Montana Rose, Montana Marriages Series #1

Readers will enjoy seeing Cassie blossom like a tight bud opening up to the sunlight under Red’s love and encouragement. The book both humorously and dramatically illustrates the difference a harsh man and a kind, caring man Can make in a woman’s life. As Cassie learns to receive Red’s love, she also opens up to accept that God loves her. Montana Rose, the first book in Mary Coneally’s Montana Marriages series, is a rollick in the old west that will pull at your heart strings and is sure to keep you smiling.

Montana Rose Mary Connealy. Barbour (Anchor, dist.), $10.97 paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-60260-142-0

Christian novelist Connealy (Petticoat Ranch) writes to tickle the funny bone and tease heartstrings with the first in her newest series, Montana Marriages. In the Montana Territory of 1875, sweet and naïve Cassie Griffin''s abusive husband dies, leaving Cassie no choice but to choose a new husband the same day she buries her first. With women scarce and lawlessness abounding, Cassie reluctantly agrees to marry Red Dawson, also reluctant, who offers to marry her only to save her from an immoral scoundrel who''s been stalking her for months. Immediately traveling to Red''s ranch, Cassie realizes how little she knows about life, love and faith. In turn, Red quickly realizes how brutalized his new wife was by her first husband. Slowly, sometimes painstakingly so, Cassie learns to trust her instincts and begins to blossom. No doubt, Connealy''s characters are cute. Yet there is a systematic heavy-handedness on the subject of submission that gets in the way of what could have been a delightful story of unfolding marital love. (July)

Mary Connealy has again written a romance that will make you laugh while at the same time sit you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. Cassie and Red’s story is packed full of love and trust for each other as well as God. Ms Connealy has the ability to make you feel like you are in the setting with these strong human-like characters. Montana Rose is an uplifting story that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. Divide, Montana is a place I can’t wait to visit again in the next book of the series.



 

Montana Rose was a thrilling read. Mary Connealy pens a read so true to form in the Wild West. She made the story so factual that I wanted to jump through time after reading how women were treated. That was so very true. I could only feel compassion for Cassie and her problematic life. Then there is Red and Wade, one cannot help but be torn between these two remarkable men. Ms. Connealy digs deep into the hearts of these three powerful characters to make an extraordinary tale that left this reader in complete awe.