Showing posts with label Mary Connealy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary Connealy. Show all posts

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy

Synopsis:~

Join the breakneck chase through Chicago for a murderous maniac. As the victims begin piling up, detective Keren Collins’s spiritual discernment is on high alert. Will she capture the killer before another body floats to the surface?

Ex-cop, now mission pastor Paul Morris has seen his share of tragedy, but nothing prepared him to be a murderer’s messenger boy. Will his old ruthless cop personality take over, leading him to the brink of self-destruction? Can Keren and Paul catch the killer before the corpse count reaches a perfect ten?

My take:~

Mary Nealy, better known as Mary Connealy, writer of historical romantic comedies, shows she is no one trick pony with her excellent romantic suspense, Ten Plagues. Combining action and suspense with romance and the supernatural, Mary held my attention from the dramatic first chapter to the last page. Keren and Paul are solid characters and their burgeoning attraction and snappy dialogue add some levity amidst the ruthlessness of a serial killer's murders. Paul's battle between the compassionate and sacrificial life he leads as a pastor and the hardened cop instincts that kick in when danger strikes, adds a fascinating element to the story. Meaningful faith elements and a few unexpected twists and turns are also included.  I certainly hope this isn't the last we hear of Mary Nealy and her suspenseful writing.

Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Mary's blog
Buy Mary's books from Amazon or Koorong

Friday, 30 September 2011

Out of Control by Mary Connealy

Synopsis:~

Julia Gilliland has always been interested in the natural world around her. She particularly enjoys her outings to the cavern near her father's homestead, where she explores for fossils and formations, and plans to write a book about her discoveries. The cave seems plenty safe--until the day a mysterious intruder steals the rope she uses to find her way out. Rafe Kincaid has spent years keeping his family's cattle ranch going, all without help from his two younger brothers, who fled the ranch--and Rafe's controlling ways--as soon as they were able. He's haunted by one terrible day at the cave on a far-flung corner of the Kincaid property, a day that changed his life forever. Ready to put the past behind him, he plans to visit the cave one final time. He sure doesn't expect to find a young woman trapped in one of the tunnels--or to be forced to kiss her! Rafe is more intrigued by Julia than any woman he's ever known, but how can he overlook her fascination with the cave he despises? And when his developing relationship with Julia threatens his chance at reconciliation with his brothers, will he be forced to choose between the family bonds that could restore his trust and the love that could heal his heart?

My take:~

Mary Connealy is well known for her historical romantic comedies and her latest, Out of Control, is the first in her new Kincaid Brides series. As I have come to expect from Mary, there is humour, sticky situations, contrary characters and plenty of attraction but while it is a cute story, it didn't sweep me off my feet, so to speak! I had some trouble warming to the main characters, Rafe and Julia, and was more taken with Rafe's brother, Ethan whose story is hinted at in this book. Julia is a somewhat abrasive character and Rafe is quite ornery. No doubt that was Mary's intention but it did detract a little from the story for me. That said, Mary's writing is strong and the fossil and cave exploration angle was a unique one for this time period. There's plenty of action and danger on many fronts and I'm sure Mary's fans will be thrilled with this story.   I'm still interested to read the remaining books in the series, especially Ethan's which is up next in, In Too Deep.

With thanks to Bethany for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Mary's website and blog
Review of Doctor in Petticoats
Buy Mary's books at Amazon or Koorong

Friday, 29 October 2010

Coming in 2011 from Bethany House ~ Historical

I keep saying it, I know, but I love sharing new books with you even if it means waiting a long time to get them in your hands!

Bethany House have long been known for their high quality historical fiction and it looks like they have a good mix here of adventure, comedy, romance and friendship. The stand out for me is Karen Witemeyer's third novel. The cover certainly reflects her style, whimsical, stylish and fun!

I enjoyed Yvonne Harris' debut novel so hoping A River to Cross holds more of the same reading delights and Mary's first book with Bethany is sure to have her fans thrilled :) New authors are always fun to anticipate so I'm looking forward to Elizabeth Camden's debut with Bethany, too.

Please share - which ones are getting your book loving hearts racing?


Click on the links to preorder or to visit the author's website and sit tight as I'll post more new releases shortly.

An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser

Lucy Scarpelli, an Italian dressmaker from New York, befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's making her summer wardrobe. It's an unlikely fri
endship, but one that Rowena encourages by inviting Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating clothes that hide her physical injury, Rowena encourages Lucy to dream of a better future.

One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what man will accept her family responsibilities? Rowena also deals with love as she faces a worrisome arranged marriage to a wealthy heir. And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, takes up with a man of dubious character.

All three women struggle as their lives, and those of each unlikely suitor, become intertwined in a web of secrets and sacrifice.
Will any of them find true happiness?

May, 2011





To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets....

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

May 2011



Hidden Affections by Delia Parr

Betrayed by her husband, Annabelle Tyler wears the burden of legally being a divorcee, a difficult position for an upstanding young woman to find herself in. While attempting to start a new life for herself, an unexpected turn of events once again has Annabelle married--this time to Harrison Graymoor, the most eligible, yet elusive, bachelor in Philadelphia. Harrison assures her that he will secure an annulment immediately, unaware that the constable has sent word of the marriage to the press in Philadelphia. And here things continue to go awry. Harrison's past, a philanthropic cousin with his eye on Annabelle, and the appearance of Annabelle's ex-husband threaten the tentative relationship growing between Harrison and his "wife."

For two individuals set against marriage, there are certa
inly a lot of second thoughts regarding the one forced upon them.

May 2011





The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser


The Singleton family's fortunes seem unaffected by the Great Depression, and Perri--along with the other girls at Atlanta's elite Washington Seminary
--lives a carefree life of tea dances with college boys, matinees at the cinema, and debut parties. But when tragedies strike, Perri is confronted with a world far different from the one she has always known.

At the insistence of her parents, Mary "Dobbs' Dillard, the daughter of an itinerant preacher, is sent from inner-city Chicago to live with her aunt and attend Washington Seminary, bringing confrontation and radical ideas. Her arrival intersects at the point of Perri's ultimate crisis, and the tragedy forges an unlikely friendship.


The Sweetest Thing tells the story of two remarkable young women--opposites in every way--fighting for the same
goal: surviving tumultuous change.

June 2011





The Lady of Bol
ton Hill by Elizabeth Camden

In 1870, female journalists are few and far between, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative
articles championing London's poor and mistreated. When the backlash from her articles forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the poor factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant, and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds. Clara's long-held beliefs about God's grace and justice cause Daniel to question his own motives, but when Clara's very life is threatened by an adversary of Daniel's, they must face a reckoning neither of them could have ever foreseen.

June 2011




Hope Rekindled by Tracie Peterson

At long last, Deborah Vandermark is preparing for her own wedding... but the groom suddenly goes absent. Tragedy has befallen Christopher's family in Kansas City, upsetting the doctor's future with Deborah. With five siblings now under his care, can he return to Texas and impose a ready-made family on Deborah?


Deborah herself finds her resolve faltering as her fears about marriage and career start to overwhelm her. How can she marry and be a mother to Christopher's siblings, and still be able to pursue her work and training as a physician?

When an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah's life seems to be spiraling out of control. How can God possibly work this for good? And ca
n Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in their way?

June 2011





A River t
o Cross by Yvonne Harris

Texas Ranger Jake Nelson patrols the U.S.-Mexico border, protecting the settlers from cattle rustlers, outlaws, and bandits. Sparks fly when Manuel Diego stirs up a revolt against the government, which leads to the murder of a newspaperman, who is the son of a U.S. senator, and the kidnapping of his sister, Elizabeth Madison, a journalist in the ma
king. With Elizabeth's photograph in hand--a dark-haired beauty with smiling eyes--Jake rides over the border to find her.

After the Rangers
defeat the marauders and rescue Elizabeth, Jake is surprised to learn she's not the spoiled daughter of a senator that he was expecting. In fact, he finds himself taken by her. And she by him. But the Mexicans won't give up that easily, as Elizabeth becomes the target of an all-out hunt. Leaving Elizabeth back at Fort Williams, Jake and his men set off again, this time to go after Diego himself--to apprehend him and his renegades and bring them all to justice. Meanwhile, Jake knows what's begun between him and Elizabeth is undeniable.

Amid all the turmoil, Jake finally admits how much he loves her. She tells him the same. Until now, they've lived in different worlds, yet it is those differences that drew them together.


August 2011




Out of Control by Mary Connealy

Julia Gilliland has always been interested in the natural world around
her. She particularly enjoys her outings to the cavern near her father's homestead, where she explores for fossils and formations, and plans to write a book about her discoveries. The cave seems plenty safe--until the day a mysterious intruder steals the rope she uses to find her way out.

Rafe Kincaid has spent years ke
eping his family's cattle ranch going, all without help from his two younger brothers, who fled the ranch--and Rafe's controlling ways--as soon as they were able. He's haunted by one terrible day at the cave on a far-flung corner of the Kincaid property, a day that changed his life forever. Ready to put the past behind him, he plans to visit the cave one final time. He sure doesn't expect to find a young woman trapped in one of the tunnels--or to be forced to kiss her!

Rafe is more intrigued by Julia than any woman he's ever known, but how can he overlook her fascination with the cave he despises? And when his developing relationship with Julia threatens his cha
nce at reconciliation with his brothers, will he be forced to choose between the family bonds that could restore his trust and the love that could heal his heart?

August 2011




A Most Unsuita
ble Match by Stephanie Grace Whitson

An unlikely attra
ction occurs between two passengers on a steamboat journey up the Missouri River to Montana... She is a self-centered young woman from a privileged family who fears the outdoors and avoids anything rustic. He is a preacher living under a sense of duty and obligation to love the unlovable people in the world. She isn't letting anything deter her from solving a family mystery that surfaced after her mother's death. He is on a mission to reach the rejects of society in the remote wilderness regions of Montana.

Miss Fannie Rousseau and Reverend Samuel Beck are opposites in every way . . . except in how they both keep wondering if their paths will ever cross again.


August 2011


Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy

Synopsis:~

In the wake of a stagecoach accident, doctor Alex Buchanan and nurse Beth McClellan discover that they're both skilled healers who work well together. Other than that, they have nothing in common! She's an idealist and he's a jaded army deserter fleeing a bounty hunter. Surely their alliance ends here . . . or does it?


My take:~


Mary Connealy always serves up an appealing story, where love and laughs abound. Sophie's Daughters is her newest series centered on the lives of the young daughters of her lead character in a previous novel, Petticoat Ranch. You will not find wilting wallflowers in Mary's stories, and Beth McLennan epitomises a Connealy heroine, feisty, independent and disdainful of most men. Enter a dirty, slightly crazed, army deserter and there is plenty of fodder for fun and emotional conflict and even a serious twist with a look at post traumatic stress disorder before it even had a name. Doctor in Petticoats is sure to add spunk and colour to your day!

With thanks to Barbour for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Mary's website and blog

Buy Mary's books at Amazon or Koorong

Monday, 5 July 2010

Coming in 2011 from Barbour Books

Check out Barbour's 2011 releases with something for everyone ~ historical, contemporary, comedy and more all with romance added.

And can't do a post without saying that I have had the privilege of reading Digitalis by Ronie Kendig and as much as I loved Nightshade, Digitalis is even better!


Enjoy:~



Digitalis by Ronie Kendig

Former Marine sniper Colton "Cowboy" Neeley is recovering from a life of bad choices. Piper Blum, daughter of dissident Yakov Rosenblum, is in hiding--from life and the assassins gunning for her family. When she begs Colton to help extract her father from Israel, Colton petitions the group Nightshade to consider the mission. The team agrees, and soon they're deep six--straight into the Holy Land for a snatch-n-grab of Yakov. Will Colton and Piper make the treacherous trek out of hostile territory and into safety with their love--and lives--intact?


January, 2011







The Crossing
by Gilbert Morris

From beloved author, Gilbert Morris, comes a new trilogy about the Civil War. Yancy Tremayne, son of an Amish man, joins General Stonewall Jackson’s troops, which leads to adventure and romance with a Southern belle.


February, 2011











Raider’s Heart by Marcia Gruver

Two brothers join forces with a band of outlaws and vie for one woman's hand. Duncan McRae can hardly stomach the raids made by his family of bandits. Hooper McRae knows what he wants and takes it by force. When their paths cross that of Dawsey Wilkes, the competition is fierce. How far will the brothers go to win her love? Dawsey is burdened by a mysterious family secret, confusing memories of a long-departed mother, a papa unable to cope with his loss, and her repulsion to the McRae brothers. Is her faith strong enough to see her through?

February, 2011







Rugged and Relentless by Kelly Eileen Hake

When three landowning women put an ad in the paper expressing their desire for healthy, hard-working husbands-for-hire to help them set up and run a sawmill, they never dreamed their tiny town would be overflowing with proposals from bachelors who responded promptly...and in person! Out of this logjam of potential suitors, which one will Evelyn Thompson choose? Jacob Grainger trails his brother's murderer to Hopesfall where, to keep his true intentions secret, Jacob pretends to court Miss Evelyn Thompson.

Will this lumberjack-turned-bounty-hunter find himself falling for the enterprising female?


March, 2011





Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough

Love triumphs in Texas. Pastor Jody Chapman returns to Lookout with a new name, determined to make restitution for past misdeeds. Reporter Jacqueline (Jack) Hamilton is bent on uncovering the new preacher's secrets. Can Jody win Jack's heart before she discovers his identity? After spending ten years in prison, Carly Payton returns to Lookout. Garrett Corbett isn't interested in marrying a jailbird. But how long can he resist his attraction to Carly? Twice-widowed Christine Taylor isn't looking for a new husband. Can Rand Kessler find a way to change her mind? Will love find a way--the first, second, third time around?

April, 2011






Deep Trouble by Mary Connealy

Shannon Dysart is determined to restore her father's reputation by finding a city of gold. Deserted by her companions, she's set on getting on alone--that is, if she can find her way out of the deep pit she's fallen into. After being stranded overnight with a helpless female named Shannon, Zane Stanton suddenly finds himself wed to the driven fortune-hunter--and joining her on her treasure quest! Will Zane eventually give in to the increasing need to protect his fanatical wife? Will Shannon risk everything to find the gold? Will the newlyweds outwit the villains hot on their heels?

May, 2011





The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus

Two crazy grannies scheme to untie their artistic grandchildren. When tw
enty-eight year old Dylan Bradley, a former steamy romance illustrator, meets Caylor Evans, he's trying to build up a new professional reputation while recovering from a bad breakup with an older woman. Meanwhile, thirty-four year old Caylor, having once written titillating romances under a
pseudonym, now pens inspirational novels. When they form a professional alliance and Caylor's manuscript is paired with Dylan's proposed sketches for its book cover, suspicions arise. Can Dylan and Caylor discover the true art of romance while hiding secrets from their past?

May, 2011









Simple Choices
by Nancy Mehl

Set your GPS for Harmony, Kansas, where unexpected events disrupt lives in the peaceful Mennonite community. Will Gracie Temple find she’s overstayed her welcome?

June, 2011











The Stars Remember by Christine Lynxwiler


Revisit the dynamic McCord family of Arkansas at a time when perfectionist son, Matthew, is forced to face his most costly mistake.


June, 2011









Tuesday, 17 February 2009

CFBA Blog Tour of Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Gingham Mountain

Barbour Books (February 1, 2009)

by

Mary Connealy



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary's writing journey is similar to a lot of others. Boil it down to persistence, oh, go ahead and call it stubbornness. She just kept typing away. She think the reason she did it was because she was more or less a dunce around people—prone to sit silently when she really ought to speak up(or far worse, speak up when she ought to sit silently).

So, Mary had all these things, she want to say, in her head; the perfect zinger to the rude cashier, which you think of an hour after you’ve left the store, the perfect bit of wisdom when someone needs help, which doesn’t occur to you until they solve their problems themselves, the perfect guilt trip for the kids, which you don’t say because you’re not an idiot. She keep all this wit to herself, much to the relief of all who know her, and then wrote all her great ideas into books. It’s therapeutic if nothing else, and more affordable than a psychiatrist.

So then a very nice, oh so nice publishing company like Barbour Heartsong comes along and says, “Hey, we’ll pay you money for this 45,000 word therapy session.” That’s as sweet as it gets.

Mary's journey to publication is the same as everyone’s except for a few geniuses out there who make it hard for all of us. And even they probably have an Ode to Roast Beef or two in their past.

There are two other books in this Lassoed In Texas Series: Petticoat Ranch and Calico Canyon


ABOUT THE BOOK


All aboard for a delightful, suspense-filled romance, where a Texan is torn between his attraction to a meddlesome schoolmarm and the charms of a designing dressmaker. When Hannah Cartwright meets Grant, she's determined to keep him from committing her orphans to hard labor on his ranch. How far will she go to ensure their welfare?

Grant Cooper is determined to provide a home for the two kids brought in by the orphan train as runs head-on into the new school marm, who believes he's made slave labor out of eight orphaned children. He crowds too many orphans into his rickety house, just like Hannah Cartwright's cruel father. Grant's family of orphans have been mistreated too many times by judgmental school teachers. Now the new schoolmarm is the same except she's so pretty and she isn't really bad to his children, it's Grant she can't stand.

But he is inexplicably drawn to Hannah. Can he keep his ragtag family together while steering clear of love and marriage? Will he win her love or be caught in the clutches of a scheming seamstress?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Gingham Mountain, go HERE

My take:~

Gingham Mountain contains all the elements we expect from a Mary Connealy read - frivolity, chaos, kids, romance and then some more kids! Witty and engaging, Mary gives us another energetic read about a young man determined to make a difference to the lives of orphans by taking them in as family. The new school teacher, an orphan herself, certain he is taking them captive and using them for his own gain, is determined to stop him.

If you want a lighthearted romance, overloaded with humour and charm, look no further than Mary's latest
Lassoed In Texas tale.

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