Sweet Carolina

Heroines of the Golden West #1

by Stephen Bly

Carolina Cantrell is used to running her family's import business - and having to travel to keep it successful. So a hurried trip to the Montana Territory to settle her brother's estate is nothing out of the ordinary. Simply sell David's interest in his store, gather his personal belongings, and then return home. But God has different plans. Struggling to do business so far from home in this untamed man's world is a challenge to everything in Carolina's life - her business sense, her faith, her plans...and her heart. There are confrontations and tensions all around as rumors of gold spread throughout the territory. Carolina must even fight for the future of the town growing up around the store. But the greatest conflict is the one within her, fueled by an explosion of emotions that leavers both her and particularly handsome and saddle-tough drifter wondering about their future together.

Genres: Westerns, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction

223 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Stephen Bly (August 17, 1944 - June 9, 2011) authored 100 books and hundreds of articles. His book, THE LONG TRAIL HOME, (Broadman & Holman), won the prestigious 2002 CHRISTY AWARD for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, PICTURE ROCK (Crossway Books), THE OUTLAW'S TWIN SISTER (Crossway Books), and LAST OF THE TEXAS CAMP (Broadman & Holman), were Christy Award finalists. He spoke at colleges, churches, camps and conferences across the U.S. and Canada. He was the pastor of Winchester Community Church, and served as mayor of Winchester, Idaho (2000-2007). He spoke on numerous television and radio programs, including Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family. He was an Active Member of the Western Writers of America. Steve graduated summa cum laude in Philosophy from Fresno State University and received a M.Div from Fuller Theological Seminary. The Blys have three sons: Russell (married to Lois) and father of Zachary and Miranda (married to Chris Ross) and mother of Alayah, Michael (married to Michelle), and Aaron (married to Rina Joye) and father of Keaton and Deckard. A third generation westerner, Steve spent his early years working on ranches and farms.

Reviews

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun easy read. There were a few parts that just “happened” leaving no fun drama to it but overall good clean book.

[Elya Shaheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time I read this I was a teenager and it was good. This is the second time I've read this (well listened) and am now an adult and it is still just as good if not better because I understand more.

[Tammy Niederhauser · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the real Western flavor of this, plus more characters and more unpredictability than usual. But there is a bit of the usual kissing, some rough language and unnecessary violence, so I can't recommend it highly.

[Amelia Crider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Carolina is the first of three books in the Heroines of the West series. I grew up on Stephen Bly's books, and this is not my first time through this series, but it has been a while. It definitely feels like seeing an old friend. Carolina Cantrell heads to Montana to take care of her lately deceased brother's affairs only to decide that she isn't going to sell her brother's half of the general store without a fight. And of course, a handsome cowboy just happens to come along and help her. It's a fun series if you like clean romantic westerns. My favorite Stephen Bly series is Belles of Lordsburg (also a clean romantic western).

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolina Cantrell came to Montana to settle her brother's affairs. She's stubborn enough not to be taken advantage of by his saloon-operating partner or her ex-fiance who suddenly shows up.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

audio cassette

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book. Got into the characters right away. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.