Customer Reviews

A Love of Her Own

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm so happy to finally know what happens to Josh McBride's sister, April! Ever since I first met this blonde-haired spit-fire in No Place for a Lady, I've wondered how her story was gonna play out. It was a wild ride, just as I had suspected!

Though April was my least favorite person back then, she finally redeems herself in her own story. She still comes across as a little selfish, very independent, and somewhat spoiled. All in all, this makes for a really fast-paced read. It was nice to catch up with some of the folks from The Jewel of His Heart, but Josh and Juliana were hardly even mentioned (they were on their honeymoon!).

Wes Owen turns out to be such a sweetheart -- I'm so glad! I wanted to like him in The Jewel of Her Heart, but he was still rough around the edges. He has since straightened out his life, and become one delicious horse trainer. ;)

There are lots of great secondary characters, one of which is Billy Taylor, a young orphan who loves horses almost as much as April. He became one of my favorite people right from the start. It was also lots of fun getting to know Natalie, Louise, Miss Margaret, and so many more of the folks who reside in Lewistown, Montana.

I only have one "complaint" with this book -- the very abrupt, slam-the-door in your face ending. I mean, WOW! One minute you're sitting there, enjoying a historical moment with April, Wes, Billy, and their friends -- then, a few pages later, the story is over! I didn't see it coming and was unpleasantly surprised. I still had a few questions that weren't yet answered. What happened to Billy (he's one of my favorite characters)? Did he find a permanent home with Morgan and Lenora? Did anything serious develop between Louise and Mark? What did April's parents think about her decision to stay in Montana? I just felt unsettled at the end; like I wasn't given time to prepare. Maybe it's just me, and it didn't/won't bother anyone else. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely worth reading - I was just a little disappointed.

If you haven't read any of Maggie Brendan's books, be sure to pick up this series and read them from beginning to end. The characters are wonderful and will seem like family in no time. You can visit Maggie at her blog: SouthernBelle Writer.

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.

Maggie is a dear friend of mine and reading her books in this wonderful historical series has been such a joy! She keeps a small, yet constant thread throughout the series, but not so much that you get tired of the same characters. In A Love of Her Own, she not only lets us see the world as it was through the eyes of its heroine, April, but her descriptions of each venue, whether it be outside, in a hotel, in someone's home, or just inside someone's heart, give me such vivid imagery that I feel like I'm actually there.

For those of you who don't know Maggie, let me assure you she is equally as lovely and interesting as her books. Her desire is to always create a story that is intriguing, historically accurate, and captivating, as she weaves the love of her Lord into all of her stories.

I have spent the past week reading the three books so far in this series, beginning with "No Place for a Lady", followed by "Jewel of His Heart," and now this book. The author has made Lewistown, Montana come alive with her wonderful descriptions of the land and people. This story in some ways is my favorite of the three books, as it shows how people can change/there is good in everyone! If you are not a ready of historical westerns, give this series a try--I am so glad I did! It is a light Christian romance, too, without being preach-y! Maggie Brendan has become my newest favorite author! Now if I didn't have to wait for the 4th book... (Thank you, too, to the author for making this available on the Kindle.)

As with the other books in this series, this story is more of a historical romance than historical fiction. The historical background is just the setting for the story with the characters acting in the manner of the time period without any actual history coinciding with the plot. April travels out west to be with her brother at his wedding and then decides to stay in the small town even though she is a big city girl. She has a rough time at first adjusting to the slow non glamorous life she is used to. Also the townsfolk seem to take a while to warm up to her as well.

April got on my nerves several times throughout the book. She seemed to act like a spoiled rich brat at times, then at others she would be a strong willed almost tomboy-ish character. To be honest, I didn't really buy her relationship with Wes. I just felt that they had too many differences to all of a sudden fall in love with each other. The scene where he throws her in the water was just too romance novel for me especially as he immediately realizes that her dress has become practically see through. I preferred reading about the secondary characters like Jane, Natalie and Mark. Their stories seemed more well rounded even if only for brief glimpses throughout the book.

Overall, while I did enjoy the story, I felt it was the same "spoiled girl becomes unspoiled and gets a man" type of plot. The characters were interesting but I didn't feel as if any new ground was being broken here. Nothing really stood out to me to make the story very memorable. Brendan is a very good storyteller and I hope to read more of her books in the future. I would just like to see her break out into new territory and try out something that hasn't been done before. While this book is the third in a series and makes references to characters and events in past books, it can be read as a standalone.

April McBride is braving a train trip and a stage trip to Montana for one reason and one reason only; to attend her older brother's wedding. Along the way she makes quite the impression--that of a spoiled brat. Once she arrives in Lewiston, the impressions she continues to leave in her wake are no more becoming. Unfortunately, she barely makes it to her brother's wedding and instead of stunning the crowd with her finery she stays in the back trying to blend in in spite of her boy's chaps and cowboy hat. She even makes quite a stir when she puts up a stink about staying at the boarding house instead of the Hotel. However, it seems that God had different plans for April McBride.
I enjoyed this title thoroughly. Maggie Brendan jumps right into the story and does not foreshadow the story with a bunch of set-up. Instead, the author shows you the character's character and personality through the story as opposed to telling you. I completely appreciate that because I get sick of being TOLD what someone is like. I want to figure out who these characters are through their actions. I applaud the author's writing style and her amazing skill with using conversation to craft her characters. This novel gets four stars!

I have become quite fond of Maggie Brendan's books and her newest book, A Love of Her Own has added to my fondness of her books. There are so many things to like about this book. First of all, I found it very relaxing. I like being taken back to places like Montana during the late 1800s. It provides a lovely backdrop to this story. The author has included a lot of details that make this story feel very real. It was also fun to see the same characters that were in the previous book, The Jewel of His Heart. Although, April's initial perception of Lewistown was quite different from Juliana's, if my memory serves me correctly.

April was not the easiest character to like in the beginning. She was spoiled and selfish and did not care what others thought about her, but watching her character grow and change was fun to watch. I liked how April was written, her character was unique and despite her spoiled ways, I found myself rooting for her.

Once again, Maggie Brendan's writing has left me with a happy feeling that I have come to expect from her books. I highly recommend A Love of Her Own or any of Maggie's books for that matter. I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

April McBride travels alone to Lewiston, Montana for her brother Josh's wedding. Her trip takes an unexpected turn causing her to arrive at the wedding with only moments to spare. After the wedding and reception, April bids Josh and Juliana good-bye, leaving her adrift in a strange town. Her poor manners and bad attitude make it difficult for her to get along at first. With prayer and a bit of nudging from others she eventually warms up to the people of Lewiston, especially Wes Owen, a horse trainer.

It took me awhile to get into this book. April is just plain irritating at first. I had a hard time connecting with some of the other characters too. About half way through the book it became more interesting.

If you prefer a story with no kissing or physical contact until after marriage, you probably would not want to read this book.

I received a review copy of this book from Revell.

The Heart of the West series book three. I read book one and then this one. Maggie is an excellent author. This story "A Love Of Her Own" is a book full of love, forgiveness, accepting people for who they are and lots of fun and hardships.
This book is a light read , I especially like this kind after I've read a good murder mystery.
April McBride, is on a journey, not only in miles, but also in growing and learning to be a better person. April had a very snooty personality at the beginning and didn't care about anyone else's feelings or hardships some people have to go through. She was a very spoiled, rich girl, who got anything and everything she wanted. More than anything April loves horses and working out on the ranch. That's her one redeeming quality at the beginning.
Then April came West to see her brother get married and had many adventures-both good and bad. Right at the wedding she meets Wes, who is another lover of horses, but doesn't care about money or much else. When two stubborn people get together you know there will be bedlam. So enjoy this book and see if Wes and April can become more than friends. Come and meet all of the sweet, caring people of this quaint little town in Montana. I was quite taken with Miss Margaret and her sweet and precious love she gave to everyone. You will want to read this book if you love a good romance. Recommended to all.

I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review.

Maggie Brendan is a wonderful author. In the third book of the Heart of the West series she brings Josh's sister, April, to Montana~ just in time for his wedding to Juliana. Although this is book two, it can be a stand a lone one. I have not had the chance to read the first one, but I did fine reading the next two.

April is finished with love after her heart was broken several years ago. When she receives word from Josh, her brother in Montana, that he is getting married she decides she is ready for a change of scenery for a couple of weeks and leaves to go to Montana.

While in Montana she has a number of crazy adventures. She may find Montana to her liking especially when considering a certain gook looking man.

A delightful read. I wished I could have read it closer to her last book, but after I got in to the book I remembered some of the people from the previous book~ although you would clearly understand the book without reading book 2.