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Montana Marriages #3
Wildflower Bride
Glowing Sun has never met a man she didn't pull a knife on—including the man who's determined to marry her.
Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead Indians, is one of a handful left after the people of her village are slaughtered. When those remaining blame her for bringing on the killing spree, she is forced to leave her tribe.
With a vague memory of her life in the white world, which eventually includes a name—Abby Lind—she declares her life as Glowing Sun over. But where does she now belong?
Wade Sawyer, having broken ties with his cattle-baron father, makes himself responsible for Abby's survival. But can he win her heart when she pulls a knife at everything that moves?
When Wade receives word that his father may be dying, he heads home, with Abby reluctantly following behind. Neither is aware that land-hungry killers slink in the shadows of the Sawyer Ranch.
Will Abby be able to keep the mild-mannered Wade out of trouble? Will Wade's rescue reflex get in the way of his common sense? Can they stay alive long enough to fall head over spurs in love?
Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead Indians, is one of a handful left after the people of her village are slaughtered. When those remaining blame her for bringing on the killing spree, she is forced to leave her tribe.
With a vague memory of her life in the white world, which eventually includes a name—Abby Lind—she declares her life as Glowing Sun over. But where does she now belong?
Wade Sawyer, having broken ties with his cattle-baron father, makes himself responsible for Abby's survival. But can he win her heart when she pulls a knife at everything that moves?
When Wade receives word that his father may be dying, he heads home, with Abby reluctantly following behind. Neither is aware that land-hungry killers slink in the shadows of the Sawyer Ranch.
Will Abby be able to keep the mild-mannered Wade out of trouble? Will Wade's rescue reflex get in the way of his common sense? Can they stay alive long enough to fall head over spurs in love?
319 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2010
134 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Mary Connealy
116 books2,487 followersMary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist.
She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.
Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website
She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.
Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 2, 2020
Barb and I discovered evangelical Christian author Mary Connealy through her Sophie's Daughters trilogy, partially set in Montana in the years from 1878 to 1884. Several characters who figure in her earlier Montana Marriages trilogy, of which this novel is the third, also play important roles in the later one. So we were interested in their back stories; and when I found this book in a thrift store, it was a natural purchase! (We've also just started reading the second installment; long story!) This means we're reading the trilogy in reverse order; so we started with much more knowledge of the characters' future than the original readers would have (the read was more like a visit with old friends). However, I'll avoid spoilers in this review. (Obviously, though, it might contain "spoilers" for the earlier Montana Marriages novels.)
This tale opens in late spring/early summer, 1877, as young Wade Sawyer is awakened by gunfire as he's sleeping in his small cabin high in the Montana Rockies. The shots come from the nearby small Indian village, which is being massacred by four masked whites. Arriving too late to prevent the deaths of most of the inhabitants, Wade manages to wound one of the fleeing murderers, and finds Glowing Sun, a young woman raised for the past dozen years by the Salish (called Flathead by the whites), ever since they found her alone at about the age of eight after disease killed her white family, still alive. (One of the killers had tried to abduct her, but she slashed his face with her knife and escaped.) Her white name, as she recalls, is Abby, and she and Wade have met previously (as recounted, apparently, earlier in the trilogy), last fall --and were in fact attracted to each other; but she had an Indian fiance at the time, through an arranged engagement. He's now dead; and when she's cast out by a surviving matriarch who never liked her (and who blames her for attracting the massacre, assuming that the attackers' motive was rape), she's left alone in the world again. Soon after, Wade's summoned to the bedside of his estranged rancher father, injured and maybe dying; and since he won't desert Abby, and she believes responding to the summons is his duty, she comes along with him.
Like all Connealy novels, this is a clean "romance" (in the modern-day book trade sense); but it has more going for it than romance (otherwise, I wouldn't have read and liked it!). For one thing, it's a perceptive exploration of cross-cultural romance, of the specific clashing cultures of whites and Indians in the late 19th-century West, and an ethically-aware indictment of the former's treatment of the latter. (Abby doesn't have much use for the attitudes and practices of a white culture she's mostly long abandoned, though she hasn't forgotten the language, and a lot of her criticisms strike home.) It's also a hard look at the dynamics of a dysfunctional, abusive family --because Wade's estranged from his dad for good reason!-- at co-dependency and how insidious it can be, and what does (or doesn't) contribute to familial healing. There's also a decided helping of Western-style mystery, because there's intrigue afoot on the Sawyer ranch. Who's behind the outbreak of cattle rustling in the area? And who were the attackers of Abby's village, and what was their real motive?
Connealy's a Christian author, whose world-view influences her writing. Christian characters are common in her novels (Red Dawson, a supporting character here, is a lay preacher as well as a rancher). Wade has a sincere Christian faith, as does Abby, fostered in her case by the missionary activity of real-life Jesuit Pierre-Jean De Smet (1801-1873) and his colleagues, who really did have considerable success in their work among the Salish, and whose treatment here is very positive. (The author's approach to Christian faith is --commendably, IMO-- nondenominational, though sectarian rivalries and animosities weren't nonexistent in the real 19th-century West.) It's seen here as a genuine source of moral reformation, courage in adversity, and guidance and help in daily life; but though it's referred to more here than in the later trilogy, I wouldn't describe this one as "preachy."
Christian ethics, with its basis in the love commands, also raises a serious issue for reflection, when it needs to be lived out in a violent environment, among people some of whom are perfectly willing to kill you, and others, to get things they want. Wade wrestles with this some, as does Abby --in fact, more so, since while Wade wears a gun and can use it, she's considerably more combat capable than he is. (She's also a stronger-willed personality than he is, and the more dominant partner in the relationship --okay, that word's not a spoiler, any reader knows these two are destined for each other!-- and Wade's willing to recognize that there's nothing wrong with that.) While she's not into guns (though if she slugs you in the head with one, you won't get up for awhile), she's handy with her knife, and it doesn't leave her person --unless she needs to throw it. Her personality could best be described as hot-tempered and fierce. The conclusion she comes to is that forcibly defending yourself and others IS morally right, but relishing the damage done isn't; and she's honest enough to admit that she needs to work on her attitude in that area. So when the chips are down here, the main question may not be, will our hero rescue the damsel in distress? Given their respective skill sets, it might be, will our tough damsel rescue her guy in distress? :-)
This tale opens in late spring/early summer, 1877, as young Wade Sawyer is awakened by gunfire as he's sleeping in his small cabin high in the Montana Rockies. The shots come from the nearby small Indian village, which is being massacred by four masked whites. Arriving too late to prevent the deaths of most of the inhabitants, Wade manages to wound one of the fleeing murderers, and finds Glowing Sun, a young woman raised for the past dozen years by the Salish (called Flathead by the whites), ever since they found her alone at about the age of eight after disease killed her white family, still alive. (One of the killers had tried to abduct her, but she slashed his face with her knife and escaped.) Her white name, as she recalls, is Abby, and she and Wade have met previously (as recounted, apparently, earlier in the trilogy), last fall --and were in fact attracted to each other; but she had an Indian fiance at the time, through an arranged engagement. He's now dead; and when she's cast out by a surviving matriarch who never liked her (and who blames her for attracting the massacre, assuming that the attackers' motive was rape), she's left alone in the world again. Soon after, Wade's summoned to the bedside of his estranged rancher father, injured and maybe dying; and since he won't desert Abby, and she believes responding to the summons is his duty, she comes along with him.
Like all Connealy novels, this is a clean "romance" (in the modern-day book trade sense); but it has more going for it than romance (otherwise, I wouldn't have read and liked it!). For one thing, it's a perceptive exploration of cross-cultural romance, of the specific clashing cultures of whites and Indians in the late 19th-century West, and an ethically-aware indictment of the former's treatment of the latter. (Abby doesn't have much use for the attitudes and practices of a white culture she's mostly long abandoned, though she hasn't forgotten the language, and a lot of her criticisms strike home.) It's also a hard look at the dynamics of a dysfunctional, abusive family --because Wade's estranged from his dad for good reason!-- at co-dependency and how insidious it can be, and what does (or doesn't) contribute to familial healing. There's also a decided helping of Western-style mystery, because there's intrigue afoot on the Sawyer ranch. Who's behind the outbreak of cattle rustling in the area? And who were the attackers of Abby's village, and what was their real motive?
Connealy's a Christian author, whose world-view influences her writing. Christian characters are common in her novels (Red Dawson, a supporting character here, is a lay preacher as well as a rancher). Wade has a sincere Christian faith, as does Abby, fostered in her case by the missionary activity of real-life Jesuit Pierre-Jean De Smet (1801-1873) and his colleagues, who really did have considerable success in their work among the Salish, and whose treatment here is very positive. (The author's approach to Christian faith is --commendably, IMO-- nondenominational, though sectarian rivalries and animosities weren't nonexistent in the real 19th-century West.) It's seen here as a genuine source of moral reformation, courage in adversity, and guidance and help in daily life; but though it's referred to more here than in the later trilogy, I wouldn't describe this one as "preachy."
Christian ethics, with its basis in the love commands, also raises a serious issue for reflection, when it needs to be lived out in a violent environment, among people some of whom are perfectly willing to kill you, and others, to get things they want. Wade wrestles with this some, as does Abby --in fact, more so, since while Wade wears a gun and can use it, she's considerably more combat capable than he is. (She's also a stronger-willed personality than he is, and the more dominant partner in the relationship --okay, that word's not a spoiler, any reader knows these two are destined for each other!-- and Wade's willing to recognize that there's nothing wrong with that.) While she's not into guns (though if she slugs you in the head with one, you won't get up for awhile), she's handy with her knife, and it doesn't leave her person --unless she needs to throw it. Her personality could best be described as hot-tempered and fierce. The conclusion she comes to is that forcibly defending yourself and others IS morally right, but relishing the damage done isn't; and she's honest enough to admit that she needs to work on her attitude in that area. So when the chips are down here, the main question may not be, will our hero rescue the damsel in distress? Given their respective skill sets, it might be, will our tough damsel rescue her guy in distress? :-)
August 18, 2010
I think my other reviews have established the fact that I am a big fan of Mary Connealy mainly because I love her humor!
All of the couples in this book have some really funny moments, not just the main characters. For example, Silas has to constantly repeat Belle's new last name to the townspeople over and over again and Cassie is trying to learn how to be tough and protect herself even though she is a marshmallow. One of my favorite lines in the book is when her little daughter says “Mama scary.” That just cracks me up! I loved the strong character of Abby juxtaposed against the sweet, submissive character of Cassie.
This book is part of the Montana Marriages series so we see familiar characters resurface in this book, Wildflower Bride. The book is the conclusion of the romance between Glowing Sun, now named Abby, and Wade that was started in The Husband Tree. We also get to see Belle and Silas again (The Husband Tree) and Cassie and Red (Montana Rose).
Hotness Factor: 3 stars Wade - our strong, manly hero - is kinda' scared of his woman. I liked that and it created a lot of physical tension, challenging each other and giving in. For instance “Wade was begging. He was planning on spending the rest of his life begging, because he was planning to spend it with the stubbornest woman he had ever known. He accepted it and looked forward to a lifetime of being overpowered.” That's pretty hot if you ask me! I think Husband Tree by this author was hotter but this is good stuff too!
Series info: 4 stars You don't have to read the other books in the series to understand this book but it is highly recommended that you do. I still love The Husband Tree of all the books in this series but this is good in its own way.
Overall Rating: 3 stars My heart just doesn't beat fast for stories with Indians but Glowing Sun/Abby really came alive for me when she came back to the “civilized” world and interacted with the “white man.” I loved how she was so different in her beliefs. Through her eyes, we see the foolishness of overusing natural resources and the complexity of fighting the land instead of living with it. I started wanting the simplicity of her life instead of the struggle to build bigger and better. I loved the idea of not wasting or consuming more than necessary too. I like this book better than I thought I would because the humor is stronger to me than Montana Rose or Wrangler in Petticoats so I am giving it a higher rating.
Christianity: 4 stars In this book, the main character has not been a good guy most of his adult life. When he was led to Christ by Red Dawson, he changed his ways but it's not been an easy road. He struggles with maturing his faith and walk with Christ. He has to put his faith into action daily in order to live with his father who is an abusive tyrant. This book really helps us see the daily struggle of walking with the Lord.
Summary Plot: Welcome to the wilds of Montana, where humor, romance, and suspense ride the range. Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead tribe, has vague memories of her former life, including a name—Abby Lind. When she’s forced to sever all links with her adopted family, Abby wonders if she’ll ever find a home again. Tenderhearted Wade Sawyer, responsible for Abby’s survival during the village massacre, convinces the knife-wielding woman to return with him to the Sawyer Ranch, never realizing danger lurks behind every corner. Can they survive long enough to fall in love?
All of the couples in this book have some really funny moments, not just the main characters. For example, Silas has to constantly repeat Belle's new last name to the townspeople over and over again and Cassie is trying to learn how to be tough and protect herself even though she is a marshmallow. One of my favorite lines in the book is when her little daughter says “Mama scary.” That just cracks me up! I loved the strong character of Abby juxtaposed against the sweet, submissive character of Cassie.
This book is part of the Montana Marriages series so we see familiar characters resurface in this book, Wildflower Bride. The book is the conclusion of the romance between Glowing Sun, now named Abby, and Wade that was started in The Husband Tree. We also get to see Belle and Silas again (The Husband Tree) and Cassie and Red (Montana Rose).
Hotness Factor: 3 stars Wade - our strong, manly hero - is kinda' scared of his woman. I liked that and it created a lot of physical tension, challenging each other and giving in. For instance “Wade was begging. He was planning on spending the rest of his life begging, because he was planning to spend it with the stubbornest woman he had ever known. He accepted it and looked forward to a lifetime of being overpowered.” That's pretty hot if you ask me! I think Husband Tree by this author was hotter but this is good stuff too!
Series info: 4 stars You don't have to read the other books in the series to understand this book but it is highly recommended that you do. I still love The Husband Tree of all the books in this series but this is good in its own way.
Overall Rating: 3 stars My heart just doesn't beat fast for stories with Indians but Glowing Sun/Abby really came alive for me when she came back to the “civilized” world and interacted with the “white man.” I loved how she was so different in her beliefs. Through her eyes, we see the foolishness of overusing natural resources and the complexity of fighting the land instead of living with it. I started wanting the simplicity of her life instead of the struggle to build bigger and better. I loved the idea of not wasting or consuming more than necessary too. I like this book better than I thought I would because the humor is stronger to me than Montana Rose or Wrangler in Petticoats so I am giving it a higher rating.
Christianity: 4 stars In this book, the main character has not been a good guy most of his adult life. When he was led to Christ by Red Dawson, he changed his ways but it's not been an easy road. He struggles with maturing his faith and walk with Christ. He has to put his faith into action daily in order to live with his father who is an abusive tyrant. This book really helps us see the daily struggle of walking with the Lord.
Summary Plot: Welcome to the wilds of Montana, where humor, romance, and suspense ride the range. Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead tribe, has vague memories of her former life, including a name—Abby Lind. When she’s forced to sever all links with her adopted family, Abby wonders if she’ll ever find a home again. Tenderhearted Wade Sawyer, responsible for Abby’s survival during the village massacre, convinces the knife-wielding woman to return with him to the Sawyer Ranch, never realizing danger lurks behind every corner. Can they survive long enough to fall in love?
February 17, 2020
As the third book in the Montana Marriages series, "Wildflower Bride" brings another comedic romance off the pages an into the imagination of readers. Although starting the novel knowing that this was a story of a character that I despised in the beginning of the series it was amazing how author Mary Connealy was able to bring a character's personality into favor for me. The first two books in this series are my favorite from Mary so far. I cannot wait for future stories!
Wade Sawyer, a man changed finds himself in love with Abby Linscott also known as Glowing Sun. Observing the changes in Wade's behavior and soul makes a painful yet hopeful example that anyone can change. Abby born to a white family yet raised by a Flathead Indian tribe after the early death of her birth family then finds herself alone again after the massacre of her tribe. Through the strength of God, Wade is able to return home to face his abusive father and Abby is given the opportunity to open her heart and trust that she will not be alone again. These pages provide a hopeful story of love that will entertain.
*Thanks to Angie Brillhart of Barbour Books for providing a copy for review.*
Wade Sawyer, a man changed finds himself in love with Abby Linscott also known as Glowing Sun. Observing the changes in Wade's behavior and soul makes a painful yet hopeful example that anyone can change. Abby born to a white family yet raised by a Flathead Indian tribe after the early death of her birth family then finds herself alone again after the massacre of her tribe. Through the strength of God, Wade is able to return home to face his abusive father and Abby is given the opportunity to open her heart and trust that she will not be alone again. These pages provide a hopeful story of love that will entertain.
*Thanks to Angie Brillhart of Barbour Books for providing a copy for review.*
June 20, 2011
After reading the first two books in this series, I was excited to read Wildflower Bride. Unfortunately it was my least favorite. I had a couple of major problems liking the main characters and I also felt that the main focus of the book was the mystery rather than the romance which is fine for others but not my thing. There was much more time spent finding the cattle thieves than spent developing any type of romance between Abby and Wade.
Abby began as a likeable character in The Husband Tree (my favorite of the series) but in Wildflower Bride she came across to me as being disrespectful, rude and judgemental. I understand that she was coming from a different culture but I felt that her reactions were not true to that culture either. From what I understand, elders and males are respected in most indian cultures. I don't think she would ever have talked to Wade's father the way she did because of that, not to mention she was a guest in his house. Her disrespect for Gertie was also heartbreaking to me. Although her methods were wrong, Gertie had dedicated her life to caring for and loving Wade in a time when children and women were often abused and had no way of escape. I've always heard that respect is earned not forced and I felt that Abby was trampling over everyone else to get the respect that she felt she deserved because she considered herself a Flathead and not a disgusting white.
In the beginning of the story, Wade was transforming into a strong male character who felt lead by the Lord to go and help his father but by the end was begging and groveling to Abby to try and get her to stay with him promising to leave his Dad and go anywhere with her if she would only marry him. He was well aware that he was begging and decided it was ok with him, "Wade was begging. He was planning on spending the rest of his life begging, because he was planning to spend it with the stubbornest woman he had ever known. He accepted it and looked forward to a lifetime of being overpowered.” What a turnoff for me! I have no problem with the woman being strong (I loved Belle in Husband Tree) but the man has to have enough backbone to at least do what the Lord is leading him to do!
On a more positive note, I really enjoyed how the characters from the other two books in the series were still focused on and we were able to see how they all interacted. They added many light, humorous moments to the story.
I hate to give a bad review but I barely made it through this one. Mary Connealy is a talented writer and I have enjoyed her other books immensely so I am not letting this discourage me from reading the other series. Sometimes a book and reader just don't connect and I feel like that is what happened here.
Abby began as a likeable character in The Husband Tree (my favorite of the series) but in Wildflower Bride she came across to me as being disrespectful, rude and judgemental. I understand that she was coming from a different culture but I felt that her reactions were not true to that culture either. From what I understand, elders and males are respected in most indian cultures. I don't think she would ever have talked to Wade's father the way she did because of that, not to mention she was a guest in his house. Her disrespect for Gertie was also heartbreaking to me. Although her methods were wrong, Gertie had dedicated her life to caring for and loving Wade in a time when children and women were often abused and had no way of escape. I've always heard that respect is earned not forced and I felt that Abby was trampling over everyone else to get the respect that she felt she deserved because she considered herself a Flathead and not a disgusting white.
In the beginning of the story, Wade was transforming into a strong male character who felt lead by the Lord to go and help his father but by the end was begging and groveling to Abby to try and get her to stay with him promising to leave his Dad and go anywhere with her if she would only marry him. He was well aware that he was begging and decided it was ok with him, "Wade was begging. He was planning on spending the rest of his life begging, because he was planning to spend it with the stubbornest woman he had ever known. He accepted it and looked forward to a lifetime of being overpowered.” What a turnoff for me! I have no problem with the woman being strong (I loved Belle in Husband Tree) but the man has to have enough backbone to at least do what the Lord is leading him to do!
On a more positive note, I really enjoyed how the characters from the other two books in the series were still focused on and we were able to see how they all interacted. They added many light, humorous moments to the story.
I hate to give a bad review but I barely made it through this one. Mary Connealy is a talented writer and I have enjoyed her other books immensely so I am not letting this discourage me from reading the other series. Sometimes a book and reader just don't connect and I feel like that is what happened here.
May 16, 2010
I love Mary Connealy's books but this one was a bit of a disappointment for me. Not because of the storyline or the writing, which as usual, is always fabulous and innovative and entertaining, but just a personal dislike.
We first met Glowing Sun, or Abby as she is now known as, in the last book. In this book, Wade (our hero) has been living in the wilderness in a small shack all winter, surreptitiously watching over Glowing Sun as she lives with her Salish (Flathead) tribe. One morning he hears gunfire and races to her tribe's encampment only to find a massacre has taken place. Glowing Sun, a small boy and Glowing Sun's future mother in law are the only survivors. As Wade tries to help them, her MIL decides she (Glowing Sun) is no longer Salish and banishes her. Glowing Sun is hurt but understands and leaves with Wade, now calling herself Abby. She agrees to travel with Wade back to his father's house, Wade having found out his father is badly injured and may die.
I really liked the character of Abby. She was rescued by the Salish when she was 8, her parents having died from an illness. She barely remembers them and had fully embraced the Salish way of life. To be thrust into an unknown world feeling that nobody wants you has to be an awful feeling. Abby deals with it using bravado and anger. She is quick to pull a knife on almost every man in the book and while humorous at times, to me also showed a vulnerability. She was determined to take care of herself and be beholden to no man.
My main problem with the book was with Wade. I am not, nor ever have been, a fan of the beta male. Wade is very much a beta male, even though he would like to be an alpha, even though at time she shows the potential for being an alpha male. Unlike Silas, from The Husband Tree, Wade seems to be content to let Abby call the shots to keep her happy and with him. I'm not saying he should have been a tyrant or mean to Abby, but it almost seemed a few times that Abby was the one making decisions for the both of them, instead of Wade. For the time period and the genre, it just seems as if Wade should have been a little more manly than he was.
I also found Red Dawson to be a little condescending in this book to his wife Cassie. Not enough for me to dislike him, but I didn't find it necessary.
All in all I would rate it 3.5 stars. Terrific writing, a good story and likable characters.
We first met Glowing Sun, or Abby as she is now known as, in the last book. In this book, Wade (our hero) has been living in the wilderness in a small shack all winter, surreptitiously watching over Glowing Sun as she lives with her Salish (Flathead) tribe. One morning he hears gunfire and races to her tribe's encampment only to find a massacre has taken place. Glowing Sun, a small boy and Glowing Sun's future mother in law are the only survivors. As Wade tries to help them, her MIL decides she (Glowing Sun) is no longer Salish and banishes her. Glowing Sun is hurt but understands and leaves with Wade, now calling herself Abby. She agrees to travel with Wade back to his father's house, Wade having found out his father is badly injured and may die.
I really liked the character of Abby. She was rescued by the Salish when she was 8, her parents having died from an illness. She barely remembers them and had fully embraced the Salish way of life. To be thrust into an unknown world feeling that nobody wants you has to be an awful feeling. Abby deals with it using bravado and anger. She is quick to pull a knife on almost every man in the book and while humorous at times, to me also showed a vulnerability. She was determined to take care of herself and be beholden to no man.
My main problem with the book was with Wade. I am not, nor ever have been, a fan of the beta male. Wade is very much a beta male, even though he would like to be an alpha, even though at time she shows the potential for being an alpha male. Unlike Silas, from The Husband Tree, Wade seems to be content to let Abby call the shots to keep her happy and with him. I'm not saying he should have been a tyrant or mean to Abby, but it almost seemed a few times that Abby was the one making decisions for the both of them, instead of Wade. For the time period and the genre, it just seems as if Wade should have been a little more manly than he was.
I also found Red Dawson to be a little condescending in this book to his wife Cassie. Not enough for me to dislike him, but I didn't find it necessary.
All in all I would rate it 3.5 stars. Terrific writing, a good story and likable characters.
July 30, 2020
Mary Connelly is such a fun writer. This was a great book. Abby and Wade are such a cute match! I like how Mary invites her sideline characters in her next books as the main focus. I kind of wish Abby became a touch softer towards the end of the book. Also, I didn't like how "the white man" was described as wasteful people or less than. Idk, but my garbage can has a huge recycling bin. Examples: Trees were used to build white man homes. Deer were used for t-pees and clothing. This all depends on who you ask on which people are wasteful... the person who is a tree hugger or the animal activist. One doesn't necessarily cancel the other one to be okay. Maybe this is what Abby was learning. People are just people trying to do the best within their environment. Just because you are comfortable within your peers doesn't mean another form of culture is wrong. Okay. I will go with that!
August 1, 2015
This was a sweet, gentle romance without all the physical stuff typically found in romance books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2012
"Don'tcha just love a good western?" That question just kept running through my head over and over again as I flew through another fun tale by the talented Mary Connealy. There is something about her style that always keeps me coming back for more. Mostly it's her knack of telling a hilarious story, but I usually end up loving the romantic elements and the action pretty equally, too.
But, I must confess...I'm not usually a fan of Indians in fiction. I don't know why that is. I don't have anything against them, but I think it's just a matter of relating with them. Being a city girl and accustomed to living indoors, I can't imagine what it must've been like to live in a tepee 24/7, not to mention moving from place to place to live off the land. I'd die in no less than a week!
But in spite of all that, this tale with it's inclusion of an Indian heroine just had me glued to the pages. I empathized with Abby (initially known as Glowing Sun) after she dealt with the heartache of a massacre of her people by the white man. I understood her reluctance to trust any white man, even one who had shown her nothing but kindness from the first day they met. And I marveled at her ability to take care of herself in any situation. (I lost count of how many times someone met her at knifepoint!) Her relationship with Wade blossomed slowly, but surely, and it fit the story perfectly. Normally, Mary's characters have an instant passion and attraction for one another that has a tendency to take over, but thankfully, that was not the case between Abby and Wade. Each one had their own inner struggles to sort through first before they could begin to fathom a relationship, and I appreciated that Mary delayed the romantic attraction between them just enough to make the story that much more enjoyable.
Now that I've got two series by Mary under my belt, I'm anxious to dive into another one. I've been trying to read her full-length novels in the order of their release, so next up will be the Sophie's Daughters Trilogy beginning with Doctor in Petticoats. I have no doubt it will be another rip-roaring adventure in the west that will be enjoyed thoroughly!
But, I must confess...I'm not usually a fan of Indians in fiction. I don't know why that is. I don't have anything against them, but I think it's just a matter of relating with them. Being a city girl and accustomed to living indoors, I can't imagine what it must've been like to live in a tepee 24/7, not to mention moving from place to place to live off the land. I'd die in no less than a week!
But in spite of all that, this tale with it's inclusion of an Indian heroine just had me glued to the pages. I empathized with Abby (initially known as Glowing Sun) after she dealt with the heartache of a massacre of her people by the white man. I understood her reluctance to trust any white man, even one who had shown her nothing but kindness from the first day they met. And I marveled at her ability to take care of herself in any situation. (I lost count of how many times someone met her at knifepoint!) Her relationship with Wade blossomed slowly, but surely, and it fit the story perfectly. Normally, Mary's characters have an instant passion and attraction for one another that has a tendency to take over, but thankfully, that was not the case between Abby and Wade. Each one had their own inner struggles to sort through first before they could begin to fathom a relationship, and I appreciated that Mary delayed the romantic attraction between them just enough to make the story that much more enjoyable.
Now that I've got two series by Mary under my belt, I'm anxious to dive into another one. I've been trying to read her full-length novels in the order of their release, so next up will be the Sophie's Daughters Trilogy beginning with Doctor in Petticoats. I have no doubt it will be another rip-roaring adventure in the west that will be enjoyed thoroughly!
March 6, 2018
Mary Connealy wraps up her Montana Marriages series by focusing on the redemption arc for Book One's villain. Wade has come to know the Lord and has been working on growing in his faith, as we saw in Book Two. Now he's hoping that drawing his strength from Christ will be enough to help him face his narcissistic father, whose health is failing. Can he really stand in grace before the one who caused him so much pain in the past?
This is also the story of Glowing Sun, a young woman who has been raised among the Salish Indian tribe after they rescued her, young and alone, when her family had died from illness. Now she is once again the sole survivor of tragedy, but this time it was a massacre instead of disease who took her people away from her. As she struggles to escape from the outlaws who killed her family, Wade comes to her rescue.
As Wade and Glowing Sun, who eventually remembers that her English name is Abby, make their way to his father's home, they don't know that the men who destroyed the Salish village are the same ones who have been rustling cattle and stealing gold in the nearby town of Divide. When the outlaws realize their witnesses will be around for a while, they make plans to kill Wade, Abby, and Wade's father so they can completely take over his ranch.
This was the best book in the series, because it dealt with very real issues and didn't have such over the top romance. Even though my own life story doesn't exactly match up with those of the main characters, it did in many areas of the heart. I applaud any author willing to tackle such tough subjects.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
This is also the story of Glowing Sun, a young woman who has been raised among the Salish Indian tribe after they rescued her, young and alone, when her family had died from illness. Now she is once again the sole survivor of tragedy, but this time it was a massacre instead of disease who took her people away from her. As she struggles to escape from the outlaws who killed her family, Wade comes to her rescue.
As Wade and Glowing Sun, who eventually remembers that her English name is Abby, make their way to his father's home, they don't know that the men who destroyed the Salish village are the same ones who have been rustling cattle and stealing gold in the nearby town of Divide. When the outlaws realize their witnesses will be around for a while, they make plans to kill Wade, Abby, and Wade's father so they can completely take over his ranch.
This was the best book in the series, because it dealt with very real issues and didn't have such over the top romance. Even though my own life story doesn't exactly match up with those of the main characters, it did in many areas of the heart. I applaud any author willing to tackle such tough subjects.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
May 15, 2010
I had some difficulty before finally finishing this book. I found all too easy to put down. I think part of it it was because I did not care for the main characters. I found it difficult to relate to the heroine and to some of the other female characters. Wade's father was also especially difficult to stomach. I can well understand why Wade found it difficult to return to the ranch to help him out. I found Glowing Sun or Abby as she was also known as a bit abrasive and judgmental. The bad guys were truly evil.
I also found that some parts of the stories dragged for me. I did find the insight into Golden Sun's life with the Flathead Indians was very interesting and it was obvious that the author did some research. That is something I can appreciate and approve of. All in all it was not a bad book. I was just hoping for more.
I also found that some parts of the stories dragged for me. I did find the insight into Golden Sun's life with the Flathead Indians was very interesting and it was obvious that the author did some research. That is something I can appreciate and approve of. All in all it was not a bad book. I was just hoping for more.
May 22, 2013
This was the last in the 'Montana Marriages' series, and I think it was my favourite! I really liked how the author brought us back into the lives of Cassie and Red (from book 1) more as she told the story of Wade and Abby/Glowing Sun.
This book was also laugh-out-loud funny. Of course, it's hard not to laugh when every time the hero (Wade) wants to kiss the girl he loves (Abby), she pulls a knife on him.
I also really liked the theme of 'Whom shall I fear?'. What a good reminder that if we're on God's side, no one can harm us in irrevocable ways.
Mary Connealy has sealed herself a place in my favourite authors list with this trilogy!
This book was also laugh-out-loud funny. Of course, it's hard not to laugh when every time the hero (Wade) wants to kiss the girl he loves (Abby), she pulls a knife on him.
I also really liked the theme of 'Whom shall I fear?'. What a good reminder that if we're on God's side, no one can harm us in irrevocable ways.
Mary Connealy has sealed herself a place in my favourite authors list with this trilogy!
July 27, 2025
I enjoyed the series and I’m going to be looking for more titles by this author. Her use of humor and development of the characters was very well done. Sometimes I felt that the characters were somewhat inconsistent in their decisions and rationale for making them. Not to say that the decisions themselves weren’t good. It just felt that it wasn’t very smooth. transition from our readers perspective. That’s just my opinion, though. I did like the characters and watching Cassie‘s knife wielding skills develop…
This is where we wander a little bit into spoiler territory… So I’ve given enough of a lead before we got to this point and didn’t want to market as a spoiler because it doesn’t really talk about the end of the story. I think Abby‘s approach to Gertie wasn’t necessarily fair. I think the whole situation was messed up and everybody played apart, but I think Wade and Abby made some accusations to Gerdy that I didn’t think were completely reflective of the situation. I have not been in this sort of Family dynamic before so it’s very possible that I am incorrect and how I’m perceiving it. And it’s possible that psychiatrist and professional therapist would agree with Abby and Wade. I think it was a very messed up dynamic for sure. I also think it was a realistic way of addressing how emotional and physical abuse affect more than just the abuser and the targeted individual… it really is a sad and circular cycle and I have to say that I applaud Wade for breaking it.
This is where we wander a little bit into spoiler territory… So I’ve given enough of a lead before we got to this point and didn’t want to market as a spoiler because it doesn’t really talk about the end of the story. I think Abby‘s approach to Gertie wasn’t necessarily fair. I think the whole situation was messed up and everybody played apart, but I think Wade and Abby made some accusations to Gerdy that I didn’t think were completely reflective of the situation. I have not been in this sort of Family dynamic before so it’s very possible that I am incorrect and how I’m perceiving it. And it’s possible that psychiatrist and professional therapist would agree with Abby and Wade. I think it was a very messed up dynamic for sure. I also think it was a realistic way of addressing how emotional and physical abuse affect more than just the abuser and the targeted individual… it really is a sad and circular cycle and I have to say that I applaud Wade for breaking it.
November 18, 2021
This whole series I keeping thinking I've read these books before but it shows I haven't. So, I'm not sure what's going on there. This book series took me longer to finish them because I know I've read them before but couldn't remember how they ended. I seemed to have dragged reading them. Plus life is busy.
Glowing Sun is a white woman who grew up with the Flathead Indians because her family died of a sickness when she was very young. Then her people in her village were slaughtered she didn't have any where else to go.
Wade has left his dad's ranch because of his dad mistreating him all his life. He heard noise from where he was staying and went to help because he knew Glowing Sun was living close with her indian family. Now Glowing Sun remembers her name and wants to be called Abby for now on.
When his dad may be dying from falling and breaking his back, he heads home with Abby who doesn't want to go.
I love Abby's sassy and strong willed personality to help Wade get through with his dad's crankiness and bad temper.
Also, Abby needs to watch out for the men who slaughtered her Flathead family because the men don't want any survivors to recognize them. The problem is these men work at Wade's dad's ranch.
Let you read and find out what happens.
Such a good story!
Glowing Sun is a white woman who grew up with the Flathead Indians because her family died of a sickness when she was very young. Then her people in her village were slaughtered she didn't have any where else to go.
Wade has left his dad's ranch because of his dad mistreating him all his life. He heard noise from where he was staying and went to help because he knew Glowing Sun was living close with her indian family. Now Glowing Sun remembers her name and wants to be called Abby for now on.
When his dad may be dying from falling and breaking his back, he heads home with Abby who doesn't want to go.
I love Abby's sassy and strong willed personality to help Wade get through with his dad's crankiness and bad temper.
Also, Abby needs to watch out for the men who slaughtered her Flathead family because the men don't want any survivors to recognize them. The problem is these men work at Wade's dad's ranch.
Let you read and find out what happens.
Such a good story!
January 8, 2020
A great conclusion to the series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this final instalment featuring Glowing Sun aka Abby and Wade. I honestly didn't know how I would like Wade after his actions in book 1, but slowly in book 2 I gradually came to like him, and finally in this one LOVE him!
I loved his interactions with Abby, and it was fun to see him try to protect her even when she could protect herself (probably sometimes even better than he could!)
As much as I liked Abby and Wade, Silas and Belle would probably have to be my favourite couple from this series... but never fear! They feature prominently in this book alongside Red and Cassie. This was probably my favourite book in the series because I got to read about all the couples.
The villain in this story was in my opinion the best as well (as in, the most 'villainy'), and I loved the action in this book too. I also found this book to be the most humorous in the series which was an extra bonus.
Overall another great novel by Mary Connealy. I would recommend this to all lovers of clean, sweet romance with a touch of humour!
I thoroughly enjoyed this final instalment featuring Glowing Sun aka Abby and Wade. I honestly didn't know how I would like Wade after his actions in book 1, but slowly in book 2 I gradually came to like him, and finally in this one LOVE him!
I loved his interactions with Abby, and it was fun to see him try to protect her even when she could protect herself (probably sometimes even better than he could!)
As much as I liked Abby and Wade, Silas and Belle would probably have to be my favourite couple from this series... but never fear! They feature prominently in this book alongside Red and Cassie. This was probably my favourite book in the series because I got to read about all the couples.
The villain in this story was in my opinion the best as well (as in, the most 'villainy'), and I loved the action in this book too. I also found this book to be the most humorous in the series which was an extra bonus.
Overall another great novel by Mary Connealy. I would recommend this to all lovers of clean, sweet romance with a touch of humour!
March 12, 2020
This is a wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series! The redemption arcs of all the characters in this series have been so rewarding. I'm sad that its over!!! Wade has been a coward and a failure to his father all his life, but when his Dad breaks his back in a fall Wade comes home. Abby, who has been raised among a group of Native Americans, finds herself a lone survivor of a massacre and the only witness of her family's killers. As Wade fights to get his father's ranch ready for a cattle drive with incompetent help, Abby has to decide where she wants to go now. And to cap it off, the local cattle rustlers/massacring monsters, are working on Wade's ranch and trying to finish off Abby, Wade, Wade's father, and Gertie the housekeeper to steal the ranch for themselves. Luckily, Wade has a posse of feisty women and some honorable men to help him restore order (and maybe while he's at it, talk Abby into being his wife).
September 27, 2020
Just too funny and too good for words!
Though this story starts with and has plenty of drama, the laughs are just as plentiful. So thrilled that all the couples from the first two books are here as well and the wit and humour between them is superb! Red Dawson to his sweet wife Cassie - "honey, can we pls have lunch before you start stabbing the barn again". Silas Harden to his tough wife - "Belle, honey, I might need you to shoot a man.” “Now, Silas? Or can it wait until after lunch?” Wade Sawyer to his wildflower, Abby - "Don’t pull a knife on the sheriff, Ab. He can arrest you for it.” But my all time favorite line - “No babies allowed in our posse." This is definitely a must read, the whole series is highly recommended. Kudos to Mary Conneally's talent!
Though this story starts with and has plenty of drama, the laughs are just as plentiful. So thrilled that all the couples from the first two books are here as well and the wit and humour between them is superb! Red Dawson to his sweet wife Cassie - "honey, can we pls have lunch before you start stabbing the barn again". Silas Harden to his tough wife - "Belle, honey, I might need you to shoot a man.” “Now, Silas? Or can it wait until after lunch?” Wade Sawyer to his wildflower, Abby - "Don’t pull a knife on the sheriff, Ab. He can arrest you for it.” But my all time favorite line - “No babies allowed in our posse." This is definitely a must read, the whole series is highly recommended. Kudos to Mary Conneally's talent!
April 11, 2018
This was a pretty good end to the trilogy. The author's writing style just makes me want to keep reading. Even though parts of this book started to feel repetitive. Wade's dad is screaming at everyone... again. Cassie is trying to throw a knife... again. Abby is hating all white people... again. Wade is trying to keep the peace... again. The bad guys are arguing with each other... again. Okay, a lot of the book was repetitive. I still enjoyed it. I only wish there could have been a little more resolution between Wade and Abby.
March 2, 2020
I have enjoyed reading this book
I have enjoyed reading the Montana Marriages series of book. This last story, as did the others, was well written and entertaining. There were new characters along with ones we have met before. This book had action, drama and a touch of humor. It also showed how the main characters believed in and trusted God’s love, mercy and power to see them through hard times and to help grow in their faith. This is the first time I have read books written by this author and I will definitely be reading more of her books and recommending them and sharing them with my friends.
I have enjoyed reading the Montana Marriages series of book. This last story, as did the others, was well written and entertaining. There were new characters along with ones we have met before. This book had action, drama and a touch of humor. It also showed how the main characters believed in and trusted God’s love, mercy and power to see them through hard times and to help grow in their faith. This is the first time I have read books written by this author and I will definitely be reading more of her books and recommending them and sharing them with my friends.
January 16, 2018
Wild West Tale of . . .
Love, mayhem, and murderous outlaws. Wade needs to find his backbone and Abby needs to find her soft side. Will these two unlikely people find what's missing in their characters when they find each other? Will said murderous outlaws mess everything and everyone up? This reviewer will never tell. The reader will have to discover for themselves what a gripping, good story The Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy makes. Love, love, loved the Montana Marriages Series.
Love, mayhem, and murderous outlaws. Wade needs to find his backbone and Abby needs to find her soft side. Will these two unlikely people find what's missing in their characters when they find each other? Will said murderous outlaws mess everything and everyone up? This reviewer will never tell. The reader will have to discover for themselves what a gripping, good story The Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy makes. Love, love, loved the Montana Marriages Series.
May 26, 2021
Another awesome series by this author. I loved all 3 books, but this one was especially good in one regard. In book 1, Wade Sawyer was a nasty creep who was drunk all the time, and was up to no good. The very woman he wanted to kidnap and her husband who he wanted to kill befriended him at the end of book 1, and he was a Christian and totally different guy in book 2. This third book centered around him, and it was great to see the change in him and how the dynamics and relationship changed between him and his long time abusive father.
April 24, 2020
I just finished Wildflower Bride and did not love it like I did the previous book. I actually didn’t realize they were part of a trilogy until I got tired of the references in the first chapter to previous books. Once I was passed all the previous book references, the story flowed better. Still worth the read and now I’d like to read book #1. Red and Cassie (main characters in book #1) are in the book quite often which I love because I always want to know more about previous characters.
November 16, 2017
Good book.
I really enjoyed this book. Wade and Abby's story was sweet , his faith and love of the Lord made this an enjoyable read. The book had action with the cattle thieves and massacre of the Indian village. Reminded me of the Western movies I used to watch as a kid. I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. Wade and Abby's story was sweet , his faith and love of the Lord made this an enjoyable read. The book had action with the cattle thieves and massacre of the Indian village. Reminded me of the Western movies I used to watch as a kid. I highly recommend this book.
August 31, 2021
I was so happy that the characters from the other two books were actually actively involved, not just mentioned in passing! I wish there were another book coming with all of them. It is like spending time catching up with friends. ;) As usual, a great mix of action and adventure and comedy, clean romance and Christian faith. A wonderful escape!
May 9, 2017
The story plot is well written but did not feel this was a Christian novel. The women's behavior toward their husbands are not like the Bible teaches us to be.
June 14, 2017
2 1/2 stars really.
August 4, 2017
Cute read.
November 3, 2017
It was interesting and a page turner-although too quickly resolved.
November 6, 2017
Love the storyline.
January 7, 2018
The Wildflower Bride review
The Wildflower Bride is the third book in the Montana Marriages series written by author Mary Connealy. I highly recommend this series.
The Wildflower Bride is the third book in the Montana Marriages series written by author Mary Connealy. I highly recommend this series.
January 8, 2018
Tha Wildflower Bride ( Montana Marriages)
Great entertainment thriller, tracking the story line, not easy to put down. Interesting courageous woman, learning to fend for herself?
Great entertainment thriller, tracking the story line, not easy to put down. Interesting courageous woman, learning to fend for herself?
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