Whispers of Fortune

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In a land of gold and grit, can two hearts uncover the true treasure?

In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at the Two Harts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he discovers them thriving at the ranch's school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. His options limited, Brody reluctantly takes on the role of ranch doctor, and he forms an unexpected bond with Ellie, who's kept a steady eye on Brody's two rapscallion brothers. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure.

With winter approaching and his brothers threatening to bolt again, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. But along the way, old adversaries resurface, threatening their newfound affection and the safety of those at the ranch.

AUTHOR BIO

Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books and is the author of the popular series A Western Light, Wyoming Sunrise, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at MaryConnealy.com.

My Review: 

Armed with a map and lured by the promise of a treasure, teenagers Lock and Thayne MacKenzie have run away to follow the clues. Their older brother, Brody, must leave his newly founded medical practice to track them down and return home to the East Coast. It sounds straightforward, but things don’t always go as planned. I enjoyed this story as Brody reconnects with his brothers as well as meets the Hart family who have taken the boys into their care. I may never get to go on a treasure hunt, so it was fun to be a part of the search. 

Ellie Hart is one of the ladies who lives at the Two Hearts Ranch and has grown attached to the boys during their stay. I admired that even though she didn’t feel comfortable in the classroom, she was still willing to teach the children at the ranch. This showed that she would do her best in order to help the children succeed.

With descriptive scenes of the west and perils the group of treasure hunters faced, I was drawn into the story. The villains were portrayed well and provided a sense of danger and suspense. This story continues with book two, and I am looking forward to reading it to see what will happen with the search. 

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley and AustenProse. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.