Trace Riley has been self-appointed guardian of the trail ever since his own wagon was attacked. When he finds the ruins of a wagon train, he offers shelter to survivor Deborah Harkness and the children she saved. Trace and Deborah grow close working to bring justice to the trail, but what will happen when the attackers return to silence the only witness?
The Accidental Guardian
By maryconnealy
Interesting story with great plot twists and turns. Whimsical humor is well-placed and enhances the story without distractions.
I enjoyed this first novel in the beginning of a new series. The characters were likable and I appreciated their honesty toward each other. Deb and Trace opened up about themselves and their backgrounds as they got to know each other. I enjoyed their interactions and the sweet nature of their growing attraction and relationship.
This book very definitely sets the reader up to jump right into the next book in the series by the events that occur at the end of the book. It was not a cliffhanger. It simply made me look forward to seeing how future relationships could develop. I am definitely anticipating the next story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy is the first in the series High Sierra Sweethearts.
I have long been a fan of Mary Connealy. She is my go-to author when I’m in the mood for a cowboy story.
There are troubling times in October, 1807. Deb and Gwen Harkness are caretakers of two small children in exchange for passage to California on a wagon train. Fortunately, they are away from the train in the tall grass early one morning when tragedy strikes. Three outlaws arrive and slaughter everyone in thier five wagon group.
Trace Riley is a loner. He is coming back from a cattle drive to his small spread in the Sierra Nevada’s. His two hired hands have gone on ahead to tend to the cattle left behind at the ranch. Trace rides up on the site of the ruined camp and something he didn’t expect to see: Survivors! With Winter coming quickly, the only thing he can do is take the two women and two little ones back to his ranch with him. Trace knows what it’s like to be a survivor of a massacre and wants to protect others from the same fate.
Will Trace find the men who committed this atrocity? Are they the same men who killed his father years ago? How much danger are they in? Will Deb and Gwen make their way to California to deliver their young charges?
Deb struggles with deciding if she wants to fulfill her dream. Is her dream changing? Trace stuggles with the fine line between anger and revenge versis relying on God to set things staight.
Mary’s narrative shows the beauty of Lake Tahoe. The descriptions are breathtaking. In Trace and his two hired men, she depicts the loyalty and honesty of what a real cowboy should be. And let’s not forget being polite and respectful of women. Gwen and Deb exhibit their gratefulness for being rescued by being very hardworking.
There are familiar trademarks in this novel such as the echoing voice from one character to another. An example is from Chapter 26 after Deb has a disagreement with Trace: “All he could figure really was the simple fact that women were strange creatures.” And next: “Deb watched until Trace disappeared around a bend in the trail. Men were strange and that was that.” The humor is there but is against a backdrp of a serious, sobering situation.
This novel leaves some loose ends for Mary to tie up in the upcoming books. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series .
* I checked this book out of the library. All opinions are my own.*
Can I just say how much I love Mary Connealy’s stories? I listened to the audiobook for the first in her High Sierra Sweethearts series and probably looked a little crazy sitting at my desk at the office giggling and grinning at points.
Danger, a little intrigue, romance, and hilarity all play their part in The Accidental Guardian. I mean, three bachelors who find their home invaded by two young women and two children (one still in diapers) provide plenty of snicker-worthy moments.
Despite is young age, Trace is a good man, a self-appointed guardian of travelers through his area of the Sierra Mountains. He’s intent on finding the men who attacked the wagon train Deb Harkness and her sister was traveling with, more so when he discovers Deb saw one of those men. And he’s adorably awkward when it comes to the ways of women…and romance.
Here’s hoping everyone in this fabulous read meets their match because I can’t get enough of Connealy’s books! And there is a hint of things to come at the end of The Accidental Guardian.
Also, for fellow audiobook fans, the narration for this one is spot on.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
‘When the good Lord put a burden on his heart, he listened.’
I have been a Mary Connealy fan for many years. Her cowboy comedies have had me rolling in laughter. This time, she still had her wit, but it’s not a huge part of the book. The story is wonderful. I was invested since the first page, in fact.
Trace Riley has been the self appointed guardian of the trail in the High Sierras, watching out for families beset upon by dangerous sidewinders intent on stealing everything they brought east with them to build a new home with. Very early one morning he comes upon Deborah Harkness, her sister and two little ones. Their wagon train had been massacred by such evil men as Trace sought to protect folks from. No one survived except the four of them. Trace has the only shelter for many miles and they settle in to stay with him as he continues to try to bring the lawbreakers to justice.
I love disappearing into a Mary Connealy novel. She just plain knows how to tell a story and tell it well. Her characters are well thought out and good people. Well, except for the nasty sidewinders. Trace and Deb both have some hard things in their past, but they are beginning to learn that God has a plan for them. Here in the High Sierras. Don’t miss this one.
*Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. My opinions stated here are entirely my own.
4.5 star TOP PICK RT Book review
Not happy about ending. Leaves you hanging. Just ends.
Like a moth to the flame, I was drawn into this book from the cover. The adorable little girl, the rays of sunlight, and the cowboy, all work together along with the title to pull you and leave you wanting more. I had to know the story the lived within the pages of Mary Connealy’s latest novel!
Trace Riley has been guarding the wagon trail in the high Sierra’s for many years. He’s no stranger to the rugged wilderness. He knows what it takes to survive the harsh elements because he’s more than just survived, he’s flourished in these mountains. If there was ever someone you wanted in your corner, it would be Trace Riley!
Deborah, her sister, and two toddlers are the only survivors of a vicious wagon train attack. Rescued and offered shelter for the winter, will they still wish to leave when spring arrives? Will the criminals from the attack continue on their rampage, or will they be caught in time to prevent others from being harmed?
I have long been a fan of Mary Connealy’s writing, and this newest story didn’t disappoint. The characters are realistic and engaging. You won’t want to put this story down once you start reading it!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Take a man who survived to make his living on the Sierra Nevada range, two women & two small children who escaped a wagon train massacre, mix them up and you have an adventurous tale of epic proportions! Connealy’s imagination runs as wild as the mountainous terrain that Trace has made his home in this story.
“I’m going to change, Gwen. I am. The West is different than where we came from. It’s a land that demands strength of people. A land that tests courage.”
One would think after the many years Trace lived here that he was a rugged, rough mountain man with ill manners, but just the opposite is true. Once he encounters Deb and her sister Gwen and the two children after the massacre, he sets out to do what’s right by them. Pushing for home and shelter, he’s made it a lifelong vow to bring the men responsible to justice. A true hero in every sense of the word. Protective, defender of the weak, tender when needed but just as tough when situation calls for it, and he don’t take no guff. Deb was one character that surprised me! She was tough and had what it takes to survive with plenty of backbone and hard-working attitude to get by; she bucked up and did what had doing. These two definitely had plenty of sparks and banter between them! Fun to watch from the sidelines.
“And…well, I can’t be kissing a man. That’s a good way to get tangled up….in forever.”
Deb: “But men and women not understanding each other is a mighty common thing I’d say.”
Trace: “It’s a wonder they don’t do a better job of avoiding each other.”
One word description: Un-putdownable (if only real life didn’t interrupt)! I can’t say I’ve never met a book I didn’t like, nor a hero I didn’t fall in love with written by this author. Western adventure stories are her specialty! I know I’ll find a laugh or three, strong characters, a little faith mixed in, and romance brewing. This one also had a few heart-in-my-throat scenes when danger edged a little too close for comfort, and plenty of action to keep it going. She had me wanting more; but that’s just a common thing with a Connealy tale! I’m already anticipating the next novel, it can come soon enough for me.
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
3.5 stars
” . . .a voice crying out in the wilderness. . . ”
That voice had been Trace Riley when he was only fifteen years hold, the sole survivor of a wagon train massacre near Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Struggling to survive, he became a self-appointed guardian; carefully protecting others from bandits as their groups passed through the treacherous mountain passes. Ten years have gone by and the nightmare repeats itself, only this time Trace becomes the accidental guardian of two lovely young ladies and two small children.
What were they going to do? Everyone else in their wagon train had been brutally shot down in cold blood and the evidence burned. Deborah Harkness and her sister Gwen barely escaped with their lives when their two young charges had demonstrated a providential urge to use the wilderness “facilities” upon awakening. When they happen upon a seasoned cowboy, it never occurs to them how personal their experience might be to him. Now Trace is determined to not only provide his make-shift family with shelter for the winter, he is insisting on hunting down the three yellow-bellied killers responsible for their plight, only Deb may be in mortal danger; she can recognize one of their faces.
Written with the sort of witty cadence that only Mary Connealy can provide, “The Accidental Guardian” is guaranteed to entertain and delight!
Just completed, back to back, all 3 books in this series by Ms. Connealy and loved them. Great characters, connections to each other, so much love, faith, caring. I don’t normally read a lot of the historical western genre but am so glad I took a chance on this first one. I bought the other 2 books before I was half way through the first one and have already bought the first book of her Wild at Heart Series. I highly recommend Ms. Connealy’s books, stories to anyone who gets great pleasure from reading stories where you find yourself smiling, wanting to keep turning those pages! Great stories.
I really enjoyed this book. I don’t usually read “historic” books, but this one is set in the late 1800 in the area around where Iive, so I could relate to areas and events that were referenced in the book. I look forward to reading more in this series from this author.
Loved the plot and description of the wild country and how they survived
Looking for a light read from wagon trains going west and the dangers they encounter. A bit predictable but very enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this book! Hard to put it down.
Another excellent read by Ms Mary!! I’ve loved every book of hers I’ve read. The characters are witty and fun. The story is serious, yet has bits of humor throughout. Love the mix!
The Accidental Guardian – Mary Connealy – Deb and Gwen miraculously survive a wagon train massacre while caring for a baby and a toddler. Though Deb get a glimpse of one of the attacker’s face and hears the voice of another, the three men are more than she can take on. As she desperately moves her sister and two young charges into the woods to hide, she happens upon a lone traveler. Trace, also a wagon train massacre survivor, sees them alone and heads back to investigate. Scavenging what she can, Deb helps Gwen put the children on Trace’s horse so they can get to Trace’s ranch as quick as they can. Trace has been acting as the mysterious guardian of wagon trains in this particular part of the mountains, but he realizes that he is going to need to warn the local law enforcement in Carson City. Deb and Trace start warning sheriffs while falling in love. Deb has a lot to learn about trust, and Trace comes face to face with a bear while wrestling with revenge. The hand of God is all over this amazing journey! I just put Lake Tahoe on my bucket list! Happy Reading!
This is the first in a trilogy and begins with two sisters who had negotiated with a husband and wife who are headed west. Their chores include watching the two young children of the couple they are traveling with. One morning before daybreak, the children awaken and want to ‘go potty’ so the sisters lead them into the tall grass to ‘go’ and while they are away from the wagons, raiders attack and kill everyone with the wagons. How the two sisters and the two young children survive is the story of this and the following novels… I recommend not only this novel but the two succeeding ones. Go ahead and buy all three of them… The Accendental Guardian, The Reluctant Warrior, and The Unexpected Champion.
The hero was neither highly educated or gorgeous. He was an honest, hard working man who knew how to take care of those in his charge. The heroine was gutsy and not afraid of the unknown. Just what you would expect from the pioneers who blazed the trail west. An interesting and realistic story.
It was a wonderful book