Connealy (A Model of Devotion) kicks off the Wyoming Sunrise series with a spirited, suspenseful romance. It's 1870 in Pine Valley, Wyo., when Mariah Stover's brother and father are killed during a stagecoach robbery and she's left pinned under the carriage and presumed dead. Since the "Deadeye Gang" is notorious for killing witnesses, Mariah's friends bury an empty coffin marked with her name. They also urge her to flee town, but Mariah's dedicated to her work as a blacksmith, so she prays to God for protection and returns to the forge. Meanwhile, she becomes closer with Clint Roberts, a friend who helped tend to her as she recovered, and though they develop feelings for one another, Mariah balks at the idea of marriage, which would require her to give up her career. There's not much time to focus on romance, though, as a string of accidents--a freak explosion at the forge, a break-in at her house--suggest the Deadeye Gang hasn't forgotten about her, leading Mariah, Clint, and friends to work together to keep her safe. Connealy's memorable characters--especially tough, gun-toting Mariah--are easy to root for as they propel a richly-detailed adventure that captivates till the end. Readers will eagerly await the series' next entry. (Feb.)

While returning home to Pine Valley, Wyoming, after a family funeral, Mariah Stover's father and brother are killed by the notorious Deadeye Gang. She is trapped under the stagecoach and left for dead. Mariah recovers but has amnesia. Mariah's friends encourage her to leave town because the Deadeye Gang is known to kill all witnesses. But she is determined to continue running her family's blacksmith shop. Clint Roberts, the owner and chef extraordinaire of the town diner, does what he can to keep her safe, but she continues to be plagued with accidents, including a snake bite and an explosion. Clint proposes marriage, but in 1870 the only acceptable careers for a married woman are being a wife or working in her husband's business. Mariah is determined to honor her father's memory by working as the town's only blacksmith; she is also an ardent supporter of the suffrage movement and won't give that up to marry. The first novel in Connealy's new Wyoming Sunrise series offers strong female characters and a richly developed historical backdrop.