Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Hello everyone! It's almost the end of the week! I've finished the final book the in Brides of Last Chance Ranch series by Margaret Brownley, and I'm sad it's come to an end. What will I read next?!

Overview:
In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.

When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom—an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.

But she isn’t the only one at the ranch with something to hide. Wells Fargo detective Jeremy Taggart is working undercover as well. Their true identities may be a secret, but it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the sparks flaring between them.

Neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn’t removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they get to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets—and no one on the ranch is safe.

The longer Miranda and Jeremy spend working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers—and their lives—depend on solving this case. Love will just have to wait.

My Review: This is my favorite book of the whole series.  Miranda Hunt (a.k.a. Annie Beckman) has been trying to prove herself her whole life. First, to her father. Second, to her superiors and other Pinkerton operatives. Third, to herself. She is strong-willed, determined, and is not afraid to question things.  She is very good at her job, and feels that a big case will fulfill her empty heart.  Jeremy Taggart (a.k.a. Branch) is handsome and charming. He has recently come out of semi-retirement to work a case on the Phantom. What neither Annie nor Branch bargained for was meeting each other on Last Chance Ranch.

The story line is so good! It's the most exciting of the three. There is action, mystery, and a little bit of romance.  The intensity between Annie and Branch is palpable. I don't know about you, but I could feel it coming off the pages! This well written story had me guessing until the very end. I loved the side story of Miss Walker. I was very pleased with how that story ended! I also liked that it mentioned the other characters from the first two books and gives us an "update" on their lives.  Aunt Bessie is as comical as ever, and does not detract from the story in any way. The message is this: what type of faith do you have? Is it a trusting faith, or a questioning faith? Can you learn to forgive and forget the past and "follow the joy" of the life God has planned for you? 

Overall, this book has it all! Mystery, action, and romance. What more could you ask for? Read it today!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookSneeze program in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.**

More fun! with links:

• My review of Dawn Comes Early
• My review of Waiting for Morning
• Visit Margaret Brownley
• Follow Margaret: Twitter*Facebook 
• Purchase Gunpowder Tea:Barnes and Noble * Amazon * Christianbook.com

Until next time... :)

Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley

Howdy, howdy folks! It's been a great week so far! This is the first week of my last classes. The end is in sight... I'm ALMOST done! 7 more weeks.....WOOOHOOOO!!! Just think of all the reading I'll get done with no school work to do!

Anyways, I finished Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley tonight. This is the second book in the Brides of Last Chance Ranch series, and I think it was better than the first! I really enjoyed Molly and Caleb's story.

Overview: If Molly Hatfield's purple attire doesn't blind you, her dazzling smile will.  She doesn't just sing to the cattle, she puts on a whole show. If only she wasn't so stubborn about her brother's care.  Or so distrustful of a certain handsome doctor...

There is nothing Molly wouldn't do for her teenaged brother, Donny. Blaming herself for the accident that left him wheel-chair bound, Molly has dedicated her life to his care. But in 1896, gainful employment for a woman is hard to come by. So when Molly learns that an eccentric rancher in Cactus Patch, Arizona, is looking for an heiress--someone to take over management of the ranch in exchange for future ownership--she jumps at the chance to provide a real home for her brother.

If she proves to have a knack for ranching and agrees to remain single for life, the ranch can be hers. Neither stipulation worries Molly. She's resourceful and hardworking. And she gave up dreams of marriage long ago when she dedicated her life to her brother's well-being.
However, Molly didn't bank on meeting Dr. Caleb Fairbanks, the town's handsome and charismatic young doctor, whose backfiring automobilie almost gets him killed when Molly thinks she's being shot at and fires back.

But it's how he is with her brother that really alarms her. Caleb sees past the wheelchair and genuinely likes Donny, but Molly fears he's putting unrealistic ideas into her brother's head. Falling in love with Caleb would threaten everything she's worked for, even her brother's future happiness.   It'll take an act of congress to convince her otherwise--and maybe even a little help from above.  

My Review: As I stated before, I love Caleb and Molly's story. I love their characters. I loved getting to know them. Mrs. Brownley does an excellent job of hashing out these characters.  We can tell from the beginning that Caleb is going to be a fantastic male hero. He is smart, funny, compassionate, charming and stubborn as always. I also love that Caleb Molly, in my opinion, is awesome. She is a great older sister. She has a fierce love for her brother and will do anything for him. She is self-assured (most of the time), determined, and proud. Donny brings the story together. Miss Walker is still a conundrum to me. She acts all tough, but inside she's going soft. I love her character and can't wait to see her develop more.

The story is much the same as the first book in the series. However, Caleb and Molly's story has Donny. Donny adds a depth to the story and an interesting one at that. Molly is determined to be the perfect heiress. Caleb is determined to change the world as a doctor, and struggles with "failure" just like all doctors do. Donny struggles to come to grips with his paralysis and learning that he's not helpless. He works to come to grips with the fact that he is growing up. The romance between Molly and Caleb is natural and very well developed.

I love the fact that Molly, despite her former job, still believed in God. Oh she didn't like going to church because of what had happened in her past, and she might not have put God first in everything, but she still believed and didn't "spurn" God because of it. That, to me, is a more natural reaction to averse things happening in a Christian's life than to completely disown God. However, people react differently, so someone else might have a different opinion. Caleb understands people. He has to. Being a doctor means reading people to tell if they are lying to you about their symptoms, etc. He quickly learns that Molly carries more than she needs to. The message is clear. Wait on the Lord, put Him first in everything. 

Overall, this story is an excellent addition to the series, and I highly recommend it!

More fun, with links!

• My review of Dawn Comes Early
• Visit Margaret Brownley
• Follow Margaret: Twitter*Facebook
• Purchase Waiting for Morning: B&N*Amazon*Christianbook.com

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley

Howdy, howdy! It's been a long week, and it's only Wednesday! It's final exam week for me, so reading for pleasure is hard right now. I have managed to finish this great book, though. Dawn Comes Early is the first book in the Brides of Last Chance Ranch series by Margaret Brownley. I haven't read her books in a while, but I loved the Rocky Creek Romance series, so I knew I would love these as well!

Overview: Looking for a woman of good character and pleasant disposition willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona territory. Must be SINGLE and prepared to remain so now and forever more. Will be given ownership of ranch. —Eleanor Walker

Disgraced dime novelist Kate Tenney fled the city that banned her latest book for a fresh start at a cattle ranch in the Arizona Territory. She hopes ranching turns out to be as romantic as she portrayed it in her novels.

But what awaits her is a much harder life. There is no room for mistakes on a working cattle ranch in 1895, and Kate is ill-prepared for her new life. She quickly learns that dawn comes early . . . every day. But she is tenacious.

Having been abandoned by a string of men, Kate has no intention of ever marrying. But she didn’t expect to meet Luke Adams either. Luke awakens feelings inside Kate she doesn’t recognize, and his steady presence is a constant distraction. She has only written about love in the past, never known it herself. But her feelings for Luke stand in the way of all she has to gain if she is chosen as the heir.

Perhaps God brought Kate to the barrenness of the desert to give new life to her jaded heart.

My Review: This was such a great book. The characters were fantastic. Miss Walker is something else. I really enjoyed her character and figuring out why she is the way she is. Kate Tenney strikes me as smart, independent, and stubborn. She thinks she has life figured out. Luke Adams is the strong, silent type. Their romance was sweet. The conversations they would have together made me laugh most times, and other times I would want to shake them both for their blindness! 

The story progresses naturally. I like that the timeline is more than a week or a few days. Some authors try to cram a whole love story into a week, which isn't realistic at all. Instead, Kate and Luke converse over months and have plenty of time for feelings to develop  Kate comes to Last Chance Ranch because she feels she has no where else to go. The name of the ranch is very fitting, in her case. She is at her lowest point when she comes to Cactus Patch and can't afford to lose. Luke is content to be the town smithy and live his simple life. So he is unprepared for the feelings Kate awakens in him. Can they both figure out their own hearts before it's too late?!

If there is one thing wrong with this book, it is this: I'm not sure whether or not Kate becomes a Christian. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but the progression for Kate doesn't seem realistic to me. I don't feel she was ministered to enough throughout the story to really come to an understanding with the Lord. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants a good ol' fashion cowboy read!

More fun, with links!

• Learn more about the books and Margaret here.
• Follow Margaret: Twitter*Facebook
• Find more interesting information about the West: Petticoats & Pistols
• Purchase your copy: B&N*Amazon*Christianbook.com

Good night! :)