Back in the Saddle
The Prodigal Is Coming Home
It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.
He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding...and why.
Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor. And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?
MY REVIEW: “Back in the Saddle” is the first book in author Ruth Logan Herne’s “Double S Ranch Series”. I so enjoyed this story—the writing is perfectly paced, the story line is involving, and the characters all have great appeal. Colt Stafford left his ranching family home in Gray’s Glen, Washington to make his mark in the financial world of Wall Street. Big city life and big business suited him just fine until it crashed, leaving his future uncertain. With his reputation and his own personal finances in question, he finds himself heading home to touch base with his family and to immerse himself, at least for a while, in the day to day operations of the ranch. He doesn’t expect to be met at the door by a beautiful young woman wielding his father Sam’s own gun. Angelina Morales is the housekeeper and general overseer of the Stafford household. Colt’s brother Nick is the one who stayed behind to help run the ranch, and his other brother, Trey, had left home and started a successful music career. The relationship between father and sons is complicated, as Sam was a difficult and demanding man. Health problems and his own personal losses have given him a new perspective on life, and he wants to make amends with his family and the community. Angelina has her own secrets, but she and Colt have an immediate attraction. Neither of them intended to stay permanently at the Double S, but heartstrings are drawing them closer together—is love in their future? Each character’s faith is in various stages, and their personal growth is an ongoing process. The author generously included a wonderful recipe for “Angelina’s Cherry Cake”. I very much look forward to future entries in this series so that I can find out more about the Stafford men and the special woman who will claim each man’s heart.
Book Copy Gratis Waterbrook Multnomah via Blogging for Books
Home on the Range
A cowboy romance with a heart of gold, in Home on the Range author Ruth Logan Herne returns readers to the Double S Ranch where God and family are first, but love is certain to follow the Stafford menfolk. Nick made all the wrong choices for all the wrong reasons. His father had failed at marriage and fatherhood. Nick was determined to show him up. He'd be a better husband, better father and a better ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever hoped to be. But Nick's wife Whitney hated the ranch and she walked out on Nick and their two beautiful daughters three years ago. For a long time Nick pretended everything was fine and when his stubborn nature is finally challenged by trouble with his young girls, he's faced with the changes he should have made long ago. Psychologist Dr. Elsa Andreas had a thriving family therapy practice, a school commission, a good life, but tragedy pushes Elsa to walk away from her life. Three years later, she's tucked herself in the backwoods of Gray's Glen. When her sister encourages her to help Nick Stafford's daughters, Elsa takes a chance. But Nick's ex-wife comes back to town, threatening the girls' newfound stability. Can Nick find the forgiveness and Else the courage to build their own "Home on the Range"?
A cowboy romance with a heart of gold, in Home on the Range author Ruth Logan Herne returns readers to the Double S Ranch where God and family are first, but love is certain to follow the Stafford menfolk. Nick made all the wrong choices for all the wrong reasons. His father had failed at marriage and fatherhood. Nick was determined to show him up. He'd be a better husband, better father and a better ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever hoped to be. But Nick's wife Whitney hated the ranch and she walked out on Nick and their two beautiful daughters three years ago. For a long time Nick pretended everything was fine and when his stubborn nature is finally challenged by trouble with his young girls, he's faced with the changes he should have made long ago. Psychologist Dr. Elsa Andreas had a thriving family therapy practice, a school commission, a good life, but tragedy pushes Elsa to walk away from her life. Three years later, she's tucked herself in the backwoods of Gray's Glen. When her sister encourages her to help Nick Stafford's daughters, Elsa takes a chance. But Nick's ex-wife comes back to town, threatening the girls' newfound stability. Can Nick find the forgiveness and Else the courage to build their own "Home on the Range"?
MY REVIEW: The wonderfully engaging writing of author Ruth Logan Herne continues to be a reader's delight in "Home on the Range", Book 2 in her "Double S Ranch Series". The Stafford men of Gray's Glen, Washington are all at turning point in their lives. Middle brother Nick is the one who stayed home to manage the family ranch and raise his two daughters. Devastated when his wife walks out on him and the girls, Nick does his best to care for the children and run the ranch. His own father, Sam, had not been the best example as a husband and parent--although, lately, he seems to trying to make up for the lost years. Nick girl's are the most important people in his life, and he can't ignore signs that his daughters need more than he can give. They need some professional counseling to help them get past being left behind by their mother. Dr. Elsa Andreas is dealing with some serious issues of her own when her sister, the school principal, convinces Elsa that helping Nick and his daughters will also be a great help to herself. As Nick and Elsa work together to help the children, an attraction and awareness grows between the two of them, but trouble comes back to town and may threaten the future happiness for everyone. It will take a great leap of faith to move forward with hope and courage and let go of the hurts of the past, but the rewards will be great for all.
Book Copy Gratis Waterbrook Multnomah via Blogging for Books
Peace in the Valley
In spite of their differences, Trey Walker Stafford knows he owes his life to cowboy and legendary rancher Sam Stafford--the uncle who rescued him after his parents' death. Trey had left the Double S Ranch to pursue music against Sam's wishes, but returns to central Washington when he learns he's the best match for a procedure that could save Sam's life. Although Trey's found country music fame and success, he's also endured the tragic loss of his wife. He croons about love, but struggles with a yawning emptiness he can't explain.
Overwhelmed by a growing list of challenges, but mistrustful of Stafford men, single mother Lucy Carlton reluctantly accepts Trey's help to revive her crumbling farm when Sam instructs him to repay the overdue debt to her family.
As the two grow closer, Trey slowly begins to open his heart to this beautiful woman and strives to let go of the grief he's held for years. Lucy has a complicated history of her own. Can Trey accept her as she is, learn to forgive the past, and find the elusive peace he's sought for so long?
MY REVIEW: Author Ruth Logan Herne continues to captivate readers with her “Double S Ranch” contemporary inspirational romance series. In Book 3, “Peace in the Valley”, Trey Walker Stafford is quite literally at a crossroads in his life when a near collision with a beautiful neighbor changes his life in ways he never anticipated. The nephew and adopted son of aging and ailing rancher Sam Stafford, Trey has come home to Gray’s Glen, Washington as a match for a medical procedure to save Sam’s life. Always formidable and unyielding, Sam has learned through lessons of loss that he needs his family, and he needs to set things right while he still has time on Earth. Trey had found success in the music industry, but his wife’s tragic death left his confidence and faith seriously challenged. Lucy Carlton is a struggling single mother who lives in the shadow of the Double S Ranch and the Stafford family. When she and Trey have a vehicle incident when Trey misses a stop sign, Lucy’s van is wrecked, and months of hard work creating floral displays and more to sell at market is lost and left floating down the creek. As Trey convinces a reluctant Lucy to accept his help to get her back on her feet financially, they find friendship and a growing awareness and attraction. However, Trey has a life and a career back in Tennessee, and Lucy has issues of her own to overcome. Can time and learning to trust bring them a lifetime of happiness? Will Sam and the Stafford clan at last have “peace in the valley”? I have truly enjoyed this series from Ruth Logan Herne, and I highly recommend reading the series in order—Book 1 is “Back in the Saddle”, and Book 2 is “Home on the Range”.
Book Copy Gratis Multnomah via Blogging for Books
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