Named by Love: A Historical Western Romance

by Journey Jackson

She’s an orphan desperate for a home. He’s a deputy stuck in his father’s shadow. If their pasts don’t keep them apart, the vilest outlaw for a thousand miles sure might. The nuns at Milwaukee’s Home for Unwanted Girls never gave Jasmine a last name. She was just Jasmine X. X as in unknown. Abandoned. A nobody. So when she high-tails it westward, she’s looking for everything she never had. What she finds is a lovely little frontier town and a lawman with daddy issues of his own. Clear Water may steal Jasmine’s heart, but one resident in particular might break it. Owen’s father is the top sheriff west of the Mississippi. If he’s going to live up to his Old Man’s expectations, he’ll need more than a rifle and a tin star. Capturing the bandit Johnson Boone might be just the thing to make his father proud. But when a vendetta puts the sheriff on death’s doorstep, Owen’s work becomes a quest for justice—and a way to show Jasmine what he’s made of… if it doesn’t kill him. She’s looking for a home. He’s hunting for justice. Crossing paths might throw them both off course. Can they make a name for themselves in Clear Water, or will the weight of loss overwhelm them both? Named by Love is a clean, sweet romance. It is a standalone book, though it’s part of the larger Clear Water Crossroads series, which may best be enjoyed in the following Named by Love Redeemed unto Freedom Pursued in Hope

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2019

Reviews

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Promising Premise that Fails to Deliver

This book had a fascinating premise about an orphan woman traveling from the Midwest to Montana in the hopes of starting a new life. She was left on church steps at the age of 3 months, and no last name was given for her. So, she was just always known as Jasmine X.

This book is meant to be a romance, but the greater story and the romance fell completely flat for me. As Jasmine pondered her life while approaching Clear Water, Montana, I found her backstory and dreams fascinating. Unfortunately, that was about as interesting as the story got. When she started meeting and interacting with people, it did not seem true to life. The characters were two dimensional. The romance itself, such as it was, didn't have much to it. There was some discussion of their mutual attraction, but their scenes together lacked any spark.

The plot itself doesn't seem to hinge on the romance; the love story almost seems to be a secondary thought. The only emotion in the book seems to revolve around the hero, Owen, and what he does first as a deputy and then interim sheriff. We don't see much romance in all honesty, and we certainly don't see any sort of building regard, increasingly engaged emotions, or true understanding being built. Jasmine doesn't seem to function in this as anything more than the female love interest. Apparently, she already reached her goal of finding a new place to start, so she doesn't really seem to have any goals or motivations that actually drive her for the rest of the story.

I found the ending of the book totally unsatisfying. Basically, after the big final showdown for the interim sheriff, our hero, proposes and is accepted and--boom--the story ends. As fast as that.

The book had some of the common issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage. Other issues included wrong words being used, even character names.

The titles promise, Named by Love, had a lot of potential. The idea of a girl finding a family and her name is a beautiful one. but unfortunately, this book did not deliver on that promise.

I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MIPat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I anticipated reading Named by Love because I really like the concept of the story: an orphan without a last name who finds a place to belong and love with a young man who finds his way out of the shadow of his father's fame. Unfortunately, I just could not connect with the main characters or the novella. Jasmine did not develop into a believable heroine and was a secondary character for a good deal of the story. Owen and his internal struggle to find his own identity apart from being his father's son occupied the majority of the story, which was not what I expected. There is an air of unreality in the story - it reminded me of the literature I had to read in college: I recognize the words but they do not come together to form an enjoyable whole.

There are the usual typos and misspelled words. I am surprised at the number of grammar errors and inappropriate usage of words. I found the errors annoying and even reread the novella to get an accurate sense of the story itself.

Ms. Jackson gets three stars for a really interesting story concept. I wish the story line and main characters had been better developed so the story had reached its potential.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new Author for me a well written short story that held my interest throughout. Jasmine X was raised in the Milwaukee’s Home for Unwanted Girls she decides to go to Clear Water where she meets sheriff Owen Jackson. Owen's father has been hurt by outlaw Johnson Boone Owen decides to go after him with a posse. Their love will have to wait. I enjoyed reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasmine left the orphanage at eighteen with x as her last name. Moving to Clear Water, Montana to start to make a life for herself she meets the sheriff and his deputy. Forrester and Jasmine's meeting was not without some problems, but that sets the story on it romantic way. This quick read was a pleasure to read simple, straightforward with down-home characters. Looking for a clean and good book to read well I suggest you pick this one up. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Denise Lauron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this sweet romance. As usual, for most romance books, we know how it'll end, but the journey to the end is fun and interesting.

It was a quick, enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more of the author's books.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Named by love

This author's descriptive writing brought this story alive for me! An orphaned eighteen year old woman and a motherless man who is the sheriff meet and fall in love. Excellent read.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

This is the first book I have read from this author and I can say it wont be the last! Loved this book "named by love" Journey Jackson kept it sweet and clean with just enough thrill to keep you reading!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice set novella.
It was a short enjoyable time of reading.