The Element of Love

Lumber Baron's Daughters, Book 1

By: Mary Connealy

Narrated by: Libby McKnight

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

She mixed danger, desperation, and deception together. Love was not the expected outcome.

With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother’s unfortunate choice in husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away - far and fast - to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father's lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.

During their escape, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California. She quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts.

Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission’s parson, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb’s past and in the land around them come to light, it’ll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

©2022 Mary Connealy (P)2022 Recorded Books

Wicked Step-Father with evil plans

When a wealthy mother with three daughter married a smooth talking shister, little did she realize what a world of hurt she had brought on her family. His plan was to marry off the girls to his equally depraved friends, then take over the lumber empire they had inherited.

With the aid of their mother, the girls escaped from their mountain home by taking a flume ride down the mountain and disappearing. What follows is the start of their adventures to start their step-father's plans and take back control of the family's empire.

Wonderful adventure.

I enjoyed the reading, the plot and purpose of this novel. Looking forward to the next books in your series.

Story of Escape, Determination, Survival

This story is about three sisters fleeing an abusive step father. They are frequently described as intelligent and superior of mind, and in the industrious things they do in the story this is put into practice. For three very intelligent women who are destined to run a lumber empire and are running away from a step father who duped them and their mother with his charms pre-marriage and scares them frequently post-marriage, the plot is questionable. These sisters escape their bad situation, determined to find men to marry so they can scurry back to the lumber empire and run it.

well told story

the violence perpetrated against the women was distasteful, but not overly explicit. I want to see more of the bad guy getting his due but a complete, well told story. over all this is a good book, worth the credit.

Great book

The Element of Love is a great book! It’s exciting. You fall in love with the characters. The romance is great. I was addicted! I couldn’t stop listening! The narrator was a also great!

An exciting story of survival wrapped in love.

I was drawn into the story from page one and didn’t want to stop listening. I love that the three sisters were an intricate part of the story even though the focus was on one. I love that I couldn’t predict some of the conflicts or resolutions. There is a question that Parsons Tillman must answer. Was his mission a success? What did you think? I’m ready to push “play” on book two.

Sweet Historical Romance

*Trigger Warning*

Descriptions of physical abuse and thoughts of retribution may trigger women with abusive pasts and empathetic readers/listeners.

This was an emotional roller coaster of a story! I loved so much of this book, but I did have issues with some of the detailed and descriptive scenes. Not so much because they were graphic, but because they were enough to imagine being in that situation, and I was concerned I might have nightmares. I didn't.

The forgiveness and missionary aspects lend to a Christian feel without being preachy. We hear of the Parson's conversion, but I would have enjoyed someone else come to faith, too! The love story was building but with the exuberance of youth and the regret that comes with maturity.
A bit of a cliff hanger!

Excellent narration, but a few of the women had more masculine voices than the men.
I wish the rest of the series was already available! I would prefer to listen to them back to back!

Sorry, if this review sounds more negative than positive. I truly loved the book and the narration. I was up till 6:00 am listening to this, but still had to wait to listen to the last 2 hours till the next evening!

My Musings

An emotionally charged story with endearing characters. I three sisters are fearless. Glad I found this book. Happy reading and listening!

Good story

It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love the story and everyone in this book.

Ridiculous romance.

If you like over the top, unbelievable romances, then this is for you. It has potential with a decent story line & some adventure but the romance angle was just ridiculous.