The Element of Love by Mary Connealy

With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother's unfortunate choice in husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away--far and fast--to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father's lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.

During their escape, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California. She quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission's parson, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb's past and in the land around them come to light, it'll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

My review:  This is another hit for Ms. Connealy.  Three sisters are on the run from their mean stepfather who wants to marry them off so he can get control of their inheritance.  The sisters run into a group of missionaries that they decide to join incognito.  They don't want anyone to recognize them and tell their stepfather.  Along the way Laura decides she is going to marry the parson.  The parson has some deep secrets of his own that he doesn't want anyone knowing.  While at the mission camp they make a startling discovery of their own that they are afraid to tell anyone.  

This was an enjoyable book and I highly recommend it.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.