1872 California. Part of a really good series, this book is mostly about Laura. There are three sisters, with the story opening as they escape from their evil stepfather before he sells them off in marriages to creeps that are advantageous only to him. As they're leaving, their Mother feigns a fall and goes back to buy them time. Their real father had amassed a large logging operation, training his daughters to take over the company one day and build it even further. They were each highly schooled and each has very special skills. When he died, their mother married the wrong man who had fooled all of them and wanted control of the company. So, they all have deep trust issues. As they're running away, they join a missionary group for safety and anonymity. The parson is a young man with a past, now saved and trying to spread the Good News. Very interesting as it develops. I really liked reading it and was fully engrossed. Each character is very real and 3D. Good lessons of Christian faith. Need to have the next one to binge read it!

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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This might be my favorite read from Mary Connealy. What a fantastic start to a new series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great book. Great faith elements that were not too strong. Great characters who were very relatable and pulled at the heart strings. This was my first Mary Connealy book and I will be reading more.

I haven’t read a Mary Connealy book in several years and I’m glad to be back into it. Her books are always so inspirational with such a faith filled message in them. I found this story to be unique. I enjoyed the plot and the pacing. There are three sister’s living with their mother and stepfather. There was great love in their house with their mother and father who had respect for women and taught the girls how to run his lumber business and they would have taken it over but upon his death it all changes. The mother remarries too quickly, and the stepfather reveals his true evil self after the wedding when it’s too late. He wants to marry them off and benefit from payoffs for doing so. Plotting to run away the sisters and mother leave but the mother goes home as she cannot travel on. The sisters wander until exhausted and hungry they find a find an encampment in California serving the poor and downtrodden led by a preacher man. I found it refreshing that the girls are so smart and are not afraid to show it. Intelligence looks good on you, girls! People wander in and out of this camp, some good people, some just looking for a handout and bringing trouble with them. As the preacher man sees how helpful and kind the oldest sister is he falls in love with her kind heart, and they decide to marry. On the eve of their wedding wanting no secrets between them she tells him about her past life. The preacher man is hiding secrets of his own but found his calling and became a man of God. When trouble comes a calling from his past life will she think she married the wrong man hastily like her mother has? I enjoyed this inspirational book so much and look forward to reading the stories of the two other sisters now.

The Element of Love by Mary Connealy was high on my to be read list... However for many reasons I've decidedd to make 2023 a year of purposeful reading. Meaning? I'm taking into account my friends reviews of books and a trusted reader/writer friend's review convinced me this is not a book for me right now. If you're wondering what review I'm thinking of check out Grace A. Johnson's review on Goodreads.

This is such a fun series! I love all the sisters, but Michelle is the most like me, so I had a soft spot for her! I really enjoyed her take charge attitude and her capability and intelligence. She and Zane’s romance was so good! They are perfect for each other, and I loved their story. I loved that the book continues the stories of everyone else we’ve met, especially Caleb and Laura, and you get foreshadowing for Jilly’s story too! This is such a fun series, and so well written, full of humor, interesting characters, beautiful settings, historical accuracy, and all the other things Mary Connealy brings to each one of her incredible books! I’m excited for Jilly’s story, but I’m not ready for the series to end!

This series starts with the heart-pounding escape of the three sisters from their gilded cage, and doesn't slow down as they make their way deeper into California, relying on their wits and ingenuity. The voices of these independent young women are familiar as they remind me of previous characters of the author, even though their backgrounds are different. I admired the way they adapted to their rougher circumstances, learning new skills and making new friends along the way. Quick marriage is a frequent theme of the author, and while Laura has an immediate need for a husband, I missed the developing emotion of a relationship. The plot of the complicated dynamics of Caleb's mission to the gold rush families living in poverty, squatting on a local rancher's land, along with the sisters' goal to overthrow their evil stepfather's grasp of their lumber inheritance, definitely took center stage of the book. It was entertaining, but I didn't feel connected to the characters' more tender emotions. The book ended with a good wrap-up of Caleb and Laura's story, but the overall story of the three girls and their mother is only beginning and will continue throughout the series. Definitely should be read in order!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

A new and exciting series by Mary Connealy, kicking off book # 1 in that series...."The Lumber Baron’s Daughters".
The Element of Love (book one) I enjoyed so much that I already know I will be reading the whole series. I have come to place "Christian western romance" as one of my favorite genres. I won't recount the whole story and spoil it for those of you that have yet to read it, however the story line follows 3 sister's/daughter's that must escape their lives from their evil stepfather which plans to marry them off to his lecherous friends! The whole book was so engaging I didn't want to put it down!
I highly recommend this 1st book in this new series!
Thank you NetGally and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in return for my honest review!
5 stars from me!

Mary Connealy’s new book, THE ELEMENT OF LOVE is the first in the series, The Lumber Baron’s Daughters. Gotta say, this quirky, intelligent, and adventurous romance caught and kept my attention.

The Stiles sisters must find husbands to save the family lumber mill. At first this was a little too formulaic for me, but there were some fascinating twists and turns because these sisters weren’t raised in the typical fashion in this historical novel. Engineering, chemistry, with analytical minds that would humble most. These ladies could run their own city, not just the mill.

The first book focuses on the youngest of the sisters, Laura. Connealy was wise to choose the younger less worldly of the sisters. Especially with Laura’s determination to get hitched as soon as possible.

The parson Caleb seemed a logical choice, although he doesn’t quite know what to make of the young and beautiful young woman. Or what to do with his past.

Making their way to a mining town where families were not only near starvation physically, but also spiritually, steps up the adventures.

The book sets up the future books with enough interesting twists I’m looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.

I recommend for fans of prairie romance with a scientific twist.

I received a complimentary eBook from Bethany House Publishers through #NetGalley for my honest review.

A stolen inheritance, 3 sisters, and a preacher with a past.

Laura and her sisters were raised to take over their father's lumber empire, and each of them is brilliant with mathematics with a solid understanding of science. When their step-father arranges marriage for them with his creepy friends, they decide to make a run for it, joining a missions group headed for California.

This brand new series from Mary Connealy kicks off with a bang, introducing an exciting new series while laying the foundation for the upcoming books. I loved how the sisters were so close knit and how we get to know each of them over the course of the story. This book introduces a lot of wonderful characters that I hope to see again in upcoming books.

Overall, a fantastic start to a new series that you will definitely benefit from reading in order. A fast paced adventure with great characters, great plot, and strong themes of faith.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I tried to love this, I really did. I love historical fiction and the American Old West is my favorite. But unfortunately that is where the good things end. It just wasn't believable. The naivety of the girls, plus the insta love, and so many other factors, had me rolling my eyes instead of cheering them on. I read it till I was about 60% through and then I gave up.

This is an historical novel that centers around three daughters of a successful lumber baron who has died. Although the young ladies are intelligent and talented, they are at the mercy of a cruel stepfather who intends to marry them off to his friends and deny them their inheritance. To escape this fate the girls run away and go West looking for husbands that will allow them to claim their inheritance. Mary Connealy does a good job of giving the reader a sense of time and place. She also shows how society gave men the power to treat women badly. Recommended for readers of historical fiction.

I finish this book with some seriously mixed feelings. It’s a quick, easy read, no doubt about it. I really enjoyed the story of three sisters escaping their evil stepfather and heading out into the world. Michelle, Jilly, and Laura are brilliant, and they have been specifically taught certain skills that will enable them to take over their father’s lumber business one day. Each girl will get 1/3 of the business upon her marriage or her 25th birthday, whichever comes first. But when their stepfather arranges marriages for them to evil men – men who will allow him to continue running the business – they hatch a plan to escape, find husbands they can control, and return to claim their inheritance.

The escape scene is frantic and fraught with danger, setting up what could be a thrilling adventure. Things slow down, though, as the sisters meet up with Parson Caleb Tillman and a group of missionaries heading for mining country to start a mission.

This book, while focusing on all three girls, is really youngest sister Laura’s story. While at first she sees Caleb as a means to an end – if she marries him, she can claim her 1/3 of the lumber business, thus wrenching control of at least a portion from her stepfather – she soon finds herself drawn to him and wanting to continue working with the people at the mission. Yet she also feels a sense of duty – she must help run the business, even if her heart desires something else. I really appreciated her journey as she tried to discern God’s will for her (after at first charging straight ahead!).

So why the mixed feelings about the book? I guess the stakes just didn’t seem high enough, even though, ostensibly, they were as high as they could be – the girls’ mother’s life was in jeopardy! Except it wasn’t really, which was made clear early on, and that lowered the suspense. Also, I guess I just expected the stepfather and his minions to be more of a threat; other than the girls’ fear of him, he didn’t factor much into the story.

Also, while I enjoyed Caleb and Laura as people, and I liked their conversations, I didn’t feel the connection between them. Same for Zane and Michelle, which is clearly where another book is headed. The pairing that intrigued me the most was Nick and Jilly, and they barely shared any space on the page in this novel!

All that said, I did enjoy The Element of Love, and I would be interested in continuing the series – especially when it comes time for Nick and Jilly’s story!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a gifted copy of The Element of Love by Mary Connealy. All opinions are my own.

The Element of Love is the first book in the Lumber Baron's Daughter series. The series is about Liam Stiles's daughters. After Mr. Stiles dies his wife, Margaret, marries a very cruel man and his daughters, Michelle, Jillian, and Laura, must runaway to save themselves. Each book focuses are one of the three daughters and their search for a husband in order to make their rightful claim to their father's logging business.

This is a light and fast read. It was exactly what I needed in a book for my current read. I enjoyed the characters and relationships. There is a strong sister bond between the girls along with a strong family bond with their mother.

I'm currently reading the second book in the series and looking forward to the third book. I also wonder if there will be more than three books.

Christian
Historical Fiction
Romance
Release Date: March 1, 2022

4.5/5 because I feel like it wasn't super well written, but I still deeply enjoyed it. It's an excellent story!

Michelle, Jilly, and Laura all stand out as unique and interesting characters (I want to write siblings like this!), their knowledge is extensive and believable, and the plot is interesting. Pleased how clean it was, too, as the author made the decision to keep us out of the bedroom but still be realistic about the situation the characters were in, which I don't see enough of. I feel like this is one of the few situations where a rushed marriage can work well! (I really like Zane! I mean, I also like Caleb, but ZANE!)

But again ... not well-written, the themes weren't well-developed, and I honestly feel like I haven't seen much growth in terms of the author's writing style, etc., over the years. However, maybe that's just me. I feel like there was so much more editing and general development that could've gone into this story to make it excellent - and more likable to people who, unlike me, weren't just pleased with the characters.

However, I'm not in charge of writing other peoples' stories - just to enjoy them or not and report my impressions. Therefore, I shall remember the parts of this book I loved and be a little ashamed of my recommendation.

This is book one in the Lumber Baron's Daughters series, so what a great place to start. If you enjoy fun, spunky, historical romance books you will enjoy this one. I always look forward to books by Mary Connelly. She has fun, independent characters who always bring a smile to my face. The Stiles sisters are an interesting group. You really get to know them and I look forward to reading more about them. Even though all the girls are in this book, it still mainly focus' on Laura. As they all search for safety and finding a husband. Laura wonders if she has married the wrong man, when his past come crashing in.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

I am a huge Mary Connealy fan, but this book was not one of my favorites. I loved the characters and the story line but it just felt rushed like the author was trying to cram a lot into a small space.

I will definitely finish the series though because I want to know how Michelle and Jilly’s stories turn out. My favorite parts of the book were the beginning when the sisters are escaping their step father, I mean who wouldn’t love to ride in a barrel down a logging flume, and when Laura is plotting to get Caleb to marry her while also trying to find each of her sisters a husband.

The Element of Love by Mary Connealy is the first book in her new The Lumber Baron’s Daughters series.

This book captured me from the beginning. I loved the intelligence of the three sisters and the way their knowledge of the lumber industry helped their escape. I also loved how Caleb explored his new faith by being unafraid to ask tough questions. When ministry didn’t go the way he expected, he was willing to ask whether they were doing things the best way.

I’ll admit, I was nervous to read this book. I wanted to like it (I love lumber-themed stories), but other books I’ve read by this author seemed a bit over the top. This book had a different feel entirely. Perhaps it was the difficult topics that permeated the story (trigger warning for abuse, but handled well, I think). The characters had depth and questions and I liked it a lot.

The Element of Love is definitely the first book in a trilogy. If you prefer to read a connected series all at once, then I recommend waiting until the next two books have released. Without giving any spoilers … based on the way this one ended, the three books will definitely be better read all together. And I can’t wait for book two!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Need a historical romance featuring heroines with a difference? The Element of Love begins a new series from author Mary Connealy.

The Lumber Baron’s Daughters series features the three Stiles sisters. They have been raised to take over their father’s company and each have been highly educated. They are headstrong and fiercely intelligent, each with a different passion - from chemicals and explosions to engineering and building. But since their father’s death and their mother’s remarriage, their idyllic lives has been shattered. Their stepfather is abusive, their company falling apart under their stepfather’s mismanagement and they have each been promised to horrid men in business deals. Their only plan is escape.

Together with their mother they hatch a daring plan and this is where we join them in their story. Their escape certainly proves these are no ordinary women. They start their journey across the country, hiding as servants. Their plan is to find husbands as quickly as possible and return to claim their inheritance and control of the company. Early in their journey, they come across a missionary group and join with them. The sisters then find themselves in a tiny, rundown settlement with women and children waiting for their men working in the gold mines. The sisters might have the goal to get as far from their stepfather as possible but they can’t overlook the need shown by the women and children. Laura works closely with Parson Caleb, leader of the missionary group. Laura also uses the money she has to secure better food and supplies for the group. Jilly starts immediately on the building work, only too happy to put aside plans for a quick marriage. Laura feels Caleb might be the right man for her, but he is hiding a secret he hasn’t shared with her and when their settlement is attacked, these secrets come to light and Laura isn’t quite so sure about her future.

This is fun story, if a little dramatic. I think we readers must be told hundreds of times about the girls’ intelligence but it was their interests in chemistry, building, engineering and business management that were interesting. I wasn’t convinced about the romance that develops between Caleb and Laura, after all she selects him out of desperation and they go from there. It wasn’t the romance that I enjoyed, so much as the plan to outwit their stepfather and reclaim their company. I am most intrigued by Jilly and look forward to her story. I also enjoyed the other characters we meet, including a cattle farmer and his ranch hands who provide aid when needed.

An interesting start to a new historical series.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Mary Connealy begins her newest series with a bang and ends it with us breathlessly awaiting book 2. Margaret Stiles Beaumont has three lovely, smart, talented daughters all of a marriageable age. Their father was a lumber baron and they will inherit his business after their marriage. BUT their mother made the mistake of remarrying a real cad upon their father's death, and his idea is to marry them off to ne'er do wells and he gets the business. So mama sends them off in the dark of night to head to California and find their own husbands and then return.

Filled with touches of laughter, hints of mystery, and the intelligence of three well educated young ladies, I couldn't stop turning the pages. Connealy keeps her trademark signature of tickle your funny bone activity while penning a very enjoyable read. But I will admit that my last words were "Oh MARY!!!" when this book ended and left me hanging. So Mary please don't leave me hanging for long as I can't wait to see what happens next!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.