Penny Scott and her siblings and friends are working hard to settle their new land in the high sierra's. They are needing to build homes so that they can maintain their legal homestead. But in the middle of this work they have a problem. An outlaw named Raddo has struck at their family, but they have struck back. Raddo is now dead at the hands of Penny, Trace Riley a close friend and an outsider, John McCall. But just who is this John McCall.

Before Penny can truly find this out she and McCall are kidnapped. They are attacked, bound and hauled out of town by friends of Raddo. They want what he had. But unfortunately Penny and John don't know what that is.

But this propels them into a drawn out mystery and fight for survival that will draw them together as nothing else could. Penny the perfect frontiers woman and John the city slicker, big city detective, are paired together to solve this mystery and keep each other alive as well as Penny's family.

They will come to grips with the staggering evils of a man who struck it rich in the Gold Rush and is doing his best to crush everyone around him that dares to disagree with him.

Connealy does a great job of research into the time period of the Gold Rush of California. The homesteading aspects of frontiersmen in the High Sierra's and well romance. The story is well written and riveting. You want to find out what the outcome will be and thus you won't put the novel down until you finish. This is a perfect addition to the High Sierra series and I can't wait for the 4th novel.

Enjoy!

Every book I read by author Connealy gets better and better. In The Unexpected Champion, third in the High Sierra Sweethearts series, the action and adventure continues with Penny Scott and Pinkerton agent John McCall who have just met at the end of the last book. As they head back to town to report to the sheriff from the last encounter, they are both kidnapped and their adventure together is only beginning.
What I really liked about this story was just how suited these two were together even being forced into an uncomfortable life change, they don’t seem to lose their cool. Penny has the smarts in the woods and John has the smarts in the city and they both come to the conclusion that they are stronger, smarter, and work really well together. I think the cover captures their characters well.
I highly recommend this story with the author’s trademark humor, interesting situations, and a romance you can’t help but cheer on while the danger and action abounds.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

The conclusion to the High Sierra Sweethearts series did not disappoint! Full of adventure, humor, and tough characters with tender hearts. I enjoyed getting to know Penny more, and John had some surprises up his sleeve in this book! He has a great attitude, and I was impressed that he was so proactive in hunting down his kidnapper instead of remaining a victim. Penny and he are a great match as they both learn from each other's very different skill set. I liked the new settings the characters explored and the new types of adventure as they investigate in the city. I felt like this third book brought something fresh to the series as well as wrapping up the loose ends of the mystery and bringing more of the characters we fell in love with in the first two books. I'd love to read novellas for Adam and Utah!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

I read a lot of books in all different categories. However, my favorite category (if there even is such a category) is humorous historical romance. I love a book that will make me laugh throughout and I love history and romance. So, when I am needing a good book that fits this very specific category, one of the authors I enjoy is Mary Connealy. Her books never fail to make me laugh which is why I was so excited to read her newest book, The Unexpected Champion! I think out of all three books in the High Sierra Sweethearts series, this one was my favorite. Like her other books, I found myself laughing throughout the entire book. The way she phrases explanations of what is happening, or conversations, or character’s thoughts is very amusing and sometimes absolutely hilarious to me. I enjoyed the crazy circumstance the characters find themselves in. I enjoyed reading how Penny and John work so well together in spite of the fact that they are opposites. They’re both comfortable in different environments but their strengths and weaknesses balance each other out and enable them to help each other in every circumstance they find themselves in. I was very entertained by this book and enjoyed all the giggles I gained from it.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that is humorous and entertaining.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Christian Historical Fiction. 1868 Dismal, Nevada. The old Wild, Wild West. This story is built with people from previous books and an underlying evil that needs to be solved. A Pinkerton Agent comes into the mix when one of the evil doers is shot. With a few pages turned you can easily get into the full story and keep straight who everyone is. Mary Connealy is one of those very gifted storytellers. It's easy to become fully engaged in the story and you won't even notice as time rushes by. The chemistry between the characters is deeply woven with pictures of old Nevada, including Lake Tahoe. Richly developed people who are painted with life stories.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Unexpected Champion

by Mary Connealy

Bethany House


Bethany House Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 05 Mar 2019





I am reviewing a copy of The Unexpected Champion through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:



John McCall, was a city dweller who never thought he would be in the High Sierra’s searching for the Chilton’s supposedly lost grandson, but John McCall feels as if he is being sent on a wild goose chase. And now that he is out there things become more complicated in the most part due to Penny Scott, a woman unlike any woman he has met, a woman whose comfortable in the woods with a horse and a gun.



After Penny and John are taken against their will by a shady figure who are looking for evidence that neither of them have, the two realized they have stumbled onto something more dangerous than they could imagine. John and Penny must attempt a daring escape to get back to their families.





When they come back to the real world they find themselves confronted with a kidnapper who refuses to stop. The two find themselves having to bring a man who is both powerful and ruthless, even as John and Penny fight an attraction to each other.





The Unexpected Champion is a book that is full of action, intrigue and adventure, great for those who like historical fiction.



Five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

Picking up right where the previous book left off, the Chiltons have hired Pinkerton agent John McCall to restore to them their long lost grandson, Ronnie, in order to control his handsome trust fund. Ronnie has been living with the Scott family, who loves him very much.

Penny Scott is a strong woman who knows how to take care of herself in the wilderness, she can ride, shoot, and speak her mind. She has a homestead next to her brother Cameron and plans to raise cattle, she is suspicious of John and dislikes him right away because of his job. But when they are kidnapped and held hostage together, they must work together to escape.

John is a city-livin' Pinkerton agent, he is a master of disguise and dedicated to his work. John is comfortable with his life in the city, but he is an honorable Christian man. He admires Penny's strength and know-how. I loved seeing them get to know each other and learning to work together, seeing each other's strengths and weakness, with a common bond of faith.

Fast paced adventure, with everything happening over a span of weeks. The explosive conclusion to a fantastic trilogy, it is not one I'd advise reading as a standalone. I was surprised by how much I liked John by the end of this book, as he was in previous books and at that point in time he wasn't my favorite. I loved seeing the familiar faces from the previous books, as well as Ms. Connealy's signature humor. Page-turning suspense that was hard to put down, I found that this book ended far too quickly. Fantastic western storytelling, with strong bonds of faith and family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy is the third book in her High Sierra Sweethearts series. It can still easily be read as a stand-alone book. I had not read the first two and was able to follow the story well as the author fills in enough of the backstory that the reader does not get lost or have a lot of unanswered questions. Connealy has a nice style of writing and kept my interest throughout the entire book. I was hooked from the beginning as the action starts right up and continues through the story, always keeping the reader wondering how in the world will things work out now. The characters are realistic, vibrant, and relatable. Penny is outspoken and feisty. John is, in Penny's opinion, a long-legged galoot, and yet he is determined and quite the gentleman. Two strangers unexpectedly brought together and they become entangled in unforeseen events that lead them into danger. Has Penny found an unexpected champion in John or are these situations so tangled that only God can untangle them? The Unexpected Champion is a captivating tale of family and faith, courage and love. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author and lovers of Western romance will not want to miss this series.
I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

This book kept me smiling! The humor in it was amazing. Of course throw in bad guys and a Pinkerton Agent along with everyone from the first two books and you have a great read!


I'm not sure if this is the last book in this series but I sure hope not! I always like to point out when I read a series that this book can be read out of order... you will want to go back and read the others regardless.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Non stop action from start to finish!

Wow! The Unexpected Champion was a quick enthralling romance that had plenty of action and danger. It was fun to watch Penny and John fall in love as they tried to protect Penny’s family from the threats on all sides.

I will say that it was a rocky start for me. I had a terrible time remembering how the last book ended and this one picked up, what feels like, mid-scene. However, I realized quickly that I just missed the last book and enjoyed The Unexpected Champion tremendously.

I never finished this book. I haven't read the book previous to this one in the series and I found the book very hard to follow. It continuously referred to what happened in the last book even though the main POV characters are different from the book previous. The tension between the two main characters in this book came from the preceding book. Almost immediately, I felt like I was stepping into a story in the middle and had no idea what was going on so after a couple of chapters I couldn't continue as I was lost in the storyline and was missing a lot of the backstory of why the female character disliked the male character. So if you haven't read any other book in this series, don't pick it up as you'll be lost to what is going on.

The third and final installment of The High Sierra Sweethearts series comes to a satisfying close.
The opening, though not as action-packed as the second novel to this series, begins with Penny and Pinkerton Agent John McCall waiting in Dismal, Nevada for Trace Riley to finish delivering the body of a man who has made life miserable since their arrival. Penny and John are kidnapped, tossed into a situation that they aren’t willing to be in, and have serious trust issues with each other. What could have turned disastrous, is a thrilling adventure in which Penny and John find their happily ever after.
I loved the tug and war played out between John and Penny as they had skills that the other didn’t possess and it was obvious who needed to lead, despite the traditional roles of the time period. There is a lot of action, delightful tension, and a bit of romance (not too sappy) that all lead to a great conclusion of an adventurous trilogy.
I believe all the loose ends were tied up, including the reveal of the true relationship that the antagonists from all three books shared. Characters that weren’t likeable in the beginning got justice in the end. The trauma from the first book’s wagon massacre turns into so many good things for Deb and Gwen Harkness that one can’t help but to be happy for them, though this story focuses more on the children left orphaned and their Aunt Penny’s fight to keep them with family who has their best interests at heart.
Having read the other two books before this one, I can’t say for sure that it would be easy enough to understand the story as a stand-alone. For sure, John and Penny’s story could be read as such but there are so many references to previous books that it might be hard to appreciate the trilogy in its entirety. That being said, the reader will NOT be disappointed by investing his/her time in reading The High Sierra Sweethearts completely.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A great ending to the series.John McCall was introduced in book 2 of the series and Penny has serious doubts about him. I think the way they work together and come together was fun. Connealy writes a good story with plenty of action and plenty of smiles along the way. If you like Christian romance with a good action story, this series will fit the bill. Although I think the first book in the series is my favorite, this book does not disappoint.

Mary Connealy wraps up her High Sierra Sweethearts series in The Unexpected Champion. This latest tale will concentrate primarily on Penny Scott and John McCall. John is a Pinkerton agent, who has travelled west on a job. He has been paid to return Penny's nephew, Ronnie to his East Coast grandparents. The truth is no one in Penny's family will willing let go of this little boy!

After Penny and John return the body of Raddo, the outlaw who had been out to destroy Penny's family, they are soon kidnapped in this small western town. This group of kidnappers seem to have vengeance on their minds!

Hold on tight to see where this tale will take you. When Penny and John find themselves in all sorts of difficult situations, including being forced to marry each other, you have no idea what to expect next!

It is interesting to see how all the pieces of this tale come together by the final page!

I absolutely adore Mary Connealy's writing style. Her books are filled with quirky characters, adventure, strong family ties, and the unexpected. The Unexpected Champion is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone book. Adventure, the "wild west", strong family loyalties, quirky strong characters, and a bit of romance all mix together into a thoroughly delightful historical romance adventure. Read the book and the entire series - you won't regret it!

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons' supposedly lost grandson. But now that he's out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She's not like any woman he's ever met--comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have, both realize they've stumbled into something dangerous and complicated. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they are confronted with a kidnapper who just won't stop. They must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, even as this city man and country woman fight a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

What a great book to end the series. All Penny wants to do is build her cabin on her homestead. John wants to find the little boy he's been hired to find and get back east. The only problem is that along the way he runs into outlaws who our out to kill Penny and her family. John kills the outlaw. Now he is on the hit list of the outlaws brother. Penny knows her way around the west. Being a Pinkerton, John has good detective skills. When the two meet they butt heads. In typical Ms. Connealy form humor and mystery were interlaced throughout the book.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway.

Once again, I found myself giggling, snorting, chuckling, and laughing out loud through a Mary Connealy novel. This time it was The Unexpected Champion—the last in High Sierra Sweethearts series. The setting in Nevada in the old west, and the well-crafted, horse riding, homesteading, gun-toting characters (both friendly and dangerous) came to life quickly and drew me right in. I loved the delicious chemistry and witty, hilarious banter between Penny Scott and John McCall, the two main characters. Penny’s strong will and independence combined with John’s handy skills and determination made for a delightful and somewhat quirky couple.

The appearance of some of the characters from previous books in the series was such fun. I loved how Penny’s family and friends all had each other’s backs. If one of them had a problem, the others were ready and willing to ride to the rescue. Immersed in the story are threads of faith, mercy, and love of family that add dimension to it. I’m sad to see this series end, but I’m also looking forward to more books from this highly entertaining author. 4 1/2 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Book Summary: City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons' supposedly lost grandson. But now that he's out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She's not like any woman he's ever met--comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have, both realize they've stumbled into something dangerous and complicated. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they are confronted with a kidnapper who just won't stop. They must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, even as this city man and country woman fight a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

My thoughts..."The Unexpected Guardian" is book three in this series. It's hard for me to say which of the three I liked more...all of them were fantastic! This book wraps up the dilemma that started in book one: who is the bad guy and why is this family being tormented by him? There's also a side story that began in book two of family members seeking to get custody of their grandson...with bad intentions. This story is a perfect balance of humor, intensity, romantic tension, danger...all set in a beautiful western landscape. I honestly get pretty excited when I see that Mary Connealy has written a new book because I love the contrast she creates with the different elements in the plot. Between the wit and humor that she injects into her characters (with some moments that I actually laughed out loud) and the very intense danger scenes, there's a little surprise on every page.
And let's not forget the romance. I love the way these characters interact with each other. The push and pull between attraction and hesitancy create some fun tension. The way this couple got thrown together (literally!), was a little on the far fetched side for me, but I honestly just went with it. It kind of fit into the humor of the story, but also provided the situation these two characters needed to move forward with their growing attraction (which I was all in for that ; )).
This book...and the series...is a big thumbs up from me! I loved the setting, the cast of characters, the plot..basically all of it. I haven't elaborated much on the spiritual aspect of the novel, but there was a faith aspect that fit right in with the rest of the story line. It was a fun read!

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

My Review:

Genre: Historical, western, fiction.

My rating: 4 and 1/2 stars.

My recommendation: Uh, 13 to 16 up.

My favorite character: Hmm, so, I liked the characters and all but they rushed around so much it was hard to connect with them and see their personalities. Though, I guess I need to pick a favorite character . . . And that character is John, and now that I think about it he was interesting. And all of the disguises, man, were those funny!

My Verse for John is Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (King James Version.)

Okay, this verse doesn't fit him . . . It's more of what he should have done at times when around Penny.

My Thoughts: I've enjoyed reading this series of a different kinda western -- the heroes aren't overly perfect, the heroines aren't too feminine, and the descriptions aren't sappy.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.

I couldn’t get my hands on this book fast enough. If you have read any books by Mary Connealy, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Unexpected Champion was everything I want in a book. It was the perfect amount of suspense and romance mixed together. I originally met Penny earlier in this series and as hoping she would be the heroine of her own story. She is definitely one of a kind. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of man she fell for, and I knew he’d have to be pretty special. Being kidnapped together, Penny and John must learn to work together to not only escape but stay alive. They both have their own tricks up their sleeves, and just might learn to get along after all. This story was an absolute joy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next, and was completely taken by surprise. 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.