First Chapter Review: Catherine's Pursuit by Lena Nelson Dooley

Historical romances are one of my favorite genres, so I was thrilled to receive the first chapter of this novel from the author.

BLURB:  When Angus McKenna was forced to give two of his daughters to families in the wagon train, he promised he'd never try to contact them. Catherine made no such pledge. But when she sets out to find her sisters, she doesn't go alone. Angus sends Collin with her. Will they discover the two women---and love?

COVER: This is a beautiful cover that captures the essence of the story well and encompasses the lives of both romantic leads, even if Collin isn't present on the cover. Nicely done.

FIRST CHAPTER: Catherine McKenna is disturbed to discover her father and aunt in a heated discussion. It is her eighteenth birthday, and plans for a huge party are unfolding. But the news that she has two sisters she has never known, throws her for a loop.

Earlier in the day, Angus invited Collin Elliot to Catherine's party. Having been left crippled and wracked with guilt over a shipwreck he sees as his fault, Collin has hidden himself away from the public eye. Angus decides it's high time he starts living again.

KEEP READING: This book has an unusual opening chapter, but I love it. Not always, but most times, the romantic leads are introduced to each other in Chapter One. This doesn't happen here, but Dooley sets up the way in which they are to meet, leaving the reader eager to move on to the next chapter to see how it turns out. I also like how the author introduced Catherine on a happy note, but quickly brought conflict into her life. Here's this wealthy girl without a care in the world about to celebrate an important birthday, and her father tosses her entire life into chaos. The reader is also given a tiny glimpse into Collin's conflict, but not a tremendous amount of time is spent with him; just enough to get you curious.

I would definitely like to read the rest of this one.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Realms (February 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1621360199
ISBN-13: 978-1621360193
This book is scheduled for release on February 5th.

I received this first chapter of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.