A Model of Devotion
by Mary Connealy
Pub Date 11 Oct 2022
Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance



Bethany House and Netgalley provided me with a copy of A Model of Devotion to review:


How far will she go to maintain her independence now that she's finally claimed it?


Jilly Stiles is a brilliant engineer who has been taught since childhood to run her family's lumber business. Now that her two sisters have married, Jilly can focus on the dream of building a mountaintop railroad--and never marry.




When Nick Ryder saved Jilly's mother from her evil stepfather, he was prepared to protect her from anything that would harm her--as long as he kept his heart out of it.


As a cruel and powerful man tries to make Jilly his own, she must choose between her safety and her independence.


I give A Model of Devotion five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Jilly thinks she can now focus on her dream of building a mountaintop railroad. Others have plans that would keep her from fulfilling that dream. One man wants her for his wife and her claim to her legacy. This family is one he should not have crossed as they will stop at nothing to protect Jilly and all of their family. Enjoyed this family saga and the strong ladies that made it successful!

Once again Connealy delivers an enchanting romance novel that historical fiction fans will devour.

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

As I did not finish or review the first book in this series I do not feel it is fair to read or review this one as I am prejudice to not finish it.

This was pure escapism and the type of book I, as a reader, know I am safe with and can just get lost in. I read this in two days as it went down easy and quickly. Although I haven’t read the first two books, something about the description drew me in and I will be purchasing the first two novels in the series after finishing this final book.

This was gentle enough for comfort reading but riveting enough to keep you from wanting to put it down. The series features a set of strong, smart, spunky women with solid family ties and traditional values. You can read this on your own but I think would benefit best with reading the previous two beforehand as the plot jumps in right from the start.

Some aspects may be too old fashioned for some readers but I think those who love When Calls the Heart and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman will feel at home in this series.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted ecopy. All views expressed are my own.

Historical fiction that stars an intelligent female protagonist, like this one, is right up my alley. Jilly is the daughter of a lumber baron, and is now basically running the company after her father's passing and her two sisters' marriages. Her plan to improve the company is to build a railroad track going up the mountain, in order to make the lumber distribution process easier. Family friend and lumberjack, Nick, considers protecting the family as one of his main duties. When someone from their past begins sabotaging the railroad, he is quick to step up. He will fight to keep Jilly and her family safe while they race against time to finish the railroad.

The very first scene of the novel put me off a bit, with the suggestion of a sexual assault, but I'm glad I kept reading.
I enjoyed the sweet and gentle romance that built up between Jilly and Nick. I also love when female protagonists are smart and not afraid to show it, just like Jilly and her sisters. I've not read the first two books in the series, but feel like I got the gist of what occurred in those novels. This novel has a surprising amount of well written action scenes as well. It provides an interesting plot, lovable characters, and a well rounded story.

This story had one issue that really bugged me, but the story was fantastic.

I loved the way this story wrapped up the various loose threads in the trilogy. Obviously, I can’t talk about those things, but they came to satisfactory ends for me.

The thing that bothered me was the excessive sexual innuendo layered in throughout. It felt awkward and inappropriate. I understand these characters were married, but it still felt like entering the bedroom with them. They weren’t the types to flirt so overtly in company, so why were they doing it in mine? If not for that, this book would have easily been a five-star read for me.

The engineering, turning bridge, and familial drama were all sorts of happy for me. I loved how these aspects were all intertwined and overlapping. The faith thread was woven well among it all, and that was definitely the icing on the cake. The sisters and their mom were still the highlight and center of the story, but I loved how the fellows the girls chose were added in naturally and brought depth and extra spunk to the adventure.

Content: alcohol, sexual innuendo (excessive)

Yes - read it.

Great wrap up to the series. I would recommend reading them in order. And anything by this author in general.

Couldn't wait to get to this book to find out the ending for the 3 sisters and their mother. Wonderful to learn the fate of Jilly & Nick's relationship.

I loved the independent skill sets the sisters were given. It made for a much livelier read!

I received an ARC from Netgalley to help me prepare my honest review.

Jilly is a gifted engineer, with dreams of building a railroad through the mountain to help transport the lumber. Her past has left her determined never to marry, but the man who her step father arranged a marriage with is not willing to give up his claim on her so easily.

Nick has been a faithful friend, helping to get the sisters' mother safe from her treacherous husband, and he wants to whatever he can to help the women escape Edgar's clutches. He is honorable and has a good heart, I liked how he was understanding of Jilly and was supportive of her no matter what.

This is a fast paced read, full of faith and adventure. I liked how this book brings together the whole family, and we get to see them working together as well as reunited with their mother. I liked how patient Nick is with Jilly, and how he already cares for her family. A wonderful conclusion to a highly entertaining series!


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

Loved this wonderful story of faith, family and teamwork! Three brainy sisters run a lumber company and start building a railroad together in the Old West. I hadn't read the first two books in the series, but I definitely will now as I am absolutely hooked on this author's writing style! I would certainly recommend this to anyone- it's squeaky clean, and a great treat of a read! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this complimentary e-book! A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above are my own.

First sentence: Jilly Stiles always came back to the mansion on Nob Hill.

There are three books in the series: The Element of Love, Inventions of the Heart, and A Model of Devotion. Each book stars a different sister as the central protagonist, though all three books feature the sisters [and whole family] to a certain extent. This third book has the story focused on Jilly.

I have just about decided that A Model of Devotion will almost probably-probably be my last novel to read by Mary Connealy. [Unless I find more review copies from previous years. Those I'd probably still feel the need to read.] Mary Connealy's personal writing style is melodrama, melodrama, melodrama, and even more melodrama. I have just about decided that I am personally allergic to all the melodrama. This doesn't seem to be the case with most of the reviews I've read. Plenty of readers instead of seeing melodrama see ACTION and ADVENTURE and SUSPENSE.

For those not allergic melodrama, Jilly's life [and the lives of anyone who's close to her, works with her, happens to be near her] is in great danger [still]. Will Jilly and Nick Ryder [the love interest] outsmart the bad guys.

Beautiful book.

I love the female role. Women in this time period weren’t treated as an equal to men, at least as far as I know. The Stiles women were treated as equal. To be fair, they were super smart, so they were smarter than most men.

Edgar and the evil rich man got on my nerves, more so the rich man. Connealy makes you despise those evil men, which I liked. She pours so much into her characters that you actually feel like they are real.

I liked her style of writing. Every page kept you interested. There was never a moment that it got boring. It was a real page turner.

I also like that this book had a good message and that it was clean. I like reading a good book that I have no worry of anything popping up. There are a few implied stuff, but it’s never shown, which I liked.

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

This was such a fun book to read. Connealy made it nearly impossible to put down, which kept me up later than my husband wanted. I absolutely love the Stiles sisters! They are smart, beautiful, and feisty. A Model of Devotion is the third book in the Lumber Baron’s Daughters series, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I have now read all 3 and can’t recommend them enough. That being said you can totally read this as a stand alone novel as well, you’ll grow to love them along the way. Connealy is a master at what she does, and I will read any book she writes.

Having read The Element of Love and Inventions of the Heart, I was dying to read Jilly’s story. Jilly never planned on getting married, and like most women that feel like her she has her reasons. Since both of her sisters married, they now own the majority of their families lumber dynasty. Surely that means that Jilly is free to live her life the way she wants. Unfortunately little does she know, that isn’t all that matters to the evil man her step father promised her to. He will stop at nothing to make her his, and it doesn’t matter who gets in his way. Nick wants nothing more than to protect the Stiles women, but just how much will it cost him?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance with the perfect amount of suspense mixed in. I couldn’t get enough. This series belongs on the keeper shelf. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a great ending to the Lumber Baron’s Daughters series. Jilly Stiles is the serious sister, the one who has a lot of untold secrets that weigh heavily on her mind. A brilliant engineer and great with math, Jilly needed a strong person to teach her to trust again, and Nick (who we met in previous books) is just the man to do it. Friends first, their romance blossomed slowly and as a marriage of convenience often does, that friendship can catch fire and become a brightly burning flame. Jilly has a lot of trust issues to work through, and Nick has to figure out where his desire for a home and family ends and his love for Jilly begins. All of the Stiles sisters feature in this book, so they’re best read in order.

What a powerful ending to this series! The sisters in this series have been such fun to meet and getting to know them was a pleasure. Not your typical ladies, given the time period, instead of needle point, afternoon teas and what one might expect, the sisters are strong minded, highly intelligent young women with skills and knowledge most men would love to have. I have been waiting for Jilly's story and I was not disappointed. She has been on the quiet side until now.

The author tied up this trilogy very nicely. I loved Nick from the beginning and was happy for his growth throughout the series and very happy to see the Lumbar Barron's Daughters finally get the lives and loves they deserve.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Although I have not read the first 2 books in this series, I was able to follow what was going on in this book with no problem. The book was hard to put down. I looked forward to reading the next chapters. This is a well-written, overall good book.

Another exciting book from Mary Connealy! I am sad to leave behind this family of intelligent women and brave, godly men. I feel like I'm in the family, along for the ride.

This final installment of the Lumber Baron's Daughters series follows the middle daughter, Jilly, as she navigates trauma, trains, and terrifying danger. Jilly finds a partner to help her and save her, in more ways than one. Nick appreciates Jilly's intelligence and beauty. He helps her deal with horrible things that she has been unable to speak of. Through the story, all of the characters learn the importance of relying on God more than themselves.

This is a great book from Mary Connealy! I received a free copy of this book from Baker Book House. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is a fantastic way to wrap up The Lumber Baron's Daughters series! The Stiles sisters and their mother finally get a resolution for a major problem, and we're given a glimpse of Jilly's secret dilemma that's remained a mystery since book one. Jilly takes center stage as she encounters major hurdles while trying to build a railroad. Nick Ryder, in true Mary Connealy fashion, proves to be the best kind of hero. He's willing to help and protect Jilly but he also knows when to let her have her say!! Nick's been a part of this series from the beginning, and I love that he finally gets this chance to shine!

I truly enjoy Connealy's books. She makes me laugh out loud and she shares beautiful gems of inspiration, but she doesn't overlook the romance! Swoon-worthy, clean romance that convinces us that a happy ending is possible! Add the western settings that I've always loved and realistic characters that are good, bad, or a little of both, and I'm kept fully engaged! Connealy's a master in writing wonderful historical Christian novels and A Model of Devotion is a perfect example!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review, and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.

Mary Connealy’s newest book, A Model of Devotion, was so good for me. I was ready for another fun Christian historical fiction by Mary. I wasn’t expecting to connect to it so much. I have been struggling with anxiety over situations out of my control. I felt like I was growing along with the main character. I needed this book. Thank you, Mary. It was a great finale in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's nice to read a book and series about a groundbreaking woman doing things not typically done by women in that time. It's equally refreshing seeing men who aren't threatened by her intelligence. I enjoyed seeing how Nick & Jilly worked together.

I was looking forward to Jilly's story. I knew there'd be some hard story behind her decision to never marry. I thought Nick and Jilly handled things well and with wisdom.

There's a very evil villain and plenty of danger. I enjoyed the fast pace as they raced to catch the villain and put an end to his destructive ways. It was a good read.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.