One of my favourite things about book reviewing for Bethany House is finding new favourite authors.

That's what happened when I read The Reluctant Warrior by Mary Connealy. In the end I could not put it down.  It was filled with action, conflict and danger.

When Cameron Scott, with the other men, are in pursuit of the man who wants them all dead is injured you'll see there really was no other way.  If the man had not been injured as he was, he would not have been stuck in the cabin for weeks on end with the women and children.  And had he not, the question begs, would he have really taken the time needed to nurture a relationship with his daughter and recently orphaned nephew?  And not just that, but the man needed to be truly humbled.  There's no doubt about that.  Had he not, he would have never been a man to turn the head of Gwen Harkness.

I love it when I am reading historical fiction and learn something new.  That happened for me in this novel, and yet the author stayed true to her story.  The historical facts suited the story perfectly.  And caused me to google Louis Braille to learn more about his injury as a child that eventually led to - you guessed it - the blind to be enabled to read.  After Gwen shared this story with Cameron the man became fiercely protective - and even a little paranoid - about using the awl in front of the children.  I didn't know what an awl was before reading this book.  So interesting.

I can honestly say I will have to pick up the next book in the series.  Especially since I think there could be a romance brewing between Cameron's sister and a certain private investigator.

If you love stories about imperfect people finding love and a new beginning, consider this book.  Especially if you love stories about bossy cowboys snowed in who step in bear traps and get stuck inside for weeks on end learning to get in touch with their softer side.

One slight complaint I had was the first time scripture was mentioned.  I would have liked it to have been a little bit more natural.  However, the next time it fit perfectly and seamlessly into the conversation.

Did I mention I highly recommend this book?  I give it a 5 star.  And that's pretty huge for me.

Mary Connealy's books start with a bang and don't let up. This one starts with the characters from book one in the High Sierra Sweethearts series snowed in and their bunkhouse full of smoke. Cam can't get the others to wake up. He can't get the door open. Once they get outside, they realize the other cabin is snowed in and full of smoke as well. Trace, from the first book, knows who is behind this. Can they stop him before he kills them?

Cam wants to take his daughter but he will wait until the cabins are rebuilt. Gwen has been taking care of his daughter and his nephew since the wagon train was ambushed. They look up to her like a mother. Gwen opens her heart and helps the children get to know Cam. Can Cam take them away from her when he leaves? Or will Cam and Gwen find the love they have been searching for and make a home for the children?

This story is filled with hope, love, humor, and faith and will engage your heart as you turn the pages. If you enjoy inspirational western romances, you'll love The Reluctant Warrior.

I received a free copy from Net Galley in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Mary Connealy returns with her unique and thoroughly enjoyable cowboy historicals with plenty of humor and even more heart in The Reluctant Warrior (Book 2 in the High Sierra Sweethearts series).

From the first pages, the action is intense with the group fighting to survive and the interactions between Came and Gwen rocky (and often funny). But those initial impressions turn to something entirely different when Cam gets injured and Gwen is tasked with caring for him. I also loved the interactions with both of these characters with the children.

Throughout the book, Connealy’s ability to place the reader in the setting and situation—from the heartwarming to the heart pounding—is first-rate. I look forward to each and every one of this author’s books, and that goes triple for the third and final book in this series since we are left with hints of what’s coming next).

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This book was an absolute joy to read. While danger was lurking around almost every corner, I totally enjoyed the ride. The Reluctant Warrior kept my interest the entire time. I was hooked, and turning pages late into the night. If you’ve read the Accidental Guardian you know how great these characters are. I love their endurance, passion to keep going, and their love for each other. Connealy had me chuckling at their interactions and loving every minute of it. There were times I was almost biting my nails not knowing what would happen next. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. Connealy is one of the best and she doesn’t disappoint. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Union army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected. He's come to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother. Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children.

When danger descends on the cabin where they're huddled, Cam is hurt trying to protect everyone and now finds Gwen caring for him too. He soon realizes why the kids love her so much and wonders if it might be best for him to move on without them. When she sees his broken heart, Gwen decides to help him win back their affection--and in the process he might just win her heart as well.

This is the second book in the High Sierra Series. It can be a stand alone book but some of the details from the first book help fill in the gaps in this book. The Reluctant Warrior starts off several months after The Accidental Guardian ends. They have been trapped in the mountains all winter by snow. Snow so high it covers the doors and windows. We see the first attempt on their lives in the opening pages where someone plugs the chimney's in hopes they will die from the smoke.

Gwen does not like Cam. The reason being that he is there for the sole purpose of taking his daughter and nephew back with him when the snow melts. There's a problem with that. The kids don't like Cam. They don't know him and he's loud and gives orders. Against her better judgement, Gwen helps Cam learn how to soften up so the kids will like him. During all this time they are being drawn together. As well as someone is trying to kill everyone.

This is a typical Mary Connealy book. That said I loved it and can't wait for Penny's story.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

I love the writing style of Mary Connealy, She keeps you interested with plenty of action, laughter, sparks and so much more. This is book two in the High Sierra Sweethearts series. I would recommend you reading book one, Accidental Guardian, first just to get an understanding of what is happening in this book. This novel also will leave you waiting for book three (which I can't wait to read).

I fell in love with many of the characters in book one and was excited to see them stay involved in book two. This novel focus is on former Union army officer Cameron Scott. He must learn to soften up to gain the love of his daughter and nephew and perhaps a beautiful woman in the process.

Gwen Harkness, is a beautiful, stubborn woman who has fallen in love with the kids, and they her. Will she be able to put aside her fears and help Cameron or is he just to mean.

There is lots of action, drama, love and more in this book. I look forward to book three.

The Reluctant Warrior is the second installment from Mary Connealy’s High Sierra Sweethearts series. I have loved every one of her books that I have read and this one is no exception.
I give The Reluctant Warrior four and a half stars. I can not wait to get my hands on the next book from the High Sierra Sweethearts series.
This is a great read! I highly recommend it for readers who love a good, sweet and clean western.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Union army Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed without question. But, nothing about his journey to Lake Tahoe has gone the way he planned it. He planned only to pick up his daughter and nephew and to get revenge on the ones who murdered his brother and sister-in-law. Instead, he's found himself stranded by blizzards in a cabin with two small children who have no memory of him and are absolutely terrified by him. There's also the stubborn, beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he fears has no intention of releasing his children to him. Things change when danger descends on the cabin everyone is staying in and he's injured in trying to defend everyone. During his recovery time, he's stuck in the cabin, giving him a chance to get to know his daughter and nephew better...and to get to know Gwen better. He quickly finds himself starting to care deeply for her, and believes she feels the same way. It doesn't take him long to see why his children adore Gwen so much and he begins to wonder if it wouldn't be better for their sakes to leave them with her. Seeing Cam's broken heart over the children, Gwen decides to help him relate to and bond with the small children. And, as she helps him win the children's hearts, he also wins hers.

I really enjoyed reading this second installment of the High Sierra Sweethearts series. The characters are all relatable and it was good to get a chance to visit with the characters that were introduced in the first book, as well as being introduced to Cameron and his sister. Mary Conneally has definitely done a lot of research into the time period and the area the series is set in and it absolutely shows. She also has a knack for description that comes out in the vivid scenery and in the way the storyline develops. I'm absolutely glad that this isn't the last book in the series because I'm enjoying the setting and the characters so much. I absolutely can't wait until book 3 comes out!

From the very first page, I was involved in this story and the lives of these characters. I found myself thrown into the action and holding my breath to find out what would happen next.

Gwen is spunky and not afraid to say what’s on her mind and tell things like they are. She doesn’t hold back, and you know where you stand with her. She loves the children and comes to realize that by helping them get to know their father, it will make their lives easier. Little does she realize that her heart may be changed in the process.

Cam is battle-hardened. He is used to giving orders and having them followed without question. But he quickly comes to realize that what has served him well thus far, is now the very thing that is causing him problems. Will he be able to admit his short-comings and ask for help?

Survival is difficult enough on its own in the high Sierra's, but with a murderer lurking, things have only gotten more difficult. It is only by working together as a team that they can all survive. But will their own personalities get in the way?

I enjoyed my time spent reading this newest book by Mary Connealy. These characters are full of personality and I couldn’t help but feel like I was part of the story right along with them. I would recommend reading the first book, before this one as you would miss out on some back-story. I give this book 4.5 stars and look forward to reading more from Mary Connealy in the near future!

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

A nice easy read about two unlikely people falling in love. There's a little bit of a mystery/suspense as well, but overall just an enjoyable read.

This story wasn't quite as light-hearted as the first in the series, but it still had plenty of fun moments. I really liked the interactions between Cam and Gwen both when they were at odds with each other and when they worked together. But I'll admit I still found myself more drawn to the couple from the first book. I really loved them.

I found this story to be a little more over the top than I expected. And I felt like the ending was a cliffhanger. Hopefully, book three wraps up all the loose ends for us.

Overall I liked this story, and I'm curious what will happen next to these families.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Book 2 in the High Sierra Sweetheart Series, focusing on Cameron Scott's story. This book continues Mary Connealy's first book, adding to the depth of the characters and continuing the stories of Cameron's children and Gwen Harkness. Fun read!

I did not realize when I requested this book that it was a number two. So when I started the book I was utterly confused. No fault of the book, but I felt like I was not getting the whole story. When I looked into it that is when i realized that I really wasn't getting the whole story. This may have colored my view of the book. In this case one really does have to follow the order or they won't get it. I tried to enjoy it, I tried to get into it but I just could not. So essentially this book was not for me, nothing negative, just not for me.

Fire! Action! Full Speed Ahead!

This second installment of High Sierra Sweethearts by Mary Connealy leaves the reader flipping pages and buries her in action. It’s non-stop action for the first few chapters and is maintained throughout the entire book, with slower moments having intense moments that move the story along.

If I would aspire to be a writer of westerns, Mary Connealy would be the example to follow (though I have no aspirations to write westerns…). She has mastered the art of non-stop action and paints deep characters that are cheered and booed equally as strong. Not one of her short stories or full length novels that I’ve read lacks excitement.

This story picks up where The Accidental Guardian left off, with retired army commander Cameron Scott claiming his rights to his daughter and orphaned nephew. The Harkness sisters, along with guardian of the trail-turned rancher Trace Riley, have been caring for the children since their own caregivers were killed in a wagon train attack. Rough and overly assertive, Cameron wonders how he’ll ever parent these helpless children when they cry to look at him. Gwen Harkness is the key to his becoming a father to Maddie Sue and Ronnie, and to becoming a better man.

Fires, shoot-outs, trail chases through snowy mountain passes, old enemies wreaking havoc in the quiet lives of those working the Sierra Ranch fill pages of entertaining reading.

One can only imagine what will happen as we’re left wondering what scheming in-laws and a mysterious Pinkerton agent will do next.

I guess we’ll just have to wait until the release of the final installment, The Unexpected Champion.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Reluctant Warrior
By Mary Connealy
This book is stand alone, however, I imagine it reads best as a series. I read this book first so I have to say the beginning was a bit challenging to understand who was who but it was easy enough to catch on. This historical romance is set in the west where things can get dangerous. Survival and love don't seem to be a match made in heaven but that fight or flight instinct can certainly direct our hearts to those who are important to us even if we don't realize it. Cam was not looking for love, only his daughter and nephew, but fighting a murder leads him to love along the way.
I enjoyed the characters in this book and their common sense in solving problems. The setting was described well allowing me to picture the snow and hardships these folks would have faced. The characters were likable and easy to read about. Overall this was a good book for me to escape to each evening.

I enjoyed this book by Mary Connealy. This is the second book in the series and it was as well written as the first. Mary Connealy is one of my favorite authors, and she seldom disappoints me. Her characters and entertaining and it is fun to have the story of past characters continue on in the series.
I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Adventure in the High Sierras

The saga of the Sierras continues with all my favorite characters from The Accidental Guardian. Battling not only the blizzard that cocooned the cabin and bunkhouse but also the man who attempted to burn them alive and the woman who turned his children against him, Cam realizes that he needs to change and he can’t do it by himself.

I liked Cam and thought it was amazing that he loved his daughter enough to be willing to humble himself for her sake. With his gruff manner and the way he barked orders at everyone as he had been accustomed and even expected to do in the army, the children were terrified of him. He had to learn to be gentle and Gwen was the perfect person to teach him.

As the children needed to learn to trust Cam, he and Gwen needed to learn to trust in the Lord and in His strength. I loved that the message to not be afraid was not because God will rescue us from any type of harm but that we can trust Him to keep our souls safe no matter what happens and that we have eternal security in Him.

A new plot twist surfaces as new antagonists make cameo appearances. It appears they will be playing a much larger role in The Unexpected Champion, (which releases in March and is available for pre-order now), I won’t give you too many details, but suffice it to say that Cam’s sister Penny will get her own story.

This series is designed with each book containing information that will be referenced in the following stories. Though the story comes to a satisfying conclusion, there are cliff-hangers to set things up for the next one.


Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net"

I was given a free copy of this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

Book summary (Goodreads): Union army officer Cameron Scott is used to being obeyed, but nothing about this journey to Lake Tahoe has gone as expected. He's come to fetch his daughter and nephew, and seek revenge on the people who killed his brother. Instead he finds himself trapped by a blizzard with two children who are terrified of him and stubborn but beautiful Gwen Harkness, who he worries may be trying to keep the children.

When danger descends on the cabin where they're huddled, Cam is hurt trying to protect everyone and now finds Gwen caring for him too. He soon realizes why the kids love her so much and wonders if it might be best for him to move on without them. When she sees his broken heart, Gwen decides to help him win back their affection--and in the process he might just win her heart as well.

My thoughts...I'm really enjoying this newest series (High Sierra Sweethearts) by Mary Connealy. This is the second book in the series, which could be read as a stand alone, but it picks up right after book one has ended. I would suggest starting with book one just because it's a great story and gives some background.
Why is Mary Connealy one of my favorite Christian fiction authors? Several reasons, which also apply to this book. I love the humor she inserts in the dialogue and story line of her characters. A mix of sarcasm and wit makes for some fun and even laugh-out-loud moments. Strong male and female characters also draw me in. The men are manly, brave, strong, skilled at using guns and tracking (think wild west), but also have a desire to show sensitivity to their ladies and their children. Some of them are even skilled at sewing, like Cam was in this book. The strength that Connealy infuses into all of her female characters is fun to read. Some of them know how to track, handle a gun, build a house, and aren't afraid of much of anything. But there's an equal amount of strength shown by the women who protect their children, stand up to injustice, take care of the home, and are sensitive and feminine. Both the men and women have to work together to survive the wild land, especially when there's an evil, bloodthirsty villain trying to track them down. Connealy knows how to write some nasty baddies, and doesn't hold back in showing just how evil they can be. And let's not forget a little romance mixed in. Gotta love that ; ). All of these elements have come together in The Reluctant Warrior to make a great read. I would definitely recommend it...and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Personal takeaway...God can give you the strength to have courage, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give an honest review, which I did. **

The Reluctant Warrior is the second book of the High Sierra Sweethearts series by author Mary Connealy. I did not read the first book in this series and I wish I had. So much of the book referred to happenings that took place in the first book and your mind is searching for what they were referring to. Same characters in this book and the things which are now taking place. It is still a very enjoyable book. Takes place in the late 1800’s during a severe snow storm and they are all snowed in completely, up to the roof of the cabin. Also with a murderer out there somewhere who is determined to kill them. There is lots of fast paced action to keep you turning the pages. Also the motherless children will pull on your heart strings. All in all a fine read for lovers of inspirational historical fiction and western fiction! Enjoy book two in the series! I’m impatiently waiting on book three.
This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

The Reluctant Warrior is the second book the the High Sierra Sweethearts series written by Carol Award winning author, Mary Connealy. I've only read a novella in the Match Made In Texas collaboration, written by Mary Connealy and her short story was my favorite. The beginning is fast-paced with a lot of dialogue quickly going back and forth. Since I hadn't read the first novel in this series and was unfamiliar with all of the characters I found myself having a hard time keeping the people straight and had to go back and re-read a few sections. That being said, I would recommend reading The Accidental Guardian which is the first book in the series. Once I straightened out the characters and learned a bit of their back-story I was able to find more enjoyment in The Reluctant Warrior. The characters were like-able and the plot moved along at a good pace with some unexpected twists and turns to keep things interesting. I think the ending intrigued me the most...but I won't say anything about it, but I will probably read book 3. Overall I found this book to be ok, not my favorite I've read this year but not my least favorite either. It lands somewhere in the middle.
The Reluctant Warrior is currently available for purchase from your local or online book retailer.
Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free copy of The Reluctant Warrior. The opinions expressed here are my own.