Nearly the last remaining member of Olivia Cattenach’s family has just died overseas and left her overcome by grief. But when a soldier shows up at her ranch with a final message from her brother, she finds new purpose. Nathan Roldan is as formidable as they come. Bulging muscles and inked to boot, he looks like every bit the bad boy he claims to be. Except, under his shuttered gaze and behind … his walls lies a gentle giant. Determined to carry out her brother’s wishes, she chips away at Nate’s layers and discovers more pain than any person should ever have to endure. And a passion she never dreamed was possible.
He’s not the hero she thinks he is…
Nate’s mistake got a fellow comrade killed, and a deathbed promise to take care of the guy’s sister lands him in Wyoming with the hope of redemption. But he wasn’t expecting…her. Beautiful, witty, and sweet, Olivia is everything he doesn’t deserve. Born a nothing, he’ll die a nothing. Though guilt is a living thing, temptation is too hard to resist. Somehow, she’s unleashing his restraint and unearthing feelings he buried long ago. He wants her. More, he’s worried he needs her. She’s trying to save him, but when she learns the truth, he’ll lose the only happiness he’s ever known.
“An emotionally raw story with beautiful prose. A compelling read.”
~Katie Ashley, New York Times & USA Today Bestseller
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I can not stress how much I just loved this story. My only regret is that I didn’t read it before Benediction (Cattenach Ranch, #2). But even with my error, I really enjoyed Nate and Olivia’s story. I don’t cry, like never, but I came pretty darn close at the end when Nate read a letter.
This was a wonderful 2 book series. Great characters, beautiful setting, lots of events to keep you turning the pages! Redemption and Benediction are what I call “meat and potatots” books! The stories are so well written and they pull you in! Kelly Moran was a new to me author when I purchased the 2 paperbacks at an event in Indianapolis (2019), but I’ll be reading more from her!
Redemption by Kelly Moran is contemporary romance that will really tug at the reader’s heartstrings. Ms. Moran has delivered a well-written book and populated it with phenomenal characters. Olivia runs her family’s ranch. Nate was injured in the bomb that killed Olivia’s brother and blames himself. When he is released with a medical discharge, he heads to Olivia’s ranch to deliver a letter from her brother. Olivia and Nate’s story is sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always outstanding with plenty of drama, action, suspense, humor and sizzle. This is a book I couldn’t put down once I started it. I enjoyed reading Redemption and look forward to reading more from Kelly Moran in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
Nakos had always been placed in the what-if column in her someday mental file. Biological clock aside, she was hesitant to pull out the folder and dust it off.
Right this second, he could’ve sworn she was shoving aside shadows in his mind and checking corners for secrets.
He gave up. Understanding women, especially this one, was like trying to learn molecular fusion while drinking Jack Daniels. Pointless.
If there was the slightest chance I was capable of leaving you, there’s a greater one I never will.
This is your world, Olivia. Your home, your family, your friends. I don’t have the foggiest idea what the hell is going on. I just follow you. You’re the only person in my world.
My Review:
Kelly Moran’s Redemption was a topical, relevant, and thought-provoking read. The storyline was an entertaining, realistic, and well-crafted slow-burn romance; plump with insightful observations, heart-squeezes, and amusing humor. The undercurrent of a yearning attraction simmered slowly on the back burner while the plot developed until the long-awaited volcanic boil over occurred that had me gasping and wiping my brow. Snap! Kelly Moran continues to delight me with deftly written, engaging, and seamless stories that capture my attention and move my heart. I savor her intriguing and quirky characters and always leave them feeling more than a bit rueful once I reach the last page.
Talk about a roller coaster ride WOW. A lot of emotions in this book. Olivia Cattenach dealing with the death of her brother Justin in the military over seas and Nate is dealing with the death of a friend as he blames himself for Justin’s death as he was Justin’s Superior Officer and some PTSD. Then he meets Justin’s sister Olivia Cattenach. She manages to get Nate to talk about a lot of stuff he had buried for a long time, then Nate tells Olivia the truth about how her brother Justin died and Olivia insists he tell her everything. The sex scenes between Nate and Olivia were very HOT. If you want to know how more about this book you truly need to read this awesome book. I truly loved it!!
This poignant story hit the emotions hard and deep and took me for an intense ride where I enjoyed every single word of the story. At times I was in tears, at times smiling, even laughing while still tears running on my face. An emotional experience, that is guaranteed.
Olivia Cattenach has faced yet another loss of a loved one during her young life, and while missing her little brother something fierce, she is surviving, thriving, and successful with the family ranch. Her heart is gold, she is kind, generous, considerate, stubborn, independent, tough, and hard-headed. She embraces life with passion, living in the moment and fondly remembering the past.
Nathan Roldan was abandoned at birth. He was abused and withheld to fulfill his basic needs while in the system. He hasn’t known what it is when someone cares for you, looks after you, worries for you. He is not accustomed to being touched, not even to eat for the pleasure of it. But he is a man of dignity, he holds his word, he is trustworthy, loyal, and hard working. He has so much love, tenderness, protectiveness and kindness inside of him, emotions he is not used to feeling or showing to anyone.
The ardent adoration that builds between Nathan and Olivia took my breath away. It is fragile, yet filled with so deep, wild, and wide emotions, feelings that seem to have been building inside of them all their lives. To say that the passion is hot is an understatement, it is fervent, vehement, genuine and true.
The secondary characters contribute to the building of a family of the heart. They help to open up the eyes to see the past, accept it, and to move on. They give more meaning to the themes of devotion, trust, and loyalty that builds over time. The story is not just about the amazing love growing and developing between Olivia and Nathan, it’s the beginning of the story of the people living at the Cattenach Ranch.
Through trust, opening their hearts and minds, sharing their secrets and painful past, rejoicing in the success and finding joy in the everyday living – Olivia and Nathan might fumble and fall on their way to the happiness and blessings they both deserve, but working hard to get what you want is nothing new to either of them, and they are willing to do the hard things, no matter how much it might hurt or scare them at first.
I am trying to hold myself back and not gush all over this review, but seriously, this story took my breath away again and again. The emotions in it found a way to my heart, the characters pain and joy of life were tangible, relatable, and profound. I sit here thinking about words like marvelous, wonderful, heartbreaking and stunning when I think about the build-up of the plot, the character development, and the intensity, the connection, the kindred feelings I had for the people at the Cattenach Ranch. Once again the author Kelly Moran has blown my mind and heart with a story that will stay with me for a long while.
~ Five Spoons!
What an emotionally charged love story. This is a wonderful and well written story that takes your breath away. The characters have depth and are well developed. I couldn’t help but fall in love with them. It is a sweet and loving romance. As they share pain and sorrow, they learn to live again finding love and happiness. I recommend. I received this book as a gift and voluntarily give this review.