The Accidental Guardian

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies about cowboys.  She's the author of the Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, and Cimarron Legacy series, as well as several other acclaimed series.  Mary has been nominated for a Christy Award, was a finalist for a RITA Award, and is a two-time winner of the Carol Award.  She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.  They have four grown daughters and four precious grandchildren.  
Learn more about Mary and her books at:

• maryconnealy.com
• facebook.com/maryconnealy
• seekerville.blogspot.com
• petticoatsandpistols.com

She's the only witness to a Wagon Train attack.  Keeping her safe, though means his world is about to be turned upside down.

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago.  Living off the wilderness since then, he's finally carved out a home and started a heard - while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail.  He'd hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.
Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer.  Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey.  His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling - yet enticing.

Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter -but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.

My Thoughts:
I've not read many books by Connealy but The Accidental Guardian, first in her High Sierra Sweethearts series, was a delightful read.  Connealy's characters, especially Trace and Deborah, had depth and were genuine and believable.  Their journey unfolded over the 293 pages of this novel like the unfolding petals of a beautiful rose.  Their navigation of the challenges they face and the eventual love that grew between the two was well constructed by Connealy.  The time period (1800's) was captured well by Connealy and as I read the "movie" played out in living color.  Great start to this series!
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer