The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Which fictional character makes you feel safe and happy?

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney would like to take their relationship to the next level, but their families would like them to forget about each other and find a more appropriate love. Unbeknownst to their families, they have both been sent to London to experience the season. After a murder occurs, they are once again on the case. Will they be able to find the killer and convince their families that they should be together?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I LOVE this series.

·       Jonathan and Juliet are great characters and I love their romance.  Jonathan is neurodivergent and Juliet understands him.

·       I loved that this was a continuation of the Mansfield Park story.  Maria reappears with a child and Mr. Rushworth is thinking about remarrying her, but Henry Crawford is still on the scene.

·       Fanny has the heartbreak of losing a child and being told she can never have a child.  She feels jealous over the fact that Maria has had a child.

·       I still love that Catherine Tilney is an authoress and that she feels comfortable traveling to London to do her own business.

·       This was a clean read and a cozy mystery.

·       The Rushworth Family Plot is the fourth book in the series.  It is best to read the entire series in order.

·       Jonathan and Juliet have both a slow burn and a friends to lovers’ romance.  They had a few romantic moments in this novel. The former Caroline Bingley is back on the scene to try to split them apart.  I admit, at this point, it is feeling contrived to keep them apart.  I think they should just be together engaged or married and solving mysteries.

·       Austen’s characters feel like Austen’s characters in this book.  Author Claudia Gray writes them perfectly.

·       I did not guess the murderer in this book, and I thought the mystery had a satisfying ending.

Overall, The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray is a terrific addition to the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery Series with an intriguing mystery and great characters. I cannot wait for the next book!

Book Source:  Thank-you to @claudia_gray @ireadvintage @austenprose for the review copy as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.

 

Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer (Austenprose PR Tour)

 

What book did you read over the weekend?  I read Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer while camping this weekend and I couldn’t put this book down!

Kathryn lives in two worlds.  In 1888, she is a Victorian lady from a rich and socially prominent  family while in 1938 she is a museum curator putting together an exhibit for the British Museum on Jack the Ripper.  She lives a day in one world, goes to sleep, and then wakes up in the other.  She has until the age of 25 to pick the timeline that she would like to live in forever.  As she goes through the material for the museum exhibit in 1938, she realizes that her beloved sister in 1888 is Jack the Ripper’s last victim.  How can she save her sister in 1888, but not impact history?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is the fifth book in the timeless series.  I seem to love each book even more than the last book.  This book can be read as a standalone, but it’s fun to see returning characters from other books and know their back stories.

·       I really liked how Kathryn was able to use both timelines to put together the clues to solve the mystery of her sister’s exile from her family, and to solve the ultimate mystery of who was Jack the Ripper.  It definitely kept me riveted!!  I have always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper and I though author Gabrielle Meyer really put the facts together in an engaging way while also putting together an interesting theory of who the Ripper was and why he committed his crimes.

·       The love between Kathryn and Austen in 1888 was palpable and alive.  I greatly enjoyed their romance.  It was very poignant in the future timeline when she saw old Austen from afar and he would not come to her.

·       This is a clean read.  There is some kissing.  Jack the Ripper and his crimes are discussed, but they happen off screen and the story doesn’t go into detail on the gruesomeness of the crimes.

·       There were lots of goodies at the end of this novel including an author’s note, historical note, a chapter from the next novel, and discussion questions.  I can’t wait for November and the next novel in this series – Through Each Tomorrow.  One setting is Fredericksburg, Virginia.  I have visited that beautiful city a few times in my life.

Overall, Every Hour Until Then is a captivating time travel historical romance with plenty of mystery and suspense and great characters.  I highly recommend it and this entire series!

Book Source: Thank-you to @gabrielle_meyer @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose for the review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Tour

A Victim at Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander

 

Title: A Victim at Valentine’s

Author:  Ellie Alexander

Narrated by:  Ellen Quay

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Length: Approximately 6 hours and 25 minutes

Source: Review Copy from NetGalley.  Thank you!

How did you celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Did you have a cozy night in or go out on the town?  Or not celebrate at all?  My husband and I went out for dinner.

Annie Murray is celebrating Valentine’s Day at the Secret Bookshop by putting together a matchmaking event.  Annie’s friend Scarlett was murdered in the past and she is still trying to put together the clues to solve her death.  When someone else is murdered at the bookstore, Annie helps investigate who the killer could be in their small town.  Will they find the killer before they strike again?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a perfect cozy read for Valentine’s Day.  I loved how there was a slight romance with Annie and Liam and the event that was put together for the holiday. The murder was tied in with the holiday as well.

·       This is the fifth book in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series.  I read it as a standalone, but I feel like it would have been even better if I had read the first books in the series.

·       I enjoyed that the bookstore was an Agatha Christie themed bookstore.

·       There were many red herrings in the mystery which made it fun as Annie put together the pieces to find the killer.

·       Ellen Quay was a great narrator, and this was an enjoyable audiobook.

Overall, A Victim at Valentine’s Day by Ellie Alexander was a perfect cozy mystery for the holiday.

Murder on Mistletoe Lane by Clara McKenna

 

Who is your bookish OTP (one true pairing)?  I love Stella and Lyndy in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series.

Recently married American, Stella, and Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst are celebrating their first Christmas together in Edwardian England.  Stella is excited to bring some of her American traditions to the celebrations but is feeling some push back from the staff and from her mother-in-law.  Her mother-in-law is happy to spend Stella’s dowery on fixing up the estate and having more staff but is less enthused by her American traditions.  When first the housekeeper, Mrs. Nelson, and then their neighbor, die within quick succession under mysterious circumstances, will Lyndy and Stella be able to solve the crimes?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is the fifth novel in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series.  I have read and enjoyed book 4, but I need to read the rest of this series. Book six is next on my list!

·       This mystery had many twists and turns and it kept me on my toes.

·       This novel had wonderful characters.  There was a lot going on in the story with the characters, families, servants, friends staying at the manor, and neighbors.  I really enjoyed getting to know all these characters.  I especially loved Lyndy and Stella together.  They have great love, mutual respect, and are a great crime fighting duo.

·       I loved the Edwardian Christmas setting.  I was annoyed that the mother-in-law was spending Stella’s money, but not open to her suggestions. 

·       There are many other side mysteries in this story.  Why did the cook disappear?  Why does Stella’s things keep disappearing?  How could a car disappear?

·       I liked how the servants were included in the story.  It gave it a Downton Abbey feel.

Overall, the Stella and Lyndy Edwardian cozy historical mystery series is a must read.  This addition, Murder on Mistletoe Lane, is especially fun with the Christmas setting.

Book Source:  Review copy from NetGalley.  Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Murder in Season by Mary Winters (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What's a book that you wish more people knew about?

Amelia Amesbury is a young Victorian widow.  She is a countess but was not raised in high society.  She secretly writes an advice column at night.  When her sister, Madge, experiences a scandal, she comes to visit to hopefully find a husband during the season.  When a string of thefts starts occurring at balls and a murder takes place at her own home, will Amelia be able to solve the crimes?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is the third book in A Lady of Letters Mystery series.  It is the first book I have read in the series, and it gives enough background to read it as a standalone.  I need to read the first two books in this series – I enjoyed Murder in Season so much!

·       The start of each chapter has a letter to Lady Agony and her response.  They are amusing and often related to the plot.  They had great advice!

·       I loved the developing love story between Amelia and Simon.  Simon was Amelia’s husband Edgar’s friend, and this fact is holding him back from having a relationship with Amelia.  Will they, or won’t they?  It was a good slow burn romance.

·       I enjoyed the characters – especially Madge and Amelia’s late husband’s Aunt Tabitha.  Madge is impetuous and says what she feels.  Aunt Tabitha is the same and keeps Amelia and the entire household in line. 

·       This cozy mystery had many twists and turns with two different mysteries – the jewel theft and the murder.  I liked the final resolutions and the path to get there.  I did not guess the ending for either mystery.

·       I enjoyed the 1860 Victorian Age England setting.

·       This cozy mystery was short in length, which is perfect for reading during a busy holiday season.

Favorite Quotes:

“Good people did bad things for the right reasons.  Who was to say she wouldn’t do the same when it came to her family members?”

“People were measured by the money, title or status they could bring to the marriage.  Love was, for the most part, for the youthful and inexperienced.  Yet Amelia held out hope that exceptions existed, such as Oliver and Kitty.  And maybe, one day, she and Simon.”

Overall, A Murder in Season by Mary Winters is a delightful cozy historical mystery with a wonderful slow burn romance and great characters.

Book Source:  Review copy from Severn House Imprint as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Join Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury as she tries to juggle a new Season and a new murder in this charmingly deadly historical mystery.

"A beautiful debutante, a wealthy widow, and a dead would-be baron. What could be more exciting?"

Countess by day, secret advice columnist by night, Amelia Amesbury has life happily balanced on a quill's edge . . . until her sister Margaret shows up in London under a blanket of scandal and Amelia is catapulted out of mourning and into the ton's unforgiving Season.

However Madge's Season debut is marred by a rather inconvenient death at the dining table as the infamous Mr Radcliffe takes ill and is later confirmed dead by poisoning. With Madge being the last person to have cross words with the soon-to-be baron, the ton's gossip mill - and the police - are looking to pin the murder on her.

Adding to the ton's troubles is a jewellery thief targeting the most lavish of Society's houses. Is the murderer and the thief one in the same? It falls to Amelia once again to uncover the secrets buried deep within the pages before her sister goes down for the crimes.

Perfect for fans of witty historical mystery and Regency romances with a similar feel to Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey

AUTHOR BIO

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series, two cozy mystery series, and several short stories. A longtime reader of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she's been busily planning her next mystery - and another trip! 

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen (AustenProse PR Book Tour)

 

Which book would you love to live in?  I always want to live in Regency England for a day.

Claire Summers is the disgraced eldest of five daughters.  She ran away to Gretna Green with a Lord hoping to be married, only to find herself abandoned and ruined.  She lives with her Great Aunt in Edinburgh afterwards as she is no longer welcome at home.  After her Great Aunt dies, she is left adrift.  She finds an advertisement for a “respectable female partner” for a boarding house in Sidmouth.  Her family has a home in Sidmouth and hoping to be able to connect with them again, she travels with her aunt’s maid Mary to Sidmouth with all the money she has.  Will she be able to make a go of it as a partner?  Will she be able to reconnect with her family?  Will she be able to find a second chance at love?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is the third novel in the On Devonshire Shores series.  I loved knowing all the sisters and their backgrounds from the previous books, but I believe you could read this as a standalone.

·       The setting of the seaside town is wonderful and scenic.  It allows for a constant stream of interesting visitors as well as scenic vistas for the characters to travel through.

·       I was fascinated by Claire herself as a character.  She is what would have happened to Lydia Bennet in Pride & Prejudice if Mr. Darcy had not forced Mr. Wickham to marry her.  It’s sad to think that while there were no repercussions for the man in the situation, the woman was “ruined” forever and could be cast out by her family.  They would not want the reputation of being a loose woman to hinder the other four girls from being married.  I had wondered about the mysterious Claire in the first two books, and I was excited to finally get to read about her.

·       I enjoyed the romance in this novel.  It was a second chance at love for both characters after sadness in their lives.  It was the first time the two of them had fallen in love with each other.  I also always enjoy when a romance brings people together to form a new family.

·       I liked that Claire was able to come back to her family and work on getting forgiveness.  I liked that her sisters and mother all were able to forgive, it just took longer for her mother.

·       There was also an interesting look into prejudice during the Regency era.  Mr. Hammond who owns the boarding house, was once married to an Indian woman and has a child, Mira, who is part Indian.  Sonali was a friend of the late Mrs. Hammond and has stayed to care for Mira.  As the only Indian woman in a rural part of England, she is a unique person.

·       I was excited to see that this story will continue next year with Christmas at Seaview.  I enjoyed the sneak peak at the end of the novel.  I enjoy these characters, story, and setting and I love Regency Christmas romance.  I am so excited about this!

·       I also enjoyed the authors note and discussion questions at the end of the novel.

Overall, The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen was a wonderful regency romance novel with great characters, setting, and story.  It was like reading a Christmas gift for myself.  I highly recommend this novel.

Book Source:  Review copy from BethanyHouse as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light . . .

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide?

Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity

AUTHOR BIO

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit JulieKlassen.com.

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Are you a coffee or a tea drinker?  Do you have a favorite flavor of your favorite beverage?  I love black tea.  The tea I am drinking today is Prairie Passion by TeaSource out of Minneapolis.  I love their variety of flavored black teas.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy’s aunt and the matriarch of Rosings Park, is sure that someone is trying to murder her.  One incident can be explained as an accident, but three incidents that could have led to her death within a short time frame is too much of a coincidence.  She summons her nephew Jonathan Darcy as he has solved some other cases as well as his crime solving partner, Miss Juliet Tilney.  Will they be able to uncover who is trying to murder Lady Catherine de Bourgh and why?

My thoughts on the novel:

·       I LOVE this series.  This is the third novel in the “A Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery” and I love them.  Each novel has been a great historical mystery with great characters.

·       I enjoyed that the action takes place at Rosings Park and we get to see the characters of Lady Catherine, her daughter Anne, and Anne’s husband, Colonel Fitzwilliam.  Also present and living nearby are Mr. and Mrs. Collins and their two teenage children.  Author Claudia Gray wrote these Austen characters perfectly.  She has a modern sense to her writing, but it true to the characters the way that Austen wrote them.  Its interesting to see where these characters are after twenty years.

·       I loved the overall humor and wit throughout the novel.  It was especially fun that Mr. Collins named his son De Bourgh and daughter Catherine.  Ha!

·       While enjoying the classic Austen characters, I really enjoy Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney. Their relationship is great with this book as a will they or won’t they type of romance.  Jonathan is on the spectrum at a time when it was not well understood.  He is working on looking people in the eyes and being better at social occasions.  He believes that Juliet was in love with someone else, while Juliet thinks he doesn’t love her as he hasn’t spoken for her.  I love the two of them as characters and love this relationship.  It’s moving very slowly, but I have hopes for another novel and for Juliet to one day see Pemberly.  I think it would be very fun to have their relationship progress to engaged, and then married and still solving mysteries together.

·       Mr. Darcy meeting Henry Tilney is the Austen mash-up I never knew that I needed.  I laughed out loud at how they really did not get along.  Mr. Darcy’s seriousness with Henry Tilney’s humor did not mesh well.  I love Henry Tilney as a character in Northanger Abbey and I was so happy to get more of him in this novel.  I did wish that their relationship would have grown better throughout the novel, but it didn’t really.  Hopefully it will in future novels.

·       I also enjoyed getting to know more about Anne Fitzwilliam and Colonel Fitzwilliam and their relationship.  Anne truly loved Colonel Fitzwilliam, but fears he only married her to make the family happy.  They loved their son Peter, but after Lady Catherine sends Peter away to school at only age eight, their little family is adrift.  Anne wonders about the Colonel’s love and also why he keeps disappearing.

·       The mystery was interesting, and I went along with the red herrings and did not guess the murderer until the end.

Overall, The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray is an intriguing mystery with a fantastic cast of characters and a great setting.  Gray perfectly captures the Regency world of Jane Austen and her characters.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The third book in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series, which finds the amateur sleuths facing their most daunting challenge yet: preventing the murder of the imperious Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Someone is trying to kill Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Esteemed aunt of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, generous patroness of Mr. William Collins, a woman of rank who rules over the estate of Rosings Park with an unimpeachable sense of propriety—who would dare? Lady Catherine summons her grand-nephew, Mr. Jonathan Darcy, and his investigative companion, Miss Juliet Tilney, to find out.

After a year apart, Jonathan and Juliet are thrilled to be reunited, even if the circumstances—finding whoever has thus far sabotaged Lady Catherine's carriage, shot at her, and nearly pushed her down the stairs—are less than ideal. Also less than ideal: their respective fathers, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Henry Tilney, have accompanied the young detectives to Rosings, and the two men do not interact with the same felicity enjoyed by their children.

With attempts against Lady Catherine escalating, and no one among the list of prime suspects seemingly capable of committing all of the attacks, the pressure on Jonathan and Juliet mounts—even as more gentle feelings between the two of them begin to bloom. The race is now on to provoke two confessions: one from the attempted murderer before it is too late—and one, perhaps, of love.

AUTHOR BIO

Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the author of the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mysteries, which began with The Murder of Mr. Wickham. She is also the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy; in addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline, and is one of the story architects of the High Republic series. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.

Murder at the Blarney Bash by Darci Hannah

 

Do you like to read books that are set during holiday seasons?  I love holiday themed books!

It’s St. Patrick’s Day in the small town of Beacon Harbor, Michigan that is located on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Lindsey Bakewell, amateur sleuth, and baker, is cooking up all sorts of St. Patrick’s day delights to celebrate the opening of the Blarney Stone, a new Irish import store.  It’s a dangerous time in Beacon Harbor during the holidays.  When a leprechaun is murdered, Lindsey is on the case. 

My thoughts:

·       I love the holiday theme to this book; I haven’t read that many St. Patrick’s Day books.

·       The quant setting in a small Lake Michigan town is a lot of fun.  I also enjoy all of the characters.

·       This is the fifth book in the Beacon Bakeshop mystery.  I have read the fourth book and this one.  You can read them as stand-alone novels, but it is nice to get to know the characters.  I need to go back and read the first three books!

·       I love that this book is self-aware. 

o   “‘We’ve been known to investigate murders before around here.’’And are there many murders?’ she asked, looking rather frightened at this.  ‘I was under the impression that this was a friendly village.’”

o   “What was I doing?  Was I really hosting a town hall meeting over possible sightings of a man dressed as s leprechaun...who’d been brutally murdered . . . possibly by Rory’s uncle?  Was I insane?  Had I reached rock bottom?  Is this what living in a small village on the frozen shores of Lake Michigan did to people?”

o   Moments like these made me laugh out loud.

·       The story did move a bit slowly for me.

·       I love how food was discussed throughout the stories and there were tasty looking recipes at the end.

Overall, Murder at the Blarney Bash was a fun holiday themed cozy mystery.

Book Source:  Review copy from NetGalley. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Chasing the Horizon by Mary Connealy (Austenprose PR Tour)

 

Did you ever play the game, Oregon Trail?  I loved playing it on computers when I was in middle school, even though I always seemed to die of dysentery on the way.  Maybe this is why I became an environmental engineer concerned with water quality.  We have a card game version that my kids like to play.

Beth Rutledge has worked for years putting together a plan to rescue her mother, Ginny, from the insane asylum.  Her father committed her mother to get rid of her since she did not follow his commands or allow him access to her and her daughter’s trust funds.  Beth spirits her mother away from Chicago and onto the Orgon Trail.  On the trail, guide Jake is attracted to Beth and wonders why she is running.  Will Beth and Ginny be able to escape?  Will love find Jake and Beth on the trail?

What I enjoyed in this novel:

·       It was action packed right from the first chapter and the suspense continued throughout the novel as Beth’s father continued his pursuit.

·       The characters were all well drawn and interesting.

·       It is a very good look at how dangerous and hard it was for pioneers as they made their way west.  There is a horrifying accident that results in the loss of life.

·       I also like how it showed the melting pot that America was at the time with various immigrants joining American raised pioneers heading west looking for a better life.

·       This novel was also a good look into how few rights women had at the time.  Men could just declare a woman insane for any reason and have her locked up. 

·       I loved how Beth’s father had Pinkerton agents after her and he slowly figures out how she has been working for years to learn the skills required for her escape.  I loved her very detailed plan.

·       The romance in this novel was sweet and included one of my favorite tropes, a marriage of convenience.

·       It was a clean read, and it was faith based.  There was a prayer and service after the wagon accident and other discussions of faith.  “The morning service was full of Bible services about strength and hope and loss.  God’s love was woven generously through it all.”

·       I also love how Beth was able to put together so many people to be a “family” to help with the escape and to settle together in Idaho.

·       This is Book 1 of the new A Western Light book series.  The story will continue in book two which will be out this summer.  The first chapter was included at the end of this book, and I am ready to read it!  The ending of Chasing the Horizon did not feel complete, and I am ready to read more about these characters.

Overall, I enjoyed this pioneer suspense and adventure on the Oregon Trail.  I loved the characters and can’t wait to read more about them. 

Book Source:  Review copy from author Bethany House Publishing as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: Chasing the Horizon

·       Series: A Western Light (Book 1)

·       Author: Mary Connealy

·       Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Western & Frontier Romance

·       Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 13, 2024)

·       Length: (304) pages

·       Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 

·       ISBN: ‎ 978-0764242656

·       Tour Dates: February 12 – 26, 2024

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Her only chance at freedom waits across the horizon

Upon uncovering her tyrannical father's malevolent plot to commit her to an asylum, Beth Rutledge fabricates a plan of her own. She will rescue her mother, who had already been sent to the asylum, and escape together on a wagon train heading west. Posing as sisters, Beth and her mother travel with the pioneers in hopes of making it to Idaho before the others start asking too many questions.

Wagon-train scout Jake Holt senses that the mysterious women in his caravan are running from something. When rumors begin to spread of Pinkerton agents searching relentlessly for wanted criminals who match the description of those on his wagon train, including Beth, she begins to open up to him, and he learns something more sinister is at hand. Can they risk trusting each other with their lives--and their hearts--when danger threatens their every step?

 

 

PRAISE FOR CHASING THE HORIZON

• "Mary Connealy’s Inspirational Western Romances have long been on my radar to try, but the new Western Lights series opener, Chasing the Horizon, was my first opportunity. Imagine my chagrin when I started reading and didn’t want to stop. Oh yes, dear friends, I’d waited too long to discover a gem of a writer."— Sophia Rose, The Reading Frenzy
• 5 STARS "What an incredible book! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read it.” — Camille Dayton, Fostering Literacy
• 5 STARS “Loved this story! I was intrigued right from the beginning.”— Melissa Goss, Christian Books and Coffee

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB |    GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys. She is independently publishing a contemporary romantic suspense series called Garrison’s Law, book one is Loving the Texas Lawman. Her new historical series, High Sierra Sweethearts begins with The Accidental Guardian. She is also the author of these series: Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, Cimarron Legacy, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's daughters, and has many other books.

 

She is a two-time Carol Award winner and has been a finalist for the Rita and Christy Awards. She’s a lifelong Nebraskan and lives with her very own romantic cowboy hero. She’s got four grown daughters and four spectacular grandchildren.

 

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