The Accidental Guardian

Author: Mary Connealy
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes the hand behind the attack as the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he'd finally carved out a home and started a herd--while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail, driving off dangerous men. He'd 
hoped those days were over, but the latest attack shows he was wrong.

Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace offers the only shelter for miles around, and agrees to take them in until she can safely continue. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling--yet enticing. 

Working to survive the winter and finally bring justice to the trail, Trace and Deborah find themselves drawn together--yet every day approaches the moment she'll leave forever. ​

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Reviewer: Becky Hrivnak

The Accidental Guardian, written by Mary Connealy, is the first in the High Sierra Sweethearts series and I'm so looking forward to see where Connealy goes with book 2!

I loved the main characters, Trace & Deb, and thought they were a great match! Trace the ever keeper of the trail and Deb the keeper of keepers. 

I felt like it was a western Robinson Crusoe in many ways. Some of the things that happened...wow! I can't imagine! What a group of survivors! 
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I can't wait to see what happens in book 2! 

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng
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I’ve read some novellas written by Mary Connealy and have enjoyed them but this is the first full-length novel I have read by the author. The premise of the book is interesting and probably something that happened often during this historical time period. 

The characters Trace and Deb are lovable. Trace is a man hardened by the harsh weather of the west but with a tender and thoughtful side to him. He needs to learn the difference between justice and vengeance to move ahead in the emotional tangle he finds himself. Deb is capable and work-oriented but also loving and compassionate. She needs to learn to let go of her carefully laid-out plans and her insecurity to find peace and joy in her current circumstances. Their relationship is innocent, inexperienced, and sweet as they navigate uncharted waters. The thread of faith is strong throughout the book. There is also a thread of suspense which adds action to the plot. 

The story is easy to read and fun. It seems to have a different vibe and pace from the author’s novellas though. Anyone who enjoys a western romance set during mid-1800's would enjoy this novel. 

​Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy is the first book in her new series High Sierra Sweethearts and it pulled me in from the first page.

The main character, Trace Riley, a victim of a wagon train massacre at a young age, finds another train massacre with four survivors - two women and two children. He rescues them and takes them to his home. Winter is setting in though and he wants to find the killers because he believes they are the same ones who killed his father and others so many years ago. 

While it was interesting to see what people went through during this period of time, the relationship with Deb and Trace felt flat to me. And the ending made me feel as if the publisher forgot to put the rest of the pages in the book. It left an unsatisfied feeling. I was also amazed at how fast three men (at times only one man) could build a house. This did not seem realistic to me.

Overall, the story was interesting and the book is well written with some very tense moments. If you like historical romances set in the West, you would probably enjoy this one.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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Reviewer: Mary Hosmar

From the opening sentence – “Deborah Harkness came awake with a snap, her hand already steady on the six-gun under her pillow” – this story captivates.

Deb and Gwen Harkness are on their way west when disaster strikes. The two girls from back east, on their way to begin a new life in San Francisco, are left entirely on their own somewhere in the wild west with no company except a toddler and a three-year-old. And winter is coming on. Their only hope for survival is a stranger who shows up with a drawn gun.

Ms. Connealy has woven a gripping tale of courage and redemption of not only Deb and Gwen, but also the stranger, Trace Riley, who himself has undergone some of the horrors now facing the two girls. While the story begins with Deb and Gwen, Trace’s story seems to be the more interesting and important of the two interwoven tales.

Although at times, the pace at which things were happening seemed somewhat implausible to me, that could be because of my ignorance of how things were done under pressure in the wild west. These implausibilities, for me, did distract from the credibility of the story.

The tale is well-written and gives the reader a glimpse into the difficult life of the pioneers making their way west.

I wonder how the story will continue in book two?
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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