Rambles of a SAHM

A Sweet Misfortune

Virtues and Vices of the Old West

Maggie Brendan

Historical Romance

Rachel Matthews isn't one to rely on others to take care of her. Homeless and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money to buy back the family ranch--even if she's forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel's brother, who is away mining for gold, sends a friend to rescue her.

Cattle baron John McIntyre is focused on acquiring as much land as possible in Montana and has little time to deal with a dance hall gal. Rachel isn't sure she can take one more day in John's home--especially once she discovers that he's the one who holds ransom the key to her family's future.

Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan's delightful series set in the Old West.

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My Thoughts

When most people think of cowboys they think of Texas. Not me! I think of Montana. Maggie Brendan's Virtues and Vices of the Old West series has been a true delight so far because it has great characters and interesting storylines but more importantly it is set in the Montana Territory.

A Sweet Misfortune is the second book in the series and in it we meet Rachel Matthews who finds herself dancing in a saloon just to survive. Her parents are deceased and her only brother has headed west to seek fortune to buy back their family's ranch. Unbeknownst to Rachel her brother has written his friend and current owner of the Matthews family ranch, John McIntyre, and asked him to rescue his sister from the saloon and watch out for her until he returns.

John's idea of rescuing leaves Rachel crazy mad. Not only does this bully now own her family's land but he also thinks he can tell Rachel what to do. The sparks are flying and someone is bound to get burned. The redeeming factor and calming force is John's beloved grandmother. Rachel can't help but fall in love with her.

The theme of virtues and vices is a clever one. Ms. Brendan explores how we look at people from the outside while discounting how they came to be in the situation. She also allows us to contemplate our own greed by pondering how much is enough.

I enjoyed this novel on many levels. It is a light read so you can enjoy it on a lazy afternoon or even during times of multiple interruptions. I found it refreshing to have only the main storyline to concentrate on and a limited number of characters to get to know. Even though it is part of a multi-book series it is a stand-alone story and can be read without needing to read the other books. If you are looking for a fun light romance set in the Old West then I recommend taking a chance on this one.

Other Reviews For This Author

The Trouble With Patience

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The Trouble With Patience

Virtues and Vices of the Old West, Book 1

Maggie Brendan

Historical Romance

Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.

Despite Patience's desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse. He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But as she gets to know this "hanging lawman," Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye--and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever.

With a keen eye for historical detail and a deft hand at romantic tension, Maggie Brendan invites you to a Montana gold rush boomtown, where vices and virtues are on full display and love is lying in wait.

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My Thoughts

When Patience Cavanaugh's grandmother passed away she left the Creekside Inn to her granddaughter rather than her daughter. Patience took the opportunity to escape her overbearing mother and quickly moved to Nevada City in the Montana Territory. Once there she discovered that the Inn was a bit run down and in need of repairs. Even with all the obstacles in her way Patience was determined to make a go of it.

Her first run in with the local marshal, Jedediah Jones, doesn't leave a very good impression of her. But to be truthful she's not very impressed with him either. Her conscience gets the better of her and she soon makes amends. It's not easy having the name Patience but little of the attribute to go along with it.

As the story progresses you are introduced to new characters and an element of mystery. A local rancher is murdered and the search for suspects shines light where darkness wishes to remain. I enjoyed thinking that I had surely figured out who the evil person was only to discover that I was wrong. When the mystery was solved I was a bit surprised.

This new series by Maggie Brendan promises to be another delightful adventure into the wild west. Her characters are always well developed and the storylines not only entertain but invite you to go deeper with your own personal faith. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a trip back in time where a murder mystery mingles with a bit of romance.

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