In Too Deep by Mary Connealy

Bethany House publishers provided me a free copy of In Too Deep by Mary Connealy. It is Book 2 in The Kincaid Brides series. Ethan is the middle brother of the Kincaid family. Now that older brother Rafe is happily married, he thinks his brother should be too. He has always been the one to give orders to Ethan and younger brother Seth. So when Audra, a young widow with 2 children needs to be protected from thugs who are looking for money that was stolen by Audra's former husband, Rafe gives the orders again to Ethan. He thinks Ethan and Audra should get married. So they agree to a marriage of convenience. But life never goes smoothly for the Kincaids. Younger brother Seth still has nightmares, Audra has 2 babies to look after, and Ethan is trying to be in control of his part of the ranch, yet his ranch hands are quick to remind him of how Rafe does things. Audra is determined to take care of herself as well as protect her children, even when danger comes calling. I read Book 1, and I found this one to be better than the first. I liked the strength of Audra and the way Ethan and Audra learned to depend on each other. I like the late 1880's time period, and how there is some action/mystery in the book. And now I look forward to book 3, which is eluded to at the end of this book. Can't wait to see how the trilogy ends!

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley

Thomas Nelson recently sent me a new novel by Margaret Brownley. Dawn Comes Early takes place on Last Chance Ranch in Arizona Territory in 1895. Kate Tenney is a dime novelist from Boston who has had her latest book banned and is looking for a place to start over when she responds to an want ad in the newspaper. Eleanor Walker has no family and is looking for a single girl to become her heiress. Kate quickly learns that ranching is hard labor, but is determined to meet every challenge head on. She has no family and mistrusts men because of her father's desertion when she was young. Luke Adams is the town blacksmith who rescues Kate after more than one mishap, but feels inferior to Kate because she is an educated woman. Plus, a relationship with Luke would stand in the way of Kate's ownership of the ranch because remaining single is one of Eleanor's requirements. Kate has to learn to trust her heart and realize that God never leaves us nor forsakes us. I enjoyed this novel because it had alot of action in it. Kate is a fiesty character that doesn't give up!