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Virtues and Vices of the Old West #2
A Sweet Misfortune
Rachel Matthews isn't one to rely on others to take care of her. Destitute and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money--even if she's forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel's brother sends a friend--the widely admired cattle baron John McIntyre--to rescue her, then sets off to earn enough money to buy back the family ranch. But when months pass without her brother's return, Rachel isn't sure she can take one more day in John McIntyre's home--especially once she discovers that he's the one who holds the deed to her family's ranch.
Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan's delightful series set in the Old West.
Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan's delightful series set in the Old West.
329 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2016
68 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Brendan
19 books277 followersMaggie Brendan is a CBA bestselling author, of the Heart of the West and The Blue Willow Brides series. Winner of the 2014 Book Buyers Best Award (OCC/RWA) for Inspirational Fiction and the 2013 Laurel Wreath Award, she was a finalist for the 2013 Published Maggie Award of Excellence and the 2013 Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award. Her new series Virtues and Vices of the Old West began with The Trouble with Patience released in February, 2015. A Sweet Misfortune will release February 2016. Follow Maggie on her website www.MaggieBrendan.com, her blog www.SouthernBelleWriter.blogspot.com, Twitter: @MaggieBrendan and Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/maggiebrendan/
Instagram:https://www.instgram.com/maggiebrendan.
Instagram:https://www.instgram.com/maggiebrendan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 26, 2017
Well, I hardly expected the title to express how I felt about the book itself! Strange thing is, I never did quite figure out why that's the title, but I suppose one can't have everything. I was sorely tempted to dole out one star in my frustration, as my dislike of the tale seems to grow every time I notice it lurking in my "you'd-better-review-that" stack. I'm calling it a 1.5 and rounding up, but reserving full right to come back later on and change it lower.
The romance part was fun, and I did like the ending. I loved the character Estelle and her spunk.
Okay, so...the details and the lame conversations totally killed it. And now I get to beat the dead horse for your edification, so I may have my vengeance upon lameness (with apologies to Mrs. Brendan...but do please hire a better editor next time.) Last year I read the first book in the series and found it hard to get into at first, but ending up loving the last half, so this time I kept going to see what would happen to redeem the direction of the story. But that never happened.
Next section: read at your peril. I'm putting up one spoiler here, so if you want the whole story of why I didn't like it, you're going to be spoiled.
9/2/16:
Okay, so the book just took another hit for me. I'm researching mold because of finding it in my car, and the problem these cows faced was not diagnosed as mold related until 1930.
The romance part was fun, and I did like the ending. I loved the character Estelle and her spunk.
Okay, so...the details and the lame conversations totally killed it. And now I get to beat the dead horse for your edification, so I may have my vengeance upon lameness (with apologies to Mrs. Brendan...but do please hire a better editor next time.) Last year I read the first book in the series and found it hard to get into at first, but ending up loving the last half, so this time I kept going to see what would happen to redeem the direction of the story. But that never happened.
Next section: read at your peril. I'm putting up one spoiler here, so if you want the whole story of why I didn't like it, you're going to be spoiled.
9/2/16:
Okay, so the book just took another hit for me. I'm researching mold because of finding it in my car, and the problem these cows faced was not diagnosed as mold related until 1930.
March 6, 2020
Vēl arvien esmu aizķērusies mežonīgajos rietumos, kuros godbijīgiem ļaudīm lemts atrast vienam otru un savu "un viņi dzīvoja laimīgi kopā mūžu mūžos". Mani jau patīk šāda izklaide, spēles noteikumi vieniem ir skiadri un izpildījums tiešām nav slikts.
February 29, 2016
I do have to state that I really enjoy Maggie Brendan’s books, and look forward to each one, and this one was no exception.
In this day can you picture a friend of your brothers going into where you work and throwing you over his shoulder and carrying you away to his home? No, absolutely not, but this is back in the 1860’s, and Miss Rachael is working at a place that does not have a good reputation, she is a dancer, but we would all make the assumption that she is a “soiled dove”.
The friend John, owns the title to her parents ranch, and she is not so happy to see the enemy, as she feels about him, of course he only paid the taxes, but means nothing to her. Her brother, Preston, still has a chance to redeem the ranch when he returns from the gold fields.
You are going to love Estelle, the Grandmother, and Annabelle the housekeeper and cook, and how they embrace Rachael, I wanted to move in with them.
When we let God be in charge a lot of doors open and more people are drawn in and saved by your actions, and that is how I felt while reading this book, it was amazing, and you kept finding more, even in adversity.
This is a sad, in some ways, but refreshing and sweet read, and I’m ready for the next book in this series.
I received this book through the Revell Reads Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.
In this day can you picture a friend of your brothers going into where you work and throwing you over his shoulder and carrying you away to his home? No, absolutely not, but this is back in the 1860’s, and Miss Rachael is working at a place that does not have a good reputation, she is a dancer, but we would all make the assumption that she is a “soiled dove”.
The friend John, owns the title to her parents ranch, and she is not so happy to see the enemy, as she feels about him, of course he only paid the taxes, but means nothing to her. Her brother, Preston, still has a chance to redeem the ranch when he returns from the gold fields.
You are going to love Estelle, the Grandmother, and Annabelle the housekeeper and cook, and how they embrace Rachael, I wanted to move in with them.
When we let God be in charge a lot of doors open and more people are drawn in and saved by your actions, and that is how I felt while reading this book, it was amazing, and you kept finding more, even in adversity.
This is a sad, in some ways, but refreshing and sweet read, and I’m ready for the next book in this series.
I received this book through the Revell Reads Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.
May 27, 2016
My Thoughts:
This was a quick read. A really quick read, and for that I was very grateful. It's also not very in depth, but it was still a fun, good book.
I loved watching John and Rachel interact. Sometimes, they were quite hilarious. Other times, I wanted to shake them both. But still, their story was a light-hearted read.
While this is book 2 of a series, it stands completely alone. It's set a few years earlier than book 1, and none of the characters overlap. I'll still read book 3 because I'm enjoying this series.
I received this book for free from Revell for the purpose of reviewing. My thougths and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Karen Witemeyer, Maggie Brendan, westerns, historical romance
Rating - 4 stars
This was a quick read. A really quick read, and for that I was very grateful. It's also not very in depth, but it was still a fun, good book.
I loved watching John and Rachel interact. Sometimes, they were quite hilarious. Other times, I wanted to shake them both. But still, their story was a light-hearted read.
While this is book 2 of a series, it stands completely alone. It's set a few years earlier than book 1, and none of the characters overlap. I'll still read book 3 because I'm enjoying this series.
I received this book for free from Revell for the purpose of reviewing. My thougths and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Karen Witemeyer, Maggie Brendan, westerns, historical romance
Rating - 4 stars
January 30, 2025
This was a clean read about 1862 Montana. Rachel is whisked away by John after her brother Preston asks him to save her from dancing at a saloon. Tragedies happens and good friendships form.
Will Rachel and John realize they've drawn closer and find their way to happily ever after? Even though this is #2 in a series, it can stand alone.
Will Rachel and John realize they've drawn closer and find their way to happily ever after? Even though this is #2 in a series, it can stand alone.
June 23, 2016
I love Maggie Brendan, and was not disappointed with her most recent book. This one is a perfect sequel to her first one in this series, Trouble with Patience.
April 16, 2023
Read this title via audiobook and enjoyed not only the storyline but the way the characters faced and overcame their challenges as well as learned to practice forgiveness and live out their faith. Appreciated the author’s notes at the end that went into more detail about life in Montana in the 1860s.
January 27, 2021
I did this on audio. It was meh. I listened to it on a faster playback setting. It was kinda dragged out. It was pure fluff.
February 22, 2016
A Sweet Misfortune
Vices and Virtues of the Old West #2
By Maggie Brendan
Rachel Matthews is trying to save money to redeem the deed to her family's ranch from her brother's friend John McIntyre. And the only option she can find to earn money and provide her with a roof over head is to work as a dance hall girl at the Wild Horse.
When her brother gets word of what Rachel is doing he pleads with the only man he trusts to rescue his little sister before it is too late. His friendship with Preston is the only thing that would make John bring Rachel into his home. After all she's been performing as a dance hall girl, who knows what else she may have done in the performance of her profession! She may now be a soiled dove.
John is determined to have the largest spread in Montana and dealing with Rachel and her resentments isn't a priority in his opinion. But Rachel isn't about to be pushed into a corner and forgotten until her brother makes a reappearance in her life. Rachel is kind-hearted, concerned about those around her and she's stubbornly determined to continue earning money towards her ranch.
But Rachel and John are both about to be dealt setbacks that change not only the course of their lives but could end their dreams. Can these two discover what is truly important in their lives before it is too late?
Though Rachel's past as a saloon hall dancer is known and everyone is properly scandalized she is still shockingly a highly sought after potential bride. What I find interesting is that before her extraction from the Wild Horse no one was too concerned about her welfare, she was.one of the forgotten who had no where to go when they were in need.
This is the second book in the Vices and Virtues of the Old West series, but it can be a stand-alone book as the characters and setting are unique. The commonality between the first two books is the Montana Territory and the 1860s. This book is what I call escape reading - something to pick-up for quick week-end read. There are the usual romantic elements - boy and girl meet, boy-and-girl deny feelings, danger, other potential suitors, etc. In my opinion this is an o'kay book, not awful but not great. I don't bemoan the loss of time spent reading this book as it provided a welcome diversion from an especially trying week.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.
Vices and Virtues of the Old West #2
By Maggie Brendan
Rachel Matthews is trying to save money to redeem the deed to her family's ranch from her brother's friend John McIntyre. And the only option she can find to earn money and provide her with a roof over head is to work as a dance hall girl at the Wild Horse.
When her brother gets word of what Rachel is doing he pleads with the only man he trusts to rescue his little sister before it is too late. His friendship with Preston is the only thing that would make John bring Rachel into his home. After all she's been performing as a dance hall girl, who knows what else she may have done in the performance of her profession! She may now be a soiled dove.
John is determined to have the largest spread in Montana and dealing with Rachel and her resentments isn't a priority in his opinion. But Rachel isn't about to be pushed into a corner and forgotten until her brother makes a reappearance in her life. Rachel is kind-hearted, concerned about those around her and she's stubbornly determined to continue earning money towards her ranch.
But Rachel and John are both about to be dealt setbacks that change not only the course of their lives but could end their dreams. Can these two discover what is truly important in their lives before it is too late?
Though Rachel's past as a saloon hall dancer is known and everyone is properly scandalized she is still shockingly a highly sought after potential bride. What I find interesting is that before her extraction from the Wild Horse no one was too concerned about her welfare, she was.one of the forgotten who had no where to go when they were in need.
This is the second book in the Vices and Virtues of the Old West series, but it can be a stand-alone book as the characters and setting are unique. The commonality between the first two books is the Montana Territory and the 1860s. This book is what I call escape reading - something to pick-up for quick week-end read. There are the usual romantic elements - boy and girl meet, boy-and-girl deny feelings, danger, other potential suitors, etc. In my opinion this is an o'kay book, not awful but not great. I don't bemoan the loss of time spent reading this book as it provided a welcome diversion from an especially trying week.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.
March 15, 2016
Maggie Brendan pens romances that are reminiscent of the classic westerns by famed Christian writer Janette Oke. In the Christian genre today, the sweet, uncomplicated love stories are something of a rarity. Brendan writes with the spirit of a pioneer who can take one back to the days of the prairie or the Wild West in just a few lines.
A Sweet Misfortune is one of those novels. There is no complex plot or crazy love triangles, just the straight up affection between a stubborn cowboy and his reluctant lady. That said, at times it comes across almost a little too dry. Maybe it's too much pride from John or Rachel's unrealistic, lightning quick acceptance of a perfect stranger kidnapping her from the dance hall, but unfortunately this story stuck in my craw rather than warming the cockles of my heart. However, the female friendships are on par. From the motherly advice of John's grandmother, Estelle, to the sisterly companship of Molly, Rachel wasn't without a great support system. Those types of relationships are something that most of us crave and can relate to.
This may not be my favorite book by Ms. Brendan (try her earlier series'!), but it's certainly worth a look all you lovers of historical romance!
~ My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ~
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
A Sweet Misfortune is one of those novels. There is no complex plot or crazy love triangles, just the straight up affection between a stubborn cowboy and his reluctant lady. That said, at times it comes across almost a little too dry. Maybe it's too much pride from John or Rachel's unrealistic, lightning quick acceptance of a perfect stranger kidnapping her from the dance hall, but unfortunately this story stuck in my craw rather than warming the cockles of my heart. However, the female friendships are on par. From the motherly advice of John's grandmother, Estelle, to the sisterly companship of Molly, Rachel wasn't without a great support system. Those types of relationships are something that most of us crave and can relate to.
This may not be my favorite book by Ms. Brendan (try her earlier series'!), but it's certainly worth a look all you lovers of historical romance!
~ My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ~
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
April 4, 2016
A Sweet Misfortune is the second in Maggie Brendan's Virtues and Vices of the Old West series. However, this could easily be read as a stand alone book.
Mrs. Brendan does a wonderful job of weaving the timeless story of finding one's true desires with memorable characters that you can relate to. While not a fact paced, action packed novel, it is a sweet romance that keeps you turning the pages.
While Rachel is indeed a spunky, independent heroine, she also is subdued and deals realistically with the challenges of being a former dance hall girl and sudden dependence on a family she can never repay.
John is a take action man whose ambition for more land and wealth leads him to overlook the biggest opportunity in front of him. There are many times you want to smack him on the forehead and ask him, "Really?" Even so, he is a sweet, caring man who makes a wonderful hero.
The secondary characters are great in their roles. You instantly fall in love with Grams and grind your teeth in aggravation at Beatrice.
I recommend picking up a copy and reading A Sweet Misfortune.
Mrs. Brendan does a wonderful job of weaving the timeless story of finding one's true desires with memorable characters that you can relate to. While not a fact paced, action packed novel, it is a sweet romance that keeps you turning the pages.
While Rachel is indeed a spunky, independent heroine, she also is subdued and deals realistically with the challenges of being a former dance hall girl and sudden dependence on a family she can never repay.
John is a take action man whose ambition for more land and wealth leads him to overlook the biggest opportunity in front of him. There are many times you want to smack him on the forehead and ask him, "Really?" Even so, he is a sweet, caring man who makes a wonderful hero.
The secondary characters are great in their roles. You instantly fall in love with Grams and grind your teeth in aggravation at Beatrice.
I recommend picking up a copy and reading A Sweet Misfortune.
January 27, 2016
Maggie Brendan has written a very nice book set in Montana in the early 1800s . Rachel Matthews is trying to take care of herself, but the only job she can find is in a saloon. Her brother asks his friend, cattle rancher, John McIntyre, to rescue her. Only Rachel doesn't want to be rescued. This novel deals with greed and pride, with some prejudice thrown in. This second in a series is as good as the first.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 2, 2019
A clean romance about Rachel, a girl who works at a Saloon as a dancer in order to help her brother earn enough money to buy back their family ranch. But then one day John, her brother's best friend comes to take her away from such a life and take her to his house in order to honor his best friend's request to look out for Rachel. Overall, the writing was well done. The old west setting was definitely one of the draws I had to this book! The characters were given great depth and complex situations. The amount of suitors Rachel had throughout this book, was a little much, but a great way for John to recognize his own developing feelings he has for Rachel. My favorite character was the grandmother Stella! I will be reading more books by this author in the future!
May 29, 2021
Other people have mentioned this, but the conversations were annoyingly dull. The ending from the kiss up to the wedding (and beyond) lasted WAY too long. The girl had too many suitors who too easily fell for other people when she rejected them. The PEFECT people for them, mind you.
Oh, and there was way too much condescending talk about the "soiled doves" and way too many assurances that the heroine was not one ... as if that somehow made her a better person. [insert eyeroll here]
If you like light historical romances that don't offer much in the way of entertainment value and feature sanctimonious main characters, then you'll like this book. Otherwise, you've been warned.
Oh, and there was way too much condescending talk about the "soiled doves" and way too many assurances that the heroine was not one ... as if that somehow made her a better person. [insert eyeroll here]
If you like light historical romances that don't offer much in the way of entertainment value and feature sanctimonious main characters, then you'll like this book. Otherwise, you've been warned.
June 18, 2022
Another enjoyable, faith-filled read with a great opening. I especially liked Preston's letters which were so impactful they made me cry 😢. This is a sweet love story set in 1862 Montana Territory with a cattle ranch, horses, a loyal dog and small town nearby; back when times were simpler. So if you're wanting a nice escape to the old west, settle in and enjoy 😉
🤠☕🐃🐂🐄🐎🐎🐕
I will note that while these 3 books fall under the SERIES "Virtues and Vices of the Old West", they have nothing to do with each other, so in my mind that was just a marketing ploy. None of the characters crossed over. These 3 novels can be read as stand-alones, in any order.
Book was purchased and all opinions are mine alone without compensation or expectation.
🤠☕🐃🐂🐄🐎🐎🐕
I will note that while these 3 books fall under the SERIES "Virtues and Vices of the Old West", they have nothing to do with each other, so in my mind that was just a marketing ploy. None of the characters crossed over. These 3 novels can be read as stand-alones, in any order.
Book was purchased and all opinions are mine alone without compensation or expectation.
September 12, 2023
A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan is about a young woman who was kidnapped by a stranger and her life in the aftermath of the kidnapping. Rachel Matthews knew that she couldn’t rely on others to take care of her. She has always tried to take care of herself the best she knows how. She is destitute and alone, after her parents died in an accident and her brother leaves town to try to make enough money to buy back the family homestead.
Rachel is determined to make enough money to support herself even if it means taking on an unsavory job prospect. She becomes a dance hall girl and works for tips from the bar patrons. The women who work at the dance hall or saloons, are sometimes given the name of “soiled doves”, meaning that they do more than just dance for money.
When her brother, Preston, hears of her circumstances, he writes to a friend to help her out as Preston is in California searching for gold and isn’t close enough in proximity to help his sister. Preston is unable to leave his current location because he left to earn money to buy back the family ranch. He asks John McIntyre, a widely admired cattle baron to help rescue her.
The last thing John McIntyre wants to do is to help Rachel and go into a saloon. He is more focused on his fledgling business and buying more property. He lives to take care of his property and his grandmother, Estelle. However, John is a man of honor and would never refuse a friend in need. So, he strides into the saloon and picks up Rachel right off stage and takes her to his house by horse.
As one can imagine, Rachel didn’t take too kindly to being kidnapped from her job. However, while still upset at John, she still stays with him in hopes that Preston will make the trip down for her. After months go by, Rachel isn’t sure how much longer she can take advantage of John’s and Estelle’s kindness. She isn’t sure how long she can spend with John after finding out that Preston borrowed money from him and John holds title to her family’s property. To complicate matters, Rachel starts to feel attracted to John even though she still can’t quite forgive him just yet about her family’s ranch and for kidnapping her. Will Rachel be able to save up enough money to get back her family farm?
The book started off okay but it was a boring and predictable read. I didn’t really care for any of the characters and the story felt dull. Rachel was confusing as a character. She kept saying how she was proud of her job and was more than happy to go back to it but then she couldn’t wait to leave the saloon. She mentioned that being a dance hall girl is a job that only desperate women take but, then claims the job paid well that she didn’t mind it. I feel like she was trying to convince herself or others that the job isn’t as bad as they think it is but it really is a terrible job to have.
Annabelle, the housekeeper on John’s farm, would switch from speaking “proper” English then switch to broken Southern English. It was confusing at times and hard to imagine what this character was like. I did like reading her and Estelle’s lines the best though. I also didn’t understand why Preston never visited or even attempted to help his sister. He claims that he cares for her but it is later revealed that they barely had any communication when he was searching for gold.
The characters just do wild and bizarre things that makes me question how viable the storyline really is. When Rachel reads a note from someone, she decides at that very moment she needs to go out during horrendous weather to talk to that person. She wasn’t even properly dressed and didn’t even consider how terrible the weather was. John, who is still recovering from a treacherous medical ailment, had an easy time to go out and get her without even seeming to struggle. They made it seem that even the smallest task would be too much for him to handle but apparently riding the freezing blizzard and carrying another person on horseback was no big deal.
The book would go on for pages with no progression to the story. I wonder if the title was reflecting my feelings on how much it was a misfortune that I was stuck reading the book. It was definitely a relief when I finished the book. Given how boring and predictable this fluff piece was, I don’t think I would be in a rush to read another book by the author.
Rachel is determined to make enough money to support herself even if it means taking on an unsavory job prospect. She becomes a dance hall girl and works for tips from the bar patrons. The women who work at the dance hall or saloons, are sometimes given the name of “soiled doves”, meaning that they do more than just dance for money.
When her brother, Preston, hears of her circumstances, he writes to a friend to help her out as Preston is in California searching for gold and isn’t close enough in proximity to help his sister. Preston is unable to leave his current location because he left to earn money to buy back the family ranch. He asks John McIntyre, a widely admired cattle baron to help rescue her.
The last thing John McIntyre wants to do is to help Rachel and go into a saloon. He is more focused on his fledgling business and buying more property. He lives to take care of his property and his grandmother, Estelle. However, John is a man of honor and would never refuse a friend in need. So, he strides into the saloon and picks up Rachel right off stage and takes her to his house by horse.
As one can imagine, Rachel didn’t take too kindly to being kidnapped from her job. However, while still upset at John, she still stays with him in hopes that Preston will make the trip down for her. After months go by, Rachel isn’t sure how much longer she can take advantage of John’s and Estelle’s kindness. She isn’t sure how long she can spend with John after finding out that Preston borrowed money from him and John holds title to her family’s property. To complicate matters, Rachel starts to feel attracted to John even though she still can’t quite forgive him just yet about her family’s ranch and for kidnapping her. Will Rachel be able to save up enough money to get back her family farm?
The book started off okay but it was a boring and predictable read. I didn’t really care for any of the characters and the story felt dull. Rachel was confusing as a character. She kept saying how she was proud of her job and was more than happy to go back to it but then she couldn’t wait to leave the saloon. She mentioned that being a dance hall girl is a job that only desperate women take but, then claims the job paid well that she didn’t mind it. I feel like she was trying to convince herself or others that the job isn’t as bad as they think it is but it really is a terrible job to have.
Annabelle, the housekeeper on John’s farm, would switch from speaking “proper” English then switch to broken Southern English. It was confusing at times and hard to imagine what this character was like. I did like reading her and Estelle’s lines the best though. I also didn’t understand why Preston never visited or even attempted to help his sister. He claims that he cares for her but it is later revealed that they barely had any communication when he was searching for gold.
The characters just do wild and bizarre things that makes me question how viable the storyline really is. When Rachel reads a note from someone, she decides at that very moment she needs to go out during horrendous weather to talk to that person. She wasn’t even properly dressed and didn’t even consider how terrible the weather was. John, who is still recovering from a treacherous medical ailment, had an easy time to go out and get her without even seeming to struggle. They made it seem that even the smallest task would be too much for him to handle but apparently riding the freezing blizzard and carrying another person on horseback was no big deal.
The book would go on for pages with no progression to the story. I wonder if the title was reflecting my feelings on how much it was a misfortune that I was stuck reading the book. It was definitely a relief when I finished the book. Given how boring and predictable this fluff piece was, I don’t think I would be in a rush to read another book by the author.
February 8, 2020
This was much better than the first book of this series. However i dont know why historical writers seem incapable of writing a book without killing someone. John lost his parents and his sister. Rachel lost her parents and her brother. Still it was a very good read and I would read it again and I would recommend it. The stories can be read alone they do not have any connection to each other.
August 25, 2025
Currently 73% through this book, but I must write a review now!
I got so tired of Rachel and John tip-toeing around each other with their feelings! You are both adults, just say something! And if John has misgivings about Rachel's time at the saloon...just ask!
Also, Rachel not bothering to open the family Bible until an eternity later was also annoying. It was also super obvious what would be in it once she does actually look, but that is how plot devices like that go, so what can you do.
Oftentimes I felt the author just told us too much of the character's emotions, rather than showing us. It was just too awkward and straight-forward a lot of the time.
But that aside, there were still some good parts, and I am enjoying the book.
I got so tired of Rachel and John tip-toeing around each other with their feelings! You are both adults, just say something! And if John has misgivings about Rachel's time at the saloon...just ask!
Also, Rachel not bothering to open the family Bible until an eternity later was also annoying. It was also super obvious what would be in it once she does actually look, but that is how plot devices like that go, so what can you do.
Oftentimes I felt the author just told us too much of the character's emotions, rather than showing us. It was just too awkward and straight-forward a lot of the time.
But that aside, there were still some good parts, and I am enjoying the book.
August 22, 2017
Author Maggie Brendan has written a sweet Western romance that readers will enjoy. This story brings to life some of the disadvantageous situations that single women living in the Wild West got stuck in order to earn a living and be able to feed their families and themselves. These were rough times for single women, both young and old. Brendan has delightfully fun characters and an enjoyable entertaining story that readers will be excited for.
Series: Virtues and Vices of the Old West
Genre: historical, romance, western, Christian
Publisher: Revell
Publication date: February 2, 2016
Number of pages: 329
A review copy of this novel was provided by Revell. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Series: Virtues and Vices of the Old West
Genre: historical, romance, western, Christian
Publisher: Revell
Publication date: February 2, 2016
Number of pages: 329
A review copy of this novel was provided by Revell. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
July 14, 2017
Good one
I appreciated the unexpected twists and turn of the plot. The descriptions of Montana were well done. A caution to the author - be careful your characters do not occasionally slip into 2017 vernacular.
I appreciated the unexpected twists and turn of the plot. The descriptions of Montana were well done. A caution to the author - be careful your characters do not occasionally slip into 2017 vernacular.
January 4, 2021
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and the storyline left me satisfied at the end. There were times where the conversation between characters felt unnatural. And there were times where the author uses telling instead of showing which caused the scenes to fall a little flat.
February 10, 2022
This was an enjoyable, sweet read! The characters are well-developed and vibrant.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
The book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
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I borrowed this book from the local public library.
The book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
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September 19, 2025
I wish it would have gone in a different direction. Although the main character did help one “soiled dove” I was really looking for her to use the empty farmhouse just sitting there to assist other women ….
September 15, 2017
Not a bad story but it felt like some of the parts could have been left out. It seemed like it dragged on after a while.
February 25, 2018
A another good read from Ms. Brendan. Stands alone story in a different part of the Old West than her other books. Clean, romantic, humorous...I really enjoyed it!
November 12, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this one. A super quick read for me though I did find towards the end the story seemed to drag on a bit. It was just a really good, feel good type of book.
November 15, 2019
Romans 8:28 definitely ! :)
April 27, 2020
Really liked the short chapters, which made it easy to pick up and read throughout the day.
August 19, 2020
Abandoned. I just couldn’t handle the conversations 😕
March 18, 2021
Wow! This book is well-written. I love the characters and plot. Highly recommended.
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