Roxanne Willems Snopek

Let's face it, the book has a cheesy title and the same old same old story tropes- another 'sexy millionaire' story, another 'secret baby' story, another 'secretary falls in love with her boss' story.
So, eventhough I was quite looking forward to this guilty pleasure escapist read, I didn't have overly high expectations.

How surprised was I when I couldn't put the book down?!

It is well written and fast paced, but,at the same time, the romance between Pamela and Dane didn't feel rushed. show more Their relationships developed in a romantically sedate pace thanks to the presence of Danielle. The interplay and bonding between Pamela, Dane and Dani was touching and sweet.

I enjoyed this title immensely. It is a quick, easy read and perfect for a lazy duvet day or a sunny day at the beach. show less

I expected to love this novel and I was NOT disappointed. I have come to expect infuriatingly/endearingly real characters and unpredictable story lines written with heart and with wry, understated humour and that is why I will always come back to read the novels of [a:Roxanne Snopek|2962276|Roxanne Snopek|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1347309899p2/2962276.jpg] (and her excellent non-fiction too, truth be told.)

His Reluctant Rancher is a categorical romance and if you read romances, you are show more going to love this novel. But it's a cross-over because if you don't usually read romances, you are still going to love this novel--there is so much substance to it. Just like the first in the series, Three River Ranch, characters are confronted with agonizingly tough choices and they react in messy, mascara-running, unflatteringly flawed ways. Resolution is deeply satisfying but not at all formulaic. I call it "romance for the intelligent reader."

My favourite feature: the animals. As Temple Grandin so eloquently put it, "Animals Make us Human." And that is certainly true for the residents of both Twinridge and Three River ranches. From the calves on the range to the kittens in the barn, Snopek's novels are populated with four-footed characters every bit as "real" as their human counterparts. Animal-assisted physical and/or psychological therapy (official and otherwise) adds so much to the texture of the narrative in His Reluctant Rancher. show less

Well, full disclosure, I don't read romances and I certainly don't read cowboy romances...until now. I resolved to read Three River Ranch, simply because I have consistently enjoyed all the other writing from this particular author. She's done a number of non-fiction pieces over the years in a variety of periodicals, including Reader's Digest. She's written a number of books of true animal stories for the Amazing Stories collections--my favourite being "Wildlife in the Kitchen." She's been show more included in short story anthologies and she's published at least one other novel--ALL of which have impressed me with their wit, style and heart.

So I plunged into this novel--against my usual taste--because it seems that whatever Snopek writes is a pleasure for me to read. And that trust paid off. I found myself compelled to read later and later into the evenings because I was absolutely invested in the troubles plaguing Three River Ranch. To say it is a romance is true, surely, but it is not predictable or one-dimensional. Three River Ranch is also about breeding and training service animals and about the ecology of wild herds of mustangs. Somehow I know and care more about those topics than I did before, even though I was completely engrossed in the main plot. The best part of Snopek's novel, in my opinion, is her characters--Carson and Rory, the main love interests, are complex and infuriatingly lifelike, and the twins Bliss and Blythe (or "Blister" and "Blight") are brilliant! Nobody does what you'd expect them to and they are as capable of surprising themselves as they are of surprising the reader.

I call it a little gem of a story. And because I've enjoyed this one so much, I'll be watching for more in the series. I understand there will be sequels. show less

A great story of first love, heart break, and a reunion that proves the love never died. He was the golden boy, she was from the wrong side of the tracks but the attraction was immediate and strong until one day she was gone. Many years later Samara is back in Marietta and when she and Logan come face to face the spark is still there. The last thing she needs though is a new relationship, or so she thinks.

This story is wonderfully written and these characters are warm and funny and people show more you just want to see have their HEA. And of course what would a Roxanne Snopek story be without a wonderful canine character. Bob definitely does not disappoint. Excellent read that I highly recommend. show less