About the Book

Title: Sing in the Sunlight

Series: #2 Chaparral Hearts

Author: Kathleen Denly

Publisher: Wild Heart Books

Released: March 2021

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.

Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.

Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.

Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk? 

My Impressions

Wow! Sing in the Sunlight, by Kathleen Denly, was so much more than I expected! Set in California in 1857, Clarinda Humphrey feels like neither people nor God views her as loveable or acceptable following a horrible childhood event. Denly uses Clarinda’s character to show how God is faithful even in hard times. Richard is an amazing example of Christ’s love for His bride.
While I expected a sweet, clean historical western with a Christian worldview, I got so much more from this book. God brought this book to me just at the time He was dealing with a certain area of my life and I was really convicted about my wrong attitude, much like Clarinda’s.

I couldn’t believe how many sudden twists Ms. Denly wove into the story that threw me for a loop. How many times I thought, “I didn’t see THAT coming.” These unforeseen turns heightened my enjoyment of the book immensely. There was a lot of plausible, exciting action in this tale. Denly managed to include some pretty amazing historical facts in her love story.
On the strength of this book, I have pre-ordered Denly’s last book of the series, Harmony on the Horizon (Chaparral Hearts Book 3), which includes the story of Clarinda’s cousin.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am voluntarily leaving these thoughts, which are solely my own.

My Rating

Magnificent!

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting. 

Kathleen is the award-winning author of Chaparral Hearts, a three-book series of stand-alone novels set in nineteenth century Southern California (plus a prequel novella available exclusively to her newsletter subscribers).

Kathleen would love it if you visited her website at KathleenDenly.com.

You can also connect with her on social media: 

Instagram & Twitter @KathleenDenly
Facebook Author Page: KathleenDenly.author
FB Group: Armchair Adventure Krew

To see photos that inspired her novels, follow her on Pinterest.