When I started reading <i>Aiming for Love</i>, it was perfect timing. In our national community, conversation was rapidly around vaccines and viruses, specifically measles and other formerly common childhood illnesses. I was tired of interacting with people. I was tired of trying to teach the propaganda machine fueled persons I interacted with from time to time. It was time to pull back, provide conversation if someone reached out, but recover myself mentally and emotionally. I was also very pregnant. My fifth child was born in November after the release of this book in October and I was just done mom-ing. The older children (all under the age of ten at the time) were exhausting me. We were joking about how nice a stay in the NICU would be considering their descriptions. Long story short, the NICU stay wasn't enjoyable, more of a nightmare, but this book was my escapism from it all.

This is a Colorado story, a Christian Historical Fiction, full of romance and wit. Jo (Josephine) was a fascinating character to escape with into her own troubles with misinformation of whether Aesop's Fables was a second Bible and the fear and danger of sick people, out there. Need I tell anyone that I read this book in the months of my fourth trimester (when a mother stays home-bound to gently introduce her newborn to her life and world) that was suppose to end April 2020. Yeah, that spring of 2020. This story was just the adventure that I needed.

It still had gun toting scalawags, money, fear, and adventure. There was horseback riding, mountain climbing, and train rides. But there was a hermitage base of thought that all would be safe if you just stayed home... Everything and everyone far away that you don't understand is a danger... The timing of this was unreal for me. It was everything that I needed and there is a reason why Mary Connealy's books are always ones I come back for.

Pandemic aside. Children aside. This is a great read and the rest of the trilogy is worth the time as a whole. Highly recommended as always. Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for the blessing of letting me read this story.

As I’m working through my NG backlist, I was so excited to try the audio of this book. It started strong, but then it went off the rails for me. I did not like Dave at all. I was not a fan of how he treated Jo and her sisters. I did like the descriptions of nature. Overall, this book ended up not being for me. I read lots of great reviews and hope it still finds its way into the hands of readers that need it.

Aiming for Love
by Mary Connealy
Pub Date 01 Oct 2019 |
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers



I am reviewing a copy of Aiming For Love through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:




Josephine Nordegren and her two sisters grew up nearly wild in southwestern Colorado. She has the archery skills of Robin Hood and the curiosity of the Little Mermaid, fascinated by but locked away from the forbidden outside world, she was raised to believe killed her parents. When David Warden, a rancher, brings in a herd much too close to the girls' secret home, her older sister especially is frightened, but Jo is too interested to stay away.





David’s parents are following on his heals, having escaped bandits at their house. David's father is wounded and needs shelter. Josephine and her sisters have the only cabin on the mountain. Do they risk stepping into the world to help those in need? Or do they remain separated but safe in the peaks of Hope Mountain?




I give Aiming for Love five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

What took me so long to try a Connealy book?! This story was adorable from beginning to end. The style was very similar to that of Karen Witemeyer, one of my favorite western-genre authors.

The characters were charming and unique. I especially loved the idea of the trio of sisters having lived on their own in the mountainous woods, like American Indians would have long ago. This book definitely felt like a flashback to a different time in history.

Plot twists galore! I really enjoyed the winding path the plot took. It felt very appropriate for the story, and everything felt realistic. The atmosphere really came alive for me, and that helped saturate me in the midst of the mountains of Colorado right alongside Josephine and Dave and the rest of the cast.

The “two Bibles” angle was odd. I didn’t appreciate the disrespect to the one true Bible, but I felt like it was mostly handled well. There were a couple of different characters who, bluntly or subtly, pointed out the truth – that there is only one Bible ordained by God. I greatly appreciated this aspect, that a light was aimed at the truth in a seamless way within the plot of the story.

I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.

This is the beginning of an amazing series! Aiming for Love is the first book in the Brides of Hope Mountain series which follows the 3 Nordegren sisters. The series takes place in Colorado which is near and dear to my heart. Connealy writes the West in such a romantic grand fashion that makes the reader long for olden days. This book follows the story of Josephine, who is an amazing archer. She and her sisters live on a mountain and they've been there for their whole lives. Their home reminds me of the scenery from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. They have very backwoodsy ideas but they love their home. So, when a rancher and his cattle show up on their land it leads to some fun conflict. It's a really romantic setting and I love the characters. It's a great start to a fun series!

I’m not even sure where to start with this book. It was both somewhat what I had expected, but also almost nothing like expected. I’ve read quite a few of Mary Connealy’s tales over the years, though I’ve not kept up with her most recent writing, and this story was . . . different. Not in a bad way, at all. Just different.

Expected things: I liked the characters. They were quirky and definitely unique. The details and descriptions are very well done. There’s suspense and a hint of mystery. I couldn’t resist laughing more than a few times.
Unexpected things: The story was deeper than I remember from her older books. God was mentioned much more than just in passing. This is something of a heavier story, with more difficult topics broached and in the beginnings of being tackled. The ending was kind of left unfinished.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and as already mentioned, I liked the characters. I enjoyed meeting Jo, Ilsa, and Ursula, along with Dave, Mitch, Ma, and Quill. The sisters are different, as expected. They haven’t spoken to people other than one another in years and are a little awkward at times, as a result. I loved Jo’s curiosity and willingness to reach out to help others. She’s outspoken and determined to do the right thing, as she sees it. I appreciated the kindness she shows even those who oppose her. And she and her sisters have such a loyalty to one another, which was interesting to see play out amidst conflict. I had to laugh at the misunderstanding of “two Bibles” and the stories that ensued. This book closed with a lot more questions than answers, which in most cases leaves a cliff-hanger and an “I can’t wait to find out what happens next!” attitude. In this case, though, to me the story just felt unfinished. Like someone ripped out the last couple chapters and I was missing something. I am curious to read the next book, but more so just kind of perturbed at how this one ended.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but would maybe suggest waiting to read it until the next one is available. So you don’t have the wait time I get to endure between this ending and the next beginning.

Josephine Nordegren and her sisters live isolated lives in the wilderness of Colorado. Then, when Jo crosses paths with Dave Warden, her little world begins to grow—but not without a few mishaps and dangerous encounters.

I loved getting to know the characters in Aiming for Love, the start to Mary Connealy’s new Brides of Hope Mountain series. Jo and her sisters prove admirably capable and resourceful (though completely quirky), while Dave and his family quickly open their hearts to the strange women. Plenty of humor fills the narrative as the two groups interact, and it kept me smiling from beginning to end.

I do wish that more had been resolved by the end of this first story. However, as in the High Sierra Sweethearts series, I expect that some of the danger, mystery, and interpersonal conflict will take the whole series to resolve. I’ll just have to wait until I can get my hands on Woman of Sunlight.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK 

I have always been a fan of Mary Connealy books and with this one, she has written something very different. And I love it! I could never imagine 3 young ladies living their entire lives on a mountain, never going down that mountain to meet anyone else. And living off of the mountain land. And add to that, they know nothing about real life. But that is what this book is about. And you really need to read it to know what happens.

This is such an enjoyable read. The three Nordegren young ladies are very different, Ursula was a loner and afraid of everything, Jo was more adventurous, and Ilsa was sweet and loveable. But they all had amazing skills to survive. But when the Warden family moves to the mountain, life was more interesting. And there is a lot if humor throughout the books from the three sisters because they had no idea what the Wardens were talking about most of the time. I grew to love these characters, and the sweet family they all became. All except the Ursula that is. The awesome plot kept me reading, but I didn’t want this book to end. Being in a place without the worries of the world was so peaceful, it just didn’t last long enough. I can’t wait for the second book in this series.

A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

From the hillside of Hope Mountain to the valley of Warden Ranch, Aiming for Love is a fascinating and entertaining story from beginning to end. Mary Connealy has given us a unique and totally NEW story.

Jo is incredible. I have never read a book with a character quite like her. While naive and ignorant of the world outside her isolated haven on Hope Mountain, Jo is an endearing heroine if ever there was one. She is resourceful and curious. Ready for adventure and ready for love. I want her clothes! LOL! This book was fabulous world building and setting the stage for the rest of the series. I feel like we've just scratched the surface of the lives of the Nordegren sisters and I can't wait to learn more about them in the books to come.

Cowboys, romance, mountains, danger, and a Ma that everyone needs in their life, Aiming for Love is the perfect blend of Mary's classic genre of Romantic Comedy...with Cowboys! It's a good thing book two, Woman of Sunlight is now available because you won't want to leave Hope Mountain!

I received a complimentary copy of Aiming for Love from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

“Aiming for Love” by Mary Connealy
Brides of Hope Mountain–Book 1
“Aiming for Love” will capture your heart. From the first page to the last it will grab you and take you on an wonderful adventure all over Hope Mountain in Colorado.
You will meet some amazing young women whose lifestyle is quite unusual. They are the three Nordegren sisters Josephine, Ilsa, and Ursula who have been living alone on Hope Mountain for years.
They are self sustaining and have never been off the mountain, they do not know anything about the outside world, and are fearful of people. Their greatest fears are realized with the unexpected arrival of men and cows on the mountain. Josephine is an expert with the bow and arrow and it is her curiosity that causes this story to unfold into a dramatic, but sweet romantic tale that only God could have orchestrated.
Throughout the story Mary Connely has weaved threads of love, faith, hope, fear, frustration and of course bits of humor. All these come together to create a novel that will leave you smiling, yet yearning for more.
This is an easy read, a page turner that you will find hard to put down. Once finished you will want to go back and re-read it because you won’t want to let the characters leave your mind. And, you will anxiously wait for book two to answer several questions that will be floating around in your head.
I hightly recommend this book to anyone who loves Western/Cowboy Romance novels. I was gifted this book by the author, but was not expected to give a favorable review. All comments are my own.
–Leona J. Atkinson

I've enjoyed some of Mary Connealy's works, some have been a hit, some a miss, this one? Somewhere in the middle.

I liked the plot line, the characters were somewhat all right but they could have used more development, more depth would have been nice too. They just felt like her other characters from other books, they blend too much into the same character, the hero too much like the heroes in her other books same as the heroines.

That's not to say it is a bad book, it's nice as a matter of fact, and I liked several parts of it, especially Dave's and Jo's romance, getting to know each other, and everything.

As with each of Mrs. Connealy's books readers will find the cute humory backdrop in the romance, adventure, and slight suspense in Aiming For Love. I wasn't sure at first what to think of the Bible part of the story, which is confusing when I say it but if you read it you'll understand, I like how it was handled.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

The first in a new series.
I like the premise of the story. I don't recall it before. Three sisters isolated from the rest of world after their grandparents who raised them dies.
I like each sisters quirky personalities. Can't wait for next in the series.

This is the first book from the “Brides of Hope Mountain Series” and I’m looking forward for the next story! It was a wonderful story!
Josephine Nordegren and her two sisters have lived a unique life, isolated from civilization, you could say raised in the wilderness. The reason is that their parents were killed in the outside world, so it became forbidden for them to wander outside their ample but hidden territory. Jo is a great archer, and has an awful curiosity about the outside world.
Then comes David Warden, a rancher traveling with his herd very close to their secret cabin. His parents follow him after being attacked from some bandits at their ranch, and David discovers his father is wounded and needs a safe place to recover. And the only place near is the Nordegren sisters cabin. Jo’s older sister is afraid, but can they truly reject an injured man in need of a shelter?
Jo and Dave’s story was delightful! I loved Jo’s naivety and charm. And Dave was a truly patient and loving hero with a heart of gold. It was really a delight to watch this seemingly unmatched couple fall in love. I loved their dialogues, banters and discussions. The romance was sweet and really cute and endearing! The plot kept a good pace and flowed smoothly, I found myself captivated until the very end. I also loved the other sisters, and other side characters as Dave’s family. It’s a series that can easily grow on you!
I surely recommend this fun and heartwarming story! I received a copy from the Publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I was interested in the premise of this one but instead of being a fun-fluff read it was simply too much fluff, like finding dry ice when you think you see snow. So many inconsistencies in the story and a romance in which I simply couldn’t see what they saw in each other unless it was an attractive exterior.

There were no hogs and boars to hunt in 1873 Colorado. Feral hogs have only recently begun invading the southwestern CO area.

I had a very hard time understanding what Connealy was trying to portray about the girls’ past. On one hand they had the entire Bible memorized front to back; on the other hand they couldn’t discern that the book of fables wasn’t holy too.

I could see maybe one girl memorizing instead of reading, but all three at once? Why would their grandparents not teach them their alphabet?

They were very naive about some things but super savvy about others; fearless in the open but terrified of the unknown (which was the most understandable part of their saga).

Overall, a story that held a lot of promise but didn’t ultimately follow through. I will be trying the second book, though, to see if it follows through on that country-girl-goes-to-town vibe that I’d love to see.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. This review is based on a final copy.

"Had her life, lived so alone, made her the purest form of herself? "
1873 Colorado. Oh I like this girl. I was totally captivated in the first few sentences. I want to be her, wish I had her skills. I've always loved the woods and have been interested in living off the land, but these sisters take it seriously. Taught by their Grandparents, who have passed away. Their Grandmother making them afraid of people. But Jo is a curious girl, which is what gets the story going. The Wardens come under attack and have to run from their ranch. They think that the girl's need their help, but find it's the other way around.
My only complaint is that the book ends before the story is over far enough, so it becomes a cliff hanger.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are 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.”
#NetGalley #AimingForLove

Mary Connealy's books are always full of laugh-out-loud moments, and I'm happy to say Aiming for Love is no different!
I loved the idea of the wild, untamed sisters who'd not had much direction in their lives except for their "Good Books." And yet, by taking their study of God's Word seriously through the years, they were well versed in the life of a faithful servant of Christ and obviously had a great love for their Savior.
The spiritual theme of setting aside fear and trusting God is one that resonates with the sheltered Nordegren sisters, but also in our lives today. The struggle inside Jo to go against the strict ban on the outside world imposed by her grandmother in order to help the Warden family. Should she put her family at risk? Should she help a stranger? The answer can be found in one of her "Good Books."
I also loved how the gorgeous setting of this book was connected to the characters' faith. How seeing a beautiful sunrise or a luscious valley makes Jo turn to the Lord in prayer. It made the description of the scene that much more magnificent.
The sweet romance between Jo and Dave was different than some--mainly because Jo had never seen or talked to a man beside her grandpa! But I love how Dave doesn't judge or make fun of Jo for her ignorance about the outside world. Instead, he wonders at the skills she and her sisters have gained over the years. It is this simple respect that blossoms into more.
I enjoyed Aiming for Love, but it left so many questions unanswered that I'm going to be impatiently waiting for the next book in the series! If you like Christian historical fiction, especially western-type fiction, you will like this book!
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Mary Connealy writes a humorous novels with a Western flair. Aiming for Love is one of them. In this novel, the main characters are three almost feral women who have lived on Hope Mountain in Montana for most of their lives. Their grandmother was a fearful woman--afraid of the possibilities that the outside world would kill them.

Jo Nordegren is the middle sister of the three. When her fortress is invaded by David Warden and ten thousand head of cattle, her oldest sister wants them gone, while Jo is intrigued. Then David's father shows up with a shot in his side, David's mother, and the rest of the cattle from the Circle Dash Ranch after a land grab from a neighbor. Jo enlists the help of Ilsa, the youngest sister, who knows the ways of healing herbs.

David is intrigued by Jo and spends as much time with her as possible throughout the book. During the time of his father's recovery, his brother, Mitch, shows up; his father ends up with what sounds like Chicken Pox; Jo's oldest sister, Karen, moves out of their cabin; and Jo helps David find another cabin on the property that her grandfather had built, as well as a well kept cave set up for living.

I found the ending rather abrupt, and felt like something was missing. This is an easy read--one of those quick reads that keep the reader engaged and enjoying every page. A solid four star book.

My thanks go to Bethany House and NetGalley.com for providing the copy I read for this review.

The Nordegren sisters are living in a mountain paradise! This is not to say they have a physically easy life but you don’t have to be an awestruck flat-lander like me to appreciate their hard-core survivalist skills. After living cut-off from the outside world for the majority of their lives, these ladies take socially awkward to a whole new level and I love them for it!

Jo’s insatiable curiosity played a major role in ending the only way of life she and her sisters have ever known, secluded from the world in their mountain hideaway. Adventurous Josephine with her middle-child peacemaking heart is the perfect sister to lead the way into the terrifying new yet exciting territory of socialization.

David’s shock, concern, and frequent befuddlement over the Nordegren sisters is one of my favorite parts of this story. His chivalry doesn’t allow him to simply forget the sisters yet the fact that he’s hard-pressed to keep anything other than his fascination with Jo on his mind is evidence of the kind of attraction that makes chivalrous behavior a challenge.

Mary Connealy delivers a heartwarming, thought-provoking, and entertaining tale which is sure to delight readers from all elevations! I highly recommend Aiming for Love and eagerly anticipate the remaining installments of the Brides of Hope Mountain series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Beautiful story, wonderful setting, and characters who I would love to sit down and chat with for days.

Aiming for Love is the beginning of a new series, and it certainly starts off with a bang. Three sisters who have never experienced life outside their remote mountain home suddenly find themselves neck deep in culture overload.

Mary Connealy does a fantastic job with her descriptions. Long enough to immerse you in the setting but short enough you don’t lose track of what’s happening around the characters.

I can’t wait to hear more from Jo, Ilsa, and Ursula. Ursula especially intrigues me, even as she frustrates me because of the insane amount of fear she possesses. I think that will make a very promising story arc when it’s her turn to step into the spotlight.

Jo’s character is fresh and sincere while remaining naive, a unique combination when you add in her deadly skill with bow and arrow along with her wilderness savvy.

There’s still a lot of ground for the series to cover, but this first installment hit the ground running and I never looked back.

Jo and Dave show a rock-solid strength and belief in God, and the theme I took away from Aiming for Love was that we cannot live in fear. Bad things happen no matter where you live. You shouldn’t let fear drive you away from those you love, and you should be willing to put your faith and trust in a God who is bigger than all our troubles.

If you enjoy historical romance, especially of the wilderness variety, you should read this book. You won’t regret it.

In the first book of this new series, a trio of sisters has been raised secluded from the rest of the world in a hidden mountain home. Once they are alone and without surviving family, they live off the wild, learning to track, hunt, and gather with the best of them. However, one day, Jo (short for Josephine) is caught by a rancher after she ventures too close to his site, her eyes caught by a tin cup. While still at the camp site, the rancher’s father arrives, severely wounded from a gunshot. Jo knows her sister Ilsa is a skilled healer and may be the man’s only chance at surviving, so despite everything she has been taught and led to believe is best for her family, she sets off to entreat her sister to help these strangers.
The interactions with the sisters, especially Jo, brought to mind a more adult Amelia Bedelia. I smiled more than once reading them, and felt they were authentic to how someone raised away from the world would naturally react to some of this new information. The sisters’ continued reluctance to fully engage with Dave and his family naturally grows into acceptance and eventually friendship, with each sister depicted as having her own separate yet fully developed personality.
While the story itself quickly skips along and was thoroughly enjoyable, I didn’t feel much spark between the two love interests. This made the ending a bit flat for me, but the book was still a new and inspiring read and I will be continuing the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary advance copy. This did not influence my review.