Forged in Love - (Wyoming Sunrise) by Mary Connealy

Every time I pick it up I get lost in the story. For me, it's one of those books where you actually forget you are reading. I felt like I was there. What a talented author. You do have to like Historical Romance, of course. I loved it and I had to immediately buy the other two books in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.

Mary Connealy is always a joy to read. While this story starts with the tragedy of Mariah losing her father and brother in a stage coach robbery, it doesn’t end there. Connealy has a talent of mixing just the right amount of suspense with romance and she did it again in Forged in Love. Mariah arrives back in town missing her family and her memory. Luckily she is surrounded by other people that deeply care about her. When weird things start happening around her, everyone starts to wonder if there is a dangerous stranger in their midst. Clint will stop at nothing to protect Mariah, and keeping her safe isn’t turning out to be the easiest of tasks. Will they survive long enough to realize they are meant for each other? I loved watching Clint and Mariah get to know each other despite the danger seeming to surround them. I was taken by surprise several times, and couldn’t seem to put the book down. Mariah has some great friends and I can’t wait to see what happens in their stories to come! Connealy always writes the most unique characters and I love getting to see what she comes up with next. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance with a little bit of suspense mixed in. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! This has been such an enjoyable story I’m sad that it has ended. I do love a good western themed book complete with outlaws, robbery, danger and characters who make me feel part of the story. The author captures the time period perfectly with talk about women’s suffrage, the beautiful backdrop of mountains in Wyoming and men who are fiercely protective of their town and families. The research in the book adds authenticity to the story. I loved how the author incorporated jobs for women such as a blacksmith that showed they were capable of doing jobs most thought were for men only. Mariah is one feisty woman who endured a horrible stage coach accident where a gang had robbed it and thought they had left everyone dead. Little did they know that Mariah had survived and now must try to recover from her injuries. She doesn’t remember anything from the robbery but people who care about her think she is still in a lot of danger. If the gang finds out she is alive, they won’t hesitate to kill her. Clint is a hero in my books. This man takes on the responsibility of caring for Mariah as she heals and decides that he will guard her until her safety is not an issue anymore. I loved that he owned a diner and was an amazing cook. He has been determined to prove that he can make delicious meals that the town will rave about. I liked learning about the animals he raised along with vegetables and herbs to enhance his skills. He is a very hardworking man who wants to be able to provide for a wife someday. The danger soon starts up again when several unexplained accidents almost kill Mariah. It is evident someone is after her. Her dear friends along with Clint and the sheriff step up to guard her around the clock. Somewhere out there is a man who has evil on his mind. I loved how the town pulled together to surround Mariah and let her know she was loved. I have to mention another very important hero in the book. I absolutely love dogs and Brutus in my eyes gets a hero award for his quick action and loyalty to protect Mariah. He never hesitates to put himself in danger to keep Mariah safe. I loved how obedient he is and his understanding of what his duties were. He adds to the story by showing that he will protect those he loves. Great job Brutus. The story does have quite a bit of danger going on, but don’t miss the sweet romance developing between Clint and Mariah. They are smitten with each other and I loved how they wanted to honor God as they confessed their love for each other. Clint is very patient and understanding and helps Mariah feel comfortable around him. Get ready for a woman blacksmith, a chef, gangs that rob stagecoaches and danger when one person seeks revenge. I am more that excited to read the next in this series. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I love westerns and I especially like Mary's. Mariah Stover along with her pa and brother run the local blacksmith shop, when her pa and brother are murdered in a stagecoach holdup she is left with amnesia. Clint Roberts who owns the local diner has feelings for Mariah so he helps with her recovery along with her friends Nell and Becky. When Mariah starts working at the blacksmith shop again a series of accidents leads her friends to believe that the gang who robbed the stagecoach are trying to kill her since they never leave a witness alive. This story is full of action, humor, female rights, faith, mystery, romance, and Brutus.

Mary Connealy is an author who never disappoints me! A female blacksmith and a male chef are two of the unforgettable characters in Forged in Love but don't forget the Deadeye Gang of robbers and the upright citizens of Pine Valley. This gang of robbers may be searching for the only witness to one of their crimes, and the townspeople are determined to protect that witness any way they can! There's laughter galore, action unlimited, and a romance that had me hoping for more. Best of all, this is the first book in the new Wyoming Sunrise series so I know there will be more exciting adventures with Mariah and her best friends, Nell and Becky. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Forged in Love. You can't go wrong with this addition to Connealy's "romantic comedies with cowboys"! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

Mary Connealy has packed an exciting western frontier story with danger, romance, a winsome and protective dog, and women's rights all enveloped in her trademark witty style. This light hearted read is welcome in a world where there is so much darkness. The story begins with a bullets-flying stagecoach robbery and ends with a daring rescue. Centered around a woman, Mariah, working as a blacksmith and a man, Clint, working as a fancy chef in his own restaurant and fluffed out with a borrowed dog whose big heart saves the day more than once. Mary's books usually come in series of three. There were three young ladies in Forged In Love. I'm assuming one of these ladies will be the main lead in book two. I can hardly wait. I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

What a fabulous start to a new series! An innocent trip to a family funeral becomes a memory that Mariah cannot, and prefers not to, remember. The Deadeye gang attacking the stagecoach in which they were riding results in the death of all traveling except for herself. For this gang, a survivor meant death or at least jail time. What would happen to her if she remembered anything? With wonderful detail, the author introduces us to Pine Valley, Wyoming in 1870. A lovely, small town, surrounded by high peaks, Cirque of the Towers, which brought a sense of safety to those living there. Clint, a chef from New York, has determined this is the place to broaden the palates of those living there. I loved the details of how he would make these incredible meals that would be referred to by the locals with the most ordinary names. There is plenty of excitement in this first book in the Wyoming Sunrise series. An early copy was received through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

Danger. Romance. Rescues. All the things I love in a western romance— and this book had it all and so much more! I really must ask myself why I haven’t picked up a Mary Connealy book in recent memory— I have been missing out! And it has some of my favorite storytelling styles of all time: a marriage of convenience, a hero who falls in love first, a good mystery, and some suspense added with parts written from the villain’s point of view. All ingredients in a recipe for an excellent western romance that I simply cannot put down. The love story was sweet and simple, and I loved how protective Clint was of Mariah while still respecting her strength and independence. It was so endearing. The faith of the characters as they faced trials and evil in this world was so admirable, and it reminded me to go to God in both the big things and the small things. I thoroughly loved this western romantic adventure, and I look forward to the rest of this Wyoming Sunrise series by Mary Connealy! I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own— I really did love it!

Forged in Love is a great beginning to Mary Connealy's Wyoming Sunrise series. I love how her books feature strong women, often with untypical professions as in this book. Mariah Stover learned blacksmithing working alongside her father and brother after her mother's death. When they are involved in a stagecoach robbery, she is left to run the blacksmith shop on her own and try to stay alive, because the Deadeye Gang doesn't leave witnesses. Fortunately Mariah has some very good friends to help her, including the handsome cook at the diner, Clint Roberts. The action, romance, humor, and likeable characters make this a fun book to read. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

5 stars, Adventure in Wyoming FORGED IN LOVE (WYOMING SUNRISE, BOOK #1 OF 2) by Mary Connealy In 1870 Wyoming, God is an essential part of the characters' lives. I loved the details about the heroine Mariah who is a blacksmith. My parents were blacksmiths, so I know that it is a hard job. I liked the hero Clint having his own homestead, yet tries to keep a cafe in town going. Providing sustenance and care for everyone in the area. There are good friends and great pets. This all rolls into an enjoyable novel. Highly recommend. The book wraps up at the end, solving most of the issues, but some details are left hanging, I'm sure that's so the author can continue on in book 2. I received a complimentary copy of #ForgedInLove from #BethanyHouse @BethanyHouseFiction I was under no obligation to post a review. #Wyoming #WindRiverMountains #WyomingSunriseSeries #HistoricalFiction #InspyFiction #Mystery #HistoricalRomance #InspirationalFiction #FavoriteBooks #MaryConnealy