The Calico and Cowboys Romance Collection: 8 Novellas from the Old West Celebrate the Lighthearted Side of Love

Mary Connealy

Dec 2017 · Barbour Publishing

About this ebook

Love sneaks up on eight couples in the Old West.

The Old West comes to life under the talented pen of bestselling author Mary Connealy. Enjoy a lighthearted ride alongside seven historical and one contemporary cowboys and the women who tame their hearts.
 
The Advent Bride
Melanie Douglas is alone on the Nebraska plains, teaching school to get by. She finds a unique box with hidden drawers to use over the advent season to engage a young boy in his schooling. When Henry O’Keeffe sees a positive change in his son, he has to see for himself what this new teacher is doing.
 
A Bride Rides Herd
Matt Reeves arrives at his brother’s ranch to find Betsy Harden alone with the little girls during a cattle drive. Will the ladies be too much to handle when Matt steps in for the missing ranch hand?
 
His Surprise Family
A lonely young rancher orders a mail-order bride and after the vows are spoken, she “surprises” him with her three little brothers. No amount of apologies Meghan McCray gives are going to make Silas Harden, Jr. believe a word she says. Should Silas just build himself another house and let his mail-order family take over the one he’s got?
 
Homestead on the Range
Widow Elle Winter meets new homesteader Colin Samuelson on the Nebraska prairie, but the attraction between them is soon dampened by the discovery that they have seven children between them. Soon their children are working against them to bring the two families together.
 
Sophie’s Other Daughter
Dr. Ike Reeves comes home to visit his family only to bring trouble in the form of outlaws who believe he witnessed their latest crime. When the gang traps Ike and his old nemesis, Lauren McClellen, in a cave, they must work together to outsmart the thugs. But will their time together put them in a compromising situation that will threaten both of their good reputations?
 
The Sweetwater Bride
Debba McClain takes offense at being offered a wedding in exchange for valuable water rights. But she doesn’t like to see a good man’s cattle die of thirst—and the rancher Tanner Harden is rather handsome.
 
Texas Tea
Luke Reeves has gotten wealthy in the oil business and goes to visit his uncle to convince him to sign over the oil rights to his land. But when he meets his grown up adopted cousin Libby Cooper, he may be forced to give up one dream to win another.
 
Hope for Christmas
It might be 2016, but Montana is still a mighty rough place to survive the winter. When Silas Harden finds the very pregnant Kelsey Black in a wrecked car surrounded by a pack of wolves in the heart of a blizzard he takes her to his remote home. What will Silas do when the baby decides to come and Kelsey confesses why she was out in such a terrible storm?
 

Ratings and reviews

The Calico and Cowboys and Romance Collection by Mary Connealy This is eight romance novellas all in one book. Connealy has a spunky, fun writing style. Many of these novellas are related in one way or another, which make for fun reading. -The Advent Bride - A story about a school teacher, widowed father and hurting son. There is really not a lot of detail in the romance department in this novella, but it is full of misunderstanding, love, learning with a touch of romance. -A Bride Rides Herd – We find a beautiful woman, Betsy, in need of some help. Matt is only open to helping her on the ranch. There is much to be done on a ranch with three busy little girls, and no cowhands. There is humor, laughter and romance in this novella. -His Surprise Family – This is a mail order bride type book. When Meg neglects to tell the whole truth and Si uncovers it will their marriage be doomed before it really begins. This novella is full of getting to know each other, hard times, family and romance. Homestead on the Range - I love the chemistry between Elle and Colin in this novella, Sometimes when the children out number the adults things get interesting real quick. Sophie’s Other Daughter – This was a fun novella full of surprises, some mystery, and of course romance. I loved the sparks between Laura and Ike. Their families have unique characters as well that make for some fun reading. The Sweetwater Bride – This is a fun novella with some interesting animals involved. This novella takes place before His Surprise Family. Debba is a unique lady with some unusual behavior, Tanner really only wants what is best for her even if his ways are a little unusual. Texas Tea – This novella brings a couple families we have already met in this collection together. Luke is a free spirited man, Libby is content with her lot in life. Even though they have grown up as cousins, (which truly they are not) the years have come and gone and the attraction is there. When Luke must prove himself to Libby will he win her trust along with her heart? Hope for Christmas – This is a modern day novella in this series, yet with some of the same descendants from earlier novellas. This one is one of my favorite in this collection. It is full of some surprise, family, love, and more.

Love this author. I wait impatiently for her next book, Yes Impatiently, that was not a miss-type. This is one of the best collections I have read. In the eight Novellas she revisits many of my favorite characters. You know you are over the top when you can't wait to talk to your daughter about the latest escapade of these characters, as if they are relatives. If you have read anything by Mary, you know her novels are well written, fast passed and laugh out loud funny. She has such a great wit and wonderful one liners. Her novels are also full of very tender moments. Quote from The Sweetwater Bride, “I love you Tanner, That's why when your pa said you left-----” “The sun dimmed and the birds quit singing. The trees wept and the wind turned cold. I knew you'd gone out of my life.” Mary has a wonderful way of picking you up and planting you back into the late 1800's, before you even realize what's happened. Hope for Christmas was a pleasant surprise. It was written as a modern day novella. A story of the great, great, great grandson of the first Harden family. If you were to ask me which novella was my favorite, I would have to say the one I am reading right now. Don't miss out, read Calico and Cowboys, Purchase one for a friend who loves western romance novels.

About the author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Carol Award winner, and a RITA®, Christy, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of the Wild at Heart series, Trouble in Texas series, Kincaid Bride series, Lassoed in Texas trilogy, Montana Marriages trilogy, Sophie’s Daughters trilogy, and many other books. Mary is married to a Nebraska cattleman and has four grown daughters and a little bevy of spectacular grandchildren. Find Mary online at www.maryconnealy.com.