Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings

About the Book
Louisa Bell never wanted to be a dance-hall singer, but dire circumstances force her hand. With a little help from her brother in the cavalry, she's able to make ends meet, but lately he's run afoul of his commanding officer, so she undertakes a visit to straighten him out.
Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno. He can barely control his rowdy troops, much less his two adolescent daughters. If Daniel doesn't find someone respectable to guide his children, his mother-in-law insists she'll take them.

When Louisa arrives with some reading materials, she's mistaken for the governess who never appeared. Major Adams is skeptical. She bears little resemblance to his idea of a governess--they're not supposed to be so blamed pretty--but he's left without recourse. His mother-in-law must be satisfied, which leaves him turning a blind eye to his unconventional governess's methods. Louisa's never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough?

My Thoughts
Regina Jennings has a talent for creating unusual circumstances for her characters that result in a bit of hilarity and create a unique backdrop for the romance. This book was no different and had many amusing moments as well as a sweet love story.
Louisa definitely didn't have it easy growing up but she's doing the best she can. I admired the way  she never shirked away from the hard work. When she was fired she immediately sought more work and when she was mistaken as a governess she worked tirelessly to learn what she needed to help teach the girls. She may have been one of the world's most unconventional governesses but she was exactly what Daniel and his girls didn't realize they needed.
Daniel was as by the book as they come but he also had a bit of an adventurous side, and a soft side where his daughters were concerned. He was also very astute and didn't let puzzles go unsolved for long.
On paper Louisa and Daniel may not have made sense but they complimented each other and made a well matched couple.
Caroline and Daisy, Daniel's daughters were entertaining and definitely added a fun element to the story. I also liked Louisa's brother Bradley and Daniel's second-in-command Jack, I'm hoping we get more of their stories in the coming books.
Overall this book was a wonderful book that had me reading non-stop and staying up till almost 1 AM to finish it!

Meet the Author
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of numerous novels, including For the Record, A Most Inconvenient Marriage, Sixty Acres and a Bride, and Caught in the Middle, and contributed a novella to A Match Made in Texas. She has won a National Readers' Choice Award and been a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.