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kbaney's review against another edition
4.0
Penny Scott is starting her homestead next to her brother's place. She's an unconventional women, comfortable in the woods, on a horse, and using a gun, like any good frontierswoman. When a man tries to murder her brother, but fails, her life is put in jeopardy.
John McCall is a Pinkerton agent who has been hired to find Ronnie Scott. When he arrives at the Scott homestead, he gets caught up in the middle of a gun fight. As he helps the Scott deliver an outlaw to the sheriff, he ends up kidnapped with Penny Scott. His Pinkerton skills fail him in the wilderness and he must rely on the likeable, but unconventional Penny Scott to help them escape.
The suspense ramps up from there, keeping the reader on a nail-biting journey of mayham and mystery, sprinkled with a strong dose of romance.
What I liked about this book:
- Penny was quite a character, but also reflective of the grit frontierswomen exhibited during the time frame.
- John McCall was the right mix of funny and confident, even though he was thrust into a situation that put him out of his element.
- The romance builds slowly throughout the book as the couple's initial animosity dims when they must learn to work together.
My favorite part of the book was how the romance developed. I won't say more, but you'll want to read it.
Time Period: 1860s
Location: Sierra Mountains (Nevada)
Romance: Sweet and clean. Just a little kissing.
Faith: The characters demonstrated concern over pleasing and obeying God in some gray areas.
John McCall is a Pinkerton agent who has been hired to find Ronnie Scott. When he arrives at the Scott homestead, he gets caught up in the middle of a gun fight. As he helps the Scott deliver an outlaw to the sheriff, he ends up kidnapped with Penny Scott. His Pinkerton skills fail him in the wilderness and he must rely on the likeable, but unconventional Penny Scott to help them escape.
The suspense ramps up from there, keeping the reader on a nail-biting journey of mayham and mystery, sprinkled with a strong dose of romance.
What I liked about this book:
- Penny was quite a character, but also reflective of the grit frontierswomen exhibited during the time frame.
- John McCall was the right mix of funny and confident, even though he was thrust into a situation that put him out of his element.
- The romance builds slowly throughout the book as the couple's initial animosity dims when they must learn to work together.
My favorite part of the book was how the romance developed. I won't say more, but you'll want to read it.
Time Period: 1860s
Location: Sierra Mountains (Nevada)
Romance: Sweet and clean. Just a little kissing.
Faith: The characters demonstrated concern over pleasing and obeying God in some gray areas.
jbro12's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
betherin02's review against another edition
5.0
Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
plettr's review against another edition
4.0
John is a Pinkerton detective. Used to city life, he finds himself out of his element in the rugged High Sierras. John is on assignment to locate the "missing" grandson of the Chiltons. Penny has spent time out west and know how to track, and can find her way in the woods.
When John and Penny are kidnapped and subsequently escape, they must work together to survive out in the Sierras. Once they find their way back, the soon realize that the kidnapper will not stop until they are dead. So they set out to learn all the can.
I really enjoyed the detective parts; it was always so unexpected how John and Penny would dress and interact.
It was an enjoyable read and I would recommend this series to people who are looking for a story with a bit of action, some sly humour, and some over-the-top plots. These books are best read in order since characters play a significant part in each book.
When John and Penny are kidnapped and subsequently escape, they must work together to survive out in the Sierras. Once they find their way back, the soon realize that the kidnapper will not stop until they are dead. So they set out to learn all the can.
I really enjoyed the detective parts; it was always so unexpected how John and Penny would dress and interact.
It was an enjoyable read and I would recommend this series to people who are looking for a story with a bit of action, some sly humour, and some over-the-top plots. These books are best read in order since characters play a significant part in each book.
melmo2610's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic finale to the High Sierra Sweethearts series. I really liked John and Penny and their story was exciting! Great series. Definitely one of my favorite Mary Connealy sets!
dcgw's review against another edition
5.0
Really good
Finally, all the loose ends tied up. It was a great and enjoyable read. Really liked Penny and John, they were fun together; as well as very gifted. What a great ending to the whole story.
Finally, all the loose ends tied up. It was a great and enjoyable read. Really liked Penny and John, they were fun together; as well as very gifted. What a great ending to the whole story.
amandasbookreview's review against another edition
5.0
It is a shame that some kindle books that I get don't have a cover because if you check out the cover on Goodreads or Amazon, it is stunning! I am so glad I was able to read The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy. I have read the first two books in the series and it was a pleasure to complete the series. John McCall is a Pinkerton agent, assigned to go out West, find a young boy and bring him home to his grandparents. Little does he know that the grandparents are up to no good and that they just want the boy for his inheritance. The young boy has actually been adopted by Cam and Gwen Scott and has a loving home. When John McCall happens to intervene in a shootout, he meets Cam's sister, Penny. She is fierce and is unlike any woman he has ever met. One moment of not paying attention and they are both kidnapped but manage to escape into the wilderness. Why were they kidnapped? Better yet, who is behind it? Penny and John go on a wild adventure to investigate those who are trying to bring them harm.
This has to be my favorite book in the series. I loved the previous books but they did not reel me in like this book. However, the reason for that is all in the characters. Penny is by far my favorite character in the previous books and I am so glad she finally got her own story. She is unbelievably fierce and no ordinary man would be able to compete with her. That is why John is so perfect for her. They both are witty and keep each other on their toes. I love the teasing banter back and forth between the two. It gave this novel some unexpected humor.
However, do not let the humor fool you. This book is jammed packed with action, adventure, and suspense. I love how in-depth the investigation is with all the disguises and intrigue. I loved this book from start to end and never felt bored. What a perfect conclusion to the series. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to Bethany House, NetGalley, and Mary Connealy for a copy of the book!
This has to be my favorite book in the series. I loved the previous books but they did not reel me in like this book. However, the reason for that is all in the characters. Penny is by far my favorite character in the previous books and I am so glad she finally got her own story. She is unbelievably fierce and no ordinary man would be able to compete with her. That is why John is so perfect for her. They both are witty and keep each other on their toes. I love the teasing banter back and forth between the two. It gave this novel some unexpected humor.
However, do not let the humor fool you. This book is jammed packed with action, adventure, and suspense. I love how in-depth the investigation is with all the disguises and intrigue. I loved this book from start to end and never felt bored. What a perfect conclusion to the series. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to Bethany House, NetGalley, and Mary Connealy for a copy of the book!
audiobooks_sweettea's review against another edition
5.0
Y’all! Let me tell you a little something about this book right here. It’s fantabulous. That’s right. Fantabulous. Mary Connealy has been on my auto read authors list for years now. And, I always get giddy like a school kid on the play ground when I get to read her novels. This upcoming addition to her High Sierra Sweethearts series was no exception.
From the start, we are taking to the heart of the plot line, and into the lives of John and Penny. Oh sweet Penny, how I loved her! I loved her strong willed ways. And John. Lord have mercy, did I ever love him! His character really came to life for me, and I pictured myself beside him, taking each new twist and turn of being kidnapped with Penny as if I was there.
I loved the way Connealy created her characters with her trademark charm and wit. I love to get lost between the covers of one of her amazing novels because they are lighthearted and keep me chuckling on a bad day. The wit and charm of Penny and John were definitely evident in this page turner!
If you ask me, and even if you don’t, I’m going to tell you that I highly recommend this book with hats-off, two thumbs, and highest of 5 stars. Inspiration, hope, mercy and love are all wrapped up into another incredible cowboy story from the talented Mary Connealy. So, grab ya a copy, kick your boots off, and get ready to get wrapped up in another impeccably done novel from Mrs. Connealy!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
From the start, we are taking to the heart of the plot line, and into the lives of John and Penny. Oh sweet Penny, how I loved her! I loved her strong willed ways. And John. Lord have mercy, did I ever love him! His character really came to life for me, and I pictured myself beside him, taking each new twist and turn of being kidnapped with Penny as if I was there.
I loved the way Connealy created her characters with her trademark charm and wit. I love to get lost between the covers of one of her amazing novels because they are lighthearted and keep me chuckling on a bad day. The wit and charm of Penny and John were definitely evident in this page turner!
If you ask me, and even if you don’t, I’m going to tell you that I highly recommend this book with hats-off, two thumbs, and highest of 5 stars. Inspiration, hope, mercy and love are all wrapped up into another incredible cowboy story from the talented Mary Connealy. So, grab ya a copy, kick your boots off, and get ready to get wrapped up in another impeccably done novel from Mrs. Connealy!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*