Calico Canyon - Mary Connealy

Book Stats:

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Publication Date: 28 April 2026

Series: Petticoats and Cowboys Book 2 Pages: 284

My Review:

I have really been enjoying diving back into historical fiction. This book brought me through a range of emotions, from laughter to sadness. It was a quick read and a fun journey. I enjoy when we get to see characters grow and Grace most definitely grew in this story. Remembering who she was created to be and how strong she can be. I love it when she began letting loose and having a little more fun. Fear can stop us from fully remembering who God created us to be, the only way through is to focus on Him. It's amazing how even in the face of danger when we remember who is on our side we have a strength the world will never understand. I think both Daniel and Grace were letting fear dictate their actions for very different reasons and it wasn't until they let the fear go, remembering that God is in control that they truly could thrive.

I love the community aspect integrated into the story as well. I will say the transitions from our main characters to other characters in the book felt a little jarring at times and made the story a touch more chaotic for me, but overall, it was a good read. I will go back and read the first book and continue with the series as well.

This was a good three and half star read for me.

Quote Time:

This quote had me chuckling in its vivid descriptions and then her apology:

"He was as out of control as his sons. How many times had Grace talked to Daniel Reeves? The man had the intelligence of the average fencepost, the personality of a wounded warthog, and the stubbornness of a flea-bitten mule. Grace silently apologized to all the animals she'd just insulted."

This quote featured a different pair within the book, but I felt it truly speaks of our hope in Jesus:

"Finally, his eyes focused on her, and that shining smile returned. "What kind of world have we got if you don't have God? Your suffering on this earth is for nothing. Your living is for nothing. You live, you die, they throw dirt over you-is that all life is? God put a yearning in everyone's soul, crying out for more. You feel it-I know you do."

I want to thank the author and publisher for a copy of this book to read, with no expectations of a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Meet the Author:

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

Visit her website or find her at Petticoats and Pistols!

More from Mary:

I think of Calico Canyon as my husband's life growing up. He is sixth of seven sons. A family of all boys. His mom, my mother-in-law, was the coolest lady I've ever known. That woman could handle everything and never be other than sweet and generous and so funny. She's gone now but for all the years she was in my life, I'd say she was my best friend.

All those boys! She was the living embodiment of rolling with the punches and not sweating the small stuff. Those brothers...they are the inspiration for this book, but my mother-in-law read it and said, her boys were so much better behaved than those boys in Calico Canyon, and she's right about that...no boys could be worse than the Reeves boys.

This book is the embodiment of forced marriage. Two people caught in a completely innocent compromising situation. Nothing will do but immediate marriage after Grace spends the night with Daniel. But there were five boys in that cave with us! Not gonna save you, Grace. Grace is a school marm and those boys have been a torment to her ever since they'd shown up at school. Now, due to Grace needing to hide from her abusive, adoptive father, who has tracked her down to this tiny town in Texas, she'd ended up under a tarp over Daniel's wagon. He takes her home and she has no choice but to stay quiet under that tarp until it's too late to take her back.

The wedding scene from Calico Canyon was, for many years, what I considered the funniest thing I'd ever written. Very hard work to get that scene right. Grace is confused when she's found with Daniel by the parson. Oh, good. Someone who will give me a ride back to town. The parson is saying the vows. Grace is happy to take a ride. The parson's wife is urging the parson to hurry. Daniel is trying to put a stop to it. The boys are all horrified to see their hated teacher. Mayhem ensues. It was a lot of fun to get right. Lots of moving parts in that scene. And then a blizzard snows the gap that leads into their canyon shut and they have to spend the winter trying not to kill each other. And of course, falling in love. I hope you enjoy Calico Canyon. The fumbling, clueless cowboy. The innocent, befuddled school marm. The unruly boys who don't see why she can't cook and why she won't go home. The danger, circling the outside of their canyon, waiting for the gap to open so he can avenge himself on the daughter that sent him to prison.