"Claiming Mariah" by Pam Hillman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.

With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

A sweet story of doing the right thing no matter how hard it is. Greed, treachery, revenge, love and forgiveness are all themes in this well-written story. The characters drew me in and made me want to keep following their story. Mariah is a giving, loving, sweet girl in hard circumstances. Slade is a bitter, hurt man out to claim what rightfully?? belongs to his family, driven by the love for his mother and all the things she did without married to a drunk, and then widowed with young kids. He can't help but be drawn to Mariah however much he doesn't want to care. The treachery isn't over yet, though. Will they, and their budding love, survive? Excellent story.

A digital copy of this book was sent to me by Tyndale through NetGalley.com for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.