Some humorous romantic suspense in historical Texas... Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy (Review & #Giveaway) #CalicoCanyon #PetticoatsandCowboys #MaryConnealy #newbooks #bookx #christianfiction #romancebooks #suspense @Celebrate_Lit

noreply@blogger.com (Tressa @ Wishful Endings) — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

This is a series that has been republished with new covers, so they're stories you might have read previously. If you haven't, it's the perfect time to jump into this series. The Husband Tree is my favorite from the series. Find my review of this book and the tour giveaway below...

Calico Canyon

(Petticoats & Cowboys #2)

By Mary Connealy

Christian Historical Romance, Suspense, Western

Paperback & eBook, 320 Pages

April 24, 2026 by Wild Hearts Books

Summary

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a delightful Western adventure brimming with danger, laughter, and unexpected romance—a tale of a runaway teacher, a bewildered widower, and five rambunctious boys who need a mother whether they want one or not. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Grace Calhoun never imagined teaching school in Texas would lead to marriage—especially not to the infuriating Daniel Reeves.

When Grace flees her adoptive father's cruelty by hiding in a stranger's wagon, the town parson insists on an immediate wedding, leaving Grace trapped in marriage to a stubborn widower with five unruly sons—the very boys who made her teaching job impossible.

Daniel Reeves has no intention of risking his heart—or another wife—to childbirth.

Still grieving the loss of his first wife, Daniel wants nothing to do with the prim schoolmarm forced into his family. He'll build her a house and provide for her needs, but he'll keep his distance. His sons need a mother, but he refuses to fall in love again.

Snowed in together for a long Texas winter, walls begin to crumble.

As Grace discovers the courage she thought she'd lost, she transforms from a frightened woman on the run to a fierce protector of her new family. The boys who once tormented her become the children of her heart. And the husband who swore to keep his distance? He's finding it harder each day to resist his spirited wife.

But when Grace's dangerous past catches up to her, she must choose between running again or standing firm in the faith that brought her to Calico Canyon—even if it costs her everything.

A tender tale of found family, healing love, and the faithfulness of God in the midst of life's unexpected turns.

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My Review

CALICO CANYON is a riot of a story with the crazy Reeves boys and a sweet young teacher thrown in the mix. The small-town community adds extra charm. There are plenty of childhood antics and roughhousing. This is also a marriage-of-convenience story, or maybe more of a forced marriage story, so definitely for fans of the trope. The faith element is fairly strong, along with plenty of sparks, danger, and some hilarious moments while the two main characters try to figure how to make their marriage and family work.

I didn't realize at first that this was a republished book and that the whole (previous two separate series) was being re-released. I love the new covers and it's always fun to revisit some Connealy books.

This is one crazy story! The Reeves family is made up from a single dad and five young boys. The boys are made up of one set of twins and one of triplets and they're a very rambunctious bunch. Then this sweet young teacher is thrown in when she runs for her life. When she's found with the family by the parson, they're immediately married. They all start off not liking each other, but eventually grow closer. I felt the romance was mostly attraction and could have used a lot more depth. The boys antics were over the top, but added most of the hilarity to this story. They were also sweet young boys who needed a mom and are adorable. I liked the other side character plots that were weaved into the main story. The faith aspect of this story was strong and I would have liked it worked in a bit better. Some of it didn't feel natural to what was going on, and it can be a fine line to not come off preachy. The characters could have also been developed more. They felt a bit one dimensional. Beyond those things, this was a fun story, with a sweet romance, some inspirational moments where characters developed trust in God, with humor and some danger.

In the end, was it what I wished for? It was fun to revisit this series, especially with the new covers that definitely give it a nice refresh. This was a humorous, romantic, suspenseful and uplifting story. Christian romance readers and fans of the author should enjoy this one!

Content: Some violence and abuse (including of children).
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

More from the Author

I think of Calico Canyon as my husband’s life growing up.

He is sixth of seven sons. A family of all boys.

His mom, my mother-in-law, was the coolest lady I’ve ever known. That woman could handle everything and never be other than sweet and generous and so funny. She’s gone now but for all the years she was in my life, I’d say she was my best friend.

All those boys! She was the living embodiment of rolling with the punches and not sweating the small stuff.

Those brothers…they are the inspiration for this book but my mother-in-law read it and said, her boys were so much better behaved than those boys in Calico Canyon, and she’s right about that…no boys could be worse than the Reeves boys.

This book is the embodiment of the forced marriage. Two people caught in a completely innocent compromising situation. Nothing will do but immediate marriage after Grace spends the night with Daniel.

But there were five boys in that cave with us!

Not gonna save you, Grace.

Grace is a school marm and those boys have been a torment to her ever since they’d shown up at school. Now, due to Grace needing to hide from her abusive, adoptive father, who has tracked her down to this tiny town in Texas, she’d ended up under a tarp over Daniel’s wagon. He takes her home and she has no choice but to stay quiet under that tarp until it’s too late to take her back.

The wedding scene from Calico Canyon was, for many years, what I considered the funniest thing I’d ever written. Very hard work to get that scene right. Grace is confused when she’s found with Daniel by the parson. Oh, good. Someone who will give me a ride back to town.

The parson is saying the vows. Grace is happy to take a ride. The parson’s wife is urging the parson to hurry. Daniel is trying to put a stop to it. The boys are all horrified to see their hated teacher.

Mayhem ensues.

It was a lot of fun to get right. Lots of moving parts in that scene.

And then a blizzard snows the gap that leads into their canyon shut and they have to spend the winter trying not to kill each other. And of course, falling in love.

I hope you enjoy Calico Canyon. The fumbling, clueless cowboy. The innocent, befuddled school marm. The unruly boys who don’t see why she can’t cook and why she won’t go home.

The danger, circling the outside of their canyon, waiting for the gap to open so he can avenge himself on the daughter that send him to prison.

Tour Schedule

Texas Book-aholic, May 5

For Him and My Family, May 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7

Simple Harvest Reads, May 8 (Guest Review from Donna)

Jeanette’s Thoughts , May 9

Fruitfully Planted, May 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11

Vicky Sluiter, May 12

Sydney Schmied, May 13

Book Looks by Lisa, May 14

Wishful Endings, May 15

Labor Not in Vain , May 16

Mary Hake, May 16

Cover Lover Book Review, May 17

Holly’s Book Corner, May 18

Tour-Wide Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

ENTER HERE

Are you a Mary Connealy fan? Had you previously read this series?

Can't Wait for... Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth (Can't-Wait Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #bookx #newbooks #SeektheTraitorsSon #VeronicaRoth #dystopian #fantasy #romancebooks

noreply@blogger.com (Tressa @ Wishful Endings) — Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

It's been a bit since I've dived into the Veronica Roth book or a dystopian and this one sounds like it'll definitely be a page-turner. It's my pick this week...

Seek the Traitor's Son

(The Burning Empire #1)

By Veronica Roth

Romantic Dystopian Fantasy

Audiobook, Hardcover & eBook, 432 Pages

May 12, 2026 by Tor Books

Summary

DELUXE EDITION―a beautiful hardcover edition featuring a map, designed endpapers and black sprayed edges.

An epic, romantic dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

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Will you be reading this one?