Member Reviews

What a fun premise! A widower who doesn’t know a thing about raising girls meets a seamstress who hates making chaps but has loads of orders for them. What could possibly go wrong?

The mystery was great, with tense plot twists. Loved this aspect!

The Nolte girls were darling and so realistically written.

Content: tobacco

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Great Series!!! Strong Women!

I’m really loving the characters in this series. The storyline is engaging and brings you to many emotions.

Realized after reading this I didn’t read the first book! I don’t know that it mattered but I definitely need to go back and read the first one.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

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I have read all the books in this series. This one in particular was fun to read. I liked how the books all tie together and yet are great on their own. I thought the town characters added to the story and helped you understand the main characters better. I thought the dialog was believable and the love story was not rushed. I would recommend this book and the others in the series for anyone looking for a Christian fiction book set in the west.

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My favorite of the series! I loved Nell in the first book and it was eye-opening to learn her backstory and all she's been through. Her experiences prepared her to really help her friends and the town, leading her on a path she never considered. The exasperated attitude she has about making money hand over fist sewing cowboy chaps rather than dresses is hilarious, but there's such demand she can't give it up. She is sensitive and compassionate to Brand's daughters and their needs, figuring a way for them to help each other rather than take pity on them with charity. The danger from the first book continues with the stage-robbing outlaws on the loose, and the author's trademark action, suspense, faith, and humor complement rather than compete with the romantic relationship that develops between Nell and Brand. I felt connected to them and their emotions which made for a rather satisfying reading experience!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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When a widowed seamstress meets a widower with three girls... How fun to offer and get a yes to helping the girls learn to sew and make some new dresses for them. So interesting to see how the romance develops and the danger they must survive to get there.. Love this authors western romances!

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This was another fun book in the Wyoming Sunrise book. I LOVED the first one, and so I will give this one 4 stars....the storyline was great, but there's something about loving the first book best of all that has this one paling a teeny bit in comparison. The cover is fantastic, and the narrator on audio is excellent. Thank you for writing, and publishing, a great clean read!

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I don’t normally read romance books, or historical fiction, but the back cover blurb of this story intrigued me so much I wanted to see how it all played out. Wow, I was NOT disappointed! What a great story with wonderful characters and bring kids into the storyline and I’m caught – hook, line and sinker. This was a wonderful story full of entertainment, adventure and humor. Loved this book and will definitely be recommending it to my friends (who LOVE romance and historical fiction!)

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

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WOW! I love a strong, confident female protagonist and this book delivered in spades! Immersive and oh so easy to lose track of time while reading. Looking forward to the second book in the series immensely!

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Mary Connealy is the author of The Laws of Attraction which is the second book in the Wyoming Sunrise Series. This book could be read even if you haven’t read the first, Forged in Love. It is set in Pine Valley, Wyoming. This is a growing town with friendly people near the Wind River Mountains. It is also 1871 when stagecoaches are still being robbed by the Dead Eye Gang. Nell Armstrong, the local seamstress, is still making chaps because there weren’t that many women to make dresses for. When she came west, she brought yards of fabric in anticipation of setting up as a seamstress. She liked the town of Pine Valley and decided to stay when her brother kept on moving west. Nell was a widow to a sheriff back in Missouri and that was why she needed a new change of scenery, but it also made her aware of the law and how to ask questions when the need arose.
It was on a day when the chap-making was getting to her, even though it brought in good money, when a boy entered her shop hiding from his father. It turned out that the boy was actually Sam, the fifteen-year-old daughter of widower Brandon Nolte. He had made her come to town wearing overalls and a plaid flannel shirt and she was embarrassed to be seen by anyone dressed that way. Sam wanted to go home and would skip church and school if her father made her continue to dress that way. She didn’t care if her sisters, Cassie and Micky, were dressed the same and she wanted to be called Samantha.
Since Nell was a seamstress and after a quick review of the situation, suggested to Mr. Nolte that she could make the girls dresses in return for them working at her shop after school to earn the dresses. Nell was delighted that she could use some of that fabric that traveled west with her.
All was calm until a wagon came barreling into town hauling a victim of a stagecoach holdup with four gun shot wounds. It was reported that the other six were dead. Sheriff Mast, the doctor and Nell all worked to stitch up the victim. They made the assumption that it was the Dead Eye gang back at work and decided to put a round-the-clock watch on the man.
The story revolves around Nell and Brand and the victim who the town volunteered to take turns watching. The friendship continues for Nell, Mariah, and Becky. This was a page turning book with wonderful characters and Mary Connealy makes the reader see them for who and what they are as well as painting a very realistic setting of this western town.
I highly recommend this inspirational book and I look forward to the next in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #TheLawsOfAttraction #MaryConnealy #WyomingSunrise

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The Laws of Attraction
by Mary Connealy
Pub Date 20 Jun 2023 |
Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers
Historical Fiction| Romance


Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley provided me with a copy of The Laws of Attraction for review:


With their lives on the line, do they have the courage to give in to their attraction?


If widowed seamstress Nell Armstrong had to make one more pair of boring chaps for the cowboys in her tiny Wyoming town, she might just give up! Brand Nolte, a widower struggling to raise three girls on his own, seems like a dream come true for her. Brand has no idea how to dress the girls properly, and Nell finally has a chance to teach them how to sew while designing beautiful outfits.



Nell is much more than a seamstress, and the investigative skills and knowledge she acquired alongside her late lawman husband become crucial when a wounded stagecoach-robbery survivor arrives. As danger closes in from all sides, Nell and Brand must discover who is targeting them before it is too late.


I give The Laws of Attraction five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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Mary Connealy has me hooked. I am enchanted by the wonderful and unique characters in her Wyoming Sunrise series. The Laws of Attraction is the second book and I could not stop reading. I absolutely love getting to spend time with Nell, Mariah, and Becky. The relationship with the three friends is unique and sweet, and I love how much they care about each other. Nell is such an interesting character. She is more than a bit mysterious. Arriving to town widowed with her brother, she has knowledge that most women or men don’t. She is also self reliant and doesn’t have any plans to have a man bossing her around.

When Nell meets Brand, she loves that he has three daughters in desperate need of some dresses. Seeing a way to help them, and also get help herself, she jumps at the chance to have the girls come work at her shop. If they can learn to sew, maybe they can take over the boring job of making leather chaps that the men from her town can’t seem to get enough of. But when danger knocks on their door, will even Nell’s knowledge be enough to stop a deadly killer with those she loves in their sights?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I couldn’t get enough of this book and was so sad when it was over. I can’t wait to read what Connealy comes up with next, I just know it will be another page turner. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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I loved getting the next installment of this town and its people. This time it was about Nell and Brand meeting and the mystery and suspense they fell into. The Deadeye Gang is back and causing murder and mayhem in and around town again. You don’t know who is bad or hiding something until the end! The secondary characters all add to the story and surround Nell and Brand as they fight for their property, Brand’s girls’ safety, and their own lives. I quite enjoyed the additions of the puppies. Thanks to Bethany House publishers and Interviews and Reviews for the chance to read this story.

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Continuing this series from Mary Connealy is a treat and I'm eager to dive into the third novel in the trilogy. As I was winding down the story and already knew that I was loving the elements between these characters in a full twist of standard love story with a strong woman, rather saving the man... I was eager to realize that I really wanted to read the stories of each of the three daughters as they grew to womanhood as their characters were full of so much personality in their few mentions within the pages as side characters as it was. While I'm not much of a feminist, I do enjoy seeing a qualified woman find her place. The entire story was enjoyable and continued the mystery bits from the first novel, but could also stand alone as a great read.

Thanks so much to Bethany House Publishers for providing a copy for review.

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Her surprise skills may save the day...

Reading a Mary Connealy novel is always fun and The Laws Of Attraction was no exception. This second Wyoming Sunrise novel delivered just as much romance, comedy, and edge of your seat danger. Needless to say, things might have gotten a little neglected around the house but I wasn't going to abandon Nell and Brand with the vicious Deadeye Gang bent on silencing all possible witnesses and obstacles...

The Wyoming Sunrise series has proven to be an entertaining one to read. Each of the heroines has a somewhat unusual job, Nell makes chaps though she would much rather make dresses, and they show their world exactly what a woman can do if given a chance and the need arises. Those needs arising just might include an additional, also unusual, job title for one of our heroines. Those jobs also provide some extra danger as well as humorous moments...

The overarching mystery in this series continued in The Laws Of Attraction and I can say that Mary Connealy had some intense moments and shocking revelations in store for delighted readers such as myself. Even I didn't see some of it coming, at least until I was part way into this book, and it is always fun to be surprised.

The Laws Of Attraction is another excellent read from the talented pen of Mary Connealy. Her brand of historical western comedy romance shines bright in her Wyoming Sunrise series and they are completely enjoyable. Honestly, you won't want to miss a one...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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One of the books I was looking forward to reading this summer was the next book in the Wyoming Sunrise series. I enjoyed the first book in the series and had a hard time putting it down. I believe I devoured the second book even faster. After the first book, I was very curious about Nell’s story based on many of her comments during the first book. I was glad to read more about Nell. The author did not disappoint the reader with this story. The book is part of a series but it could be read as a standalone. It is only enhanced by reading the first book.

Nell is tired of making the same chaps for all the cowboys for miles. She sees a golden opportunity when three girls are in need of a dresses. As she gets to know the family, she finds herself thinking of other things to make for them. She also puts to use her skills of investigation as she tries to help discover who is behind the Deadeye Gang.

I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

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Wyoming was a wild place and even though women had much more freedom there, they still had to prove that they were every bit as tough as a man. Nell Armstrong is a widowed seamstress who dreams of sewing more than just chaps. She wants to sew dresses and have a real dress shop and when widower Brand Nolte and his three girls' step in her dress shop, she sees an opportunity for them and her.

Brand is a man with three daughters, who is just trying to do the best he can to survive. After losing the women in his life, his sole focus is making a life in Wyoming with his girls. He just doesn't realize how much they have grown, and his oldest is now a young woman and thinking of her own future. When he agrees to Nell's plan, he didn't know he would be falling in love with her as much as his girls did. Life changes for Brand rather quickly.

There is plenty of danger as there is a ruthless gang on the loose and will hurt anyone. They don't care. And now that Nell has become the judge of their town, an unusual job for a woman even in Wyoming, the gang has set their sights on her. However, she is not the only one. Like I said, plenty of danger and action and love to go around. It was a fun read.

I was provided a copy of this novel by the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

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Nell had enough of marriage. It didn't agree with her. She was ok being on her own. She made a decent living making chaps for the men in her town.

Brand Nolte was a widower doing his best for his three girls. But was his best good enough?

This is Book 2 of the Wyoming Sunrise Series. It was a story that was never boring. Nell and her friends were very important members of Pine Valley, Wyoming. They formed a bond that couldn't be broken even when they were threatened by the evil Deadeye Gang.

The community were supportive of each other. But there was someone in their midst that would kill if they needed to.

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As with most series, I recommend reading the books in order since the overall story continues from book to book, although each novel can stand on its own and focuses on a different woman in this small Wyoming town. This one features an independent seamstress who has a talent for investigating and helps out solving local crimes. This marriage of convenience story takes a different twist from most. Nell is a successful business woman who wants to help out a new resident, a widower with three daughters. She never plans to marry again since she is now free from her demanding deceased lawman husband. Danger and desperation along with love for Brand’s girls draw them together. Will they be able to forge a lifegiving relationship or are they just doing what seems best at the moment? The compelling tale touches the heart. I think it would make a great book club choice. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #TheLawsofAttraction #NetGalley

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"I just can't go to town dressed in britches, I just can't."

This is such a good story! Author Mary Connealy takes readers back to Pine Valley in 1871. Nell Armstrong is a seamstress who is mighty tired of sewing chaps. No matter what price she charges, she can barely keep up with the steady stream of orders. If only she could get orders for dresses, she'd feel so much more creative. When a 'boy' on the run storms into her shop one day her whole world begins to change.
Brandon Nolte is a widower struggling to raise his three young daughters. Life is hard. He is trying
to do his best. When his girls meet Nell, he starts to see that he may need help that he absolutely does not want to be beholden for. He needs to admit that Samantha, Cassandra and Michaela need a woman's attention and guidance.
I received the advanced reader's copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group through NetGalley. This is my own personal opinion about the story. This is the second book in a series, but it works as a stand-alone. Bits of background are worked into this story explaining the return of some nasty characters who threaten the safety of the small town and Nell. The seamstress is so much more than a talented businesswoman. Her knowledge of the law gives her an important role in solving the mystery of the criminal element in the community. A sweet romance adds to the enjoyable read.

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The Laws of Attraction is Book Two in the Wyoming Sunrise Series by author Mary Connealy. This is a Christian historical western adventure with a mystery and romance. Even though it is Book Two, the author has written it in such a way that it contains enough background information that it may be read as a stand-alone.

Set in 1870s Wyoming, this is the story of Nell Armstrong. She is a sweet, feminine widow that owns a dress shop in town. Not only is Nell a strong, independent lady, but she is great at detective work. One thing she loves to do is make dresses, but unfortunately she gets orders for chaps from all of the local cowboys.

Brandon Nolte is a widower with three daughters. He is a homesteader and struggling to raise the three girls by himself. When they wander into Nell’s shop, she decides that the girls need a little female help.

The Dead Eye Gang comes back and hits another stage. Nell begins to investigate and the Gang makes her their next target. They add a lot of action, mystery, and adventure to the tale.

The characters are wonderfully crafted. They are believable and easy to engage. Nell is one of my favorites. I especially enjoyed her rapport with the girls and sweet relationship with their father.

The author has created an interesting page-turner that begs to be read in one sitting. There are twists, heartfelt moments, giggles, and some scenes that made me shake my head. I was invested in this brilliant story from page one. There are beautiful life lessons on family, friendship, faith, and relationships.

I highly recommend this captivating book. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

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