by Anne Patrick
Vendor: Desert Breeze
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 9781612520810
ISBN-13: 9781612520810
[Linked to Christianbook.com; also available at Amazon, B&N]
Genre: Inspirational Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Publisher's DescriptionReview: This is a plus, plus read for me: horses, a little suspense and warm family romance.
Single mother, Jenny Holloway, has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room. So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around. Gil was used to taking orders, even from women. What he wasn't prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him. Jenny is a lot like the bronco she's rescued and is now trying to break. The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again. Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn't going anywhere.
Jenny is a strong woman fighting to continue the success of the cattle ranch she and her husband, Rick, struggled to build. Jenny has learned that she has to be tough so she isn’t taken advantage of in the competitive and tough world of cattle breeding. Her husband has been dead for several years and in addition to the ranch, Jenny has her hands full with their 10 year old son, Zach.
Gil is the 32 year old son of the ranch foreman. He has returned home to recover from injuries received in Iraq. Gil is glad to have the hard ranch work to distract him from his war memories. Even more distracting is the feisty boss lady. Even though she is experienced and capable it is clear that she is trying to handle everything by herself. When he sees her face down a rogue horse he is ready to step in and protect her. She may not think she wants or needs another man around, but Gil is determined to show her he is the right man to help her with the ranch and with raising a young boy.
It is wonderful that Gil realizes the importance of developing a relationship with Zach as well as going slowly with Jenny. Jen has to be coaxed to see that she can take the risk of loving again.
The characters are real and draw you into their world. Even young Zach is a well developed character and you can feel the exuberant boy in him. The author portrays good detail for the cattle ranching and breeding business that provides fullness for the setting and plot. There are trained horses, horses to be trained and foals to marvel over. The plot includes a bit of thievery and suspense, in addition to the romance. Both plot elements kept me interested in how things would be handled.
There are gentle themes of forgiveness and obedience together with underlying threads of lives grounded in faith, miracles and blessings. The writing flows beautifully. Although there were one or two minor items that seemed repeated that didn’t bother my full enjoyment. This is a truly lovely, sweet read that will leave you with a nice “ahhh” felling when it is done.
Anne writes suspense, sweet romance and inspirational romance. I met Anne through The Sweetest Authors group where there are wonderful authors writing sweet stories. This is the third story I have read by Anne and I feel confident to say that I will always be glad to pick up her works for an encouraging, refreshing, sometimes suspenseful, and always warm read.
Thank you to Anne for the ARC to enjoy and review. Anne is generously offering an eBook copy to one lucky commenter.
OPEN WORLDWIDE.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR an eBook Copy of Renegade Hearts:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.
2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)
* Open Worldwide.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 25, 2011.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 26.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.
