Love's Raid

Maple Notch #3

by Darlene Franklin

Having returned from war missing part of one arm, Daniel is convinced no woman would want him. So he keeps his focus on his job as town constable. But even as he searches for the men who are robbing area banks and threatening his community, he cannot shake the vision of Clara’s steady gray eyes, the challenge of her quick mind, and the strength of her faith in God.
Will Clara and Daniel succeed in keeping love at arm’s length? Or will their defenses fall to love’s raid?

Genres: Christian Fiction

171 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin lives in cowboy country—Oklahoma and loves writing about the American West. Oklahoma also has the benefit of being the home to her son, his wife, and their four beautiful children. Darlene loves music, needlework, reading and reality tv. Talia, a Lynx point Siamese cat, proudly claims Darlene as her person. Darlene is the author of seventeen contracted books and novellas, as well as several hundred short pieces. Two of her books have finaled in ACFW’s Book of the Year (now the Carol award) contest: her novella, Dressed in Scarlet, and her cozy mystery, A String of Murders.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love's Raid: Maple Notch #3***** by Darlene Franklin

1864....Maple Notch, Vermont....Clara Farley wants to open a school offering higher education for young ladies. However, most men frown on their women folk getting more learning. Clara hopes to overcome that outdated thinking. Daniel Tuttle returned from the war with part of his left arm missing and feels he has nothing to offer a woman. Instead he focuses on his job as town constable and searching for the men responsible for the outbreak of bank robberies in neighboring towns and his own community. Is there a chance for love for Daniel? What plans does God have for Clara and the school she wants to open?

I enjoyed reading Clara and Daniel's sweet story. Clara is a woman of strong faith and a heart for others. Daniel is honest and is adjusting to his new life since the war. I like the way both Clara and Daniel seek God's guidance in their everyday lives...not just the big decisions. Bank robbers, twists and turns in the story, leaning on God's strength and guidance, hopes and dreams and love all make this a sweet, heartwarming story.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel came back from the Civil War after being injured and losing part of his right arm. He is now acting as Constable for small town Maple Notch Vermont. Clara Farley is resigned to being a spinster. Because she is educated and loves books, she wants to buy Daniel's family's mansion to turn into a Girl's Boarding School. But will bank robbers keep this two from ever connecting.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book that featured an amputee as the hero, and the way Franklin depicted how he learned to solve the problems of missing one arm from the elbow down. She also showed how he could serve a vital purpose to the town even though he was disabled. Clara was a perfect heroine to his hero as her caring and understanding personality allowed him to do as much as he could for himself and show his independence. A very enjoyable historical fiction read and a great finish to this Vermont series.

[Deliasue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maple Notch book 3
Darlene tells of a constable a teacher daniel and clara, her brother she thought was a robber, but finds out he was helping the cops.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was able to call fairly quickly who the robbers were and didn't care for the ending.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is indeed a lovely love story between Clara and Daniel. The setting is in 1864 in Vermont.There are wounded soldiers and war still breaking out. This is about an unselfish Clara whom wants higher education for women which is frowned upon by many men. Not all men! Then there is a Daniel, he lost one arm in the war and fears no woman would ever love him. This is an endearing story of another time and that G-d was and is still in control of our lives if we allow it.

A nice easy read that kept my interest!

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago before I made a habit of leaving reviews. I just marked it as 5 stars.

[Andrea Mcbride · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh that was the cutest love story