Spotlight and Giveaway: Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy

About the Book

Book: Wildflower Bride

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 11, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a thrilling Western romance about finding belonging in unexpected places—a tale of a fierce woman warrior caught between two worlds, a gentle-hearted rancher, and the faith that brings them together. Perfect for fans of historical romance and unconventional heroines.

Abby has lived with the Flathead tribe since they rescued her as a child, forgetting her white heritage. But when her village is massacred, and she’s saved by kind-hearted rancher Wade Sawyer, she’s forced to confront her past and future. Though drawn to Wade’s gentle strength, she refuses to be bound to the white world that once abandoned her.

Wade Sawyer has spent his life trying to please his tyrannical father while battling his own demons. When he finds Abby—fierce, independent, and unlike any woman he’s known—he sees a chance at real love. But winning the heart of a woman who trusts no man and bridging the gap between two worlds seems impossible.

As they face deadly rustlers, family conflicts, and their own fears, Wade and Abby must learn to trust in God’s plan for their lives. But can Abby let down her defenses and embrace a future with Wade? And can Wade prove that true strength lies in gentleness and faith?

A moving story of finding home, healing from the past, and discovering that love knows no boundaries in the untamed Montana Territory.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of over 80 books and novellas. She has over a 1.8 million books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

I try to write books I love, and I re-read my own books. I’m a big re-reader and if I find myself uninterested in a book I wrote, I take that as a bad sign.

I happen to LOVE Wildflower Bride as much as any book I’ve ever written.

I wrote for ten years before I got my first book published. On that fateful day when I earned my first contract, I had twenty finished books on my computer. And I didn’t just write them and move on. I’d go back (re-reading even then) and polish them. I took stand alone books and shortened them, lengthened them. Turned them into series, saved all versions in case an editor wanted a series or did NOT want a series.

Each book well, not ALL twenty of them, but a whole bunch, had about nine versions, all saved separately. Love Inspired length, trade fiction length, series, stand alone. I kept them all. But when I felt like I’d really improved one of them, I went back to the other versions and made those same improvements. I did a LOT of writing within those twenty books.

Wildflower Bride was the first book I wrote from scratch after I signed a contract for it. Maybe for this reason, I especially love it. I took everything I knew, everything I learned and put it into this book. I remember staring at that blank page…I had about six books published by this time…and holding my hand flat on the computer screen and praying, God help me to remember everything I’ve learned.

The hero is Wildflower Bride is the villain in Montana Rose. He is wretched. But to me, he was a broken man. My editor, when I told her Wade was the hero, said, “I can’t imagine it, but go for it.”

He is saved at the end of Montana Rose. A young Christian trying to do right in the face of enormous pressure from his powerful, abusive father, in The Husband Tree, and a sad, lonely, but strong man, still growing in his faith at the same time he’s very solid in it, in Wildflower Bride.

I just loved him.

I love the wild beginning of Wildflower Bride, the heroine is an adult woman taken in by an Indian tribe at the age of ten when they find her, alone in a cabin, with her family all dead from a fever. She loves the people who saved her.

Then people start trying to save her from the tribe and she is insulted and wants no part of this new world when her small band of native family is killed in a massacre. Again, she survives.

Abby, she only vaguely remembers her birth name, fits nowhere. And she’s so at home in the wilderness she’s planning to live on her own, somewhere.

Wade falls desperately in love with the strength he finds in her.

These two need each other so badly, but Abby is a hard one to convince she should spend her life with Wade.

Then Abby finds that one of her family, an older brother who didn’t come west with her family, is alive and living nearby.

The way they discover each other, well, I just love it. Wade is starting to look pretty good compared to the grouchy, quick to swing a fist, brother. Still, she begins to remember her big brother, and she remembers loving him. Abby is a confused woman.

Can Abby find her place anywhere in the world? Can Wade find enough backbone to stand up to his father…so far he’d just cut him out of his life. But Pa needs him even if he’s too awful to admit it. Wade’s pa needs God, too.

And those evil men who destroyed her village, haven’t gone away and they want more from Wade and Abby than anyone can imagine. They have to be stopped and Abby and Wade have to find a way to work together to stop them.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18

Texas Book-aholic, August 19

Labor Not in Vain, August 20

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 21 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 21

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 23

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 24

Guild Master, August 25 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 26

Simple Harvest Reads, August 27 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, August 28

Cover Lover Book Review, August 29

Fiction Book Lover, August 30 (Author Interview)

The Vine and The Branch, August 31

Mary Hake, August 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/reBqi/wildflower-bride-celebration-tour-giveaway

Spotlight and Giveaway: The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy

About the Book

Book: The Husband Tree

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 21, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a spirited Western romance filled with danger, determination, and unexpected love—a tale of a fierce widow rancher, a hardworking cowboy, and the family that brings them together. Perfect for fans of historical romance and strong heroines.

Belle Tanner has buried three husbands under the “Husband Tree” and managed her Montana ranch alone while raising four daughters. When she needs help with a dangerous cattle drive, she hires Silas Harden—a man who actually knows his way around cattle and horses. Unlike her previous husbands, Silas isn’t afraid of hard work, but Belle’s not about to let another man take charge of her ranch or her heart.

Silas never planned on falling for a widow with four daughters, especially one as independent as Belle. But as they face treacherous mountain passes, wolf attacks, and winter storms together, he discovers that what he thought was just another job might be his chance at a real family—if he can convince Belle to trust in love one more time.

With winter closing in and dangers mounting, Belle and Silas must learn to work together and trust in God’s plan. But can Belle let go of her iron control and let love lead? And can Silas prove he’s different from the husbands who came before?

A heartwarming story of faith, family, and finding love in the rugged Montana Territory.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

The Husband Tree remains the book I am asked about the most when I talk to readers.

Or, if I get asked, which is your favorite character…someone inevitably says Belle Tanner.

There’s something about that woman.

The title of the book is based on the tree where she’s buried three worthless husbands. After Anthony died falling off the roof…where he was hiding from work as usual, she’s tossing dirt on his face while vowing to God and her children to never marry again.

She’s taught her girls to work hard at her side, but her main lesson is to teach them to avoid men at all costs. A warning that doesn’t survive, but not for lack of effort on Belle’s part.

She’s the meanest good guy I’ve ever written, the most enduring ‘fiesty lady rancher’. Yet somehow, her REASONS for being mean are so well tuned, that she gets away with being a very hostile-to-men woman.

Not that I haven’t written plenty of feisty lady ranchers…in fact I love the type so much I have to fight putting one as the heroine in every book. But Belle is in a league of her own.

Silas Harden is also NOT interested in a woman. He’s been burned bad TWICE by women. One woman a betrayer, another a sneaking liar who stages a ‘compromising situation’ to force a marriage. He’s lost two ranches because of it. He wants a place of his own and he’s not risking letting a woman ruin things for him. It’s cost him too much.

But, much as she hates to admit she needs a man’s help, Belle’s going to lose her herd if she doesn’t get the cattle to market and there’s no one else to help but the wandering cowpoke, Silas.

Belle and her four daughters, including a diaper-wearing baby, need to punch one thousand head of cattle over the roughest trail in the whole world…not that Belle’s familiar with the whole world, but it’s a brutally hard stretch.

Off they go, both bristling, but soon enough they’re working so hard they’re too TIRED to hate each other.

And then here comes love. A man Belle can’t help but respect. A woman Silas can’t help but trust.

If they all survive this drive…both of them might just take a chance again, on love.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 28

Texas Book-aholic, July 29

For Him and My Family, July 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 31

Guild Master, August 1 (Author Interview)

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 3

She Lives To Read, August 4

Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

Fiction Book Lover, August 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 6

Book Looks by Lisa, August 7

Cover Lover Book Review, August 8

Labor Not in Vain, August 9

Holly’s Book Corner, August 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/GRmzP/the-husband-tree-celebration-tour-giveaway

Spotlight and Giveaway: Montana Rose by Mary Connealy

About the Book

Book: Montana Rose

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 23, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a poignant Western romance about second chances, redemption, and the healing power of faith—a moving tale of a heartbroken young widow, a compassionate rancher, and the love that helps them both find their way home.

When Cassie Griffin’s abusive husband dies, leaving her pregnant and destitute, she’s forced to marry a stranger to survive. Red Dawson, a hardworking rancher and part-time preacher, steps forward to save her from a worse fate. Though Red fears marrying a non-believer goes against his principles, he can’t stand by and watch Cassie be claimed by the ruthless Sawyer clan.

Living in Red’s rustic cave home is a far cry from Cassie’s former life of luxury. But as she learns to work alongside him, she discovers strength she never knew she possessed. Red’s gentle patience and unwavering faith begin to crack the protective shell she’s built around her heart. When a dangerous enemy threatens their newfound happiness, Cassie and Red must trust in God’s plan—and each other—to survive.

Can a marriage of convenience bloom into true love? And can a woman who’s known only submission find the courage to stand tall? A tender story of healing, hope and the transformative power of unconditional love. Perfect for fans of Janette Oke and Karen Witemeyer.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

Montana Rose was one of the first books I wrote. Very early on, though it took a while to get it published. And I ended up rewriting it to make it part of a three book series.

My basic goals with Montana Rose were two fold.

One, I seem almost addicted to writing feisty lady ranchers. I do it so much that I decided I needed to challenge myself. Write a quiet, shy heroine.

Cassie Dawson was born. And the thing with Cassie was, she was so used to being controlled by her much older husband, it was very hard for her new husband to convince her of her own worth.

Drawing Cassie out, finding the inner woman, making her believe she had worth, was such an interesting challenge for me as an author.

For a woman who writes in the same genre all the time, I really do try and mix things up. I PROMISE I DO!

Not sure how often I succeed but making my characters be three dimensional is always my goal. And I try and do different things in my books. A fist fight on a moving train. A fire in a blizzard. Diving off a galloping horse to stop a runaway bad guy. I try different careers and different locations. Always, I am trying something new. In Montana Rose, I picked a quiet, frightened mouse of a woman.

At least that was how it started out. By the end, Cassie finds herself.

So that was the fundamental goal.

And the second aim I had was Love Comes Softly, Janette Oke’s classic, beautiful Christian romance. I just loved that book. The pregnant widow, the husband who’s trying to help and needs help himself. Shove them together into a marriage and try to find love.

Of course, my book has more comedy and more gunfire than Love Comes Softly. I call it love comes softly, with mayhem. I pitched the title Love Comes Loudly. Or maybe Love Comes Hardly. We went with Montana Rose. Probably for the best.

Cassie remains a beloved sweetheart. Red, the best hero I’ve ever written…except he was probably too nice. The hero needs to have some challenges too. But Cassie just needed Red Dawson to be so kind and strong and wise. Yes, he has red hair and he has a temper that rarely erupts…though sometimes. But most Red is the best.

Those are the creative forces that forged Montana Rose.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

Devoted To Hope, July 2

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3

For Him and My Family, July 4

Simple Harvest Reads, July 5 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, July 6

Sydney Schmied Books, July 7

Labor Not in Vain, July 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 9

The Bookish Pilgrim, July 10

She Lives To Read, July 11

Cover Lover Book Review, July 11

Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/iDuaH/montana-rose-celebration-tour-giveaway

Spotlight and Giveaway: Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy

About the Book

Book: Gingham Mountain

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: May 26, 2026

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a heartwarming Western romance about faith, family, and finding love in unexpected places—a touching tale of a devoted bachelor rancher, a determined schoolteacher, and the orphaned children who bring them together. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Grant Cooper has dedicated his life to taking in orphaned children others have overlooked, building a loving family on his rugged Texas ranch. When a new schoolteacher arrives in Sour Springs with strong opinions about his unconventional household, he finds himself drawn to her fierce spirit—even as she challenges everything about his carefully ordered world.

Hannah Cartwright’s own painful past as an orphan makes her wary of the bachelor rancher raising children alone. But as she gets to know Grant’s extraordinary family, she discovers there’s more to him than meets the eye. When dangerous enemies threaten both their futures, Hannah and Grant must learn to trust in God’s plan—and each other.

Can a man who’s sworn never to marry risk his heart for love? And can a woman who’s known only betrayal find the faith to build a true home at last? A touching story of healing, hope and the family bonds that transcend blood.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

Gingham Mountain is the third book in this series. The first books I got published…though there were other things sprinkled in after Petticoat Ranch, the first in the series.

I think of Petticoat Ranch as my husband’s story. A mountain man who’d never been around women, finds himself married to a widow with four daughters.

Then Calico Canyon is my husband’s story growing up. He is one of seven sons. I tried to imagine how that would be.

Now comes Gingham Mountain and that’s my story. I grew up in a tiny farm house with eight brothers and sisters. We had two bedrooms until my sixth sibling was born. And two is a bit of an exaggeration because my folks slept on a couch in the living room that folded out into a bed. And the only ‘real’ bedroom was an upstairs, the kind that has sloped roofs and, well, it was just tiny.

Then my folks bought another tiny home and moved it to our home and stuck it on the end. Now our ‘two’ bedroom house had (drumroll!!!) three bedrooms. Mom and dad retired the living room couch. Huge family, tiny home, the thing was, everyone back then had a huge family. Hey, it was the baby boom, these things happened. No such thing as a kid having their own room. I remember being excited that I had my own DRAWER!

So, Gingham Mountain, all those kids in a house that really only had three bedrooms was completely believable to me. And it was hot inside and no room for nothin’ so we went outside to play all the time. And that’s how Grant’s kids had to function.

Grant with his little house and loneliness and the knowledge of how hard it was to be an orphan.

Hannah with her lioness heart for protecting children. And her utter poverty. Getting the job as school marm when she’d never been to school herself. With zero ‘womanly’ skills. The woman can’t cook or sew or do anything expected of a woman. But, because she had an abusive adoptive father who pressed her and a scad of sisters, into work at a carpet mill, she can thread a weaving look like lightning. Now she’d trying to save children from such a fate.

She and Grant are in perfect accord…if they just had a rational conversation. Instead, Hannah sees a man trying to make off with orphans, just like her abusive father. She sets out to save the children from Grant and chaos ensues.

Then set it in Texas and there’s trouble with oil, still a very underused natural resource and Grant doesn’t know he’s sitting on a gusher of wealth. But there are villains who know what he’s got and they want it.

Gingham Mountain, when I wrote it, was one of my favorite books ever. Helping those two find each other, well, I can’t even tell people about it without smiling. Grant and Hannah’s first kiss is one for the ages and, of course they are both horrified. And then they kiss again. What could be more fun?

Blog Stops

She Lives To Read, June 2

Book Looks by Lisa, June 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 4

Texas Book-aholic, June 5

For Him and My Family, June 6

Devoted To Hope, June 7

Holly’s Book Corner, June 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 9

Vicky Sluiter, June 10

Simple Harvest Reads, June 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 11

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 12

Cover Lover Book Review, June 13

Sydney Schmied Books, June 14

Labor Not in Vain, June 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/cy4lg/gingham-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway

Spotlight and Giveaway: Calico Canyon (Petticoats and Cowboys Book 2) by Mary Connealy

About the Book

Book: Calico Canyon (Petticoats and Cowboys Book 2)

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 28, 2026

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a delightful Western adventure brimming with danger, laughter, and unexpected romance—a tale of a runaway teacher, a bewildered widower, and five rambunctious boys who need a mother whether they want one or not. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Grace Calhoun never imagined teaching school in Texas would lead to marriage—especially not to the infuriating Daniel Reeves.

When Grace flees her adoptive father’s cruelty by hiding in a stranger’s wagon, the town parson insists on an immediate wedding, leaving Grace trapped in marriage to a stubborn widower with five unruly sons—the very boys who made her teaching job impossible.

Daniel Reeves has no intention of risking his heart—or another wife—to childbirth.

Still grieving the loss of his first wife, Daniel wants nothing to do with the prim schoolmarm forced into his family. He’ll build her a house and provide for her needs, but he’ll keep his distance. His sons need a mother, but he refuses to fall in love again.

Snowed in together for a long Texas winter, walls begin to crumble.

As Grace discovers the courage she thought she’d lost, she transforms from a frightened woman on the run to a fierce protector of her new family. The boys who once tormented her become the children of her heart. And the husband who swore to keep his distance? He’s finding it harder each day to resist his spirited wife.

But when Grace’s dangerous past catches up to her, she must choose between running again or standing firm in the faith that brought her to Calico Canyon—even if it costs her everything.

A tender tale of found family, healing love, and the faithfulness of God in the midst of life’s unexpected turns.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

I think of Calico Canyon as my husband’s life growing up.

He is sixth of seven sons. A family of all boys.

His mom, my mother-in-law, was the coolest lady I’ve ever known. That woman could handle everything and never be other than sweet and generous and so funny. She’s gone now but for all the years she was in my life, I’d say she was my best friend.

All those boys! She was the living embodiment of rolling with the punches and not sweating the small stuff.

Those brothers…they are the inspiration for this book but my mother-in-law read it and said, her boys were so much better behaved than those boys in Calico Canyon, and she’s right about that…no boys could be worse than the Reeves boys.

This book is the embodiment of the forced marriage. Two people caught in a completely innocent compromising situation. Nothing will do but immediate marriage after Grace spends the night with Daniel.

But there were five boys in that cave with us!

Not gonna save you, Grace.

Grace is a school marm and those boys have been a torment to her ever since they’d shown up at school. Now, due to Grace needing to hide from her abusive, adoptive father, who has tracked her down to this tiny town in Texas, she’d ended up under a tarp over Daniel’s wagon. He takes her home and she has no choice but to stay quiet under that tarp until it’s too

late to take her back.

The wedding scene from Calico Canyon was, for many years, what I considered the funniest thing I’d ever written. Very hard work to get that scene right. Grace is confused when she’s found with Daniel by the parson. Oh, good. Someone who will give me a ride back to town.

The parson is saying the vows. Grace is happy to take a ride. The parson’s wife is urging the parson to hurry. Daniel is trying to put a stop to it. The boys are all horrified to see their hated teacher.

Mayhem ensues.

It was a lot of fun to get right. Lots of moving parts in that scene.

And then a blizzard snows the gap that leads into their canyon shut and they have to spend the winter trying not to kill each other. And of course, falling in love.

I hope you enjoy Calico Canyon. The fumbling, clueless cowboy. The innocent, befuddled school marm. The unruly boys who don’t see why she can’t cook and why she won’t go home.

The danger, circling the outside of their canyon, waiting for the gap to open so he can avenge himself on the daughter that send him to prison.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 5

For Him and My Family, May 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7

Simple Harvest Reads, May 8 (Guest Review from Donna)

Jeanette’s Thoughts , May 9

Fruitfully Planted, May 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11

Vicky Sluiter, May 12

Sydney Schmied, May 13

Book Looks by Lisa, May 14

Wishful Endings, May 15

Labor Not in Vain , May 16

Mary Hake, May 16

Cover Lover Book Review, May 17

Holly’s Book Corner, May 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/5MQgR/calico-canyon-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy

About the Book

Book: Petticoat Ranch

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 10, 2026

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a delightful Western adventure brimming with danger, laughter, and unexpected romance—a tale of a resourceful widow, a rugged cowboy, and the ready-made family that will steal his heart. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Sophie Edwards has survived two years in the Texas wilderness with four daughters and her wits. When a stranger falls injured near her hidden cabin during a thunderstorm, she discovers he’s the spitting image of her late husband—because Clay McClellen is her husband’s twin brother, a man who never knew his brother existed.

Clay came to Texas seeking justice for his brother’s murder. What he finds instead is a ready-made family, a rundown ranch, and a fiercely independent woman who doesn’t need rescuing—even when danger comes calling. Sophie may have pulled him from a flooded creek, but Clay is determined to be the protector she deserves, whether she wants one or not.

As vigilantes close in and old enemies resurface, Clay and Sophie must learn to trust each other and God’s plan. But can a mountain man used to solitude embrace life with four talkative daughters? And can Sophie open her guarded heart to love again—especially when the man looks exactly like the husband who broke it?

A heartwarming tale of second chances, faith, and finding love in the untamed West. 

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

Petticoat Ranch is my husband’s story.

My husband is a cowboy…or rather he’s a Nebraska cattleman. Our ‘horse’ though we used to have horses, is now a pick-up truck and a four-wheeled rig that can crawl all over rugged land.

My Cowboy grew up in a family of seven sons.

His mom was about the coolest, nicest lady ever born…a living embodiment of ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.’ She could tell stories of chaos and mayhem for HOURS and just laugh. I loved her.

Then I married My Cowboy and we had FOUR DAUGHTERS.

My husband spent his whole life confused.

And example of a usual conversation:

My Cowboy: Why won’t they stop crying!?

Why won’t they stop giggling?

Why won’t they stop TALKING?

Me: Um, cuz they’re girls?

He was constantly befuddled. He loved them (still does) so madly but they did NOT make sense to him.

That’s Petticoat Ranch.

A mountain man comes to find his brother’s wife…his brother died and he’s come to ‘rescue’ them. Except they’re unbelievable tough and competent and, well, maybe they could use a little rescuing, life is tough in Texas for a widow and her four children and, in a weak moment, she agrees to marry this man who looks EXACTLY like her husband. A man she never knew existed.

And there they are. Her and her four tough Texas daughters.

Him who’s pretty much never seen a woman in his life, and certainly not a CHILD.

Now they’re married about twenty-four hours after she found out he existed…and they have to figure out how to get along.

I try really hard to thread that needle where a man is befuddled by a woman…but he’s not stupid. A woman is exasperated by a man…but she’s got a good heart.

I shove them together…and leave them to try and get along. If someone is trying to kill them, or steal their ranch, or whatever horrible outlaw is in the book, that adds to the fun.

I shove them together and then leave them to figure out how to get along.

I love Petticoat Ranch. I’ve done this kind of book many times, the mountain man who’s never been around women. The feisty lady rancher who’s used to being in charge. And never did I find that sweet spot quite as well as I did in Petticoat Ranch.

One of my very favorite books.

Ah, tough, self-sufficient Sophie. She really can use the help and he really does look exactly like her dead husband.

Ah, confused but definitely attracted Clay. He’s trying to take care of her and take charge…and she’s not cooperating.

She was definitely in charge when his brother was alive…he was kinda cranky and inept. Why won’t Clay just let her run things?

All those tough little Texas cowgirl daughters who can’t quite figure out if this is they’re pa, given back to them by God…or if this is some new guy that they are desperate to make love them, when their real pa was so desperate to have sons.

I love that Wild Heart Books is re-releasing Petticoat Ranch.

Thank you Wild Heart for giving it another chance at life.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 24

Texas Book-aholic, March 25

Holly’s Book Corner, March 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26

Jodie Wolfe, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 27

Devoted To Hope, March 28

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 29

Book Holds and Jello Molds, March 29

Jeanette’s Thoughts , March 30

She Lives To Read, March 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 31

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 1

Vicky Sluiter, April 2

Sydney Schmied Books, April 2

Cover Lover Book Review, April 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4

Labor Not in Vain , April 5

Stories By Gina, April 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/0Pzml/petticoat-ranch-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

Petticoat Ranch starts off the first book from Mary Connealy's Lassoed in Texas series. When I am looking for a fun and heartwarming read, Mary Connealy is my go to author. Petticoat Ranch was just what I was looking for. I adored the story between Clay and Sophie. The two had great chemistry and it was delight to see the two interact with one another. I loved this adventure and taking this journey with them. 

Petticoat Ranch will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read sweet and clean historical fiction. I look forward to the next installment from the Lassoed in Texas series. 

I received a digital copy of Mary Connealy's Petticoat Ranch from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.