Accidental Family is the second book in the Bachelors of Aspen Valley series, but the first I've read. I enjoyed the setting and characters.

I found it interesting how the main characters both claimed the twins as "theirs" and were then tangled in a web of deception...including being pushed into marriage. Intriguing plot and I liked watching their relationship grow.

All in all, Accidental Family was a good read and I recommend it to fans of historical romance with some suspense.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Accidental Family Is about a small mining town. It has romance, suspense common mystery and Faith. This is also a historical book a very authentic book. It is a mazing just on all those accounts alone. Something serious happened to the town that hurt them all. This book can bring you to your emotional needs persei. You have Two who put others like GOD said, they were the last and put others first. They not only care for the little ones, also like the LORD said, they protect them and hunt down those who killed their parents to keep them safe - what a GOD-fearing family - and a loving family.

Lay preacher/demolition lead with a Scotts burr in a mining camp where women are banned meets spunky orphan in almost immediate marriage of convenience, so they can both care for the twins they've claimed as their own, but the twins are in imminent danger from unseen villains?  Yes, please.  Except, there were almost too many issues to simply let go of and enjoy a few hours of Historical Fiction.

My primary issues were with the inconsistencies and the highly improbable aspects to the story.  We are first told that the slightly mysterious Willow Granger had always been a source of curiosity to Charles Wanlass, but then that he'd never paid her any mind.  And then to have their claims believed, in a mining camp where the women are primarily sequestered and quite blatantly watched when out and about, it defies belief.  Yes, Willow has been wearing maternity clothes and the twins' mother still looked pregnant when she died, but twins do make having tiny Willow - ignore the cover - actually looking pregnant pretty unbelievable.  Some are not fooled, but that does not change the fact that many were.  And having the boss with an explosive temper rush to judgement just was not quite enough in my book, though I did try to convince myself of it.

Cap that with naming the twins Adam and Eva, and I'm pretty much wanting to stop right there.  But I read to the end, and eventually did enjoy the suspense aspect to the storyline.  There was even a bit of a red herring that threw me momentarily, so I found myself enjoying the read at least a bit after all.

All that said, there are elements here that I enjoy, combined in a new way, and there is potential.  So I'll be a bit hesitant to pick up another book by this new-to-me author, but not unwilling should the story intrigue me.

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

When twin babies are left on Pastor Charles Wanlass's doorstep, he vows to protect them and give them a home. Mail-order bride, Willow Granger comes to talk to Charles, and sees the twins, instantly recognizing them as the children of her friend Jenny. But when a crowd shows up asking about the babies, they both claim the twins as their own, leading them to fabricate a story of being married in England months ago. But the mine owner insists that they remarry, leading Willow and Charles into a marriage of convenience.



Willow goes along with the marriage for the sake of the children, she hasn't spoken to Charles, but has heard him preach and has heard good things about him in the community. She is timid and shy at first, but as they try to solve Jenny's disappearance and care for the twins so sees his kindness.



When strange footprints begins appearing outside Willow and the children's window, Charles is concerned for their safety. Charles enlists the help of two men to help him keep them safe. Smalls is a large mute, while Creakle is small and very talkative, they become great babysitters with humorous results.



I loved how the community wants to help with the twins, even though they suspect the truth.



Charles is good with the twins, and he admires Willow's determination, industriousness, and tender heart. He is a good listener, and is a man of his word.



This is a great book, engaging, with great interaction, mystery, a great community of side characters, with a lot going on, and a satisfying ending. Highly enjoyable!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

This book was a great blend of genres. It has romance, mystery, historical fiction, and suspense. It is set in a small mining town that has been closed off from the rest of the world because of an avalanche. The group is small, complex, and very interesting. This book is the second book in a series, the intricacies of the group are probably introduced more in the first book, but I didn't have a hard time picking up the story and understanding what was happening. I did not read the first. (But plan to sometime in the future.)

The two babies in the story couldn't have been more fortunate in the adults who are determined to care for them. The beginning of their little family is awkward, but Charles and Willow are amazing people, who put the needs of others before themselves. The development and progression of their family is wonderful, and I enjoyed reading about their journey.

The mother of the twins was murdered. Not only have Charles and Willow vowed to protect the babies , but to figure out who killed her. The babies are in danger as long as the killer is on the loose. They compile a suspect list, there were times when I was pretty sure that I knew "who done it" and others where I was kept guessing.

This book has talk of infidelity, chaste kisses, and non-graphic violence. Charles is the Pastor of the community, so there is a little religion in the book. I would consider it a clean read.

Source: I requested a copy from Netgalley to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

*****
A heartwarming as well as rending read. If ever a book deserved a total five stars for hitting every emotion while reading it would be this one. I went through an entire gamut of emotions. I enjoyed each and every word and line of the book. I loved the characters, the way it unfolded, the romance, the heart warming humanitarianism, as well as the love and life the book had all the way through. This author has touched on many different levels of writing in this one small romance book. I must say it was an unexpected privilege as well as a honor to be able to read this one. It was definitely not in my expected list of fantastic reads before reading"! Now it is! So buy the book, grab some tissues and sit and relax and enjoy a wonderful adventure as the story unfolds. Regards, Anna Swedenmom

Charles Wanlass returns home to find two twins entrusted to his care with a note that they are in danger. Willow Granger shows up on his doorstep not much later, unsure of who else to trust with the information that her friend is missing. Soon their only option to keep the twins safe is to pretend they were previously wed and that the babes are theirs. Neither of them expect to “renew” their vows that day, but both agree. Once the twins’ murderer is uncovered and they are out of harm’s way, will they choose to keep their make-believe marriage discard it? ‘The Accidental Family’ is a captivating tale and well-worth the read.

A note about the cover: There are endless comments about how small this heroine compared to the hero. Not in this image!
This is a sweet little read, a little bit Christian, but mostly just an 1870s-set historical romance.
The book opens immediately on hero and heroine being forced to marry after they both claim ownership of abandoned newborn twins.
Now, this bit didn’t make much sense to me. They all live in close quarters, snowed in and trapped for the winter. And yet a woman we’re constantly told is tiny manages to convince everyone SHE was pregnant with twins? And nobody thought the babies might have belonged to the pregnant woman who was murdered? It made no sense to me.
There are a lot of characters, and we meet most of them right away. I assume this is a series that will be going for a while (or, at least until Harlequin discontinues the Love Inspired line at the end of this year).
This is one for fans of the Love Inspired (sweet, Christian) line.