Tried and True by Mary Connealy

 

 

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister--and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk--they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"--but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

 

In a sin-plagued world, there's something comforting about letting your mind slip into one of Mary Connealy's novels. Her newest, Tried and True, captivated me from the very beginning.

The story starts with the heroine dangling from a roof in the first scene, and the action continues from that point. This novel also did an awesome job of whetting the reader's appetite for future books in the series.

 

First Lines:

"Kylie Wilde's right hand tightened on the hammer as she stared at her roof. A shingle flapped in the endless summer wind. A storm was blowing in over the Rocky Mountains, blast it. She was going to have to go up there and nail that board down or sleep under a downpour."

 

 

 I started reading this book while I was battling a stomach bug--so you know it had to be a strong story to keep my interest when all I wanted to do was shut my eyes and rest. Mary Connealy has a gift for telling stories. She incorporates humor and historical facts in a way that never bores. I'm not the kind of person who enjoys talking or reading about wars, but she handled those details in a way I could handle. Did you know some women disguised themselves as men and fought in the Civil War? I never imagined that until this story.

Kylie Wilde is the kind of heroine I can relate to. She's a bit confused on what her place is in the world, and she doesn't believe she's nearly as good at certain tasks as her sisters. She's into feminine things (tea parties, for example) but doesn't mind helping build a chicken coop.

Aaron Masterson is one hundred percent man. He isn't fooled by Kylie's disguise and quickly decides she's the prettiest woman he's ever seen. A great aspect of Connealy's novels is that her heroes act like real men. I caught myself feeling a tad more interested in the secondary characters (who will have their own books later), but Aaron certainly fit with Kylie.

 

One thing bothered me, but I can't mention it without spoiling the story. I will say that I believe this story is more suitable for adult readers, although it is clean.

The spiritual thread in this one didn't connect with me precisely. However, I did love the ending, the way God's saving grace is portrayed.

 

Tried and True is another fun one from this author. You can get it here.

 

*I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

Stuck Together by Mary Connealy

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It's official--my favorite kind of book is one that makes me laugh.

Mary Connealy's novels undoubtedly meet that goal.

Her talent places her at the top of my Buy-All-These-Authors'-Books list. Her sarcastic wit is unbeatable. You will never be bored reading one of her historicals ( I've read more than one historical rich in detail but lacking in intrigue. Not Connealy's though!).

 

In Stuck Together, we get to hang out in the minds of Vince Yates and Tina Cahill, two people who are secondary characters in the previous novels in this series. Vince was the hero I most wanted to read about, so I couldn't wait to delve into Stuck Together. Tina fits him perfectly. I LOVED her spunk. I'm sure she and I would be friends (if she weren't fictional and I were alive in the 1860s).

 

Also, I enjoyed learning how mental diseases were viewed in the past. My grandma suffers from dementia, and although she still recognizes me, I saw her in Vince's mother. Connealy deals with tough issues in a comedic yet respectful way.

 

Are you familiar with Mary Connealy's novels? If not, you need to remedy that. Click here to buy Stuck Together.

 



Backcover Blurb

 

Now that she's settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel's saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.

Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn't know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them.

With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way. Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.

 

*I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.



Novel Wishlist

I thought it'd be fun to share some books that are on my wishlist. Cannot wait until they're released!

Image courtesy of Amazon

A Beauty So Rare is the second in the Belmont Mansion series. I loved A Lasting Impression!

Image courtesy of Amazon

 I'm not familiar with Victoria Bylin. . .but that cover! Oh my word, I love it!

And just so I don't sound completely silly, I'll add that the story sounds interesting as well ;-)

Image courtesy of Amazon

 The Dancing Master is one I've been waiting on for a loooong time. Julie Klassen's books are set in my favorite time period, and I've read every one so far. And the cover reminds me of a scene from Pride and Prejudice.

Image courtesy of Christianbook.com

Smitten Book Club is the third in this series. I haven't read many novellas, but I love how all of these stories connect. I wish Smitten were a real town I could visit!

Image courtesy of Baker Publishing (Sorry, it's a tad blurry.)

And I couldn't leave off Mary Connealy's new one, Stuck Together. Needless to say, I'm a fan of hers and ready for Vince's story.

***

I might've forgotten some, so go ahead and tell me which new novels you're looking forward to. Maybe I haven't heard about some of them yet.

Fired Up by Mary Connealy

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Oh, there is just somethin' about a western romance with Mary Connealy's signature sarcastic comedy. One of my favorite authors has yet again produced a new fun story to share with the world. Fired Up is the second book in her Trouble In Texas series, the first being Swept Away. When I reviewed that book, I mentioned that I was looking forward to Dare's story, and here it is!

Imagine a doctor who isn't techanically a doctor and a cook who can't cook--that's Dare Riker and Glynna Greer (or Glynna Sevier as she prefers to be called). The great thing about a series is revisiting a place and characters that you've come to know. Luke and Ruthy make appearances--Luke can't abandon his friend while he's in trouble, after all.

Dare's story has more suspense than Luke's. Someone is out for the doctor, and it could be any number of people. I enjoyed this tale, and again Mrs. Connealy has whet my appetite for Vince's story. She has a talent for that, including a character who will become the lead in the next book and making the reader extremely curious about him.

I would've liked a few more twists in the plot, but I can't be too critical. Mary's books are popular for good reason. My main issue was the cover--it bothers me when character's faces are shown on covers.

If you like Westerns--or even if you don't think you do--try anything by this author.

She continues to be one of my favorites.

Backcover Blurb:

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to make a go of it on her own. In a town full of men, Glynna decides she can support her two children by opening a diner--never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent.

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment--which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Though his doctoring business is booming due to Glynna's questionable cooking, Dare seems to encounter unexpected dangers wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And the fire. And then the shadowy figure with a knife. Can Dare survive it all long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?

***I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Swept Away by Mary Connealy

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Have I mentioned that Mary Connealy is one of my most favorite authors? That I have read almost all of her books? That she has a hysterical distinct voice and has captured the attitude of a cowboy?

How about this first line: The sharp crack of a cocking pistol brought Lucas Stone's head around.

Gotta love the action!

This is the first of a new series, but I liked the fact that Luke is still connected to a previous series through his sister. The plot was interesting, though not my favorite. If not for Connealy's jolting voice, it might have dragged a bit.

The other characters in the story will obviously be stars in their own books in the future. Actually, I found myself more interested in Dare's story than Luke and Ruthy's. I'm still not sure why Luke and Ruthy fell in love so quickly.

Some parts seemed a bit unbelievable, but I can forgive that because it made for a fun read. And I love happy endings!

I'll be looking for Fired Up, Dare's story, when it is released.

Backcover Blurb:

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't terribly upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is on a mission to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men currently on the property won't let it go without a fight. Luke plans to meet up with friends who will help him take back the land, and since he can't just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she's going to have to go with him.

But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love?

*I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.





Over The Edge by Mary Connealy

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       This is one of my all-time favorite authors. These are the kind of books that I know I will enjoy reading. Humor, wit, cowboys, and strong females. These stories make me wish I lived back then, near a handsome cowboy ;)

Of course, I'd read the two books before this one -- I mean, duh! Reading the previous stories definitely adds to the enjoyment of reading this one. Honestly, I was soooo excited to be able to review this book that I was going to enjoy it no matter what!
Mary Connealy has a definite voice that separates her from other writers -- she is distinct. Sure, I knew somewhat what to expect, but the fun was getting there. Seth was seriously loco which added buckets of laughter to every scene.
I did, however, have an issue. . . *insert sad face here*.
The amount of talk about, um, passionate situations, was too much for me. I understood, to a point, why those feelings were shown, but they were laid on too thick for my comfort. Yes, this story is about a married couple, but still . . .I believe too much emphasis was placed on that part of marriage.
Don't get me wrong though. It's a clean book that deals with the brothers' flaws that are keeping them from trusting fully in the Lord.

I wish --Mary Connealy, please read this!--there would be another book about this family . . .let's not forget about that other brother . . .

;)