Every time that I pick up and read a book from Mary Connealy I am in awe at the topics and issues that are addressed in such a loving and in depth manner. This specific book deals with marriage, courage, abuse, healing, strength, and new faith. The lives of the characters are so real and so easily comparable to real life that it is extremely difficult to remember that it supposedly just a fictitious story in novel format. Cassie is a woman who was brought up in a closed environment where she was unable to think or be for herself. She was then thrust into a life where the static existence that she formerly knew was practically ripped to shreds as piece by piece she learned to think for herself. Belle is a wounded woman who has endured so much pain at the form of broken hearts in marriage that any hope she once had has dwindled. It is now time for her to either accept the painful defeat of life or find hope in an attempt of grace in action. This book tells the story of Cassie and gets a good foot in the door of the tale behind Belle's life. (Cannot wait for another book in the series to find out more!!)Many people know and think about abuse and how it is a physical pain, but often they forget about the emotional and spiritual scars that are endured as well. Within this tale, various characters find ways of adapting and moving forward in life from years of proverbial abuse. Some make the right decisions and some do not. Watching these characters and their mistakes and correct actions can cause a reader to grow as well. This book is filled to the brim with situations where a reader can learn through someone's pain instead of their own. Also in the style of Mary Connealy, conversations and events fill a reader full to giggling whether they want to or not. Their were points where I'm not sure if I should blame my own pregnancy or not for the giggles brought me to tears. For me personally, another best part of this book was reading about two characters and their own experiences with pregnancy. This is the first book with a birth that I have been blessed to read that was more than she's pregnant and in the last chapter has the babe. I was enthralled by the experiences and interactions that it proved to provide with neighbors and spouses. And now, I impatiently wait for the next book in the series or other from the imaginations of Mary Connealy!! ( )

True confession time: I only requested this book because I have an unrequited love affair with all things Montana. I didn't really pay any attention to the description of the book beyond the title, so it was a bit of a surprise to realize as I read that it was (in my view) a Christian romance. I lowered my expectations accordingly (having found previously that books with such an overt point of view, whatever it is, tend to have less-than-stellar writing and plotting) and kept reading.

How refreshing, then, to find that Montana Rose is a very good book. It is well-written, and the characters appealingly drawn. In a nutshell, a woman in 19th century Montana finds herself widowed and pregnant, an unacceptable condition in that time and place. She is forced into marriage with a local fellow (at her husband's funeral, no less!) who is a virtual stranger, and struggles to make a life for herself and her family.

The Christian message is not subtle, but it fits smoothly within the narrative rather than sticking out like a sore thumb. It's true, though, that I don't have any beef with a Christian viewpoint, being one myself though not evangelical. Someone with a strong non-Christian worldview would probably find this book's message overbearing.

As I said, there were some interesting plot "twists." I dreaded the inevitable preaching about a woman learning that it is her Christian duty to be submissive and obedient to her husband, but that wasn't the message at all. Cassie's new husband, Red, is much more interested in molding Cassie into a wife who can be an equal partner for him in their hardscrabble frontier life.

Still, it's hard for a Christian novel to generate much reader suspense over whether the good guys will prevail and the bad guys be thwarted. There's really only one way for it all to work out, so the emphasis for me as a reviewer became whether the journey is enjoyable even when the destination is preordained. In the case of Montana Rose the answer, quite happily, is yes. ( )

When I got word that I had won Montana Rose by Mary Connealy, I had mixed feelings... I wasn't quite sure what it would be like. After contracting swine flu, I finally had time to read it... and was blown away. It was some of the best fun I had had reading a book in a LONG time. I can not wait to get my hands on the next book and am so, so impressed with Ms. Connealy's writing! =) ( )

Montana Rose was a fun read. I chuckled over Cassie's attempts to be helpful and I agonized over the way the villain toments her.
I was a little put off by the too pat ending (I wanted to keep on hating him) but other than that it was a well written book.

Poor Cassie... young and pregnant, widowed and married on the same day. Her new husband, Red Dawson, is a likable character; a lay preacher, rancher, and odd-job worker. He married Cassie not just because he was attracted to her, but to protect her from the attentions of other men in the town whose intentions were much less honorable.

The book chronicles Cassie's journey from a completely submissive/subservient woman, to one who submitted completely out of love. The way that Red taught her what marriage is intended to be like was tender and entertaining.

I was surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. I'll be looking for the next book in the series to see how it compares. ( )