I've enjoyed some of Mary Connealy's works, some have been a hit, some a miss, this one? Somewhere in the middle.

I liked the plot line, the characters were somewhat all right but they could have used more development, more depth would have been nice too. They just felt like her other characters from other books, they blend too much into the same character, the hero too much like the heroes in her other books same as the heroines.

That's not to say it is a bad book, it's nice as a matter of fact, and I liked several parts of it, especially Dave's and Jo's romance, getting to know each other, and everything.

As with each of Mrs. Connealy's books readers will find the cute humory backdrop in the romance, adventure, and slight suspense in Aiming For Love. I wasn't sure at first what to think of the Bible part of the story, which is confusing when I say it but if you read it you'll understand, I like how it was handled.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

Secluded from the outside world by a paranoid grandmother, Jo and her two sisters have grown up on Hope Mountain never having seen a town or met a stranger. They have vague memories of their grandparents and have been living off the land since they died which left the three sisters all alone. Jo is a skilled hunter and takes care of her sisters by bringing home meat. Ursula, the oldest of the three is also the most like their grandmother, takes care of hearth and home, while Ilsa has healing powers and seems to know which plants are used in medicine.
The three sisters’ relationship is put to the test when newcomers come up onto Hope Mountain bringing sickness and trouble. Jo is willing to learn from them but Ursula isn’t willing to take that chance.
Aiming For Love was such an endearing story and I absolutely can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Thank you Bethany House Publishers for this free advanced copy in return for my honest opinion. ( )

What a wonderful journey the author takes readers on in this new story filled with danger, adventure and life lessons. It was so easy to fall in love with the three sisters that fill the pages with survival, danger and relationships. The author made me feel like I was there as Jo explores on her own. What she stumbles upon surprises her since there hasn't been anyone around in along time. The isolation Jo and her sisters endured must have been hard at times. They always had their grandpa around to look out for them. I liked how they were able to hunt and live on their own for so long.

The contrast between two families make the story intriguing and adds an element of caution for all. What would you do if you found someone on your land unexpectedly? Would you help them in their time of need? I liked learning about the different traits each of the sisters had. They complimented each other well with their skills and helped them to be able to survive on their own for so long.

I don't think I would be thrilled to suddenly see cowboys and cattle invading my quiet life. The story is filled with many surprises and I loved the faith element in the book. It is a very promising start to a new series by the author. She always has a unique way of telling a story that keeps you glued to the pages as characters grow and experience life. I loved the main focus on Jo and her new relationship with someone. I look forward to the next installment in the series.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

What I think you should know:
Aiming for Love is a historical fiction novel set in the late 1800s in Colorado. Josephine “Jo” Noredegren and her sisters live in the wilderness of the Colorado mountains where they were raised by their grandparents. The grandmother instilled a fear of the unknown and outer world in the girls and due to their remote location they have never met anyone outside of their immediate family. When rancher David Warren ventures close to their home Jo is too curious to stay away from him, but David may end up bringing everything her grandmother warned her about straight to her.

What I enjoyed about this book:
Mary Connealy, the author did a great job writing characters that are unique and strong. I loved Jo, she was a contradiction to the way that her grandmother raised her, independent, curious and caring. I loved the practical knowledge that she had as well as her self reliant skills however my heart broke at the ways they had been shut out of the world and their education and world was different that they thought it was. I loved all of the characters and am anticipating this rest of the series being as good as this one!

Who will enjoy this book (just to name a few):

Fans of Historical Fiction
Fans of Western Fiction
Fans of Christian Fiction
Fans of Romance

I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

It is always exciting to come across a new-to-me Christian fiction author who is able to draw me in with the first of their books that I pick up, and doubly so when their work is refreshingly unique! I can safely say that Mary Connealy’s “Aiming for Love”, book one in the Brides of Hope Mountain series, is one of the most distinctive novels I have had the pleasure of reviewing. My appreciation extends to the book cover, as well. It initially enticed me just by its beauty and woodland backdrop, and as I read, I realized how perfectly it captures the essence of the novel. Mostly wild, but with hints of civilized society. As the two meet, it becomes a question of whether they will blend or remain at odds.

Living off the grid seems to be an up-and-coming fad, fueled by TV shows and the popularity of minimalism. I will admit that it certainly has its appeal, and there are times when I would love to head off to Walden Pond. It’s no surprise, then, that I immediately enjoyed “Aiming for Love”. Hidden away in the highlands of Hope Mountain, Josephine (Jo) Nordegren and her two sisters, Ilsa and Ursula, were taught how to survive without any outside contact. Even in 1873, this is an unusual feat. When rancher Dave Warden sets up nearby, their seclusion is challenged for the first time in their lives, and this is when things really get interesting!

“Aiming for Love” brings up so many fascinating issues that the pages seem to fly by even as they make the reader pause to think. Jo’s journey is captivating and filled suddenly with questions: “Did a woman give up her whole world because a new one caught her interest?” “Had her life, lived so alone, made her the purest form of herself?” And the wonder of it is that we often ask ourselves these same questions today, albeit likely in a different context. The crux of this story is the importance of community, particularly within the church. Scripture makes it clear that not only are we to love our neighbor, but also to nurture relationships with each other. Connealy skillfully illustrates the dangers of isolation and stagnancy through the Nordegren sisters’ lives and gives insight into cult mentality. Something that intrigued me is the intermixing of Bible stories with fables and fairy tales, which seems so easily discernible but would not be to someone taught only that they were all part of God’s Word. This is valuable insight to consider when interacting with people who are not of the Christian faith or who hold false beliefs. In that regard, Ma Warden is a shining example of patience and compassion in this novel.

Fans of Joanne Bischof’s Blackbird Mountain series, Catherine Marshall’s “Christy”, and Misty Beller’s novels will no doubt want to add Mary Connealy and “Aiming for Love” to their to-read lists. I would also recommend this book to anyone in search of an adventurous story with some suspense, and to those interested in living off the land and how that impacts a person’s disposition and belief system.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. ( )