Ruth Ryan Langan

Terrific start to the new series. It opens with an introduction to the Merrick family and a tragic event that affects them all. A house fire sweeps through the ranch house that Bo, his wife Leigh, and their three sons had just moved into. The oldest son, Brand, succeeded in getting his two little brothers out of the house, then woke his parents. Unfortunately, his mother didn't make it. Bo and his boys moved back into the family home with his father, mother, sister, and grandfather, making show more four generations living together.

Fast forward twenty years. The Merrick boys, Brand, Casey, and Jonah, have all grown up. All three work the ranch with the family, though Casey and Jonah also have other professions. Brand recently was injured in a fall and still suffers the aftereffects. As stubborn as the other men in his family, he ended his physical therapy early, unconvinced of its effectiveness, and determined to return to work. His grandmother, Meg, takes matters into her own hands and hires a physical therapist to stay at the ranch for six weeks, overriding Brand's protests that he doesn't have time.

Avery is a city girl from Michigan who took the job in Wyoming with an agenda of her own. She looks forward to the different surroundings, but she also wants to escape from an uncomfortable situation at home. She has a stalker who has left several threats, but the local authorities don't take it seriously.

I loved the first meeting between the Merricks and Avery. Brand was blindsided that morning by his grandmother's announcement and isn't at all happy with the thought of someone interfering with his day. Family patriarch, Ham, is also against it, with the view that pain is something ranchers learn to live with. They are all shocked to discover that, rather than the muscular man they expected, the therapist is a slim, attractive woman. Avery is a bit taken aback by the hostility from her patient and his great-grandfather but is determined to change their minds and heal her patient.

I loved the development of the relationship between Brand and Avery. Brand thinks that it won't be hard to send this city girl running. All he has to do is drag her into ranch life and watch her flounder. Avery is tenacious and sees his challenge and raises the stakes. I loved watching her dig right in and embrace everything thrown at her. It doesn't take long for Brand to be impressed and decide to give her a chance. With the time they spend together, Avery sees past the grumpy Brand to the man who loves his family and his land. It was great to see Brand go from trying to chase Avery away to wishing he could find a way to make her stay.

The attraction that was there from the moment Brand and Avery met continued to build. They tried to resist at first. Brand knew she would leave after six weeks, and Avery wanted to keep things professional. However, the connection was too strong to resist. There were some sweet scenes as Brand showed Avery around the land that he loved. There were some funny times, such as their trip to town, where Avery gets a taste of small-town life. Then there were the times that showed the depth of the feelings that were growing between them. I loved seeing Brand share his memories of the night of the fire with Avery, something he hasn't even done with his family. When Avery shared her trouble with Brand, it roused his protectiveness, further cementing his feelings for her. With Avery's departure drawing closer, both ached to be together, but neither was ready to confess their feelings. The end was emotional as each longed for the other to say something that would keep them together before it was too late. Brand's big moment was great, and I loved how he was oblivious to the people around them.

Part of the book also dealt with the reason Avery left Michigan. She thought she left the threats behind her, only to begin receiving creepy and threatening texts after she arrived in Wyoming. Though Avery tried to ignore them, remembering her treatment by the authorities in Michigan, the threats started to weigh on her. I loved Brand's reaction when she told him, with that cowboy code of protectiveness kicking in. I especially liked his insistence on going to the local police chief. The difference in attitude was night and day, which gave Avery a little bit of peace of mind. An unexpected visitor brought along a twist to the situation. There were some very intense moments as Avery found herself in a life-or-death situation. I loved her determination to survive and her ability to think on her feet. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and kept me glued to pages until it was over.

A big part of the book was the Merrick family's relationships. The love and respect that they had for each other were evident, and I enjoyed getting to know each one. Hammond, the family patriarch, was quite a character. Gruff and obstinate, his opinions were pretty well set in stone. I loved his pride in his family and their land, and how his stories wove a spell around Avery. I also like watching her earn his respect and admiration. Another family member I loved was Aunt Liz. She's a talented photographer, and though she seems cold and aloof at first, that soon changes. There is a fantastic scene between Liz and Avery that changes both their lives. I was also intrigued by Chet, who obviously has a thing for Liz, though she doesn't see it. I hope to see more of them in future books. However, my favorite family members were Casey and Jonah. They are the typical younger brothers who know just what buttons to push when it comes to Brand. They caught on quickly to the attraction building between Brand and Avery and took multiple opportunities to tease and interfere. It was fun to watch the actions and reactions among them. I can't wait to read their stories. show less

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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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. show less

Very good book with a good blend of romance and suspense. Josh is very much at home in the mountains and when the rangers ask him to find a missing hiker, he heads right out. Finding Sierra wasn't hard, she wasn't lost at all. She is a photographer and had simply gotten involved in what she was doing and forgotten to check in. She's a bit wary of Josh when he shows up but it isn't long before she comes to trust him. She's glad to have him on her side when a stalker shows up.

I really liked show more both Sierra and Josh. Sierra has grown up as a loner. Her parents never married and were more interested in their own lives. She spent her childhood in boarding schools, never quite fitting in. Thanks to her parents and a couple bad relationships, she doesn't believe in love at all, that men will say whatever they need to in order to get what they want. She has decided to concentrate on her career as a photographer and has come to the Tetons to get some nature shots. She is also trying to get away from a man who became too intense in his pursuit of her. She got so involved in her photography she never thought about notifying the rangers until Josh showed up to "rescue" her. Once she got over the fright of a strange man invading her space, she couldn't help but notice his good looks and the attraction zinging between them. I liked the immediate connection they had. It made it much easier for Sierra to go to the ranch with Josh when she found that threatening note in her car. I loved seeing Sierra's surprise at how easily she was welcomed at the ranch and how quickly she felt part of them. I really loved seeing her excitement at all the things she was being exposed to. She had such a great time taking photos of the cattle roundup I could almost see the pictures myself as she described the scenes. When she and Josh went back up on the mountain to take more pictures I loved her reaction to the sights and her joy in everything she saw. She felt herself falling for Josh but she was afraid to trust those feelings. And when her stalker showed up and put everyone in danger, she couldn't deal with the guilt. She felt that because of the mistakes in her past and what had happened that she didn't deserve to have a good life. It takes some work for Josh to convince Sierra but the result was worth it.

Josh is the middle brother and a bit of a loner himself. He loves his family, but sometimes he has a need to escape. Josh has always felt at peace on the mountain. Because he knows it so well, the rangers call on him when they need help finding missing hikers. I loved seeing him head right out, his concern evident. His surprise when he found Sierra perfectly well and unaware that she was "missing" was great. Once he convinced her that he wasn't a threat, they got along very well. Josh was drawn to her beauty and her joy in what she was doing. When they started their hike off the mountain he was quickly impressed by her skills. He didn't really want to part ways with her once they got to the ranger station and was happy when she finally accepted his invitation to stay at the ranch. I loved seeing him draw her into their circle and make her feel at home. He had never felt anything before like what he was feeling now and he wants a chance to explore it. When he found out about Sierra's stalker his protective side came out and he was determined that she stay where it was safe. I had a great time seeing him try to get closer to Sierra and getting delayed by his dad. When Josh and Sierra went on their hiking trip I loved the way that he told her so much about his past and plans for the future. He wanted her to be part of it but he didn't want to rush her either. His fears for her when they were attacked brought home to him how much he cared. When it was all over, the scene when she tried to leave was so moving, as Josh showed her just how much he understood her and wanted her in his life.

The suspense part of the book, seeing Sierra has she tried to escape her stalker was well done. It started with just a hint of what was going on, and then expanded to include things from his point of view. As the book went on and his obsession grew I got very invested in seeing how it would turn out.

I loved the whole Conway family. They were such an important part of the whole story, from their first welcoming of Sierra to the ranch to Big Jim's machinations to keep her from leaving. The love they have for each other is obvious. Their teasing was hilarious, but never mean. I loved the way that they took right to Sierra, making her part of them without any trouble. I also loved the way she fit in with them so well, right from her first comment to Big Jim about her being the "fool hiker" who got lost. I want to read Quinn's and Jake's stories as soon as I can get to them. show less