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The exciting conclusion to this trilogy! I loved the action and excitement! ( )

Title: A Place to Belong (Wild West Wind)
Author: Lauraine Snelling
Pages: 384
Year: 2013
Publisher: Bethany
Valley of Dreams and Whispers in the Wind are the first and second novels in the Wild West Wind series. Here, readers get to read the third installment of the series with Cassie Lockwood as the main female character in A Place to Belong. At one time, Cassie belonged to a traveling Wild West show with her parents and many other people, including her father’s partner Jason Talbot. Now, Cassie has found the place her father long desired to retire to since he became half-owner of the Bar E ranch.
In one night, Cassie loses all her personal affects when riders descend on her small cabin, firing shots and the setting ablaze her wagon. The one remaining link and treasure from her parents is lost, and Cassie is wounded. Now, she can no longer travel nor work on her trick riding or shooting skills until her arm heals. In the meantime, she begins to learn what it takes to make a home, cook meals and run a ranch. At one point, Cassie is all set to be married when the unexpected happens, and though disappointed she realizes something was missing in the relationship with Lucas…love.
Cassie is feeling like she still must earn her way even as part owner of the ranch, but she has no clue how to do any jobs. From milking a cow to baking bread, the one thing Cassie wants above all is a home. Not just any home, but one filled with the love of the Lord as well as a loving husband. Will Cassie see the delight of her heart become a reality? Read this novel to find out all the action, adventure and conclusion to the dreams of Cassie Lockwood.
I really enjoyed reading this novel as the theme about family and the acceptance of so many different people made it special. The conglomerate of various people, differing in ages, backgrounds and personalities keeps the story engaging. I also thought the characters having faith and some not so sure about their faith was a real reflection on real living. It was interesting too that the author gives readers introspective moments into some of the thoughts and internal wrestling some players were going though.
One can appreciate the simple pleasure of sitting back and getting lost in a romantic, adventure-filled story. As I was reading, the scenes were changing between city life and ranch life, showing the contrasting lifestyles and changes that were occurring in both places but in different ways. The author, I believe, highlights the impact a mother with faith can have, balanced with giving room for her grown kids to make their way. The mother figure is an example of how mothers can be prayer warriors and receive strength by reading the Bible and then, in turn, being a conduit to share her knowledge and faith with others.
My rating is 4 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

I've enjoyed reading this series by Lauraine Snelling. Cassie has had to grow up quite a bit being left with only a horse, trailer, a buffalo, dog and some cattle. She has been kinda naive understandably and it was interesting to see Mavis step in and fill the role as "mother" for her. Ransom has been leery of Cassie from the beginning since she showed them the deed to half of the ranch. But slowly he has been softening to the idea of her living there. Lucas rushes right into things without thinking them through, and that has really gotten him into trouble in this book. Gretchen is like the sister that Cassie never had and they have become great friends. Cassie finally has a family and a place that she can call home after so many years without one. The characters have been likable and each has had to grow up in different ways. It was also fun to read about the new things going on at this time in history. Mavis and Cassie took an adventurous ride on a trolley for the first time, and saw all the new things a major city had to offer. So many things have changed since that time, and it's fun to read about what the characters thought of these new inventions. I will say that this final book was a bit slow at the beginning, and I had a hard time getting into it at first. But, after things started picking up (around chapter 7 or so), I went through the book pretty quickly. The last few chapters were really good and the ending was complete. Lauraine definitely tied up all the loose ends and ended the series well. I'm kind of sad that I won't be reading anymore stories about Cassie and the Engstrom family. I'll definitely be looking up some of Lauraine Snellings other books. If you're looking for a good series, I would recommend picking this one up. It was good.

**I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ( )

I don't usually read books set in the Wild West but I'm such a fan of Lauraine's I read all of her books! She always has a great storyline with good strong female characters. The is the last in the series and has Cassie deciding to marry Lucas, a man she doesn't love, for her it will be a marriage of convenience. Since arriving at their home Lucas' father notices the changes in him and encourages him to marry Cassie.

Hoping to win enough to pay off her debts she enters shooting contests and is getting pretty good at it. Winter is coming quickly, wedding plans are being made. This may be Cassie's biggest mistake ever or does she change her mind?

I really enjoyed this story, the characters were very likeable, the plot was good. A fun read!

I received a copy of this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. ( )