Book Review: Three Words and a Kiss by Sondra Kraak

When a big-hearted debutante collides with a small-town blacksmith set in his ways, it can mean only one thing—a war of hearts has come to Pine Creek.

Washington, 1892

Cameron Wallace thrives as both the blacksmith and the minister in his community of Pine Creek. Out of the fires of a chaotic childhood, he’s forged a peaceful life filled with safe relationships and predictable routines. But when the smithy he’s been renting is sold out from under him, the impulsive woman who buys it stokes the embers of emotions he’d rather keep unlit—and even has the audacity to lend a helping hand to his smithy work.

Samantha Klein has never been afraid to push boundaries when it comes to helping those whom society—and God—have overlooked, be they orphans, immigrants, or injured animals. When her latest attempt to aid a group of Chinese women lands her in a newspaper scandal, her high-society family sends her packing from Seattle. Setting out on her own, she purchases the Pine Creek smithy and hatches another plan for helping her immigrant friends. But only weeks after arriving in Pine Creek, her plan turns to ashes, and she’s overwhelmed by needs she can never hope to meet, including her own need to be seen and cared for. And the one who seems to understand her is the man who won’t let her anywhere near his heart, no matter the attraction that burns between them.

As Cameron struggles to find a new normal, and Samantha yearns for someone to share her burdens, old hurts and dangerous secrets make them both terrified to admit that what they need—and what God has planned for them—just might be each other.

What I Loved: I’ve been following this series since book one and was greatly anticipating a new novel. So when I picked up Three Words and a Kiss, I was looking for the kind of read that would suck me in and amaze me. This one fit the bill! I loved it. All of it. Every last minute of it.
It picks up with a gripping scene and the story unfolds at a smooth pace. I loved the chemistry between Sam and Cam … and Sam, Cam, and the duck. The themes of loving and accepting people who are different from you and how to live a benevolent life were beautiful additions, making this novel more than mere entertainment.
I hear there’s one more book in the works and I can’t wait to see what Sondra has in store for us.

Rating and Recommendation: I give it 5 stars and recommend it to those who enjoy Christian Historical Fiction or those looking for a series based in a small western town.