Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed The Unexpected Champion (High Sierra Sweethearts) on + 157 more book reviews
Sometimes I just need a Mary Connealy fix, and The Unexpected Champion reminds me of why I enjoy her books so much. This story entertains and satisfies with all that I love about Connealy's writing â western settings, complex characters, romantic tension, never-ending suspense, faith applied to daily life, and the most delightful humor.
Connealy excels at drawing the reader into time and place â Nevada's Lake Tahoe area of 1868, in this instance. The High Sierra terrain was easy to visualize â ruggedly beautiful, yet unforgiving when it came to cliffs, water, and elements of nature. This awesome setting becomes a major character in itself. In Connealy's words, it was âa land where everyone needed a champion, and everyone needed to be a champion.â
I look forward to reading the previous two books in this series, but while characters and unresolved threads continue throughout, The Unexpected Champion works as a standalone. I do recommend reading the stories straight through for the best reading experience, however.
There's so much to like in the appealing lead characters, Penny and John. Penny was strong, fast, quick thinking, and knowledgeable about the woods. John had a natural desire to protect Penny, yet soon came to realize he was better with her at his side.
Excitement? Plenty! Let me just set the scene ⦠The story opens just after Penny and John have been involved with the defensive killing of a villain. Shortly thereafter, they are kidnapped, somehow manage to escape, flee through the woods for several days. And that's just the beginning. I doubt you would believe me if I said everything escalates from there, so that's something you can discover for yourself.
I adore the cover, so reflective of the story's content, and had to smile because I'm not sure John and Penny ever looked that clean. The bad guys are ⦠well, bad. Very bad. And I loved how, just when I was confident of having everything figured out, another unexpected twist came my way. Several unexpected twists, to be exact, including an unexpected villain. And there's two secondary characters whose stories beg to be told â Adam and Utah.
Definitely recommended!
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours and Bethany House. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Connealy excels at drawing the reader into time and place â Nevada's Lake Tahoe area of 1868, in this instance. The High Sierra terrain was easy to visualize â ruggedly beautiful, yet unforgiving when it came to cliffs, water, and elements of nature. This awesome setting becomes a major character in itself. In Connealy's words, it was âa land where everyone needed a champion, and everyone needed to be a champion.â
I look forward to reading the previous two books in this series, but while characters and unresolved threads continue throughout, The Unexpected Champion works as a standalone. I do recommend reading the stories straight through for the best reading experience, however.
There's so much to like in the appealing lead characters, Penny and John. Penny was strong, fast, quick thinking, and knowledgeable about the woods. John had a natural desire to protect Penny, yet soon came to realize he was better with her at his side.
Excitement? Plenty! Let me just set the scene ⦠The story opens just after Penny and John have been involved with the defensive killing of a villain. Shortly thereafter, they are kidnapped, somehow manage to escape, flee through the woods for several days. And that's just the beginning. I doubt you would believe me if I said everything escalates from there, so that's something you can discover for yourself.
I adore the cover, so reflective of the story's content, and had to smile because I'm not sure John and Penny ever looked that clean. The bad guys are ⦠well, bad. Very bad. And I loved how, just when I was confident of having everything figured out, another unexpected twist came my way. Several unexpected twists, to be exact, including an unexpected villain. And there's two secondary characters whose stories beg to be told â Adam and Utah.
Definitely recommended!
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours and Bethany House. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed The Unexpected Champion (High Sierra Sweethearts) on + 811 more book reviews
I loved this story! The Unexpected Champion is the third and final novel of the High Sierra Sweethearts series by Mary Connealy. This is tough and brave Penny's story. The book is full of adventure, romance and justice, with the usual humor provided by the author. Highly recommended!
