Book Review – Strangers and Pilgrims

Howdy y’all! *lifts Stetson and grins*

Today I’ll be sharing a review of another one of Kristina’s books! How she pumps out so many so quickly I have no idea (share your powers please), but it’s great for all us readers! 😁

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Strangers and Pilgrims

Seven years can change a town …

Seven years ago, Harry Reiner left his parents’ ranch in Cantonsburg, Texas, to fight for the Confederacy. Now, he’s come home to a town filled with strangers—strangers who hate him for the side he took in the war. After a confrontation with two of the townspeople turns violent, Harry is left at the mercy of men who would rather see him dead.

Rose Kendrick knows the cost of standing against Edwin Burton, but she can’t leave a man to die in the street. Even if helping him will once again put her at odds with Burton.

As Harry and Rose struggle to belong in a land where they are strangers and pilgrims, they are pulled into a desperate battle against Burton. And Edwin Burton has never lost a fight.

Kristina 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. Subscribe to her newsletter: https://kristinahallauthor.ck.page

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My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. I love Westerns, and though this one wasn’t a “normal” Western, it still had some of those vibes.

There were some really great, and really awful, characters in this book. My favorite was definitely Sally. She was blunt and spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to say awkward but truthful things 😜 I loved her wit and her banter with Harry, and her loyalty to Rose. I also liked the hinting we got about her brother – maybe that’s book 2?

Harry and Rose were also both well-developed characters, with struggles and joys. Rose fought to overcome her past, to learn to trust again and to not fear. Harry fought to find a place in the world and grapple with a loss.

And I also really loved Doyle, such a loyal grandpa-like guy! His arc was so good.

Again, I really enjoyed Kristina’s writing style. It sucked me right in!

The plot was pretty faced paced and full of action. There was basically only one plot point in the book – Harry and Rose trying to escape from/get rid of Burton. But the book didn’t drag, though there were several confrontation scenes where I wondered if Burton would have stalled in real life but didn’t in the book so the story could last longer. I think some of my favorite scenes were between Harry, Rose and Sally and just them doing daily life. Because Sally is just awesome – I loved all her scenes.

Yes, there is a romance plot point. It wasn’t excessive though, and it was clean. Both characters sought God in their relationship. There’s one kiss.

There was a fair amount of violence. Beatings, shooting, fighting, some drinking. Mentions of pain and injuries and blood, but nothing too graphic.

As Rose, Harry, Doyle and Sally struggle, they learn that the reason they have such a hard time finding a place and feeling accepted is because this earth is not their home. (Hebrews 11:13 – These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.) There really is no place for us on this earth, because we belong somewhere else. They also learn that even though they are strangers, God has placed them where they are for a purpose.

While this particular message wasn’t particularly strong – it was mentioned in the middle but was more heavily touched on towards the end, different faith aspects were woven throughout the book. Each character has their own unique but powerful spiritual journey.

Overall this was an exciting book with a good message, and I enjoyed it!

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

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Keep planting and watering, the harvest will come!

-autumn

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