About the Book

Book: The Husband Tree Author: Mary Connealy Genre: Christian Historical Romance Release Date: July 21, 2026

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.

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About the Author

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!

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.

Interview with the Author

Did you use a functional outline, or was it just chaos that somehow worked?

I pitch a three book series to my editor with a one page synopsis for book #1 and a half-page synopsis for #2 and #3. Sometimes she asks follow-up questions. Mostly it’s chaos.

How do you handle moments when inspiration seems hard to find?

What I’ve done before when I don’t know how to go forward is to go back, to write more leading up to where I want to go. Sometimes there’s a jump in time very deliberately. They get on a train. Next scene is them getting off the train in another place. That can work but, if it doesn’t, I need to write the train ride. Bring the characters along more slowly. Sometimes I end up cutting a lot of that fill-in for the gap, but often something important happens during that time that works well for the next scene to come into focus.

Is there a particular scene or passage you’re incredibly proud of?

Well, since we’re talking about The Husband Tree, I will tell you that I love this book. Belle Tanner is the meanest heroine I’ve ever written and ended up loving. She is so fiercely adamant that she will never marry again that bringing her along to find true love was really tricky. I think I did it in fine fashion. So the opening scene of The Husband Tree, with Belle Tanner burying her third worthless husband and vowing to never, ever, ever marry again, is one I loved.

What surprising discoveries did you make during the writing process?

One lesson I learned, and this book helped was, as writers we want to create a character arc. As Christian authors we particularly, or at least often, start with a troubled character and bring them to redemption or a stronger place in their faith. But you can’t make your character an unlikeable jerk. It just doesn’t work. The reader won’t read on. I’ve found that to make your character likeable, the trick is to have someone like them. Give them a loyal friend. A pet who adores them. A child that loves them. It’s not a magic trick. To have a friend who likes them you have to write that character in such a way that it rings true that someone will like them, so you finesse a troubled character into being someone worthy of love, worth rooting for.

What’s one writing rule you believe in and one you think is made to be broken?

One I really believe in is… 1000 words a day seven days a week. I very rarely miss. There is just something about opening that book document, writing that first line, often the first line is the hardest because you may no know right where you want to go. But slow and steady wins the race. One I think is made to be broken? Hmmm…well, I write Christian fiction and for many authors they want to work redemption into their characters but I often have my characters already be Christian, flawed and trying to be more faithful but they have made their peace with God before the book starts. Is that a rule? That they have to find salvation? If it is, I break it.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I like to read. I fuss over my precious grandbabies and my four wonderful daughters. I listen to podcasts. I go for the occasional walk but I’m not a fanatic about it.

What are you working on next?

The Husband Tree is a re-released older book. It’s book 5 of the Petticoats and Cowboys series. Book 6, Wildflower Bride is coming soon and I’ve got three more books coming soon in this series…plus some novellas based on these characters. I’m also writing new books, next up The Hearts Most Wanted, coming in October. Book #2 in the Rocky Mountain Marshals Series.

Is there a genre or format you haven’t tried yet but would like to?

Someday I’d like to write a regency romance. I love reading them but I’ve just not nuthin’ when I try to plot one out.

What is your favorite part of being a writer?

Like love it all. I love that blank page at the very beginning. I love revisions. I love the marketing and talking to people who love to read. They are my PEOPLE and I am theirs.