The Heart of an Agent by Tracey J. Lyons

MY REVIEW:

“The Heart of an Agent” is one of those books that makes one wish for a kinder, gentler world than the one we now live in. Of course if you actually think about it, the world probably wasn’t quite as kind and gentle as it seemed or there would have been no need for the Pinkertons. Nevertheless, Tracey J. Lyons paints a gorgeous picture of life at a Great Camp in the Adirondacks during the late 1800s that made me wish I could visit.

Although the series is entitled The Adirondack Pinkertons, this particular novel does not involve an actual case but features Lily Handland, a former Pinkerton agent who hopes to settle in one place and make a new and safer life for herself. Opportunities for a different job are either scarce or do not suit Lily’s skills but when she learns that the camp owned by grieving widower Owen Murphy needs someone to help get it back in operation, Lily quickly decides it is the job for her. Of course it might take some work to convince Owen of that fact.

I loved every minute of this heart-warming story about the determined and spunky former agent and the resistant and stubborn Owen. It was also fun to read more about Elsie and William as well as John. It is a beautiful tale of changed lives and renewed hope that is of course peppered with a few secrets, misunderstandings, and roadblocks to happy-ever-after. A subtle theme of faith is woven throughout the story.

“The Heart of an Agent” was the perfect follow-up to “A Changed Agent”. I eagerly look forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. (I also purchased a digital copy.) A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

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Tracey J. Lyons, the author of A Changed Agent, returns to the Adirondack Mountains of the 1890s in a novel of love, faith, and secrets…

Former Pinkerton spy Lily Handland has always dreamed of a quiet, safe life, free from chasing criminals and putting herself at risk. So when the opportunity to invest in a failing Great Camp in the Adirondacks comes to her attention, she quickly jumps at the chance.

Filled with grief, widower Owen Murphy wants to run away from it all. Though he’s worked hard to forge a future for himself, his guilt has kept him mired in the past. But all that changes when a headstrong, mysterious woman shows up at Owen’s door. Together, as Lily and Owen restore the beauty of the Great Camp, he begins to finally see a future. But will learning about Lily’s past destroy it all?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An Amazon Top Ten bestselling historical romance author of the Adirondack Pinkertons and the Women of Surprise series, Tracey was a 2017 National Excellence Romance Fiction Award finalist. She sold her first book on 9/9/99! Her books have been translated into several languages and are available in print, digital and audio formats. A true upstate New Yorker, Tracey believes you should write what you know. Her historical romances are all set in the New York State area. Tracey considers herself a small town gal who writes small town romances. You can learn more about Tracey and her books by visiting her website at www.traceylyons.com.

GUEST POST FROM TRACEY LYONS:

My family and I spent a lot of time in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. When I came up with the idea for the Pinkerton series, I knew the books had to be set in a place that I loved. The Heart of An Agent, book 2 in The Adirondack Pinkertons series takes place at an Adirondack great camp. Imagine a time when people would travel from faraway places to hike the many trails or lounge on a porch in one of the famed Adirondack chairs. These intricate, grand structures, built during the latter part of the nineteenth century are part of the unique landscape and history that makes up the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. I enjoyed creating the fictional Murphy camp, the setting for Lily Handland and Owen Murphy’s story.