His family committed a terrible wrong Ben Blackwell wants to make it right The last time Ben saw Rachel Thompson was when her best friend left him at the altar. Now Rachel’s suing the Blackwells over river water rights. Rachel’s a triple threat–rancher, fellow attorney and single mom–and Ben’s plan to win in court hits a snag when mutual attraction blooms. If he divulges a long-held secret, … long-held secret, will his family forgive him? Will Rachel?
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The Rancher’s Redemption is the first book that I have read by Melinda Curtis and I have to say that I was very impressed. The character development and the rhythm of the story were blended beautifully. This is story of finding forgiveness and sharing the burdens that you carry. Since Rachel’s father died, she has been struggling to take care of the family ranch, her law practice, her mom and grandmom and also raise her baby girl. She blames Ben for her failing ranch when he beat her in court for water rights. Ben hasn’t been home or really spoken to his brothers in five years after his fiancé eloped with his grandfather and none of his brothers forewarned him. He returns home to once again face off against Rachel in court for the water rights but this time he is determined to right the wrongs of the past. The story that follows is heartfelt, emotional and leads to a beautiful happy ever after.
This book is part of the “Return of the Blackwell Brothers” series.
“HIS FAMILY COMMITTED A TERRIBLE WRONG. Ben Blackwell wants to make it right.”
The last time Ben saw Rachel was when her best friend left him standing at the altar- after his fiance ran away with his grandfather!
Rachel is a triple threat. She is a rancher, an attorney and a single mom.
Ben is also an attorney and comes back home to the ranch because Rachel is suing “the family’ over river water rights. Ben plans to win in court but a snag happens when they both find themselves attracted to the other.
What will happen if Ben divulges a long ago family secret? Will his other family members forgive him? Most importantly, will Rachel?
Really enjoyed Ben & Rachel’s story. I like how they both wrestled for what they wanted. I like how they try to ignore the mutual attraction and how they come together to solve the lawsuit.
I loved this book. Ben Blackwell never thought he’d come home. But he’s needed. When he sees Rachel again something changes within, and a secret shes hiding. She’s not the only one.
A must read as is the series.
“The Rancher’s Redemption” (Return of the Blackwell Brothers Book 3) by Melinda Curtis is a wonderful read. I loved Ben and Rachel’s story! This is a terrific addition to this collection, packed with romance, family, twists and turns, humor, and more. I can’t wait to find out what happens next in “The Rancher’s Fake Fiancee” by Amy Vastine. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, family, and series.
The Rancher’s Redemption
I loved Ben in the book. He just wants to find the truth and do right by his neighbors on the water rights. Both need access to it. A court case is going on. Rachel needs the water for her ranch.
Rachel wants to get to the truth also. Single mothers with an young child. She is also trying to run her family ranch since her father passing. She is very hard working.
So much more to the book, many other fun characters. This is part of a series. You will want to read them all.
I received an complementary copy of the book from Prism book tours. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
When I first started this one I wasn’t sure if Ben was going to win me over, but he surprised me because he won me over rather quickly. The next Blackwell brother is ready to fall. I really liked watching Ben find his true self that makes him happy with life with no regrets. Rachel and her little girl help him him along the way. I loved watching him interact with Poppy. Heart melting moments for sure. I really got sucked into the story. The more books into the series Elias has me intrigued to see what his plans are because he’s been some questionable ones especially When is come to the Blackwell boys.
If any of the Blackwell brothers has a good excuse to never return to Montana and the family ranch, it’s Ben. After all, his grandfather eloped with his fiancée. On his wedding day!
But when some circumstances at his job in New York City come at the same time as a desperate call from his twin brother asking for his lawyer expertise to help with a lawsuit about the Blackwell Ranch’s water rights, Ben caves.
The opposing council is Ben’s ex-fiancee’s best friend—a woman who Ben once called his friend as well. Rachel is stretched thin with all of her responsibilities but it’s al worth it for her daughter.
Y’all, is there anything sweeter and more endearing than a tough guy who has a way with a baby? Despite the chip on Ben’s shoulder, he is drawn to Rachel. He is slowly mending the past with his brothers, and he is finding the man he wants to be.
Melinda Curtis even throws a few laughs in there. The women’s comments about Ben’s running apparel are hilarious! And as we see more of the ranch house that Ben’s step-grandmother/ex-fiancee has decorated, we know an atrocity has been committed.
The authors of this series are doing a fantastic job of weaving their characters and the townspeople into one cohesive series.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I am LOVING this series! This book is #3 in the series but can definitely be read as a stand alone. Though once you meet Ben Blackwell, I’m sure you will pick up the previous two books to get to know his twin Ethan and his older brother Jonathan if you haven’t read about them yet. The history of the five Blackwell brothers is a tragic one and you can’t help but feel such sympathy for these five boys who lost their parents prematurely and were raised by a grandfather who made lots of mistakes. The writing is easy to follow and fluid, the plot is engaging and well-paced, and the characters….oh, the characters. They’re memorable, real, and so lovable!
Ben, the big NYC lawyer, returns to his hometown to fight for his family ranch’s water rights against the bordering ranch. Returning home isn’t easy for Ben since his departure five years ago was fraught with betrayal of the worst kind. Despite his bitterness, anger, and hardened heart, Ben is still a really good guy with a tender heart aching for justice and a great logical lawyer brain. Rachel is the lawyer in their hometown and a single mom struggling to keep her law practice and her family’s ranch bordering Ben’s family’s afloat at the same time. Complicating Ben and Rachel’s former friendship is the fact that Rachel’s best friend had been once engaged to Ben and then eloped with his grandfather. Buried secrets are unearthed, some tantalizing clues regarding the Blackwell grandfather’s disappearance are revealed, and redemption, forgiveness, and second chances abound when both Ben and Rachel open up their hearts.
I can’t wait to dive into Tyler’s story next! If you love well-written contemporary romance, you will surely love this book and the series.
I was given a copy of the book from the publisher via Prism Book Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
You can never go back. Or can you?
My rating is 4.5 stars
Ben was quite the character. The struggle he had in not allowing himself to be callous was real. It was his defense against getting hurt. Again. Yet under his fancy New York lawyer’s facade was a man with a heart of gold who couldn’t stand by and watch injustice being done. I loved seeing his conflict and how genuine it made him.
There were several times when Ben swooped in and rescued Rachel. This tended to make her a little angry because she wanted to be able to stand on her own two feet. Needed to. The two times he did this as a lawyer (as opposed to when he did as a cowboy), were so funny! The second time he did this, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t stop for several minutes! In fact, I was trying and trying to just giggle quietly to not disturb my husband in the other room, but couldn’t keep it in.
If you enjoy humor mixed in with your romance and conflict, with a little baby added for the cuteness factor, oh, and with a handsome horse whisperer too, then you need to pick up The Rancher’s Redemption.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
The Rancher’s Redemption by Melinda Curtis
Return of the Blackwell Brothers Series (can be read as a standalone)
Plainly amazing!! What a sweet ranchers love story.
Recommend! I can’t wait to read more by this great author!!
Ben and Rachel’s story~ Blackwell Ranch in Montana
Ben is a New York attorney. His twin brother, Ethan, calls Ben stating that their family needs help with a lawsuit on his family ranch about water rights. Promises himself he won’t be there long.
Rachel is the other sides lawyer. Their farms are right next one another and their families have known for one another years.
The third brother to return to the ranch. He is needed because the water rights are being taken back to court. He helped his grandfather win the rights the first time. He has to return to help his brothers. You can read this as a standalone but why would you when they are all great books.
This was such an emotional story to me! The title really fit the story! This book is the 3rd in the series, although you can read it as a standalone. I wouldn’t recommend it though because some things will make so much more sense if you’ve read the other books! In this book we have another Blackwell brother, Ben, who is “forced” by his brothers to come back to the family ranch because of some legal issues regarding water rights. Ben is a fancy lawyer living in New York City. At the moment, Ben is a mess! His career is a mess and so is he, but he isn’t telling anyone that! I loved Ben’s character through the whole book. I loved watching him go through his “redemption” because that’s what he needed! The “opposing” lawyer in the water rights case is Ben’s longtime friend, Rachel. Their ranches are next door to each other and the families have known each other for years – and have had many “dust ups”!!! Ben and Rachel go through a lot of dust ups of their own through the story. Rachel has a TON on her plate! I don’t know how she survives to be honest! I just really enjoyed the journey both of them took, both together and personally. I definitely recommend this book!!!!
The Rancher’s Redemption is a great read. This is part of the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series and yes it can be read as a stand alone novel but will work better if you read all the stories in order. This is Ben Blackwell’s story. I have to say of all the stories Ben’s is probably the most gut wrenching. Watching Ben deal with his past, his present and what he wants out of the future was deeply engaging. Rachel had her own issues to deal with and then there is Rachel’s little girl…….OHH my she’s sooo sweet. The story is easy to read and so very realistic. The characters are well written and make you want to not only meet them but visit their ranch. Fans of the heartwarming line are sure to adore this book, if you are new to this line of books I highly recommend them. They are sweet, easy to read, touching stories that leave you eager for more. A great addition to anyone’s bookshelf!
In book 3 we meet Ben the hot shot lawyer who up and left 5 years ago and to be fair I would too after what happened but now he is back as his brothers need him but it isn’t going to be a smooth ride. Rachel is working hard to juggle Double T ranch, her family as well as her own life and job and the last thing she needs is to go up against Ben in court especially as he use to be her friend until he got engaged to her Best friend Zoe. There is so much packed into this book that you well and truly fall in love with Ben and Rachel and you get the frustrations, hesitations as well as attraction they have for each other, you are left guessing if they will both take a step back and let each other know how they feel and not let their insecurities take over. I fully recommend you read books 1 & 2 so you get the full effects of this book as well as the other brothers etc and you won’t be disappointed with them either!
I really like Rachel and Ben. Ben has realized that he isn’t the person he should be. That he probably wouldn’t make his dad proud. His grandfather was proud of him, but that isn’t really a good thing. After Ben was jilted at the alter when his grandfather ran off with Ben’s fiancée, Ben went to New York and tried to make a name for himself as an attorney. He did that alright, but not in a good way. They wanted him to do some borderline unethical things and he wanted to be a better man than that. Now, his neighbor and an old friend is suing his family for water rights. Rachel is a lawyer and a single mom. She is trying to keep her family ranch afloat and it is all piling on her. Her ex is trying to get spousal support from her. Then she has to go up against Ben in a courtroom. Will he end up telling her that he is the cause of a lot of her troubles? Or will he just keep his mouth shut and cheat her again?
4 1/2 STARS!
The prodigal brother returns! With the third book in the deliciously emotional Return of the Blackwell Brothers series, Melinda Curtis brings us the story of the betrayed brother. Past hurt is brought to the surface and hashed out while new horizons brighten when love is found again. The story line had my attention from page one, and it only continued to get better. I’m really enjoying watching this family works it’s way back into each other’s hearts … as well as mine! Looking forward to more to come in the series!
New York attorney Ben Blackwell happens to be at a crossroad in his life when he gets the call from his twin brother Ethan that the family desperately needs his help with a lawsuit about water rights on the family ranch. He hasn’t been home since his bride-to-be betrayed him and the family that he thought always had his back proved that they didn’t. He’s not gung ho about heading back to Montana, but he promises himself he’ll get in and get out quickly.
Childhood friend and neighbor Rachel Thompson also happens to be the one that flung the truth in his face about her best friend, his then fiancee all those years ago. Now she’s a single Mom, trying to fight his family for more water rights on her crumbling ranch. Close proximity brings out an attraction that neither of them expects, and encourages Ben to consider spilling a long-held secret that could affect this lawsuit … but would his family ever forgive him? … and would Rachel?
Another great story in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. It can be read as a stand alone novel if you haven’t read the previous two books, but I highly recommend reading the other two books before this one, as well, because they are so good!
The title of this novel is perfect. Ben needed redemption. He had some things happen to him in the past that are heartbreaking, however, he has also slipped off the path of good character that his parents originally set him on. Bending truths and pushing rules as far as possible worked for his job as a high powered attorney but it began eating him up inside.
And poor Rachel. She was someone who was juggling way too many things on her own and barely keeping everything together. I really liked the connection between these two, who grew up together and used to be friends. There was plenty of chemistry and some great attraction in this story. I also enjoyed seeing Ben and Rachel grow so much emotionally as a result of spending time together and connecting with each other. Once again, I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
On to Blackwell Brother #3, Ben Blackwell. Where each of the brothers I’ve read so far has a story that touches your heart, Ben’s sort of thwacked me right in the stomach. This may be a spoiler, if you haven’t read any of the previous books (no worries, this is a standalone but the series works SO much better for me to know all the characters), however Ben left town right after his grandfather eloped with Ben’s fiancée…you know, while Ben was waiting at the altar. Broke my heart!
But Ben has returned home, at the (repeated) requests/texts/desperate calls of his two brothers, Jon and Ben’s twin Ethan, to try to untangle a mess that Big E (the Blackwell “boys” grandfather) has left at the family ranch. Ben is now a “big city” lawyer and Jon and Ethan can really use his help in Falcon Creek. (That is a VERY simple explanation; Ms. Curtis weaves an amazing story that will grab your attention and hold it thru to the end.)
Ben’s first meeting in town is with Rachel Thompson, the lawyer on the opposing side if a lawsuit involving Big E’s ranch. She also happens to be a long-ago frenemy of Ben’s who is on the Thompson side of Big E’s feud. Both Rachel and Ben have events in their pasts, immediate and from years ago that they have to deal with and overcome, but somehow it is all intertwined in what is happening in the here and now. I loved how they bantered and bickered but always had each other’s back, even when they were on opposite sides of a court case. I read this story straight thru because I enjoyed their relationship and how it weaves into the overall series’ story. And Ben’s touching and sweet interactions with Poppy, Rachel’s daughter, will make you melt.
I have a favorite line in this story, one that made me laugh out loud. I won’t tell you anything about where it comes in the story, however, when you read it for yourself, just remember I warned you: “Talk to the hand.” If you’ve read my reviews for the earlier books, there are those connected gems that made me smile! Made Ben squirm, just as much as Jon and Ethan did when it was their turn/story. I just can’t wait to read more. As with the previous Blackwell Brothers’ stories, there is much heart, soul, and fun in The Rancher’s Redemption and I can’t wait to read the next one.
“The Rancher’s Redemption” by Melinda Curtis is book three of the Return of the Blackwell Brothers continuity and can be read without having read the first two (though I’m sure you’ll want to).
Lawyer Ben Blackwell returns home to Falcon Creek, Montana to fight for water rights between his family’s ranch and the ranch next door.
Rachel Thompson is left to run the ranch after her father dies. She is also Ben’s opposing counsel.
Ben is dealing with guilt and regrets over his recent fall from grace. He wants to do the right thing for his family and for himself.
Rachel is struggling to keep her family afloat and is trying to find the balance between being a mom, a lawyer, and a ranch owner.
Ben and Rachel are more than lawyers on opposites sides of the courtroom. They are childhood friends and it is those memories that help bring these two closer and allows them to see each other in a new light.
“The Rancher’s Redemption” is true-to-life in showing what ranchers face in trying to survive and shows the power of finding a way to work together. Even when feelings of the heart sneak their way in.
Ms. Curtis is a master at blending humor and heart in her books and this story is a perfect example.