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Destiny Bay: The Ranchers #1
Native Silver
NATIVE SILVER--He wants her- she wants her ranch back!
When Shawnee Carrington returns home to help her grandfather win his fight to keep his land, she goes up against David Santiago, a man she's hated and loved with equal passion for years. She's determined to beat him, and win the horse show his sister always dominates as well, with the help of Native Silver, her beloved horse. But her plans will only work if no one realizes Native Silver is blind.
A beautiful straying daughter of the land, a stunningly handsome descendant of the conquering conquistadores who loves her... his sister, recently divorced from a European royal, an aged grandfather losing his grip on reality, and a blind horse, all have a stake in the Californio Days equestrian competition. Who will win the hearts and minds they yearn for and who will win the trophy itself?
Original version published in print by Mills and Boon and recently revised as part of the Destiny Bay Series.
When Shawnee Carrington returns home to help her grandfather win his fight to keep his land, she goes up against David Santiago, a man she's hated and loved with equal passion for years. She's determined to beat him, and win the horse show his sister always dominates as well, with the help of Native Silver, her beloved horse. But her plans will only work if no one realizes Native Silver is blind.
A beautiful straying daughter of the land, a stunningly handsome descendant of the conquering conquistadores who loves her... his sister, recently divorced from a European royal, an aged grandfather losing his grip on reality, and a blind horse, all have a stake in the Californio Days equestrian competition. Who will win the hearts and minds they yearn for and who will win the trophy itself?
Original version published in print by Mills and Boon and recently revised as part of the Destiny Bay Series.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2013
43 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Helen Conrad
73 books74 followersaka Jena Hunt and Raye Morgan.
Helen Conrad was born on April 11, 1945 in Pasadena, California, U.S.A. and grew up between Holland, Guam, and California, and spent a few years in Washington, D.C. as well. She obtained a B.A. in English Literature.
Helen was working toward a Master's in Library Science when she dropped out to have her first son. "One look into those baby blue eyes and I knew it was going to be a long time before I went back to school. But with young ones, you do have time to read, and the more I read, the more I learned about writing". She started writing because she felt guilty about spending so much time reading. "Through writing I figured I could still immerse myself in the stories I love, but I could actually claim I was working! The amazing thing was when I sold my first book and the excuse was justified. Dreams really do come true!"
After years of writing romantic suspense in the style of Mary Stewart and children's books in a lot of styles, she finally sold a romance to Jove's Second Chance at Love and there was celebration all around-at least in her ever-patient family of husband and four boys. She published four more romances for Jove under the name Jena Hunt, then began writing Silhouette Desires. A few sales to Bantam Loveswept and Harlequin Romance, Temptationand SuperRomance under the name Helen Conrad followed, as well as to Harpers, Dell Ecstasy, Mills & Boon, and even an historical with Zebra. Today, she is concentrating on Silhouette Romance, completely captivated by the breezy fun and touching poignancy of their compact, to-the-point form. She feels the perfect "quick read" should make the reader smile, sigh and put the book down feeling better about the state of love in the world.
Now, she lives in the Los Angeles area now with Nick, her geologist-computers cientist husband and the two of her four sons who still live at home."Having the boys around helps keep me up on the current trends," she says with a laugh. "But writing helps keep me in touch with the romance that weaves through the everyday lives we all live."
Helen Conrad was born on April 11, 1945 in Pasadena, California, U.S.A. and grew up between Holland, Guam, and California, and spent a few years in Washington, D.C. as well. She obtained a B.A. in English Literature.
Helen was working toward a Master's in Library Science when she dropped out to have her first son. "One look into those baby blue eyes and I knew it was going to be a long time before I went back to school. But with young ones, you do have time to read, and the more I read, the more I learned about writing". She started writing because she felt guilty about spending so much time reading. "Through writing I figured I could still immerse myself in the stories I love, but I could actually claim I was working! The amazing thing was when I sold my first book and the excuse was justified. Dreams really do come true!"
After years of writing romantic suspense in the style of Mary Stewart and children's books in a lot of styles, she finally sold a romance to Jove's Second Chance at Love and there was celebration all around-at least in her ever-patient family of husband and four boys. She published four more romances for Jove under the name Jena Hunt, then began writing Silhouette Desires. A few sales to Bantam Loveswept and Harlequin Romance, Temptationand SuperRomance under the name Helen Conrad followed, as well as to Harpers, Dell Ecstasy, Mills & Boon, and even an historical with Zebra. Today, she is concentrating on Silhouette Romance, completely captivated by the breezy fun and touching poignancy of their compact, to-the-point form. She feels the perfect "quick read" should make the reader smile, sigh and put the book down feeling better about the state of love in the world.
Now, she lives in the Los Angeles area now with Nick, her geologist-computers cientist husband and the two of her four sons who still live at home."Having the boys around helps keep me up on the current trends," she says with a laugh. "But writing helps keep me in touch with the romance that weaves through the everyday lives we all live."
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 22, 2014
Native Silver by Helen Conrad is an excellent western romance. It has the typical boy meets girl and horses on a ranch but it has flourishes that deliver. It begins with Shawnee Carrington returning home to help her grandfather who has signs of Alzheimer's. The place is more run down then she remembered. Shawnee has desires to win the annual western riding horse competition. While exercising Native Silver whom she nick named Mimi she rides into a corner of the dreaded Santiago Ranch which they stole from her grandfather Jim Carrington. It's so hot she goes slinking dipping in her childhood watering hole. But she's not alone. David Santiago catches her as she jumps up in the water. She's embarrassed. She recognizes him right away. He joins her in the water teasing her and swimming right up to her. He's immediately smitten. She eventually gets out of the water and climbs into her clothes. Then David is behind her touching her arm. The air is sizzling between them. He wants to taker her to dinner. She says no and rides off. Thus begins the cat and mouse game between them.
July 29, 2014
A new group of Carringtons? Yes,please! Shawnee is one of my favorites for sure! She is so determined and so loyal to her family. David is one of the sweetest men in any of the Carrington/Destiny Bay stories I've read. His determination to win Shawnee over was pretty great. I liked that despite all the outside forces and all the past issues between their familys, that they were able to come together and overcome all of it. Their love was the most realistic to my mind. I would love to know what happens with them in their future!
April 4, 2014
The only things I liked about this story is the setting where this story takes place. I also liked David's character, He sounds very bold, hot, & sexy. I think Shawnee's character was immature & I thought this story was to slow moving for me.
August 22, 2018
While I did read this with an open mind and rooted for both David and Sienna at the end for me the best part of the story was the horse Native Silver. Miki/Native Silver won my heart immediately!
The human characters were for me just window dressing.
On to book 2 in the 3-in-1 collection for the series.
The human characters were for me just window dressing.
On to book 2 in the 3-in-1 collection for the series.
February 5, 2023
I have the first 3 books in a bundle and can’t get past the fist 5 chapters of boo 1.
Maybe another time
Maybe another time
March 16, 2017
Ok
Obvious outcome but still an easy read and good for a rainy day. I would recommend it to my friends.
Obvious outcome but still an easy read and good for a rainy day. I would recommend it to my friends.
May 10, 2014
This was a well-written and enjoyable story, but I couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have if Shawnee weren't such a witch...and a very dumb and intractable one at that. A love story is so much better when I can find something vaguely attractive about both characters--besides just their breathtakingly beautiful and flawless looks that is. David seriously could have done so much better; I really pitied him, tying his life to that thing. Like it is the Santiago's fault that the Carringtons are lousy ranchers and poor businessmen, as well as jerks. However, since the relationship began as lightning-strike sudden lust at first sight, the author never had to develop the relationship and thus could avoid altogether explaining what in heaven's name David could find even vaguely appealing about the selfish, prickly, spoiled, and immature termagant besides her body. However, even if Shawnee was a drip, she had a lovable horse, and that for me more than compensates for the rotten heroine. The ending was also really weak...when the obvious solution to the problem was forced on them by circumstances, the impossible problem suddenly became just a no biggie and compromises could be worked out no sweat. Huh! seriously! Thus all the angst and drama of the plot was made to seem merely artificial and contrived.
August 5, 2014
Another series by the awesome author Helen Conrad.. and again she did not disappoint.. Shawnee decided to bathe in a stream on that too hot day.. of course she never expected the sudden appearance of the all too handsome David Santiago... she has loved and hated him for so many years ... . He wants her... she wants his ranch.. her family have told her for years his family stole the ranch from them... Could this be true or is it all a misunderstanding....Would they both get what they want...her love for her horse "Native Silver" is so though provoking especially when you find he is blind!!! It was great to read about the early times in California.. as I live across the pond...The book from beginning to end kept me wondering at the outcome.. a book I really could not put down..
I know this is going to be another awesome series.. You cannot go wrong if you read this book...
I know this is going to be another awesome series.. You cannot go wrong if you read this book...
April 22, 2014
this was a shorter story and very good. Shawnee had just returned home to take care of her grandpa she has been gone six years. David Santiago holds title to the land her grandpa lives on and it is to go back to them for a road in forty years. It has been forty years. Grandpa is living in the past and he thinks they stole the land from them. Shawnee is attracted to David from the beginning, but they have families that have never gotten along. Shawnee is hoping to prove a point when she and her horse, Native Silver, win the top prize at the rodeo. Only problem is her horse is blind. This is a great story
May 30, 2014
Native Silver - a wonderful horse, and a great book! I enjoyed the characters and the story. I won't say more about the plot because I hate giving anything away - it is worth reading - a nice, cozy, easy read!
April 8, 2014
Is a great book to read
March 24, 2015
I got this box set for free.
I was interested in reading a western and wanted horses and romance. I got a cute lover story, with a happy ending.
I was interested in reading a western and wanted horses and romance. I got a cute lover story, with a happy ending.
September 4, 2020
3 star
Quick, light read. More instant love than I'm prone to caring for but it's not unusual in the genre and nothing wrong with it really.
Quick, light read. More instant love than I'm prone to caring for but it's not unusual in the genre and nothing wrong with it really.
April 16, 2014
Good book. I love horses, cowboys, and the country. This was a winner for me.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews