Customer Reviews

Cowboy Christmas

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!

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

I loved this book. I read it in about 3 days and then passed it on to my mom to read. I enjoy reading the books that Mary Connealy writes. I have more of her books at home just waiting for me to read.

"I enjoy reading anything by Mary Connealy and this book doesn't disappoint. It has everything in it that one comes to expect from Mary. I will definitely be recommending this book to family and friends. I look forward to reading her next story."

Annette Talbot is in a traveling mission group when they encounter trouble and the next thing she knows, her captor wants her to wear a revealing dress and sing to a bunch of drunks! She escapes though and is running for her life. Why? Because she sings like an angel.

Elijah Walker is reeling from spending months investigating and bringing to justice his father's killer-a woman.

Is that the make up for another great Mary Connealy book? Sure as shooting, it is, partner. It's so good, it's won the 2010 Carol Award for Long Historical Romance!

Annette mistrusts all men now and Elijah mistrusts all women, too. Yet somehow, he can't help himself, he needs to help Annette. It doesn't help that his mother loves Annette either.

So begins the danger, hilarity, and romance.

I love historical fiction because it's a fun way to learn about history and this story shows how frontier women had to protect themselves from would be intruders, such as keeping a pipe up their sleeve as they worked through out their day, 'just in case.' I've been the victim of physical violence and knowing about strong women has helped me overcome it although it was years ago now and this book kicked up the 'suspense' meter just a bit. I love how Mary ends a section or chapter on one note and flips it around at the beginning of the next section or chapter. I laugh out loud nearly every time (and my family looks at me like I'm nuts for just a moment). The book ends at Christmas time so it didn't really feel like a Christmas story to me but the romance is quite good as usual. I absolutely loved the chapter heading graphics in this book, great idea! Just writing this review makes me want to read it again...

The sequel is Deep Trouble and I can't wait!!!

Enjoyed it no end and I'm keeping it in my library to be able to re-read it when ever I want. Truly enjoy Mary Connealy's works, every one.

Frankly, I love anything written by Mary Connealy, but if you are looking for a holiday read to get you in the mood -- for Christmas OR romance -- look no further than Ms. Connealy's Cowboy Christmas! I loved it!

Cowboy Christmas is another great book by Mary Connealy. Her fans are sure to enjoy this laugh-out-loud story that takes place at Christmastime. I loved the theme of being brave, and standing up for your faith. Although, Annette Talbot seemed to get in a lot of trouble trying to do just that. Then the wonderful Elijah Walker would have to come save her. Sigh. I love all of Mary Connealy's books, and this is no exception. She always has a witty comment or funny turn-of-phrase that will make you laugh. The element of suspense in her books is also fun to read. A definite to-read.

Annette Talbot loves singing for the Lord. She has been told she has the voice of an angel, and she enjoys traveling and singing songs of praise. Then Claude Leveque and Blanche take over the mission work, and nothing is the same. Oh, they seemed all right at first, but now they want her to wear revealing dresses only fit for a bawdy house and to sing vulgar songs instead of the hymns she usually sings. When it appears Claude intends to force her to go against how she feels and her beliefs, Annete runs away, knowing she is literally running for her life. In her attempt to escape, she meets Elijah Walker, who has been hurt in love, and definitely isn't looking for another woman. There is a strong attraction between them, which both Annette and Elijah try to ignore. Annette has a much bigger problem than what to do about Elijah. Claude and Blanche are closing in on her. She has to wonder, where is God in all of this.

Mary Conneally has written a fast moving story filled with suspense and romance, with a brave heroine and a rugged, handsome cowboy hero. Celebrate the holidays with Cowboy Christmas. It will keep you guessing