Synopsis from Goodreads:Widow Rachel Boyd struggles to keep her ranch afloat and provide for her two young sons, though some days it feels as though her efforts are sabotaged at every turn. When her cattle come down with disease and her sons' lives are endangered, she must turn to Rand Brookston, Timber Ridge's physician and reluctant veterinarian. While Rachel appreciates his help, she squelches any feelings she might have for Rand--her own father was a doctor and his patients always took priority over his family. Rachel refuses to repeat the mistakes her mother made. But when she's courted by a wealthy client of the local resort, she faces a choice: self-sufficiency and security or the risk inherent in the deepest of loves.
My take on this book:
Rachel Boyd has been struggling to keep her husband's dream alive since his death two years ago. His dream(which became her dream too) was to have a successful ranch that would be a legacy for her two young sons Mitch and Kurt. Some days she wonders if she has made the right choices.It is a major struggle to keep the ranch afloat, with cattle dying and unable to make her payment to the bank she is forced to go to the bank and ask for more money, she also knows she will need to make some tough decisions where the ranch is concerned, but she is no longer sure that the ranch is her dream. Her father was a physician, not always there for his family, but Rachel learned from him the skill of taking care of the sick, she has a natural talent for it.
Rand Brookston is the local physician and sometimes veterinarian, he has issues from his past that he struggles to deal with, but he has been watching Rachel for some time. He admires her greatly often asking her to assist in medical procedures, so when Ben Mullens the local store owner and dear friend of Rachel needs a life saving medical procedure preformed Rand asks Rachel to assist. While she judges Rand based on the way her father was she soon comes to see that Rand is nothing like her father.Can she let down the protective shield she has placed around her heart and learn to love again?
Even though this was the third book in the Timber Ridge Reflections series, I missed the first two and had no problems becoming quickly immersed in this story. I really enjoyed reading this historical romance. Rachel's character had to be tough to run a ranch and raise two boys as well, she relies on God and also has support from friends and family. Her brother is a steady influence in her life, as well as Ben and Lydia. I was so glad when she finally gave in to her feelings for Rand, they needed each other, and he was so good with the boys.
This book was really so much more than just another romance, we saw a young boy deal with behavior issues, a man with heart issues learn that he didn't have long to live, and makes sure his wife is taken care of. We also got a small glimpse of what happened with Rand during the civil war, combine this with Rachel's struggles and you have a book that you won't be able to put down. On a scale of one to five this book easily rates a 5.
Even though I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House for review it in no way alters my opinion of this book!
Super review! Seems like a lovely read with cler-cut issues and resolutions.
ReplyDeleteYes! Definitely so much more than a romance. Well said. :)
ReplyDeleteYou'd like the rest of the series.
awesome review, brenda! i really liked rand's character, i wanted to know more of his story.
ReplyDeleteJoy, I really want to read them. She is a new to me author and I am totally hooked! I couldn't believe that I won the book from you and then recieved it from Bethany House as well, just goes to show you read some awesome books Joy!
ReplyDeleteCarrie I agree I always enjoy reading anything about the civil war, and I have actually read other stories that talk a bit about the awful way that some men were in essence buried alive, I bet it probably happened more often than people even realize. I also enjoyed Charlie Daggetts character, finding out that he blamed himself for a tragedy that wasn't his fault was so sad but it was great when he finally found out the truth. I kinda hoped that we might see a story between Lydia and Mr. Weston, who knows perhaps there might be another book, one can hope :).
Kittie, I would easily say this was one of the best fiction books that I have read in awhile.
Thanks ladies for dropping by I really appreciate it.
Lovely review Brenda :)
ReplyDeleteI was not familiar with these books, but they definitely sound like something I would like...I am glad to hear that one can pick this one up without having read the first two in the series.