I have really enjoyed all of the books in the “my heart belongs” series and this one is no exception. I love that there is a focus on God, you don’t see that often enough these days.

I got an ARC of this book from netgalley.

Carmela has been under her uncle's beck and call, since her parents died when she was a child. Her uncle, seeing that he has a potential money maker on his hands, forces Carmela to tell a story about how she was an indian captive after her parents and she were in a stage coach that had been attacked by indians.. Sadly none of it was true. The money made from Carmela telling the story goes right into her uncle's pockets.

I truly had hope for this book, and I read with great anticipation. But then I found myself getting tired of it. I really didn't like Carmela, she was such a fickle thing. I just couldn't seem to get into this book very well. It seemed to lack depth and moved slowly. I have enjoyed other books by this author, but just didn't like this one very much.

I have enjoyed the books in this series. This one took a while for me to really get into, but I still love the "My Heart Belongs in..." series from Barbour.

There are times when you just need a little romance and a good dose of adventure in your reading, and those are times when I know I can turn to certain authors. Susan Page Davis is one of them, and Carmela's Quandary affirms her standing as one of my favorites.

Set in 1860's Arizona Territory, this story immediately brought back how much I loved the first book I ever read by this author about a young woman returning to white "civilization" after being stolen away and living with an Indian tribe. Carmela Wade, however, has been forced by her uncle to recount a sensationalized story of captivity for audiences since she was twelve.

Freeland McKay is a deputy whose younger brother asked him to help Carmela, but he misses his chance when the Civil War is declared. He encounters her years later when, escorting a prisoner to trial after the war, they are on the same stage. After a hold up, Carmela and Freeland are left, handcuffed together to walk across the desert. And isn't that just the perfect way to develop a romantic relationship...

This is a well-written and fascinating story with details that will stick in the readers mind. The adventure portions are exciting and it is Carmela and Wade's experiences that are the primary focus of the story. I found Carmela's experiences once she is back in a town to be just as interesting as the peril and adventure in the desert, in particular her efforts to help two young women having trouble adjusting after their returns from captivity and to stop lying about her own supposed captivity.

Carmela's Quandary is the second entry published in the My Heart Belongs series from Barbour Books, with various authors, and the first I have read. This was an excellent starting point for me and I'm looking forward to seeing what else is in store, though writing this review has me wanting to just reread Carmela's Quandary, in part to meet secondary characters like Mrs. Finney and Two Pony again.

Recommended for lovers of Historical Fiction set in the American West with faith, adventure, fading tattoos and a bit of (eventually) sweet romance.

This review refers to an e-galley read courtesy of the publisher, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fabulous read! I loved all the characters and the plot line that kept me hooked until the end!

You know those books that just catch you a bit off guard? The ones that exceed expectations or are just unlike what you thought you would get, and you love every moment of it? That is what I discovered in Susan Page Davis’s My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmela’s Quandry.

From early on in this book, I was drawn into Carmela’s story. A girl who was forced to lie on stage to grow her Uncle’s wealth. As those lies contradicted with what she thought was right, the tensions in the story grew. Add in a cast of wonderful characters, some good western fun, and a well-timed romance story and it just made for an enjoyable read.

So far in the My Heart Belongs series of books, Davis’s novel has by far been my favorite and I think it will take another great one to even come close to knocking this one off that pedestal.


**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmela’s Quandry by Susan Page Davis is the second book in the My Heart Belongs series. Carmela's Quandry is a Christian Western with a touch of romance. It is set in 1866 in the Arizona Territory. The story has lots of detail which allows for the reader to feel that they are there in the middle of the story. A wonderful story that allows the reader to see the inner beauty in people.

Carmela lost her parents on the trail to California at a young age and since that point her uncle has been exploiting her for years. At first Carmela was cared for by friends until her uncle could arrive. Her parents owed money that Carmela's uncle was now responsible for paying. Since the uncle didn't have the money he guilted and punished Carmela by forcing her to tell a fake story that the uncle invented. The story is that she has been a victim of an Indian attack, later the uncle forces her to tour the country telling the story he invented. He even drew tattoos on her face because that mimicked what tribes often did to captives. Carmela is now twenty and is almost of age to be able to break away from her Uncle and stop speaking to crowds of people and telling them something that are lies.

Freeman McKay is a lawman who is transporting a dangerous prisoner by stage. He is riding along with a prisoner he is transporting when the stagecoach they are on is robbed. The bad guys leave Carmela and Freeland handcuffed together in the desert and ride off with their loot. Freeman is unconscious from the attack. Several hours go by and Carmela is brought water by a mysterious Indian warrior. That water saved their lives. Freeman and Carmela have to make their way to Prescott so that she can settle and be safe. Carmela and Freeman develop a relationship of trust. Carmela tells Freeman of the secret that she has been forced by her uncle to lie to crowds of people for money. 

I liked that Carmela was able to find true happiness. The story is captivating. It's a story of faith and the healing virtue of friendship and love. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Barbour Publishing, Inc. in exchange for an honest review.

My Heart Belongs in the Superstitions Mountains by Susan Page Davis, is an entertaining western romance set in Arizona of the 1860s. As a result of her guardian's dishonesty, Carmela's been living a lie for the past few years and she is sick of it. But she has no way to get out of the duplicitous mess she's in. She really just wants a man to love, a man who will love her for the rest of her life. A US Marshall on a mission of taking a murderer to Prescott for trial, Freeland ends up on a hijacked stagecoach with Carmela. Characters are realistic and well-rounded and draw the reader easily into the story. Action packed scenes keep the pages turning. The descriptions of life surrounded by Indians and outlaws are realistic and the historical details add good interest to the story. My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains is a captivating story of faith and the healing virtue of friendship and love, and whether the wrongs of the past can ever be made right. I received a complimentary copy of the book from Netgalley and was not expected to write a review. The opinions are my own.

My heart belongs in the Superstition Mountains is a story of abundant deceit, overwhelming fear, parental figure rejection of love, steadfast faith, and reclamation of trust in CHRIST. Camela became an orphan then sent to her Uncle Silas who was a manipulative lying, cheating, abusive, selfish shell of a man (if you can call him that, and I do) he turns Camela into a money machine. He dresses her up as with Indian markings on her, has her tell people that she was captured by Indians. She had to give the spiel exact or she would get it by Silas and when people questioned her, if her answers were not his answers word for word, she was in for it, but in all this there are 2 things that helped her. The most important one is JESUS (and so should we all - Amen?) Although she doesn't understand why HE is allowing what all she is going through. The other thing is - will Freeland(the town Marshall) be able to see and get Camela help before she leaves town. does he get to her in time? does she get away from Silas or is she stuck selling her stories and being beaten if one word is left out or told wrong?

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains
Carmela’s Quandary

by Susan Page Davis


Barbour Publishing, Inc.







Barbour Books

Christian

Pub Date 01 Mar 2017



I am reviewing a copy of My Heart In Superstition Mountains Through Barbour Publishing Inc and Netgalley:
Carmella finds herself with an uncle who cares less about her and more about the money she brings in than about her or her well being. He forces her to tell her story in front of large crowds, making her relive the loss of her parents. The story he has her tell isn't even the truth wh ugh makes it harder.
On the road with the Marshall in the Arizona Territory they are robbed and her Uncle Shot, she was tired of her uncles lies about her time withn the Apache, and this was not how she wanted those lies to come to light.
Will Carmella be able to let go of her past and build a future for herself in the Superstition Mountains? Find out In My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains.
Five out of five stars.
Happy Reading!

4403638
Gail Hollingsworth's review May 26, 2017 · edit
really liked it

This was a different type western from any I've read before, but in a good way. I had recently read a book about the Superstition Mountains so this book caught my eye. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the main character, Carmela, and all she'd suffered in her young life. Losing her parents on a wagon train headed to California when she was twelve, being taken over by a devious uncle who only saw dollar signs in his niece and having ugly tattoos marked on her face by him to fool audiences into thinking she had been abducted by an Indian tribe and made a slave.
All comes to an end when their stagecoach is robbed by outlaws and her uncle is shot and carried off in the stolen coach. She and a deputy are handcuffed together by a criminal that escaped and they are left to die in the desert.
This novel includes Indian attacks, outlaw ambushes, fights for survival and abducted children. Lots of action among the pages. But a deep reliance on God through prayer and a strong moral obligation of truthfulness is standouts in the story. You'll be turning the pages into the night to find out what happens next, especially if you like early westerns.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley and was under no obligation to write a review.

Carmela Wade has prayed for the day she could stop the lies she was forced to perpetrate by her Uncle Silas. Not only did he force her to tell lies, but he also forced her to give him all the money the two of them accrued because he said her father owed him money. Carmela’s opportunity arrives when their stagecoach is robbed, and the robbers take it with her uncle inside.

US Marshal Freeland McKay never dreamed he’d be the victim of a stagecoach robbery, and to add insult to injury, he’s handcuffed to a woman. They have no water, horse or any way to survive except through tenacity and lots of walking.

Susan Page Davis does a well-thought out job of showing the dilemma Carmela faces. She pulls you into the story and makes you feel the torment and agony Carmela faces after reaching adulthood.

Carmela’s story is one of courage in the face of extreme adversity, forgiving yourself and others and learning to trust the Lord.

Susan Page Davis has written a unique and different type of historical novel. It is a story that readers of historical romance are sure to enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

(A review was also posted to my Facebook page and twitter)

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmela’s Quandry is the second book I’ve read in this series. (I read My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas: Priscilla’s Reveille earlier this year.) One thing I love about these books is they are fast reads with plenty of oomph and twists.

This story took me to the Superstition Mountains in Tucson, Arizona during the mid 1800s. The author does a nice job of description (without overdoing it) where the reader can sink into the scene, travel the desert trail, smell the arid scent, and experience times past in the Old West.

Carmela’s Quandry is a sweet romantic western, written in Carmela Wade’s point of view as well as her romantic interest’s, U.S. Marshall Freeland McKay. It felt more like a women’s fiction story (my favorite genre) taking place in the west, to me, because I was mainly invested in her dilemmas and internal growth. I also love the vein of faith that flows throughout this book, and theme of overcoming and conquering the past.



4 Stars

Cover: Like
Title: Like
Pages: 304
Publisher: Barbour Books
ISBN: 978-1683220077
First Lines: “You get out there, and I mean now.” Uncle Silas glared at Carmela, his white eyebrows nearly meeting over his thin nose.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

A great story, I really loved the setting and wish to have been back in time during the setting. It was adventure filled and had the perfect romance to compliment the area and characters.

The book is set in the 1860's. It begins before the war with Miss Wade and her Uncle Silas traveling the southwest as she shares her expeiences while being captured by Indians. We soon learn that all may not be as it seems. During the war they are forced to move north but have returned to the Arizona territory once again. Through many trials and follies Miss Wade learns to lean more and more on God. Willher faith save her physically and redeem her? How will she be able to separate from her uncle or will she convince him to change his ways?
This is areal page turner! It kept me captivated from page one. Due to circumstances of life in those times, there is some violence but it is handled well and not a major focus of the story.

Have read several novels by Susan Page Davis....This was a wonderful story full of action, romance and hope. Thanks for sharing it w/ me...I have shared it w/ all of my reading friends.

This is the first book by the author I've read. It was enjoyable. The premise of a girl on a speaking tour, lying about captivity by Indians to make a dishonest living for her uncle, was an interesting and uncommonly used plot line.

The main character of Freeland is such a trustworthy, lovable, solid and dependable deputy of a newly formed Western town. Carmela, though mostly docile and obdient, grows a backbone during the trials she faces in the story and shows herself to be resourceful, compassionate, faithful, and righteous. The weaving of faith and power of prayer throughout the story was well-done and the characters of the noble Reverend and his loving wife and the kind Mrs. Finney brought faith to life.

I was given an advanced reader copy of the book from Barbour via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this Western adventure. Engaging characters with Camela and Freeland, and a delightful lack of overly descriptive romance! I could comfortably recommend this book even to young teens.

Carmela is a young woman of twenty whose uncle has been exploiting her for years. Her parents died on the trail to California, and she was cared for by kind friends for some months before her closest living relative, her uncle, could arrive to claim her. He, citing unpaid debts her parents owed, and guilting/punishing her into submission, invents a story of her having been a victim of an Indian attack and forces her to tour the country telling the story he invented.

Freeland's a marshal from Tucson and is riding along with a prisoner he is transporting when the stagecoach they are on is robbed. The bad guys leave Carmela and Freeland handcuffed together in the desert and ride off with their loot.

First there's the fight to survive the desert; then, the choice Carmela faces: for the first time in her recent life, she is away from her uncle and able to speak for herself. But how can she break through the habitual lies of years? How can she admit she's been telling an untrue story all this time?

Also: I loved Mrs. Finney!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains by Susan Page Davis

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Susan Page Davis's recently released historical fiction story carried good potential for well developed novel but lacks polished characters and a complete ending.

Having read a nice short story by Ms Davis in years past I had reasonably high hopes for this latest story of hers. She began the story well enough with a good amount of suspense and intrigue but as the pages went on, I found that it lacked much that I look for in a good book. A well-developed plot is essential to a good story in my opinion but while this had a good beginning and okay middle, the end was one of the worst I've read - it just stopped, leaving the story hanging in some ways that were slightly angering. I am always of the opinion that everyone in a story gets their just rewards by the conclusion if you do not intend a story to become a series; however Ms. Davis allowed a central character to remain unpunished and able to live the life he wished to live. Although I know that is often the case in real life, this incompleteness to a story never endears me to an author. And the supposed love story in this book was just sad in its attempt at reality, as I will explain further below. As to the main characters, I felt that they remained rather shallow. Ms. Davis attempted to have Carmela learn many lessons in her story but they were so multiple and scattered in their telling it was almost dizzying to read. The hero, Freeland, was a weak sort of character that, in spite of his job as a lawman, seemed rather un-courageous and simple minded. I kept waiting on him to show some "Yumph" but, in spite of coming close a couple times, it just never happened. And with the inclusion of so many substories I found myself wondering when or if Ms. Davis would be able to bring everything to a close - quickly finding out she would not do that. I was further disappointed in her heroine Carmela who she wrote had been so completely controlled and cowed by her uncle for years but somehow had great courage in the face of danger and death. And she also seemed to have a working knowledge of what to do when stranded in the desert. It was so opposite of what one would think this character should know given her background. Add to this the fact that she knew how to cook, despite having been traveling with her uncle from the time she was twelve and they had always stayed in hotels and eaten in cafes. How exactly was she supposed to have gained those skills given her upbringing?? There were a few redeeming qualities from this story: Carmela's gaining freedom from her uncle and from the lies she was forced to tell, and finding love with Freeland. I was glad to see she was able to gain freedom from her past and found a new way of life in the town of Prescott. In the telling of this, Ms Davis did well. And even though I was happy to see that Carmela and Freeland found love together, Ms. Davis did not give adequate space to their journey of love. It was thrown in on the last few pages as a sort of afterthought that did not go well with the rest of the story. Maybe there were many fast marriages because of need in American Western history but I found the idea of real love between these two to be rather far fetched as they didn't spend that much time together other than their two days walk in the desert. Therefore, with all the problems I found in this story I cannot in good conscience recommend this story to anyone who actually cares what they are reading. If it was just a book someone wanted to read to waste time, maybe, but I personally would rather re-read an old favorite that I knew I liked. Knowing Ms. Davis has won awards for several of her former works I hope this book is just a one off for her and any future works will be much better developed and cohesive.


I received this E-book free of charge from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

"My Heart Belongs in Superstition Mountain," was yet another thrilling escapade from Barbour Books's, "My Heart Belongs Series." This time, I was transported via stagecoach to Yuma, Arizona which just happens to be one of my favorite locations for a western novel and I was introduced to the heroine, Carmela who had quite the story to tell.

Carmela was not as self-willed as the previous heroine in the first book of this stand alone series, but I still liked her character. Since a tender age, Carmela is had to deal with the sad fact that she is an orphan and therefore has been raised by her Uncle. A true madman and a complete disgust of a man after he forces Carmela to make money by telling a false story about a supposed Indian abduction in her youth. I felt bad for Carmela. She had little options in escaping her Uncle, until the day she meets the hero, Freeland who happens to be a US Marshal.

After getting stranded with Freeland, Carmela's story starts to unfold. As she and Freeland struggle to survive in the wilderness of the dangerous western backdrops, Carmela begins to learn more about the person that she wants to be and begins to form a very low-profile romance with Freeland.

I do have to point out that the romance in this book was an improvement in comparison to the last. Again, this is inspiring fiction so the romance is very clean and refreshing, but I did enjoy the romance far more in this novel.

Lastly, I will be continuing this series. I have to. I'm hooked on this series as I feel like I am falling in love with inspiring fiction all over again.