Member Reviews
I really enjoyed this series conclusion, wrapping up all the story lines and offering a few more happily ever afters. Dakota and Maeve’s story was enjoyable and when Ginny’s battle against her husband comes to a head, the results are so satisfying.
This series absolutely needs to be read in order. There’s humor, action, sweet romance and a small dose of Wyoming’s suffrage history. Connealy’s books always make me turn the pages quickly!
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.
Picking up where the previous book left off, this book follows many familiar faces, as Ginny fights for her freedom from her conniving husband, and Maeve finds that the future might mean facing the past.
A fast paced adventure, with plenty going on, strong friendships, action, humor, and romance. This book really ties the whole series together, and you are best off reading the books in order to fully appreciate the conclusion, though the first two are more standalone. I liked how this series features strong and resilient women, fighting against the odds for justice, love and a future. I really enjoyed the full cast of characters and how this novel balanced the action and humor with the tension of the legal battle.
Overall, this was a great read, and I liked the second chance romance, as well as the strong themes of fighting for justice, forgiveness, and clinging to hope. It was great to catch up with the couples from the previous books, as well as delve deeper into the lives of Maeve and Ginny. An excellent conclusion to a great series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What a satisfying conclusion to the series, even with a delightful twist in the epilogue!
I love how this series comes full circle, concluding some story lines that were left unanswered in the previous two books. The characters from the wagon train west who break from the main line, moving into the mountains all get page time in this final novel.
Of course, the main storyline is Ginny’s. Tired of hiding in the mountains, she’s determined to declare her sanity before a judge so that she doesn’t have to fear being locked up ever again. Some ugly twists and turns makes Ginny’s journey complete as she heads to Wyoming to meet with a judge. And readers will get a delightful surprise as they are introduced to the judge who will hear Ginny’s case.
Wagon train leader Dakota Harnell has trouble of his own, but he does everything possible to keep his friends safe. Trouble follows him and resolves quite nicely, while giving Dakota a happily-ever-after of his own.
There are enough shoot-outs and great western brawls that make this humorous story complete. And lots of splashes of romance to satisfy any historical romance reader.
It's a fantastic read. I recommend the whole trilogy.
I received a copy of the novel from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions expressed are my own.
This book is the final one in the Western Light trilogy and although it can be read as a standalone, it is best read in sequence. This final book wraps up all of the story lines from the previous books and the reader will come away satisfied with the outcomes for the characters they have come to love (and dislike!).
Eugenia "Ginny" Rutledge has decided that the time has come to stop hiding from her husband and try to get herself declared sane. "Mama needed to start a fight that would change her life and maybe, just maybe, with God's help, change the world." When her husband had her committed to an insane asylum, it wasn't because of her mental state. Instead, he was determined to gain control of her inheritance. The easiest way to do this? Throw her in the asylum! "He mainly just couldn't stand a woman defying him, so he decided having her own opinion meant she was insane." Unfortunately, this was a common practice in the late 1800's in most places.
Ginny has found that Wyoming treats women more fairly and with the help of her friends, Kat and Seb Jones, she and her extended family travel to Cheyenne to have her time in court. Jake Holt, Ginny's son-in-law, has also obtained the help of his friend, Dakota Harlan, to help protect Ginny. But, Dakota has his own demons to fight in the form of the Darnell clan, who are out for revenge.
The book moves at a fast pace, with plenty of action reminiscent of your favorite Western movie. There is emotion, a small amount of violence and some romance along the way, all mixed with inspiration and faith in God. I especially enjoyed the parts of the book involving the Judge and Wyoming's progressive outlook on females, which was certainly unique for the time period.
The only reason that I did not give this book 5 stars is because of the huge amount of characters. It was difficult at times to keep track of all of them and I found myself getting lost. Again, I think if the reader has recently read the previous books, this might not be as much of an issue. However, the number of characters' names was a bit overwhelming at times. All in all, I recommend this trilogy to those who enjoy a well-written tale, full of wonderful characters and a unique story.
I love a good western story and this was no exception! It is always eye opening to read of a different time period, the lifestyle, and how far we've come as a society since then. The story and justice makes for a compelling read. Definitely read the previous books to have a better understanding of the background and context.
I love a good finale book that ties up all the loose ends. It's satisfying seeing villains brought to justice and rightness restored. Ginny has had a dark cloud hanging over her head knowing that her husband is desperately trying to find her to get her money. It's finally time to see what she can do to free herself from this evil and it's wonderful.
I enjoyed seeing so many characters from other books in the series. I love Kat and Sebastian, Maeve and Dakota, and the rest. I could feel the tenseness in the waiting and the unknown. I could feel the fear and the disgust. This is a great wrap up to the Western Light series.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
4.25 stars
A great way to end the series (and it’s definitely a series…do not read this one out of order!). This book even has some characters from the first two Wyoming Sunrise series books, so if you don’t like spoilers you may wish to read those first.
It was a pure pleasure read and I enjoyed all the good characters in the story. It was fun to see more of Nell Nolte also, and see how she plays a pivotal role in this story. Seeing Beth from book 1 as a busy mom was fun too.
There’s not as much active comedy in this one as there generally is in Connealy’s books, but that’s correct for this story line. It’s graver because of the subject of trying to escape a mental illness and insane asylum. However, I would have liked to have had some of Oscar’s POV since he was so important to the whole series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
This is the conclusion of the series and what an incredible conclusion it is. The author's books are so realistic, you could very well see what happens here actually having occurred in past times. We see many of the characters in this series making a return in this book and a few make an appearance from other series as well.
This was an exciting book, and it really kept me on the edge of my seat. There were many journeys taken in this series, both physically and mentally and this has a very satisfying wrap up. I believe justice was done.
I enjoyed seeing the strength the female characters displayed despite having so much going against them.
I enjoyed this book and complete series very much.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Into the Sunset is a beautiful conclusion to the A Western Light series by Mary Connealy! A full cast of characters who have found their happy endings in previous books work to help Ginny find her peace in this final installment. Best of all, Dakota and Maeve finally set aside their differences to find a happily ever after of their own! Lovers of Mary Connealy’s previous series Wyoming Sunrise will be happy to see Judge Nell Nolte and her husband Brand play a pivotal role in this series! Complete with shoot outs, kidnappings, rescues, and some good villains, this book has the action and adventure of a good Western romance! Almost serving as a documentary of how women and the mentally ill were treated during this time period, this story makes me thankful for the changes that had a head start in Wyoming during the 1800s. Best of all, this story proclaims Gospel truth while thoroughly entertaining the reader, and it is a great close to this Christian fiction Western series!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. My thoughts are my own and I really did enjoy it!
This has been an amazing series, and each book has been even better than the one before it. Into the Sunset wrapped up this series perfectly. I think this was my favorite book out of the three. It is full of action and adventure. Plus, I was very excited to get to see some characters from the Wyoming Sunrise series make an appearance in this book.
Maeve and Dakota’s story is such a sweet one full of forgiveness and character growth. Mary’s books are always full of strong-willed female characters who are able to take care of themselves, their families, and the men they love. They are also able to remain unruffled in crazy situations. I highly recommend this whole series.
I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
The Western Light trilogy series by Mary Connealy has been fabulous. Each book may be read as a standalone, however, the experience is so much richer when you immerse yourself in this western drama from the outset. It has a little bit of something for everybody and it was wonderful to finish the tale that started out on the wagon trail ‘Chasing the Horizon’ (book 1) and now concluded with ‘Into the Sunset’ (book 3)
I enjoyed returning to the ‘wild west’ to see through the tale that had begun on the wagon trail. Everything from catching up with much loved characters such as Beth and Jake, to a new romance developing between Maeve and Dakota. Yet, this story was so much more than just a romance. The challenges of starting a new life and even with towns developing, it was still a far cry from city living.
The main focus of the story was seeing through what had begun in book one with Ginny having to prove her sanity in a court of law to be free from her controlling and manipulative husband. The whole issue of husbands having the lawful right to put their wives into asylums (in some states) was confronting.
Into the Sunset was an engaging story and a fitting conclusion to my time spent in the Western frontier of America. Action and danger, courage and compassion this is a series that is sure to appeal to many.
‘They’d traveled and they’d settled. They married and started families. And now, finally, they’d all followed the western light into the sunset. That light had led them all the way home.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
What a fun ending to a great series! I have been waiting to see what would happen with Ginny and not only do we get Ginny’s story here, we also get Maeve and Dakota’s too! This is really exciting story with some fun surprises along the way. Mary’s stories never disappoint!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but also purchased my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review, and all thoughts are my honest opinion.
For a good old fashioned western story, you cannot go wrong with Into The Sunset. The conclusion of this series sees a resolution to the problem of Ginny confronting her husband who had her unjustly committed to an insane asylum.
Lots of danger and excitement surround the group of friends as they seek to prove Ginny sane by traveling to Cheyenne, Wyoming for a trial. Dakota, a former wagon train master, is being stalked by a man out for revenge. Maeve tags along to help care for the children in the group. Dakota and Maeve have a shaky past, so all is not smooth in that respect either.
An appealing set of folks and interesting facts about the laws of the old west had me turning pages. The characters were flawed but honest in their actions and their faith was shown authentically. The themes of repentance, forgiveness and trusting God were prevalent. In the romance between Maeve and Dakota there is substantial growth and eventual maturity.
Ms. Connealy has another winner in this series set in the 1870s old west.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Into the Sunset by Mary Conneally is the exciting conclusion to the Western Light series. Full of adventure, suspense, romance, & faith this book kept me fully engaged. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers romance & the final resolution to the problems present since the beginning.
Ginny Rutledge was unscrupulously incarcerated into a mental asylum by her greedy, conniving husband. After escaping to the West with her daughter and living a fulfilling life, the threat that her estranged husband still poses looms over her. She & her friends decide to travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming where women’s rights are championed to have her declared sane & hopefully out of her husband’s clutches forever.
Dakota Harlan accompanies Ginny on the journey, but he has his own problems. Someone from his past wants revenge & is sending his family members to take Dakota out. Then there’s the fiery Irish redhead who blames him for her father’s death who’s also helping Ginny take care of the children while she’s seeking out the judge. Can these two enemies find love despite the odds against them?
This book was such a rollercoaster ride! Dakota’s & Maeve’s romance was filled with sizzling underlying romantic tension. I loved how they grow closer as they face dangerous situations together. I also loved the way Ginny was finally able to confront her husband & fight for her sanity & rights.
I also enjoyed the historical details & faith woven in throughout the story. Though this book could be read as a standalone, it’s definitely a series that needs to be read in order to fully appreciate. Highly recommend to Western romance fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
The Western Light series ends with this action packed book. Readers who enjoy Christian western stories will not want to miss this series. Readers will want to read the previous two books as to not miss the adventure. This ties everything together. Recommended.
This conclusion to the Western Light series is as action packed as anyone could wish for. The MC pretty much get about 1/8 or less of the book but the plot brings a satisfying conclusion to the plot lines running throughout the series. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced review copy--all opinions are my own!
What would you risk to break free from the chains of your past and walk into the light of freedom?
Mary Connealy’s Into the Sunset pulls no punches as it takes readers on an action-packed journey filled with danger, heart-pounding suspense, and deeply woven threads of faith. In this thrilling conclusion to the Western Light series, Ginny Rutledge’s battle for sanity and survival brings new meaning to the phrase “fighting for your life.” She’s not only running from a ruthless husband determined to have her committed, but from the shadows of her past, desperate for a future that doesn’t include living in fear.
Ginny’s determination to escape the dark walls of her past, with her trusted friends Maeve and Dakota by her side, is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. One of the lines in this story that hit me the hardest was, “…no more living behind these walls. Mama needed to start a fight that would change her life and maybe, just maybe, with God’s help, change the world.” Isn't that what we all long for—God’s help in breaking through the walls that hold us back, empowering us to step boldly into our God-given purpose?
Into the Sunset is also about the courage it takes to heal old wounds. The characters’ shared history adds a layer of complexity to this story that elevates it from simply “Western adventure” to something much deeper. Some are weighed down by guilt and haunted by past mistakes, needing to come face-to-face with the reality of forgiveness—both giving it and receiving it. Their journeys are of redemption, a theme Connealy masterfully infuses into every chapter.
Faith plays a major role in the lives of these characters. Whether it’s one of their prayers for wisdom (James 1:5-7) or another’s cry for protection from a God she trusts with her life (Psalm 16:1), the spiritual threads are clear and unwavering. As the group faces dangers from vengeful families and the cold-heartedness of Ginny’s husband, I found myself drawn to their quiet moments of prayer and reliance on God’s guidance.
Mary Connealy knows how to pack a punch with her strong female characters, a hallmark of her writing that shines especially bright in this novel. One of the main character’s growth arc—transitioning from a woman burdened by bitterness into one who learns to love and trust again—is as satisfying as it is heartwarming. The wild, untamed beauty of the Western frontier mirrors the untamed hearts of her characters, and that rustic, scenic backdrop makes their journey feel all the more epic.
With a thrilling mix of romance, danger, and redemption, Into the Sunset is the kind of book that sweeps you off your feet and doesn’t let go until the final page. This unforgettable series finale not only delivers on action but on the spiritual growth that makes Connealy’s books so special. It serves as a reminder that, with God’s guidance, we can rise above our pasts and step into the light of His purpose, knowing that through faith and courage—and with the support of those who love us—we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13) and become overcomers!
I received a digital ARC of Into the Sunset from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group, the publisher (Bethany House Publishers) and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
"Into the Sunset" is a wonderful addition and ending to this trilogy by Mary Connealy. I would suggest that any reader read these books in order as the backstory will make this book much better to the reader. You will meet these characters in the first two books and anyone that hasn't read them will likely be lost in this one.
This is a fast paced, action packed book (and series) that brings the reader through danger and will keep you on the edge of your seat while reading. I love the family and found family aspect of this book, rocky but sweet romance, excellent main characters and supporting characters and the storyline is fantastic. I read this book very quickly and could not put it down. Stayed up 45 min past my normal bedtime to get it read it was so good!
The author does a really great job of discussing the history and early rights given to women in Wyoming and shows strong female characters. I really liked that part of the history and it plays an integral part of this book.
I would recommend this to ages 16+ as a great clean, Christian historical fiction book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Into the Sunset. The conclusion of the series. Where we FINALLY get to close Ginny's story. All the previous characters are here. Main characters from ANOTHER SERIES are even here! (wink wink!!) And a couple US Marshalls from even ANOTHER series show up. Man, I love it when authors do that.
I am 100% satisfied with how this series ended. All the loose ends got tied up in a manner that left me nodding my head with agreement. I enjoyed the bonus characters. And the epilogue even gives Yvette closure!
This series wasn't a deep faith series. But it really helped keep in mind "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purpose" and "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans of Good and not evil to give you a future and a hope."
Just a solid 4 star series.
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGAlley and the publishers to review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Into the sunset, following the light that led them home.
The time has come. Ginny Rutledge is ready to leave the canyon and go to the court and be declared sane. Thaddeus Rutledge is almost bankrupt and absolutely plans to get his wife declared insane so he can have her money. Wyoming, being a more progressive state, believes a woman can know her own mind as well as take care of her own money.
The mayhem that happens before a ruling is made is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Will the truth win? Add a blood feud to the mix and you have a story you will not soon forget.
An early copy of A Western Light #3 was received through Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.