Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy // Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book: Calico Canyon (Petticoats and Cowboys Book 2)

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 28, 2026

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.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Lucie's Review: 

An accidental marriage of convenience. 

Grace Calhoun escapes her abusive adoptive father in Daniel Reeves's wagon, but is forced into a marriage of convienience to Daniel Reeves the man who along with his 5 wild sons cost Grace her job. I liked how Grace makes the best of a bad situation, taking time to care for and teach the boys. Daniel is a busy man, who doesn't see a porblem with letting his boys "be boys." But I liked how he sees how Grace isn't strict out of cruelty, but out of care. It was fun getting to know the boys and see their different personalities come through. 

A wild adventure full of faith, humor, action, and romance. A western, unlikely enemies-to-lovers marriage-of-convenience, read with a hilarious set up and likable characters, and strong faith. Great interaction and character growth, I liked how they both really leaned on their faith, and came to see each other in a different light. 

Overall, an engaging read with a lot going on, strong faith, great characters, situational humor, and great interacton. Highly enjoyable read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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 Mary

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.

Blog Stops

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

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.

https://gleam.io/5MQgR/calico-canyon-celebration-tour-giveaway

Survival in the Mountains by Carrie Stuart Parks // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Pulled from a burning Bethany doesn't remember anything but her sister and being run off the road, answer become even more difficult to find when she and Joshua discover that her identity has been erased. With Bethany already in a killer's sights, it's a race against time to find answers. 

A fast-paced thriller that keeps  you guessing, as Joshua and Bethany come to depend on each other, as they try to keep her safe and find out what is going on. Action packed that keeps you hanging on the edge. I liked how Joshua believes her even when no one else will, supporting her and and helping her find answers. 

Overall, a wild ride, set in the mountains of Idaho, with an orginal plot and plenty of great interaction, faith, and suspense. A gripping adventure!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Renegade by Susan May Warren // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Sierra is doesn't know what to do when the man she thought she buried comes back, after she's raised their son alone for ten years. Now someone wants her ranch, and will do anything to get her out of the way. 

A fast paced read, full of revelations, with a second chance romance on a Colorado ranch. Sierra won't back down easily, and I admired her grit. An engaging read, with a lot going on, I liked the character interaction as Rowan and Sierra come to trust each other again. Rowan is respectful of Sierra's boundaries, and is ready to step up and help when needed. 

A modern western romance, filled with action, suspense, faith and second chances. Great character growth, faith, and I was cheering for Rowan and Sierra all the way. Highly stakes, satisfying read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Texas Cowboy Protector by Connie Queen // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Texas Ranger Mallory Foster comes home to Cedar Hollow hoping to clear her late brother's name in a reopened cold case, coming face to face with her ex-fiance Sawyer Cantrell. 

Sawyer sweeps back into Mallory's life, saving her young son from kidnapping. He suddenly finds out that the stakes are higher than he thought, and he steps up to help her find answers to her brother's death. Sawyer and Mallory make a good team, and I liked how supportive his family was and how he bonded with her son. 

Mallory is determined to clear her brother's name, but also wants to keep her son safe at all costs. I liked how she has grown in faith, and that she and Sawyer  reconnect over their past and shared values. 

Overall, a fast paced read, with great characters and a plot that drew me in. Great suspense, and relationship building. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator did a great job of converying the emotion and differentiating between all the many characters. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee // Review

My Review: 
Mattie Taylor returns to the family farm after 2 years away, still struggling with her brother's death in Vietnam. Her mother is fighting cancer and encourages her to learn the truth about who she is, and where she came from.

 A compelling split time novel that follows two grieving women one in 1969 and another in 1942. Ava Delaney takes a job at Camp Forest to make some extra money and get her away from her overbearing mother-in-law, there she works and learns of the plight of many German internees found living in the US before the start of the war. 

Ava is strong and knows when to hold her tongue, I liked that she was honest with herself and tried to get along with her mother-in-law. Gunther is a German medical student, who wants nothing more than to finish his training, but that is no longer an option with the world at war. I admired his steadiness and perseverance, not letting bitterness gain a foothold throughout all he suffered. I liked how he lived his beliefs and reached out in understanding others. A gripping story of faith, family, love, and resilience in the face of loss. Mattie is hurting, and she spent 2 years searching for something that she couldn't find after her brother's death. I liked Nash, and his steady patience with Mattie, and understanding for others. 

A masterfully compelling split time novel, with complex characters and powerful story arcs, with a quiet mystery that kept me wondering right up to the end. A powerful story of faith, family and resilience. Highly recommend! 

 I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Silent Menace by Angela Carlisle // Review

Lucie's Review: 

CPA Hailey Nieland is doing her best to build a life for herself and her daughter after the death of her huband, who embezzled money from the town. She is struggling to make ends meet in a small town, living in the shadow of her late husband's crimes.When a new account comes to her she finds strange discrepencies, but looking into them brings threats. She finds a friend in Peter Lewis, who is a former bodyguard who now works security. Together they work to keep her and her daughter safe, while finding answers. 

A suspenseful read, with a thrilling plot, great tension, excellent interaction and character development. I admired Hailey's integrity and strong faith, as well as her courage to stand up to the judgement form those around her. Peter is a man of action, and I liked how he steps up to help Hailey, and bonds with her daughter through ASL. 

Overall, a highly engaging read,with a riveting plot that kept me guessing, and characters that I could cheer for all the way through. Strong themes of faith, courage, and a budding new relationship. Highly recommend. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Gospel Education by Nate Walker // Review

My Review: 

Mr. Walker shares his vision of a well-rounded classical Christian education in the form of a church private school. It is isn't a comprehensive how-to guide, but more of a vision of what it could look like and what it could mean for your child's education. 

He walks through the purpose and joys of a classical education, as well as how each of the disciplines revolves around a life of faith. I think this could be a good read for someone pondering their children's education, and could be encouraging for someone thinking about enrolling their child, starting a school, or homeschooling their child. A good introducation to a classical Christian education, without being overwhelming or overbearing, it does a good job of showing what it could look like. 

Overall, a conise and enlightening read. Good food for thought for parents, grandparents and teacher alike. I think that someone could definitely take parts of it and apply it to homeschooling as well. A thoughtful and knowledgeable read.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

More Than Friends by Denise Hunter // Review

My Review: 

Friends-to-lovers romance on the shores of Chincoteague. 

 Jenna returns home to Chincoteague Island after losing her job in a brutal break up. Coming back to the island brings up old feelings for a close friend, as she works to find a new grasp on life and adjust to seeing her mother in a new relationship. Tyson is healing from a shattering divorce, but happy to see Jenna return. 

As they spend time together, they wonder if there could be more than friendship. A heartwarming small-town romance, on the stunning islands famous for their beautiful wild ponies. I admired Jenna for her determination to keep going, despite having everything swept away from her. She and her mother are close, and I liked how the story followed their relationship as well as Jenna's mom's new relationship with Gordon. I liked the warm chemistry between Jenna and Tyson, as they grew closer, and I liked how he dropped things to come and help her investigate. 

 Overall, a clean, heartwarming romance, with a satisfying plot in a gorgeous setting, and likable characters. Engaging and uplifting, this is a great feel-good read, with two characters that you can cheer for throughout. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Retribution in the Mountains by Jodie Bailey // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Melanie knows that her witness protection cover is blown when a bomb goes off in her car, with nowhere to turn she goes to the only person who can help her, Elliot Weiss. 

A fast paced suspense with a vast backstory, and likable protagonists. There is a lot going on, with a big backstory to unpack as well. Melanie and Elliot both need help moving on from the past, but the present reality is making it difficult. 

I liked that Elliot has a talented and supportive team around him. It isn't easy for Melanie and Elliot to open up at first, but as they learn more of the deadly plot they must face the past, and trust God to see them through. 

Overall, a well done read witn great tension and a riveting plot. Definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Joy of Heaven: Prayer of the Revivals edited by Robert Elmer // Review

My Review: 

Pray along with the heroes of the faith in this beautifully bound collection of powerful prayers oragnized by topic. 

A wonderful addition to daily devotions, it was so encouraging and inspiring to read through the prayers of great Christian leaders from the early 1700s through the 1900s, from times of revival. Among some of the authors are Jonathan Edwards, Andrew Murray, Charles and Susannah Spurgeon, George Whitefield, Amy Carmichael, and so many more. I felt like I have a lot to learn from those who have gone before about prayer, and I was most inspired by how boldly they prayed. 

Gorgeously bound in a goldenrod linen bound hardcover, with a ribbon placemarker it makes a great addition to your library or is a beautiful and lasting gift to give someone you love. Highly enjoyable and inspiring.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.