Tragedy had Coleman Garrison fleeing to the rodeo at the tender age of 17. Years of dedication and an ‘I don’t give a fck’ attitude turned him into a champion. Then tragedy changed the course of his life once more. Buying a ranch on the outskirts of a small town, he planned to spend the rest of his days training horses, removed from society and the temptation of letting anyone close. And then … close.
And then he saw HER.
Tired of substitute teaching and unable to afford to move from her parents home, Abigail O’Neal jumped at the chance to start a new life away from the big city in the small town of Jasper Falls.
Shy and socially awkward, she wanted the chance to be a different version of herself. But breaking out of her shell turned out to be harder than she thought.
Until she met HIM.
Who knew Abby’s resemblance to a dead woman would make her the target of someone’s sinister deeds.
Can a hardened cowboy and a shy little mouse beat the odds, preventing tragedy from striking again?
This is a full-length, standalone, steamy contemporary romance with a HEA. Due to sex and language, it is recommended for persons over 18.*
more
RATING 4.5 STARS
Freight Trained is a stand alone romantic suspense by Sarah Curtis. I’ve been wanting to read this forever and finally jumped in and am so glad I did.
Cole Garrison is a thirty year old, ex rodeo champion whose career was ended with a serious injury. Since he’d been seventeen years old, Cole lived the life of a rodeo star, going from one place to another, full of one night stands, with no place to call home. When his career ended, all he wanted was to hide away, live a quiet life as a horse trainer so he bought a ranch in Jasper Falls, New Mexico. Cole has plenty of darkness in his past, things that he uses as a shield to keep others away. But the day he first laid his eyes on the new school teacher in town was the first time he felt like there was some light breaking through that darkness.
Abigail (Abby) O’Neal is twenty two years old. She has her teaching certificate but hasn’t yet found a teaching position so she’s been substitute teaching and still living with her parents. Abby is shy and introverted, socially awkward. When she unexpectedly inherits a home in Jasper Falls, and is able to land a teacher position there, she knows this is her chance to start fresh, turn over a new leaf and experience life.
“She tasted like his salvation. But he didn’t deserve to be saved and one day, she would discover that, and then he would destroy her too.”
When these two first see each other, it’s my favorite reaction in a book, that connection, no matter how far you are from each other, that “thing” that is undeniable yet unexplainable. But Cole knows immediately that she is a good, pure woman and he knows he should stay away from her. And Abby feels like there is no way she could be any where near the kind of woman he would look twice at. But chemistry says otherwise and these two can’t keep their distance for long.
“You’re mine, Abby. I don’t ever want to let you go, and I plan on ruining you for all other men, so you won’t want to.”
“Don’t you know, you’ve already done that.”
There is something else dark in Jasper Falls, a darkness that also has eyes on Abby. Cole is every bit an alpha, protective, jealous/possessive type of hero. But when the woman he is falling for is in danger, he’s on a whole new level.
I enjoyed this so much. Cole is my favorite kind of hero. Just so growly and swoony. But such a soft side for Abby. And let me tell you, Abby was NOT the shy, awkward woman she thought she was. I adored watching her transformation. She really was so strong, funny and beautiful. She just needed the right man to help her to see it. I love Sarah’s writing and this book was no exception. I am so glad I finally read it.
“My soul lives for you.”
Sarah Curtis has become one of my favorite romance authors and a sure one-click. Curtis grasps your attention from the very first page and keeps you reading until the very last word. And, Freight Trained is a mighty example of, what I like to call, “Curtis Talent.”
This story has it all; mystery, suspense, naughty dialogue, scorching scenes, and heartfelt romance. This is a must-read, along with her Alluring Series. Best of all, Coleman Garrison is sure giving Mason Conner, from Pursuing (Alluring Series, Book 3), a run for his money as my favorite Curtis male lead.