Like all of Mrs Connealy 's books, this was a fun read. A good book for the end of a long day when you don't want a complicated storyline, just a good story to relax with.
*I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review *

The Calico and Cowboys and Romance Collection by Mary Connealy

This is eight romance novellas all in one book. Connealy has a spunky, fun writing style. Many of these novellas are related in one way or another, which make for fun reading.

-The Advent Bride - A story about a school teacher, widowed father and hurting son. There is really not a lot of detail in the romance department in this novella, but it is full of misunderstanding, love, learning with a touch of romance.

-A Bride Rides Herd – We find a beautiful woman, Betsy, in need of some help. Matt is only open to helping her on the ranch. There is much to be done on a ranch with three busy little girls, and no cowhands. There is humor, laughter and romance in this novella.

-His Surprise Family – This is a mail order bride type book. When Meg neglects to tell the whole truth and Si uncovers it will their marriage be doomed before it really begins. This novella is full of getting to know each other, hard times, family and romance.

Homestead on the Range - I love the chemistry between Elle and Colin in this novella, Sometimes when the children out number the adults things get interesting real quick.

Sophie’s Other Daughter – This was a fun novella full of surprises, some mystery, and of course romance. I loved the sparks between Laura and Ike. Their families have unique characters as well that make for some fun reading.

The Sweetwater Bride – This is a fun novella with some interesting animals involved. This novella takes place before His Surprise Family. Debba is a unique lady with some unusual behavior, Tanner really only wants what is best for her even if his ways are a little unusual.

Texas Tea – This novella brings a couple families we have already met in this collection together. Luke is a free spirited man, Libby is content with her lot in life. Even though they have grown up as cousins, (which truly they are not) the years have come and gone and the attraction is there. When Luke must prove himself to Libby will he win her trust along with her heart?

Hope for Christmas – This is a modern day novella in this series, yet with some of the same descendants from earlier novellas. This one is one of my favorite in this collection. It is full of some surprise, family, love, and more.

The Calico and Cowboys Romance Collection: is eight novellas and boy I hate that. What I especially do I hate is that they are novellas, I wish each and every one of them were novels or longer stories. They were so very incredible when I read the first one and was touched and loved it so much I thought the rest could not be come patible with that, but boy howdy was I wrong. They each were as good or even better. You have a teacher who needs a student's Dad she is tutoring the son. There is a Rancher who sees a lady with the children on the ranch. You have a Rancher who has a mail order bride who after the wedding springs a major surprise on him. The next one is about a widower who is a homesteader. The next one is about a doctor and his nemesis being trapped what happens? You have to read the book The next one is about a business owner who falls for his adopted cousin. One is when Silas rescues a pregnant Kelsey. Why was she out in the storm pregnant? These and many questions need to be answered and the only way to find them is to read the book.

This is a lovely collection of cowboy romances set in the 1800s. The focus is on the importance of family, with each story's characters interconnected with the family of another story. The stories are unique and varied, each with its own HEA. Humor permeates throughout the stories, with adventures at every turn and values that are true to the time period. The writing is top-notch, witty, genuine, romantic and heartwarming. I really enjoyed this collection, and am voluntarily reviewing an ARC of this book provided through NetGalley.

What do a tamed herd of longhorns, an advent box with secret compartments, three unruly little girls, and oil have in common? Each has a place in a story in The Calico and Cowboys Romance Collection: 8 Novellas from the Old West Celebrate the Lighthearted Side of Love.
These novellas, all written by Mary Connealy, take readers to Nebraska, Montana, and Texas. Whether couples have a long history, admire each other, or are meeting for the first time, there are plenty of hijinks and laughter (something Connealy excels at adding to her stories) on their way to finding their happily ever after.
I liked that there was some overlap in these novellas. Each one stands alone, but there is common ground with families—one through several generations—and towns. This common thread made each story I came to a bit more enjoyable with the insight from the previous one with some of these characters.
Get comfortable and settle in to a wild west with heart and humor in this collection.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of cowboy novellas. Each story had it own spin on the cowboy angle, some only taking place in Texas, Montana or Nebraska but the professions included Ranchers, doctors, teachers, a sheriff, an oil man, nurse, homesteader, and a wanderer. I especially enjoyed that 6 of these 8 stories were connected! There is one family the Hardens with parents Belle and Silas and their 9 children in Montana, then there is the Reeves, Daniel and Grace and their 12 boys and 1 girl in Mosqueros, Texas, and the McCellens, Clay and Sophie and their 4 oldest girls and a bunch of boys, also in Mosque rose, Texas. Last there is the Coopers, Grant and Hannah in Sour Springs, Texas with more than 40 adopted kids with just Libby still at home. These are the Texas and Montana families that are related by marriage. Hannah Cooper and Grace Reeves were friends and related by adoption and the Hardens and Reeves in two states joined by the marriages of several of their children. Now it was great learning so much about these families, but boy was it confusing figuring out how they all were related. The things that made it the hardest was that the stories were not in chronological order! The first and fourth took place at the same time (1875) in Lone Tree, Nebraska but they have no other noticable connections to each other or the other stories in the collection. The other 6 all fit together. The 5th story should be first, taking place in 1887 in Texas with Ike Reeves and Laura McCellen. Then comes the 2nd story in 1894 in Montana, Matt Reeves and Betsy Harden. Then is the 7th story taking place in 1895 in Texas with Luke Reeves and Libby Cooper. Then the 6th story in 1897 in Montana with Tanner Harden and Debba. Then the 3rd story in 1898 in Montana with Silas Harden and Meghan. Then it jumps to 2014 to the great great grandson of Belle and Silas Harden in Montana with Tanner Harden and Kelsey. Now if you think thiso is confusing I thought so too. I had to constantly go back over the stories and dates to find out what and when something was taking place. Not to mention the stories you read first in order of the book give away plot details of later but earlier stories! Like one of the grooms kidnapping his bride. I am also quite curious how the first Reeve boy ended up in Montana from Texas, which should be Mark? Another testament to how confusing these stories are together is that almost every review had errors in their observations like that the Hardens are central to every story which HALF the stories does not involve a Harden, or that the last story regarding an oil boom was in modern timesociety, which the oil story took place in 1895...hardly modern timesociety. There was a modern story (2014) but it took place in Montana not the Texas oil fields! Almost every review I have seen has a mix up. Shows how confusing this group is.

The stories as stand alones were fantastic and if the publisher doesn't reorder the stories chronologically (as I read an advanced readers copy) then I would just suggest reading the stories in this order: 1st, 4th, 5th, 2nd, 7th, 6th, 3rd, and 8th. Then they will be much more enjoyable... I am almost tempted to post the family tree of the families for clarification!

There are eight novellas in this collection. Delightful stories of love, humor and faith. All are historical except the last one which takes place in Texas during the time of the oil boom. Stories that tell how the cowboy won his girl and how they happen to meet and where. All the stories are very different but the characters are interwoven, brothers, sisters and cousins. You will enjoy these lighthearted and sometimes humorous reads. Connealy is a great writer and will leave you wanting to read more of her books. I was gifted this book from the publisher and Netgalley and this review is my own.

Mary Connealy tells eight entertaining love stories in this newest novella collection. The six novellas that revisit families from Connealy's previous series were decidedly my favorite.

A Bride Rides Herd, His Surprise Family, Sophie's Other Daughter, The Sweetwater Bride, Texas Tea, and Hope for Christmas will delight fans of the Harden, McClellan and Reeves families. While I enjoyed The Advent Bride and Homestead on the Range, they were certainly less engaging and almost unnecessary additions to the otherwise excellent collection. Someone unfamiliar with Connealy's previous books would likely not enjoy these stories as an avid fan would, however. I sometimes find Connealy's character development a bit too obvious and heavy-handed, but this is strikingly less distracting in the novella genre. In fact, many of my favorite of Connealy's works have been novellas, rather than her full-length novels. I could not put this book down, and foresee reading it many times over.

I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

I had read the Advent Christmas and a Hope for Christmas by this author in other folks collections. A Hope For Christmas is still my all time favorite book !! I just loved reading this story via KU a lot !! This was when it was part of a Christmas Collection by various authors. When that Collection left Amazon I was very unhappy. But now the story is back in a Collection by one author. Yeah !! I highly recommend this collection !!

The Calico and Cowboys Romance Collection by Mary Connealy is a fun read! Lots of romance, conflict and comedy. Each of the stories have a connection but my favorite one was the final story! Hope for Christmas. Where a pregnant Kelsey Black is stranded in the Montana back roads and Silas Harden comes to her rescue and has to deliver her baby.

I received the ebook from the publisher and NetGalley for my review.

Such a fun book! If you love a good wholesome lighthearted romance, this collection of novellas is sure to provide hours of enjoyment. I particularly loved how we saw so many of the "kids" from her previous novels grow up and find their own path.

The Calico and Cowboys Romance Collection is a collection of eight stories by the talented and fun author Mary Connealy. These stories include:
The Advent Bride
A Bride Rides Herd
His Surprise Family
Homestead on the Range
Sophie’s Other Daughter
The Sweetwater Bride
Texas Tea
Hope for Christmas
If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be His Surprise Family. This is among one of my favorite collection of stories to date.
5 plus stars.

I absolutely love Mary Conneally and have now read every book she's written When you read multiple books by the same author, sometimes it can feel like you've already read everything and things start to overlap and sound familiar. That's not the case with this author. Once again she's created a story that made me want to laugh, cry and then snuggle up to someone special.

This was a fun collection of eight novellas. I enjoyed the lighthearted read that was balanced with just the right amount of humor and sweet romance. I liked several of the novellas better than others, but overall it was a great collection.

What a treat! This short story collection was fun and fabulous! I loved the Harden family, and the Reeves boys.

Mary Connealy did an amazing job with this book, and I had such an enjoyable time reading each story in this collection. Though I loved it, I had trouble getting through the second story, A Bride Rides Herd, I just felt like it was a little bare. The story just seemed a little thrown together, we didn't really get to know the characters that much, making it harder to relate. The plot of the second story was also a little difficult to follow. I loved the fact that six of the stories were about the Harden and Reeves families, this added to the stories plot line and gave some more information on the different characters. The order of the stories with these two family lines, gives more shape to the stories, giving different point of views and more information. Almost all the stories take place in the late 1800's, except for the last story that takes place in the year 2016. This change in time didn't really sit well with me at first, it was confusing and I wasn't quite sure how Ms. Connealy was going to make that time jump work. After reading the first chapter, I was amazed by the fact that Ms. Connealy made the time change work, and continued the telling of the harden family decedents. I was extremely sad to put the book down, I enjoyed going on adventures with each of the characters. Mary Connealy is an amazing Author with a God given talent.

A whole lot of fun, adventure and romance set mainly in the 1800's!
A hand picked collection of previously published novellas, with some family connections. Love this author's humor and quick paced writing! Colorful characters, full of spunk and grit, who are thrown together into adventures, awkward and dangerous situations at times. Laugh out loud fun along the way in western settings stretching from Texas, Nebraska and up to Montana. Enjoyable reading even the second time around. The last story is a contemporary one, with a family tie-in that makes a nice wrap up to the set.
Recommend for anyone looking for a fun, light hearted, clean historical romance!

These historical romance novels written by Mary Connealy are a great collection that is very entertaining. This collection is a combination of eight romance novellas. Seven are historical and one novella is set in current times. Each of the stories are unique and well written. I enjoyed reading them. The stories are not terribly long, and it is easy to sit down and read each story in one sitting (which I enjoy to do). Some of the stories are connected to one another with either family members or acquaintances. I enjoy when the author allows the reader more insight into other characters through additional stories. I enjoy reading any of Ms. Connealy’s books. They are usually funny and entertaining. I recommend reading this collection if you enjoy historical romance books. Ms. Connealy’s books are clean reads which are an additional benefit of this collection.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

I'm new to this author and I was not disappointed! Her characters are interesting and feel less cookie-cutter than most Christian authors which is lovely. I liked how the theme was family and religion, it was nice to read after a long day as they aren't too taxing and are feel good stories that make you smile.

Mary Connealy is the queen of quirky, yet lovable characters and this extended family has plenty to offer. This family tree has many branches of interesting stories and a fierce loyalty to each other. It's like reading a delightful "rest of the story" many times over that ties up loose ends. Each story has strong characters as well as some strong opposition to face. So, grab cup of your favorite hot beverage and spend some family time with Calico and Cowboys.