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Prescott Pioneers #5

Hidden Prospects

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Millie Pritchett harbors a decades old secret that has kept her a spinster well into her late thirties. Because of the pain of her past mistakes, she has taken on a shy personality to protect her heart. When her father remarries and sends her away, she goes to Prescott, the town where her only friend lives. She never expected she would end up working for such an attractive business man. As her heart begins to hope for the future, she must keep her past from destroying it.

After years of supporting his mother and siblings, Paul Lancaster now has his independence. He splits his time between his placer mine and the boardinghouse he built for his mother. When a spinster comes to town to visit a friend, he wonders if she could be the love he has waited so long to find. In the midst of it all, his life turns upside down and he stands to lose both of his businesses.

Will the secrets of their pasts keep them from finding the hidden prospect of new love?

270 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2014

69 people are currently reading
278 people want to read

About the author

Karen Baney

42 books449 followers
Faith, hope, and love come alive in the rugged beauty of Arizona.

As a member of Faith Hope & Love Christian Writers and author of over 30 Christian contemporary cowboy romances and historical romances, I write faith-laced stories where characters feel like lifelong friends. My novels follow flawed individuals who need second chances, redemption, or the courage to overcome personal trials—all set against the backdrop of real Arizona history and the landscapes I treasure.

My husband, Jim, and I live in Gilbert, Arizona with our two dogs, Bella and Daisy. We love exploring our beautiful state together, discovering new adventures that often find their way into my stories. We're also involved at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek.

Thank you for joining me on these journeys through the Arizona I love.

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5 stars
83 (49%)
4 stars
52 (30%)
3 stars
22 (13%)
2 stars
9 (5%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Jeene Hobbs.
558 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2015
Paul gets a sweetheart

This book continues the saga told in the collection Prescott Pioneers. These are clean romances with a strong Christian theme. Paul was the hard worker in the last 4 novels, now he wants to do nothing but prospect for gold. Millie is a minister's daughter and part Shawnee although it is hard to tell. Interracial romance in the old West.
Profile Image for Heather Hart.
Author 69 books90 followers
October 15, 2014
Another great book from Karen Baney

I loved reconnecting with the characters from the Prescott Pioneers series in this book. I pre-order it and was delighted when it was delivered. It did seem like a quicker read than Karen's other books, but it was still a great read.
Profile Image for Peggy Primavera.
96 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2015
Hidden Prospects

This book was great. I couldn't put it down. It started off great with no slow points. The story was great and character's held your up most attention.
Profile Image for Carol.
232 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2018
Placer

What a great read. Two people from difference walks of life meet in a town of long ago. They were voted the least likely to marry. While they both have secrets from their pasts will they be able to work through them?
Before they are married, Paul saves a young girl from a brothel of working young girls. She is only 9 or 10 years old. Her parents were killed in a savage attack by what was suggested to be Indians; but others thought differently.
Paul adopts the young girl without Millies' knowledge and he brings her home surprisingly, and tells Millie she now has a daughter. But he also tells her he will raise her by himself if need be. Millie thinks about his comments carefully.
After the physical attacks from Jake, which Millie believes caused the loss of her best friends baby and now a young girl is sprung on her; is it too much for Millie to endure? Will she stay or will she move on? What would you do?
33 reviews
May 10, 2017
Up until done

Let the past be the past and move on with your life. The devil will remind you of your past, and your past will dictate your future, so chose wisely! Bullies get their comeuppance every time. Read and learn.
859 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2020
Historical Western

Hidden Prospects by Karen Baney. This was book 5 of the series Prescott and it was a good book of learning to trust and have faith in God's grace. It's a sweet romance.
789 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2024
This is an awesome book.

This is an amazing read of Millie and Paul's story that I fell in love it. The ups and down that they had to go through to find their ever after. It is also a page turned story.
156 reviews7 followers
October 28, 2025
Oh my, what an array of mystery with so many things going on with and towards each character. You will end up rooting for the main characters as the story unveils the secrets along the way. Well written and HEA. I highly recommend this book and the series.
43 reviews
July 23, 2018
Spell binding

I love the way Karen weaves the characters into her stories I couldn't put this book down trying to figure out what was going to happen next
Profile Image for Laurel .
1,363 reviews5 followers
August 17, 2018
Disappointing

I was hoping more for a good story rather one that was filled with hate and deceit. I do not believe I will read anymore of this author's books.
Profile Image for Kristi Richardson.
733 reviews34 followers
February 3, 2015
This lovely book was given to me as part of the Goodreads First Reads program, autographed by the author.

The story is a well written Christian love story about two people who for almost 40 have never been married. Had they never been in love or had they each suffered some heartache in their past?

Millie has some secrets in her past that she is afraid to tell for fear of rejection but Paul takes her in as his cook and housekeeper at the boarding house he owns in Prescott, Arizona. She soon sings her way into his heart.

Paul has secrets of his own and is trying to keep his boarding house as well as his mine in the desert afloat. He has a big heart and knows that Millie is the woman for him, as long as his friend Jake Waters stays out of the picture. Jake's family was killed by the Apache's and is seeking revenge.

This is the first novel I have read by Karen Baney but she has written others to enjoy. I liked the way she incorporated an antique 1840's Hymnal into the songs Millie sings.

If you enjoy Christian fiction this has to be one of the best ones out there.
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 46 books459 followers
April 29, 2016
Yet another book I am not going to finish but will leave at three stars. While the author had talent and and the story and characters were interesting. I also have to give credit that this was some originality to the story.

However, I A) didn't like the language that popped up (mild but I just personally don't like it in my books) and B) I thought the romance was on the lustful side of things, especially for two people that seemed to have a very strong faith.

The faith of the characters was a plus to this story and one of the reasons I kept reading for so long. I would be willing to try another book by Baney simply because her main characters, for the most part, seemed to be living out their faith.
392 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2015
A Good Christian book

I really enjoyed this book it had so many curves I wasn't sure where it was headed all of the time. It had many exciting and scary parts. But it came thru loud and clear of God's unending love,mercy and grace. This book is worth reading and is a heart touched. I recommend it and the author. Thank you for no detailed sexual scenes.
Profile Image for Frances Saueressig.
26 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2015
Awesome ! Love the continuation of the Prescott Pioneer series


Another great book. Couldn't put it down. The Prescott series continues, yet a stand alone story. Loved reading about the early history where I was born and raised. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Phylis Collins.
2,854 reviews8 followers
March 16, 2017
Great story

Hidden Prospects written by Karen Bandy is an excellent read. The characters are really good. And the story flows very smoothly, I absolutely enjoyed reading this delightful story. I think you should give this wonderful story a try today. Thanks
Profile Image for June.
19 reviews6 followers
November 28, 2014
I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. I always wish for a happy ending and got it. The characters were interesting and their stories heartfelt.
Profile Image for Donna Rogers.
280 reviews4 followers
March 15, 2015
Loved!!

What a heartfelt story of Paul and Millie..

"Her heart sang praise to her God who made her new—who makes all things new."
130 reviews
May 2, 2015
Hidden prospects

Beautiful Christian love story! This story brings out the ugliness, devastation that prejudice has in the lives of those involved.
Profile Image for Zetta Hall.
4 reviews
December 28, 2015
One of the best in the Prescott series.

Enjoy ed the book, the hymns , verses, and lessons on love is not always easy. I recommend this short novel.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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