A Love of Her Own

I could not wait to get my hands on the last book in this series and was not disappointed when I did. Once I start reading a book by Maggie Brendan, I have trouble putting it down. This one was no different. It was so neat to get to know April in the first couple of books and see how God worked things out for her good in "A Love of Her Own". I was pleasantly surprised to see how life turned out for April. I highly recommend this book not only as a great read, but also as a reminder of how God works in our own lives.

I missed the first book in this series but enjoyed The Jewel of His Heart, and A Love of Her Own is just as delightful. Well, except for April, who arrives in town in a most unconventional manner and alienates most of the folks she encounters with her snooty personality! (I wanted to clobber her a time or two, but I suspect I wouldn't be first in line!) April has much to learn about life, friendship, and, most of all, herself during her time in Lewiston. If she survives, that is! Although she encounters a bit of real danger, her biggest challenges involve simple things such as making her bed, scorching--I mean ironing!-- her own clothes, and just being kind to those around her. At least she doesn't have to worry about falling in love in this hick town! So why does her heart do such funny things whenever she's around Wes? Characters from the previous novel appear throughout the book, making this novel familiar and fun.

I'm a huge fan of edgy inspirational authors Julie Lessman and Deeanne Gist but when it comes to sweet romances Maggie Brendan is my "go to" author. Her writing style puts me in mind of Janette Oke and Tracie Peterson, whose work I read when I was introduced to Christian fiction. The Heart of the West series has been really enjoyable and this last book, A Love of Her Own is a perfect ending to the series. April, who we first met in No Place for a Lady is the heroine of this book. Somewhat of a spoiled brat, she's not very likable at first but as the story goes along she gets better. Ms. Brendan does a wonderful job in making April a heroine unlike any I've ever read about, that's for sure and in my opinion, the cover design folks did a great job capturing April to a T! Of course the romance is sweet and I just love the interaction between Wes and April. When two stubborn people get together you know there's chaos. You're bound to get a few chuckles out of this book, I know I did! If you're looking for a light read on a Sunday afternoon this book is a great choice. I recommend starting with Book 1, No Place For a Lady if you want to get to know the other characters but it's not completely necessary to understand this story. Heart of the West is a series to read for lovers of faith-filled western romance! * I received my free copy from the publisher to review. I'm also an influencer for the author.*

I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Maggie Brendan and her publisher for sending me a copy of "A Love of Her Own" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. Maggie Brendan's latest effort, "A Love of Her Own", is an enjoyable western tale that follows April McBride, on a journey of more than miles. This spoiled "little rich girl" is used to having her way - although she's not ALWAYS opposed to hard work. When she leaves her father's cattle ranch in Colorado to attend her brother's wedding in Lewistown, Montana, her journey of character-building has just begun. She may have met her match in Wes Owen, who seems to be as stubborn as she is. Will either of these people ease up on their willfulness in order to give love a chance? I must admit that I couldn't stand April's snooty attitude! At first, I thought she was a pretty down-to-earth gal. She enjoyed riding horses and preferred jeans and boots to dresses and heels. But then her bossy, spoiled, true colors began to show. Arrghhh! Very frustrating. Still, she was the absolute PERFECT character for this book. I was truly a treasure to watch this character grow into a woman of character.

A Love of Her Own by Maggie Bredan from back of book: Still cautious after a broken engagement, April McBride fully intends to guard her heart when she travels to Lewistown, Montana, to attend her brother's wedding. One look around the small mining town convinces April that doing so won't be difficult-just a bunch of dusty shops, bad service, and ill-bred cowboys. But a run-in with horse trainer Wes Owen opens up vast possibilities for frustration, embarrassment, friendship, and....love? Can April and Wes see past their differences to envision a future together? Or, are they destined to live the rest of their lives alone? My Review: April McBride is a spoiled daughter of a large rancher in Colorado and used to having everything handed to her. She loved horses and loved to ride in her blue jeans and boots. She didn't care what others though of her she wanted to do things her way. Her parents had gone abroad when the news came that her brother Josh was getting married, so she set out on the train for the wedding that was taking place in Montana. She left and got part of the way then had to take a stage coach, she encounter a doctor, a woman with her baby and she didn't like either one. The stage coach had a broken wheel so they would have to wait until help came along. She talked the driver into letting her use on of the horses as she could not miss her brother's wedding. She changed into her levis and boots and left the others behind. She arrived in Billings with her hat and jeans on so everyone thought she was a man. April ran into the church where the wedding was going on just the way she was dressed and didn't have time to talk to her brother much before he left on his honeymoon. April decided to wait in Billings, Montana until Josh came back and found out there were no rooms at the hotel for her and she was not used to doing anything for herself. She had to stay at a boarding house and even do her own washing! She meet up with Wes at the boarding house and though he was a dirty looking cowboy. But, how her mind changed at the time went on. What kind of life did she live in this dirty town and what all did she find herself involved in? What will she be doing by the time her brother comes home? I could just go on and on but I better not tell the entire story, the author may not like for me to give away everything. This book was provided to me for review by Revell publishing and the Author.