Cowboy Christmas [Paperback]

Mary Connealy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Get ready for a fun and suspenseful Christmastime romance. Trouble follows singer Annette Talbot to Wyoming—and rancher Elijah Walker finds himself directly in its path. Though still wounded by the betrayal of his ex-fiancée, Elijah finds himself attracted to the secretive singer. When it appears Annie is a threat to his mother’s life, Elijah must decide if Annie’s deep faith and love of God is genuine or if it’s all just a ruse. He decides to trust her—until he discovers she’s a wanted woman. As Christmas draws near, will Elijah respond to God’s gentle persuasion to find the truth before he loses Annie forever?

(20090923)

Editorial Reviews

Review

How willing are you to pick up your cross DAILY and live for the Lord? Annette was willing to do this and then some! Lost in a world of what she thought was a great mission work, Annette soon learns that not everyone who says they are believers really are. With a tragic situation on hand, Annette finally chooses to escape her current situation and try to better herself. Little does Annette know, this is yet another cross to pick up and carry. This book has several tragic starts but has a heartwarming lesson about sticking to the faith and doing what is right. Annette solely leans on the Lord and brings a cowboy to a new found version of life with crosses. This was my first read by Mary Connealy. She is now on my list of authors to read more of!

(JULIE JOHNSON MY OWN LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD BLOG 20091002)

COWBOY CHRISTMAS has one of the scariest pursuits from villains as I''ve ever seen in a Christian fiction novel. Connealy continually surprises me with her intensely graphic scenes. They blend so seamlessly with her incredibly tender moments that readers will find themselves feeling the gambit of emotions. Connealy''s stories demand your complete attention until the last page is turned. A welcome book for the upcoming holiday season.

(CHELSEA WINER A CURIOUS READER BLOG 20091106)

COWBOY CHRISTMAS is a book that grabs you from the first paragraph and never lets go. I was moved to tears by the end, and the journey of seeing Annette and Elijah make their way to one another is touching and sweet. Wonderful characters fill this book as well as some of the most evil villains you would ever want to be missed. If you love a good Western romance, this will not disappoint.

(CINLEE ROMANCE JUNKIES 20091111)

Through her humorous transitions and gentle pokes at gender differences, Mary Connealy keeps readers turning pages in an otherwise predictable plot. Some of the frustrations with each other that Annette and Elijah face are entertaining, but others may cause readers to pause and reflect on their own lives. Elijah’s struggle to trust Annette stands out, as does Annette’s battle to understand the Matthew 16:24 concept of bearing crosses for the Lord. Although this is a fairly typical cowboy romance, the plot twists will keep readers interested. Connealy’s writing style is amusing, and she offers a satisfying story. Lovers of historical romances will especially enjoy this book.

(RUTH ANNE BURRELL CHRISTIAN BOOK PREVIEWS )

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award winner. She is the author of the Lassoed in Texas Trilogy, the Montana Marriage Trilogy, and the Sophie's Daughters Series.

Mary lives on a Nebraska ranch with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters: Joslyn (married to Matt), Wendy, Shelly (married to Aaron), and Katy. And she is the grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602601453
• ISBN-13: 978-1602601451
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Connealy's Published Work
Petticoat Ranch'February 2007release from Barbour Publishing
Golden Days'February 2007 release from Heartsong Presents
Of Mice'and Murder'December 2007 release from Spyglass Lane Mysteries
Changed: True Stories of Finding God Through Christian Music ' Standard Publishing 3/05
Christmas Treasures co-author June 2003 release CSS Publishing ' 4 Christmas Plays

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Ride!, September 11, 2009

By 

Melanie Dickerson "Jane Austen's #1 fan" (Rocket City, AL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cowboy Christmas (Paperback)

Whoa! This book is a wild gallop on an excited pony, but you won't want to pull back on the reins until the very last word on the last page. A fun ride.

Elijah Walker is sick to death of wily women and their evil ways, and with good reason. That's why he's so disgusted with himself for caring about Annette Talbot. He finds her half starved and needing help and just can't seem to stop himself from helping her. Although he might have succeeded if it hadn't been for his interfering Ma, who's taken a shine to the little homeless orphan, Annie.

I enjoyed this book completely. It has hate-able villains whose hearts are as black as sin, a loveable hero who needs the love of a good woman, and an equally loveable heroine who needs the protection of a good man. It has surprise twists and daring adventures. What more could you ask for? I was glued to the pages and could hardly wait to find out what was going to happen next. Just like all of Mary Connealy's books, it was funny, exciting, touching and romantic all at the same time. And just like the rest of her books, when I finished reading it, I was sure it was my favorite one so far.

I highly recommend it! Can't wait to read the next one!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Holiday (or ANY day) Read!, September 12, 2009

By 

Stacey (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cowboy Christmas (Paperback)

Mary Connealy's "Cowboy Christmas" is the incredibly beautiful story of a young woman whose desire to sing for Jesus landed her in the clutches of a couple of swindlers who wanted to use her talent for their own gain. When Annie is freed from captivity, she makes her escape from the horrible existence of bondage and heads to Ranger Bluff, Wyoming in search of the father who seems to have vanished off the face of the earth. But when she encounters Elijah Walker, a kind-hearted man who is just settling down after bringing his father's murderer to justice, Annie doesn't trust easily. And Elijah certainly doesn't trust this woman since she's obviously lying to him. He fell into that trap before and it cost his father his life!

This novel is chock-full of what I have come to love about Mary Connealy's work. I adore her priceless storytelling wit and the comical way she begins one chapter or break in the book with a deliberately crafted contrast to the end of the previous section! I adore the faith, humor and love that drips from the pages. Mary's book cover is eye-catching - rugged, yet girly, wild and very western. I can't see his face, but I know that cowboy is a dreamboat!

Her books are an absolute MUST for any fan of Western Christian Fiction. Be sure to check out "Petticoat Ranch" and "Calico Canyon", and "Gingham Mountain" from her "Lassoed in Texas" series and stand-alone novel "Montana Rose". This is 4-star entertainment!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific western romance, August 31, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cowboy Christmas (Paperback)

In 1879 in a mining camp in Missouri, Claude Leveque orders hymn singer Annette Talbot to perform in a revealing dress or watch her elderly friend Elva die. Fearing the brute will beat Elva, Annie is shocked when her pianist gives her money for a one way ticket out of town saying she is dying from a bad heart. Vowing to never forget her beloved friend, Annie heads to her widower father's home in Ranger Bluff, Wyoming Territory; six years since she left him a bitter hardened man.

Elijah Walker still reels from the death of his Pa and the betrayal of his beloved Priscilla that destroyed the family ranch. He vows to never trust a woman ever again.

Annie and Elijah meet on the stagecoach and each remembers knowing each other as children. Although attracted to one another, he assumes a young woman traveling alone must be another Priscilla. She thinks he is an obstinate yahoo. As they fuss and fight they fall in love, but he seems incapable of getting past the haunting hardening of his heart.

COWBOY CHRISTMAS is a terrific western romance that grips the audience from the moment the vile Claude grips Annie's blouse and unlike him never let's go of the reader. The lead couple is a wonderful pairing, but it is the strong cast even those who have short appearances make this tale work by bringing a sense of time and place to the plot. Sub-genre fans will relish Mary Connealy's super late nineteenth century romance (see MONTANA ROSE).

Harriet Klausner