Daisy Connelly inherited land and on it, discovered a few veins of a semiprecious gemstone called watermelon tourmaline. She now runs the mine in Newry, Maine. However, in MINING FOR LOVE, the disadvantage of being a single lady becomes clear. I was laughing quite early in the story, and continued to chuckle throughout, until the suspenseful action took precedence.
Daisy realises that someone is skimming off the best stones. Her rare tourmaline is almost as fine as emeralds to a jeweller, and she sells in bulk. She hires a private investigator who previously worked for her family, Samson Gray. Unexpectedly, the jeweller representative who arrives to sign an agreement, Mr. Ferdinand, refuses to deal with an unmarried woman. This historical romance undoubtedly reflects the times, and there would be good reasons – someone might claim the jeweller had taken business advantage of a lady, or she might marry, and her new husband would refuse to honour the contract. To seal the deal, Daisy feels obliged to say she is recently married. Samson Gray doesn’t deny being her husband, so that’s okay.
The pair now has to get a piece of paper to make a wedding appear legal. Daisy knows a reformed reprobate who will claim he married them…there are no vows, just signatures, and Samson knows he’s going to regret this. Still, in for a penny, in for a pound. Daisy and Samson are concerned for her good reputation and have no intention of doing anything romantic. But it seems that just cooking and caring for someone or looking after their interests is enough to spark tender feelings.
This lively adventure reflects well on the author Candice Sue Patterson’s research, and I don’t think the area of gemstones in Maine has been much covered in novels. I learnt lots, especially about Daisy’s principled stand on employment and the care of working mules. The beasts of burden were stabled above ground every evening, and the men got three meals and a safe bed. We’re assured that not all mines worked this way. Daisy’s profits are not great, but as a woman, she is not inclined to put her workers at risk or underpay. The community is well portrayed.
MINING FOR LOVE is a Christian romance, so it’s suitable for any age from teens upwards. I had a good time. This is the second in a series about Daisy’s family and the investigators. Candice Sue Patterson has previously written several historical novels and modern romances.
Petite, fierce, and respected by the men who work for her, Daisy Connelly rules her rare watermelon tourmaline mine in Newry, Maine, with an iron will. When profits begin to vanish and the local sheriff refuses to intervene, Daisy realizes someone is stealing from her-and that remaining an unmarried woman may make her an easy target. So she does the unthinkable. Daisy proposes a marriage of convenience to private investigator Samson Gray, hoping a sudden husband will draw the culprit into the open.
Samson has built his reputation on solving dangerous cases, not playing the role of a devoted spouse, but Daisy's audacious plan may be the only way to catch a thief who believes himself untouchable. What begins as a calculated ruse soon grows dangerously complicated.
As threats tighten around the mine and trust becomes a fragile gamble, Daisy and Samson are forced to confront old wounds, buried fears, and the walls they've built around their hearts. Pretend vows blur into genuine emotion, and the cost of independence-and love-rises with every step closer to the truth. Because when deception turns deadly, faith may be the only thing strong enough to save them.
Set against the rugged beauty of Maine's gemstone country, this Christian historical romance weaves heart-pounding suspense with a tender romance and faith forged under pressure-where the greatest treasure isn't found underground, but in the courage to trust, surrender, and love.
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