MY REVIEW:

The Element of Love is the first novel in Mary Connealy’s latest series, The Lumber Baron’s Daughters. The series features three sisters who have left their home at their mother’s urging to find husbands in order to protect their late father’s estate from a cruel and greedy stepfather.

The story begins with an action-filled, unique escape that is both exhilarating and humorous. No one but the imaginative Connealy would conceive such a plan. From there the sisters move on with their plan and end up traveling with a band of missionaries. Despite their obviously advanced skills in certain areas, the sisters are woefully inexperienced with the basic homemaking abilities usually common in women which of course leads to a few chuckles.

I always enjoy books by this author and The Element of Love was no exception. It was a fun story yet had more than enough danger and tense moments to keep in interesting. Although Laura was the featured sister, her two siblings played a major role also. Her relationship with pastor Caleb was tangled as each held their own secrets close.

Each character was well developed and I enjoyed watching their interactions. I loved how their dependence on the Lord influenced their actions and consequently influenced others around them. It was fun trying to guess which of the men the sisters encountered might be the love interests of the other two sisters.

As always I recommend The Element of Love as well as all other books by Mary Connealy. If you haven’t read any of her books, try this one and get in at the beginning of a series. I guarantee you won’t be sorry.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

She mixed danger, desperation, and deception together. Love was not the expected outcome.

With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother’s unfortunate choice in husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away–far and fast–to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father’s lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.

During their escape, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California. She quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission’s parson, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb’s past and in the land around them come to light, it’ll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

Read an excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com) writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than half a million books. She is the author of the popular series Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

MY REVIEW:

One thing I always enjoy is a good historical western romance novel. Kari Trumbo has provided just that in her latest novel To A Brighter Tomorrow. With its classic western trope with feuding sheep and cattle ranchers and a disputed tract of land, the story features the Johlman family and their rivals the Douglas family.

Younger son Gideon is a hard worker who is content following his father’s instructions but he has fallen head over heels for Josie, a half breed young woman his father would never accept as part of the family. They continue to meet secretly until their secret is discovered. Mischief is afoot with mysterious events that pit the two families against each other but Josie and her brother discover a sinister plot that no one would have suspected.

To A Brighter Tomorrow begins slowly but quickly works up to plenty of action, danger, romance, and faith. The author presented Josie’s situation with sympathy and I cheered for her as she bravely stood up for truth and justice despite her ill treatment. The dynamics within the Johlman family were believable and it was gratifying to watch certain attitudes change as the story progressed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

What’s a woman to do when she isn’t accepted?
Anywhere . . .

By the age of sixteen, Josephine Littlebear determined she was better off on her own. Her father’s hatred of her heritage sent her, alone and independent, to the cow town of Belle Fourche, SD. For years she worked hard and kept to herself, but that changed when she saved a man, and his sheep, from a chance encounter with a bear. Now she’s faced with having something she’s never had before: a friend.

Gideon has always done what his father asked of him.
Until now . . .

Being the second brother, Gideon’s life has always been planned out for him. He was destined to marry someone who could help their sheep ranch and build a family legacy. But when he’s trapped by a hungry bear and a woman he’s never seen before rescues him, sparks fly. Trouble is, his father will never accept a half-Indian bride.

The Johlman ranch is under attack, and no one seems to know by whom. Their faith is tested when proven friends turn to enemies. When Gideon’s older sister makes a surprising choice that could cost the family everything, he must choose which is more important—the family that’s given him everything, or the love of his life.

Order a copy HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Where western meets happily ever after.

Kari is a USA Today bestselling author who writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.

Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.