Lonestar Secrets (Lonestar Series, Book 2)
by Colleen Coble
Audible/Audio
Lonestar Secrets
Lonestar Secrets
- UNABRIDGED
- by
- Narrated by
Genre: Christian Fiction
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 - But the ladies all give it a thumbs up!
Product Description
Can a secret be kept forever?
Five years ago, Shannon Astor left the beautiful high-mountain country of West Texas as a single mother. She was desperate for a fresh start...and a way to keep the secrets of her past buried. It almost worked.
Until a chance to make a better life for her daughter leads her right back home. To the very place of the past betrayals.
But it also leads Shannon to horse-trainer Jack MacGowan--her handsome high-school nemesis, now a widowed father. His daughter looks so startlingly like her own that Shannon can't help but question the circumstances surrounding her daughter's birth. Wary of each other's intentions, Shannon and Jack reluctantly join forces to untangle a deep mystery that swirls around Shannon's parents, a lost Spanish treasure, and a legendary black stallion.
If Shannon can learn to entrust her secrets to the man falling in love with her, the truth just might set her free.
Shannon is a bright, determined, young single mother. She had put herself through veterinary school and was living in a squalid apartment in the city. When her uncle dies and leaves her the family ranch in West Texas she decides to return ‘home’ to take over the small veterinary practice from the retiring vet. She knows she will face some issues going home but she is surprised to suddenly see a child who looks just like her daughter, Kylie. The girl, Faith, is the daughter of Shannon’s high school nemesis, Jack. Jack was the one who ridiculed Shannon in school resulting in her becoming an ostracized loner. Shannon has never trusted anyone since that betrayal and the betrayal of her daughter’s father.
Jack is a handsome, rich wrangler. He is the son of a powerful state Senator but rather than live the frenzied, socialite life of a politician Jack has chosen to be a horse trainer and stay close to home and family. Jack is also shocked to see Kylie. He doesn’t understand how the girls could look enough alike to be twins! Then Shannon makes a startling discovery that puts both girls at risk in their circumstances.
Shannon proposes - literally - as a solution to the dilemma. They agree to marry for the sake of the girls but Shannon doesn’t trust Jack. Although no marriage should begin with crucial secrets Shannon is unwilling to disclose hers. Jack loved his wife and is reluctant to let go of her memory which makes the new relationship even more difficult. Meanwhile someone is threatening Shannon’s best friend if Shannon doesn’t deliver a ransom even though she has no idea what they want. More complications settle in when Kylie’s birth father begins to make claims.
There is a lot going on in this story which keeps it moving quickly. However I was very frustrated by Shannon’s failure to disclose important facts that should be revealed before marriage. I also felt that the kidnapping, threats and attacks where a bit loose and therefor not fully realistic. I enjoyed the main message of the story that love is a choice and an action, not a feeling. I also liked the issues of forgiveness and seeking good in others who seem to be beyond goodness.
I listened to this book on Audible and the narration was acceptable... not wonderful but not detracting either.
Even though I wasn’t thrilled with the heroine, the story is engaging. This was our book club read and all the ladies really liked the story more than I did. One woman read books one and three this week too. I would read more by this author but have lots more to read before getting back to her.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the gently used copy:
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* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 30, 2011. (This month's book giveaways will all end on the 30th except for Friday Picks.) The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED between October 1 and 3. Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.
I love a book that whisks you away on an adventure from the first page, and that is exactly what Lonestar Angel does. Eden Larson is about to get engaged to Kent, a wonderful, sweet man she met at church. That is until ex-husband Clay appears at the couple's table and announces that they are still married.and their baby, who she'd long since given up as dead, is still alive. Five years ago, their little baby girl, Brianna, was kidnapped. Rushing to meet the kidnapper to pay the ransom, Eden loses control of the car, collides with the kidnapper and sends his car, and Brianna, into the river. Clay and Eden's young marriage dissolved soon after. Now the couple is heading to Texas, to a youth ranch where they will pose as counselors for five little girls, any of which could be Brianna.
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