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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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
Interview with the Author
- Do you read books in this genre? If so, who do you like to read?
Yes, I enjoy reading Christian historical romance novels. Some of my favorite authors are Crystal Caudill, Tara Johnson, Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, Rachel Fordham, Misty Beller, and Sarah Sundin.
- If a reader were to ask you what author you are like, what would you answer?
Reviewers have compared my novels to Karen Witemeyer, Misty Beller, and Mary Connealy.
- What helps you to write? Do you eat snacks, listen to music?
Water, quiet, and a tidy, anestheticly pleasing environment help get my creative juices flowing. Though, I do sometimes enjoy writing outside at home (we have 20 acres in the Sierra Nevada Foothills of Central California).
- If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to?
Ha. I wouldn’t! I know too much about the miseries, injustices, and oppression of that time and am grateful for modern medicine, technology, and civil rights progress (fragile as it is). Although I do enjoy the fashion, I enjoy it because *I* choose when to wear it and when to dress comfortably or more practically for the task at hand. My modern personality with a strong sensitivity for injustice would clash with the expectations of any past historical period and I’d no doubt land myself in hot water, if not worse.
- What is your favorite book and why?
A single favorite book? That doesn’t exist. Too many books are marvelous for different reasons. What I will say is that there are books that have stuck with me for years after I read them and fewer that I have reread. Pride and Prejudice, for example, I have read more than a dozen times and still enjoy. More recently, I have loved Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson, In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh, Recorder by Cathy McCrumb, Counterfeit Hope by Crystal Caudill, and Almost Real by Claire Cain.
- What is your favorite hymn and why?
In the Garden because it reminds me of my Grandma and her mom.
- What is one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?
I love science fiction as much a historical fiction and have plans to write in that genre.
- What inspired you to write this book?
The heroine. She represents so many women I know who have been through tougher times than anyone can ponder. Yet God finds a way to reach their heart. Ginny has a tough outter shell that makes her difficult to like in some ways and definitely causes conflict in her world. But that shell is the result of what she’s been through. It’s her attempt at keeping further pain at bay. People like her rarely have one conversion moment. Instead, God gradually chips away at that exterior until the softer, true core of who they are is reached and their heart becomes entwined with God’s. Writing that journey and getting to give someone like her their happy ending was a pleasure and an honor.
- Share with me a few of your favorite things.
Hiking, reading, crafting, history, futuristic technology, psychology, teaching
- What is one question you would like readers to ask you? What would be your answer?
That’s a tough one. I think any questions about my research methods or the history behind the books are good. I always enjoy discussing those.
As for the answer… I always look for primary sources like newspapers, letters, diaries, etc. Where those are unavailable, I look for books or essays on the topic written as close to the event as possible. Then I compare those to more modern writings.
For example, when I researched war-related PTSD for Murmur in the Mud Caves, I began by searching for letters written by American Civil War soldiers struggling with what we now know as PTSD. Then I read books written in the late 1860s and early 1870s that covered the topic. Then I looked up articles on PTSD in our modern science journals and other medical websites.
For the last 3 books of my Chaparral Hearts series, including Call in the Canyons, I did extensive research on the men who rode with Tiburcio Vasquez in the 1870s from the families that raised them to the crimes they committed and their ultimate ends here on earth. Most of that research didn’t make it into the book, but it did inform the actions of my fictional characters.
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.