The Element of Love - (The Lumber Baron's Daughters) by Mary Connealy (Paperback)

Three sheltered sisters, who have only known affluence, escape in the middle of the night. They follow a dangerous scheme, but they must get away before their step-father's arranged marriages take place. Their only hope is to find honest men, marry them and gain control of their inheritance. To stay under the radar, they have taken refuge in a struggling mission near the California gold camps. But Caleb, the man in charge, is new. His lack of knowledge, along with terrible circumstances, have almost caused the death of them all. Have the sisters leapt out of the frying pan and into the fire? If they marry quickly, how do they keep from getting in a controlling, dangerous situation like they had with their step-dad? Will they be able to find suitable husbands among the desperate men ready to kill because of gold fever? Is their mother being beaten or worse because of their step-father's anger over the missing girls? The adventures these women have will keep you on the edge of your seat, while many of their circumstances, although dangerous, will also bring you a chuckle or two. Mary Connealy is well-known for her amazing stories, and this does not disappoint. This is Christian fiction, a clean story, and I highly recommend it. This is book one in the series, "Lumber Baron's Daughters," and ends on a cliff-hanger. You will be thrilled to get the next installment for more of this exciting tale--I guarantee it! Bethany House has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Element of Love, for the purpose of review.

Another delightful read from author Mary Connealy. This one was typical "Connealy style" writing and story, but it had a darker element. And, no, it isn't the "element of love" as the title might indicate. Set during the gold rush days, the lives of three young sisters who are of an age to marry are at stake as is the wealth left to them by their biological father who created his own lumber empire. Their father was truly ahead of his time in that he valued his daughters greatly and prepared them to handle his affairs at their own maturity. He made certain they were educated in areas that would enable them to each have a critical role to play in their future as lumber heiresses. Though society's dark side is exposed for what it was during this era in The Element of Love, it will behoove readers to acknowledge that this same darkness resides amongst us today as well. As in this story, strong individuals acted to right bad situations, today's strong individuals should act to right the wrong in society today. The care and protection of the weak and innocent should always be a priority. Highly recommend! Another good read from Mary Connealy. DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

3.5 stars "Getting to know a man was almost more trouble than it was worth." However, if all three of the Stiles sisters were going to escape their current circumstances and find a husband, it seemed to follow that they would have to get to know some men. But where? And how? And now! Worry takes a back seat to providence however when Laura Stiles befriends a travelling parson on his way deep into the mountains of California. Convincing Caleb Tillman to let his mission group grow in numbers, Laura and her two sisters tag along. It soon becomes obvious that Laura's higher education (by golly, she was an explosives expert, her sisters a mechanical engineer and architect . . . after all, they were heiresses to a lumber dynasty) was useless in the poor shanty community of Purgatory, thus exposing one of her many secrets. Unfortunately, the handsome parson had a few secrets of his own, . . . . were they the kind that could "blow up" Laura's chance to gain her inheritance? Time would tell. So much fun to read, this launch into "The Lumber Baron's Daughters" series will have readers eagerly watching their calendars for the next installment! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions stated above are entirely my own.

This new book by Mary Connealy introduces us to the Stiles sisters and their mother Margaret, along with their stepfather Edgar Beaumont. The primary focus of this book is Laura, a chemist who understands explosives and knows how to blow things up. Will she need to use this talent to save her mother and her sisters from the evil actions of Edgar? This book has it all. Michelle, Jillian, and Laura have amazing abilities and they've been raised to 'manage a dynasty in a man's world' so there's action, danger, and suspense, but Connealy buffers the drama with moments of lightness. I found myself laughing out loud at some of their antics and cheering when Laura meets Parson Caleb Tillman. Is this man of God the answer to their prayers? How am I ever going to wait four months to learn more about these lumber baron's daughters? Laura's story reeled me in, and there are two more daughters waiting for their own chance to shine. Connealy is known for writing 'romantic comedy with cowboys' and The Element of Love certainly fits this description. It's a fun adventure with clean romance and a subtle faith message, and I can't wait for the next book in The Lumber Baron's Daughters series! I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

Oh my goodness I am hooked! I should have known that this would happen. I could not force myself to put this book down. Who wouldn’t love a group of sisters who are super smart and on a mission to save their family? The girls had to escape undetected to prevent their step-father from marrying them off in his quest to gain full control of their father’s legacy. They were raised to take over the dynasty, and they can’t let the manipulating man deviate them from their calling. Fleeing is just the beginning of the adventure, and the girls just might be in a little over their heads. I love how different and yet similar the sisters are. They were easy to love and I can’t wait until the next book in this series comes out. Laura is good at getting things done. When she meets Caleb and his missionary group she knows that is their first step at finding husbands. I loved watching the chemistry between Laura and Caleb and the way they interacted with each other. Caleb isn’t perfect, and longing for a new start he’s hesitant to share his past. Will his secrets keep him from finding a true partner in life? I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. Connealy kept me turning the pages way past bed time, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Element of Love has all the elements I have come to expect from a Mary Connealy book: strong, intelligent women, tough men of integrity, faith, romance, and humor, along with plenty of action and "bad guys." Laura, Jillian, and Michelle Stiles had a wonderful, but unconventional upbringing for girls in their era. After they have to escape a cruel step-father with evil intentions, the sisters meet Parson Caleb Tillman and several others traveling to minister to the impoverished miners in California. They join them for protection but also to help and are stunned at the poverty of the women and children at the rundown settlement. The sisters have a goal of finding husbands as quickly as possible so they can return home to their mother and take control of the lumber company from their step-father, meeting the conditions of their father's will. I enjoyed The Element of Love very much and plan to read the next two books in the series to find out how this all works out. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a fun story, the Stiles sisters literally flee and fly (down a flume) to escape marriage to the evil men their wicked step-father has plans to marry them off to so he can claim their inheritance. Laura, Jilly, and Michelle were all raised to be mathematical geniuses and to some day run their father's lumber company. They need to find three, hopefully upstanding men of society to marry and bring back to gain control. The Element of Love is Laura's story but all three sisters play a part. They meet Caleb, a preacher taking a mission group to the miners in California. This is another book of Mary's that will not disappoint, full of humor, romance, running for your life, cowboys, ranchers, the usual stuff. I'm looking forward to book two in the series. Oh, and did I mention Laura likes to blow things up?

Search out what lay ahead to follow God’s call and find their way home. What an amazing beginning to The Lumber Baron’s Daughters. From flying down the mountain to blowing up a building, you will laugh, shed a few tears and just thoroughly enjoy the time spent reading. These three sisters are a force to be reckoned with and getting to know them is a treat. Will they safely find their way home? Will their mother be there waiting for them? Michelle is a mechanical engineer, always ready to take charge. Jillian loves math and is analytical, ready to build whatever you need. Laura is a chemist - can she blow something up for you? These three are just the beginning of the wonderful characters the author brings to life. You don’t want to miss this fabulous series! An early copy of this book was received through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. These impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.