Book Review: Fire and Ice

Ok, after cautiously starting my first Mary Connealy novel two summers ago (which, coincidentally, was my first time reading a book for the purpose of writing a review), and now eagerly finishing my third Mary Connealy novel last night, I've officially decided I really like her as an author. This time I read the third of her Wild at Heart series. Earlier this year I had read, loved, and reviewed the second in the series (Now & Forever), but I think I might like Fire & Ice better!

I can't stand the cover art.

Unlike the previous one, the romance in Fire & Ice didn't culminate in the middle--there was still relationship conflict through the whole thing. Who knew relationship conflict could be a good thing, right? Well, it is when you're building a relationship worth reading. Similar to her other two books, the action...! This is what sets Mary Connealy apart from other romance writers I've read. She pours on the action. Not simply interpersonal drama, but ACTION. Though, all three books I've read of hers have been set in the Wild West, so . . . yeah, makes sense. I love this combination of out-of-the-home conflict and growing love (because, like the second Wild at Heart book, this third one in the series also has a marriage of convenience...which I still find romantic).

As for a quick summary, the story is about the third of the Wilde sisters, all of whom have masqueraded as boys since their pa forced them to join the Civil War. Bailey Wilde is the last one--her sisters have shed masculine wear, grown out their hair, and married good men--but Bailey is determined to cling to her disguise and her small but thriving ranch in the opening of a canyon owned by the hard-nosed Gage Coulter.

(And, since this is a romance, you can now make your own guesses about who the players in the marriage of convenience are.)

It is also about Gage Coulter, who finds himself on the receiving end of life-threatening traps and must figure out who would want to kill him. Could it be Bailey? Could it be someone else? And can he help Bailey trust God and embrace her femininity after the horrors of war?

If you like an action-filled romance (and it does have romance, fyi), give Mary Connealy a try!

I received a complimentary copy of Fire & Ice from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.