Element of Love

Beautiful novel about the intersection of several groups of people, all seeking better lives. It’s about fulfilling potential, and redemption of previously wasted lives. The young women defied expectations &used their lumber-related business talents in what is usually a man’s world. Unlikely friendships and romances are delightful. This was my first Connely book but not my last! I highly recommend this. It would make a good Hsllmark movie.

With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother's unfortunate choice in husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away--far and fast--to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father's lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.
Laura, Michelle, and Jilly Stiles are highly intelligent and educated in engineering, mathematics, and scientific fields. Getting to know their own talent was very interesting , especially since their talents aren’t normally associated with women of this era. I loved getting a glimpse into each sister, however this book features Laura, the youngest, who loves chemistry and blowing things up.
The adventure begins with riding down a log plum in supply pods ( sounds fun to me 😉) in a vicious thunderstorm at night. Surviving the trip to the bottom they next end up riding a giant fallen trees, with large branches giving them cover as the head down stream. Once they get off at their designated town they find themselves meeting Caleb Tillman, whose mission group heading to serve the poor in California. Laura quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts yet keeping themselves tto join incognito.
They arrive only to find the settlement in miserable conditions; however the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Along the way Laura decides she is going to marry the parson. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission's parson, to help with gaining her inheritance. The parson has some deep secrets of his own that he doesn't want anyone knowing. Secrets buried in Caleb's past and in the land around them come to light, it'll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

This story has plenty of action, suspense, adventure, humor, and a dash of romance and inspiration, this book has something for everyoneThe girls are all so engaging in their efforts to adjust to a far different environment than they were familiar with. I so enjoyed getting to know them and was chuckling and laughing out loud at their antics and adventures.

Finally the faith shown throughout the story gave way to some thought-provoking moments regarding redemption, forgiveness, and God’s plan for one’s life. Which makes the story more encouragement and blessing for me.
And the
Thank you Mary for your wonderful story telling and talent!

I received this book via Net Gallery from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own and no review was required