Pam Hillman's Claiming Mariah ~ Reviewed

Claiming Mariah 
By Pam Hillman
Pages 425 
Binding Softcover
Release Date Dec 1, 2013
Publisher Tyndale House Publishers
ISBN 1414389752



Description
After 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 unearths more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal, and murder threatens the well-being of the ranch, endangering those who hold it dear. As the days dwindle until the rest of the Donovan clan arrives at the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed changes their futures forever.

Review:

Claiming Mariah is about a young woman named Mariah Malone.  After her father passes away, she sends a letter to an old acquaintance of her father’s, not realizing what would come of it.  When Slade Donovan shows up at Mariah’s door, she has no idea what she’s in for.  She is told that her father stole what belonged to Slade’s Father, and that, in fact, Mariah’s ranch actually belonged to the Donovan family.  Slade and his brother, Buck begin to take over, while Slade allows Mariah and her Grandmother to stay there until his mother and sisters come.  Mariah has to work hard to trust the Lord to work the situation out, while Slade is relying on his own strength to make things work.  While Slade and Mariah are struggling to get along, it is discovered that thievery and betrayal is about on the ranch.  Top this off with Mariah and Slade’s growing feelings for each other that they aren’t willing to admit, and you’ve got a great story!

I enjoyed this book.  I admired Mariah, who, after losing her father, has to deal with the fact that a stranger is coming to take her home, leaving her with nothing.  Yet she works hard at trusting the Lord through it all.  It just goes to show that God knows our circumstances and that He can work all things together for good.  The trusting part is the hard part, but it’s worth it.  

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers