Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

Book Description:
In light of her father's death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father's farm, the only home she's ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father's rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.With the ranch now under Slade's careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Mariah is being kicked out of her home.  Slade can prove that her father swindled his out of the place and he is claiming it back.  He isn't heartless and gives them some time, but as Mariah makes preparations, she finds some people aren't who they seem.  Some are better and some are worse.  
I liked the characters in this book.  Mariah was a strong woman but honest and God fearing.  She chose to let some assumptions lie.  You understood she didn't want to lose her childhood home, but would do what was right.  Slade was a great cowboy.  He did have a heart.  I liked the slow progression of feelings through the book.  It wasn't a fast 'I like him/her' but a gradual getting to know you shift.  Oh and add to the romance there is mystery and suspense!  
I rate this a 4/5.  I am definitely going to find another of Pam Hillman's books!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.