The prodigal is coming home.
It’s been a long time since Colt
Stafford shrugged of his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a
promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him
financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides
to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s
broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father and get
his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.
He doesn’t expect to come home
to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest—a tough yet beautiful woman
that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina
Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s
hiding…and why.
Colt’s return brings new
challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for
years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs.
And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks
all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a
neighbor. And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the
financial district’s wealth and power—or find the courage to stay in the saddle
for good?
Back in the Saddle is the
first book in Ruth Logan Herne’s Double S
Ranch series, and is also the first book I have ever read by her. I wasn’t
entirely sure what to expect going in, but I was hopeful that it would be an
enjoyable story, and I was not disappointed. However, there were just a few
stylistic things that bothered me a bit, but it wasn’t too much and therefore
didn’t really interfere with my interest in this book. I still really loved the
storyline and the characters, so you can be sure I’ll be reading more by Ruth
in the future.
Colt
Stafford is the prodigal son personified. He left his father’s ranch years ago,
determined to never come back, until his financial situation and his father’s
health make staying away impossible. Upon his return, he meets Angelina
Morales, his father’s new house manager, and is immediately taken with her, but
is wary of the secrets he knows she keeps. However, as time goes on, Colt
starts to wonder if going back to Wall Street is actually what he wants to do,
or if there is so much more for him in his hometown of Gray’s Glen.
I loved
Angelina Morales immediately. Her pluck, her spitfire, and her determination to
keep her family safe are just a few of the many things I admire about her, and I
love the way she constantly took anyone who stepped out of line to task. The way
she took care of Sam through his illness, and helped him as he finally accepted
Christ and attempted to change his ways, are some of my favorite things about
her, and I just love her little secret! Clearly I cannot tell you what it is,
and I obviously don’t love the circumstances that made it a secret, but I just
love it! You’ll figure out what I mean when you read the book.
All in
all, I really, really enjoyed this story, despite the few things that bothered
me, and I’m definitely glad I have my own copy of it. Because of the little bit
of stylistic issues, however, I’ve decided to only give this novel four out of
five bookshelves. It still does come highly recommended from me, and I’m so
excited to read more in this series. Especially since the next book is Nick’s
story! I’m so excited to see how everything works out for him and his
daughters!
Happy
reading!
I received a copy of this book from the Litfuse Publicity
Group in exchange for only my honest review.
To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party
page.
Photo credits go to my fabulous sister, Allie, whose blog
you can visit here.
All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Ruth Logan
Herne and Multnomah Publishing.
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