by Crystal Caudill | Jul 11, 2023 | Book Reviews
The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice
by Clari Dees
Review:
Sometimes you just need a good ol’ Western to read. Clari Dees did not disappoint with The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice. The story was well-written, lively, engaging and never dull, surprising, and also contained a spiritual element that was light, yet solidly done.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tremain’s determination to capture and keep ahold of the slippery Emmalena. When he realized more was going on than a simple pick up a thief and haul her back, he was equally determined to protect her and root up the truth. His character arc was believable, respectable, and one I enjoyed watching him grow through.
Emmalena was probably my favorite character. She was a woman capable of taking care of herself, yet knew her limitations–even if she did push them on occasion. She might have been on the run, but she had a good heart and a good reason to stay hidden.
Watching these two as they fought against, with, and then for each other was a delight that I intend to repeat.
I definitely recommend this book to fans of Pinkerton stories, westerns, and historical suspense. This was my first book from Clari Dees, but I loved it and am already picking up my copy of the second book, Claiming the Bounty Hunter’s Heart.
Genre: Western
Plot:
He’s searching for justice. He just didn’t expect it to be her.
Pinkerton agent, Tremain Taggart, has dangerous criminals to investigate and apprehend. He doesn’t have time to escort a petty thief to Denver, but the quicker he completes the assignment his superior ordered him on, the quicker he can return to more important cases. However, the straightforward task promptly turns into the most complicated, chaotic chase of his career, and if he ever gets his hands on the elusive Miss Justice, he will be sorely tempted to wring her neck.
All Emmalena wanted was a tiny corner of the world to call her own. But after running away from the circus—the only life she’s ever known—all she’s found is trouble. And now she’s on the run, again. This time with a disturbing Pinkerton hot on her trail. If she can’t outrun or outwit him, she might have to risk her heart and actually trust him.
She’s the assignment he didn’t want. He’s the complication she didn’t need. But together, they might be exactly what they were each searching for.
Author Website: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Clari%20Dees/author/B00BQ38Z4S
Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Dec 13, 2022 | Author Interviews
I discovered Clari Dee’s book The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice earlier this year and absolutely fell in love. . . to the point I stalked . . . errrr . . . searched out the author online and then emailed her. I’ve since had the privilege of meeting her at the ACFW conference in September, and am chomping at the bit in hopes of a second Pinkerton book’s arrival. (Hint, hint, Clari. 😉 ) But until then, I will have to satisfy myself with introducing you to Clari so you too might fall in love with her writing. Whether it’s historical western romances you seek or contemporary romances with a musician focus, she’s got it. Without further ado, here is Clari.
An avid reader by age seven, Clari loved to hang out at the public library, and the local bookstore staff knew her by name. Her favorite books ranged from Marguerite Henry’s horse stories, to Louis L’Amour’s westerns and Grace Livingston Hill’s romances. Her fascination with books and libraries continues, and she now works as a public librarian by day and a writer by night.
You can connect with her through:
Facebook | BookBub | GoodReads | Amazon
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Clari with rapid-fire.
CC: Milk or Dark Chocolate?
CD: Both. Because chocolate!
CC: Print or E-book?
CD: Both! I love the portability of an E-reader but I still love print books. And need more bookshelves.
CC: Cat or Dog Person?
CD: I’ve had both, but currently I have four cats and no dogs.
Morning Person or Night Owl?
CD: Both. So I am a perpetually sleep-deprived pigeon. Hee hee!
CC: Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?
CD: Summer! Definitely! Cold weather and short daylight makes my internal batteries run low. I need warmth and sunlight.
A “sleep-deprived pigeon”, LOL! Boy do I feel you on that one! Now let’s dive into the meat of the interview.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
CD: I don’t think I can pick just one. The chapter of Psalm 27 is a section of Scripture I have quoted to myself a lot this year. I love that the chapter starts with God’s promise to be my strength and ends with His promises to strengthen my heart.
That is a psalm I’ve often repeated to myself as well, especially during the early days of writing when I felt God had called me to an impossible task. For my readers, here is Psalm 27:
My Stronghold
Davidic.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life —
of whom should I be afraid?
2 When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh,
my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army deploys against me,
my heart is not afraid;
though a war breaks out against me,
still I am confident.
4 I have asked one thing from the Lord;
it is what I desire:
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
gazing on the beauty of the Lord
and seeking Him in His temple.
5 For He will conceal me in His shelter
in the day of adversity;
He will hide me under the cover of His tent;
He will set me high on a rock.
6 Then my head will be high
above my enemies around me;
I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy.
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Lord, hear my voice when I call;
be gracious to me and answer me.
8 My heart says this about You,
“You are to seek My face.”
Lord, I will seek Your face.
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
do not turn Your servant away in anger.
You have been my helper;
do not leave me or abandon me,
God of my salvation.
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord cares for me.
11 Because of my adversaries,
show me Your way, Lord,
and lead me on a level path.
12 Do not give me over to the will of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing violence.
13 I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and courageous.
Wait for the Lord.
What are you reading right now?
CD: Robert J. Morgan’s 100 Bible Verses That Made America and Karen Witemeyer’s In Honor’s Defense.
What do you like to do when you aren’t reading or writing?
CD: I like being outside, going for a walk or a horseback ride.
CC: I haven’t been horseback riding in forever. I’m not sure I’d even be able to get back up on a horse at this point. LOL
Now I’m really excited to talk about the story that introduced me to you, The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice.
He’s searching for justice. He just didn’t expect it to be her.
Pinkerton agent, Tremain Taggart, has dangerous criminals to investigate and apprehend. He doesn’t have time to escort a petty thief to Denver, but the quicker he completes the assignment his superior ordered him on, the quicker he can return to more important cases. However, the straightforward task promptly turns into the most complicated, chaotic chase of his career, and if he ever gets his hands on the elusive Miss Justice, he will be sorely tempted to wring her neck.
All Emmalena wanted was a tiny corner of the world to call her own. But after running away from the circus—the only life she’s ever known—all she’s found is trouble. And now she’s on the run, again. This time with a disturbing Pinkerton hot on her trail. If she can’t outrun or outwit him, she might have to risk her heart and actually trust him.
She’s the assignment he didn’t want. He’s the complication she didn’t need. But together, they might be exactly what they were each searching for.
Purchase your copy at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Bookshop.org | Indiebound
CC: What was some of your favorite research for The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice?
CD: Researching circus was a lot of fun, and I found that a large provider of horses, mules, and all sorts of circus animals once lived in Northern Missouri (the state I call home). It was said that children in that county didn’t have to run away from home to join the circus because the circus had run away to them.
CC: The circus culture really is intriguing, and a topic I’m dipping my toes in for some research myself.
Who was the most fun character to create?
CD: Emmalena. Pitting her circus-knowhow against Tremaine’s Pinkerton skills is hopefully as much fun for the reader as it was for me.
CC: I know I absolutely adored all of those moments. It’s definitely a reread for me.
How do you select the names of your characters?
CD: For my historicals, I like looking at old census records to see what names were in use during those decades I am sometimes surprised to find names that I would’ve guessed were more modern if they weren’t on an 1850 or 1880 census.
CC: That has surprised me in my research as well, and I’ve sort of shied away from using them because I’m afraid of reader kickback. As my final question, I have my usual “Fun Question”.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot?
CD: My writing buddies insist that this answer has to be cat. Because there is usually one in my lap and/or in the basket on top of my big roll-top desk and/or on the back of my easy chair watching the birds at my feeders and/or on the floor under my desk chair. This is a Sugar, Spice, Smoky, and Pickles approved answer.
CC: LOL, that is great! I just have one very annoying dog. Thank you so much for joining us. Readers, I highly recommend you pick up her story The Pinkerton’s Pursuit of Justice ASAP.
Reader, what stories have you read that feature circuses or Pinkertons?