About the Book
Book: Call in the Canyons
Author: Kathleen Denly
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: June 3, 2025
The bandits who murdered her father are back, but can she trust the sheriff to protect her home and her heart?
Sheriff Heath Monroe believed the wrong man, and although California’s most notorious gang leader was eventually brought to justice, Heath’s error shattered the confidence of the people he serves. With reelection looming, Heath is desperate to prove his worth. So when he learns of a new threat to the citizens of California, he doesn’t hesitate to take action, even though he knows the job will endanger the lives of those he cares about—something he swore he’d never do again. Haunted by the ghosts of past mistakes and second-guessing every decision, Heath sets out to put an end to California’s most dangerous bandit gang, once and for all.
Virginia Baker works hard to keep her desert cattle ranch going, and even harder to keep all men off her land. When the bandits who murdered her father return to her valley, memories of a friendship cut tragically short drive her to work with the all-male posse pursuing the gang in search of justice. Despite her determination to remain guarded, Heath Monroe’s steadfast integrity and unexpected humility begin to crack her defenses. But can she rely on the widower leading them, or will his secrets confirm her belief that no man is to be trusted?
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My Thoughts:
If you have been reading this series, this is Ginny's story. She has always come off as a tough as nails character and one that certainly does not need a man to complicate her life. If you have not been reading the series, this also reads great as a standalone.
Ginny is trying to keep her image up of a tough girl. She is tough, and self-reliant, but sometimes we all need help and a partner to walk life with is a bonus.
Enter Sheriff Heath Monroe who also has experienced some tragedy in his life. He is also a protector, even more so now after the tragic death of his wife. When these two meet and try to work together to catch a very dangerous gang of men, sparks are going to fly, and clashes are going to happen. However, I enjoyed the growth of these two characters as they worked through past trauma, present circumstances, all for the benefit of a hopeful future. They rubbed off the rough edges on one another. Another great drama and romantic read with plenty of danger in the old west.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
More from Kathleen
The Power of Unlikely Alliances: Breaking Stereotypes in Call in the Canyons
When we think of the Old West, we often imagine familiar archetypes: rugged cowboys, tough lawmen, and damsels in distress. These characters have been depicted time and again in Westerns but often missing the complexity that truly defines who we are as individuals. In Call in the Canyons, I wanted to push back against those typical stereotypes, creating a world where characters defy expectations, form unlikely alliances, and challenge preconceived notions about who can be a hero, a villain, or even a love interest.
Virginia Baker: A Strong, Independent Heroine
Virginia “Ginny” Baker is a woman who embodies strength and resilience. She’s not the typical “damsel” you might expect from a Western; in fact, she works harder than most men to keep her desert cattle ranch going. Virginia is fiercely independent, having learned early on that the world isn’t kind to women who rely on others. A devastating attack on her father’s ranch that left her the sole survivor only solidified this belief. Yet even as she pushes people away, Ginny’s story is about growth—learning to trust, learning to forgive, and ultimately, learning to let others in.
Ginny doesn’t just defy the stereotype of the helpless woman; she is also a representation of the idea that strength can coexist with vulnerability. She has scars, both physical and emotional, from a past that refuses to be forgotten. And when the very men who killed her father return to the region she calls home, she is forced to work with a posse of men she doesn’t trust. Ginny definitely doesn’t see herself as someone who needs saving, but she eventually realizes that sometimes strength isn’t about facing the world alone—it’s about being open to help when it’s needed and accepting the joy that can be found in true fellowship.
Sheriff Heath Monroe: A Man on the Path to Redemption
Sheriff Heath Monroe is a man haunted by past mistakes, carrying the weight of guilt and a deep fear of failure. His tragic history has made him wary of letting anyone, especially women, take risks. As Sheriff, he has tried to prove his worth, but his past continues to cast a shadow over every decision.
When a new threat emerges in Call in the Canyons, Heath must confront not only the dangers facing his community but his own reluctance to trust others’ decisions. Through his partnership with Ginny, he begins to see that redemption isn’t just about regaining respect—it’s about letting go of the past, learning to let others take risks, and, most importantly, learning to trust God.
Challenging Stereotypes and Breaking Barriers
One of the most rewarding parts of writing Call in the Canyons was exploring how these two characters—Ginny and Heath—push against the boundaries of their worlds. Virginia’s fierce independence challenges the notion that women in the Old West were relegated to secondary roles. She’s not just a survivor; she’s an active participant in her own story, driving the action and decisions that shape her fate.
Heath, on the other hand, challenges the idea that a “hero” must be flawless. His struggles with guilt, loss, and self-doubt make him a hero not in spite of his flaws but because of them. His vulnerability makes him someone readers can empathize with and root for, as they see his journey not just as one of professional redemption but personal healing as well.
Both of these characters also challenge the notion that our past defines us. While acknowledging the very real impact that trauma has on us, their journeys demonstrate resilience and hope for joy-filled futures.
But the breaking of stereotypes isn’t limited to these two characters. Call in the Canyons is a world where characters of different backgrounds, races, and experiences interact and challenge each other. One of the novel’s key themes is that people should not be judged based on their race, their family, or even their past, and this is reflected in the relationships that develop over the course of the story.
An Unlikely Pair
Ginny and Heath’s evolving relationship is an example of an unlikely alliance—a pairing that grows from mutual distrust into something deeply beautiful. She’s been betrayed by men in the past; he’s been betrayed by his own decisions. Yet as they work together, they come to see each other as more than just their past mistakes or preconceived notions.
This journey from mistrust to love is a key theme in Call in the Canyons, and it mirrors the larger narrative of overcoming prejudice and embracing the idea that redemption and healing are possible, no matter who you are or where you come from.
Why It Matters
As readers, we often find comfort in familiar stories and familiar characters. But it’s the stories that challenge our assumptions and push us to reconsider what we believe that leave a lasting impact. In Call in the Canyons, I wanted to create a story that would give readers not only the exciting journey they expect in a Western but also something new, something to think about long after they’ve turned the last page
For that reason, Call in the Canyons is an adventurous story of healing, redemption, justice, faith, and love in all its beautifully messy forms.
To celebrate the release of Call in the Canyons, I am offering a giveaway package:
- 1 metal sign depicting Cowgirls and listing scripture that reinforces who God says you are
- 1 Hardback copy of When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book
Impressions, June 19
lakesidelivingsite,
June 19
Melissa’s
Bookshelf, June 20
Debbie’s
Dusty Deliberations, June 21
Texas Book-aholic,
June 22
Devoted To Hope,
June 22
Truth and Grace
Homeschool Academy, June 23
For Him and My
Family, June 24
Bizwings Book
Blog, June 25
Books
Less Travelled, June 26
Happily
Managing a Household of Boys, June 27
Blossoms
and Blessings, June 28
Holly’s Book
Corner, June 29
Cover
Lover Book Review, June 30
Pause for
Tales, July 1
Fiction Book
Lover, July 2 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a metal sign, and a hardback copy of When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54240
