In A Model of Devotion by Mary Connealy, Jilly Stiles is determined to build a railroad in a single season, despite the obstacles in her way. Nick Ryder, a man who’s proven his willingness to protect her and her family, works faithfully by her side. When it becomes evident that her enemy is determined to claim her for himself, Jilly realizes she must make the decision to marry rather than continue on alone.
I enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Connealy crafted a set of strong heroines who were accomplishing great things in an era that thought a woman’s place was in the home. The love and connection between Jilly and her family was evident from the first chapter and you get the sense that they will always be there for each other.
The romantic elements were mild but you got the sense that Nick was someone Jilly could trust and depend on. She was able to reveal pieces of herself that she’d previously kept hidden.
Readers will be reminded that no matter how strong we are, our strength is nothing compared to God’s. We should learn to lean on Him in our difficulties and trials. This was a lesson Jilly and her sisters had to learn and it applies to us as well. While God has blessed us with intelligence and wisdom, He does it so we can learn to partner with Him. Not for us to work independently.
Readers will also be reminded that the mistakes we made should encourage us to make better choices now. Instead of dwelling on our mistakes, they should galvanize us to seek the will of God.
If you enjoy the marriage of convenience, boss/employee, or damsel in distress tropes you’ll enjoy A Model of Devotion.
A Model of Devotion is the third book in The Lumber Baron’s Daughters series but can be read as a standalone. I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.
About A Model of Devotion
She’s finally claimed her independence . . . how far will she go to keep it?
A brilliant engineer, Jilly Stiles has been educated since childhood to help run her father’s lumber dynasty. With the company safe from her stepfather after the marriages of her two sisters, Jilly can now focus on her dream of building a mountaintop railroad–and never marry.
Nick Ryder came into Jilly’s life when he saved her mother from her no-good stepfather, and he’s prepared to protect Jilly from anything that threatens to harm her–as long as he keeps his heart from getting involved.
But when a cruel and powerful man goes to dangerous lengths to make Jilly his own, she must make a decision between her safety and her hard-won independence.
Purchase a copy of A Model of Devotion on Amazon
About Mary Conneal
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is independently publishing a contemporary romantic suspense series called Garrison’s Law, book one is Loving the Texas Lawman. Her new historical series, High Sierra Sweethearts begins with The Accidental Guardian. She is also the author of these series: Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, Cimarron Legacy, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages and Sophie’s daughters, and has man other books.
She is a two-time Carol Award winner and has been a finalist for the Rita and Christy Awards. She’s a lifelong Nebraskan and lives with her very own romantic cowboy hero. She’s got four grown daughters and four spectacular grandchildren.
Find Mary online at:
Her website: maryconnealy.com
Her blog for aspiring writers: Seekerville
Her blog for lovers of western romance: Petticoats & Pistols
Sign up for her newsletter at maryconnealy.com/newsletter
Mary is on Facebook at facebook.com/maryconnealy
And Twitter at twitter.com/maryconnealy