Woman of Sunlight follows the youngest Nordegren sister as she leaves her mountain home for the first time. Ilsa and her two sisters lived alone on the mountain until the Warden family invaded their refuge. Book one, Aiming for Love, of the Brides of Hope Mountain series by Mary Connealy tells that story. The danger brought by the elder Warden brother in the first book continues in Woman of Sunlight. And once again, Ilsa and Mitch are most at risk for losing their lives.

I loved Ilsa’s character! At first this young woman with healing knowledge looks at the outside world with wide-eyed wonder. But it’s not just her innocence that gets her into trouble. It’s her brazen wildness that knows no fear, only freedom. She feels intensely and when those feelings are turned on Mitch, he is captured in her snare.

Mitch Warden isn’t the most likable character in Aiming for Love. However, as we see him grow both personally and in his feelings for Ilsa, we see a depth about him that makes him grow in esteem. He’s a strong character who is not afraid to match Ilsa’s wildness, even when it gets him into a situation for which he wasn’t prepared.

When I read the first book, Aiming for Love, I wished for a better story. However, the characters fascinated me enough that I wanted to see what became of them next. I’m so glad I did! Woman of Sunlight was much better than Aiming for Love. Perhaps Ilsa’s character swept me away. Perhaps this Chicagoland girl liked seeing a post-fire Chicago. Or perhaps the dynamic between Mitch and Ilsa made for great entertainment.

If you’re looking for an historical novel with unusual characters and a lot of danger, definitely check out Woman of Sunlight. I certainly enjoyed it.

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I received this book free from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers in order to provide an honest review. 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.”