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A Life Restored (Prescott Pioneers #3)

by Karen Baney (Goodreads Author)

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 · rating details · 67 ratings · 14 reviews

Making mistakes is a part of life…

Social butterfly, Caroline Larson, longs for adventure. Since her best friend left Texas, she grows dissatisfied with her life. A little lie to her parents sends her on the journey of her life. Stranded in the Arizona desert, far from her final destination, she must rely on a stranger who gets under her skin.

Thomas Anderson has always stru...more

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Published (first published August 27th 2011)

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Oct 01, 2012 Iola rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Caroline Larson want an adventure, so decides to join her brother, Adam, and best friend, Julia Colter, in their new lives in Prescott, Arizona. She arrives safely despite an eventful journey, but finds her plan to live with Julia is foiled: Julia is about to marry Adam, and they will live together on the Colter ranch, where Adam works. Caroline doesn’t let this get her down for long. She gets a job working in the general store and spends her free time with Thomas Anderson, an express rider, des...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-action-adventure, christian-fiction, christian-historical-fiction, historical-fiction, romance-fiction

Ever since Karen Baney wrote her first novel in the Prescott Pioneer series, I've been hooked. I mean these characters that she writes about feel like they are part of my distant relatives from the mid 1800's living in and around Prescott, Arizona when the west was just beginning to get settled.

There are stagecoach robberies, wanted men trying to find a way to enact revenge on those they feel deserve their wrath, people attempting to make a new start out west, cattle rustling, Indian attacks and...more Ever since Karen Baney wrote her first novel in the Prescott Pioneer series, I've been hooked. I mean these characters that she writes about feel like they are part of my distant relatives from the mid 1800's living in and around Prescott, Arizona when the west was just beginning to get settled.

There are stagecoach robberies, wanted men trying to find a way to enact revenge on those they feel deserve their wrath, people attempting to make a new start out west, cattle rustling, Indian attacks and those just trying to find love on the frontier. Through each consecutive novel that Karen has added to this series, we find out what our previous characters have been up to since the last book as she incorporates the lives of them along with new characters we can only hope to come to love and those we hope the swift hand of justice will rain down upon their heads.

In this novel, A Life Restored, the third book in the series, we find ourselves partnered with Caroline Larson, whose brother Adam and her best friend Julia left the family ranch to head to a new life in Prescott. Now struggling with trying to find love like that of her parents, Caroline finds that kissing the men who are interested in her may be the best way to see if she loves them. She believes if she feels a spark when they kiss, that may mean love is present. However when the two men find out about Caroline's plan, they are left broken-hearted and alone.

Caroline believes that being back with her brother Adam and Julia may help her get back on track and trusting her faith in God once again instead of trying to take control of her own life. The only problem is now on a stage coach trip to Prescott on her final leg of the trip, her coach is robbed, the men shot and she is left behind, tied up in the middle of no where far from any water or food.

The plot thickens when a stranger by the name of Robert Garrett, the mastermind behind the stagecoach robbery, finds out that Caroline is aboard the stage and in leaving her behind, he hopes to begin a blackmail scheme against the Larsons and Will Coulter that will fulfill his need for revenge and justice. Only problem is when he sends a man back to retrieve Caroline, she isn't there.

A renegade mail express rider,Thomas Anderson, that Caroline had an encounter with after almost being ran over by him in the street of Wickenburg will provide to be both a rescuer and a thorn in her side. Will she ever make it to Prescott? Will Robert Garrett find Thomas and Caroline before they make it into Prescott? Will Caroline ever find true love or find her faith in God again?

I received this ebook version of A Life Restored by Karen Baney compliments of the author herself. Not only did I become just as hooked as I did in the first two books in this series, I found even more characters to add to my new family in Prescott! You'll be rooting for your old favorites as well as meeting new ones along the way. If you love great western romance stories with a faith in God, then you'll love Karen Baney's Prescott Pioneers series! You can pick up any of them and fit right in or like me, start at the beginning and watch your family grow! This rates a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to see what other surprises Karen has in store for us in the future. (less)

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Sep 05, 2011 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ever get so hooked on a series that you just can't wait to read the next installment? That's just how I feel about Karen Baney's Prescott Pioneer series. Each book has unfolded like an adventure, that easily pulls you into the historical setting, but more than that the author easily allows you to become invested in the characters lives, and starting a new book in the series is like visiting with old friends.
"A Life Restored," is the story of Caroline Larson and Thomas Anderson. Eighteen year old...more Ever get so hooked on a series that you just can't wait to read the next installment? That's just how I feel about Karen Baney's Prescott Pioneer series. Each book has unfolded like an adventure, that easily pulls you into the historical setting, but more than that the author easily allows you to become invested in the characters lives, and starting a new book in the series is like visiting with old friends.
"A Life Restored," is the story of Caroline Larson and Thomas Anderson. Eighteen year old Caroline isn't happy with her life in Texas. She misses her best friend Julia Larson and her older brother Adam who left a year ago to move to the Colter ranch in Prescott, Arizona Territory. She believes the only way she is going to have the life she wants is to move to Prescott, and secures a chaperone so that she can convince her father to allow her to go.When her chaperone doesn't get her to Prescott as quickly as Caroline would like she decides to make the final leg of the journey alone, but when the stagecoach is robbed and all the other passengers are murdered she is stuck in the dessert until Thomas Anderson, an express rider happens along and says he will take her to Prescott. Even though the two rub each other the wrong way, there is also a definite attraction. Will Caroline find the life she is hoping for in Prescott, and will Thomas be a part of it?

There was plenty going on in this story. The main story is centered around Thomas and Caroline. Thomas struggles with letting go of the burdens from his past, the author easily allows us to see the inner struggles that he had.Paul was a wonderful influence on Thomas. Caroline was someone who usually acted before she actually thought things thru. The secondary stories were just as interesting. I loved how things worked out for Betty and Ben, and it was nice to reconnect with Will, Hannah, Julia and Adam. The story line with Robert Garrett added a bit of mystery and suspense to the story, and really left me wondering what he will do in the next book! I did wonder about Rev. Pritchett and his daughter Millie and hope we might see them again in the next book.

If your a fan of historical fiction with romance, mystery, suspense and also has a nice christian message then your certainly going to enjoy this book. While its the third book in the Prescott Pioneers series I felt like the author gives us enough background information so that it can easily be read as a stand alone work,but believe me you will want to read the entire series! On a scale of one to five I would easily give this book a six because its just that good!
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Sep 07, 2011 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-historical-fiction, clean-romance, for-review

Karen Baney's writing continues to just get better and better with each book and I am thoroughly impressed and in love with her latest release "A Life Restored". I thought the last book was by far my favorite of hers, but I have to say that she outdid herself with A Life Restored because it has now become my new favorite!! What an amazing story!!

A Life Restored leaves off from where A Heart Renewed did except not only are we hearing about the previous characters and their new lives but we get to...more Karen Baney's writing continues to just get better and better with each book and I am thoroughly impressed and in love with her latest release "A Life Restored". I thought the last book was by far my favorite of hers, but I have to say that she outdid herself with A Life Restored because it has now become my new favorite!! What an amazing story!!

A Life Restored leaves off from where A Heart Renewed did except not only are we hearing about the previous characters and their new lives but we get to learn about some new and exciting characters. We meet Caroline Larson who is Adams's younger sister that he left behind when he suddenly whisked Julia off to Prescott to get away from her abusive brother. Caroline is having a hard time in Texas and decides that having a fresh start with her brother in Arizona is just what she needs. On her journey there she meets Thomas Anderson. Remember who Thomas is? He is Drew's brother from book 1 that caused all sorts of problems but recently moved to Prescott and found Drew's widow Hannah and her son. Now Thomas is trying to be a decent and respectable man.

Sparks are flying when Thomas and Caroline meet and not only in a romantic sense. They instantly push each other’s buttons and get on each other’s nerves but there also an instant attraction! This is my favorite type of romance – the love/hate kind!

One of my favorite things about Karen's writing is that she writes very realistic and genuine characters in her stories. They are not perfect and without faults, which makes them so easy to relate to them. My favorite character has to be Thomas! He is daily struggling with trying to make the right choices and trying to move forward past the sins in his life. However, we all know how hard it is to break addictions and sin and it painfully hard on Thomas. He does well for a while and then he slips back down. I loved the influence he had in his life though from Paul and Betty who never give up on him and never just let him fail! They are a perfect example of how us Christians should act – non judgmental and loving!

A Life Restored is really about restoring lives just like the title indicates! Thomas's life needs to be restored drastically and so does Caroline's. They learn that just because you turn from sin doesn't mean you'll never be tempted again nor does it mean that you'll life will suddenly be perfect.

Karen also is great at writing Edgy Christian Fiction where she discusses topics that some Christian authors won't and I love the realistic way about her books! Content: Mature audience - deals with topics that are not suitable for young people! Nothing graphic, but I just wouldn't want my young teen to be reading about some of the issues Thomas and Caroline struggle with.

As always Karen Baney captures the story with amazing historical descriptions along with heated romance, an edgy tone, and an added mystery and suspense! A Life Restored ends on suspense and I will be biting my nails waiting for book 4 to be released! I highly recommend reading this series, you won’t be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book to read and review from the author. My review is not biased by the fact that I was given this book. I HONESTLY read and review any book whether bought or given to me. If I did not like the book I would definitely not give a rave review or recommend it.

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Nov 10, 2011 Aislynn (Stitch Read Cook) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-s-to-review, historical-romance, read-in-2011

Yet again, Karen Baney has blown me away with her talent. Book 3 in the Prescott series is the story of Thomas Anderson and Caroline Larson. Both characters we've met in prior books - Thomas the brother in law to Hannah and Caroline the sister of Adam Larson.

Caroline has gotten herself into a bit of trouble - she decides that she needs to go West to visit her brother Adam. She just needs to convince her father that this is a good idea. After finding a chaperone, she makes her way to the Arizona...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-read

I am so very thrilled that there is another book in this series to come. This one ends in a cliff hanger...and oh how I have loved these books. So much adventure, Romance, and Love of God, shown in these characters.
You will find out what happens in the lives of the people we have come to know and love. The primary characters in this one are Thomas Anderson, and Carolyn Lawson. Of course there paths are going to cross, and not all of it is fun! You love how they meet, even if the conditions are...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Diana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really loved reading this series and would recommend this author to others. Do not read further in this report if you do not want to know the spoiler.
The reason for the 4 stars is that the storyline turned unbelievable when family did not recognize their own brother. I do not understand how this is a possibility and therefor from this point on I lost the storyline that author was writing. It really spoiled the story for me. If the siblings and neighbors had not known him well that would be one...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Caroline Larson really missed her brother Adam and best friend Julia Colter after they ran off to Arizona, not by choice and not as a couple, but to save Julia from her brother Reuben. Not only did she miss them but she wanted to see herself married with a family of her own. Always one to come up with a plan, good or bad, her plan now was to chase down a suitor. She thought if she kissed both Jesse Shoemaker and Nathan Finley that would tell her who she should marry. Caroline didn't plan on her...more Caroline Larson really missed her brother Adam and best friend Julia Colter after they ran off to Arizona, not by choice and not as a couple, but to save Julia from her brother Reuben. Not only did she miss them but she wanted to see herself married with a family of her own. Always one to come up with a plan, good or bad, her plan now was to chase down a suitor. She thought if she kissed both Jesse Shoemaker and Nathan Finley that would tell her who she should marry. Caroline didn't plan on her brother catching her kissing one of them. This plan didn't work very well, not only was she in trouble, but she couldn't see herself marrying either one of the young men. Now what?

She soon comes up with a plan to go to Arizona but knowing her Father would not let her travel alone, she advertises in the paper for a traveling companion and finds one. The problem is the companions are not going all the way to Prescott, AZ but she neglects to tell her parents this little fact. Caroline convinces her parents to let her brother Georgie accompany her part way then she would meet up with Reverend Pritchett and his daughter Millicent. They were going as far as Wickenburg to start a Presbyterian church and once they reached their destination they would escort her onto Prescott, AZ a couple of weeks later. That was the plan and it worked out fine until Caroline gets bored in Wickenburg within a few days and decides to sneak off on a stagecoach for Prescott by herself.

Wickenburg, as far as Caroline is concerned anyway, is a wretched town. There were two saloons, a mercantile, a hotel and a stage station. After deciding she can't take living in a tent, the dirty town, and rude miners she goes to the stage office and almost gets run over by the Pony Express Rider, Thomas Anderson. She obtains her ticket and sneaks off on the stagecoach on Saturday, the only female aboard with four men as passengers. About five miles out of Wickenburg the stage coach gets robbed by Robert Garrett and his gang, Robert orders his men to kill all the men aboard. He also recognizes her as Caroline Larson from Texas and decides to let her live so he can get even with Will Colter and Adam Larson, his plan is to have his men return to get her, they can have their fun with her and then he'll use her for ransom.

Two days later Thomas is finally on his return trip to Prescott when he sees an obstruction ahead and is very leery about going on. He knows how dangerous it is to be out here alone and you have to listen for any noise out of the ordinary and any strange activity or sites. Since there isn't anyplace to take cover he decides to hurry past as fast as he can. Caroline seeing him approach, realizes he isn't going to stop, so she throws her Bible at his back. That stops him! He knows he can't leave her out there alone and he only has the horse he's riding, since the stage horses were stolen too, but she is insisting on taking her carpet bag and thus is their second argument. When Thomas starts to leave without Caroline she finally gives in and agrees to only take her Bible that her Grandma Larson had given her.

They eventually reach Prescott and Caroline finds out that Thomas is familiar with Will's ranch and knows Adam and Julia. But, just who is Robert Garrett and what does he have against Will Colter and Adam Larson, why is he out for revenge. Now that Caroline is in Prescott, will things be the way she thought they would be and will she find happiness in her new home?

I love this series, thought I would get the full story, but NOOO, there's another book, A Hope Revealed, coming out in May of this year. I can hardly wait to read it since I feel kind of like Karen left me hanging about Robert Garrett. You will not be disappointed in this series.(less)

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May 18, 2012 Grace rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, western

Excellent book, I have been hooked on this series from the start every book has been better than the last. And to just think she's not finished yet. Karen is still to write book #4 of this series and I can't wait.

I feel as though these pioneers and I are one big happy family, well most of us are happy.

A Life Restored is full of drama and suspense with a lot of love mingled in.

Don't miss the Prescott Pioneers series by Karen Baney or you'll miss a real treat.

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Mar 04, 2012 Joana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, christian-fiction, romance

This series has got me seriously hooked. I'm thoroughly disappointed that book number 4 is not available yet. *sigh*

The characters in this book, as with all the others come alive and seem like a real part of my life. I felt their pain, their frustrations, their joy. The writing came alive. I almost felt like I was living in the 1800s. The author hit it out of the park with this one.

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Dec 20, 2011 Judy Bullard rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not as good as the first two books in this series. Apparently there is a fourth book coming out in 2012. Hopefully it will complete the story in a positive way.

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Jan 03, 2013 Shawn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Such a wonderful series. Loved every book in it! Can't wait to continue on with the next to see the lives of these characters continue to play out.

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Aug 28, 2011 Karen Baney added it · (Review from the author)

Just released my third book, Prescott Pioneers 3: A Life Restored.

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Nov 14, 2011 Margaret marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Recommended to Margaret by: Karen Baney

Shelves: firstwild, christian-historical-fiction

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

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Oct 04, 2012 Sandy Sandmeyer rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book got a little drawn out, but another great story in the series.

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Shelves: action-adventure, christian-fiction-1, ebooks, fiction, historical, incomplete-series, kindle-paperwhite, on-kindle-to-read, romance, series-of-4, third-in-series, western

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A Life Restored (Prescott Pioneers #3)

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