RANCHER PROTECTOR Sarah Allen burned a lot of bridges when she left her hometown. But when her husband is murdered and his associates come looking for her and her daughter, Sarah has only one place left to go–Wind Canyon, Wyoming. She runs right into Jackson Raines, the man she spurned in high school, who has now become a successful ranch owner. She expects anger from him, but instead she gets … she gets mercy… Jackson can tell Sarah and her daughter, Holly, are in trouble, and he can’t turn them away. He’s never forgotten the beautiful girl he could never have, and she’s more alluring now than she ever was in high school. So when Sarah’s enemies show up in Wind Canyon, Jackson is determined to protect Sarah and Holly, and prove to them that they’ve finally found their way home… FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME Savior in the Saddle by USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen Willa Marks only knows she’s pregnant, she’s afraid for her life and cops are not to be trusted. So why does the handsome local sheriff inspire such feelings of safety…and desire?
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In the first The Raines of Wind Canyon book, Sarah Allen is heading home to Wyoming after the death of her criminal husband. While in route, a snowstorm stalls her car and the boy she spurned in high school helps her out.
Jackson Raines is now a rugged cowboy and wealthy ranch owner. He’s always wanted Sarah, but he doesn’t trust her. When trouble follows her to his ranch—where she’s renting a cottage—he has no choice but to help her.
I liked Sarah and Jackson for the most part. She confided in him for the first half of the book, but then she started keeping secrets and stepping back from the relationship in the latter half. Jackson often made decisions that involved Sarah and her daughter, Holly, but he didn’t consult Sarah over it. These issues prevented me from enjoying the H/h in full.
The mystery/suspense plot carried the narrative. Someone was harassing Sarah, which sent her and Jackson on an adventure to find and stop that someone. Hot sex and building emotions were thrown in.
Dev and Gabe, Jackson’s brothers, were interesting, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories. Jimmy and Nan’s off-page romance kept my attention, but I’m not happy with how that ended. Hopefully, their relationship will be sorted out in another book.
Other than some pacing issues and minor repetition—almost every chapter ended with a similar phrase—I liked the story and the characters. There weren’t any spelling mistakes—that’s always nice!—but there were a few stray POV jumps.
Ms. Martin has created an interesting world, and I’d like to read more.
3 Stars
The main story was good but got lost in way too much sex for me.
Good easy read.