| From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a spirited Western romance filled with danger, determination, and unexpected love—a tale of a fierce widow rancher, a hardworking cowboy, and the family that brings them together. Perfect for fans of historical romance and strong heroines. Belle Tanner has buried three husbands under the “Husband Tree” and managed her Montana ranch alone while raising four daughters. When she needs help with a dangerous cattle drive, she hires Silas Harden—a man who actually knows his way around cattle and horses. Unlike her previous husbands, Silas isn’t afraid of hard work, but Belle’s not about to let another man take charge of her ranch or her heart. Silas never planned on falling for a widow with four daughters, especially one as independent as Belle. But as they face treacherous mountain passes, wolf attacks, and winter storms together, he discovers that what he thought was just another job might be his chance at a real family—if he can convince Belle to trust in love one more time. With winter closing in and dangers mounting, Belle and Silas must learn to work together and trust in God’s plan. But can Belle let go of her iron control and let love lead? And can Silas prove he’s different from the husbands who came before? |  |
A heartwarming story of faith, family, and finding love in the rugged Montana Territory.
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2026
Release Date: July 21, 2026
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My Review
Will there be a 4th husband under the tree...?
I've been looking forward to this book since my first introduction to Belle Tanner. That was a couple of stories back in the Petticoats And Cowboys series from Mary Connealy. I've finally gotten my hands on The Husband Tree, what an intriguing title that is, and I've satisfied my curiosity about Belle, her tough and ready daughters, and the man who just might show them all that not all men are mean no-accounts. But first they have to survive a cattle drive. In Montana. With winter right on their heels....
The Husband Tree proved to be every bit as entertaining as I knew it would be. Belle's daughters in particular, made me laugh with their casual comments about burying husbands under a specific tree on the ranch as well as their determination to protect their mother from yet another worthless husband. Then there is the reader's first introduction to Silas – at the end of a shotgun. But this fifth book in the Petticoats And Cowboys series also packs a bit of punch to it. I found myself doing a lot of thinking while reading Belle and Silas's story. Thinking about how past trauma can color and discolor the present, how it takes deliberate decisions to step out of bitterness and change your entire way of thinking, and how a little patience and gentleness – and communication can go a long way.
I haven't fully decided yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be my favorite book in the series. I mean, it has all of the elements needed for a good western plus some of the best cowhands in skirts that you could hope for. Mary Connealy did a really good job with this one and I am definitely looking forward to book six....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy a 4 Bark rating.
I've been looking forward to this book since my first introduction to Belle Tanner. That was a couple of stories back in the Petticoats And Cowboys series from Mary Connealy. I've finally gotten my hands on The Husband Tree, what an intriguing title that is, and I've satisfied my curiosity about Belle, her tough and ready daughters, and the man who just might show them all that not all men are mean no-accounts. But first they have to survive a cattle drive. In Montana. With winter right on their heels....
The Husband Tree proved to be every bit as entertaining as I knew it would be. Belle's daughters in particular, made me laugh with their casual comments about burying husbands under a specific tree on the ranch as well as their determination to protect their mother from yet another worthless husband. Then there is the reader's first introduction to Silas – at the end of a shotgun. But this fifth book in the Petticoats And Cowboys series also packs a bit of punch to it. I found myself doing a lot of thinking while reading Belle and Silas's story. Thinking about how past trauma can color and discolor the present, how it takes deliberate decisions to step out of bitterness and change your entire way of thinking, and how a little patience and gentleness – and communication can go a long way.
I haven't fully decided yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be my favorite book in the series. I mean, it has all of the elements needed for a good western plus some of the best cowhands in skirts that you could hope for. Mary Connealy did a really good job with this one and I am definitely looking forward to book six....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Mary
The Husband Tree remains the book I am asked about the most when I talk to readers.
Or, if I get asked, which is your favorite character…someone inevitably says Belle Tanner.
There’s something about that woman.
The title of the book is based on the tree where she’s buried three worthless husbands. After Anthony died falling off the roof…where he was hiding from work as usual, she’s tossing dirt on his face while vowing to God and her children to never marry again.
She’s taught her girls to work hard at her side, but her main lesson is to teach them to avoid men at all costs. A warning that doesn’t survive, but not for lack of effort on Belle’s part.
She’s the meanest good guy I’ve ever written, the most enduring ‘fiesty lady rancher’. Yet somehow, her REASONS for being mean are so well tuned, that she gets away with being a very hostile-to-men woman.
Not that I haven’t written plenty of feisty lady ranchers…in fact I love the type so much I have to fight putting one as the heroine in every book. But Belle is in a league of her own.
Silas Harden is also NOT interested in a woman. He’s been burned bad TWICE by women. One woman a betrayer, another a sneaking liar who stages a ‘compromising situation’ to force a marriage. He’s lost two ranches because of it. He wants a place of his own and he’s not risking letting a woman ruin things for him. It’s cost him too much.
But, much as she hates to admit she needs a man’s help, Belle’s going to lose her herd if she doesn’t get the cattle to market and there’s no one else to help but the wandering cowpoke, Silas.
Belle and her four daughters, including a diaper-wearing baby, need to punch one thousand head of cattle over the roughest trail in the whole world…not that Belle’s familiar with the whole world, but it’s a brutally hard stretch.
Off they go, both bristling, but soon enough they’re working so hard they’re too TIRED to hate each other.
And then here comes love. A man Belle can’t help but respect. A woman Silas can’t help but trust.
If they all survive this drive…both of them might just take a chance again, on love.
Or, if I get asked, which is your favorite character…someone inevitably says Belle Tanner.
There’s something about that woman.
The title of the book is based on the tree where she’s buried three worthless husbands. After Anthony died falling off the roof…where he was hiding from work as usual, she’s tossing dirt on his face while vowing to God and her children to never marry again.
She’s taught her girls to work hard at her side, but her main lesson is to teach them to avoid men at all costs. A warning that doesn’t survive, but not for lack of effort on Belle’s part.
She’s the meanest good guy I’ve ever written, the most enduring ‘fiesty lady rancher’. Yet somehow, her REASONS for being mean are so well tuned, that she gets away with being a very hostile-to-men woman.
Not that I haven’t written plenty of feisty lady ranchers…in fact I love the type so much I have to fight putting one as the heroine in every book. But Belle is in a league of her own.
Silas Harden is also NOT interested in a woman. He’s been burned bad TWICE by women. One woman a betrayer, another a sneaking liar who stages a ‘compromising situation’ to force a marriage. He’s lost two ranches because of it. He wants a place of his own and he’s not risking letting a woman ruin things for him. It’s cost him too much.
But, much as she hates to admit she needs a man’s help, Belle’s going to lose her herd if she doesn’t get the cattle to market and there’s no one else to help but the wandering cowpoke, Silas.
Belle and her four daughters, including a diaper-wearing baby, need to punch one thousand head of cattle over the roughest trail in the whole world…not that Belle’s familiar with the whole world, but it’s a brutally hard stretch.
Off they go, both bristling, but soon enough they’re working so hard they’re too TIRED to hate each other.
And then here comes love. A man Belle can’t help but respect. A woman Silas can’t help but trust.
If they all survive this drive…both of them might just take a chance again, on love.
 Mary Connealy | 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! |
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Texas Book-aholic, July 29
For Him and My Family, July 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 31
Guild Master, August 1 (Author Interview)
Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 1
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 3
She Lives To Read, August 4
Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)
Fiction Book Lover, August 6 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, August 6
Book Looks by Lisa, August 7
Cover Lover Book Review, August 8
Labor Not in Vain, August 9
Holly’s Book Corner, August 10
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