Audible Book Review: A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde

I did like this Victorian mystery.
A Useful Woman
A Rosalind Thorne Mystery, Book 1
By: Darcie Wilde
Narrated by: Sarah Nichols

Series: Rosalind Thorne Mysteries, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 01-10-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Historical Mystery, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Inspired by the novels of Jane Austen, this new mystery series set in 19th-century London introduces the charming and resourceful Rosalind Thorne, a woman privy to the secrets of high society - including who among them is capable of murder.
The daughter of a baronet and minor heiress, Rosalind Thorne was nearly ruined after her father abandoned the family. To survive in the only world she knew, she began to manage the affairs of some of London society's most influential women, who rely on her wit and discretion. So when artistocratic wastrel Jasper Aimesworth is found dead in London's most exclusive ballroom, Almack's, Rosalind must use her skills and connections to uncover the killer from a list of suspects that includes Almack's powerful patronesses and her former suitor Devon Winterbourne, now Lord Casselmain.
Torn between her old love and a growing attraction to a compelling Bow Street runner, Rosalind must unravel the mysteries surrounding Jasper's death, and the mysteries of her own heart as well.
©2016 Darcie Wilde (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Rosalind Thorne is the daughter of a baronet and minor heiress who is fully part of London society until her father abandoned the family leaving her mother and Rosalind to face the debtors. Rather than retire from society, Rosalind makes herself a ‘useful’ woman by helping to manage affairs of society’s most influential women, making their parties successful, helping them to avoid scandal, and guiding opinion through manipulating news and gossip.

While Rosalind is helping her godmother, one of the patronesses of Almack’s, Rosalind peaks into the ballroom at Almack’s and finds aristocrat Jasper Aimesworth dead below the music balcony. The Almack’s patronesses are quick to label the event as a tragic accident but Rosalind suspects something more nefarious. Rosalind herself may be suspected as is the young man’s best friend, Rosalind’s former suitor, now Lord Casselmain.

Casselmain is about to become engaged to the dead man’s sister who usually has no time for Rosalind. The sister, convinced this was no accident, seeks Rosalind’s help to find the killer. Rosalind is hoping to protect Casselmain while agreeing to help the dogged Bow Street detective weave the narrow paths of society. Day by day Rosalind realizes that everyone seems to be hiding secrets that she needs to break through to find the truth.

I liked Rosalind’s character, particularly for standing firm and persevering through traumatic and difficult circumstances. This wasn’t as light as some historical mysteries, but my attention was engaged by the good twists as Rosalind uncovers clues and secrets to discover motives and reveal the killer. The story is rich with detail of the era and navigating the haut ton. I also like that there was no sex but just a nice potential for closer relationships for Rosalind. I will look to read (listen to) more in the series. I recommend this to fans of Victorian mystery.

Audio Notes: Sarah Nichols provided good accents although the voices of male and female could have been more distinct. She did manage to convey the heroine’s aside thoughts fairly clearly. Audio makes it easier for me to get through the story considering my work and life schedule, so I was okay with the narration.

Source: December 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goal.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner

This reminds me of Land Before Time and I enjoyed the characters and their outcast clan.

The Deadlands: Hunted
by Skye Melki-Wegner
Narrated by: John Pirhalla

Series: The Deadlands, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 04-04-23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Action, Adventure, Dinosaurs, Middle Grade
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Wings of Fire meets Jurassic Park in this action-adventure middle grade debut series about five outcasts—and former enemies—who are the only hope to save their warring kingdoms from impending doom.
"My favorite middle grade book of the year.”—New York Times-bestselling author Amie Kaufman
Battle rages between the dinosaur kingdoms of Cretacea.
When the Fallen Star struck, it brought death and despair, ash and toxic rain. But some dinosaurs survived . . . and were changed. Their minds grew alert. They learned to speak. To dream. To wage war.
As the two remaining dinosaur kingdoms fight for territory, Eleri, the disgraced son of a prince, is exiled from his home for saving an enemy soldier. Banished to the merciless Deadlands, a terrifying desert full of tar pits, poisonous gas, and ruthless carnivores, he must join forces with a group of questionable allies—including the enemy soldier he saved—to avoid becoming prey.
When Eleri and his fellow exiles discover the horrific truth behind the war, the unlikely heroes must do all they can to save their kingdoms from a lurking predator. . . and a secret plot that might destroy them all.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.
©2023 Skye Melki-Wegner (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Eleri is the disgraced son of a clan prince. He is a small dinosaur who likes storytelling and isn’t interested in battle like his larger brother. Eleri and his brother were out on the edge of territory to see the large longneck dinosaurs go by. When they hide from an air predator they stumble upon three enemy scouts. When the bird dives, Eleri shouts out resulting in saving the life of one of the enemy dinosaurs. Eleri’s own brother declares his action as treason. Eleri is quickly taken before the tribunal and king and exiled to the Deadlands. It is expected that outcasts to the Deadlands will not survive long.

Eleri manages to get to an oasis but finds that enemy raptors are stock piling food. Then he stumbles upon another outcast – the young dinosaur whose life he saved. She was raised to be a warrior but failed to kill Eleri when directed to. Now she wishes she had killed him rather than getting outcast. Eleri has to convince her to work with him so they can both survive. They manage to sneak into the oasis to get food. They also learn that there is a great conspiracy setting the woodland clans against each other.

Eleri and his new companion join forces with two more dinosaurs they meet, a cheery vegetarian who loves math, and a young longneck who was banned as a prophetic dreamer. As they try to find a way to save their clans back home, a fifth dinosaur, a messenger bird, joins their outcast clan. Can they do anything to thwart the Deadland tribes, of raptors and T-Rex, and save their clans?

I liked the outcast dinosaurs with their unique quirks. They each brought a useful skill that helped them  as they worked together. It is sweet how they realize they can be their own clan. This is a nice story showing how not everyone has to be a warrior or go the way of the majority. I recommend this as an entertaining adventure for middle graders and adults who like dinosaur adventure.

Audio Notes: John Pirhalla does a lovely job with the narration. He provides very distinct voices and tones that fit the natures of each character. The narration helped me to “see” the story and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Location goals.

Sunday Post March 26, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 27, 2023

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had another busy work week.
*Sigh* Heather was out again most of the week as she was in severe pain from passing fibroids (according to the ER). She isn't able to get into her OB/GYN until mid April.

I spent Saturday morning cooking up vegetables that would go bad if I didn't.
The first plate is my first use of an Air Fryer.
The veggies were dipped in egg and Panko bread crumbs. I liked them but I think the cooking time could be reduced.

The second was a hash brown potato and veggie casserole
to use up the rest of the veggies plus some broccoli.
I am still trying to figure out how I can buy my groceries and not let them spoil. I may have to start shopping weekly instead of monthly.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations and a calmer social atmosphere.
We have opened new prayer lists to include the youth revivals going on and for the young generations that will lead in the future.
New prayers this week for the families in Mississippi and Alabama who have lost loved ones and suffered such damage after the tornadoes the end of this week.
Also prayers for unrest in France and Israel. Then I happened to look up unrest world wide and there are active protests in at least 33 countries. Fortunately most of these are not labeled 'violent'. So this circles back to my ongoing first prayer in this list.

Our cold week has passed.  I've had to turn the AC on again. We don't expect night temps under 59 this coming week and day temps are predicted to go to 85. Plus we'll have rain several days.

I finished three audios this past week and posted four reviews with my memes.

I visited only 15 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to LARK WRITES...ON BOOKS AND LIFE. Lark has an "about me" that gives some idea of her likes but check out her FAQ with art images and lovely quotes!

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post March 19, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 20, 2023.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Terminus, Lee Harden, Book 6 by D.J. Molles; Genre: Military, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  

• NG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Good Dog, Bad Cop by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Animals, Private Investigators; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Junkyard Pirate by Jamie McFarlene; Genre: Adventure, Alien, First Contact, Military, Pirate, Space; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: One Heart to Win by Johanna Lindsey; Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 26, 2023 - The Enemy's Weapons Won't Prosper.
  

Finished Reading:

1. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (2022NGA)

The Deadlands: Hunted
by Skye Melki-Wegner
Narrated by: John Pirhalla
Series: The Deadlands, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins v
I enjoyed the characters and the adventure.
Source: 2023 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

A Useful Woman
A Rosalind Thorne Mystery, Book 1
By: Darcie Wilde
Narrated by: Sarah Nichols
Series: Rosalind Thorne Mysteries, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
I did like this Victorian mystery.
Source: December 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Along Came Holly
By: Codi Hall
Narrated by: Veronica Worthington , Skyler Hutchinson
Series: A Mistletoe Romance, Book 3
Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
This is a fun (if steamy) romcom.
This showed as only available until 3/31
so I decided to listen to it.
Source: 12/3/2022 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Original
How can Holly Winters, the Queen of Christmas Cheer, stand to be neighbors with her town’s resident Scrooge?
Holly owns the merriest holiday shop on Main Street. But right next door is the hardware store run by Declan Gallagher, the grinchiest man in all of Mistletoe, Idaho. With Christmas fast approaching, the small-town rivals engage in an all-out prank war, sending each other not-so-friendly season’s greetings.
But when Holly’s ambitious plan to win the town’s Festival of Lights falls apart, she has no one else to call but her handy sworn-nemesis. They say Christmas is a time for miracles, after all. As Holly and Declan work together, they slowly warm up to each other. They might just end up spending Christmas Eve cuddling by the fire.
Along Came Holly is the perfect enemies-to-lovers rom-com sure to warm hearts this holiday season. Curl up with a beau and a cup of hot cocoa and listen to the latest in A Mistletoe Romance series by author Codi Hall.
©2022 Codi Gary (P)2022 Audilble Originals, LLC

Currently Reading:
1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Extreme Medical Services Box Set Vol 1 - 3
Written by Jamie Davis
Narrated by Roberto Scarlato
Run time: 20 hours and 16 minutes
I felt like some paranormal characters so I picked this. I may only read book 1 now and save the others.
Source: 4/23/2020 Chirp $2.99.
Publisher Description
Monsters, Paramedics, and Street Medicine.
New paramedic Dean Flynn is fresh out of the academy. When he gets assigned to the unknown backwater ambulance Station U, he wonders what he did wrong. Then Dean learns that his patients aren’t your normal 911 callers.
Dean and his partner Brynne Garvey serve the creatures of myth and legend living alongside their normal human neighbors in Elk City. With patients that are vampires, werewolves, fairies and more, will Dean survive his first days on the new job? Will his patients?
Not all is well on the streets of Elk City either, and some humans are striking out at their mythical neighbors. Dean soon finds himself in the middle of a series of attacks on his patients, attacks that implicate a former member of Station U.
Come along on this ride with “Extreme Medical Services” - part one of the series by the same name, a paranormal medical thrill-ride with the paramedics of Elk City. Described by one fan as “like Grimm, but with paramedics” this book is brought to you by best-selling author and real-life paramedic Jamie Davis. He crafts a book called an accurate, interesting, & fabulous page-turner.
Jump on the ambulance with Dean, Brynne and the rest of the team.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Space: 1969
By: Bill Oakley
Narrated by: Natasha Lyonne, full cast
Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
This is another title that showed as only available until 3/31.
This will fit my Number Challenge and could be counted towards location too.
Source: 10/6/2022 Audible Plus.
About This Audible Original
What if President John F. Kennedy had survived and rocketed the Space Race of the 1960s into overdrive? And what if he was, maybe, not quite… himself?
Space: 1969 is a wild and outrageous sci-fi comedy from the mind of Emmy-winning writer Bill Oakley (The Simpsons, Futurama, Portlandia).
Nancy Kranich (played by Emmy-nominated actress Natasha Lyonne of Russian Doll and Orange is the New Black) is a night nurse on an orbiting space station. But Nancy hates her job, is sick of space, and longs to find adventure and a safe place to smoke cigarettes that won’t blow everyone up.
But when Nancy gets caught up in an outer-space conspiracy involving President Kennedy (serving his third term), former Vice-President Richard Nixon (now a miserable, forgotten lawyer practicing estate law in New York City), and an intergalactic object that could change the course of history, she gets way more adventure than she bargained for.
Can Nurse Nancy save herself, the Moon Colony, and the future of the entire United States of America?
Space: 1969 is a retro sci-fi comedy adventure that has to be heard to be believed!
Now available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.
©2022 Bill Oakley (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.

3. Author Review (PDF)

The Rapture: 23 Biblical Answers To The Question: When Is It?
by Joshua J. Watson
I like to study End Times and am open to reading arguments on PreTrib, PreWrath or MidTrib Rapture.
Source: March 2023 Author supplied PDF.
Long debated is the timing of the Rapture. Will it occur before the Tribulation? After it's started? Or will the Church only be Raptured at its end? Most Christians believe the Bible is largely silent on the issue. However, as this book seeks to unveil, many overlooked passages let us know something very different - ie, that we can know when to expect it, and with confidence.

If I start a fourth book it will most likely be the tour audio book mentioned under Mailbox below.

March 26, 2023 - I am enjoying this new plan on YouVersion. I totally enjoy watching the devotion videos so I am doing another BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". I have never done a Chronological reading before.
I finished the 15 day plan: Preparing Your Heart for Easter.
I am on the third day of a 3 day study: I AM - An Easter Devotional.

I finished three audio titles and reviewed four so I am back to my comfortable three current reviews due.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I still have two NetGalley audio on my shelf.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I added two review titles this week which I will review and post on within the month of April.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me, and newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Two new review books last week.
I selected Two for One credit deal at Audiobooks.coms.
I picked 4 more free Audible Plus Catalog audio books. 
I picked 7 free kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Two review titles.
IRead Tour Audio Book - my posting April 13.

The Registration
By: Madison Lawson
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney
Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins



Author Review - pdf:

The Rapture: 23 Biblical Answers To The Question: When Is It?
by Joshua J. Watson
(See description above under current reading.)

Won

NONE

Purchased

3/23/2023 Two For One Credit Audiobooks.com.

Domestication: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure
Series: #1 of Battle Mage Farmer
Written by: Seth Ring
Narrated by: Michael Kramer
Duration: 12 hours 1 minute

Wild Fire
New Frontier, Book 1
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony Melchiorri
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Series: New Frontier, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Free

3/20-3/25/23 Audible Plus Catalog.

My Dead World
By: Jacqueline Druga
Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson
Series: My Dead World Series, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 1 min

It’s a Wonderful Midlife Crisis
The Good to the Last Death Series, Book 1
By: Robyn Peterman
Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
Series: Good To The Last Death, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Daughter of Twin Oaks
A Secret Refuge, Book 1
By: Lauraine Snelling
Narrated by: Meredith Mitchell
Series: A Secret Refuge, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Nowhere to Turn
Hidden Identity, Book 2
By: Lynette Eason
Narrated by: Meredith Mitchell
Series: Hidden Identity, Book 2
Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Seven new Kindle titles with full variety: sweet romance, historical romance, suspense thriller, post apocalyptic sci fi, military thriller, sci fi anthology, and ghostly cozy mystery.
Finding Cupid (The Finding Home Series Book 2)
B. E. Baker
An Innocent Change of Heart: A Historical Western Romance Book
Lorelei Brogan
Deadly Pattern: A Suspense Thriller (The Dana Mulder Suspense Book 1)
N Gray
The Guardian Program (The Terre Hoffman Chronicles Book 1)
Herman Steuernagel
Ranger Selection: A Sam Harper Military Thriller
Thomas Sewell
Future Adventures: Eight Complete Adventure Science Fiction Novels
Patty Jansen, Aurora Springer, M.T. McGuire, Andrew M. Crusoe, George Saoulidis, D.M. Pruden, Drew Avera, J.J. Green
The Ghostly Grounds: Murder and Breakfast (A Canine Casper Cozy Mystery—Book 1)
Sophie Love

Seven new titles added to Kindle library.
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragment March 26, 2023 - The Enemy's Weapons Won't Prosper!

Our Sunday School teacher shared a message regarding Feelings. He noted that sometimes the Church gets criticized that believers are relying on their emotions or feelings. It is true that we have to be careful that youth revivals are more than just emotional rallies. The youth are our hope for the next generation.

The teacher shared some video clips showing that youngsters (8 to teen) who were exhibiting impacts of experiencing the Spirit. This is wonderful and encouraging but we acknowledge that we need a balance between knowledge (sound doctrine through Biblical teaching) and feelings (hearts touched by the Spirit). We need both heart knowledge as well as head knowledge. Feel while you can but be grounded in the knowledge of faith.

Our teacher noted that the more senses involved, the more real the experience. In the Church we have hearing and seeing supported or expanded by touch and taste to experience the Holy Spirit
Taste and see that Lord is good. Psalm 34:8.

We need to be diligently praying for our children, grandchildren and future generations to feel as well as get to know God.

Our service this morning started worship songs that led to a movement of the spirit. There was a Word of God given: “Call upon the Lord. He has enough and more to meet your needs.” The presence of God was with us through an extended time for altar prayer, a short message by Pastor and a concluding time at the altar.

One of our congregants gave a positive testimony. She praised God that her daughter is 30 days sober and making good choices. Her son who didn’t want to be in church for the past six months asked to go to church and youth group this week. In the past six months, the family has gone from homeless (staying with friends or even in their car) to moving into a house of their own!

Pastor preached on just a small part of his planned message. The teaching was based Isaiah 54:17 which states that ‘no weapon formed against you shall succeed, and this is a heritage’ to God’s people! Heritage means an inheritance and in this context, it is a special possession from God. If you are saved, there are promises that belong to you: salvation, provision, healing, and prosperity in God’s realm.

When accusations and lies are told about the Church, they will fall flat.
The Creator (God) of the creator (the blacksmith) of the weapon is greater than the enemy. The weapon will not prosper. By learning the word of God, we are able to avoid and defend against the weapons of the enemy. God has promised that the Church will win. God builds the church.

We want it to succeed and condemn any lies. Be careful how you speak. When people of God talk about the church, they are talking about themselves. (Just as when a spouse speaks talks about the other, they are talking about themselves as well.) We must be prepared and on watch for the enemy. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10.

Churches will vary in their style, which is the sauce. The meat (assuming it is a Biblically grounded church) is still meat. We should always be about building up each other and the Church generally, not tearing it down.

Faith comes by hearing. What people need to hear needs to be uplifting. We serve a God who still does miracles!

The Spirit led me to this song today which I think fits the Word that was given as well as the two messages! More Than Able!!

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 54:17 ESV
17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”


Lord, I give thanks for the heritage of protection You have given me from the weapons of the enemy!

Audible Book Review: One Heart to Win by Johanna Lindsey

I mostly enjoyed this western romance.
One Heart to Win
By: Johanna Lindsey
Narrated by: Meredith Mitchell

Series: Callahan-Warren, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
Release date: 06-11-13
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Western
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Johanna Lindsey, the number-one New York Times best-selling author, presents a passionate novel of hidden identities, family secrets, and love that transcends a 50-year feud set in the 1880s in the majestic ranchland of the Montana territory.
Some young ladies marry for money and social standing, a few lucky ones marry for love - but Tiffany Warren is marrying to end a feud. Honoring her mother’s promise, Tiffany reluctantly travels west to meet her estranged father and his enemy’s eldest son, rancher Hunter Callahan. Once the Warrens and the Callahans are united by marriage, both clans will stop squabbling over a disputed strip of land.
In the chaos of a train robbery Tiffany seizes a golden opportunity. By assuming the identity of her father’s new housekeeper she can live with the father she never knew and assess his true character, as well as that of the neighboring cowboy to whom she is betrothed. But, too late, Tiffany discovers that the rivalry between the Warrens and the Callahans has escalated when the Callahans steal the Warrens’ housekeeper as soon as she steps off the train!
Now, Tiffany, who is pretending to be Jennifer Fleming, finds herself living in the enemy camp, under the same roof as her fiancé. All too soon she learns her intended is a handsome, sweet-talking charmer whom she has to fight off because he can’t keep his eyes - or his hands - off Jennifer. After Tiffany’s charade is exposed she refuses to marry Hunter to end the feud. As Hunter goes about claiming his rightful bride-to-be, he knows that although he loves two women - proper, elegant Tiffany as well as spunky, passionate Jennifer - he has only one heart to win.
©2013 Johanna Lindsey (P)2013 AudioGO

Review:
Tiffany Warren was born in Montana but raised by her mother in New York. Her brothers came to visit her, but her father never did. Now that Tiffany is 18, her mother is sending her to Montana to live with her father and meet the man they arranged for her to marry years before. Her mother made the marriage arrangements right before leaving Montana as a promise to stop the feud between the Warren family and their neighbors, the Callahans. Tiffany doesn’t really want to see the father she believes abandoned her, and she isn’t too keen on marrying a cowboy. Her mother promises Tiffany that she can come home if she meets the man and decides after two months not to marry him.

As Tiffany and her maid travel west, she meets a young woman who is going to the Warrens’ household as their new housekeeper. When the train is stopped due to a robbery, the housekeeper, Jennifer, chooses to return home, and Tiffany decides to take her place so she might meet her father without him knowing. In a twist, when Tiffany and her maid arrive at the town of their destination, she is approached by two men who ask her to come to the Callahan ranch instead of the Warren ranch.

Tiffany gets to meet her handsome and charming would be husband, Hunter Callahan. As the supposed housekeeper, the senior Callahan tells Tiffany she has to cook until she can find a new cook. That is on top of trying to get more help to clean the house that has been neglected while the mistress of the house has been bedridden. Tiffany doesn’t know how to cook or clean but she has enough courage to try.

Tiffany begins a tentative friendship with Hunter while seeking to avoid his bodyguard who appears to be a dangerous gunslinger. When there is an attack on the Callahan ranch and in town against Hunter, the Callahans are quick to suspect the Warrens. Tiffany struggles to understand why the families continue to feud. Tiffany’s charade is bound to be exposed with her brothers in town hearing the rumor of a new housekeeper at the Callahan ranch. How will her family and the Callahan family react when they find out who she really is? And what about the secret that her mother has kept all these years?

I wasn’t sure at first if I would like Tiffany’s character but I learned to appreciate her perseverance and willingness to work to met her goals. Hunter is an attractive, charming, good-humored man who is hard not to like. I didn’t like that he didn’t keep his hands off the 'housekeeper' even as he anticipated the arrival of his arranged bride. Although he is also willing to do the right thing, I didn’t quite care for that sexual looseness in the story. The mother’s secrets added to the interest of the story. All in all, I enjoyed the twists, the romance, and the resolution. Readers who enjoy some sex in their historical fiction might enjoy this one.

Audio Notes: I wasn’t captured by the narration by Meredith Mitchell but it was acceptable. I was glad to listen because it moves my reading along more quickly.

Source: 9/1/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Number goals.