Journey to Riverbend

Debut author McLaughlin writes a great opening line: "The crowd was small for a hanging." No writer can keep up that kind of tension for 400 pages, but McLaughlin offers a refreshing male take on a faith-based romance western. After young Ben Carstairs is strung up despite his protestations of innocence, preacher Michael Archer sets out to find Ben's dad, Sam. The two were estranged, and it was a last wish of Ben's for reconciliation. Unfortunately, Sam is a mean and very successful businessman who's made enough enemies that someone strikes back, kidnapping him. A second complication of Archer's mission to Sam is Rachel Stone, who, like the preacher, has a past. Attracted to her, yet conflicted, Archer joins a posse to rescue the businessman. The plot is action filled, considering how much of it consists of the posse on its long ride. Many of the supporting characters are well-done. McLaughlin earned the Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel award he won for this; he's one to watch. (Feb.)