About this book:
“Can't
Ida Mueller walk to town without being harangued by rowdy railroad men? The
formerly lovely town of Spring Creek, Texas, has been overtaken by saloons and disorderly
conduct. So when a handsome stranger arrives with plans to open a gambling hall
next to her family's mercantile store, Ida makes plans of her own: to foil his! Someone has to save Spring
Creek. And since Ida's convinced marriage isn't in her future, the Lord's work
will be! But after one look into Mick Bradley's eyes--and heart--the plucky
beauty might start hearing wedding bells!”
Series: Part of the “Love Inspired: Historical” line of books, but not
connected to any other book.
Spiritual Content- Esther 4:14 at the beginning; Bible reading; Scriptures are
mentioned, quoted, discussed, & read; Prayers & Blessings over food; Many
talks about God, His plans, judging others, & forgiving; ‘H’s are
capitalized when referring to God; Going to a church event & singing a hymn;
Ida means well, but it doesn’t always come across that way and she has to learn
to let God be God and handle things; Mick says he & God parted ways a long
time ago *Spoiler* but a it past the middle, tries listening and asking
questions about God, and later prays *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of God; Mentions
of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of those from & events in the
Bible; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of
churches, church events, reverends/preachers, sermons, hymns, & worshiping;
Mentions of miracles; Mentions of sins & sinners; A few mentions of blessings
& being blessed; A few mentions of manna from Heaven;
*Note: A few mentions of Ida
calling Mick a heathen & a tool of the enemy.
Negative Content- A couple mentions of men shouting obscenities & curses (said,
not written); A bit of eye rolling; Being attacked, pain, & blood/bleeding
(up to semi-detailed); Mick comes to Spring Creek to open a gambling hall; Many
mentions of gambling, gambling halls, saloons, drinking, drunks, & alcohol/liquor;
Mentions of a tragic death (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being shot,
being attacked, gunshots, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed);
Mentions of stealing & holding someone up at gunpoint; Mentions of fighting,
brawls, & violence; Mentions of threats, mobs, & gunshots; Mentions of a
fire, explosion, & smoke; Mentions of tobacco, cigars, & pipes; Mentions
of gossip & rumors; A couple mentions of jails; A mention of a school bully.
Sexual Content- A fingers-to-lips
touch, hair kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss; Remembering a
kiss & touches/embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches & Embraces
(barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Nearness, Butterflies, & Smelling (including
a time Ida helps an injured Mick change his bandages and shirt (she wonders
what is wrong with her), barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing; Many men in town
flirt & tease Ida; Mentions of women working at a gambling hall as barmaids
& dancers (and a couple men comment on their shapely legs and ankles); Mentions
of flirting, flirts, winks, whistles, & blushes; Mentions of jealousy; A few
mentions of houses of ill repute & men spending money on women; A few
mentions of courting; A mention of prostitutes; A mention of seeing a couple
kiss; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a mother dying
in childbirth.
-Ida Mueller, age 19
-Mick Bradley
P.O.V.
switches between them
Set in 1902
272 pages
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Pre
Teens- 
New
Teens- 
Early
High School Teens- 
Older
High School Teens- 
My
personal Rating- 
During the first half of the book
both Ida and Mick annoyed me often, but, thanks to character development, I enjoyed
the last half more. I think those that like the “redemption story”
trope/plot-line would like this book more than me, as that’s not my favorite
trope. It was very clean, though, which I appreciate. It’s pretty insta-lovey
in the romance, but again, it’s cleaner than most. While it’s not anywhere near
my favorite books by this author, it can still be a fun read. (I do have to
wonder about the lack of chaperones and leaving a single man with a single woman,
but I suppose it’s because it’s the country and not high-society rules…)
See y’all on Friday with a new
review!
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this
author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
