Jenny Martin arrives in town with only one goal, find her sister Jessica's young daughter and take her back east. Jessica is dead, and on her deathbed she left her baby to Doctor Grant Andrews. Grant has adopted Rebecca and loves her as if she really were his own. Jenny's upbringing was cold and emotionally strict. However, she is sure her parents will welcome Jessica's child into their home.

Aubrey Turner arrived on the same train,and tries to pass himself off as a friend of Jenny's and her protector. She doesn't know him and is suspicious of his motives. He shows up wherever she goes, pretending to be someone she should know, and she begins to feel he is stalking her. Jenny and Grant struggle to arrive at a decision concerning Rebecca, and as rumors fly around town, it becomes obvious someone is out to cause trouble. DiAnn Mills has written another intriguing western romance with a plot that will keep the reader guessing. If you liked her Leather and Lace, you'll want to read Lanterns and Lace.

In 1895 in Cleveland Jenny Martin learns that her fallen dove sister Jessica passed away leaving behind a two years old daughter, Rebecca. She travels to Kahlerville, Texas to bring her niece home with her. The trek on the Union Pacific is stifling and difficult with Jenny obtaining no sleep and little to eat. In the small Texas train station, Jenny faints; hitting her head as she is ill. Fellow passenger Aubrey Turner who knows all about her and her sibling sends for Dr. Grant Andrews who arrives to help Jenny.

Jenny soon learns that Grant has adopted Rebecca and with the help of his housekeeper Mimi is raising the child with love. Ready to contest custody, Jenny realizes that her niece is contented living with Grant and Mimi. Still though she reluctantly accepts that Rebecca needs to remain with Grant, she still wants to be there as a loving aunt; besides which she likes the town and its residents. As Jenny and Grant begin to fall in love, their differences over the role of God in their lives keeps them apart; whereas he has found the Lord, she was raised to believe solely in science. Meanwhile Aubrey insists he and Jessica were an entry and that she died hiding a treasure of his that he demands Jenny find or else people she cares about will die.

This superb western romance is a terrific inspirational tale that interweaves its message of have faith in the Lord whether things are going good or bad into the exciting plot so that sub-genre fans first and foremost obtain a strong late nineteenth century Texas tale. Jenny and Grant debate faith vs. Darwinism until she eventually finds religion in the "foxhole". Readers will enjoy this action-packed story line, which brings to life this bygone "Wild West" era.

Harriet Klausner

Lanterns and Lace is another enthralling tale from gifted author DiAnn Mills. Second in her Texas Legacy series, this story keeps the reader guessing with all its suspenseful twists and turns. As with all of Mills's books, Lanterns and Lace moves beyond its historical setting to speak to today's readers with timeless themes of faith, honor, and redemption. DiAnn Mills never fails to deliver a compelling story. Once again, she has raised a lantern to light our way to adventure.

Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (9/06)

Jenny Stevens leaves home and travels by train to Kahlerville, Texas. Her headstrong sister Jessica is dead. Jenny intends to find the two-year-old daughter Jessica left behind and take her home to her grandparents in Cleveland.

Aubrey Turner, Jessica's former love interest, interrupts Jenny's plans. He assumes a familiarity that makes Jenny uncomfortable and feeling unsafe. He intentionally gives the townspeople of Kahlerville the wrong impression about their interactions. Also, Jenny becomes ill, which hinders her efforts to locate her niece. However, Doctor Grant Andrews tends to her. Jenny learns that her niece is Grant's adopted daughter. How fortunate! However, Grant shows no intention of letting Jenny take Rebecca back to her affluent, but godless family.

Jenny settles for getting to know Rebecca under Grant's watchful supervision. Feisty Jenny resents some of his edicts and the two clash often regarding what is best for the charming little girl. However, the two adults develop an uneasy friendship. Soon Jenny realizes that Grant has more to offer Rebecca than she and her parents can. Her family doesn't attend church or read the Bible, but she begins to seek God in her life. Her friendship with Grant develops into deeper feelings on her part. He clearly loves his daughter and she begins to contemplate leaving Rebecca with Grant.

Aubrey Turner's claim to know her baffles Jenny and misleads Grant for a time. But they soon suspect Aubrey is up to no good. He may be involved in some aspect of Jessica's unsavory past. His pursuit of Jenny's affections turns more insistent and sinister. Grant worries that Jenny and Rebecca may not be safe while Aubrey is near. As the stakes climb higher with a shooting and a robbery with a suspicious death, Jenny contemplates going home before any more turmoil arises from her misguided original plan.

"Lanterns and Lace" is the second in author Diann Mills Texas Legacy Series about the Andrews family. Readers can enjoy the growing attraction between Grant and Jenny while they ponder Aubrey Turner's intentions. The two protagonists and supporting cast are well-developed characters. Aubrey is an intriguing and unpredictable devious villain. I enjoy a book that keeps me guessing and I had a hard time determining what Turner would do next. Mills cleverly interweaves romance with deadly suspense.