Although I enjoyed the writer's style, and the subject matter, I was let down by the way it left me. I would read more of Snelling's books, however.

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series. As Opal started out, I enjoyed it, as well. However, as I got into it, I felt that it dragged. I've been reading it an unheard-of amount of time...a week and a half! and have yet to finish it. Ms. Snelling is a very descriptive author. This is not a bad thing; however, I got a little weary of the cattle drive descriptions. Also, Ruby and Rand's little son, Per, got kind of old. I realize that he should be in the story, because it is exciting that Ruby had a baby. But, his actions would be much cuter in person than written on just about every page of the book. I got tired of his repeating everything the characters said in his baby talk. Then, too, I'm ready for Opal to quit blaming herself for every bad thing that happens or might happen. Ruby finally got over her unforgiveness for Jake, but now we have to deal with Opal's guilt about Atticus...who, I don't know why he treated her the way he did. Hopefully, things will be resolved at the end of this book, but I may never know. I am not one to leave any part of a series unread, but as hard as I have tried, I just can't seem to finish it. Maybe Amethyst will be better, and I will able to catch up on the last 100 pages of Opal in it.

I felt like this book was sort of choppy. It completely skips Belle's reaction to Dove House burning down, which I thought would be great to see. With all of the different stories that kind of seem to pop out of nowhere, the book seemed more difficult to read. The preacher and his son were kind of interesting, but I didn't think a man that age should be interested in any way with a fourteen year old, even if he thought her a bit older. I do like that Ruby and Rand have a strong faith and show it constantly. I just felt like this book was missing what the first two had.