Chasing the Horizon - (A Western Light) by Mary Connealy (Paperback)

This new historical fiction handles several subjects. One, the plight of women (and sometimes men) being wrongfully committed to insane asylums and the atrocious, inhumane treatment they received. Two, evil men who treated women under their care brutally. And three, the courage of pioneers along the wagon trail from east to west and dangers encountered. As the author weaves this story, her characters are fleshed out giving the reader insight into their character and behavior. We love some and truly hate others. They show strength to overcome and the ability to adjust. Their astounding compassion toward others. And, yes, there is a sweet, budding romance. And the twisted mind, character, and deeds of the main protagonist show the depth of a man's evil. At the end of their journey across the pages of this book, we find that perils still persist and this makes us as readers anticipate the author's next tale in the Western Light Series. A book I highly recommend. DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy the book to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

I was so excited when I saw that Mary Connealy had a new book coming out! I couldn’t wait to dig in. Chasing the Horizon is the first novel in A Western Light series. This story focuses on Beth as she fights for her mother’s freedom. Escaping from an insane asylum is no easy task, but Beth and her mother are up for the challenge. Beths father is a hard man, and he doesn’t often hear the word “no”. When Beths mother fought back, she was sent to an asylum, and Beth knows it’s only a matter of time before her father sends her next. Greed can be a evil motivator. Lucky for them, Beth is good at making plans and eager to learn. After escape, they both know that they must get as far away as fast as they can. Assuming new identities the ladies join a wagon train. The adventures that leads to, along with meeting Jake, kept me turning pages late into the night. Can Jake see behind the secrets to the truth before it’s too late? I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction. Connealy did not disappoint, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I think I’ve decided that I really enjoy cowboy historicals, and I need to read more of them. There is just something about the grit and perseverance that is essential to mere survival that provides for some great growth and tension. I love it! (And also, cowboys in books are amazingly swoony.) And this book provides some of that. Beth is remarkably resilient and resourceful. I love how she went to work to learn the skills she knew she would need to survive the wilds of the West, after having lived a privileged life among the wealthy elite of Chicago. She put in so much effort and time, and was incredibly dedicated. Helping her mother escape from her wrongful commitment to an insane asylum and hiding on a wagon train, Beth proved her determination and love for her family. She went to work, and didn’t give up getting her mother safely away from her ruthless, conniving father, Thaddeus Rutledge. It’s easy to admire Jake, who didn’t allow his curiosity and suspicions to cloud his ability to see goodness in others. Naturally, his treatment of Beth and her entourage was sweet, and I loved watching him gradually grow in his esteem for Beth. Their romance was sweet, though it felt a tad sudden for me, without a lot hinting toward it. But, again, the dedication they showed to each other, especially on Jake’s side, was really sweet. I adored Oscar and his brothers, who helped Beth plan and train and prepare, and saw them all to safety. And the valley they found to settle sounds amazing! I want to live there in real life. The rest of the cast of side characters really rounded out the book, and I grew to love all of them. My heart really went out to Ginnie and Kat. It is disgusting that men could have their wives committed to insane asylums just because they didn’t want them around. And the treatment of the women in those places was deplorable. Both Ginnie and Kat have to deal with PTSD because of the conditions of their lives in the asylum, and my heart ached for them—and knowing that those were stories patterned after real women. Sebastian is extremely mysterious, and I’m still trying to decide how much I trust him. I’m looking forward to reading his story. There are some sections from the perspective of Thaddeus Rutledge, Ginnie’s husband and Beth’s father. He is sinister and vicious. Thank heavens for the Pinkerton agents who could tell the truth from the lies. This was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the second book in the series. **Many thanks to the publisher, through @austenprose, for the copy. This honest review was voluntarily provided.

Assumed identities, a wagon train west, and the appearance of Pinkerton agents make this an exciting story that's worthy of being labeled as Western fiction. I even found myself humming the theme to the old TV show, Wagon Train, as I quickly turned the pages! I couldn't stop reading about their adventure! Author Mary Connealy is known for her 'romantic comedies with cowboys' and Chasing the Horizon certainly doesn't disappoint. There's humor, the beginning of trust, and a sweet romance waiting to be explored as the journey continues. Will they end up chasing their horizons together? This ending sentence of this book suggests that there's more exciting adventure ahead in the second book of Connealy's A Western Light series! If you want Western adventure sprinkled with historical details, clean romance, a hint of mystery, and one of the worst villains ever, grab a copy of Chasing the Horizon. Well done, Mary Connealy! I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

Oh my, Mary Connealy you are a truly amazing story teller! This book is quite an adventure so if you are looking for it then this book is for you!! The story is full of love, self sacrifice, well thought out planning, loyalty, friendship, and sit on the edge of your seat for what happens next adventures. So pick up a copy of Chasing the Horizon and follow Beth, Ginny, Kat as they set out west to escape Beth’s evil father for the adventure and mysteries that follow! I supper highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book Towards the Dawn releasing in June! I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publisher. However this recommendation and review were completely my thoughts and opinions and I was not required to submit a review.

It's horrible the way women were treated in the 1800's by their husbands and fathers. They had no rights. In order to save her mother from her father's hand, Beth Rutledge helps her mother escape from the insane asylum her father had her committed to (she was opinionated and vocal about it) and along the way picks up two stragglers who are also trying to disappear for unknown reasons. Beth and her group join a wagon train headed to Oregon. Along the way we see what it would have been like to be on a wagon train: the long days, walking, bad weather, wagon accidents, friendships that were formed, what the country looked like, etc. This story has lots of action, humor, faith, romance, and some suspense. Another great read by the author.

Mary Connealy certainly knows how to write diabolical villains. Thaddeus Rutledge is a ruthless man used to having his own way. When his wife had the nerve to stand up to him he had her declared insane and imprisioned in an asylum. It was especially offensive to him that she would not turn over the inheritance from her family, which was locked up tight in a trust for their daughter Elizabeth. It took some time, but with the help of friends, Beth was able to free her mother. Another woman, Kat, escaped with her. This was 1869 when women had very few rights and could be declared insane and put away for trumped up reasons. Beth's plan was well thought out and though the trip across the country was long, hard, and totally different than the life they'd known, it was well worth it. A young, handsome scout, Jake Holt, became a listening ear for Beth. Her father hired Pinkertons to find Beth and her mother. It was fun to have familiar agents from a previous book make an appearance. There are several loose ends that will presumably be resolved in the next books. I liked the book but noticed several discrepancies. There isn't quite as much action or humor as there usually is in this author's books but it is still a very entertaining story. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys western historical romances. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

She was free. If she wanted to remain free, she had to run. In 1869 it was legal for a husband to have his wife committed to an asylum just for disagreeing with him. Thaddeus Rutledge was just such a person, when he was unable to access the sizable inheritance of his wife and daughter. Knowing they would have to disappear in order to be safe, plans were made. An escape from the asylum, a new name and a grand adventure. Beth and her older sister Ginny (her mother), left luxury for a cattle boat, horseback and a wagon train. But would they manage to stay safe in spite of tragedy? Could he possibly find them using his vast resources, feeling very free to lie to get what he wanted? This fabulous first book in the A Western Light series was received through Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing House and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.