Swept Away

Lucas Stone had spent several years fighting in the War Between the States and living off the land afterwards. He was boiling with anger as he made his way home to avenge his father's death. Those things combined to make him a careful, knowing man. A dangerous man. And now a man wanted in connection with stagecoach robbery and a man being murdered. Funny how things like that just seemed to happen to him when he had least expected it. Now all he had to do was convince the local deputy that he was innocent despite what he might find in his saddlebags. Come to think about it, they did look different but now was not the time to attempt to convince the deputy of that fact. He had to stall for time to figure out who'd tried to frame him and only one name came to mind. The same man who was responsible for the murder of his father, Flint Greer.

Greer was the only one who knew he was coming back home. He had just sent Greer a legal document accompanied by a letter telling Greer to get off Stone land. Greer didn't want Luke to make it home. He knew a set up when he saw one. Which meant there was little or no chance he could talk his way of this one. Now if he could only figure out a way not to hurt a lawman - at least not too bad. That's how all the trouble began on what was supposed to be a simple trip home to reclaim what was his and to find justice for the man who killed his father. Luke wondered how much Greer had paid to kill Pa. Top dollar most likely, because the job had been done right.

Pa dead.

His S Bar S Ranch stolen.

Luke was headed home to set things right.

Ruthy MacNeil was looking for a way out. Any sign from God that showed her a different path than the one she saw herself on now. "Shut up and do as you're told." That seemed to be the theme that the Reinhardt family attempted to instill in her. That was the way of things in this family she'd been dragged into. Ma resting her aching back. Pa yelled and doled out punishment. Her dear brother, Virgil, leered. Ruthy worked. They'd be married when they reached California - Pa and Ma declared it so. Virgil was willing. How Ruthy felt about it had never come up. This would be her life forever if she married into this family. She'd been looking for a chance to runaway and beg for protection and hadn't found one. And she feared greatly what tactics Pa, Ma, and Virgil might use to force her to say, "I do." The only way to stop the marriage was to be gone from the family and never be found.

God was about to provide such an opportunity when the wagon train she was part of attempted to cross a ford during a thunderstorm. Despite Ruthy's protests that even though it wasn't raining here, it might be further up river and cause a flash flood to occur. Yet her standard reply came from her Pa, "Shut up and do as you're told". Halfway across the river was when trouble occurred and suddenly the wagon Ruthy was driving began to float downstream as a rush of water was headed their way. Soon the entire wagon train was in danger and the last thing Ruthy remembered as she hit the granite bank and the floodwaters pulled her down was darkness.

Swept Away by Mary Connealy introduces the reader to the first book in an exciting new series, Trouble in Texas just as things are about to get interesting for our main characters Lucas Stone and Ruthy MacNeil. Seems as if life has handed them both a challenging situation with a unique twist on how to get out of it as well. Will life get interesting for both of them when they intersect? You'll have to find out by picking up this one that is guaranteed to get your heart racing in many different ways. It is bound to be an unforgettable book geared to keep the reader guessing and literally on the edge of their seat. There is even a sneak peek into Fired Up, the second book in the Trouble in Texas series to wet your appetite for more western romance and adventure.

I received Swept Away by Mary Connealy compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. Having read The Kincaid Bride series, I was already a solid fan of Mary Connealy's work and knew I would be interested in more. She creates such unforgettable and real characters you have a difficult time believing they are not real. The premise behind this unique story creates a strong and determined female character you can truly come to appreciate and admire. There still remains a sense of femininity and softness to her but she can definitely hold her own. One of the most amazing facets I love when reading a western romance. I don't like the stereo typical women in distress that has to have a man rescue her. Mary does an exceptional job at pulling out all the stops and giving you something real in this one. I rate this a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next book in this exciting and unforgettable series.

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Swept Away by Mary Connealy

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