The Element of Love by Mary Connealy was almost unbelievable in its content. The author wants the reader to believe that the three stepdaughters of a tyrannical, unprincipled, and abusive stepfather steal away in the night with their mother to escape his plans for marriages of the three to his unsavory friends. The mother pretends to fall and injure herself so that her daughters can flee faster on their own. Ms. Connealy also wants the reader to imagine these three girls riding logs down a flume to a river, taking off cross-country with a religious group to minister to gold miners. Not only that but the book’s ending leads us to another subsequent novel where all will be remedied.

I love books from Bethany House, but this one was truly unbelievable. I review books for them and am happy to do so. Usually, I can give a raving review, but sadly cannot for this book. I will say that it was entertaining because one never knew what kind of mess the girls would get themselves into next. The ending was a cliffhanger, which I hate. I want what I read to be finished when I’m done. Now, if I want to find out what happened to the girls and their mother, I will have to read the next book in the series.

I love the premise behind The Element of Love; the storyline is so interesting! Three daughters on the run from an evil stepfather need to marry to overtake him from running their late father’s business. They have been trained to take over the lumber business themselves. However, reading about how “smart” and intelligent” the sisters are and what fine brains they have over and over again borders on annoying. Laura and Caleb’s characters have potential, but seem shallow and the romance far fetched. I am interested to see how the overarching story line of the series finishes, but will find it difficult to see past the dialogue and characters.

‘The right thing for him might be to run for the hills.’

Well, Mary Connealy had done it again. She has once again written a cowboy comedy that brings much enjoyment and hours of great reading. I have been a fan since I first read a book by her. Her books sit proudly on my shelves. And do indeed take up a lot of room.

Connealy has created a cast of characters here that I surely enjoyed getting to know. And look forward to know more of, to be sure. These three sisters really are a cool trio. I can’t wait to see what happens in the lives of Michelle and Jilly. And to see if old mean Edgar gets what is coming to him. I just enjoyed every single minute. Now I have to wait a long time to read the next one.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform. The review here is expressly my own opinion.

THE ELEMENT OF LOVE by MARY CONNEALY is the first novel in The Lumber Baron’s Daughters series and it is delightful, exciting and amusing. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
The story takes place in 1872 with the three Stiles daughters running away from their brutish stepfather who wants them to marry equally brutish men that he has chosen for them.
Michelle, Jilly and Laura are extremely well educated young women, especially in mathematics, science and chemistry, and they put their talents to good use. They know a great deal about running the lumber business which will one day be theirs. There is one thing standing in the way of them ousting their stepfather from his control before they turn twenty five and that is the stipulation that they find husbands. After their daring escape and their journey with Pastor Caleb Tillman and his missionary group to a place aptly called Purgatory, things get really interesting. Their search for husbands and going home to save their mother are two things that are top of their agenda.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you.
I highly recommend The Element of Love as having all the elements of an enjoyable read - romance, humour, suspense, danger, a good plot, unforgettable characters and a strong Christian message.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.