4.5 stars

This is IT, y’all! THIS is what the whole ‘A Western Light’ series has been building toward. The final showdown between Ginny Rutledge and the truly despicable husband who had her falsely committed to an insane asylum for daring not to hand over her parents’ money. I was so excited to crack this one open that I couldn’t even wait for release day.

Before we get to Ginny’s part of the story, there’s a swoony romance going on, too – between two familiar faces that we met on the wagon train in book one, Dakota Harlan and Maeve O’Toole. We’ve of course seen them again throughout the series but it’s their turn for a happily-ever-after now. These two aren’t exactly enemies but they aren’t exactly friends either, so I wasn’t sure how they would end up falling in love. Of course I needn’t have worried because Mary Connealy IS at the helm, after all. And let me just say, she writes the perfect first kissing scene! It’s swoony and witty and breath-stealing for readers as well as the characters. I really enjoyed getting to know Dakota’s character better and see deeper layers to his backstory than we have before now. His protective streak isn’t quite a match for Maeve’s resourcefulness, in true Connealy practicality, and I loved that! Which brings me to one of my favorite things about Maeve in this book: she really comes into her own, not only as a woman capable of saving the day when needed but also as one in tune with who she wants to become.

Speaking of coming into her own… Ginny. Her courage in leaving the safety of the hidden canyon where she’s been protected for the last four years is truly admirable. She knows she’s facing an uphill battle to prove her sanity and finally break free of the frightening hold her husband has over her, but her decision that ‘enough is enough’ made me love her character even more than I already did. Watching her inner journey as the fight heats up and comes to a dramatic end is the kind of rewarding arc that readers love to invest in, at least this reader (me) does. And for those who have followed this storyline involving Ginny and her conniving husband and the corrupt asylum doctor (and Kat and Yvette too) from the beginning, you will LOVE how Connealy resolves it. Especially if you’re also a fan of her most recent series before this. My lips are henceforth sealed to revealing further details, except to say that I actually cheered aloud once and cheered in my heart even more than that.

Bottom Line: ‘A woman’s work is never done’, and Into the Sunset by Mary Connealy is full of strong women who do the work of freedom and justice. It’s the story that fans of this series have been waiting for, though if you are just now joining the party the author sufficiently catches you up on everything pertinent to allow you to enjoy it too. Dakota and Maeve are a pleasure to watch together, from their quasi-enemy status to a grudging friendship and finally something a lot swoonier, and I adored their first kiss(es) so much! And Ginny… her continued storyline is layered, brave and soul-satisfying. In fact, this series finale is loaded with fun surprises, tense moments, great characters, and some truly wonderful ‘girl power’ scenes that do us all proud. If we must say goodbye to the Holt/Jones/Collins/O’Toole clans (and Dakota), Into the Sunset makes the perfect send-off.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Into the Sunset is the third installment from A Western Light series. Even though it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand alone, but would be best to read the previous two. It is just what I would expect from a Mary Connealy novel with strong female characters, adventure, history, love, romance, and faith. I adored this story so much and at times was irritated when life made me put it down when I was not ready to do so. I thought it was great!


There is no doubt that Into the Sunset is a five star read. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean western romance. As always, I look forward to new releases from Mary Connealy.


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

What a wonderful ending to the series. The characters were great and Ginny finally comes out of hiding to face her past along with her daughter and family and friends. There is a side story with Dakota, which adds to the adventure. I loved how the author brought in characters from another series. I enjoyed all three of the books but I think this might be my favorite because of Dakota's past and the surprise character from another series. There is plenty of action, adventure, romance, inspiration, dodging bullets, villains, and heroes.

Unfortunately, I DNF-ed this book. I tried, I stopped halfway
1. I was confused when I started, there were a lot of characters and a lot of POVs. I didn't know who was whom. It would have been better if there had been a list showing the characters and who they were.
2. It felt like this book was a continuation of what happened in the previous books in the series. Again, I couldn't understand anything because this is the first I've read and I think it's the third in the series.
3. There are two main themes in this book and one overshadowed the other. It was more focused on Ginny's issue than Maeve and Dakota's romance
4. I liked Ginny's storyline, and I'm curious at it's ending, but I just can't continue because of the reasons above.

I just love all of Mary Connealy’s books. They are so easy to read and her characters are so lovable. Everyone is good except the very obvious bad guys and times are so simple. Family, faith, and ranching are important and the western canyons are beautiful. Ahh, just a sweet simple enjoyable series.

The A Western Light series has a lot of gun slinging, fist swinging action and I love it. I love how strong and brave Beth, Kat, Ginny, Fiona, and Maeve are even after they’ve lost and seen so much. And all the men are so swoonworthy. What a perfect ending to the series.

I just love it. I’d recommend any of Mary Connealy’s books to anyone who wants something simple that’ll really suck you in. I love her books on audio especially!

Into the Sunset is book three in the A Western Light series that is written by
Mary Connealy. I’ve not read the whole series but had no problems following along. The author does a wonderful job in transporting readers back in time. I also love that this book touched on the rights women were staring to gain


Ginny has not had the best marriage. She’s been committed to an asylum and decides to face her past and fight for her freedom. she enlisted the help of her friend, Maeve and Dakota. She finds the courage to find a judge who will declare her to be sane.

However, l her husband pops back into the picture , things seem to go from bad to worse. One of the things Ginny is counting on is that Wyoming Wyoming favors women's rights, and that justice will prevail.

This is a book about facing your past. About not being afraid to stand up for yourself. I love the courage that Ginny possessed. The book is well written. The characters engaging.

Thank You to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Into the Sunset is the third and final title in the Western Light series. It can be read as a standalone but reading the first in the series, Chasing the Horizon, will give the reader a better understanding of the characters. This quick read is a satisfying conclusion to the Western Light series. The entire series sheds light on how women were treated and the importance of the women’s suffrage movement. The entire series is highly recommended to any fans of historical fiction.

I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for an honest review.

Can you believe a woman could be declared insane by her husband back in 1873? So you can understand the depth of this story when Ginny, who escaped from and insane asylum and went into hiding needs to be declared sane now so that she can live her life and keep her husband from putting her back there. She has a bigger family and friends that accompany her - into danger. Suspense heightens the story, as well as love and companionship, and the support of others who encourage each other to be all that they can be and live their best life and grow in God's grace. Multiple characters are struggling with their own issues, but they help each other through it. Excellent read, masterfully woven.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#IntoTheSunset #MaryConnealy #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalFiction #BethanyHousePublishers

Into the Sunset
by Mary Connealy
Publisher: Bethany House Publishing
Series: Western Light Book 3
Rated: 3-4
Obtain: Borrow
Back of the Book: “Will the sun set on their chance at happiness before they can seize it?
To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O'Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny's sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places.

Maeve grapples with her mother's impending remarriage and seizes a rare chance to escape her homestead--but that means reuniting with Dakota, the man she holds responsible for her father's death, who is caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful family. As the two of them navigate their shared history and a dangerous mission, Dakota is forced to confront his deepest fears and fight for the woman who has unwittingly captured his heart.”

Impressions: This is the third book in this series and reads best together. This book brings resolve to Ginny, Maeve, and Dakota's lives. They have been in the wilderness for years now: hiding, surviving, and trying to make a life for themselves. These characters have developed through the first and second books. I’ve been waiting for their happy endings. Ginny started this series by escaping the insane institute. Given the time with her family and friends, she has grown more confident and ready to confront her past. Her support system is what has been significant to me. It reminded me how important the people we surround ourselves are. Mauve and Dakota have matured in their time in the wilderness as well. It was fun to see the past worked out for their good. It reminded me that God has a plan for us. This was an enjoyable book to bring a closing to these characters.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

The stunning cover of “Into the Sunset” is what initially caught my eye! It is said you can’t judge a book by its cover, but beautiful cover art is what initially grabs my attention. I’m happy to say, the story behind the colorful cover is just as lovely!

I love a redemption story, especially when the character’s spiritual growth is so evident. Ginny, Dakota, and Maeve are interesting characters, and easy to connect with. Ginny (and her circumstances) remind me so much of someone I know, so it was effortless to believe her thoughts and actions. And Maeve and Dakota’s growth is sweet and memorable.

With elements of faith, forgiveness, sweet romance, and suspense, this story offers so much. I only wish I’d read the first two books in the series first!!

First Line: A bullet smashed into a boulder, ricocheted off, and burned Dakota Harlan’s cheek.
Series: A Western Light, book 3
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Author: Mary Connealy
Page Count: 288

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

C♡VER L♡VE
❤❤❤❤

This is the third in a series about a group of women escaping from an asylum and heading west to escape the tyrannical men who care nothing for their well-being. This also continues the story of the makeshift family they meet and the men who love them and will fight for them.

Maeve and her family met up with these women on their journey west. Maeve lost her father on the way and blames a certain man, Dakota, for that. Dakota knows that even though he did all he could for her father. Yet even with that rocky past, he finds he is still very much drawn to Maeve, even though she blames him.

Dakota is not without problems of his own as he has a family after him who are out for blood. His blood and he knows he may be running and looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life. But when his friends come to him for help, he is there for them.

Ginny is the woman whose ruthless husband is bound and determined to catch again. He is a horrible villain and only cares about money. He almost acts as if he is untouchable in his quest to recapture Ginny and destroy those who help her. It becomes quite a showdown as evil and good face off.

I was also delighted to see that a couple of characters from the previous series popped in too. This series tackled the unjust ways women were treated in regard to their mental health when the men who should have cared for them, did not.

I was provided 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.

I love books by this author. I love how her stories always take me on an adventure to another time and place. I also love her characters and how they become beloved friends throughout the series. I liked how she even brought in characters from previous books to be of assistance to the characters in this book. I liked how this book had a lot of tension as we waited to see what the judge would rule and as we waited to see if Maeve and Dakota would find a way to be together. I loved the characters and this series. This author is a automatic buy for me because I know I will always love the stories and want to read them over and over again. I highly recommend any of her books.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This was a solid read. Honestly I haven’t read books one and two. I definitely missed a lot. Read those first. This was a good story, but I missed a lot that would make this great. Decent plot, interesting characters. Just read them in order!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Ginny deliberately has hidden herself in fear of returning to the insane asylum. It's time to stop this now.
Dakota has to watch his back as a family wants retaliation. This prevents him from settling down and having any chance of a family.

Maeve is afraid of the changes that will happen in their lives if her mother remarries.

Fear can stop you in your tracks. Fear can also motivate you to act in ways you never thought possible. This is clearly the case for the characters in this book.

This is Book 3 of the series: A Western Light. I have read Book 1 and 2. I love Mary Connealy's books. I couldn't put this down last night. I had to finish this wonderful story.

Into the Sunset is the wonderful third book in this series. It wraps the whole thing up nicely and brings all of the characters back in. Because it brings them all back in I highly recommend reading the whole series and reading them in order. So grab book one and go from there. You’re going to want to read them all and get the backstory.

Ginny has to prove she’s not insane. Because her husband can just have her committed if he wants to. He doesn’t have to prove it. He’s wealthy and privileged. She’s not insane though and will fight it with everything she has. Now she has Maeve and Dakota to help her.

Maeve is a favourite. She’s a red-headed Irish lass with loads of sass! Dakota caught her eye earlier but then she blamed him for her father’s death. He likes her as well but he has no room in his life for a wife when he’s on the run from men trying to kill him.

They’re quite the trio as they race to their objective and find danger and love along the way.

This is a wonderful Christian fiction novel in which faith takes centre stage. But it also has romance, love, danger, and suspense thrown in. Showing you can have an amazing novel without any filth or smut.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Matters have come to a head with this suspenseful finale in the Western Light series. What began it all when a woman escaped the miserable insane asylum in which her husband placed her and took the wagon train into the west has decided that it is time to face her demons and finish it once and for all. Mary Connealy captivated me from the opening lines of the first book in the series, Chasing the Horizon, and continues to do it again with Into the Light.



Into the Sunset is the final book in the Western Light trilogy. The story began in book one and so this doesn’t make a good standalone choice.



Ginny Rutledge has come so far. She and a few other women, with the help of her daughter and former family staff escaped the horrible asylum her greedy husband placed her in back in Chicago, joined a wagon train, and settled in a hidden valley in Idaho where her ruthless husband and his hirelings couldn’t touch her. Her daughter, Beth is settled with her family, she has her friends on their claims nearby, and all is well. However, she finally feels strong enough to go to court and get herself declared legally sane and end her husband’s attempts to recapture her and bring her back to that asylum so he can get his hands on her money. Court means heading to Cheyenne, the Wyoming territorial capital and standing before a judge with her husband and his legal team across the aisle. This also means a dangerous journey, especially if her husband finds her first, so she needs an escort.



Ginny’s decision turns out to be good for both Dakota and Maeve for two different reasons. Maeve’s mother announced she plans to marry a good man, but Maeve is still holding strong to her grief over losing her pa during the wagon train journey west so she is vocal in resistance and unsettled. She needs to get away with time to think. Unfortunately for her, the man she wrongfully holds responsible for her pa’s death because she needs to be angry at someone for the loss is the other person coming along to protect Ginny.

Dakota liked Maeve on the journey, but knew her grief and anger would mean he was the last man she would consider being with and she’s still angry when they start this journey. However, he needs a change in scenery when he finds out a bankrobber he was involved in killing has feuding relatives who are all gunning for him. He’d already had to plant two out on a ridge when they didn’t get him.



Into the Sunset isn’t skimpy on the western action and western historical backdrop. In fact, I enjoyed learning fascinating things like Wyoming being so progressive as to have women judges at the time. Yes, for those who are long time Mary Connealy fans this means a certain couple from the Wyoming Sunrise series make a guest appearance.



This was a grand finale indeed with all the previous couples and most of the whole cast of characters come into play in this one and there is lots of action and suspense as well as personal and relationship growth going on. Inspirational themes are present and are integrated well into the plot. The pace stays stead and the tension was good. This read fast for me and the climax held me in its clinches. I wasn’t surprised by anything, but still enjoyed seeing it all roll out nicely. Those who enjoy a smidge of grit and godliness to a western historical romance, with action and sweet romance should definitely give this series a try.

Into the Sunset is book three in a Western Light series by Mary Connealy. This story does take over where the previous ends with similar characters, so it is best to read this series in order. In this story Ginny sets out to have herself declared sane. Dakota has been asked to go along to help protect her, her family and friends. The men in the group are kept busy keeping her safe when a person from Dakota’s past shows up.

This is such a good story. I have enjoyed this whole series. It is well written and easy to read with wonderful characters. This story is filled with action, suspense, mystery and a budding romance. I especially enjoyed that a few characters from the Wyoming Sunrise series make an appearance. I especially enjoyed the judge’s character.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

This story is gritty, tough and filled with lessons that will change many lives. Right away I knew that the women in this story were going to be strong, fearless and rooted in faith. During this time period changes were starting to happen to give women more rights. I love the historical facts that are spread throughout the story.

Ginny is the one character that stood out for me. Her fight to be free from a man who treated her badly brings danger. I can’t imagine the cruel treatment she experienced being locked away in an asylum. She knew she didn’t belong there and now she has to fight to stay free.

With a cast of stand out characters the author delivers a western story with action, danger along with faith. I enjoyed reading how a relationship slowly develops while others find a new beginning from a life that was filled with pain.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Ginny Rutledge has been living in fear of her husband and what he will do to her should he find her, but she decides to face her fears and have legal proceedings so he no longer has authority over her. I loved her strong character and the courage she had to stand up to her husband. Her empathy towards other women who were institutionalized was what really drew me to her. What she did to help them was a great solution and one that I applaud Ginny for doing to improve their lives.

I would like to have seen the love story of Maeve and Dakota developed more. At one point they are very much at odds with Maeve wanting nothing to do with him. I was surprised that they quickly moved into a courtship after that. However, I always like to see a HEA and the ending was well done.

This is the last book in the series and it should be read in the order in which they were published. There is a back story for all of these characters that enhance this story.I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers of historical Christian fiction with a western setting.

I was given a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

If you want to step back in time to the West, this trilogy is for you. I am glad I read the other two books, Chasing the Horizon and Toward the Dawn so that I was familiar with the storyline and characters. All of these books are filled with adventure, suspense and also intertwined with faith so that you feel like you are on the journey with them. I enjoyed each book, but this one tugged at my heart strings.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.