The Maverick of Copper Creek - R.C. Ryan (Forever - Oct 2014)

Series: Copper Creek Cowboys (Book 1)

First love always burns hotter . . .

Ash MacKenzie broke his share of hearts when he left Copper Creek all those years ago and struck out on his own. Tall, tough, and proud. That's how Brenna always remembered him, and from the looks of things, he hasn't changed much. Once, she thought he could save her-whisk her away from her rough childhood home and start fresh together. Now she knows better . . .

Ash isn't planning to stick around town long. As soon as he uncovers the truth about his father's death and makes sure the family ranch is safe, he'll be back out on his own. And then he runs into Brenna Crane. It broke his heart to leave her once-a herd of stampeding horses couldn't make him do it again. But Brenna has made a new life for herself, one that doesn't include him. Now he just has to convince her to give their first love a second chance.

Terrific start to the new series and great second chance story. Ash is the oldest son of Bear MacKenzie. The story opens when he is nineteen years old, and shows a young man trying his best to earn his father's respect and approval. Unfortunately, he seems to be fighting a losing battle, and the latest confrontation is the final straw. Ash leaves home after a blowup with his father, determined to make his own way in the world. The story then picks up a decade later. Ash has his own ranch in Wyoming, and though he is struggling, he is proud of what he has accomplished. Then he gets word that his father has been murdered and immediately makes plans to go home. The first person he sees when he arrives is Brenna, his former best friend and the girl he'd loved and left behind.

Brenna had grown up with an abusive drunk for a father, living on the ranch next door to the MacKenzies. She met Ash when she was eight years old, and he became the most important thing in her life. She was heartbroken when he left without a word and worked hard to move on with her life. Her father deserted the family when she was young, leaving just her and her mother to keep the ranch going. Her mother died when Brenna was sixteen, leaving her alone to keep the ranch going. Brenna is also a talented sculptor who is slowly making a name for herself. She has recently become engaged to a "city fella."

When Ash is informed of his father's death, he is in shock. He always thought that he had time to reconcile with Bear and show him what he had done with his life. He immediately goes home to be with his family. I loved seeing his realization of how much he had truly missed his family and his home. Though his initial intention is to stay as long as he is needed then return to his own ranch, he begins to realize that his heart belongs in Copper Creek. I loved his reactions to how much things have changed since he's been gone. He's almost shocked that Whit is no longer the kid he left behind, but a grown man. Like the rest of the family, he's stunned by the news that Bear had another son that no one knew about. His reactions are understandable. He also carries a lot of guilt for staying away so long and allowing his pride to keep him from staying in touch with his family. As the days go on, Ash is determined to make amends with them.

I loved seeing the renewal of Ash and Brenna's relationship. He had thought of her often, expecting that she was probably married and had children by now. He's stunned to find out that she's still single (though engaged). I loved their first meeting as he first saves her puppy, then saves her from being hit by a speeding truck. Both of them experience a flare of their old attraction. Knowing that she's engaged to someone else, Ash tries to resist it. Brenna is not happy about the resurgence of her feelings, because of her engagement and because she wouldn't want to risk getting her heart broken again. When they experience another near miss, Ash's protectiveness kicks in, and he is determined to keep her safe. I enjoyed seeing them first renew their friendship as they shared memories from their past and caught up on each other's lives. Brenna has some issues with her fiancé, whose jealousy is pretty blatant. He exhibits some uncomfortably controlling behavior, and a confrontation with him makes Brenna realize the truth about her relationship with him. I loved seeing the differences between her fiancé and Ash and adored Ash for his support of her. I loved seeing them grow closer as they work together to discover who is after her and why. I loved Ash's big moment at the end as he makes a huge decision about his future. His awkwardness and vulnerability show just how much Brenna means to him. The epilogue was sweet and romantic.

The suspense of the story was really good. There were two mysteries going on. The first involves the murder of Bear MacKenzie. There are no witnesses and no clues, leaving his family searching for answers. Is it someone from his past with a grudge against him? Could it be one of their friends and neighbors or someone further back in Bear's past? Then there is the problem of the attacks on Brenna. She isn't the type of person to have enemies, so who could it be and why? Does it have something to do with her father, who recently contacted her, claiming to want a reconciliation? I loved Brenna's compassion for her father and her desire not to hold onto the past. There are several possible suspects, and there are good reasons to suspect each of them. I had an idea of who it was, and I turned out to be right, but the story behind it was unexpected. The final confrontation was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved. I loved seeing how everyone pulled together to make it happen.

A theme that ran throughout the book was the importance of family. The family is stunned to discover the existence of another son, and Ash and Whit's reactions are completely understandable. Bear's wife Willow seems to arrive at acceptance much faster than her sons, thanks to some discussion with her father-in-law. Griff's arrival at the ranch is especially shocking when they see his resemblance to Bear but also makes it easier for them to accept him. I ached for Griff and his feelings of loss and confusion. I really enjoyed seeing the family come together. There are some pretty fun scenes of the three sons together as the work out their relationships. The bar scene was fantastic as they stood together against outsiders. I also loved seeing the way that Brenna had become part of the family since the first time Ash brought her home when they were kids. The MacKenzies were so different from her own experience. I loved the way that they all came together to help Brenna after the attack at her ranch. I also loved how Ash and Griff and the rest learned more about Bear and the person he was and how it changed their perceptions of him.

Though I read the books out of order, it made no difference to my enjoyment of each story. Though I knew the identity of the killer by the time I read this book, I was still able to get involved in the search for the truth.

The Legacy of Copper Creek - R. C. Ryan (Forever - Aug 2015)

Series: Cowboys of Copper Creek (Book 3)

When Love Walks Through the Door . . .

Like all MacKenzie men, Whit respects three things: hard work, his family, and the wild beauty of the Montana land he calls home. The solitude of the high country is a welcome respite to a loner like Whit. So when a powerful spring snowstorm hits as he's tending the herd, Whit heads to one of the family's isolated cabins. The cold winds don't trouble him. The gorgeous mystery woman waiting inside does.

All Cara Walton wanted was a chance to clear her head. And the forgotten cabin on the outskirts of the MacKenzie ranch seemed like the perfect place to do just that-until Whit arrives. The rugged cowboy quickly melts Cara's defenses and she's powerless to resist his strong arms or his tender touch. She desperately wants to trust him, but there's so much Whit doesn't know, so much she hasn't told him. She lost everything once-can she find the courage to risk her heart again?

Good book. It opens with Whit needing to get away from his big, boisterous family and be alone for a while. He is still trying to deal with the pain of his father's murder. With a blizzard bearing down, he finished feeding the cattle and heads to one of the family's range cabins. The last thing he expects is to find a beautiful blond already there. Cara has had a rough life, and the latest disasters are just icing on the cake. A good job and promising relationship implode when the man turns out to be overly controlling, and breaking up with him also leads to the loss of her job. To top it all off, she stumbles upon a well-dressed man with "evil eyes" threatening an old man. The evil-eyed man chases her, and she barely escapes, but gets lost and runs out of gas. Stumbling onto the deserted but well-stocked cabin is a life saver.

I loved the meeting between Whit and Cara. He bursts into the cabin, accompanied by snow and wind, and scares Cara half to death. She threatens him (with a broom handle in the back) as he makes his own threats about the intruder on his family's property. But with the blizzard trapping them together, they have to make the best of the situation. I loved the banter between "Goldilocks" and "Cowboy". Whit is intrigued by Cara and finds his protective side coming out the more he is around her. When the storm is over, he invites her back to the ranch.

I really enjoyed the development of their relationship. Whit has been the brother determined to stay single. In the previous books, he is the one who teases his brothers about their lovesick demeanors. It isn't long before he is just as crazy about Cara. He sees the way her ex-boyfriend has destroyed her confidence in herself and can't stop himself from showing her what a strong and capable woman she is. Cara is wary of getting involved with Whit. Thanks to the previous relationship and her trouble with "evil eyes" she has a hard time trusting her judgment. All the while there is an intense attraction simmering between the two of them. It comes to a full boil the day that Cara's innate empathy reaches out to comfort Whit over his father's death. Their relationship continues to build as Cara becomes an integral part of the ranch. But she continues to be wary of becoming too comfortable, always looking over her shoulder for the trouble that she feels is still pursuing her. When that trouble succeeds in finding her, both she and Whit realize that life can be short and trying to protect themselves from hurt also keeps them from fully experiencing life. But there are still some vulnerabilities to overcome, as Cara receives a surprise offer and Whit puts his own feelings on hold not wanting to stand in her way. I loved their big moment at the end as Cara, especially, puts her heart on the line.  Truly a romantic and heartwarming scene.

The suspense of the story was really good also. Continuing from the first book is the question of who murdered Bear MacKenzie and why. Cara still doesn't know who "evil eyes" is, and becomes more afraid when she hears of the old rancher's murder. She also has to deal with the continuing threats from her ex-boyfriend. Lastly, there is also the creepy feeling that Lance, the family lawyer, is up to something. The final confrontation is intense and scary. I really wasn't sure how some of the events were going to turn out. I loved how Cara kept a cool head through it all. I also loved how the family came together to deal with the threat, and also believed in her.

One of the best parts of this series in the MacKenzie family itself. They are close, loving and supportive. Ash and Griff were featured in books one and two, with their own demons dealt with, and HEAs achieved. I loved the grandfather, Maddock or "Mad" as he's called. He has quite a sense of humor and a great way of delivering advice to the younger members of the family. The mother of the family, Willow, is still grieving the loss of her husband but has the strength necessary to carry on with the ranch. She is warm and loving and has a heart big enough to encompass everyone she comes in contact with. I especially loved the way that she pulled Cara into the heart of the family. There was also a nice little romance developing between her and Brady, the ranch foreman. Ash and Brenna, and Griff and Juliet and her two boys, all had their parts in supporting Whit and bringing Cara into the family. 

The Rebel of Copper Creek - R.C. Ryan (Forever - Feb 2015)

Series: Cowboys of Copper Creek (Book 2)

A love worth fighting for . . .

The last thing widow Juliet Grayson needs is a man in her life. Between caring for her two young sons and maintaining her husband's ranch, her hands are more than full. Then she meets Griff Warren. With his quiet strength and his easy way with her boys, she's tempted to trust him. But if there's anything she's learned, it's that love only leads to heartbreak.

Former Marine Griff Warren never thought he'd settle down. Rebellious and proud, he's always been on his own . . . until the father he never knew he had died, leaving him with land that is his legacy and brothers to share the load. He doesn't need more than that. But Juliet touches something deep inside him-and he wants nothing more than to protect her and her sons. Now if only he can convince her to take a second chance at true love.

Very good book, filled with love, family, friendship and a bit of mystery. Griff grew up never knowing who his father was and resenting it. He had a temper as a kid, which got him into a lot of trouble. When he grew up he joined the Marines, giving him a sense of belonging. Shortly before she died, his mother contacted Griff's father and told him about Griff, but before they could meet, Bear MacKenzie was murdered. However, Bear's wife and two sons welcomed Griff into the family with open arms. After leaving the Marines, Griff settled into learning how to be a rancher and part of a family.

Juliet is a widow with two young sons. Her husband had been a Navy pilot who died months after injuries received in a crash. He left his family's ranch to Juliet and his sons. She is determined to preserve the ranch, and starts by turning it into a therapy ranch for wounded veterans. She has more than enough to keep her busy and no desire to add a new man into her life.

Griff and Juliet meet through one of her therapy patients who is a former comrade of Griff's. The first meeting doesn't go all that well as she mistakes him for someone else. But under the antagonism is an instant attraction that neither one can deny, though both try to resist. Juliet feels guilty and disloyal to her late husband every time that she feels something for Griff. At the same time, his obvious connection with her sons warms her heart and makes her dream of what could be. Griff sees a bit of himself in  her two boys, making him want to be there for them. He also finds himself wanting to make things easier for Juliet and discovers a growing sense of rightness the more time he spends with her. When threats and acts of vandalism put her and the boys in danger, Griff's sense of protectiveness steps in to take care of the family.

I loved Griff. I ached for him as a kid with the anger issues caused by his feelings of abandonment. I understood his need to confront his father. I really enjoyed seeing him take to the ranch life. I loved how he accepts and has been accepted by his new family. He's still feeling his way a little bit, since he's never had anything like it before. There are several great scenes with his brothers and grandfather, where the love and respect are obvious under the laughter and teasing. He was a bit stunned by the strength of his attraction to Juliet. I also loved seeing him with Ethan and Casey. He always seemed to know just how to talk to them. Best of all was his determination to look out for Juliet. He was a bit surprised by how deep the need was. It was sweet to see how he quickly came to put their needs ahead of his own. I loved seeing him bring her into the loving embrace of the MacKenzies.

Juliet was great, too. She hasn't had it easy over the last several years. Taking care of her husband after his injuries, with a three year old son and pregnant with another had left her reeling after his death. She was determined to follow his wishes and raise his boys on the family ranch, even though she knew nothing about ranching. She has a giving nature, which leads her to turn part of the ranch into a place of therapy for wounded warriors. She has shut herself off from any new relationships, first because she would feel guilty, and second because loving and losing is just too hard. She's overwhelmed by everything that needs doing, but she digs in and does her best. She has a bit of temper of her own, as shown in her initial meeting with Griff, but mostly she's pretty even-keeled. She's a terrific mom who puts her kids needs ahead of her own. She also has a good sense of humor and a kind heart, which shows in her dealings with her wounded warriors.

I loved the development of the relationship between Griff and Juliet. The chemistry is hot from the first, and it takes a bit for Griff to realize he needs to back off a little or risk scaring her off completely. Juliet fights what is growing between them because of her fear of moving on. Trying to keep things to just friends has the opposite effect. I loved seeing the boys' efforts to make Griff part of the family, as his frequent presence on her ranch begins to feel normal. Even when she tried to push him away, Juliet would end up getting closer. As the strange things happened on her ranch, she found herself more willing to lean on his strength and accept his help. It took a little while for each of them to accept what they were feeling, then they had to find the courage to speak up. I loved Griff's big moment at the end, and his inclusion of Ethan and Casey.

There is also some trouble that wends its way through the book. First is the ongoing mystery behind the murder of Bear MacKenzie. It is mentioned in this book, but there is no progress toward the resolution of it. The main mystery is the trouble that Juliet is experiencing. There is a wrangler that makes unwanted advances, and makes threats after his attempts are thwarted. Threatening phone calls and vandalism on the ranch have everyone on edge until the man can be caught. Then her son Ethan is kidnapped. Everyone thinks they know who it is, until an unexpected twist shows a different player altogether. I suspected this one was going to be trouble, but didn't expect that much. The final confrontation was intense and very scary. I loved how it was Griff's Marine experience that helped him save the day. There was also a brief mention of the family lawyer's son and some papers, where I got the feeling there was something more going on. I didn't like him at all.