This book is a nice quick read and a good middle book in a series. If you have lived isolated from the world on a mountain top your whole life how would you view a city like Chicago, or even a small western town in Colorado? This is what Ilsa had to face as she left her town, accidentally breached a code of conduct which led to a hasty wedding, then travelled by noisy train to a city rebuilding after the big fire of 1871. Her husband, Mitch, after returning from living in New York since the Civil War, has his own troubles with hired guns trying to take his life. There was a bit more, but I won't give away the ending. ( )

The main girl is sooo naïve. She has no concept of money, people, or numbers. I couldn’t handle reading more of it on every single page.

DNF ( )

Woman of Sunlight is the second book in Mary Connealy's Brides of Hope Mountain series and I am looking forward to the next one! Definitely could be read as a stand alone but reading the first book in the series, Aiming for Love, will add interest to the characters and more background information to the story. Connealy has a nice style of writing and kept my interest throughout the entire book. I was hooked from the beginning as the action starts right up and continues through the story, always keeping the reader wondering how in the world will things work out now. The characters are unique and likable. It was interesting to see the world of the 1870s from Ilsa's eyes. Ilsa is a young woman who has never been off the mountain and is now traveling to cities with tall buildings and lots of people. As she and Mitch, a man running from his past encounter one difficulty after another, think danger, suspense, and romance and you have a recipe for an entertaining story. Woman of Sunlight is a captivating tale of family and faith, courage and love. Readers who enjoy historical romance will not want to miss this story. I was given a complimentary copy of the book through Bethany House Publishers and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own. ( )

I have come to expect fun and romance when I see a new Mary Connealy book and I certainly wasn't disappointed with Woman of Sunlight. This second book in the Brides of Hope Mountain series introduced another Nordegren sister and once again, I was drawn in by the tale of three sisters who had always lived on Hope Mountain and been warned by their grandparents to reject everything connected to modern civilization. Ilsa is the focus of Woman of Sunlight and she is a brave young woman who dresses like Robin Hood and swings from the treetops. As the book opens, she and her friend Mitch are recovering from chickenpox but this proves to be the least of their problems because they are soon involved in keeping Mitch safe from a would-be murderer. What follows is a lot of danger and adventure but oh, there is so much more. Ilsa leaves Hope Mountain with Mitch and sees and hears things that she's never experienced before. Lights in the houses, music like she's never heard, and people everywhere. She is even more surprised when they arrive in Chicago and she witnesses big city life. Food that she's never seen or tasted, coffee available all of the time, and clothes that make her look like a woman. Things that are so foreign to her and so common to all of us.

I found myself laughing out loud as I read Connealy's description of Ilsa's reactions to civilization and I was caught up in the danger and adventure of trying to discover who is after Mitch. And then, there was the romance---romance as only Connealy can write! Mitch soon realizes that this 'wild child' has stolen his heart but is there a chance that she will ever feel the same about him?

If you enjoy heart-warming romance, thrilling western adventure, and a story that will have you laughing out loud, look no more. Woman of Sunlight is just what you need!

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. I positive review was not required and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts. ( )

Diving into any book written by Mary Connealy is a delight because of the combination of romance, western, humor, and mystery that is so unique to this particular author. Woman of Sunlight has everything I expect in a Connealy book and then some.

Ilsa Nordegren is a strong woman. She and her two sisters have to be as they’ve survived alone on a mountain top. Yet, she’s also endearingly naïve about the ways of the world. I mean, once this woman who loves the outdoors, handles a knife better than most men, and swings through treetops gets on a train for the first time, it’s downright hilarious.

As Ilsa and Mitch try to unravel the mystery of who is trying to kill Mitch, they travel from the mountain tops of Colorado to the great city of Chicago (and if you think the train was an experience for Ilsa, imagine what the big city brings).

I smiled and chuckled throughout so much of this book, but the suspense is just as engaging. I also felt Ursula’s despair and loneliness without her sisters and will be watching for her story soon.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )