Desert Manna ~ Series Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the 

Desert Manna series by Karen Baney, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Desert Manna series by Karen Baney is set in Prescott, Arizona in the early 1870s. There are three books in this series that is considered A Christian Historical Western Cowboy Romance. (I know a bit of a mouthful but it fits). Faith is a definite thread throughout all three books. And if you like romance with more than a chaste kiss at the end of the book this series is for you. (I prefer less kissing. Much less and not so soon in the relationship, but that's just me) There is something about the style of this series that reminds me of Elaine L. Schulte's California Pioneers series.

Now to the individual books.

Beauty for Ashes is the first book in the series. We are introduced to Rebecca Elliot, who has been widowed for about seven years. She lost her husband to the Civil War and has been a single mother to her son his whole life. But she is now leaving the years of struggle behind as she joins her brother Alexander Glassman in Prescott, Arizona. 

Before the stagecoach Rebecca is traveling on reaches its destination, they come upon a horrific scene and find Perry Quinn hurt and left for dead, his ranch destroyed. Called upon to nurse Perry until they reach Prescott, Rebecca finds herself drawn to Perry's plight, one not so very different than what she had faced. 

As Perry struggles to find his place in Prescott, he finds himself drawn to Rebecca, while trying to deny it. Perry's injuries and loss of all he owned have shaken the foundations of his life. Can he find a new way or will he allow the anger he feels to cause him to take action against those he feels responsible? With Rebecca willing to help him with a kind word and her gentle spirit, can he find a new purpose in his life?

Joy for Morning is the second book in the Desert Manna series and it takes place in 1872. Grace Talbert refuses to be a pawn in her father's drive to further his ambitions. After her mother dies there is no one to stand up to her father and run interference between them. Grace has no desire to marry any of the highly eligible suitors her father deems worthy, not of Grace, but of connecting their name to his. 

Grace's passion is helping those in need and spending much of her time heading the Women's Aid Society to improve the living conditions of the local widows and Indians. She's not willing to give up her work for any man, and when Joshua Harrison warns that aiding the Indians is dangerous they find themselves at odds. But they just might be what the other needs, but only if they try to see the other's point of view.  When tragedy strikes they'll have to rely on their faith to see them through.

Oaks of Justice the third and final book of the series finds Mel (Melissa) Larson practicing law under her mentor when a threat to her life causes him to send her back home to Prescott. Her first case finds her going up against the newly elected DA Alexander Glassman. Sparks are about to fly as Mel and Alex face off in the courtroom. 

But after the dust settles we learn more of Alex Glassman's story. In the first two books, he's a character who we only know as a lawyer but we get to see the man who isn't the lawyer. He hasn't found someone to love. He has interests outside of law. He was a disappointment to his late father. And he'll do anything to keep those he loves safe. 

All three books are historical fiction with an emphasis on the romance that runs throughout. In each, the main characters face periods of trial, which makes their romance all the more meaningful to them. Loss, death, and uncertainty all drive the stories to their conclusion. The books are well-written but I found all the kissing a bit much and actually detracted my enjoyment of the books. But, that being said, I would gift these to family members who would enjoy them and are less "prudish" than me (their words, not mine, though I don't object to the statement).    

I was provided a complimentary copy of these books with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                          

About the Books

Title: Beauty for Ashes
Series: Desert Manna #1
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: March 7,2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Uplifting Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1871. 

As a widow who lost her husband in Sherman’s fiery march to the sea, Rebecca Elliot struggled to provide for her son. When she hears from her brother in Prescott, Arizona, she makes the journey west to start over. An unexpected tragedy on the last leg of her travels changes the trajectory of her heart and life as she never could have imagined. 

Perry Quinn finally said goodbye to his late wife when his life is turned upside down. When he loses everything that he worked hard to accomplish, he must humble himself and start over while trying to find the answers to why he lost everything. Along the way, a kind woman steals his heart and reminds him that there is beauty in the middle of the ashes of his life. 

Will he let go of his grief to find true love?  

If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Title: Joy for Mourning
Series: Desert Manna Series #2
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: April 25, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1872. 

Grace Talbert spurns every suitor her father finds. She longs for the spark of romance and is unwilling to settle for something less. Her passion is running the Women’s Aid Society, which organizes many charitable events to help the poor and the Indians. When a trip to deliver goods to the reservation leaves her stranded with a handsome stranger, she discovers the love she longed for. 

After many years of wandering and building up his freight business, Joshua Harrison decides to return to Prescott. As bachelor, he is ill-equipped to raise the orphaned daughter of a friend. He hopes the stable life of a small town will bring what he needs to become a good father. Having failed at love twice, he is afraid to try again, until he is stranded with the unconventional and beautiful Grace Talbert. 

Can he move past his heartache to open himself to love again?  

If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Title: Oaks of Justice
Series: Desert Manna Series #3
Author: Karen Baney
Publisher: Desert Life Media
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Gripping Historical Christian Romance Fiction set in Prescott, Arizona in 1873. 

Mel Larson is used to being underestimated as a female attorney. When her life is threatened, her mentor takes her home to Prescott. As the defense attorney for her innocent client who is on trial for murder, she goes head-to-head with the new District Attorney. When she apologizes to him for using some unconventional tactics, sparks fly, and she finds a love she had not been looking for. 

Alex Glassman was ready to settle down but after a failed courtship, he doubted if he would ever find the right match. When a major court case falls into his lap, he is unprepared to argue the case against a fiery red-headed woman. When the case is over and he humbles himself to admit his mistakes, his heart is captured, and he dares to hope that she could be the one. 

When Mel's life is threatened, can Alex save her in time?  

If you like these authors, you'll enjoy this book too: Tracie Peterson, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Lacy Williams, Jodi Hedlund, Misty M. Beller

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Buy the Complete Series in One Volume

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About the Author

Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.

Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona. 

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbaney.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win signed copies of all 3 books in the Desert Manna series plus a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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