Loving the Mysterious Texan

Garrison's Law #5

by Mary Connealy

Garrison's Law enters the Gothic Romance Genre. Amnesia, murder, treasure and ghosts. A woman wakes up next to a dead man with no idea how she got there, who he is.....who SHE is. Grey Devereau drags a terrified woman out of his cousin's bed...his very dead cousin. It looks for all the world like she killed him. But then everyone who knows Victor wants to kill him eventually. Grey included. Lanny Cole, the young woman hired to research the history of the Devereau family, can't remember a thing. Grey steps in with an alibi and Lanny realizes that if Grey is her alibi, then she's his. She decides to trust him, but then she's suffered a head injury. So she's probably making one stupid decision after another. And then someone else dies. And a hurricane cuts them all off from help. And then someone else dies.... And the rumors of ghosts and treasure can't be true. Sure Grey saw the ghost, in fact, he's pretty sure the ghost saved his life as a child. But he was upset at the time and he doesn't believe in ghosts. Chills and thrills abound in an old island home built by a loathsome pirate. He's not a Garrison, but when he gets in trouble, he turns to his old friend Case Garrison for help. Garrison's Law just got spooky.

Genres: Contemporary, Mystery, Christian, Suspense, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Fiction

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2019

About the author

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 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.

Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website

Reviews

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A wail of wind whistled around the outside of the old house in a high-pitched moan that almost sounded like sobbing.'

When Lanny Cole wakes up in the bed beside a dead man, herself injured, she doesn't know who he is or even who she herself is. Devereaux Grey yanks her up, cleans her and gives her an alibi before the police arrive. He actually just gave himself an alibi because the dead man is his cousin, who was so mean everybody would kill him themselves once they got to know him.

I purely love Mary Connealy's books. Her cowboy comedies are awesome and when she brought out the Garrison's Law book series, I was stunned at her talent for switching genres so easily. But this time, she enters the Gothic mystery realm and proves that her talent is just absolutely wonderful. This one is not strictly speaking a Garrison's Law book since a Garrison only has a minor role, but there are a few more Garrisons left and I certainly and sincerely hope Connealy gives them a story.

This one features an old mansion on an island near Texas, full of all sorts of creepy things: old family history, ghosts, hidden treasures, multiple hidden passages and a murderer on the loose that you will never suspect. I think this would make an excellent movie! Spine tingling mystery, dark and brooding, it's sure to please Connealy's readers. And everyone else.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's be honest, if you know me at all you totally know what I'm going to say first. Well, maybe not as life has been scattered for a minute or ninety bazillion of them. 'Loving the Mysterious Texan' is the fifth book in a series. Fifth! Guess how many I had a chance to read before diving into this one? Zero. I had the books on hand, I had amazing intentions. But then life happened, and work crazied, and weren't there just some holidays or something? Not valid reasons but solid fizzyfied excuses. Here's the flip side of that though. As much as it grieves me at a visceral level to read a series out of order, it doesn't matter. Not one wit, not one iota, not one whatever you wanna call it. I mean, yes I might have missed out of some little nuance of some sort of existing relationships but I don't have a clue that I'm missing it. Needless to say, I can attest with absolute personal experience that this book reads perfectly as a stand alone. Couple that with a genre I've been missing (not the romance part!) and I'm a very happy girl. It's been a minute since I could dig into a good suspense and this one fit that bill to a T.

Now, while I'm all gushy and so very content with all the suspense this book had to offer I have one ginormous thing I cannot overlook. I tried. I took all my love for the well written suspense and still can't turn away. It's like gawkers on the highway passing an accident scene, they just can't not do it. Insta-love is like that for me. I mean, sometimes, maybe, perhaps, if x and y and z come out to play but. . . I just couldn't do it with this book. There's insta-love and then there's 'do you even know each other's middle name or birthday or even where they actually live in real life insta-love. And when you factor in all the intense and traumatic (I mean Lanny did wake up with amnesia next to a dead body!) things that unfolded around Lanny and Grey it's bound that they will forge an intense bond. But three days (give or take) and suddenly it's happily ever after? I mean really, do you know where each other actually lives?!? Grey never revealed that to my recollection. When's his birthday? What's her middle name? I mean personal things to know about each other before promising happily ever after! Really, that in and of itself is my only complaint, but for me it's a huge one. So huge it's the sole reason this is not a five star review for me.

I think part of my reading slow down (outside of all the excuses provided above) is that I've over dipped into the romance genre. I need something to keep me on the edge of my seat and keep me guessing. I enjoy something that makes me leary about reading in the dark. I need a mystery to solve! Connealy truly gave me that as I *thought* so many times I had it all figured out, just to have to adjust my bad guy over and over. She truly kept me guessing right up to the very end. This is only my second book by this author and my first of her as a suspense/mystery but I'll definitely need to come back for me. And I have to make the time and go back and read the first books in this series! If they are a fraction as good as this one then it'll not even be effort.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Just Read. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.com/loving...

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me on the edge the entire time. I started this on a plane ride and couldn’t stop until I finished it in wee hours of the next morning. This series does not disappoint. I love good mysteries and this had plenty!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts & goblins

Only one small detail was left uncovered: Who was that mysterious woman in the dark gown with gold cuffs who guided Lanny & Grey to safe passage? Could dull Clarinda have done that, then changed clothes and saved Sally? Or was it the spirit of Gizelle? A very suspenseful tale of a pirate's family legacy. Secret passages, hidden treasure, dark hatreds combine to make this another success for Mary Connealy.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed this modern day Gothic. It’s the fifth book in the Garrison’s Law series and the first one I’ve read. There is no trouble keeping up with characters as only one Garrison is in the book. So never fear. If you haven’t read the others you won’t be lost; unless you find yourself with amnesia, in a hidden tunnel, in inky blackness.

Connealy’s talent transcended any expectations I had when I started this book. Well known for her historical cowboy romances with a heavy dose of humor (which I am quite fond of), Loving the Mysterious Texan is dark and creepy. I was spellbound.

There are two drawbacks for me. The first is the speed in which the main characters ‘fall in love’. It’s pretty much immediate. You’ll see why it’s kind of far-fetched when/if you read it. Or you can read the comments of another reviewer who explains it all quite well. The second drawback is at the end of the story (even though this isn’t labeled a Christian book both characters have faith in God as in classic Bible believing Christians), the idea of ghosts being real is perpetrated. I wasn’t expecting that. If neither of those things are a deterrent, you might like this book as much I did or maybe even more.

I borrowed it through KU and didn’t have to leave a review but I appreciate the time and effort an author puts into writing a book. Even though I can’t give it 5 stars, I do wholeheartedly give it 4.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just read the previous four books in the Garrison's Law series, I was expecting this one to feature Jim, but I was wrong. Case Garrison does have a minor role, but the main character is his friend Grey, who we briefly met at the end of book four. Devereau Grey is named for his mother's family who legend say descended from the pirate, Pierre Devereau. Grey has tried hard to disassociate himself from the family, who are a rather evil lot. The last of the family lives in a monstrosity on top of a mountain on their own island off the coast of Texas. Grey arrives late one night for one last visit. There is Estella Devereau, a truly evil, demented woman, her daughter Clarinda, sons Victor and Allen, Allen's wife Meredith, Trevor who is purported to be a long lost Devereau descendant, Lanny Cole who was hired to research and write the family history, and Sally, the family housekeeper. Someone has murdered Victor. Because of the remoteness of the house, one of these people had to be the murderer. This book had a totally different feel than the previous books in the series. This was reminiscent of a gothic suspense novel of the type by Daphne Du Maurier and Victoria Holt, complete with many storms, secret passages, ghosts, and terror and was very well done. This is my second favorite of the series, after Ben and Trudy's story in book one.

[Andrea Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lana Cole, known as Lanny, wakes up to a storm and a nightmare. Grey pulled her out of it and provided an alibi for her in the death of Victor. Allen, Victor’s brother, and his mother Estella live on the premises along with Clarinda, Sally and Trevor. Grey does only when he has to. So if Lanny didn’t kill Victor, who did? I bounced back and forth in who I suspected numerous times and everyone in the house had my suspicions at least once. The revealing of “who done it” along with a wonderful wrap of the story keeps us waiting until almost the end. The description of the house and its secrets will leave you wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. Don’t know if the author has plans for another books featuring another Garrison, but this whole series has been a good foray into romantic suspense for her.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting suspense romance book. It definitely kept my interest as to who the culprit is. There were some twists to the plot that I didn't see coming. An old mansion with hidden passageways and hidden secrets that someone did not want to come to light kept my interest high. And when there's a romance thrown in, what more could a reader ask for. This is the first of the Garrison's Law series I read so am wondering what I've missed and if the previous four books may have helped to add some depth to this story. I enjoy Connealy's books and this one did not disappoint. I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd actually rate this book 3.5. At least in this book Lanny's character wasn't the usual obnoxious and hateful female that was the norm in the other books in the series. Because Lanny's was written more likable than the other Garrison leading ladies I enjoyed this book more, but the 'supernatural' element wasn't my cup of tea. Although, Grey constantly grabbing Lanny and kissing her and making it seem as though they slept together when they didn't even know each other was creepy and awkward.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read most of Mary Conneally's books, and I must say, this one was very different from most of her works! Exciting story, but very different, almost creepy. Instead of being about a Garrison, it is about a Garrison friend of the family, Devereux Gray. His family has a long history of being descended from a pirate, and they have an ancestral home called "The Devil's Nest" Interesting and strange story, but I loved it anyway!

[Sandra Bagwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean mystery/ romance novel. There is some graphic descriptions of violence. The book keeps you guessing who plays what part in the army from beginning to the end. The characters are well developed and believable. There is a stark difference between the Christians and those who do not show any faith. If you like mysteries this one needs to be added to your reading list.

[Sherlyn Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

There was not a dull moment in this book. I love the Garrison brothers so was kinda skeptical about Case Garrison's friend, Grey and a big old dark mansion with a ghost. But it ended up being so entertaining and exciting I couldn't put it down. I really didn't want this series to end!

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story turned into being "spooky" to me. I went back to book 4 to see the Case and Nat Garrison connection then in the last pages met Grey who became part of the Garrison family through Case many years before. Not sure what character will be next or is there one? Look forward to Mary's new series later in the year.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one

Puts the mystery mansion out there. Lanny was doing the history of the Devereaux family when she uncovers some truths to a lie being God and Estella tries to set her up as a murderer with help from her son Allen. But Grey showed up in time to help her. But there are many more twist & turns.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was nothing like any of the other books I’ve read by Mary Connealy though. I’ve never read one by her with ghosts before, and admittedly it wasn’t my favorite. The mystery was good and I loved Grey and Lana. I wish that instead there would have been a story about at least one of the oldest Garrisons, because now I want to know about them too.

[beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

People aren't really this stupid

Never understand why authors portray women characters as being so completely lacking in common sense. We want to read about intelligent women who make smart decisions. Why can't authors write plots around that type of character?

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance and suspense

This was totally different from other Mary Connealy books I’ve read but it kept me reading until the end. But I wish I had read all the other books in the series before reading this one.

[Anne Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

This book was difficult to put down it had plenty and twist and turns good characters and evil characters. Ghosts, hidden passages and treasure keep you glued to the page.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little odd; a little slow. Not AS good as the last couple of books in the series, but still good.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than just the law men grand old pirate mystery to solve.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The spooky and mysterious Gothic mood of this book contrasts with the previous ones in the series, and it felt more like a whodunit Texas version of Clue. The details aren't spelled out, but get revealed piece by piece as Lanny continues to investigate the family secrets, despite her terror and amnesia. The instalove of Grey didn't really work for me as much as his protective nature did, and I missed experiencing the development of his romantic feelings. Lanny held herself back more, even while they pretend to be a couple to maintain her alibi. There's not a wide selection of suspects, but there is still plenty of twists and turns while the trapped Devereaus work to uncover the mystery or keep it hidden.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

[Connie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! A new Mary Connealy

Twist is the only way I can put it. I'm used to Mary Connealy writing cowboy stories. The is more a gothic modern style. Love the book. She may have a while series of these but, this is the first one I've read.

[Grace]

DNF