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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK

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 |

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 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

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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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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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.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

About the Book ~

With Danger Drawing Ever Closer, The Boden Clan Risk Losing Their Ranch Forever

Having returned home to the ranch, Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back east and appreciating all that New Mexico Territory offers. Sure, he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys his new job running the mine and, when he's honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.

Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone, particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who can't seem to make up his mind about staying in New Mexico.

When a deadly explosion damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them. Melanie is determined to help Cole and the family finally put an end to the danger that's threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm's way be more dangerous than anyone expected?

For more information about Mary Connealy and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

The story of the couple we've known should be together all along has arrived!

Join the Boden clan as they put the mystery at who is behind the attacks on their family and property to rest for once and for all! And boy, did Mary Connealy put us through the wringer with such a layered mystery! Also, I really enjoyed the look into what it was like to mine for gold in the Old West. How fun!

Cole is charming and far more stubborn than a pickle jar. Melanie is a strong, spunky girl-next-door, someone who's always been there for Cole. Waiting for them to finally profess their undying love for each other resembles a five-year-old waiting for Christmas morning. However, that "Christmas morning" moment is just as sweet. <3 Through their journey that if rife with misunderstandings, they come to learn what it really means to sacrifice and belong somewhere, to someone. <3

Mary Connealy writes hilarious western romances with all the strength of a legendary hero! Too Far Down is no exception. But at the basis of this fun story filled with blessings in disguise, is a heartfelt message of what a family's legacy really is - love.

Four Stars ~ This was a wonderful conclusion to a fun series! Too Far Down is the last book in The Cimarron Legacy Series. Due to the mystery, I recommend reading the previous books, No Way Up and Long Time Gone respectively, before reading Too Far Down.

I received a copy of Too Far Down by Mary Connealy from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. 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 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.

Review of Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy

From the Back Cover:

Someone will stop at nothing to claim the Boden homestead!

The Boden clan thought their problems had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but have they truly uncovered the real plot to take their New Mexico ranch? Rancher Justin Boden is now in charge. He is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn't help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on.

With her and the doc's timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It's clear now that everything that's occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine?

For more information about Mary Connealy and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts:

I've become quite found of the crazy Boden family! They bicker and fight, but they love fiercely.

Justin is bit rough, arrogant, and he likes to be in control. Angie is a mild and meek, having come from an abusive background. While Justin learns to give God the things he can't control, she's trying to learn to stand on her own, thinking that's what God wants for her life. The title, Long Time Gone, proves to be a beautiful theme for this story since God loves to stop us on our life journeys and bless us with things we thought we had passed a long time ago.

And don't think I forgot the mystery surrounding the Cimarron Ranch! There's a B.I.G. reveal towards the end of the book that seemingly answers all our questions...or does it?  ; )

Four Stars - a fun story! If you like westerns, cowboys, spitfire characters, romance, and mystery, then you need to read this series! I would recommend you read the first book, No Way Up, due to the ongoing mystery. I can't wait to read Cole and Melanie's story in Too Far Down because #teamcole!!!

I received a copy of Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

God bless you guys! See you next time!

 Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer