Gingham Mountain

Mary Connealy is an excellent author. Disputes, disagreements and adventure all lead to love. Mary's series are always colorful, characters, realistic and full of humor. The scenes are set in the west so adding your imagination to the verbiage makes the story even better. I recommend all her books.

If you have not discovered the Lassoed in Texas series by Mary Connealy yet then you have been missing out. First off lets examine the titles in the series... Petticoat Ranch (Can a widow and 4 girls run a ranch? With some mystery...), Calico Canyon (Grace gets much more than she bargained for when she is forced to marry Daniel Reeves and becomes an instant mom to the 5 Horsemen of the Apocalypse) and now Gingham Mountain (Hannah doesn't take kindly to anyone mistreating orphans and Grant doesn't take kindly to anyone saying he does). Aren't the titles just wonderful?!? Now add in adventure, romance, a little mystery and loads of humor and you have Mary's books. Great characters that continue throughout the series and a wonderful setting in 1870 Texas makes Gingham Mountain a real treat! We met Hannah briefly in Calico Canyon when her "sister" Grace ends up marrying Daniel Reeves. Hannah is on her way to meet up with Grace when plans change and she is forced to stay in Sour Springs and she becomes the local schoolteacher. Of course she has never attended school, and she owns one worn out dress and she doesn't like the way Grant takes to "adopting" orphans to become slave labor on his ranch... I just hope we have not seen the end of the Lassoed in Texas series because few authors make me laugh out loud while I'm reading, but Mary sure does!

Again, Mary Connealy delights us with rollicking fun in Texas-a handsome, endearing hero, a feisty heroine and a passel of fun-loving, heartwarming children-trademarks of Mary's Lassoed in Texas series. Along with the romance, Mary delights us with a splash of little known history-the orphan trains bringing young orphans from New York City out west to hopefully be adopted by loving families-an ideal that didn't always pan out. She also throws in suspense to keep you rooting for the hero and heroine and then delights you with the total romantic mix. We are treated to a glimpse of how Grace and Daniel from Calico Canyon are doing which brings a smile. Like Petticoat Ranch and Calico Canyon, Gingham Mountain is a book you can't put down.

Mary Connealy has a charming voice. She manages to give petticoats and prairie dust a hint of breezy chick-lit. Her western series has been an entertaining, quick and satisfying read. Gingham Mountain follows previous characters and creates new situations in which she tortures her characters. Hannah and Grant and a whole passel of orphans burst out of the Gingham Mountain pages and into my affections. If you are looking for authentic western historical details and language, you may want to look further into this series before plunking down your money. But if you are looking for entertainment, creative storytelling, charming characters and downright as much fun as a barn raising, get yerself to yer favorite book store.

Wow! This is the best from Mary Connealy yet, and quite possibly the best book I have ever read (under 300 pages). You have to understand... This is one of those books that you read when you have some time by yourself. First off is the matter of time, because once you start I promise it is impossible if not painful to put it down. Then, secondly, by yourself because otherwise you are going to be quite embarrassed by the looks that you will earn. I read it with only my two cats nearby and they still looked at me as if I were crazed. *snicker* Upon starting the story there are a couple little giggles, but shortly there after they turn in to little chuckles, and then every once in a while a snicker. Once, finally it is under hand, then comes the shaking silent laughs that turn to out right snorts. Once you are sure that nothing could make you laugh anymore and you are fully in control of your senses, well then she goes and causes laugh out loud gasping and crying from laughter tears. Covering your mouth and slapping the desk as a reader you are stuck with the amount of pure glee and humor that your body has endured. With that said, I guess I should not be surprised. Not at all really. Petticoat Ranch (Book #1) was everything that a good historical fiction should be, and I'm glad to have read it. I so feel for the characters, they are completely real to me, and I'm fully on their side! When I first read it, I said this book was incredible. I cannot count the times that I giggled, or rolled my eyes. I am quite unsure of how many times I snickered and had a little evil laugh, feeling I'm sure the emotions of Sophie and her girls. In all cases, it was plenty, and I definitely was smiling through out the novel. As much as I enjoyed book #1, Calico Canyon (Book #2) was ever so much better! It started with a character that I was not found of from book one, and by chapter three I was swearing loyalty to her and wishing her well. So far, everything that I have read by Mary has been a complete success in my mind, and I cannot wait to read more! Not only are her stories a good laugh, but they contain such heart beating romance that you blush and giggle with the emotions going through the characters as they trip over themselves in pure beginning steps of love. The bad guys are horrors, and you are almost screaming aloud for justice to be seen. Hardships of real life are touched on in the stories and lessons and the heart of Christ come through in the characters.

I adore Petticoat Ranch and Calico Canyon, and had high hopes for Gingham Mountain. These sassy westerns are filled with romance, heart, and characters that leave you in stitches. Gingham Mountain is a wonderful addition to the series. Hannah Cartwright lands in a small Texas town desperate to save orphans from the dastardly Grant. Grant has dedicated his adult life to adopting the orphans nobody wants off the orphan train. When two are left in the opening chapter, he naturally accepts them into his family. Hannah has fears that the children will only be used and abused by him. And thus begins this wonderful romp. Mary is back with her delightful humor, but also with a wonderful dose of warmth and emotion. She doesn't swing to the extreme of humor or romance, but instead blends the two in a delightful concoction that keeps the pages turning. There's also the dash of suspense that builds at the end of the book. And I love the surprise for readers who adored Calico Canyon. This book is a keeper -- even if I need another bookshelf!