Thank you for your patience, reader friends! I’m finally delivering my promised review of The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy!

about the book

They’re as Different as Could Be.
But They’ll Need to Trust Each Other to Survive the Wilderness . . . and the Dangers Chasing Them.

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons’ supposedly lost grandson. But now that he’s out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She’s not like any woman he’s ever met–comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don’t have, both realize they’ve stumbled into something dangerous. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they discover their kidnapper just won’t stop. This city man and country woman must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, all while fighting a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

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my thoughts

Mary Connealy’s feisty female leads are always entertaining and this story’s hero is a steady breeze. The addition of a rather inconvenient marriage of convenience seasons the plot with irresistible laugh out loud moments.

It’s no secret that Penny is an unconventional woman (for the time), she proudly dons her trousers right on the cover! John is a delightfully sensible fellow and humble enough to admit that his city-slicker skills don’t cut it in the wilderness. I love the way John admires Penny, spunk and all, from the beginning and then spends at least half the book trying to talk himself out of it when the admiration grows into attraction then affection.

Penny and John are a sweet example of opposites attraction, I love their chemistry and banter. The conclusion of the series arc was wonderfully satisfying and I hate to say goodbye to these dear fictional friends. I highly recommend this witty and adventurous series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

about the author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of over 50 books and novellas.

Her most recent book series are: Garrison’s Law, High Sierra Sweethearts, Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, and Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas.

Mary has nearly a million books in print. Visit her website or find her at Seekerville and Petticoats & Pistols!

High Sierra Sweethearts series

Lake Tahoe is officially on my bucket list! Have you visited? These covers would be great advertising for the area!