Book Review: Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Back Cover: 
In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.
With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

The Positives:
I don't usually read westerns. I like western movies, but I haven't read many western books. But I may have to read more, because I LOVED this book! I was skeptical about it at first. But I could hardly put it down! If I wasn't so busy, I would have read it one day!
The plot was interesting. It kept me tied to the book the whole time. Mariah and Slade's relationship was exceptionally done. The writing was also excellent. As a writer myself, I usually can find run on sentences or poor expression. But I didn't find anything like that.

The Negatives:
It was hard to find anything wrong with this book. There was only one thing that I didn't really like. I thought the parts were we were seeing things from Red's point of view was distracting. It did help the ending make sense, but it was distracting none the less. 

Overall:
I thought this was a great book and I would love to see more from Pam Hillman. (Namely a book about Buck and Amanda... *hint* *wink*)

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review.

Author's Website

Book Review: 'The Governess of Highland Hall' by Carrie Turansky

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Back Cover:

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey. 

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. 

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?

The Positives:

I ADORED this book! I'm a sucker for historical English romance. The classes of aristocrats and servants has always intrigued me. 

You will love Julia from the very start. She is humble, but she can speak her mind when need be. She is what I think, the perfect heroine. 

Sir William was so interesting! He seemed a bit heartless at first, but it was really just an emotional barrier. He had been hurt and he was scared to get hurt again. 

The character development was very well done. I couldn't stop reading! I finished reading it in two days! 

The Negatives:

Mostly it was the constant changing of point of views that was a bit distracting. That and all the relationships that were also going on. But those were the only problems I found.

Overall:

This was a great book to read! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend this to anyone that likes Downton Abbey-ish style books!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. 

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