Well. Normally speaking when I'm reading an American Historical Christian Romance I like there to be a school marm involved. I don't know I like old timey school marm romances. So I was excited for this. Except. I'm not sure what happened but this should have really been much shorter then it was. It felt like the obstacles between the two leads--mostly on the male's part after a while--were so forced feeling. He had a good reason to be worried. Except instead of communicating this reasoning to his new wife--who is stuck in a cave with his hellion children who are mostly hellbent on killing her in some way--he just stares at her with lust and runs off for hours on end.

Mind you his wife is pretty naive all things considered so her being like 'I didn't know men and women did this!' was shallow sounding. She grew up in a rough environment, must have had SOME inkling as to where babies come from, but the mechanics of it never occurred to her. I wasn't sure what to make of that. ( )

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This story really was a good example of faith and how past experiences can lead to new understanding ( )

When I got the background on this book, I was a little apprehensive about reading it since I knew that it was about Miss Grace Calhoun. Upon reading Petticoat Ranch Miss Calhoun was present, but only faintly. She was definitely not my favorite character, especially in comparison to the wonders of Sophie and her girls. But, upon reading the first chapter of Calico Canyon Grace came slightly off her pedestal and I began to have some compassion for her. It was by the beginning of chapter three that I was enthralled and ready to commit a full friendship, and by the end of chapter five, I was ready to stand behind her and beat off all the bad guys. Grace is a real person, and just one more example of what you should not just a person by their first impression they leave with you. Grace is so much more than what she seemed and I'm so thrilled that I gave her a chance. But this book is about so much more than just dear Grace. We meet new characters with Tillie and a plausible romance that just makes sense. Tillie and Grace come from completely different backgrounds, but at the same time could not have more in common. Then there is Hannah and the others in Chicago with their own lives of triumph and struggles. This book captures so many real issues and does it in a wonderful fashion and light. Briefly to mention, there is slavery, and child abuse, and death, and love, and do not forget the idea of multiples!Mary did a great job with this story, and I was not at all let down! As a matter of fact I was nervous, to see what would happen. I am curious and anxious now about Hannah and Libby and I do hope that there will be more stories of their lives coming from our great author Mary Connealy. I strongly urge you to take the time to read Calico Canyon, it will not disappoint. ( )