Customer Reviews

Love Finds You in Last Chance, California (Love Finds You, Book 5)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You'll recall I reviewed "The Other Daughter" by Miralee Ferrell not too long ago. In that book, her desire to write from the heart, to encourage, to edify, all came through loud and clear. They just did again, only 130 years earlier.

What, you ask? Let me `splain.

Love Finds You in Last Chance California--yes, yes, I know; enough about my guy card, okay?--is number five in Summerside's "Love Finds You" series, and the first contribution by Ms. Ferrell. Great debut in the genre!

In it, she takes us back to 1877 California, where she's crafted a well-researched and tightly written novel inspired by a real person of that era and venue. Our heroine, Alexia "Alex" Travers, has unexpectedly inherited her father's horse ranch at his untimely death. She strives to keep the ranch solvent, encountering along the way all the resistance and bias you might expect of that period regarding a woman running a ranch full of male wranglers. Add to the mix the romantic interest the community's now most eligible bachelorette draws--including those more ambitious for her land than smitten by her charm--and a hidden conspiracy to drive her into ruin, and you've got a fast-paced story that rarely lets up.

Ms. Ferrell celebrates the grit and determination of an independent woman who is determined to make a success of her father's legacy. However, along the way she discovers independence is not all it's cracked up to be. For Alex learns true independence includes dependence upon God, family and good friends--not to mention a very special friend; one who enters her story and her life in a rather inauspicious, but singularly intriguing, way.

If you like stories of the Old West where you can hear the creak of well worn saddle leather, smell pungent sage and aromatic fir, and feel the sweat and satisfaction of taming a wild land at every page turn, this is a good bet.

Oh, did I mention there's romance? Umm, well, yes, there's that. But take heart, guys. Somebody gets shot at, too.

Every time I pick up one of these new Summerside Press books, I am hooked even more on the line. This story is full of romance and intrigue. One of the very special things about it is the unique sense of setting that the author brings to the story. This is going on my Keeper Shelf, definitely.

Hope you will consider picking up this book. It reminded me of growing up out west with my horses. Very emotionally charged and evocative writing.

Cheryl Wyatt

It's always so much fun to pick up a book by an author I've never read before and be blown away by both the writing and the story. Such was the case with Miralee Ferrell's wonderful book LOVE FINDS YOU IN LAST CHANCE, CALIFORNIA.

I can't tell you how much I loved this book! I particularly enjoyed the character of Alex (Alexia). What a strong, independent heroine! When Alex's father passes away, she makes it clear to all who will listen that she plans to keep the family's ranch going on her own. Of course, she faces some daunting challenges. Justin, the story's hero, (and a total stranger to Alex) arrives with his three-year-old son to offer assistance. Only one problem. . .Justin thinks "Alex" is a man! Talk about conflict! Now add intrigue, romance and plenty of action/adventure and it's clear this is one well-rounded historical!

Miralee's story is intelligently written and it's clear she did her research on both the area and the time period. She also did something else remarkably well. By tying the town's name to the predominant "issue" of the book (the need for another "chance") she has woven a lovely allegorical thread throughout. Nicely done!

I loved the book. Miralee is a fantastic writer with a knack for putting you right there in the action. Her setting and action descriptions are spot-on. I've ridden horses and as I read her book, I could feel the horse moving beneath me, smell the leather, breathe the dust kicked up by flying hooves. When Alexia was chasing the bad guy, I could hear the th-th-thum, th-th-thum of hooves over the baked desert.

Miralee is also a great story-teller. This story is part romance-part mystery-part suspense and all good. It keeps you guessing up until the end as she adds complication after complication to poor Alexia's life.

If you love historicals, this book is for you. If you love romance, this book has your name on it. But if historical romances are your "thing," run to your nearest bookstore or website to get Love Finds You in Last Chance, California.

I have finished Love Finds You in Last Chance, CA, and loved it. It it a "can't put it down" type book that I enjoyed so much!!! I believe you are up there with some of our best # one Christian authors. Keep up the good work! Will there be a sequel to Last Chance? Sure hope so. Definitely a book one can be lifted by.

Historical westerns are one of my favorite genres to read. Miralee came through with "Love Finds You in Last Chance".

Alexia has recently lost her father and is left to running the horse ranch. Thankfully her father knew she was capable of keeping up with the men and taught her all the aspect of running it. Alex grabs the bull by the horns and slides into her father's boots.

Unfortunately, there is someone who's not so thrilled with Alex deciding to stick around and starts to cause problems on the ranch. Alex's father had smelled trouble before his death and had sent for the son of an old friend. Here is where we meet Justin and Toby, Justin's son. Justin is repaying a debt to Alex's father by coming to the ranch.

Alexia has to decide if Justin is there to help or if he's the cause of all the problems. Justin also needs to learn if he can love again. Together they work together along with the Lord to travel the path set before them.

Miralee brings us into the history of this town and gives us glimpses into it's past. I enjoyed reading about the past woven into the storyline. Miralee weaves the people in the story together in surprising ways.

I have to say, there were some definite surprises in the story! That always adds a great element to the story! By the end of the story, you are rooting for Justin and Alexia and know that God has a plan for these two!

What a charming, delightful read! Three cheers for Miralee Ferrell's poignant writing style. I could not put this book down, and even as I write this review, having just read the final page, it is well past midnight. This is not the first book by Miralee Ferrell I have read, and after reading Love Finds You in Last Chance, California, I am more convinced than ever I'll be looking for more of her titles. "Last Chance" has a fine blend of tension and conflict, seasoned with tender, blossoming love. Exactly the kind of book I seek out. It is more than a sweet, endearing historical romance; it is an inspiring, absorbing book, wrought with interesting, colorful characters, that will hold its readers' attention from beginning to end. This is one of those books worth every minute of time and every penny invested.

Sharlene MacLaren, Author

Through Every Storm
Long Journey Home
Little Hickman Creek Series
The Daughters of Jacob Kane Series

Oh, what a delightful read! Love Finds You in Last Chance, California is my first "Love Finds You" book, but I guarantee you, it won't be my last! Miralee Ferrell is a diverse and gifted author whose talents shine whether it's poignant women's fiction with her acclaimed debut novel The Other Daughter or gentle prairie romance in Love Finds You in Last Chance, California. With vivid imagery, heart-tugging romance, a touch of mystery and a feel for the old West that will jangle your spurs, Ms. Ferrell is definitely an author to watch ... and read ... over and over again.

Alexia Travers' father has unexpectedly died and left her alone with a horse ranch to run. Alexia has no desire to sell or marry away her burdens. She loves working the ranch, despite what the ladies in town think of a woman wearing trousers and doing men's work. But the trouble has only begun. Horses are being stolen, her ranch hands are quitting, and it's starting to look like her father's death was more than just an accident.

Then Justin Phillips shows up and asks for a job. Justin is hardworking and able but brings with him a mystery of his own, including a small son. He claims the boy's mother died recently, but some of the people in Last Change are suspicious of Justin. They claim he looks like a local horse thief. Alex doesn't know what to think or who to trust. But if something doesn't change soon, she might lose the ranch and everything she's known her entire life.

Miralee Ferrell drew me into this western adventure with a mysterious plot and relatable characters. I love a girl who wears britches in historical stories, and Alexia is a great and capable heroine. It was exciting to watch her trust God and let go of her own control a bit. I enjoyed all the characters in this story, especially Justin's little boy, Toby, who just wants to "wide the horsey."

I highly recommend this book for readers looking for a sweet romance, some mystery, and a little Wild West adventure. Love Finds You in Last Chance, California has it all.

I usually don't read this type of book, but at the request of my sister I did. And I was pleasantly surprised! Not only did it hold my interest, I actually thought the historical and western themes were very interesting. I would recommend this "romance" to any guy I know.