About the Book

Book: Petticoat Ranch

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 10, 2026

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a delightful Western adventure brimming with danger, laughter, and unexpected romance—a tale of a resourceful widow, a rugged cowboy, and the ready-made family that will steal his heart. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Sophie Edwards has survived two years in the Texas wilderness with four daughters and her wits. When a stranger falls injured near her hidden cabin during a thunderstorm, she discovers he’s the spitting image of her late husband—because Clay McClellen is her husband’s twin brother, a man who never knew his brother existed.

Clay came to Texas seeking justice for his brother’s murder. What he finds instead is a ready-made family, a rundown ranch, and a fiercely independent woman who doesn’t need rescuing—even when danger comes calling. Sophie may have pulled him from a flooded creek, but Clay is determined to be the protector she deserves, whether she wants one or not.

As vigilantes close in and old enemies resurface, Clay and Sophie must learn to trust each other and God’s plan. But can a mountain man used to solitude embrace life with four talkative daughters? And can Sophie open her guarded heart to love again—especially when the man looks exactly like the husband who broke it?

A heartwarming tale of second chances, faith, and finding love in the untamed West. 

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary 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 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

More from Mary

Petticoat Ranch is my husband’s story.

My husband is a cowboy…or rather he’s a Nebraska cattleman. Our ‘horse’ though we used to have horses, is now a pick-up truck and a four-wheeled rig that can crawl all over rugged land.

My Cowboy grew up in a family of seven sons.

His mom was about the coolest, nicest lady ever born…a living embodiment of ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.’ She could tell stories of chaos and mayhem for HOURS and just laugh. I loved her.

Then I married My Cowboy and we had FOUR DAUGHTERS.

My husband spent his whole life confused.

And example of a usual conversation:

My Cowboy: Why won’t they stop crying!?

Why won’t they stop giggling?

Why won’t they stop TALKING?

Me: Um, cuz they’re girls?

He was constantly befuddled. He loved them (still does) so madly but they did NOT make sense to him.

That’s Petticoat Ranch.

A mountain man comes to find his brother’s wife…his brother died and he’s come to ‘rescue’ them. Except they’re unbelievable tough and competent and, well, maybe they could use a little rescuing, life is tough in Texas for a widow and her four children and, in a weak moment, she agrees to marry this man who looks EXACTLY like her husband. A man she never knew existed.

And there they are. Her and her four tough Texas daughters.

Him who’s pretty much never seen a woman in his life, and certainly not a CHILD.

Now they’re married about twenty-four hours after she found out he existed…and they have to figure out how to get along.

I try really hard to thread that needle where a man is befuddled by a woman…but he’s not stupid. A woman is exasperated by a man…but she’s got a good heart.

I shove them together…and leave them to try and get along. If someone is trying to kill them, or steal their ranch, or whatever horrible outlaw is in the book, that adds to the fun.

I shove them together and then leave them to figure out how to get along.

I love Petticoat Ranch. I’ve done this kind of book many times, the mountain man who’s never been around women. The feisty lady rancher who’s used to being in charge. And never did I find that sweet spot quite as well as I did in Petticoat Ranch.

One of my very favorite books.

Ah, tough, self-sufficient Sophie. She really can use the help and he really does look exactly like her dead husband.

Ah, confused but definitely attracted Clay. He’s trying to take care of her and take charge…and she’s not cooperating.

She was definitely in charge when his brother was alive…he was kinda cranky and inept. Why won’t Clay just let her run things?

All those tough little Texas cowgirl daughters who can’t quite figure out if this is they’re pa, given back to them by God…or if this is some new guy that they are desperate to make love them, when their real pa was so desperate to have sons.

I love that Wild Heart Books is re-releasing Petticoat Ranch.

Thank you Wild Heart for giving it another chance at life.

Interview with Mary

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve got two different answers. I wrote my first book when I was about twelve. I don’t have it and it was probably ten pages long, but that was my first attempt. Then I took oh…25 years off. Grew up, college, marriage, four kids. I returned to writing about 1994. When my baby went to kindergarten. I just sat down with an idea in my head and honestly, it was the most fun I’d every had in my life. So my answer is probably the 38 year old me who really realized it. Not the twelve year old me.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I write 1000 words a day seven days a week. I sometimes write more but I rarely ever write less. My books are 70-75,000 words long so I can write a book every 2.5 months. I miss some days. And I stop on the forward progress of the book when I have revisions due…but I’ve got 4 months to write the book so that allows me to miss a lot of days.

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing? 

I am retired from real life. (you don’t count writing as real life do you?) I do almost nothing, all day, except my writing. My husband is now retired and he has taken over most of the housekeeping and cooking chores. It’s great.

What are your favorite books to read?

I read widely in most genres. Never got into fantasy, and a few other types of books. Mostly I read either straight detective fiction, or romantic suspence, and I have a weakness for Regency romance.

How do you create your main characters? 

I spend a lot of time daydreaming my books before I start writing. I always want to write feisty lady ranchers, so I have to fight that. And tough cowboys—and I don’t fight that very hard.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

I love writing. I love the original work. I love revisions. I feel like I take criticism well and appreciate that someone cares enough about my books to have an opinion. I’m just not going to complain about any of it.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m a big reader. I watch a lot of true crime podcasts…an odd habit I never should have started. I spend all the time I can get with my grandchildren.

What does your family think of your writing?

I’ve had such great support from my family. Wow. They’re really proud of me and excited for me. They read my books and are great encouragers.

Do you base your characters on real people?

For the most part, real people aren’t quite crazy enough to make it into a book. I was inspired by a real woman whose husband locked her away in an insane asylum when she publicly criticized him for changing from abolitionist to pro-slavery. Except my heroine was prettier and much kinder and, of course, she had a beautiful young daughter…who is helped very much by a cowboy when they run away from the asylum.

I read a book about America’s first woman justice of the peace and was inspired by her to create America’s SECOND woman justice of the peace. Again, mine is younger, more beautiful and not married so available for the handsome widower homesteading just outside of town.

Have you experienced writer’s block, and how do you handle it?

I don’t do writer’s block. Not sure why. I think, sometimes when I don’t know quite where to go, I back up and see if I’m skipping ahead to fast and need to flesh out scenes that lack the emotional weight to keep the story alive.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

The surprise for me was how much I love it. How easily ideas flowed for me. How I could embrace the ‘what-if’ to keep the story going.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

First of all…mean question. If the next question is ‘which one of your four children is your favorite’ I’ll know you’re up to no good. Ambush of the Heart, releasing in February, is my 81^st book. Some of those are novellas and a few are out of print. But I count those.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Find Mary online at:

http://maryconnealy.com  

http://www.Facebook.com/maryconnealy  

Get new release info straight to your inbox by Liking my Amazon Page

Find Mary’s complete book list at: http://maryconnealy.com/series-guide/

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 24

Texas Book-aholic, March 25

Holly’s Book Corner, March 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26

Jodie Wolfe, March 27

For Him and My Family, March 27

Devoted To Hope, March 28

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 29

Book Holds and Jello Molds, March 29

Jeanette’s Thoughts , March 30

She Lives To Read, March 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 31

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 1

Vicky Sluiter, April 2

Sydney Schmied Books, April 2

Cover Lover Book Review, April 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4

Labor Not in Vain , April 5

Stories By Gina, April 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/0Pzml/petticoat-ranch-celebration-tour-giveaway