Book review: My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmela's Quandary

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains:

Carmela's Quandary

by 

Susan Page Davis

*This post contains affiliate links

Quote:

"I don't understand why some people are so eager to hear about other's troubles." Deputy McKay

 pg. 70

Started: September 8, 2018

Finished: September 21, 2018

paperback 256 pages

From the cover:

A chance for escape takes two unlikely allies on a romantic adventure along a desert trail.

Orphaned at age twelve, Carmela Wade has lived a lie orchestrated by her uncle, pretending to be a survivor of an Indian kidnapping and profiting from telling her made-up story. But as she matures into adulthood, Carmela hates the deceit and longs to be free. On a stagecoach in Arizona Territory, Carmela and her uncle are fellow passengers with US Marshal Freeland McKay and his handcuffed prisoner. The stage is attacked. A chance to make a new life may suddenly be within Carmela's reach...if she can survive the harsh terrain and being handcuffed to an unconscious man.

Journey now to Tuscan, Arizona, and into the Superstition Mountains of 1866, where freedom will come at a high price for two determined individuals.

My Review:

This is the first book I have read in the My Heart Belongs series.

It was a light, easy read. I have to admit it was a big change for me. I've mostly been reading more thriller, dark, and mystery types.

This book was a total switch for me.

Normally, I do enjoy something lighter from time to time. This really was a sweet, innocent, well written, Christian fiction. Which is exactly want it was intended to be.

I can't say it was one that will go into my top 10 list.

I felt after reading the synopsis...that was pretty much it. That was the whole story, minus a few details. It sort of ruined the book for me. 

Everything was pretty much already there. Too predictable, no suspense...at all. I mean, you would think, wild west, captive characters, a stagecoach robbery, a lying uncle and the rugged terrain; there would be some action. I don't know,...just something.

I just felt like the whole book was drug out. A little back and forth with Carmela retelling her story to different characters as they showed up in the book, but nothing new.

And, the romance was too easy. The big, strapping Marshal, the damsel in distress....

Their time apart, hearts longing, and you guessed it...they make their way back together and ride off into the sunset.

Okay, I don't want to sound so harsh. It just wasn't for me.

I will say it was well written into short chapters. It had a few great characters( Mrs. Finney was my favorite). And, the good guys come out on top.

Overall, it was a sweet romance. Just don't be expecting any big wow moments.

I will check out the others in the series, just to see how they fair. 

Sometimes, it's nice to switch it up with something lighter. 

I would still recommend this book for those I know would enjoy it.

You can easily purchase a slightly used copy of this book,

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains:Carmela's Quandary

or many of the other, My Heart Belongs books, from my link provided.

Review: Accidentally Amish: Valley of Choice book #1

Accidentally Amish

by Olivia Newport

Quote: " If you set aside your pride, you'll admit you were frightened last night. You're used to solving problems, but you're in a predicament you don't know how to get out of." ~ Rufus Beiler 

(pg. 36)

Started: August 14, 2017

Finished: August 21, 2017

paperback/ 368 pages

From the Cover:

Torn between two cultures...

When software creator Annie Friesen needs to protect her intellectual property from her scheming partner, she escapes the chaos of Colorado Springs for the hospitality of an Amish family in the San Luis Valley. Annie's own ancestral connection to early Amish settlers unfolds in a story within a story, and her worlds collide...

especially when she feels an attraction to her host, Rufus Beiler.

A cabinetmaker by trade, Rufus has troubles of his own. Because of a competitor's false accusations, his business is in jeopardy. and so is his family, ever since his sister, Ruth, left the Amish community in a shroud of questions.

Now Annie, an outsider, begins meddling in affairs that don't concern her. When Rufus tells her she can't continue to hide among the Amish forever, Annie is torn. Will she return to her accomplishments in the high-tech, modern culture of Colorado Springs or remain with Rufus and the humble simplicity of the San Luis Valley Amish?

My Review:

I'm sad to say I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped to. I bought all three in this trilogy(luckily) as a set at Half Price Books. I was kind of excited, as you never find a whole set at these secondhand thrifty shops. So, I jumped at the chance. I think I paid like $8 for the set.

Anyway, I usually enjoy Amish books. They are great easy reads and have great messages or spiritual insights. I love getting caught up in the easy, humble lifestyle they live with such purpose. I truly am fascinated by so much of their religion and lifestyle. The history of their way is enough to get me hooked reading almost anything Amish.

I honestly think what threw me off on this book was the new, modern, contemporary side of it. I just couldn't get into Annie's whole high-tech software life and them jump over to the farm  making cabinets and milking cows. It just didn't come full circle realistically for me.

There was way too much going on in this one short book. 

From Annie running from her problems, Rufus and Tom dealing with their own troubles, Ruth showing up in the story and going back and forth. Then there was back and forth between two towns("Amish town" and "Annie's world") and then we have her doing the genealogy to find the Beiler/Byler connection and the story jumps back in time to the late 1700's.

It really was way too much.

Just when I would get interested in one "good" part, it would zip over to a totally different"story".

I did start to like the characters and the historical part was definitely my favorite.

I only gave this book 3 stars. 

I believe it had great potential; just too much for one book.

I'm really hoping the second and third books get a little less chaotic in the story line and stick to a few major characters, instead of pulling in so many and so much.

Here's hoping! On to book #2,  In Plain View.

Happy Reading!

Review: Desire Becomes Her

Desire Becomes Her

Book #6 (Becomes Her series)

By: Shirlee Busbee

Quote:  " It's my house and I can speak my mind if I want to. If  your fine friend don't like it, Broadhaven sports two inns- he can put up there and take you along with him." ~ Silas (pg.74)

Started: July 5, 2017

Finished: July 22, 2017

paperback/390 pages

From the cover:

A Perilous Temptation

Gillian Dashwood's wastrel husband wagered away her fortune. His scandalous murder ruined her reputation. Still, she'll do whatever it takes to protect her beloved elderly uncle from Lucian Joslyn, the cool-headed gambler whose arrival is as mysterious as his newfound fortune. Once Luc makes it clear he is certain Gillian herself anything but innocent, she's determined to reveal the truth about him. But the shimmering desire that draws them even closer threatens those with vengeful secrets to keep. Now, trusting each other is a hazard Gillian and Luc never imagined- and a chance at enduring love is the one peril they can't resist...

My Review:

I have to say I have enjoyed all 6 of the books in this series. While they aren't super suspenseful, tragic, historical or factual like most of the books I prefer to read, I enjoy this author and love a good romantic, easy read from time to time.

As with most series, this book starts out by pulling in a character from the previous book and takes off with their story. 

In this book it is Lucian Joslyn( Luc), the illegitimate half brother of the new Viscount, Barnaby Joslyn.

Luc has a reputation for being a womanizer and a gambler. Although he has been on the outskirts of proper society things are changing.

I loved how this book pulls out his softer more "gentlemanly" side and how he learns to trust and follow his heart.

It also showed a great bond between brothers and how there is still a bond whether you were raised together or not.

Definitely has the adventure and mystery factors included.

A classic "who done it?" Wonderful characters and dialogue throughout.

I gave it 4 stars!

Don't forget to check out Shirlee Busbee over at Goodreads!

Happy Reading!