Reviewer's Bookshelf: Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy

Book Summary (Goodreads): Bailey Wilde is one of the best new ranchers in the West. She's been living disguised as a man for a while, but when Gage Coulter comes to drive her off her homestead, he quickly realizes he's dealing with a woman--a very tough, very intriguing woman at that.

Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of his best range land is lost to him because Bailey's homestead is located right across the only suitable entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to his land--and he's got to go through Bailey to do it.

Spending a winter alone has a way of making a person crave some human contact. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan Gage concocts. Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders loosen up enough to earn each other's respect--and maybe find love in
the process?

My thoughts...This third book in the Tried and True series by Mary Connealy goes out with a bang! The setting, characters, and a plot that brings it all together made a perfect action packed conclusion.

Bailey Wilde, in my mind, is the toughest of the three Wilde sisters. She's also a Civil War veteran, but even before she went off to war she was protecting her sisters from their father's hateful tirades. I was interested to know what the shadows were in Bailey's past and how they would be brought into the light. The story revealed her vulnerable side and through her interaction with Gage, she softened and was, for once, being protected instead of being the one that had to always do the protecting.

Gage was "ice" and Bailey was "fire"...so you can only imagine the fantastic tension that was going on between these two!  Lots of sassiness, stubborness, and a good dose of romance rounded out the fast-moving plot. Throw in a mysterious bad guy with some dangerous traps set up for Gage and you've got a little bit of everything.  I couldn't put it down!

I would highly recommend all three books in the Tried and True series!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**