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Noble Legacy #2
Taming Rafe
Hotel heiress Katherine Breckenridge just wants to make a lasting difference in her world by running her late mother's charity foundation. But she fears she lacks the passion and courage to be as successful as her mother was―a fear that's realized when money from the foundation goes missing and Katherine's one shot to recover it is ruined by Rafe Noble. Two-time world champion bull rider Rafe Noble is at the top of his game when tragedy hits. Guilt stricken over the loss of his best friend, Rafe accidentally drives his truck into the lobby of the Breckenridge Hotel during Katherine's fund-raiser. With a broken knee, a ruined reputation, and the threat of several lawsuits, Rafe goes back to his family's ranch―the Silver Buckle―to recover. Desperate to save the foundation, Katherine heads to the Silver Buckle to talk Rafe into helping her raise the needed funds. But a few days under the bright Montana skies give her more than she bargained for, and Kat discovers there's more to both herself and Rafe Noble than she realized.
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
113 people are currently reading
753 people want to read
About the author
Susan May Warren
212 books3,623 followersI can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 18, 2010
Here I thought Nick was the Noble brother I loved...but then, here comes Rafe. This story was quick paced and I love the two plots going on throughout this book! Looking forward to reading the third in this series!
December 29, 2020
This one was a really good, solid story about a man who’s been running after fulfillment and a rich girl who’s just longing to belong in her own skin. I also loved the undercurrent story with John and Lolly...dear things.
Definitely one of my favorites of Warren’s.
Definitely one of my favorites of Warren’s.
April 20, 2013
Kat's late mother's charity foundation is in financial trouble. She needs this fundraiser to succeed if she hopes to rescue the foundation and live up to her mother's legacy. She doesn't expect a pickup truck to crash through the hotel lobby. Rafe didn't expect to crash it, either. Now he's wrecked not only his truck and Kat's fundraiser, but also his knee and possibly his career as a professional bull rider. Rafe's solution is to retreat--to his family's ranch and his cocoon of guilt and grief over a friend's death. Kat's solution is to chase him--all the way to the ranch, demanding he help her raise the money she needs and salvage at least some of the things he's ruined lately. Neither of them is prepared to re-examine their views of God, to release their true selves under a wide Montana sky, or to fall in love.
Generally speaking, the romance genre bores me. "Will they ever see past their differences?" Sure they will. "Will her beauty inside and out be enough to heal his broken heart?" Naturally. "Will his deep, dark, dangerous past tear them apart forever?" Of course not. Fortunately, this book is not driven by cliched back-cover questions. It's driven by two people who are easy to care about. Kat is spirited and tenacious but constantly questioning her worth. Rafe is swaggering on the outside but trembling on the inside.
The book also holds quite a bit more setting and plot than the average romance novel. Readers are tossed into the rough-and-tumble world of professional bull riding, the tough and spacious world of cattle ranching. A skillful inter-weaving of Noble family backstory, a subplot love story between two endearing secondary characters, a slowly rising action plot involving money missing from Kat's foundation--I can't believe Ms. Warren crammed all this into less than 400 pages. Yet she did it, all without compromising the focus on Rafe and Kat. Every element manages to twine its way back to them.
How could this book have earned five stars? Mainly, some of the introspection could be weeded out. The romantic angst never made me shut the book, but the characters' feelings would have been more powerful if the author had relied more on their actions to show us, and less on their conflicted inner monologues spelling everything out. Also, twice while reading this book, I felt robbed of a scene I really wanted to read. First, the truck accident. This is Kat and Rafe's meeting scene, but it isn't shown. Rafe realizes he can't stop the truck; the next thing we know, Kat is reflecting on the crash. What did they say to each other when he fell out of the truck with a broken knee and she ran up to the truck irate over her broken fundraiser? I'll never know. The other scene that felt missing is nearly at the end of the book. Suffice it to say that it's a climactic moment for Rafe, and like the meeting of the protagonists, I wanted to see this in real time, not see it merely reflected on later.
On the whole, this book is an endearing, romantic delight. The author doesn't over-write but doesn't just toss words haphazardly onto the page, either. She also knows how to create a vulnerable but tough leading man. This was the first book I read by Ms. Warren, but not the last. I love Rafe; I love the Silver Buckle Ranch. When I finished this one, I loved knowing the series has two more books in which I could spend some more time in the big, glorious, modern West and better get to know the Noble family.
Generally speaking, the romance genre bores me. "Will they ever see past their differences?" Sure they will. "Will her beauty inside and out be enough to heal his broken heart?" Naturally. "Will his deep, dark, dangerous past tear them apart forever?" Of course not. Fortunately, this book is not driven by cliched back-cover questions. It's driven by two people who are easy to care about. Kat is spirited and tenacious but constantly questioning her worth. Rafe is swaggering on the outside but trembling on the inside.
The book also holds quite a bit more setting and plot than the average romance novel. Readers are tossed into the rough-and-tumble world of professional bull riding, the tough and spacious world of cattle ranching. A skillful inter-weaving of Noble family backstory, a subplot love story between two endearing secondary characters, a slowly rising action plot involving money missing from Kat's foundation--I can't believe Ms. Warren crammed all this into less than 400 pages. Yet she did it, all without compromising the focus on Rafe and Kat. Every element manages to twine its way back to them.
How could this book have earned five stars? Mainly, some of the introspection could be weeded out. The romantic angst never made me shut the book, but the characters' feelings would have been more powerful if the author had relied more on their actions to show us, and less on their conflicted inner monologues spelling everything out. Also, twice while reading this book, I felt robbed of a scene I really wanted to read. First, the truck accident. This is Kat and Rafe's meeting scene, but it isn't shown. Rafe realizes he can't stop the truck; the next thing we know, Kat is reflecting on the crash. What did they say to each other when he fell out of the truck with a broken knee and she ran up to the truck irate over her broken fundraiser? I'll never know. The other scene that felt missing is nearly at the end of the book. Suffice it to say that it's a climactic moment for Rafe, and like the meeting of the protagonists, I wanted to see this in real time, not see it merely reflected on later.
On the whole, this book is an endearing, romantic delight. The author doesn't over-write but doesn't just toss words haphazardly onto the page, either. She also knows how to create a vulnerable but tough leading man. This was the first book I read by Ms. Warren, but not the last. I love Rafe; I love the Silver Buckle Ranch. When I finished this one, I loved knowing the series has two more books in which I could spend some more time in the big, glorious, modern West and better get to know the Noble family.
July 22, 2018
Book 2 in the Noble Legacy series focuses on Rafe, the youngest of the three children and twin to Stefanie. Due to Rafe's heart problems as a child, he was coddled as a child. When he lost his mother to cancer, he left the Silver Buckle Ranch and became a bronc rider. Now a serious injury has sent him back to the ranch after a long period of being away. Katherine Breckinridge has come to the Silver Buckle with the idea to get Rafe to become a fund raiser for her charitable foundation supporting medical care for indigent children in Mexico after half a million dollars has disappeared from the funding.
Secrets abound in and around the Silver Buckle. Pasts are making choices difficult. Rafe and Katherine each had a choice to make: to continue life as it was or become the person that they really wanted and needed to be in order to be who and what God wanted for them. This book contained a strong cowboy and an independent socialite as well as a supporting cast that made for a wonderful, quintessential small western town even including a "come to town" bad guy (won't give away who but you will probably figure it out).
Warren's books are so real and the characters have such depth. Excellent, clean reads with no detailed intimacy or foul language. But most of all, they are filled with spiritual content that makes this book shine. Think I liked it even more than the first one and it was very good.
Secrets abound in and around the Silver Buckle. Pasts are making choices difficult. Rafe and Katherine each had a choice to make: to continue life as it was or become the person that they really wanted and needed to be in order to be who and what God wanted for them. This book contained a strong cowboy and an independent socialite as well as a supporting cast that made for a wonderful, quintessential small western town even including a "come to town" bad guy (won't give away who but you will probably figure it out).
Warren's books are so real and the characters have such depth. Excellent, clean reads with no detailed intimacy or foul language. But most of all, they are filled with spiritual content that makes this book shine. Think I liked it even more than the first one and it was very good.
March 15, 2019
I was on an emotional roller coaster with this one. From sitting on the edge of my seat, being there when Rafe ride the bull, PeeWee, to getting annoyed with Katherine and her blindness towards someone, wanting to ask Lolly why she would do that, being afraid for Katherine, and almost in tears when Rafe hit an emotional break. The author did a great job of riling me up and finding myself putting the book away because that just irritated me, but then the next second wanting to pick it up to see what will happen next.
Rafe was such a lovable cowboy from the start. He tugged on my heartstrings and I found myself on team Rafe early one, whereas Katherine had to grow on me. The way they met till right the end made for an very up and down read. I loved the theme for them - they each tried to find their purpose, see who God made them and to realise God can use them even in the little things.
One thing Rafe said really stuck with me. With Bull riding, he said that when he draws a bull, he studies the bull in depth, knowing how the bull moves to throw you off - this made me think about our spiritual battle, how we need to know how the enemy fights to be able to fight back and remain standing.
The side plot with John and Lolly and the book within the book was also interesting and their story flowed nicely with Rafe and Katherine.
Loving the Noble legacy and looking forward to Stefanie's story next.
Rafe was such a lovable cowboy from the start. He tugged on my heartstrings and I found myself on team Rafe early one, whereas Katherine had to grow on me. The way they met till right the end made for an very up and down read. I loved the theme for them - they each tried to find their purpose, see who God made them and to realise God can use them even in the little things.
One thing Rafe said really stuck with me. With Bull riding, he said that when he draws a bull, he studies the bull in depth, knowing how the bull moves to throw you off - this made me think about our spiritual battle, how we need to know how the enemy fights to be able to fight back and remain standing.
The side plot with John and Lolly and the book within the book was also interesting and their story flowed nicely with Rafe and Katherine.
Loving the Noble legacy and looking forward to Stefanie's story next.
May 30, 2017
Wow, another fabulous story by Susan May Warren! There was a lot going on in this book and it took a little longer for me to read it but I really enjoyed it. The Noble family is fun! I can't wait to read Stefanie's story and hopefully a fulfilling epilogue. 4 1/2 stars!
March 20, 2013
This was a re-read after I'd gotten the book back from lending it to a friend.
I didn't mean to read the whole book again, but since I did I'm adding it to my list of 2013 reads.
I'm not a major major fan of romance type stories, but this was a good one.
I didn't mean to read the whole book again, but since I did I'm adding it to my list of 2013 reads.
I'm not a major major fan of romance type stories, but this was a good one.
January 23, 2016
Rafe Noble has spent his life proving his worth to his family, or is it to himself? A professional bull rider, Rafe risks his life every time he gets on a bull. When a tragic accident leaves him injured and his best friend dead, he is forced to go back home to heal, both physically and mentally.
Katherine Breckenridge is the daughter of a supermodel and in charge of her late mother’s charity foundation. Though she wants to make a difference in the world, it seems all she is able to do is make a mess of things. When Rafe Noble “crashes” into her fund raiser, Katherine’s hopes at keeping her mother’s organization afloat crashes as well. Bent on making him pay for his mistake, Katherine decides to confront Rafe Noble and pressure him into partnership that will help her raise money for her charity before it is taken away from her by her business-minded uncle and fiancé. What results are two bullish people revealing their true character and feeling an attraction neither one of them are prepared for.
TAMING RAFE, the second book in the Noble Legacy series from Susan May Warren is a must read for all you cowgirls out there. I am a huge fan of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and appreciated the time Susan took to get the terminology just right. Though I still liked RECLAIMING NICK best, I loved getting to know Rafe and will look forward to learning more about Stefanie with the release of FINDING STEFANIE later this year.
Katherine Breckenridge is the daughter of a supermodel and in charge of her late mother’s charity foundation. Though she wants to make a difference in the world, it seems all she is able to do is make a mess of things. When Rafe Noble “crashes” into her fund raiser, Katherine’s hopes at keeping her mother’s organization afloat crashes as well. Bent on making him pay for his mistake, Katherine decides to confront Rafe Noble and pressure him into partnership that will help her raise money for her charity before it is taken away from her by her business-minded uncle and fiancé. What results are two bullish people revealing their true character and feeling an attraction neither one of them are prepared for.
TAMING RAFE, the second book in the Noble Legacy series from Susan May Warren is a must read for all you cowgirls out there. I am a huge fan of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and appreciated the time Susan took to get the terminology just right. Though I still liked RECLAIMING NICK best, I loved getting to know Rafe and will look forward to learning more about Stefanie with the release of FINDING STEFANIE later this year.
August 22, 2015
This is the second in The Noble Legacy series but I had no trouble reading this one first, though I'm definitely going to hunt down Reclaiming Nick! Love a series centered around brothers.
Taming Rafe is an emotional roller coaster of a read. There are plot twists galore, two romances and an unexpected 'book within a book' angle that was so much fun (and angsty) to read. To say this one packs a wallop would be a gross understatement.
Rafe's in a bad place when we first meet him and there's something about a hurting cowboy that pulls at my heartstrings every time. Kat thinks she's made of stronger stuff, but thankfully she isn't. They go from wary adversaries to cautious friends and finally reluctant attraction. A tenuous romance blossoms and then...well, you just won't believe what happens next. The story takes the kind of turn that makes you afraid to read further and afraid not to! The only solution is to read at breakneck speed until you reach the end when you can finally whoosh a big sigh of relief.
Awesome! Awesome!! AWESOME!!!!
Taming Rafe is an emotional roller coaster of a read. There are plot twists galore, two romances and an unexpected 'book within a book' angle that was so much fun (and angsty) to read. To say this one packs a wallop would be a gross understatement.
Rafe's in a bad place when we first meet him and there's something about a hurting cowboy that pulls at my heartstrings every time. Kat thinks she's made of stronger stuff, but thankfully she isn't. They go from wary adversaries to cautious friends and finally reluctant attraction. A tenuous romance blossoms and then...well, you just won't believe what happens next. The story takes the kind of turn that makes you afraid to read further and afraid not to! The only solution is to read at breakneck speed until you reach the end when you can finally whoosh a big sigh of relief.
Awesome! Awesome!! AWESOME!!!!
November 21, 2015
I'm not sure Rafe necessarily needed taming, more like desperately needed a genuine friend. Katherine, aka Kat, aka Kitty, was the perfect one to do that. I imagine someone of her status is probably a little less likely to get stars in her eyes in the presence of celebrity. This is by far my favourite of the 3 Noble Legacy Series. I loved Rafe & Kitty - their connection, and the chemistry was spot on. You're rooting for them from the beginning. Nice addition with the story of John Kincaid & Lolly Stuart, though I had a really hard time placing ages on them. Lolly is obviously old enough to be a mother to a girl in her mid twenties... Yet somehow it's suggested there's a spark for Lincoln Cash who's in his early 30's, and Stefanie's fella... Just a bit weird. But then Johns thinking about kids... I had them placed in their mid 40s at least.. So I struggled with that whole triangle. I loved all the suspense, Bradley makes a great bad guy, and I just despised him from the beginning ;) great book. Fun series, beautiful location - big sky, Montana.
January 11, 2012
I loved the characters in this book. Rafe, who was trying to change his ways, and Katherine, who is trying to hold things together and builds up a lot of courage to go after Rafe. However, Rafe isn't someone to give in easily, even to love, and it takes a lot before he figures out what to do.
Loved this second installment in the Noble Legacy series. Great characters and plot. I also love how Warren is inspirational in a natural way and not becoming preachy.
Loved this second installment in the Noble Legacy series. Great characters and plot. I also love how Warren is inspirational in a natural way and not becoming preachy.
August 27, 2013
Asking me to pick which book in Susan's Noble Legacy series is my favorite is almost like asking me to choose which of my three kids I love the most. It can't be done. BUT, something about Rafe burrowed deep into my heart, and this book stuck with me long after I'd read it. In fact, I believe I'll be reading it again. :)
February 4, 2017
Another good read from Warren. The storyline didn't seem as original as other works, but the seamlessly woven in faith commentary made up for that. I can't complain when a story takes over my mind, I forget that I'm reading, and I don't notice the hours passing. Warren does a great job with that and the second story in the Noble Legacy series didn't disappoint.
August 25, 2009
No middle-of-the-trilogy slump for Susan May Warren. From its heart wrenching prologue to the satisfying end, Taming Rafe is a memorable story of family dynamics, dealing with the past and overcoming odds. I highly recommend it.
June 8, 2013
I love this book so much! I liked it more the second time around than I did the first time I read it. Although, it has been years, so I didn't remember much of the plot. I really enjoyed all the different story lines that were going on in this book. Being the second in a series it's in a great position to include lots of characters without being confusing or overwhelming, because we met a lot of them in the first book. I always love revisiting characters from previous books and seeing that they're still enjoying their happily ever afters. :)
I love Rafe and Kat, and John and Lolly, and.... Okay I love everybody. :) And the town of Philips, Montana. And red cowboy boots. And I might like to check out a rodeo or two. ;-) This novel was a great mix of romance and suspense. I enjoyed the book inside a book thing that Susan did here. I haven't seen that before and I thought it was a really cool concept and she did it very well. I like fun, romantic, intriguing fiction, but I like it even better when there's more to it. A message, truth, something to learn or hold on to, without being preachy. The overarching message in this novel was that we're all created in our own unique way, and we can all serve and be used by God and walk with God in our own unique ways using our all our different skills, talents and even quirks, whether we realize it or not. We don't need to try to live up to others' expectations or be something we're not as if that's somehow better than who we are. And we don't need to have our face on the big screen or our name up in lights to have a real impact on people's lives. It's a message I know it does me good to be reminded of from time to time and one that I think everyone needs to hear. I enjoy Susan's writing style so much because she doesn't preach or beat you over the head with any particular message. It's woven into the fabric of the story in such a way that you feel it for yourself, while also getting to know some really awesome characters and follow some great stories.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
I love Rafe and Kat, and John and Lolly, and.... Okay I love everybody. :) And the town of Philips, Montana. And red cowboy boots. And I might like to check out a rodeo or two. ;-) This novel was a great mix of romance and suspense. I enjoyed the book inside a book thing that Susan did here. I haven't seen that before and I thought it was a really cool concept and she did it very well. I like fun, romantic, intriguing fiction, but I like it even better when there's more to it. A message, truth, something to learn or hold on to, without being preachy. The overarching message in this novel was that we're all created in our own unique way, and we can all serve and be used by God and walk with God in our own unique ways using our all our different skills, talents and even quirks, whether we realize it or not. We don't need to try to live up to others' expectations or be something we're not as if that's somehow better than who we are. And we don't need to have our face on the big screen or our name up in lights to have a real impact on people's lives. It's a message I know it does me good to be reminded of from time to time and one that I think everyone needs to hear. I enjoy Susan's writing style so much because she doesn't preach or beat you over the head with any particular message. It's woven into the fabric of the story in such a way that you feel it for yourself, while also getting to know some really awesome characters and follow some great stories.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
March 29, 2010
This is the second book about the Noble Family. First was older brother Nick and now we get to meet younger brother Rafe. He is the wild one of the family who took off at 18 to ride the rodeo. Now he's back home trying to heal after an accident. Coming after him to make him pay restitution for his accident is heiress Katherine Breckenridge. She's trying to save her charitable foundation that his accident ruined. What she did not know she would find is a broken man who needs saving himself.
I liked the first book, but this book is so much better. I loved the twists and turns and the subplots that kept me reading. I really enjoyed the story about John and Lolly and how it played a part in Kat and Rafe's story. Even the excerpts from the book were interesting and had me wanting to know more about those characters.
What I really enjoy about Warren's writing is that the Christian values are there and presented in a subtle way and do not hit you over the head. I always feel like I am given something to think about in my own life. There is not lots of preachiness, just an understanding that God is in our lives and loves us.
The one failure of the book is the conclusions. They do no not bring enough closure to the story. I really wanted more of Lolly and John instead of just slight comments about what happened to them. I would have loved to have read the actual exchanges between them. Although I did like the ending with Rafe and Kat, more would have made it better.
Overall, this is a great read that kept me interested and wanting more. I'm looking forward to reading Stefanie's story next.
I liked the first book, but this book is so much better. I loved the twists and turns and the subplots that kept me reading. I really enjoyed the story about John and Lolly and how it played a part in Kat and Rafe's story. Even the excerpts from the book were interesting and had me wanting to know more about those characters.
What I really enjoy about Warren's writing is that the Christian values are there and presented in a subtle way and do not hit you over the head. I always feel like I am given something to think about in my own life. There is not lots of preachiness, just an understanding that God is in our lives and loves us.
The one failure of the book is the conclusions. They do no not bring enough closure to the story. I really wanted more of Lolly and John instead of just slight comments about what happened to them. I would have loved to have read the actual exchanges between them. Although I did like the ending with Rafe and Kat, more would have made it better.
Overall, this is a great read that kept me interested and wanting more. I'm looking forward to reading Stefanie's story next.
January 23, 2016
Taming Rafe (Noble Legacy Series #2) by Susan May Warren
Wounded hero and heroine in an endearing suspense romance
Taming Rafe was my first book by Susan May Warren and she has me hooked. Reclaiming Nick is actually the first book in the Noble Legacy series,but I got Taming Rafe first and with that gorgeous hunk on the cover,I couldn't wait to start reading!
I enjoyed the humorous way that Rafe and Katherine first meet by his crashing his truck through the hotel lobby window where she is hosting a fund-raising event. Then she later follows him to his family ranch posing as a cook,so she can get close to him to try to convince him to help her raise the funds she needs for her charity project.
It was a good story well developed,and so were the characters.
Although sometimes I wanted to knock Katherine off her low self-esteem pity-pot, and I never believed that she had good enough reasons for such issues,so it also made me feel Katherine wasn't too bright,she is such a sweet person that I still liked her.
Rafe is a guy that has had a lot of hard knocks in life,who has still managed to keep a good heart. He seemed like a nicer,sweeter guy than Nick,and I like him more because of that. See if you can keep from falling for him,LOL!
There is a novel within this novel that was a very creative surprise,and I was confused for awhile with what seems like three totally unconnected stories going on,but you will come to see them all wonderfully connected before the end. I was really pleasantly "stunned" how the author pulled that off,and kept all her story threads straight! I believe it will amaze all readers.
Wounded hero and heroine in an endearing suspense romance
Taming Rafe was my first book by Susan May Warren and she has me hooked. Reclaiming Nick is actually the first book in the Noble Legacy series,but I got Taming Rafe first and with that gorgeous hunk on the cover,I couldn't wait to start reading!
I enjoyed the humorous way that Rafe and Katherine first meet by his crashing his truck through the hotel lobby window where she is hosting a fund-raising event. Then she later follows him to his family ranch posing as a cook,so she can get close to him to try to convince him to help her raise the funds she needs for her charity project.
It was a good story well developed,and so were the characters.
Although sometimes I wanted to knock Katherine off her low self-esteem pity-pot, and I never believed that she had good enough reasons for such issues,so it also made me feel Katherine wasn't too bright,she is such a sweet person that I still liked her.
Rafe is a guy that has had a lot of hard knocks in life,who has still managed to keep a good heart. He seemed like a nicer,sweeter guy than Nick,and I like him more because of that. See if you can keep from falling for him,LOL!
There is a novel within this novel that was a very creative surprise,and I was confused for awhile with what seems like three totally unconnected stories going on,but you will come to see them all wonderfully connected before the end. I was really pleasantly "stunned" how the author pulled that off,and kept all her story threads straight! I believe it will amaze all readers.
December 18, 2015
Taming Rafe Book 2 inSuan May Warren's Noble Legacy Series
Rafe Noble left home and became a professional bull rider. He was the GetRowdy Professional Bull Riding champion when he drew PeeWee, the biggest, orneriest creature he had ever ridden. The ride lasted less than 8 seconds, he was thrown from the bull and his best friend and bullfighter, Manny, was killed.
Katherine Breckenridge's mother past away and she is now the president of the Breckenridge Foundation, which is in a bad financial situation. She now has to raise $500,000 to keep the Foundation going to help provide medical care to very ill children.
Katherine has organized a fund raiser event to raise the money and Rafe is to be there. On his way to the event memories over take him and he crashes into the hotel, causing extreme damage to the hotel, injuring himself and canceling the event.
After being released from the hospital, Rafe's siblings take him home to the family ranch. Katherine follows him there to try to convince him to take responsibility for the money that was lost by his actions. After spending time on the ranch, Katherine and Rafe get to know each other and eventually make a plan to raise the money for the foundation.
I liked this book. It is the second in the series, but can be read without reading the first in the series. Both Rafe and Katherine have lost a loved one and now have to find a way to move forward.
Rafe Noble left home and became a professional bull rider. He was the GetRowdy Professional Bull Riding champion when he drew PeeWee, the biggest, orneriest creature he had ever ridden. The ride lasted less than 8 seconds, he was thrown from the bull and his best friend and bullfighter, Manny, was killed.
Katherine Breckenridge's mother past away and she is now the president of the Breckenridge Foundation, which is in a bad financial situation. She now has to raise $500,000 to keep the Foundation going to help provide medical care to very ill children.
Katherine has organized a fund raiser event to raise the money and Rafe is to be there. On his way to the event memories over take him and he crashes into the hotel, causing extreme damage to the hotel, injuring himself and canceling the event.
After being released from the hospital, Rafe's siblings take him home to the family ranch. Katherine follows him there to try to convince him to take responsibility for the money that was lost by his actions. After spending time on the ranch, Katherine and Rafe get to know each other and eventually make a plan to raise the money for the foundation.
I liked this book. It is the second in the series, but can be read without reading the first in the series. Both Rafe and Katherine have lost a loved one and now have to find a way to move forward.
March 5, 2017
In Susan May Warren's tale Taming Rafe, when you see Rafe Noble crash into Katherine Breckinridge's New York City fundraising event with his truck, you have no idea how Katherine will respond. She is attempting to raise money to
save Mercy Hospital, the non-profit group that had been her mother's life work. If Katherine fails, she feels like she will lose the last connection she has with her mother!
Little does Katherine know that Rafe has just lost his best friend, Manuel, in a bull-riding event and he is carrying the blame for Manuel's death on his shoulders. As you watch Katherine follow Rafe back to recover at his family's ranch, you will be surprised to learn that Katherine has connections to more people in Phillips, Montana, than just Rafe Noble. Katherine's past is deep in the soil of this town!
Hang on as both Katherine and Rafe deal with deep hurts from their pasts. You will be surprised to learn by the final pages that a woman that Katherine has befriended in Phillips is actually her birth mother!
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July 9, 2011
It was not JANEY who read this book, haha. I didn't realize she was logged in. I was kind of embarrassed when I was reading this book. I took the cover off so no one could see the cover or title because it looks like a dime romance. I have to say though, that I really liked this book. Both that I have read from this author have struck a cord with me. I liked the characters and even though some times they frustrated me, I was rooting for them and loving there witty dialog. I like that she has more than one relationship going on and that she always gives you insight to someone's grief.
I would probably give both books 4 1/2 stars but I rounded up to 5 which I don't always do. I did that because I found myself taking my time to re read my favorite parts. I just thought it was sweet. and though, I could have done without the title and the sappy looking cover, he was not bad to look at :0 which is much better than some wanna be cowboy pics.(less)
I would probably give both books 4 1/2 stars but I rounded up to 5 which I don't always do. I did that because I found myself taking my time to re read my favorite parts. I just thought it was sweet. and though, I could have done without the title and the sappy looking cover, he was not bad to look at :0 which is much better than some wanna be cowboy pics.(less)
June 28, 2018
I love everything I have read by this author. Her books are real and have a depth of character. They are clean without foul language or descriptive sex scenes and tell a wonderful story.
Rafe Noble was a well-known bull rider whose career was ended when his best friend, Manuel, was killed and he was injured. He became sullen and angry and while trying to destroy his life, he ran into Katherine Breckenridge, quite literally. Kat Breckenridge was a wealthy socialite who had a nonprofit that she ran in tribute to her mother's desire to do good for others. However, she was out of money and Rafe Noble ruined her last chance to get the money she needed to survive. She wanted to make him pay or at least help her to make the money she needed to make, $500,000.
In the process of convincing him that she needed him and his help, they each began to see each other differently. Was there a possible future for them or would outside forces destroy what they were beginning to build?
Rafe Noble was a well-known bull rider whose career was ended when his best friend, Manuel, was killed and he was injured. He became sullen and angry and while trying to destroy his life, he ran into Katherine Breckenridge, quite literally. Kat Breckenridge was a wealthy socialite who had a nonprofit that she ran in tribute to her mother's desire to do good for others. However, she was out of money and Rafe Noble ruined her last chance to get the money she needed to survive. She wanted to make him pay or at least help her to make the money she needed to make, $500,000.
In the process of convincing him that she needed him and his help, they each began to see each other differently. Was there a possible future for them or would outside forces destroy what they were beginning to build?
April 2, 2009
Everything I said about "Reclaiming Nick" - ditto. They were very similar, I probably shouldn't have read them one right after the other. I did like this one better though. However there's something about the love stories in these books that leaving me wanting, they're kind of anti-climatic. It's good while the relationship is developing, but when it actually gets to the point where they confess their love (or whatever) I'm kind of like "that's it?". After everything they've gone through to get to that point there's got to be a little more emotion (and I don't mean crying, there's plenty of crying) or passion or something. It needs something more. These books are decent though, I am planning on reading the 3rd.
August 12, 2013
This is the second book in this series by Susan May Warren. Younger brother, Rafe, has just experienced a number of tragedies in his life, but the loss of his friend Manuel has taken a toll on him. Then in rash decision he may lose not only his career, but also his heart.
Katherine Breckenridge walks into his life and shows him that God loves him and has bigger things in store for him. Kat has problems of her own. Feeling that she can't live up to her mother's legacy, she goes looking for a part of herself she felt was missing.
Both found grace and peace. Knowing the were never alone.
I think this is a well written story. It gave voice to alot of questions that ppl experience everyday.
Katherine Breckenridge walks into his life and shows him that God loves him and has bigger things in store for him. Kat has problems of her own. Feeling that she can't live up to her mother's legacy, she goes looking for a part of herself she felt was missing.
Both found grace and peace. Knowing the were never alone.
I think this is a well written story. It gave voice to alot of questions that ppl experience everyday.
June 23, 2008
I had a hard time getting into it at first because I wasn't sure I wanted to read about a bull rider. I kept telling myself I liked the author, and by the end of the book I was enjoying the story. I liked that characters from the previous book were involved in this one too, namely Nick and Piper.
This story is about Rafe Noble (bull rider) and Katherine Breckenridge (charity foundation runner), and a few slightly more minor characters: Lolly (waitress/ dinner owner) and John (ranch owner and author).
This story is about Rafe Noble (bull rider) and Katherine Breckenridge (charity foundation runner), and a few slightly more minor characters: Lolly (waitress/ dinner owner) and John (ranch owner and author).
October 9, 2008
i think I found another one of my favorite authors. It was hard to put this book down. I just wanted to see how it all would turn out with Kitty the rich new york heiress and rafe the broken bull rider who thinks that he has nothing more to offer the world. Lolly the diner owner finds a way to believe that happily ever after is going to be the end to her sorry story. john the author, decides to take the advice he gives his characters and go after the women he loves. Read to find out more. I love that the characters are just more intriguing with every chapter.
April 14, 2016
Oh, Kitty and Rafe. I liked Kat's uncertainness of who she is, because it's a feeling I share with Kitty, but I so throughly enjoyed their unexpected fall in love. They'r exactly what the other needs, and the ending, oof.
I also liked the secondary story in this, like the first one. Lolly is the Cole of this book, because both of them made me want to yell at the book. Frustrating. "He/She loves you!" John's love of Lolly was compassionate, never ending. John put Lolly first, and I was so happy to see this kind of love lasting for years.
I also liked the secondary story in this, like the first one. Lolly is the Cole of this book, because both of them made me want to yell at the book. Frustrating. "He/She loves you!" John's love of Lolly was compassionate, never ending. John put Lolly first, and I was so happy to see this kind of love lasting for years.
October 23, 2008
Champion Bull rider, Rafe Noble, looses his best friend and his career all at once in the rodeo arena. He returns to his family ranch to heal and help.
Katherine Breckenridge is facing the loss of her funds for her mother's charity to help children in Mexico who have cancer. The annual fund-raiser is destroyed by Rafe so she chases him down to demand help in raising the money.
Deals with healing on many levels. Adventure, danger, love, etc. Good story.
Katherine Breckenridge is facing the loss of her funds for her mother's charity to help children in Mexico who have cancer. The annual fund-raiser is destroyed by Rafe so she chases him down to demand help in raising the money.
Deals with healing on many levels. Adventure, danger, love, etc. Good story.
April 11, 2008
I haven't been reading much lately due to a family crisis, but to paraphrase the movie "Sabrina"--Susan May Warren is always a good idea. I loved this book. It's about a bull rider. And a high society gal. And . . . well, I was able to escape blissfully for hours while reading it. And that's just what I needed.
August 4, 2008
I enjoy Susan May Warren; she writes a good gentle read. This is actually the second book in the Noble Legacy series, but I can't seem to get ahold of the first from the library. Argh.
Anyway, this was pretty good, right up until the crazy ending. Granted the reader sees this coming (ah, foreshadowing, etc), but it was still kind of wacky.
Anyway, this was pretty good, right up until the crazy ending. Granted the reader sees this coming (ah, foreshadowing, etc), but it was still kind of wacky.
July 26, 2012
Susan May Warren knows how to bring a girl into a country heart wrenching story. Her characters are as real and relatable as ever. The parallel stories that she creates and weaves in reassuring and soul helping text from the Bible not only shows her ability to tell a great romance but her ability to share the TRUEST love story of all.
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