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?
Click here to get your copy!
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.
Can years of hurt and misunderstanding be transformed into a second chance at love?
Linda Shenton Matchett
writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second
chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions
of themselves.
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a signed paperback edition of the book and a $25 Visa Gift card!!
Homemaker (Prairie Nightingale)
A search-and-rescue mission
Dana Mentink
is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a
two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a
Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the
suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for
Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.
In
this beautifully illustrated picture book, a young girl learns how
Jesus’s love can shine at school through her compassion, kindness, and
inclusion. In this whimsical tale, a young girl imagines what it would
be like if Jesus visited her school as a boy. She would show Jesus
around her classroom, introduce her friends and teachers, listen to
story time, and eat lunch together! But Jesus wouldn’t stop at learning
and sitting in class. He’d invite the lonely to join in on games and
find a way to love and get along with everyone. Soon the young girl
realizes that even though Jesus doesn’t attend her school, he can live
through her. Through rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, children
will be inspired to make a difference in their schools through their
actions. Because as they treat each other right and classes become
families, Jesus truly will be in their school.
April Graney is a teacher at Cookson Hills, a children’s home and school for at-risk students in Oklahoma. She is the author of The Marvelous Maker: A Creation and Redemption Parable and the ECPA Christian Book Award finalist The Marvelous Mud House: A Story of Finding Fullness and Joy. A
graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, April loves studying and
teaching the Bible. Her greatest joy has been raising five children with
her husband Tom in their crazy, loud, happy house at New Life Ranch, a
summer camp and retreat center where they have served for over twenty
years.
An expecting widow, a rugged bounty hunter, and a set of secrets that might shatter her fragile heart.
KyLee Woodley
is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and
heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches preschool at
a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband of eighteen
years and their three teenage children. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and
produces the Historical Bookworm Show, a steadily growing author
interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.
Betsy
loves her husband, Nate, but losing his leg in the Civil War has
changed him. He never touched alcohol before the war, but now he’s
turning into a drunk. She doesn’t know how to help him, but to save
their marriage, she’s going to do everything she can. If only she can
figure out how.
In her spare time, Tamera Lynn Kraft
loves to watch classic movies, drink quality teas, and ride on roller
coasters, but not while drinking tea. She does drink tea while writing
and working as managing editor for Mt Zion Ridge Press, a traditional
Christian publishing company. She has always loved adventures and loves
to write historical fiction set in the United States because there are
so many stories in American history. Forks in the Road, The Aftermath, Lost in the Storm, Red Sky Over America, Anna’s Christmas Promise, Alice’s Notions, and Resurrection of Hope are among her published works, some of which have won awards.
Beauty & the Beast in 1800’s Texas.
Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer
offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty
heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen’s books have won numerous
awards, including the prestigious Christy Award, Carol Award, and
National Reader’s Choice Award. Karen is an avid cross-stitcher, and
makes her home in Abilene, Texas with her husband. Learn more about
Karen and her books at her website.
The cause of liberty brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?
Megan Soja
is a multi-award-winning author who writes stories with strong faith,
rich history, and sweet romance. She lives in western NY with her
husband and two daughters and loves having adventures, both big and
small, with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading,
hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and playing French Horn.
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