1872 California. A continuation and second in a series about three sisters, daughters of the owners of a huge logging company. When their father died, their mother married again, to a man who turned out to be a monster. Since he was about to marry them off to other monsters, the sisters escaped but were always in danger of being found. All three are brilliant in their own way. It's interesting to see each one's strengths put to use. Their journey progressed in many ways at their home and at Zane's ranch where the girls had taken refuge. This book is concentrated more on Michelle and her new husband, who were hastily wed. They have to get to know each other, trust one another, learn each other's strengths. It's an entertaining story to read, would make a fabulous mini series. Nominate!

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#InventionsOfTheHeart #NetGalley #BethanyHouse #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks #MaryConnealy #BethanyHousePublishers

Altho' a little 'different' at the beginning, it soon became the quality and excitement that I anticipated ... although, these past few years, there has been a little less humor (to me) than I'd enjoyed in her first books. But, as always, this is a good read and very innovative, as well as heart-warming. Thank you Mary Connealy for your imagination and intricacies in you books.

Once again Mary Connealy has written an exciting yet endearing tale set in the west. Book one of The Lumber Baron's Daughters series, The Element of Love was the first of a trilogy featuring the Stiles sisters who were forced to leave their beloved home to escape unwanted marriages arranged by their wicked stepfather. Their exciting escape set the pace for the rest of the series and left a lot to live up to. In my opinion, book two of the series Inventions of the Heart continues the standards set by the first.

In book one, most readers will suspect that there is an attraction between Zane the rancher and sister Michelle. Their story takes precedence in Inventions of the Heart as she continues to hide out from her stepfather at Two Harts Ranch. As expected, even more action, danger, and romance are in store along with glimpses into the lives of Michelle's sisters and other characters introduced in the first book. A few surprises are in store as well as events that most readers expect.

Needless to say, Inventions of the Heart was a fun and satisfying read and I look forward to reading the final installment soon.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

Picking up right where the previous book left off Inventions of the Heart follows the three Stiles sisters as they continue to evade their stepfather's nefarious plans for their inheritance.

Michelle has been feeling at loose ends since her sister Laura's marriage. She likes to stay busy and offers to help Zane extract the gold from his property, using her mechanical mind to develop efficient ways to speed the process. Michelle is intelligent, but at times insecure about her homemaking skills, I love how she uses her strengths to help Zane manage his property and mine. Zane a dashing cowboy hero, he's never thought much about marriage before meeting Michelle, and I like how he comes to appreciate her more and more as he get's to know her.

A great installment to a wonderful series, there is a lot going on and it definitely will be important to have already read the first book in the series. I liked the action, humor, and strong themes of trusting God's plan. I enjoyed the interaction between Michelle and Zane, as well as the close bond between the sisters. A satisfying adventure and romance, definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Join three sisters on the run from their stepfather. Until a few years ago, the girls lived a wonderful life with their mother and father. Their father's unfortunate death changed everything. Their mother married a mean man after their money. He made the girls and their mother virtual prisoners while he auctioned off the girl's hands in marriage to the three highest bidders. These were unscrupulous men whose only interest in them was their big inheritance.

The girl's made a dangerous escape, and Laura has already married, so is no longer subject to their stepfather's plans. Michelle and Jilly have been hiding out with Zane Hart on his prosperous ranch. Even though Michelle and Zane are attracted to each other, Zane has no intention of leaving his ranch to lives miles away at Michelle's home.

While the two work on not being attracted to each other, they face problems, starting with the discovery of gold on Zane's property. Zane's sister also shows up seeking safety from serious troubles of her own. Danger even shows up on the ranch itself.

Will Michelle ever find a husband and free herself from her stepfather's plans? Can things work out well if Jilly never marries since the idea is so repulsive to her?

This five-star story contains lots of ups and downs, with serious situations along with humorous ones. This book will be enjoyed by fans of westerns, family stories, or well-written tales!

NetGalley provided Tickmenot with a book for review purposes. Opinions are my own.