Forged in Love

Author: Mary Connealy
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Wyoming Sunrise #1
​Pages: 304
Release Date: February 28, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

When sparks begin to fly, can a friendship cast in iron be shaped into something more?

Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she's riding in, killing both her father and brother. As she takes over her father's blacksmith shop and tries to move forward, she soon finds herself in jeopardy and wondering--does someone know she witnessed the robbery and is still alive?

Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to western Wyoming, leaving his painful memories behind. Hoping for a fresh start, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with harsh resistance from the townsfolk, who prefer to stick to their old ways.

Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the trials they face in town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?

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Reviewer: Deanne Patterson

I have been reading this author's books for years and have always enjoyed the strong faith message in them.

Mariah Stover is no shrinking violet. Despite being on a stagecoach that was robbed and took the life of her father and brother, she knows she must go on. She is left with no memory of the incident. I enjoyed seeing Mariah cast as a strong woman taking over her father's blacksmith shop, a job at this time period known to be a man's job. The townspeople are not accepting of her doing this as they are used to seeing men do this and are stuck in the old way of thought.

Hoping to escape painful memories, Clint Roberts comes to town for a new start and opens a diner, but the townspeople do not accept him either. Mariah and Clint become friends bound by a common ground of nonacceptance and find they have much in common. Despite this closeness, danger seems to follow Mariah. Is someone trying to eliminate a witness because she is still alive after the robbery? 

This is a wonderful start to a new series, and it's so refreshing to see women doing male-dominated jobs, including her friend Nell who, as a talented seamstress makes chaps for cowboys. This story takes place in Wyoming and has such a wonderful description of the barren and dusty area that I can picture it now.

I was going to give this book 4 stars, but I am removing one star for it, including animal abuse. I could never condone animal abuse. It does nothing to enhance the story. There are several instances where a dog is abused, and I was so disappointed to read this.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Nikita Wells

This book had some good quotes and interesting elements but, unfortunately, was not a closed-door romance.

Things I liked about this story:

-A capable female blacksmith who learned the trade from her father and brother
-Funny side characters
-A female leatherworker who enjoys making dresses for the other ladies (and herself) in town
-A loyal dog with fierce protective instincts
-The western small town setting

Things I didn't like:

-The open door, fade-to-black romance in this book, and the two intimate bedroom scenes (yes, the couple was married, but no, I don't want to read about it! It's so awkward and inappropriate to be in a book even if it isn't super detailed). This took this book down to 3 stars after using a bit of white-out.

-Feministic ideology thrown in that doesn't fit the story at all and is just distracting and unnecessary, I think.

I received a complimentary paperback from the publisher through Interviews & Reviews. I also received a complimentary e-book from Netgalley for my review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts and sincerely held religious beliefs above are my own. 

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

Mary Connealy has a fantastic imagination when it comes to creating colorful, interesting, and engaging characters and plopping them down in perilous and novel situations. She then stirs the pot a little, adding suspense and more danger. She sprinkles in a bit of inspiration to flavor the pot, then proceeds to figure out a way to save the situation and have the hero and heroine come out the other end victorious.

Forged in Love is the first book in Connealy’s newest series, Wyoming Sunrise, set in Pine Valley, Wyoming in 1870. It features Mariah Stover, who is left for dead in a stagecoach ambush in which her father and brother were killed. Trained in her father’s blacksmith job, she takes over the business, but soon realizes someone doesn’t want her alive as a witness. Clint Roberts owns a diner in the town and has had his eye on Mariah for a while. Mariah is plucky, determined, and courageous, and also an advocate for women’s rights. Clint is a handsome, chivalrous hero who does his best to protect her.

Filled with Connealy’s signature wit and humor, plenty of danger, action, and a bit of romance, this book should satisfy those who enjoy clean historical fiction. I highly recommend Mary Connealy’s books.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Juanita Varela

Forged in Love is the new series by Mary Connealy. 

Clint has been in love with Mariah. Mariah doesn't know it. Seeing him try to show her that he loves her is so cute. But with her life in danger, Clint has to put that aside to protect her. 

I really liked Clint's character. I liked his protectiveness towards Mariah. I also liked that he was not trying to hold her back too much. 

Mariah is on point with everything happening to women in their territory. So when she gets hurt, and Clint tries to "bubble wrap her," she gets upset. But I liked that she sees his point to a certain level. 

I would totally reread this book. It left me wanting to know more about them. I'm very excited about the next books in the series. 

It's a clean book. There is kissing. There is also an implied sex scene. Not detailed. 

I requested and received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

I was so excited when I saw this book that I had to have it! I was not disappointed at all. I loved making friends with the characters.

I love how this book starts with action, and I felt my heart pounding throughout this story. This is one of the many reasons I love Mary Connealy. She's wonderful no matter what she writes, including this new novel.

Humor is my favorite thing about her novels. I found this one a little more serious, but I still enjoyed it. Among my favorite things in this book are its many Christian messages and the gentle reminder that we are never alone. God is always near, and He has a plan for each and every one of us. 

Moriah is a perfect example of His plans. I appreciated it in more ways than one. She's brave, stalwart, and knows what she wants!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"We're saying she died."

But not really. . . . . . . after barely surviving a horrific stagecoach robbery, Mariah Stover's friends merely considered it prudent to spread the word around that Mariah had succumbed to her injuries. After all, the incident showed every indication that it was the Dead Eye Gang who jumped the stage and killed everyone else, including Mariah's father and brother. The notorious gang never left witnesses, and if they happened to find out that Mariah was alive, she would be "marked for death". . . . not a mark that anyone would want to carry around.

Mariah, on the other hand, after gaining her wits, is convinced that she can remain in Pine Valley and resume her father's blacksmith business. After all, she has no memory of the incident and, therefore, cannot possibly identify any of the gang members. Thankfully, her friends keep their eyes peeled for trouble, especially the town's diner owner, Clint Roberts, whose feelings for Mariah far surpass what he has allowed himself to convey.

A woman blacksmith and an upscale chef . . . . an odd couple if there ever was one . . . caught in a series of . . . "accidents?"

Enjoy the author's trademark wit as Mariah and Clint play a game of tug-of-war between forces both known and unknown. . . . . forging a friendship that is much stronger and sweeter than anything an enemy can destroy . . . . . could it be . . . . love?

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Mary Connealy delivers non-stop danger and suspense in Forged in Love, the first book in her Wyoming Sunrise series. From the opening page, the author masterfully grabs the reader's attention and does not let go until the last page.

Mariah Stover is a no-nonsense young woman whose incredible losses do not deter her. She sets out to honour her father and brother by continuing as the town's blacksmith. Unfortunately, danger seems to be stalking her at every turn. Obviously, someone wants her dead. The only reason can be that she survived a deadly stagecoach attack and was the sole survivor. As her friends try to protect her, it becomes evident that one friend in particular, Clint Roberts, could become something more.

I loved the sweet developing romance of Mariah and Clint and how her friends were so protective of her as she faced one calamity after the other. Nell and Becky were incredible friends to her, and I look forward to hearing more about them in future books. 

If you are looking for a new historical romance series, Forged in Love is a safe bet! 

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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