape is thwarted by handsome rancher Jake Bennett and his loyal cattlemen.
Jake knows what it’s like to lose everything. He’s determined to protect Jessica through her time of loss. There are those who would harm the young woman for nothing more than being a Southerner, and Jake and his men have no intention of allowing that to happen. Still, how can he help Jessica’s wounded heart to heal when she so deeply resents him for what she perceives as his failure to save her family? He can’t make her see the truth, but he can protect her, and he can pray while her eyes are opened and her broken heart mends.
Tammy Barley’s action-packed debut novel is wonderfully rich in historical detail. It’s a tightly woven, riveting tale of love and loss, faith under fire, and wild hearts on the run. As the author unfolds this spellbinding story, a vivid picture of life in the Old West is revealed with stunning clarity and depth. Love’s Rescue provides everything a reader expects from this era: cowboys and Indians, damsels in distress, good guys and bad hombres, gunfights and moonlit nights. The last page leaves the reader longing for more of Jess and Jake. It’s an absolute must-read for the lover of historical romance.
A masterpiece of storytelling intricately woven with spiritual wisdom and insight, and threaded throughout with the good, the bad, and the ugly of love, life, and humanity.
Bravo, Ms. Barley!
Jessica’s brother, Ambrose, is determined to help defend their southern homestead. Against his father’s wishes, the young man joins ranks with the Kentucky militia and returns to the south. When Ambrose goes missing in the midst of the War Between the States, Jessica’s attempts to find him set off a chain of events that will change her life forever.
In the wake of a close encounter with political fanatics, Jessica loses everything that matters and then finds herself spirited away to a remote ranch in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. There, Jessica’s every effort to escape is thwarted by handsome rancher Jake Bennett and his loyal cattlemen.
Jake knows what it’s like to lose everything. He’s determined to protect Jessica through her time of loss. There are those who would harm the young woman for nothing more than being a Southerner, and Jake and his men have no intention of allowing that to happen. Still, how can he help Jessica’s wounded heart to heal when she so deeply resents him for what she perceives as his failure to save her family? He can’t make her see the truth, but he can protect her, and he can pray while her eyes are opened and her broken heart mends.
Tammy Barley’s action-packed debut novel is wonderfully rich in historical detail. It’s a tightly woven, riveting tale of love and loss, faith under fire, and wild hearts on the run. As the author unfolds this spellbinding story, a vivid picture of life in the Old West is revealed with stunning clarity and depth. Love’s Rescue provides everything a reader expects from this era: cowboys and Indians, damsels in distress, good guys and bad hombres, gunfights and moonlit nights. The last page leaves the reader longing for more of Jess and Jake. It’s an absolute must-read for the lover of historical romance.
A masterpiece of storytelling intricately woven with spiritual wisdom and insight, and threaded throughout with the good, the bad, and the ugly of love, life, and humanity.
Bravo, Ms. Barley!
March 23, 2010
Title: LOVE’S RESCUE
Author: Tammy Barley
Publisher: Whitaker House
July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60374-108-8
Genre: Inspirational/historical
In 1863 the War Between the States is just beginning, and it is dividing more than a nation. To escape the escalating conflict, Jessica Hale’s parents decide to flee their Kentucky home and head for the Nevada Territory. This is good news for the parents who make a fortune selling expensive goods to those who strike gold. But then Jessica’s brother, Ambrose, decides to head home to Kentucky and defend the family land—and joins the Kentucky militia, resulting in his being disowned.
When Jessica attempts to send a telegram to someone to get information about her brother, the family is presumed to be Confederate, and Unionists set a fire to her home, murdering her family. Jessica is rescued, but “kidnapped” by cattleman Jake Bennett and taken to a remote ranch.
Despite attempts to escape, Jessica is apprehended each time. Leaving Jessica wondering—what happened to Ambrose? Why did God allow her family to be killed, but spare her? And why is Jake Bennett so determined to keep her in the Nevada wilderness?
LOVE’S RESCUE is Ms. Barley’s debut novel, and the first book in her The Sierra Chronicles series. I enjoyed taking a new and different look at the Civil War era and how it affected people, even those assumedly far from the conflict.
Jessica is a realistically developed heroine who only wanted to keep her family together and keep in contact with her brother, but ended up losing almost everything dear to her as a result. A heartrending beginning, but the story does end up showing an important lesson about forgiveness. $6.99. 400 pages.
Author: Tammy Barley
Publisher: Whitaker House
July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60374-108-8
Genre: Inspirational/historical
In 1863 the War Between the States is just beginning, and it is dividing more than a nation. To escape the escalating conflict, Jessica Hale’s parents decide to flee their Kentucky home and head for the Nevada Territory. This is good news for the parents who make a fortune selling expensive goods to those who strike gold. But then Jessica’s brother, Ambrose, decides to head home to Kentucky and defend the family land—and joins the Kentucky militia, resulting in his being disowned.
When Jessica attempts to send a telegram to someone to get information about her brother, the family is presumed to be Confederate, and Unionists set a fire to her home, murdering her family. Jessica is rescued, but “kidnapped” by cattleman Jake Bennett and taken to a remote ranch.
Despite attempts to escape, Jessica is apprehended each time. Leaving Jessica wondering—what happened to Ambrose? Why did God allow her family to be killed, but spare her? And why is Jake Bennett so determined to keep her in the Nevada wilderness?
LOVE’S RESCUE is Ms. Barley’s debut novel, and the first book in her The Sierra Chronicles series. I enjoyed taking a new and different look at the Civil War era and how it affected people, even those assumedly far from the conflict.
Jessica is a realistically developed heroine who only wanted to keep her family together and keep in contact with her brother, but ended up losing almost everything dear to her as a result. A heartrending beginning, but the story does end up showing an important lesson about forgiveness. $6.99. 400 pages.
February 10, 2013
This series is set during the Civil War, but is told from a different perspective than other Civil War books. The story line is definitely affected by the Civil War, as Jessica is from the South and although they have moved to the West, her Southern accent sets many people against her and her family. Although her family does not believe in slavery, her brother Ambrose decides he needs to go an fight for their home they left behind in Kentucky. This almost destroys Jessica as Ambrose in so many ways is her rock ... her big brother whom she adores and his leaving causes so much hurt in her family that her father disowns him. Tragedy hits this family, and Jake a friend of her father's who owns a cattle ranch is in the right place at the right time.
There are so many ups and downs. The author has made Jessica a very strong-willed young woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. Jake is a man who is used to taking care of the people he cares about and where he definitely admires the strength he sees in Jessica this causes friction throughout their lives.
The book also has many characters that you can easily like and shows how love, compassion, and kindness can help anyone survive even the worst of situations.
There are so many ups and downs. The author has made Jessica a very strong-willed young woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. Jake is a man who is used to taking care of the people he cares about and where he definitely admires the strength he sees in Jessica this causes friction throughout their lives.
The book also has many characters that you can easily like and shows how love, compassion, and kindness can help anyone survive even the worst of situations.
January 4, 2013
The Hale family has built a profitable business in Colorado after leaving their ancestral home in Kentucky while the children, Ambrose and Jessica, were young. Now they are both grown up, and Ambrose leaves to return to fight for Kentucky in the Civil War. Branded as traitors by Northern extremists, Jessica's family is killed when they burn down her house. Jessica is spared and is taken to Jake Bennett's ranch where she can heal and stay out of danger, since everyone believes that she was also killed in the fire. Over time Jessica learns to love ranch life and love Jake, but her stubbornness and fear of losing cause her to keep her distance. The author really created a great cast of characters; I got a little tired of Jess always demanding her own way though. I was very pleased with the love story....true to life pure love & romance without unrealistic sex thrown in, and realistic Christian values that weren't preachy or gratuitous. Jake is almost too good to be true though...can't wait to start the sequel!
October 16, 2013
This is a great, well-written and clean novel about tragedy, adventure, relationships and romance. The time frame is during the Civil War. Jess's beloved brother and best friend is disowned by his father for turning away from their new western home and family business to defend their home and property in Kentucky by fighting for the Confederacy. Jess maintains close contact with him until suddenly the letters stop. In desperation she goes to the city to send a telegram when trouble breaks out. This is a time of great upheaval and intolerance of others yet good people existed and accepted others whose views and lifestyles were different. Jess was fortunate to find that type of environment during great tragedy. The plot was slightly dragged out and the ending was weak but the story was great and, again, well-written. I still give this book a review with a strong Four Stars Rating.
I downloaded this e-book on kindle for free and give an honest review.
October 22, 2009
I really enjoyed this one! All the ranch happenings were really fun to read about and didn’t get so detailed that you were bored. The way Tammy skipped long periods of time was very well written. Since this book takes place over a few years, she couldn’t include all the day-to-day occurrences; I think she wrote the book in a way that the gaps weren’t missed and it was still easy to follow the storyline. The civil war era is one of my favorites to read about, and this book didn’t disappoint. I loved the way Tammy wrote the cowhands! They are now some of my favorite characters. I especially loved how gentle and protective they were with Jess. It was too sweet! I’m now very anxious to read book two. ;) Congrats to Tammy Barley for this great read!
November 22, 2015
This book was a pleasant surprise. I picked it up never having heard of it or read by the author, Tammy Barley, but I found it to be an interesting, beautiful read that tugged at my heart.
Love's Rescue is the first book in The Sierra Chronicles series. It is set during the Civil War, and avidly describes the hatred between the battling countrymen and the despairing conditions of army prisons. Though the war is a big part in this story, it is centered on a bustling ranch that is tucked away from the bloody battles.
This novel combines heart-ach, and joys, irrational fear, and everlasting love. It tells a beautiful tale of letting go of fear and embracing God's peace and will.
Don't miss Jessica and Jake's bittersweet, tender story in Love's Rescue.
Love's Rescue is the first book in The Sierra Chronicles series. It is set during the Civil War, and avidly describes the hatred between the battling countrymen and the despairing conditions of army prisons. Though the war is a big part in this story, it is centered on a bustling ranch that is tucked away from the bloody battles.
This novel combines heart-ach, and joys, irrational fear, and everlasting love. It tells a beautiful tale of letting go of fear and embracing God's peace and will.
Don't miss Jessica and Jake's bittersweet, tender story in Love's Rescue.
November 10, 2012
Nice story, fun to read, good movement, good romantic tension. I felt like I was out on the ranch with the characters, even to the point I could feel the warm sun and the breeze.
Downsides was that the Christian characters spoke so Christianly to each other I think I got diabeetus -- Now, I love Jesus. Don't get me wrong. But if I had just lost my family and someone started quoting Romans 8 at me, no matter HOW hot he is, I'd punch that someone in the face. Also, the final few chapters seemed tacked on in an "oh, dang it, we forgot about her brother" sort of way. However, those final few chapters had me page-turning like crazy!
But I liked it :)
Downsides was that the Christian characters spoke so Christianly to each other I think I got diabeetus -- Now, I love Jesus. Don't get me wrong. But if I had just lost my family and someone started quoting Romans 8 at me, no matter HOW hot he is, I'd punch that someone in the face. Also, the final few chapters seemed tacked on in an "oh, dang it, we forgot about her brother" sort of way. However, those final few chapters had me page-turning like crazy!
But I liked it :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2012
Life is hard during the civil war. Jessica has her brother move back to the south to their family home. When she tries to send a telegram to him she gets tossed out of the office by an angry mob. Less than a week later her house is burned down and she looses her entire family. She gets rescued by a cattleman who takes her to his ranch. Little does she know he needs to be rescued too. Theirs is a love story like no other I have ever read. Jess is compelled to help free her brother who she thought was dead. Jake is the man who owns the ranch and has his own sorrows to overcome. They make a perfect pair.
October 23, 2012
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the baby sister died. Something about it just didn't seem realistic. I would walk though fire to make sure my baby got out of a burning house. And how did the servants get out and not the family??? Just the way the whole family in the fire and the baby dying really bugged me. But other than that it was a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2011
Makes me want to go live on a ranch! Oh, to have that many gentlemen (and gentlement in the truest sense of the word) all living in the same place.
A strong female lead - and her lesson to learn is to not lean so much on her own strength.
I hope there's more where this one came from.
A strong female lead - and her lesson to learn is to not lean so much on her own strength.
I hope there's more where this one came from.
July 16, 2012
I just ordered the other two in this series. A good beach book! I love a cheesy romance story any day! I loved the main characters grit and determination, and even her stubbornness. I hope the other two continue with Jess's story!
October 13, 2012
I absolutely loved it... made me smile, made me cry. I am definitely going to get the 2nd one in this series! If you enjoy Christian Historical fiction set in the American west, you will enjoy this one :)
February 16, 2013
I liked this story for the most part. It was set during the Civil War although the war was not a HUGE focus of the novel. There was a part that just seemed "off" and didn't really fit into the storyline, though.
February 18, 2013
Jessica and Jake are perfect! I love that she is strong, capabable and a little weak. Jake is so dashing and daring and both suffer great losses but they never loose faith in GOD! I love a good story with a strong message about the power of God and his infinite love for us.
August 25, 2014
Got this free on my Kindle and feel in love with this book. Took a while to read but love the detail it went into and the store line and how true loves wins. Of course it is a western but I love those books. Can't wait to read the second and third one!
February 15, 2016
366pgs, historical Christian,, To escape the Civil War, Jessica Hale heads to the Nevada Territory with her family, only to lose them in a fire set by Unionists. Can Jess forgive her "kidnapper," cattleman Jake Bennett, for failing to save them
October 30, 2009
Tammy was a crit partner and is a good editor!
Her story of life in the wild west durinng the Civil War was well researched and a pleasure to read.
Her story of life in the wild west durinng the Civil War was well researched and a pleasure to read.
May 23, 2010
The kind of book that makes it hard to wait for the next one in the series. Strong characters, strong faith, good read.
August 5, 2010
good book you'll love it if you have ever been to Biltmore
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September 8, 2010I LOVE this story, but that's probably because I wrote it, so I'm a little biased. =)
July 28, 2014
Book 1 of 3...
May 6, 2011
Great book, highly recommended!
July 9, 2012
Typical historical romance, but with some interesting twists to the plot.
October 4, 2012
Nice story. I'm not a huge fan of Cristian romance but this story carried me through.
October 7, 2012
enjoyed this but didn't think it was great, definitely not terrible just sometimes things seemed a little ...off, maybe?
October 25, 2012
This book is so beautiful. I finished it in two days and just bought the sequel! Barley's writing is as lilting as her characters are engaging!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews