ASweet Misfortune

How do you know my name?” She tapped her foot in the dirt. “And what do you want from me?” Her eyes snapped in anger. I demand to know your name and why you’ve kidnapped me!”

“I choose to call it a rescue. My name is John McIntyre and I own this ranch. Your brother, Preston wrote and asked me to rescue you from the Wild Horse to protect you from that unscrupulous lifestyle.”

Her head thrust upward in surprise. “Preston? You’ve heard from Preston?” It was almost a whisper. For a moment her face softened and she seemed to forget her anger at him.

“Yes. Now will you please come inside and we’ll have supper and talk?” He was pleading with her, which was against his nature. What had he gotten himself mixed up with?

Book: ASweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan, Revell Publishers, 2016

 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Target Audience: Adult Women

Subjects: Loss, Romance, Pride

Summary: She’s going to win back the family ranch and she’s willing to pay whatever price it costs to do so. Even if that means dancing in the saloons. Her brother may not be much for communication but he has no intention of letting that happen. So rather than write her back or come home, he simply sends his friend over to deal with the situation, which John does in a rather effective manner. He simply picks her up and tosses her over his shoulder carrying her right off the stage. The problems come when John starts finding himself attracted to Rachel. Rachel has multiple reasons to dislike him, the largest being not the kidnapping but the possessing of her family’s land with refusal to give it back unless she and her brother pay more than they could afford. Rachel won’t admit it but she’s starting to become attracted to John as well, but knows there are multiple reasons he wouldn’t want her, not the least of which is the young girl nearby who is determined to be the one to gain him. Finding love is one thing, admitting it is quite another!

Notes: A Sweet Misfortune is the second in the Virtues and Vices of The Old West series. In this book both characters are finding it hard to face and accept truth. They prefer their own made-up reality. Rachel wants to believe she can keep her virtue and yet make enough money to buy back the family ranch. John wants to believe he can become the biggest rancher around without it affecting any of his relationships. Both have to wrestle with letting God have their desires and accepting that His desire for them may not mean getting what they want. The spiritual elements aren’t the main focus on this story but they are there, especially at the climax when each character faces a moment of humbling themselves before God and admitting the truth.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

James 4:7-10 - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.