When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children's home. He'll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm's way.
Calista doesn't need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can't let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark.
Interview with Calista York from
Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings
My name is Calista York, and I am looking for a job as a nurse, or an interior designer, or a florist. Or maybe the reason I’m here because I’m completing my last assignment for graduation. I’m from Kansas City, but I have family here in Joplin. Please don’t tell them that I’m here. My parents think I’m in finishing school. I’m not making any sense, am I? It’s better not to ask.
I have a retractable metal baton that I keep in my pocket. It’s the size of my lip balm, but with a flick of my finger it becomes a dangerous weapon. It’s the only protection Mr. Pinkerton allows me to carry.
Living a life that doesn’t matter. I want to help people, and I’ll face a lot of scary situations to do that.
Can I make a wish that is impossible? I’d wish that I could keep my job traveling the country, solving crime, but still be able to drop my disguise and be honest with people – especially a certain man.
My greatest strength is my daring. Once I’m convinced of what I should do, nothing is going to stand in my way. My greatest flaw, I’m so intent on my goals, that I fail to appreciate the people I meet along the way.
I hope they are encouraged to follow their calling wherever it leads them.
I see myself solving this case and being accepted as a permanent Pinkerton agent. After that, I have no idea, because I never know where my next assignment will take me. I haven’t really thought about leaving. I don’t want to think about it. There are a lot of things in Joplin that I’m growing to love, and leaving is going to be harder than I thought.
Historical romance author Regina Jennings is the winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award, and a finalist for the Christy Award, the Golden Quill, and the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com. |