Brides of Hope Mountain #1

When Strangers Intrude
on Three Wild Sisters' Hidden Mountain Life,
Their World Will Never Be the Same.

Published October 1st 2019 

by Bethany House Publishers

Josephine Nordegren is one of three sisters who grew up nearly wild in southwestern Colorado. She has the archery skills of Robin Hood and the curiosity of the Little Mermaid, fascinated by but locked away from the forbidden outside world--a world she's been raised to believe killed her parents. When David Warden, a rancher, brings in a herd much too close to the girls' secret home, her older sister is especially frightened, but Jo is too interested to stay away.

David's parents follow soon on his heels, escaping bandits at their ranch. But his father is wounded and needs shelter. Josephine and her sisters have the only cabin on the mountain. Do they risk stepping into the world to help those in need? Or do they remain separated but safe in the peaks of Hope Mountain?

Available for Purchase:

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My Thoughts:

Mary Connealy is one of my go-to authors, in other words one of my favorites, so when I found out she was writing a new series I could hardly wait for the release. 

This is the first book in her new series, Brides of Hope Mountain. 

This series centers around 3 sisters who grew up in the vast wilderness of southwestern Colorado widely known as Hope Mountain. As young children there parents went off the mountain, never returned and was assumed dead by their parents, so the raising of the children were left to the grandparents.  Essentially they were taught to live off the land and to never venture off the mountain because of the wickedness and disease that was in the outside world.  

This story vastly centers around the middle sibling, Josephine Nordegren.  Some might think she's wild because of her ability to slip through the forest without being noticed or maybe it was her cunning with a bow and arrow.  She also has a curiosity about how things work or live an likes to sit back and watch. 

Curiosity gets the best of Jo when a man, David Warden, brings a herd of cattle to the valley below their cabin.  David longs for a ranch of his own and if he has to move up the mountain to do it, then he will.  What he doesn't expect to to find a half wild, but beautiful woman and his parents arrival soon after his with his father sporting a deadly gunshot wound.  Now David knows he isn't alone of the mountain and needs to protect his family from the bandits his father fought off at his homestead and his cattle. 

This historical is an action packed adventure filled with innocence, humor, romance, mystery, and faith.  Jo reminded my of Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games.  She was a lovable character, deadly with an arrow, loves her family, but at the same time she isn't afraid to try new things.  David is like all people he wants something, land/ranch, to call is own.  He's not afraid of hard work or danger, but is intrigued/fascinated by Jo and her ability to live off the land completely.  He loves and respects his parents as is evident by the way he treats them. The plot for me was very thought provoking.  The thought of living away from civilization sounds very scary to me.  I guess with the sisters you don't miss something you haven't experienced and when suddenly invaded by the outside world would be scary.  

This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who loves history, romance or just a good clean read.  

*I received this book from the author via the publisher as part of the book blogging team.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Connect with Mary Connealy:

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Let me give you a sneak peek at the next book in this series:

He's Seen the Entire Country.

She's Never Been Off Her Mountain Home.

When Danger Comes, This Unlikely Couple Will Need to Rely on Each Other.

After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, they had to help. But with the arrival of added danger, it may cost them the only life they've ever known.

Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home and found the family homestead abandoned. In a land grab, a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when Mitch follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten with a strong-willed, dark-haired woman who dresses like Robin Hood and defends herself better than most men.

Mitch is intent on helping his family reclaim their land but doesn't realize the risks his past has brought. Hired killers are tracking him, and he's determined to draw them away before anyone else gets hurt. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on an adventure they'll never forget.

London Beginnings #3

Cara Bernay has never fit in. At loose ends in 1881 London after a near tragedy costs her a job, she befriends a rising young artist. With his help, she begins planning a new life and developing her own artistic talent. But soon Cara finds herself at odds with the artist's brother—a handsome but serious-minded earl who wants to force his brother back to a "respectable" life.

Henry Burke, the Earl of Morestowe, feels the weight of growing financial burdens. His profligate and emotionally unstable brother is making matters worse, and Henry needs him back home. Despite misgivings about Cara's mysterious background, Henry sees she's a positive influence on his brother and on Henry's unruly young ward, and he strikes a deal with her to return with them to their estate.

But the family has their own secrets, and when Cara, drawn ever closer to Henry, stumbles onto the truth, she must choose between following her heart and pursuing a bold plan that could bring disaster.

Published April 2nd 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

My Thoughts:

This is a wonderful story that will immediately swept me to London in the late 1800's.  This is the first book I've read by this author, but not the last.  She brought the characters to life for me with her vivid descriptions and by conveying their raw emotions realistically.  Her characters are strong, complex and well developed.  The plot is a mix of faith, mystery, romance, and forgiveness, but it's also so much more. 

Cara Bernay has a heart of gold.  She has good intentions, but one misstep has her plagued with guilt and shame.  As the story opens she is the nanny of a very active toddler, but when the child is put in danger by her actions her position is terminated.  She has no place to turn except to her older sisters, which is not something she's excited about.  Her father's disappearance and loss of her mother at a young age plus her time spent in an orphanage has shaped her into a woman of great compassion. Cara's arrival in London is met with many challenges, but she puts her best foot forward towards a future that opens up to her. I truly liked and admired this character.  

This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves history, romance, or just a good clean read. 

*I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER BOOK HOUSE

High Sierra Sweethearts #3

They're as Different as Could Be.
But They'll Need to Trust Each Other to Survive
the Wilderness . . . and the Dangers Chasing Them.

Published March 5th 2019 

by Bethany House Publishers

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons' supposedly lost grandson. But now that he's out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She's not like any woman he's ever met--comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have, both realize they've stumbled into something dangerous. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they discover their kidnapper just won't stop. This city man and country woman must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, all while fighting a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

My Thoughts:

I was so excited when I received my book.  

Let me start by bragging about this beautiful cover.  It gives the reader a glimpse of th

e story it holds.  

Mary Connealy has been a favorite author of mine for some years.  She brings a story that captures both time and place.  I always know I'm in for a captivating story with elements or suspense, mystery, faith and romance. 

This historical is set in High Sierras during 1868.  This is the third book in this series, but I feel it's a stand alone story.  I would recommend reading the first two books to get the full impact of the series though.  

This story centers around Penny Scott and John McCall.  These engaging characters are complex and intriguing.  Penny is a no nonsese kind of woman who has learned to take care of herself.  Even being in hands of her capturers she still kept her head about her and knew it was only a matter of time until she could make her move. John McCall lives in the city, but he learned how to survive during the war.  He's been working for the Pinkerton Agency and is on an assignment to bring a young boy back east to his grandparents.  Penny doesn't like John, but when they escaped their kidnappers her one thought was their survival.  John realized quickly he was out of his element in this vast forrest and knows if not for Penny they may not survive.

I really liked Penny.  She has a good heart and is motivated by doing the right thing. I think she has spent many lonely years following her brother in the army, but if nothing else she has developed skills that will help her while living in the Sierras.  At first I wondered if I would like John.  He was a typical male who felt he needed to save the weak female, but was pleasantly surprised when he admits that she is more knowledgeable and better prepared that he is about the area.  Just one problem, there's a mystery surrounding their kidnapping and just when they think one mystery is solved another emerges.  

This book brings many twists and turns; romantic tension; characters with a softer side and tough exteriors; faith; and suspense.  What more could a reader want????

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves history, suspense, or just a good, clean read.  

I received this book from the publisher.  I was not expected to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BAKER BOOK HOUSE

Also, I want to mention that Goodreads is having a giveaway for this book that runs from March 1, 2019 through March 14, 2019. Here is the link if you want to enter:

GOODREADS

By the way if you want to read an excerpt then just click on this link:

EXCERPT

Between Two Shores

Published February 5th 2019 

by Bethany House Publishers

She Has Always Moved Between Worlds,
But Now She Must Choose a Side
The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.

Available for Purchase:
AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK
BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER BOOK HOUSE


My Thoughts:

Wow!! What an amazing book!
I loved this story.
  This story takes place during the Seven Year's War in Kahnawake, Quebec.  This story follows the life of Catherine Stands-Apart.  Catherine's character immediately pulled me into this story.  She shows her strength of character in the first few pages.  With the death of her mother at a young age she leaves everything familiar and her tribe to go live with her father.  This was her choice and she did it because she didn't want him to be alone.  Catherine is a woman who lives in two very different worlds. She chose to live in her father's world, but easily moves within her mother's world.  She has essentially taken over the running of her father's trading post and with that it has become more profitable.  Catherine is a hard worker, but she has a tender heart.  As the story progresses Catherine must finally make a choice, British or French side.  All she knows is that she wants the war and strife to end.  Life is hard enough just living day to day, but add war into that and it's so much harder.  Choices can make life not only hard, but also deadly.  Catherine's choice shows her as not being a victim, but as being a survivor.  
This story is not a romance, but more of a drama as it centers around Catherine and her life choices.  It brings complex and engaging characters that will tug on her heart strings.  It brings elements of mystery, suspense, turmoil, romantic tension, and a rich backstory.  This historical captures time and place accurately. Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down.  
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves historical or just a good clean read.  
**I received this book from the author via the publisher.  I was not expected to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.