Book Review of 'A Time of Proving' by Alena Mentink

Happy St. Patrick's Day Bookworms! ☘️

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Our household is still fighting the crud so it was a low-key weekend full of rest and relaxation, which I am very thankful for. My heart goes out to all of those that are dealing with the devastaion from the insane storms and fires that attacked the US this weekend and my prayers are with all of you that were affected.

I am so excited to be sharing my thoughts about yet another author that is new to me but one that I have quickly fallen in love with. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Christian Historical Fiction and don't forget to wear green so you don't get pinched!

Welcome to the Reviewer Tour for A Time of Proving by Alena Mentink, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Time of Proving
Series: Home to Osceola #2
Author: Alena Mentink
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Genre: Historical Christian Romance

She lost her family to tragedy. He lost his when he ran away. What will second chances cost them?

Miriam Locklin thought she could keep her family together, just as her deceased parents would have wished. But when she is banished to a small Midwestern town to live with an uncle she’s never met, she realizes the fight for her family may be harder than she ever imagined. And she has no one in the little town of Osceola to fight for her.

Determined to clear his name, Jase Hoffman returns to his hometown of Osceola to prove he’s not the villain everyone believes him to be. Facing the people he left behind is no easy task. When he unexpectedly meets Miriam—for the second time—he can’t help but be drawn to her. But his broken relationships prove he’s no good at family.

As their feelings for each other grow stronger, one man could destroy everything Jase and Miriam hold dear. Yet love is only true if it’s been tested…and the hardest test is yet to come.

A Time of Proving can be read as a standalone or as a continuation of the Home to Osceola series. Faith and danger mix on the Nebraska prairie, and characters discover the value of family ties and love. Fans of Lauraine Snelling and Tracie Peterson are sure to enjoy.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

There is something sweet and endearing that quickly brought me into this world and tethered me to this family. The Locklins have been through so much already when the story begins that your heart can’t help but go out to the orphaned children and their dire plight.

There is an air of mystery that surrounds not only Jase’s past but also who is trying to sabotage him when he returns home. It is this intriguing premise that made this novel almost impossible for me to put down.

I am surprised with how much I fell in love with this story. While it’s not a unique tale by any means, there is something that glimmers from this narrative that is quite enticing. The author does a masterful job of painting the most beautiful picture with her words.

The ending was seriously one of the sweetest moments. I am so glad that justice was served, the truth prevailed, and love conquered all. This has to be one of my favorite reads this month and I hope I have the opportunity to read more from this author in the future.

My Rating: ★★★★★

About the Author

Alena Mentink is a Nebraska author who enjoys mixing history with fictional characters to create a story for God’s glory. The Midwest claims the number one spot as her favorite setting for her stories where her characters manage to find plenty of trouble to keep them occupied. When she isn’t busy writing, Alena can usually be found somewhere around her family’s farm where she lives with her parents and eight siblings.

Connect with Alena by visiting alenamentink.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.