Monday, April 8, 2019

The Unexpected Champion Tour, Review, and Giveaway!!!


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Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

9781493417209 Title: The Unexpected Champion  
Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, Book 3  
Author: Mary Connealy  
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers  
Release Date: March 5, 2019  
Genre: Historical Romance / Western  

They’re as Different as Could Be.  
But They’ll Need to Trust Each Other to Survive the Wilderness . . . and the Dangers Chasing Them.

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons’ supposedly lost grandson. But now that he’s out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She’s not like any woman he’s ever met–comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don’t have, both realize they’ve stumbled into something dangerous. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they discover their kidnapper just won’t stop. This city man and country woman must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, all while fighting a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book |

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MaryConnealy by Ginger Murray Photography 
 Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

CONNECT WITH MARY: website, facebook, twitter, instagram

You can also find Mary at these sites: Seekerville and Petticoats & Pistols

the unexpected champion giveaway

TOUR GIVEAWAY

 (1) winner will win
  • a complete set of all three High Sierra Sweethearts books (print, US only)
  • $20 Barnes & Noble gift card
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 8, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 15, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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REVIEW



My Thoughts ~

The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy was loads of fun -- but I expected that!

Like what I did there? I'm punny.

With its quirky characters, sweet smooches, and conniving villains, The Unexpected Champion has everything readers have grown to love about Mary Connealy's stories! I believe fans of the series will be quite pleased with the resolution!

The action -- and danger -- grabs you right from the start, forcing the unlikely pair to rely on each other. Regardless of learning who the bad guy (or guys...) is early in the story, you discover all the interesting twists along with the characters! And the romance!! Thanks to a plot twist (no spoilers, hehe!), the author was able to raise the status quo in the romance department. I really enjoyed how the author gave readers those swoony smooches while still keeping the focus on John and Penny's developing love story.

I think one of the things that stood out to me the most in the story is the "Champion" theme. No, no one sang "We Are the Champions." That would have been weird... But I truly enjoyed how the characters championed each other. John and Penny each had unique skills, and even when they didn't like each other, they praised the other person for their skills and were willing to learn from the other person. They turned to God with their weaknesses and questions while continuing to support and encourage the other person.

Four Stars ~ The Unexpected Champion was a delightful tale full of mystery, danger, and romance that highlights Mary Connealy's unique style! The Unexpected Champion is the third book in Mary Connealy's High Sierra Sweethearts Series from Bethany House. A mystery arks over the three books, but The Unexpected Champion can be read as a standalone with minimal confusion.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.


26 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It's a lot of fun! My words don't do it justice! <3

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  2. YAY!! So glad you enjoyed it. Love the part you said, "John and Penny each had unique skills, and even when they didn't like each other, they praised the other person for their skills and were willing to learn from the other person. They turned to God with their weaknesses and questions while continuing to support and encourage the other person." Wouldn't it be awesome if we all take a page out of that book in real life?

    Thank you for being a part of the tour. We appreciate you!

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    1. Awwww, THANK YOU!!!! I am happy and honored to participate!! <3

      And YESSS!!! I completely agree! I think that's why it stood out to me so much because I want to see more of that in the everyday! <3

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  3. Great review - your personality shines through and I'm excited to read the book! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I enjoyed your review, Joy! Your wit is as sharp as Mary's. :-)

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  5. Sounds like a great book can't wait to read it.

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  6. This book sounds like a fantastic read.

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    1. It is a lot of fun!! One that keeps you grinning!

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  7. Westerns set in the 1800s are great! Thanks for being a part of the blog tour!

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    1. They are, and Mary Connealy's are always so fun!! Thanks for stopping by!! <3

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  8. Can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the review and the giveaway opportunity and good luck everyone.

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  9. Wonderful review, Joy! I enjoy Mary Connealy's books. I'm excited to read this one.

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    1. Thank you so much!! <3 This one is SO MUCH FUN!!! :-D

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  10. Sounds like a great book. Thank you for a great giveaway!

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    1. It's a lot of fun! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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