Welcome to my tour stop! Read my review and enter the giveaway below...
Protecting the Mountain Man's Treasure
(Brothers of Sapphire Ranch #3)
By Misty M. Beller
Christian Historical Romance, Western
Hardcover, Paperback & eBook, 256 Pages
February 6, 2024 by Misty M. Beller Books
Summary
In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, loyalty…and a hidden fortune.
Jude Coulter is far more comfortable in his family’s sapphire mine tucked in the Montana mountains than the bustling streets of New York City where he’s been sent to deliver a shipment of gems. His relief at boarding the train for the first leg of his journey home is short-lived when an accident renders him unconscious.
Angela Larkin worked hard to earn this assignment for the Treasury—an undercover mission to determine the source of the sapphires brought each year for auction in the city. When an accident causes her target to lose his recent memory, Angela jumps at the opportunity to create the ideal ruse. Jude seems surprised to learn the two of them had married and were returning from a glorious wedding trip, but he doesn’t question too strongly.
Yet when an unexpected threat arises, they find themselves dependent on the other to navigate the treacherous journey home. As the danger mounts, so too does an attraction neither of them anticipated. But can this love withstand the revelation of their tangled beginnings?
From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a pretend marriage, amnesia, undercover agents, and a love worth treasuring far more than riches.
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My Review
PROTECTING THE MOUNTAIN MAN'S TREASURE is a story about a man protecting his family and their sapphire mine and the woman agent who is assigned to follow him and forms a fake relationship when he loses his memory. A journey ensues where the characters try to make things work, fight to escape danger, learn to trust in God, and try to resist falling in love.
I really liked these two main characters. Jude was dependable and a gentleman who wanted to protect his family, but also Angela. Angela has had a rough life and she just wants to do what is right and prove to her boss that she is worthy of his trust. I tend to enjoy fake relationship tropes, although this one is a bit different since Jude doesn't know if he is or isn't actually in a relationship with Angela. Angela was quite the little actress.
The plot itself was a steady journey from New York to Montana with a few climatic spots. The climaxes took turns between the chemistry building between Jude and Angela, and where these characters faced danger. There was a happy reunion at the end with family, which was lovely.
There were some issues I had with the story. The basis of Angela following Jude wasn't consistent. The fake relationship didn't really work, although I thought the author gave it a strong go. Nor was there a reason the villains wouldn't take Jude's money from that year's sapphire sales but instead chose the riskier venture of waiting another year and following him to find the source. The religious element was stronger than I prefer. Stories where the romantic interests are different faiths and one of them has to change in order to find a happily-ever-after is always a difficult aspect to write well and rarely works for me, especially when the change is almost instantaneous. There were sections that I felt I could have easily skimmed and I wouldn't have missed anything, which is never a good sign.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This wasn't as enjoyable as I was hoping for. I still enjoyed it, but I think the overall premise and how things worked out didn't quite work for me. The characters were likable and the writing was decent, so it just wasn't a good fit for me.
Content: Some innuendo and violence. Clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
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Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
Tour Schedule
Alena Mentink, March 1
Wishful Endings, March 1
Lighthouse Academy Blog, March 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3
Splashes of Joy, March 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 4
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 4
Madi’s Musings, March 5
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 5
Texas Book-aholic, March 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 6
Betti Mace, March 7
Books You Can Feel Good About, March 7
Devoted To Hope, March 8
For Him and My Family, March 8
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , March 9
Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 9
Cover Lover Book Review, March 10
Life on Chickadee Lane, March 10
Blossoms and Blessings, March 11
Mary Hake, March 11
lakesidelivingsite, March 12
Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 12
Holly’s Book Corner, March 13
The Lofty Pages, March 13
Lily’s Corner, March 14
Pause for Tales, March 14
Tour-Wide Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Are you a fan of the fake relationship trope, westerns or this author? What do you like about this book?
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