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    A Sweet Misfortune: A Novel
    A Sweet Misfortune: A Novel
    A Sweet Misfortune: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    A Sweet Misfortune: A Novel

    Written by Maggie Brendan

    Narrated by Rebecca Gallagher

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Rachel Matthews isn't one to rely on others to take care of her. Destitute and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money--even if she's forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel's brother sends a friend--the widely admired cattle baron John McIntyre--to rescue her, then sets off to earn enough money to buy back the family ranch. But when months pass without her brother's return, Rachel isn't sure she can take one more day in John McIntyre's home--especially once she discovers that he's the one who holds the deed to her family's ranch.

    Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan's delightful series set in the Old West.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateMay 2, 2017
    ISBN9781621886907
    A Sweet Misfortune: A Novel
    Author

    Maggie Brendan

    Maggie Brendan is the CBA bestselling author of the Heart of the West series and The Blue Willow Brides series, as well as The Trouble with Patience and A Sweet Misfortune. Her books have received the Book Buyers Best Award from the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America and the Laurel Wreath Award. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, and Author's Guild, Maggie lives in Georgia.

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    Reviews for A Sweet Misfortune

    4.5/5

    109 ratings12 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Rachel Matthews is determined to buy back her family's ranch at any cost... even if it means becoming a dance hall girl. When Rachel's brother hears of her new vocation, he asks his friend, John McIntyre to get Rachel out of the dance hall business. John honors his friend's request and retrieves Rachel only to find she's less than grateful. Sparks fly as John and Rachel live under the same roof and tensions mount as Rachel learns that John is the current owner of her family's land. Will John and Rachel part ways? Or is it possible that the land they quarrel over just might bring them together?A Sweet Misfortune is the second novel in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series by Maggie Brendan. I have not read the first story and A Sweet Misfortune worked fine as a stand-alone novel. The beginning captured my attention and created a desire to know how Rachel and John's story would play out. The desire to see how they would come together was what kept me turning the pages when certain characters annoyed me. (Rachel repeatedly explained that a dance hall girl is not necessarily a prostitute and it felt like John's grandmother, Estelle, was just a bit too perfect and understanding.) A Sweet Misfortune is a classic, inspirational love story with a steady pace and plenty of tension between the characters. Readers who enjoy Maggie Brendan's other works will likely enjoy this one as well.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 5/5
      This has to be one of my favorite books by Maggie Brendan. I love how Rachel and John meet. This is a fun book in the western historical fiction genre. This will make you laugh and cry a little. I look forward to reading the next book in theVirtues and Vices of the Old West series. I received this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion.
    • 5/5
      I liked how Rachael was rescued and the story between her and John began. John is an old friend of Rachael's brother and currently own the ranch that was in their family along with his own. He is able to rescue Rachael from a not so great profession and she comes to live at his ranch and work for his mother. I liked how Rachael found out the legacy that her brother had left her and what she had to do to claim it. She wanted an easier way to get the ranch back through her brother, but she had to learn to trust that all would work out. I also liked how Rachael was able to help those who found themselves in less that ideal situations. I would hope that I could see beyond the surface to help out those in need. I received a copy of the book from the publisher to read and review.
    • 5/5
      What a wonderful story written to intrigue a listener right from it’s start.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely love his books! They are wonderful to listen to while cleaning and the storyline has been great to follow along to!!!!
    • 5/5
      This novel kept my attention and it felt as if I were there. The narrator did an excellent job in presenting and the author kept interest going. I will recommend this to my church book club once we are able to meet again.
    • 5/5
      I do have to state that I really enjoy Maggie Brendan’s books, and look forward to each one, and this one was no exception.In this day can you picture a friend of your brothers going into where you work and throwing you over his shoulder and carrying you away to his home? No, absolutely not, but this is back in the 1860’s, and Miss Rachael is working at a place that does not have a good reputation, she is a dancer, but we would all make the assumption that she is a “soiled dove”.The friend John, owns the title to her parents ranch, and she is not so happy to see the enemy, as she feels about him, of course he only paid the taxes, but means nothing to her. Her brother, Preston, still has a chance to redeem the ranch when he returns from the gold fields.You are going to love Estelle, the Grandmother, and Annabelle the housekeeper and cook, and how they embrace Rachael, I wanted to move in with them.When we let God be in charge a lot of doors open and more people are drawn in and saved by your actions, and that is how I felt while reading this book, it was amazing, and you kept finding more, even in adversity.This is a sad, in some ways, but refreshing and sweet read, and I’m ready for the next book in this series.I received this book through the Revell Reads Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      A Sweet Misfortune by Maggie Brendan is the second book in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series. It is September 1862 in Montana Territory. Rachel Matthews’ brother (Preston) had to go away and he asked John McIntyre to rescue his sister. Rachel could only find work as a dance hall girl (serving drinks, food, etc.). John McIntyre goes into the saloon, asks which girl is Rachel, grabs her, and takes off. He gets on his horse and takes off for his ranch. Rachel is outraged. Rachel did not enjoy working as a dance hall girl, but it was the only job she could find. She wanted to help her brother raise funds to save their ranch (they got behind on the taxes after their parents died). Estelle, John’s grandmother, convinces Rachel to stay and offers her a position in her millinery shop. Rachel is enjoying her stay until she discovers that John holds the deed to her family’s ranch. John paid the back taxes on the property and had an agreement with Preston Matthews (he would pay John back within a certain amount of time or the ranch stays with John). As Rachel and John spend more time together, the attraction between them grows. Can these two different people come together in love or will the Matthews family ranch be a sticking point between them?A Sweet Misfortune is a charming, historic romance novel (with a Christian theme). It can easily be read as a stand-alone novel (without having enjoyed the first book in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series). A Sweet Misfortune is nicely written and very easy to read. I did find it, though, to be a predictable romance novel with the normal issues of miscommunication between the couple, misunderstandings, breaking up, getting back together, and happily ever after. The characters are fun (especially Estelle). The Christian theme is very light in this uplifting story. I give A Sweet Misfortune 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I received a complimentary copy of A Sweet Misfortune from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
    • 4/5
      Title: A Sweet Misfortune (Virtues and Vices of the Old West #2)Author: Maggie BrendanPages: 336Year: 2016Publisher: RevellJohn McIntyre is intent on increasing the size of his ranch through buying land and cattle. He has no time to deal with his friend’s wayward sister, but feels compelled to help him out after he receives a letter from his friend. His friend’s sister, Rachel, is working as a dance hall girl at the town saloon and her brother fears for her reputation. John rides to town and takes Rachel to his ranch where he lives with his grandmother. He feels protective of her, but has his eye on a nearby wealthy young lady for courting purposes not a dance hall girl. He discovers there is much more to Rachel than just a dance hall girl; she is caring, compassionate and puts the needs of others before her own.Rachel Matthews desperately needed a way to support herself after her brother leaves to try to find gold to buy back the family ranch after their parents’ deaths. Rachel only knows cattle ranching, so she decides to work as a dance hall girl to support herself. She has no other options. After John forcibly takes her from the dance hall, she begins to realize she is better off at his ranch and working at his grandmother’s millinery shop. She enjoys her job and has three suitors; however, none of them make her heart speed up like it does when John is around.I just so appreciated the three main characters in the story constantly pointing to God for their blessings in every situation. Their reliance on prayer and God’s provision was evident throughout the story and I liked that aspect to the story. This book is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. The chapters are short and the print easy to read so the story quickly passes. I also enjoyed the author’s note, explaining some historical facts about things/people in the story. Book three is already in the works and the first chapter is included at the end to whet readers’ appetites!My rating is 4 stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 3/5
      Rachel Matthews is determined to buy back her family's ranch at any cost... even if it means becoming a dance hall girl. When Rachel's brother hears of her new vocation, he asks his friend, John McIntyre to get Rachel out of the dance hall business. John honors his friend's request and retrieves Rachel only to find she's less than grateful. Sparks fly as John and Rachel live under the same roof and tensions mount as Rachel learns that John is the current owner of her family's land. Will John and Rachel part ways? Or is it possible that the land they quarrel over just might bring them together?A Sweet Misfortune is the second novel in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series by Maggie Brendan. I have not read the first story and A Sweet Misfortune worked fine as a stand-alone novel. The beginning captured my attention and created a desire to know how Rachel and John's story would play out. The desire to see how they would come together was what kept me turning the pages when certain characters annoyed me. (Rachel repeatedly explained that a dance hall girl is not necessarily a prostitute and it felt like John's grandmother, Estelle, was just a bit too perfect and understanding.) A Sweet Misfortune is a classic, inspirational love story with a steady pace and plenty of tension between the characters. Readers who enjoy Maggie Brendan's other works will likely enjoy this one as well.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 4/5
      This was a lovely book. I almost hoped Preston was not really dead since there was no body at the memorial but it was nice to see that John was there for our dear heroine at the end.
    • 4/5
      Title: A Sweet Misfortune (Virtues and Vices of the Old West #2)Author: Maggie BrendanPages: 336Year: 2016Publisher: RevellJohn McIntyre is intent on increasing the size of his ranch through buying land and cattle. He has no time to deal with his friend’s wayward sister, but feels compelled to help him out after he receives a letter from his friend. His friend’s sister, Rachel, is working as a dance hall girl at the town saloon and her brother fears for her reputation. John rides to town and takes Rachel to his ranch where he lives with his grandmother. He feels protective of her, but has his eye on a nearby wealthy young lady for courting purposes not a dance hall girl. He discovers there is much more to Rachel than just a dance hall girl; she is caring, compassionate and puts the needs of others before her own.Rachel Matthews desperately needed a way to support herself after her brother leaves to try to find gold to buy back the family ranch after their parents’ deaths. Rachel only knows cattle ranching, so she decides to work as a dance hall girl to support herself. She has no other options. After John forcibly takes her from the dance hall, she begins to realize she is better off at his ranch and working at his grandmother’s millinery shop. She enjoys her job and has three suitors; however, none of them make her heart speed up like it does when John is around.I just so appreciated the three main characters in the story constantly pointing to God for their blessings in every situation. Their reliance on prayer and God’s provision was evident throughout the story and I liked that aspect to the story. This book is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. The chapters are short and the print easy to read so the story quickly passes. I also enjoyed the author’s note, explaining some historical facts about things/people in the story. Book three is already in the works and the first chapter is included at the end to whet readers’ appetites!My rating is 4 stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”