Review: Chasing the Horizon
Today, I’m sharing a book review for Chasing the Horizon, a Christian historical romance novel by Mary Connealy. It is Book 1 of A Western Light series.
Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from the author as part of Austenprose PR publicity tours. All views expressed are my own. This post includes Amazon affiliate links.
My Review
“Western and frontier romance” was perhaps my favorite genre when I was younger, especially wagon train stories. After a while, it got to where they all seemed the same, and so I moved on to other things. When I saw Chasing the Horizon, though, I wanted to give it a try.
First of all, the plot involves an escape from an insane asylum–which is horrifying and fascinating at the same time. Also, the wagon train was headed to Idaho. We’ve seen the Oregon Trail remains in southern Idaho, so that made the story more intriguing to me. And then, that cover. Absolutely stunning!
Most wagon train books I’ve read are set in the days before the railroads were completed–and that is, indeed, when most wagon train journeys took place. Chasing the Horizon is set in 1869. There are railroads and towns along the way, which made wagon travel not quite so primitive as it had been in earlier years. That was an interesting perspective.
I loved the characters, the plot twists, and the satisfying ending. However, some of the minor characters beg to have their own story told, so I am hopeful we’ll revisit them in the next book.
From the Publisher
Her only chance at freedom waits across the horizon
Upon uncovering her tyrannical father’s malevolent plot to commit her to an asylum, Beth Rutledge fabricates a plan of her own. She will rescue her mother, who had already been sent to the asylum, and escape together on a wagon train heading west. Posing as sisters, Beth and her mother travel with the pioneers in hopes of making it to Idaho before the others start asking too many questions.
Wagon-train scout Jake Holt senses that the mysterious women in his caravan are running from something. When rumors begin to spread of Pinkerton agents searching relentlessly for wanted criminals who match the description of those on his wagon train, including Beth, she begins to open up to him, and he learns something more sinister is at hand. Can they risk trusting each other with their lives–and their hearts–when danger threatens their every step?
About the Author
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys. She is independently publishing a contemporary romantic suspense series called Garrison’s Law, book one is Loving the Texas Lawman. Her new historical series, High Sierra Sweethearts begins with The Accidental Guardian. She is also the author of these series: Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, Cimarron Legacy, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie’s daughters, and has many other books.
She is a two-time Carol Award winner and has been a finalist for the Rita and Christy Awards. She’s a lifelong Nebraskan and lives with her very own romantic cowboy hero. She’s got four grown daughters and four spectacular grandchildren.
One Comment
Mary Connealy
Hi Karla. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing Chasing the Horizon. I’m so glad you liked it!!! I love Wagon Train books, too, and I’ve always wanted to try one. Combining it with an insane asylum, though, lol, not quite the usual choice for a book.