On the record....For The Record is a Fun and Fast Read

Finally! Betsy Huckabee's story is told in For The Record! I have been waiting somewhat impatiently to know more of this character's fate. After reading about Betsy in Ms. Jennings' Ozark Mountain Romance series (A Most Inconvenient Marriage and At Love's Bidding); I was particularly curious to find out what happened to her.

Betsy is at a crossroads in her life. She's been living with her uncle since she was 12 helping him raise his children and assisting him with his newspaper since the passing of his wife. Her uncle has since re-married and Betsy now age 24, feels it's time to assert her independence.

Native Texan, Deputy Joel Puckett feels like a fish-out-of-water when he's appointed by the governor to be the new deputy of Pine Gap. He receives a less-than-cordial reception from the Missouri residents and has an uphill battle trying to maintain law and order in the small town and gain the respect of the citizens.

The arrival of the easy- on-the-eyes deputy inspires Betsy to write a series of somewhat embellished stories about his heroics, building him up, and trying to make him seem irresistible to ladies  hoping a larger newspaper will snatch up her story, publish it and then she'll be able to pursue her dreams of living in the big city and ultimately freedom.  However, the more time that Betsy spends with Joel she begins to respect him and sees what her ambition could cost her. Her world of fiction and reality blur the lines.

For The Record had all the elements I gravitate towards as a reader: humor, mystery, and amusing wordplay between the hero and heroine. My favorite part of the book was the relationship between Betsy and Joel. I liked how Ms. Jennings built their relationship from initially not liking one another, then transitioning into a solid and respectful friendship and ending with romance.


While each author has their own individual flair for writing, For The Record reminded me of stories you might read from Christian fiction novelists Karen Witemeyer and Mary Connealy. (Two of my favorite writers!)

For The Record is Regina Jennings best book to date!

~~ For The Record was provided to me by Bethany House in return for my honest opinion. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, for which I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone ~~