“Tried & True” by Mary Connealy

Book Cover Tried & True

Go West Young Man…Uh, Woman

Kylie Wilde and her two sisters were forced by their father to dress like men, and join the Civil War to get revenge for their brother’s death.  Now that the war is over, their father has bullied them to come to the Idaho Territory and claim homesteads.   He convinces them to continue living and dressing like men, that way they can take the soldier exemption.  The exemption allows them to subtract time served in the war from the normal five years needed to claim the land.  Their father plans on combining all of the homesteads into one large ranch after they own them.

Kylie hates everything about the West.  She wants to get back to “civilization” as soon as possible, and get away from homesteading.   Kylie resents her father pressuring her into claiming land, pretending to be a man, and living in the middle of nowhere.  She longs to dress and look like a woman, and live where fancy bonnets and tea parties are a part of daily life.

Suddenly lots of things happen to Kylie.  She meets Aaron Masterson the handsome land agent, whom she must fool into believing she is a man.  Next, Gage Coulter drives a massive herd of cattle across Kylie’s front yard and porch, tearing everything up.  He is none too happy to find she has staked a claim on land he has used to water his cattle on for years.   Then Kylie is attacked by people posing as Indians that shoot flaming arrows at her cabin.  Alone at night, she can feel someone watching her from the woods that surround her home.  Later, she finds her cabin filled with hissing snakes.  Obviously someone is trying to scare her off her land, but who?

Romance, mystery, suspense and comedy all follow Kylie as she lives out her adventures.  This very entertaining book is written from a Christian point of view.  It is the first in a series called, Wild at Heart, but this volume stands on its own.  I have read many of this author’s books, and this one is as enjoyable as her other works.  I recommend this 5-star book to anyone who wants a fast-paced, well-written story.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Bethany House Publishing for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/maryconnealyfanpage

Author’s Website:  http://maryconnealy.com/

Additional Website:  petticoatsandpistols.com

Author’s Blog:  mconnealy.blogspot.com

 

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