Wrapped in a family saga situated in the New Mexico area when it was newly settled and sprinkled with a sweet blossoming romance between ranch owner's daughter and cowpoke the story entertains and keeps the reader engaged. Embellished with some history of the area following the Spanish American war, the story gave insight into the emotional and political as well as familial history of the area.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ramped up verbal clashes between the two brothers as well as between them and their cowhand, Heath. Obviously Heath is a man of honor and savvy regarding ranching and hard work. He is also a life saver for the family on several occasions.
The side story of the orphanage in town and the new worker for it, Angie, is nice and promises more to come (in my hopeful opinion) in follow up stories by Connealy in this Cimarron Legacy series. I look forward to seeing what becomes of highly educated and intelligent Cole and rough and ready ranch owner Justin.
About the book: When Cimarron ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Badly injured, Chance demands that his will be read and its conditions be enforced immediately.
Without anyone else to serve as a witness, Heath is pressed into reading the will. If Justin, Sadie, and Cole Boden don't live and work at home for the entire year, the ranch will go to their low-down cousin Mike.
Then Heath discovers the avalanche was a murder attempt, and more danger might follow. Deeply involved with the family, Heath's desire to protect Sadie goes far beyond friendship. The danger keeps them close together, and their feelings grow until being apart is the last thing on their minds.
GIVEAWAY
Begins September 2
ENDS September 23 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated.
I just finished this book last night. I so enjoy Mary Connealy's books and love the way she brings in characters from her other series, like she did with Heath. I kind of wonder if there will be some competition between Cole and Justin for Angie's attentions. I imagine we'll know more when the second book is released.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read any of this author's books, but I really want to. Thanks for linking this post up with Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
ReplyDeleteTina
I've read a couple of her books and just loved them! Would love a chance to win this one!!
ReplyDeleteI learned that Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner and that she wrote for ten years before getting her first book published.
ReplyDeleteI learned that she built a sod house out her back door and now lives in it during the summer, just so she can bring her book to life for all her readers. I also learned that she likes watermelon.
ReplyDeleteSounds Interesting! #globetrottingwithbooks
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy Mary's books and I enjoy pics of farm life on her FB page! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI must not be understanding how to enter this contest! On Mary's page I learned she wrote for 10 years before being published and that she is a GED teacher! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI learned that Mary writes romantic comedy cowboy books. Also that her books have won awards.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe walls were laid alternately the long way and the short way, this made the walls sturdier, the strips of sod would bind together and stand better.
A sod house had 'bricks' about 2 to 3 feet long and a foot wide. They'd lay the sod lengthwise, side by side so the walls were around 2.5 feet thick.
I learned this about No Way Up; New Western Romance Series from Bestselling Author Mary Connealy
ReplyDeleteWhen Cimarron ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Badly injured, Chance demands that his will be read and its conditions be enforced immediately.
I learned this about this other great sounding book; Homestead on the Range: Widow Elle Winter meets new homesteader Colin Samuelson on the Nebraska prairie, but the attraction between them is quickly dampened by the discovery that they have seven children between them. Soon their children are working against them to bring the two families together.
ReplyDelete