I received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
At Wolf Ranch by Jennifer Ryan Also in this series: Her Lucky Cowboy, Stone Cold Cowboy, Her Renegade Rancher, His Cowboy Heart
Series: Montana Men #1
Published by Avon on February 24th 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, American West
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
ISBN: 0062334891
Everything's bigger in Big Sky country, including the hearts of the Montana Men...
After years on the rodeo circuit, Gabe Bowden wants nothing more than land of his own and a woman who will claim his heart for more than one night. When he has the chance to buy the enormous Wolf Ranch spread, he snaps up the incredible deal. Everything is set, until Gabe rescues a woman on the deserted, snowy road leading to the property, and the half-frozen beauty changes everything.
Ella Wolf rushes to her family's abandoned Montana ranch after her twin sister is murdered. She knows she's next . . . unless she can uncover a secret hidden somewhere at Wolf Ranch. The last thing Ella expects is to be rescued by a rugged rancher with his own agenda. A man who almost makes her forget how dangerous love can be.
As an unlikely partnership sparks into something so much more, and a killer closes in, can Ella and Gabe learn to trust one another before it's too late?
Summary
After working in the Rodeo, Gabe wants to own his own ranch and have a wife and children of his own. A great opportunity becomes available to him, and he takes advantage of it. On his way to transporting horses, he finds a lone woman stranded on the side of the road in a snow storm. Ella Wolf, has just seen her twin sister, murdered by her uncle. So Ella flees the city, and goes back to where she once called home “Wolf Ranch”. She knows that she needs to hide out until she can get proof against her uncle, but she is next on his list to be killed. But she finds herself abandoned on the road, in the snow storm, and ends up being rescued by a ruggedly handsome rancher, who has his own plans for Wolf Ranch. Ella and Gabe join forces, to get evidence against her uncle. But she is racing against time, because she knows it won’t take him long to figure where she ran off to. As their enemy gets closer, so does Gabe and Ella, and they connect in ways that they don’t expect, but they need to learn to trust each other in order to survive…
The Hero
Gabe Bowden, is one of three boys, and grew up in a loving home. He has spent many years working with the rodeo circuit, and as his fame rose, so did women’s interest in him. Gabe once fell in love and was engaged, but was left at the altar, and now he only trust women so far in the bedroom. But he is looking for that special woman; that can break through the ice around his heart. When he stumbles and finds Ella Wolf, her beauty and courage stuns him, and he can see a future together, but he wonders if he and his ranch will be enough for her. Gabe was such a great hero, strong, hardworking, a sexy appeal, and is very ruggedly charming. He has very simple tastes, but is the type of man a woman can see herself with, a strong husband and loving father. His character instantly drew me to the story, and he isn’t afraid of saying how he feels or thinks.
The Heroine
Ella Wolf, is a strong heroine. She is more than she appears to be in the public eye. She has a strong bond to her sister, so when she sees her murdered right in front of her, by a man they trusted, she has no choice but to run because her uncle is after her too. Ella is heartbroken over the loss of her other half, her twin. They have never been separated. Ella is passionate and a fighter. She is smart and is very likable. I loved seeing her determination to bring down her uncle and find the answers and proof she needs. Ella really shocked me in how much I liked her. She is independent and strong willed, but she has a gentle nature to her that I found endearing. I found it easy to relate with her, and my heart just broke for her, but I found myself becoming more attached with her as the story went on. She definitely had backbone you can appreciate.
Plot and Story Line
This is one hell of a ride of a story. Oh my…I think I am going to adore this series. This is only the first book, so crossing fingers, that I will be able to read it in order. This was an emotional roller coaster and boy did it really require a box of tissues. I love those stories that surprise you like that, but in a good way. I had such a good time with this book, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was stunning, riveting and had the simple romantic feeling to it that pulls the reader in. The story picks up pretty quickly from the beginning, and had me on edge for quite a while. Then we enter the hiding out, but doing investigative work phase. This is where Ella and Gabe really start to slowly connect. It starts out slowly and then gradually picks up pace. They were so sweet together. There isn’t a ton of heat or sexual scenes in this one. There is a sensual tone to it, but its more gentle and slow moving, but steady. You can see that the focus of the story is the plot and the building up of the love story, and the bedroom scenes are icing on the cake. I enjoyed the balance that this author employs into the story. The characters were so captivating and added a unique quality to the story that increased my enjoyment of it. I also adored the suspense tone of the story. I do love a good mystery, and bringing down a bad guy. And boy, this Uncle of Ella…he is super bad and should be shot. Boy did I love the ending and seeing the story get wrapped up in a nice package.
Cover
This cover is sexy to me…even though the guy posing as Gabe…is fully clothed. But with his stance, and those broad shoulders, strong jawline…and dang those jeans…I swear cowboys get me every time. They are sexy and romantic and hell of time. And I love the way that there is snow in the background, it sets a wintry theme to the story, and so pretty with the lovely background.
Overall View
A stimulating and thrilling story of fighting for those you love, a romance that is slow and easy, a love to fight for no matter the danger. Captivating on every page…this is a author to watch out for. One Hell of a Keeper!!
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I received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When It's Right by Jennifer Ryan Also in this series: Her Lucky Cowboy, Stone Cold Cowboy, Her Renegade Rancher, His Cowboy Heart
Series: Montana Men #2
Published by Avon on March 31st 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance, American West
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
ISBN: 0062334948
Everything's bigger in Big Sky country, including the hearts of the Montana Men
Wide open sky, rolling green hills . . . Gillian Tucker could get used to life in the country—one far from the violence she left behind in San Francisco. Warily accepting an invitation to the Montana ranch that belongs to her grandfather, a man she's never met, Gillian hopes this is the haven she seeks. A sexy, overbearing cowboy who shines a light on her well-hidden dreams is not at all part of her plans.
Blake Bowden's reckless past is far behind him, and as a newly named co-owner of Three Peaks Ranch, he's not taking any chances. Until a beautiful, haunted woman arrives, igniting a desire he shouldn't feel. His partner's granddaughter is strictly off limits. But the longer Gillian's there, the stronger the pull grows between them. And when a new danger surfaces, Blake will do anything to keep her safe…even if it means risking everything for her heart.
Summary
Gillian Tucker, has suffered abuse and protecting her little brother at all costs from her father. But while protecting her brother from their fathers rages, she is forced to shoot him to save their lives. When her grandfather hears about the situation, he offers her a home, and since they have no other place to go, she realizes that she has no choice if she wants to keep her brother out of foster care. So injured, they both head to Montana to the Three Peaks Ranch. Blake, is the co-owner and foreman for the Three Peaks Ranch. When he meets Gillian, he is drawn to her determination and strength. But she is vulnerable and is determined to show her that there are some men that have honor. Gillian doesn’t trust Blake or her grandfather, but soon she sees that they are nothing like her father, and soon she starts to find a place at the Ranch, and finding a passion in helping horses who have been abused. But will she let Blake love her as he wants to…
The Hero
Blake is one of the Bowden brothers, he once fell in love but she broke his heart, and has never trusted another woman since…but then he meets Gillian and he desires to prove himself to her. Blake is a simply wonderful hero, he is strong yet tender, a man of hard work and passion, He was such a sweet hearted man who I fell for from the beginning. I love the way he was with Gillian, and how he treats her. He doesn’t pity her, but admires her for her inner strength of all the abuse she has had to suffer.
The Heroine
Gillian has never known love or affection from her parents. All she has known is abuse and has had to find her own way to protect and provide for herself. Then when her brother was born, she has done everything to protect him at all costs…even to herself. Gillian…oh my heart went out to her. She was such an endearing heroine, and she has gone through hell, and still has spunk and is a fighter. She has gumption and I just admired that. I loved seeing her become stronger and opening her heart to love and a real intimate relationship.
Plot and Story Line
When Its Right is the second book in the Montana Men series. This story was just as intense and emotionally driven as the first book was. It was a bit different, and deals with issues of abuse. The focus of the story is centered on Gillian and seeing her growth as a character. The romance does develop pretty quickly, there were a couple of moments it felt a bit rushed, but as I look at the story…not really. I really liked Blake and Gillian as a couple. We don’t see much focus on Blake as much as Gillian…which I would have loved seeing more. We see how much that these two need each other. I loved having Justin (Gillian’s brother) play a part in the story. He was charming and so adorable. I loved his blunt honesty and how he adds some depth to the story. What I loved most about When Its Right is seeing these two come together, and seeing the focus of overcoming past struggles of abuse. It definitely had a vividly real tone to the story that touches your heart. This is a story that isn’t for the faint hearted. A love story of overcoming the painful past to embrace a good future.
Cover
It’s a simple cover…but what a cover. Where can I find a simply cowboy like him?? He is sexy with just jeans and a t shirt…but he fills it out well.
Overall View
A tender and charming western romance, a love story of passion and how true love can heal the deepest of wounds. If you like a stimulating country romance…this one is for you. A western gem!!
About Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted and McBrides Series, writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
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