Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy

Reviewed by April Gardner

"I truly haven’t found an equal to Ms. Connealy’s heart-warming humor in Christian fiction."

In the first page of Calico Canyon, Grace Calhoun is just another teacher in the Old West struggling to control a rowdy group of children. On page four, Grace is on her backside with a snake up her skirt, and on page five her skirt falls off. By the end of chapter two, she’s lost her job and is fleeing for her life hidden in the back of the wagon of the man who got her fired, Daniel.

That night, Grace and Daniel, along with his five unruly boys, are snowed-in for the winter at the 6R Ranch. Only the minister makes it through before the pass is blocked. Knowing that Daniel needs a mother for his children and Grace needs a place to live, the minister forces them to marry on the spot under the accusation that they’ve spent a night together and must rectify the situation before God.

Unbeknownst to them, the newly-weds are in for a grueling winter, hating each other as they do. And just as Grace suspects, Parrish has followed her from Chicago and wants nothing more than to make her suffer before he kills her. He’ll have to wait until the snow thaws…or will he?

Calico Canyon is just as good, if not better than the first in the series. Ms. Connealy is a master at getting her characters hilarious situations and barely a page turns without making me smile much less laugh out loud. I truly haven’t found an equal to Ms. Connealy’s heart-warming humor in Christian fiction.

The thread of God and his watchful eye over his children is woven tastefully throughout the book. The characters grow and learn to trust God and love each other. It was a satisfying read and left me anxious to get my hands on the next in the series.

Calico Canyon is real life at its best, and heaven help the mom with five small boys!

April W Gardner writes adult and middle grade historical fiction. Her first novel, Wounded Spirits, releases with Vintage Romance Publishing in November of this year. She is a member of ACFW and reviews for Title Trakk, At Home With Christian Fiction, and FIRST Wild Card Blog Tours. A military spouse, April has performed the art of homemaking all over the world. Currently, she lives in Georgia with her darling Hubby. A homeschool mom, she fills her mornings talking fractions and phonics with her two sweet kiddos. In her free time, April enjoys reading, gardening, and DIY. In no particular order, she dreams of owning a horse, visiting all the national parks, and speaking Italian. Visit April's Website or her blog, A Writer's Journey. You can also get to know April on Facebook and Twitter.