"Too Far Down" by Mary Connealy

Too Far Down (Oct. 3, 2017) by Mary Connealy.*

All of the danger has not passed. In fact, there may be more danger. Cole Boden, who’s both of the western life and of the city, has to deal with an explosion at the mines he oversees. People die, one of which was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but for the others, their injuries are too consistent to be just an accident. Together with his brother Justin, brother-in-law Heath, Melanie “Mel” Blake and her Uncle Walt, they discover a series of tunnels connecting a series of mines, including those belonging to the deceased. The Boden parents are still in Denver, where Chance’s leg continues to heal, but he and Veronica (a.k.a. Ronnie) aren’t free of danger, either. The entire family is determined to put an end to those who threaten them, the CR Mining Company and those that work with them before anyone else is put in harm’s way.

            This includes Mel Blake. A cowgirl who’s a regular tomboy (in fact, even in 1881, she’d rather wear pants than dresses), Mel’s a tough young woman who’s comfortable in her own skin. As long as her own skin is around horses or cattle in the outdoors and not stuffed inside a kitchen or sewing room. She’s great with a lasso and an even better shot. Despite thinking that Cole is a well-studied worm, she still wants to help the Boden family. But will helping them mean putting herself in direct danger?

            I have read all three books in this trilogy, and I have enjoyed every one. “Too Far Down” is an inspirational, historical fiction novel that is steeped in fast-paced adventure and set in a West that is more wild than tame. Although the Boden siblings have spats like any other siblings, I appreciate the bonds of this family, because their bond goes beyond just their family unit; it extends to the boundaries of the Cimarron Ranch, all who work with them and their neighbors beyond. For anyone who likes stories with a dash of romance and plenty of daring, while sporting a historical setting and a western feature, I recommend this trilogy from start to finish!

            Book One: No Way Up

            Book Two: Long Time Gone

"An Inconvenient Beauty" by Kristi Ann Hunter

An Inconvenient Beauty (Sept. 5, 2017) by Kristi Ann Hunter.*

One thing that Griffith, Duke of Riverton, learned from his childhood was that he would remain in control. Always. He prefers order, logic and sensibility, and he applies that rationale to his choice of a bride. He’s logically certain that Miss Frederica St. Claire is his perfect choice for a wife. As it were, she appears to ignore his interest, but it doesn’t stop him from trying to pursue her. Distractingly, though, where Frederica is, there too is Miss Isabella Breckenridge, Frederica’s stunningly beautiful cousin. As often as he tells himself to forget about Isabella, thoughts of her continue to sneak in.

            Isabella has been presented to the London elite for her society debut in 1815. Unfortunately, she cannot enjoy it due to a bargain she accepted out of desperation for her family’s difficult circumstances. Although she finds herself drawn to the Duke of Riverton, she quashes it, knowing that her regretful agreement dashes any romantic hopes she may have for a man of her choosing. And weighs heavily on her conscience as well.

            Not having read a story from this author, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m happy to report that I really enjoyed this story from the Hawthorne House series. It was as delightful as a sunshiny spring day, and I didn’t feel lost in a maze even though I did not read the preceding novels. Hunter writes characters who have substance and are not all frou-frou. She also writes with wit, as more than once did I laugh out loud. Yes, there’s struggle and regret and heartache. Yes, there’s humor and laughter, faith, prayer and love. There are passion projects for the right reasons and passions displaced. And that sounds a lot like life, whether in 1815 or 2017.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”