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She Cries
With a plot that could have easily been pulled from newspaper headlines, She Cries is both a thriller and a surprising love story that will have readers on the edge of their seats.
When Kali Jorgensen is left to raise her three daughters alone after her husband is killed in the war in Afghanistan, she takes up residence in Horse Canyon, Utah, heading up a working ranch with her in-laws for cattle drives for celebrities and CEOs. Surrounded by breathtaking sunsets and rich family history, Rainwash Ranch is the only place Kali wants to live. Along with her family, her horse, Star, is her greatest companion. Kali could easily live in the saddle and never miss a day of city lights blaring and breaking news from a television.
Her solitude is quickly broken as unwanted worldwide attention is thrust upon the ranch when professional athlete, Jeremy Connors, shows up for the cattle drive at Rainwash Ranch with his legal dream team and swirling accusations of rape and murder.
While Connors’ presence is a concern for Kali and her daughters, she soon realizes that it is Connors’ fans and his team of lawyers who may prove to be the most dangerous to the Jorgensens.
The personalities of horses and lawyers may be well matched but, the cowboys are pitted against the city slickers for the ride of a lifetime. And for Kali, it is her greatest test, not only as an instructor but also a mother.
She Cries is a nail-biting, suspense novel that will leave you signing up for a cattle drive and falling in love with the most unlikely of heroes. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse, you’ll come to understand the power of these magnificent animals and how hope can keep you alive.
When Kali Jorgensen is left to raise her three daughters alone after her husband is killed in the war in Afghanistan, she takes up residence in Horse Canyon, Utah, heading up a working ranch with her in-laws for cattle drives for celebrities and CEOs. Surrounded by breathtaking sunsets and rich family history, Rainwash Ranch is the only place Kali wants to live. Along with her family, her horse, Star, is her greatest companion. Kali could easily live in the saddle and never miss a day of city lights blaring and breaking news from a television.
Her solitude is quickly broken as unwanted worldwide attention is thrust upon the ranch when professional athlete, Jeremy Connors, shows up for the cattle drive at Rainwash Ranch with his legal dream team and swirling accusations of rape and murder.
While Connors’ presence is a concern for Kali and her daughters, she soon realizes that it is Connors’ fans and his team of lawyers who may prove to be the most dangerous to the Jorgensens.
The personalities of horses and lawyers may be well matched but, the cowboys are pitted against the city slickers for the ride of a lifetime. And for Kali, it is her greatest test, not only as an instructor but also a mother.
She Cries is a nail-biting, suspense novel that will leave you signing up for a cattle drive and falling in love with the most unlikely of heroes. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse, you’ll come to understand the power of these magnificent animals and how hope can keep you alive.
282 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2014
1 person is currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Allred
17 books24 followersAlexandra Allred was born in Frankfurt, Germany and traveled the world as the daughter of a
US Diplomat and DIA attaché. She made sports (and medical) history through sport. When
she learned that women were not allowed in bobsled, she lobbied for equal status and would
ultimately win the U.S. Nationals in September 1994, making sports history as she was named to
the first women’s bobsled team. When the United States Olympic Committee named her Athlete
of the Year for her sport, it made international news as Allred was pregnant when she made the
team!
At the time, there was very little data on elite pregnant athletes and powerlifting/plyometrics.
While Allred became the “poster child” of the Case Western OB/GYN international study,
Allred was, at five months pregnant, squatting 375 lbs. and clocked at 20 MPH while
running. The results of this study changed how to measure the safety of baby in utero for
competitive athletes. Both the United States and International Olympic Committee use Alex’s
training data as a safety guide for pregnant athletes and she serves as a fitness/nutrition expert
for www.pregnancy.org.
Sports Illustrated also took interest, asking her to try out for a women’s professional football
team and write about her experiences in the award-winning book, Atta Girl! A Celebration of
Women in Sport (Wish Publishing). Allred went on to write for a series of publications and
appear on numerous television and print outlets, and was also the subject of a series of
documentaries.
Alex's professional athletic and writing careers have been based on empowerment. Alex
wrote the first ever US bylaws for the women's bobsled program and fought to have women
included in the Olympic Games; she changed protocol for elite coaches (as well as the USOC
and IOC) in regards to physical training while pregnant; testified before the IOC at the London
Games; served as an Air Ambassador and lobbied on Capitol Hill and was nominated as a White
House Champion of Change for Public Health and was invited to speak before the International
Thoracic Society on public health. She created an asthma commercial (aired before the US
Senate) with the League of Women Voters and when she saw a need for those within the special
needs populations, she returned to school so she could be an advocate for their cause. She is an
award-winning documentary filmmaker/author and continues to freelance nationally and
internationally, as well as public speaking on issues of empowerment, equality, business and
education. She has penned more than 20 books and continues to guest freelance for multiple
national publications.
She is an adjunct professor at both Tarleton State University and Navarro College, teaching
kinesiology lectures and classes, as well as leadership and success skills courses. Using her
students and faculty, including the Occupational Therapy Department, Allred created an exercise
and empowerment program for special needs that include those with a diagnosis of Down
syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, stroke, as we all other intellectual
and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who need a health/wellness overhaul but also need
greater self-esteem and confidence building. 13 Able was created to spur on fitness, happiness
and empowerment.
This 4th degree black belt retired from competitive fighting long ago but continues to offer
free self-defense classes for women and health/wellness class for those living within the Special
Needs world.
Today, as she fights for her parents against Alzheimer's and dementia, Operation
Caregivers: #LifewithDementia is yet another battle to restore dignity for those who suffer
from the disease and empowerment for their caregivers. Today, she also offers free fitness
classes for those living with special needs as she believes EVERYONE deserves to be
empowered!
US Diplomat and DIA attaché. She made sports (and medical) history through sport. When
she learned that women were not allowed in bobsled, she lobbied for equal status and would
ultimately win the U.S. Nationals in September 1994, making sports history as she was named to
the first women’s bobsled team. When the United States Olympic Committee named her Athlete
of the Year for her sport, it made international news as Allred was pregnant when she made the
team!
At the time, there was very little data on elite pregnant athletes and powerlifting/plyometrics.
While Allred became the “poster child” of the Case Western OB/GYN international study,
Allred was, at five months pregnant, squatting 375 lbs. and clocked at 20 MPH while
running. The results of this study changed how to measure the safety of baby in utero for
competitive athletes. Both the United States and International Olympic Committee use Alex’s
training data as a safety guide for pregnant athletes and she serves as a fitness/nutrition expert
for www.pregnancy.org.
Sports Illustrated also took interest, asking her to try out for a women’s professional football
team and write about her experiences in the award-winning book, Atta Girl! A Celebration of
Women in Sport (Wish Publishing). Allred went on to write for a series of publications and
appear on numerous television and print outlets, and was also the subject of a series of
documentaries.
Alex's professional athletic and writing careers have been based on empowerment. Alex
wrote the first ever US bylaws for the women's bobsled program and fought to have women
included in the Olympic Games; she changed protocol for elite coaches (as well as the USOC
and IOC) in regards to physical training while pregnant; testified before the IOC at the London
Games; served as an Air Ambassador and lobbied on Capitol Hill and was nominated as a White
House Champion of Change for Public Health and was invited to speak before the International
Thoracic Society on public health. She created an asthma commercial (aired before the US
Senate) with the League of Women Voters and when she saw a need for those within the special
needs populations, she returned to school so she could be an advocate for their cause. She is an
award-winning documentary filmmaker/author and continues to freelance nationally and
internationally, as well as public speaking on issues of empowerment, equality, business and
education. She has penned more than 20 books and continues to guest freelance for multiple
national publications.
She is an adjunct professor at both Tarleton State University and Navarro College, teaching
kinesiology lectures and classes, as well as leadership and success skills courses. Using her
students and faculty, including the Occupational Therapy Department, Allred created an exercise
and empowerment program for special needs that include those with a diagnosis of Down
syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, stroke, as we all other intellectual
and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who need a health/wellness overhaul but also need
greater self-esteem and confidence building. 13 Able was created to spur on fitness, happiness
and empowerment.
This 4th degree black belt retired from competitive fighting long ago but continues to offer
free self-defense classes for women and health/wellness class for those living within the Special
Needs world.
Today, as she fights for her parents against Alzheimer's and dementia, Operation
Caregivers: #LifewithDementia is yet another battle to restore dignity for those who suffer
from the disease and empowerment for their caregivers. Today, she also offers free fitness
classes for those living with special needs as she believes EVERYONE deserves to be
empowered!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 27, 2014
4 stars. Review posted June 27, 2014
In the beginning of She Cries I wanted to spank Sam until his ass was blistered for pondering over that BS:
When women walked into hotel rooms of elite athletes with wild reputations and made themselves available for whatever was to come, they were not victims.
So, kudos to the author who accomplished to make me like him eventually.
Jeremy Connors, football star and self-professed God of the Universe with extremely serious anger management issues and an overinflated ego the size of the United States of America, is in trouble and that’s putting it mildly. A highly narcissistic womanizer of the worst category, he went too far this time and raped a woman. His legal dream team who still believes he’s innocent, wants to remove him from the line of fire. They prefer as little media exposure as possible and therefore go with Jeremy to the Rainwash Ranch to work out the best approach how to purge him from the severe accusations.
"Now, there's something you don't see very often: Kali at a loss for words." The lawyer in him came out and so did his confidence as he spoke. "I assure you, Ms. Jorgenson, I only had hay on my mind."
I loved the heroine Kari. She’s a very composed, strong, and beautiful woman and always in control. She’s actually running the show at the Rainwash Ranch. But, behind that tough exterior hides a sensitive and vulnerable person who's still trying to figure out how to make that first step back to a "normal" life as a woman with common needs. A life that goes beyond being a mother and horse whisperer. Kari's kids are all bright, very cheerful, ambitious, competitive, and the eldest girl is very inquisitive and eloquent. There’s no doubt, they are wonderfully portrayed children and I also loved the captivating family dynamics.
"I know you like my mom," she said flatly.
"Yeah, she's very nice," he said, keeping his tone as monotone as hers. She'd be a hell of a poker player when she got older.
"That's not what I mean. You like like her."
I’m a nature lover and I totally dug all the beautiful descriptions of the land and animals, especially the horses and their training. I felt that was perfectly done and came off as authentic. The protagonists who love that gorgeous land form a unified whole. It’s a give and take and I could feel their contentment, their joie de vivre, but also how much respect they conceived for their vast countryside and animals. I felt the life on that ranch was characterized by an easy work-life-balance that a lot of us always yearn for but never achieve.
Bottom line, She Cries is a engagingly penned story and I enjoyed it very much. I’d say it doesn’t quite fit the romance category, though. There’s some suspense, lots of well-crafted storytelling, a carefully developed and rather generous cast of characters, and a tiny, tiny bit of romance. The author’s voice is easy to fall for, thus it’s a really great and enthralling read with a little drop of bitterness because, romance-wise, I missed a real and thorough build-up to Sam and Kari's HEA. They were careful, guarded yet their longing for each other was there but they did not act on it till the end. It was like they were watching from afar and failed to make that crucial first step that would have brought them together sooner. Still, if I have to choose between a romance-laden and very sexed-up yet crappy book and a beautiful page-turner that is very light romance-wise, then I would choose She Cries over any other bad book. Any day of the week.
Recommended to lovers of suspense sprinkled with a very light touch of romance.
In the beginning of She Cries I wanted to spank Sam until his ass was blistered for pondering over that BS:
When women walked into hotel rooms of elite athletes with wild reputations and made themselves available for whatever was to come, they were not victims.
So, kudos to the author who accomplished to make me like him eventually.
Jeremy Connors, football star and self-professed God of the Universe with extremely serious anger management issues and an overinflated ego the size of the United States of America, is in trouble and that’s putting it mildly. A highly narcissistic womanizer of the worst category, he went too far this time and raped a woman. His legal dream team who still believes he’s innocent, wants to remove him from the line of fire. They prefer as little media exposure as possible and therefore go with Jeremy to the Rainwash Ranch to work out the best approach how to purge him from the severe accusations.
"Now, there's something you don't see very often: Kali at a loss for words." The lawyer in him came out and so did his confidence as he spoke. "I assure you, Ms. Jorgenson, I only had hay on my mind."
I loved the heroine Kari. She’s a very composed, strong, and beautiful woman and always in control. She’s actually running the show at the Rainwash Ranch. But, behind that tough exterior hides a sensitive and vulnerable person who's still trying to figure out how to make that first step back to a "normal" life as a woman with common needs. A life that goes beyond being a mother and horse whisperer. Kari's kids are all bright, very cheerful, ambitious, competitive, and the eldest girl is very inquisitive and eloquent. There’s no doubt, they are wonderfully portrayed children and I also loved the captivating family dynamics.
"I know you like my mom," she said flatly.
"Yeah, she's very nice," he said, keeping his tone as monotone as hers. She'd be a hell of a poker player when she got older.
"That's not what I mean. You like like her."
I’m a nature lover and I totally dug all the beautiful descriptions of the land and animals, especially the horses and their training. I felt that was perfectly done and came off as authentic. The protagonists who love that gorgeous land form a unified whole. It’s a give and take and I could feel their contentment, their joie de vivre, but also how much respect they conceived for their vast countryside and animals. I felt the life on that ranch was characterized by an easy work-life-balance that a lot of us always yearn for but never achieve.
Bottom line, She Cries is a engagingly penned story and I enjoyed it very much. I’d say it doesn’t quite fit the romance category, though. There’s some suspense, lots of well-crafted storytelling, a carefully developed and rather generous cast of characters, and a tiny, tiny bit of romance. The author’s voice is easy to fall for, thus it’s a really great and enthralling read with a little drop of bitterness because, romance-wise, I missed a real and thorough build-up to Sam and Kari's HEA. They were careful, guarded yet their longing for each other was there but they did not act on it till the end. It was like they were watching from afar and failed to make that crucial first step that would have brought them together sooner. Still, if I have to choose between a romance-laden and very sexed-up yet crappy book and a beautiful page-turner that is very light romance-wise, then I would choose She Cries over any other bad book. Any day of the week.
Sam Spann was kneeling on the ground with his arms encircled around her.
Brooke thought Momma fit perfectly in his arms and looked happy.
Recommended to lovers of suspense sprinkled with a very light touch of romance.
June 9, 2014
4.5 Stars!! A real page turner!
When I requested this book for review I thought it was going to be about a woman recovering from a devastating loss. I never anticipated the wild ride it took me on, and the feeling and emotions that it would bring out in me.
She Cries is an accurate portrayal of how the general public tolerates and somehow rationalizes the actions of people with a celebrity status. It's a multi-layered story that peels back page by page. At the beginning of some of the chapters you are never quite sure whose thoughts you're reading. You hold your breath, wonder what this scene has to do with the story, and then it becomes clear whose head you are in at that particular moment. It's a bit of a unique way for the story to unfold, and pretty clever of the author, not to mention it added to the overall intensity of the read. It's also very deep, and at times, a dark story, with some brutal and violent sexual scenes that some readers might find disturbing. However, it's an essential part of the story that's being told.
On a lighter note, I enjoyed the family-owned ranch setting and horse training aspect of the story. For a horse lover like myself, it added another interesting element to the read and was very authentic.
I wouldn’t say this is a romance in the traditional sense. However, you can see the writing on the wall very early on for two of the characters, Sam and Kali. Admiration and mutual respect forms between the two of them, which then leads them to contemplate about their lives and the direction they want to take and the choices they need to make. My heart went out to Kali and all that she was dealing with. I honestly didn't think a man like Sam would bring anything good into her life. I wasn't a fan of his at first, but he grew on me, and won me over with the way he treated Kali's girls and how he went soft for her. I found myself rooting for him...for them!
It was a heart pounding race to the finish and the ending…pure bliss, because She Cries made me cry in a very good way! Definitely recommend this book to readers who like a gripping, edge of your seat read with some sweet mixed in that comes to a very satisfying ending.
*A copy of the book was provided by The Writer's Coffee Shop in exchange for an honest review*
March 15, 2015
This strong story combines vivid characterisation with action and understated romance, while asking us to consider how we treat rape victims and their abusers.
A sports star - American football, so I didn't understand any of the early jargon - has a Mike Tyson-like accusation made against him; that he raped a girl who went to his hotel room with him. The reader has seen that Jeremy Connors intended taking out his ire at losing a game on any woman. This man also revels in having injured as many of his opponents on the field as he could, making me wonder at the attitudes prevailing in football. In most other sports this man would long since have been banned for life. I also wondered whether he was taking hormones to bulk himself up, but we're not told. Certainly he seems to have an overabundance of testosterone and no self-control.
In order to keep a clean image before the court case, Connors' lawyers decide to haul him off to a cattle drive on a Utah dude ranch where he can't get into any trouble. The instructor is Kali, a widowed lady with three daughters from eight to twelve years old, and they all capably demonstrate how to ride horses and handle cattle. Normal clients like the soft-handed lawyers Sam and Mike are all part of the day's work, but arrogant, bullying Connors is another matter. The media find out where he is and chaos ensues. Kali is going to end up having to be braver than she's been in her whole life; she may have to choose between losing her whole world and gaining a new life.
Meanwhile we see that the rape accuser, a sports agent called Jessica, is having a horrible time as she receives death threats and her safety is a genuine concern. Her name has been blackened on the internet and even decent men are calling her a 'lady-in-wait' meaning she was waiting for a chance to sue someone rich. Some misguided sports fan is about to take matters into his own hands.
With acid social comment about rich celebrities getting away with manslaughter and the presumption that because a woman went to a man's room she intended having sex, or because she had a past boyfriend she was no innocent, we are given much to consider. There's also a mention of raising grass-fed cattle as a reaction to other livestock being fed a cow known to have mad cow disease.
Having read several of this author's works by now, I commend her ever-more real characters, situations and fight to strengthen women. I do feel that the beautiful style which first caught my attention in White Trash has been simplified; on the other hand anyone who writes about horses as splendidly as the ones in SHE CRIES has no apologies to make.
For a contemporary comparison I can suggest crime stories by Linda Fairstein, a former state prosecutor of sexual assault cases, such as Cold Hit and Likely To Die.
A comparison in historical fiction - but equally relevant as to public perception of a rape victim - is the fine novel The War Within by Robert Gaston.
A sports star - American football, so I didn't understand any of the early jargon - has a Mike Tyson-like accusation made against him; that he raped a girl who went to his hotel room with him. The reader has seen that Jeremy Connors intended taking out his ire at losing a game on any woman. This man also revels in having injured as many of his opponents on the field as he could, making me wonder at the attitudes prevailing in football. In most other sports this man would long since have been banned for life. I also wondered whether he was taking hormones to bulk himself up, but we're not told. Certainly he seems to have an overabundance of testosterone and no self-control.
In order to keep a clean image before the court case, Connors' lawyers decide to haul him off to a cattle drive on a Utah dude ranch where he can't get into any trouble. The instructor is Kali, a widowed lady with three daughters from eight to twelve years old, and they all capably demonstrate how to ride horses and handle cattle. Normal clients like the soft-handed lawyers Sam and Mike are all part of the day's work, but arrogant, bullying Connors is another matter. The media find out where he is and chaos ensues. Kali is going to end up having to be braver than she's been in her whole life; she may have to choose between losing her whole world and gaining a new life.
Meanwhile we see that the rape accuser, a sports agent called Jessica, is having a horrible time as she receives death threats and her safety is a genuine concern. Her name has been blackened on the internet and even decent men are calling her a 'lady-in-wait' meaning she was waiting for a chance to sue someone rich. Some misguided sports fan is about to take matters into his own hands.
With acid social comment about rich celebrities getting away with manslaughter and the presumption that because a woman went to a man's room she intended having sex, or because she had a past boyfriend she was no innocent, we are given much to consider. There's also a mention of raising grass-fed cattle as a reaction to other livestock being fed a cow known to have mad cow disease.
Having read several of this author's works by now, I commend her ever-more real characters, situations and fight to strengthen women. I do feel that the beautiful style which first caught my attention in White Trash has been simplified; on the other hand anyone who writes about horses as splendidly as the ones in SHE CRIES has no apologies to make.
For a contemporary comparison I can suggest crime stories by Linda Fairstein, a former state prosecutor of sexual assault cases, such as Cold Hit and Likely To Die.
A comparison in historical fiction - but equally relevant as to public perception of a rape victim - is the fine novel The War Within by Robert Gaston.
May 25, 2014
Why does this book not have more reviews? I can only assume readers don’t know how to express their love for it.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout –great suspense. The scenes with Jeremy Connors are sickening and contrast heavily with the appeal of the ranch in Utah, manned by extraordinarily engaging characters. One almost feels like the author has insider information into both worlds.
Then, there’s Sam, a lawyer who observes everything with detachment. It’s not until his eye is caught by Kali and her family that he begins to take everything personally. Once the curtain is drawn back, Sam is in for the round-up ride of his life.
What doesn’t this book have? Suspense, adventure, well-written fight scenes, romance, three amazing kids, a kick-ass heroine, courtroom drama, scenery, cowboys and horses. I’m glad it wasn’t my job to assign it a genre. One would be just too limiting.
Much thanks to Alexandra Allred and TWCS for granting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Five stars.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout –great suspense. The scenes with Jeremy Connors are sickening and contrast heavily with the appeal of the ranch in Utah, manned by extraordinarily engaging characters. One almost feels like the author has insider information into both worlds.
Then, there’s Sam, a lawyer who observes everything with detachment. It’s not until his eye is caught by Kali and her family that he begins to take everything personally. Once the curtain is drawn back, Sam is in for the round-up ride of his life.
What doesn’t this book have? Suspense, adventure, well-written fight scenes, romance, three amazing kids, a kick-ass heroine, courtroom drama, scenery, cowboys and horses. I’m glad it wasn’t my job to assign it a genre. One would be just too limiting.
Much thanks to Alexandra Allred and TWCS for granting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Five stars.
April 27, 2014
It's been a while since I picked up a thriller romance, but I couldn't resist when I saw that a ranch in rural Utah and a controversy surrounding a star athlete were at the heart of things. Why in the world do I wait so long between reading this type story I don't know because I love it when a story has me completely engaged like this one did. I felt it all and I was tempted to chew my nail at one point when it got really intense.
The story opens with snapshot scenes of the major players involved: the team of lawyers who are sitting on top of a huge situation involving the star athlete they represent who will soon go to court over his treatment to women, the woman who finally came forward to take him down, the athlete himself who has a whole different perspective about what he does to women, a creepy shadowy figure who needs the Connors case to win and doesn't care who he has to have killed to get it, and finally the Jorgensen family and hands who work the ranch in Horse Canyon. Things are coming to a head as time marches toward Jeremy Connors' court date.
For some, like the lead counsel for Jeremy Connors, Sam Spann, there is a division in the road ahead. He has a strong incentive just to put his head down and win the case no matter what his personal feelings are, but when he gets away from it all to refresh and regroup, he finds that he is no longer content with his life. He longs to be a part of something like the ranch life at Horse Canyon. He enjoys the people and the work, and he loves the person he is while he is there. It doesn't hurt that he has developed an attraction for the cool, calm horse wrangler, Kali Jorgensen, and a soft spot for her three winsome girls. He knows she doesn't think much of him for representing Jeremy Connors and truthfully, as he learns of even more trouble from the guy and his agent, he doesn't think much of it all either.
Away from the ranch others are making their moves and planning things too. Jessica Stanton, star witness against Connors, is in danger of her life because someone is watching her and stalking her no matter where she goes or how many times she starts over. She would love for it all to just go away, but she's in too deep now.
A slimy figure moves through the shadows orchestrating the destruction of the prosecution's case and the removal of all their witnesses by any means necessary. He has a lot riding on this and he will brook no failure.
Danger brushes up against everyone involved and those standing out for right wonder if its worth the cost or should they just let it all go.
The plot on this one is broken up quite a bit and it made it hard to keep track of what was going on some times. I suspect this is done on purpose to keep the reader guessing. While it was distracting in some ways, it was also a way to build up my interest. My suspicion about the bad guy changed three times. I love that feeling of not knowing and so I'm looking at everyone warily. The time at the ranch was a nice smooth slower paced bit that took the time to do some character and relationship development. I liked both those sections and those heart-pounding sections near the end when the villain got antsy and made things get scary dangerous for everyone.
The story combined a few interesting themes that worked somehow. There was a feeling that I was reading stories within stories though because of it. There was the assault and rape case and then there was the ranch story in between. Several of the characters narrate giving a feel of multiple stories too.
I would like to add a caution for those who have sensibilities regarding rape, assault and stalking that it is indirectly mentioned several times in the story. How people feel about women who are victims of these things is a core theme here and personally I applaud how it was addressed.
The character development was in depth for Kali and Sam, but I liked how the surrounding characters had a background and life in the story too. The villain was written so well that I was totally creeped out. My favorite scenes involved Kali and her girls working with their horses and I loved it when Sam made that connection with those girls.
The romance portion of this story is there, but it is tentative and wistful until near the end. It isn't the main piece of the story, but it still is a big piece. Kali comes off as this tough, serene, confident woman, but Sam sees the real Kali. Sam is a bit of an enigma for Kali who reads people and horses well. She likes him and she likes being around him. He is not intimidated by her strong nature, but yet he is a lawyer and willing to take on Connor's defense. There is also the issue of the dead Nicky Jorgensen who Kali has to let go of as part of her past.
In the end, this was a good read that I can recommend to those who enjoy thriller romance.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for my honest review.
The story opens with snapshot scenes of the major players involved: the team of lawyers who are sitting on top of a huge situation involving the star athlete they represent who will soon go to court over his treatment to women, the woman who finally came forward to take him down, the athlete himself who has a whole different perspective about what he does to women, a creepy shadowy figure who needs the Connors case to win and doesn't care who he has to have killed to get it, and finally the Jorgensen family and hands who work the ranch in Horse Canyon. Things are coming to a head as time marches toward Jeremy Connors' court date.
For some, like the lead counsel for Jeremy Connors, Sam Spann, there is a division in the road ahead. He has a strong incentive just to put his head down and win the case no matter what his personal feelings are, but when he gets away from it all to refresh and regroup, he finds that he is no longer content with his life. He longs to be a part of something like the ranch life at Horse Canyon. He enjoys the people and the work, and he loves the person he is while he is there. It doesn't hurt that he has developed an attraction for the cool, calm horse wrangler, Kali Jorgensen, and a soft spot for her three winsome girls. He knows she doesn't think much of him for representing Jeremy Connors and truthfully, as he learns of even more trouble from the guy and his agent, he doesn't think much of it all either.
Away from the ranch others are making their moves and planning things too. Jessica Stanton, star witness against Connors, is in danger of her life because someone is watching her and stalking her no matter where she goes or how many times she starts over. She would love for it all to just go away, but she's in too deep now.
A slimy figure moves through the shadows orchestrating the destruction of the prosecution's case and the removal of all their witnesses by any means necessary. He has a lot riding on this and he will brook no failure.
Danger brushes up against everyone involved and those standing out for right wonder if its worth the cost or should they just let it all go.
The plot on this one is broken up quite a bit and it made it hard to keep track of what was going on some times. I suspect this is done on purpose to keep the reader guessing. While it was distracting in some ways, it was also a way to build up my interest. My suspicion about the bad guy changed three times. I love that feeling of not knowing and so I'm looking at everyone warily. The time at the ranch was a nice smooth slower paced bit that took the time to do some character and relationship development. I liked both those sections and those heart-pounding sections near the end when the villain got antsy and made things get scary dangerous for everyone.
The story combined a few interesting themes that worked somehow. There was a feeling that I was reading stories within stories though because of it. There was the assault and rape case and then there was the ranch story in between. Several of the characters narrate giving a feel of multiple stories too.
I would like to add a caution for those who have sensibilities regarding rape, assault and stalking that it is indirectly mentioned several times in the story. How people feel about women who are victims of these things is a core theme here and personally I applaud how it was addressed.
The character development was in depth for Kali and Sam, but I liked how the surrounding characters had a background and life in the story too. The villain was written so well that I was totally creeped out. My favorite scenes involved Kali and her girls working with their horses and I loved it when Sam made that connection with those girls.
The romance portion of this story is there, but it is tentative and wistful until near the end. It isn't the main piece of the story, but it still is a big piece. Kali comes off as this tough, serene, confident woman, but Sam sees the real Kali. Sam is a bit of an enigma for Kali who reads people and horses well. She likes him and she likes being around him. He is not intimidated by her strong nature, but yet he is a lawyer and willing to take on Connor's defense. There is also the issue of the dead Nicky Jorgensen who Kali has to let go of as part of her past.
In the end, this was a good read that I can recommend to those who enjoy thriller romance.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2014
In this novel, character Kali Jorgensen is definitely a force to be reckoned with. She is a hard-working woman who cracks the whip. So when a bunch of lawyers from the city decide to bring their client to a cattle-driving ranch for a little down time while things settle down regarding their current big case, they have no idea what they are in for. And neither does their client.
I still have chills from reading this book. *insert nervous chuckle here* I mean, the hairs on the back of my neck rose and my body stiffened every time the antagonist, Jeremy Connors, came into the picture. From the very beginning I just wanted to go through the book and punch him in the face, that is how bad my feelings toward him are. So I definitely commend the author on that.
And Kali...whew...she is definitely a firecracker. I mean, who blasts Michael Jackson at 5 in the morning? She does! She probably was one of my favourite characters in this book, mainly because she is so tough. This woman lost her husband and is still going strong...or at least that is what she portrays to the rest of the world. Behind all her toughness, though, occasionally you see this vulnerability that she saves for when she is alone. That makes her so amazingly likeable to me, because she doesn't play the victim. She just takes things day by day. And even though she does not know it, she truly just wants to be loved again. You see a loneliness about her. So I was glad to see her on the receiving end of the romance aspect of this story.
I really do love that this story hosts the topics that it does. Rape, misconduct, abusive actions...It also touches the topic of how someone's status in life can allow them to get away with things like this. And the people who defend them even when they know there is a semblance of truth to the charges against their clients. There is a morality to this story. You see it in the lead attorney of the Jeremy Connors case. He begins to question why he is even involved, and he also begins to question his morals. He truly is sickened by his client, but the promise of a promotion is kind of hard to turn down. However, he will find that there is a line he will not cross regarding how far he will go to keep his client out of trouble.
There is humor, there is pain, there is romance and horses, what more could a girl ask for?
I loved this story. It was a great read and definitely showed that not everyone should be afraid to tell the truth. It also showed that even after tragedy, things can turn out okay. Life can change at a dime, and love can come when you least expect it.
Definitely an author to read in future.
I still have chills from reading this book. *insert nervous chuckle here* I mean, the hairs on the back of my neck rose and my body stiffened every time the antagonist, Jeremy Connors, came into the picture. From the very beginning I just wanted to go through the book and punch him in the face, that is how bad my feelings toward him are. So I definitely commend the author on that.
And Kali...whew...she is definitely a firecracker. I mean, who blasts Michael Jackson at 5 in the morning? She does! She probably was one of my favourite characters in this book, mainly because she is so tough. This woman lost her husband and is still going strong...or at least that is what she portrays to the rest of the world. Behind all her toughness, though, occasionally you see this vulnerability that she saves for when she is alone. That makes her so amazingly likeable to me, because she doesn't play the victim. She just takes things day by day. And even though she does not know it, she truly just wants to be loved again. You see a loneliness about her. So I was glad to see her on the receiving end of the romance aspect of this story.
I really do love that this story hosts the topics that it does. Rape, misconduct, abusive actions...It also touches the topic of how someone's status in life can allow them to get away with things like this. And the people who defend them even when they know there is a semblance of truth to the charges against their clients. There is a morality to this story. You see it in the lead attorney of the Jeremy Connors case. He begins to question why he is even involved, and he also begins to question his morals. He truly is sickened by his client, but the promise of a promotion is kind of hard to turn down. However, he will find that there is a line he will not cross regarding how far he will go to keep his client out of trouble.
There is humor, there is pain, there is romance and horses, what more could a girl ask for?
I loved this story. It was a great read and definitely showed that not everyone should be afraid to tell the truth. It also showed that even after tragedy, things can turn out okay. Life can change at a dime, and love can come when you least expect it.
Definitely an author to read in future.
May 3, 2014
Being I like the author and her writing style I fell into this book right away. It goes between two stories until about half way and then blends them both. This athlete, Jeremy, who is a big football star is sickening. He is an abuser of all woman. There is really something mentally wrong with him. I enjoyed the authors perception of someone who borders on multiple personalities. So he thinks that he can do whatever he wants and the legal team will be cleaning it up. Up until now he has been difficult but this last rape and assalt makes his lawyer Sam regret his work. A once very passionate lawyer just wants to throw Jeremy in jail. I cant blame him but his partnership is on the line.
The author fabulously creates terror when Jeremy is trolling strip clubs and bars looking for a new one night stand. I was on edge and fascinated at the same time. It shows the part of the athletes we all can hate. Believe me you will hate them after this. What happens when you pay someone millions, they get endorsements, the get advertising and then they get untouchable. They are worth more to the "team" and the lawyers then justice.
Kali Jorgensen is the head instructor at Rainwash Ranch in Horse Canyon, Utah, leading cattle drives for celebrities and CEOs. This was a very interesting plot twist. Get out and away from the media to focus on the case. When they are attempting damage control and the secretary suggests this I was like OK BINGO that is new and different. I was not at all happy that they put Kali and her three girls in danger at their ranch. She has a great back story that will make anyone fall for her. She is a true American rancher who lost her husband in the war.
A truly captivating story! It is like big city meets little cattle driver who has a lot to protect.There is a lot of raw gritty scenes in here so if you are offended easily then beware. I loved it, the descriptive writing style and the characters.
The author fabulously creates terror when Jeremy is trolling strip clubs and bars looking for a new one night stand. I was on edge and fascinated at the same time. It shows the part of the athletes we all can hate. Believe me you will hate them after this. What happens when you pay someone millions, they get endorsements, the get advertising and then they get untouchable. They are worth more to the "team" and the lawyers then justice.
Kali Jorgensen is the head instructor at Rainwash Ranch in Horse Canyon, Utah, leading cattle drives for celebrities and CEOs. This was a very interesting plot twist. Get out and away from the media to focus on the case. When they are attempting damage control and the secretary suggests this I was like OK BINGO that is new and different. I was not at all happy that they put Kali and her three girls in danger at their ranch. She has a great back story that will make anyone fall for her. She is a true American rancher who lost her husband in the war.
A truly captivating story! It is like big city meets little cattle driver who has a lot to protect.There is a lot of raw gritty scenes in here so if you are offended easily then beware. I loved it, the descriptive writing style and the characters.
March 4, 2015
Alex Allred made me read a cowboy story - and I enjoyed it! This is far from just a cowboy story, though - it's a little bit romance and a little bit suspense, too, with a strong message about how celebrities shouldn't be able to get away with anything. Another great read from Alex!
November 27, 2025
She Cries by Alexandra Allred is about a widow named Kali Jorgensen who runs a rugged ranch with her daughters in Utah and whose fragile peace is shattered when a troubled celebrity athlete accused of horrific crimes signs on to a cattle drive, bringing danger, media scrutiny, and moral tension to her world.
From the start I felt drawn into Kali’s world, the wide open ranch, the bond she shares with her horse Star, and her quiet strength as a mother trying to piece together a life after tragic loss. Allred’s depiction of the ranch feels lived-in and tangible; I could almost smell the dust, hear the creaking wood of the stables, and feel the weight of responsibility weighing on Kali’s shoulders. The arrival of the athlete‑turned‑accused killer and the storm of attention that follows jolts the story out of pastoral comfort into a tense, moral-laden thriller. As the threat leans on not just physical danger but legal and media pressure, the novel challenges what it means to protect one’s family, believe in justice, and trust one’s instincts and that tension kept me turning pages long into the night.
What struck me most was how Kali’s internal life, her grief, her love for her children, her fierce protectiveness is handled with nuance. Allred doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about guilt, prejudice, or how quickly public opinion can turn, but she balances that with compassion and hope. The secondary characters, her daughters, the ranch hands, even those drawn in by the media circus feel real, flawed, human. The pacing sometimes allows for quiet, reflective moments that soften the horror, which felt like the emotional breathers you need in a heavy story, though at times the swings between calm ranch life and intense conflict felt a bit abrupt (a personal note, not a fault).
In the end, She Cries left me unsettled, thoughtful, and strangely uplifted because despite the darkness the book refuses easy answers and instead shows the messy bravery it takes to stand for what you believe. I recommend it to anyone who likes suspense grounded in real emotion, complicated moral dilemmas, and women who fight for their families with grit and grace.
Rating: 4 / 5 — I’m giving it this rating because it hit me emotionally, made me think, and left a lingering sense of empathy and tension; only slight unevenness in pacing keeps it from a full 5, but it’s still a powerful, memorable read.
From the start I felt drawn into Kali’s world, the wide open ranch, the bond she shares with her horse Star, and her quiet strength as a mother trying to piece together a life after tragic loss. Allred’s depiction of the ranch feels lived-in and tangible; I could almost smell the dust, hear the creaking wood of the stables, and feel the weight of responsibility weighing on Kali’s shoulders. The arrival of the athlete‑turned‑accused killer and the storm of attention that follows jolts the story out of pastoral comfort into a tense, moral-laden thriller. As the threat leans on not just physical danger but legal and media pressure, the novel challenges what it means to protect one’s family, believe in justice, and trust one’s instincts and that tension kept me turning pages long into the night.
What struck me most was how Kali’s internal life, her grief, her love for her children, her fierce protectiveness is handled with nuance. Allred doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about guilt, prejudice, or how quickly public opinion can turn, but she balances that with compassion and hope. The secondary characters, her daughters, the ranch hands, even those drawn in by the media circus feel real, flawed, human. The pacing sometimes allows for quiet, reflective moments that soften the horror, which felt like the emotional breathers you need in a heavy story, though at times the swings between calm ranch life and intense conflict felt a bit abrupt (a personal note, not a fault).
In the end, She Cries left me unsettled, thoughtful, and strangely uplifted because despite the darkness the book refuses easy answers and instead shows the messy bravery it takes to stand for what you believe. I recommend it to anyone who likes suspense grounded in real emotion, complicated moral dilemmas, and women who fight for their families with grit and grace.
Rating: 4 / 5 — I’m giving it this rating because it hit me emotionally, made me think, and left a lingering sense of empathy and tension; only slight unevenness in pacing keeps it from a full 5, but it’s still a powerful, memorable read.
May 14, 2014
***Review to follow on May 14 as part of blog tour***
Having read at least one of Allred’s book previously, I know when I started She Cries that I would be taken on a whirlwind of mystery full of twists and turns, perpetrated by well rounded and relateable characters. I wasn’t disappointed.
Let me start of by saying that it’s not very often that I come across a character that I despise the moment they are introduced, but that is exactly what happened when Jeremy Connors appears on the pages. It wasn’t just because of the way he treats women (like that wasn’t enough), but mainly because of the way he expects to get away with what he does.
The media is full of stories about top athletes being let off with their crimes due to their status and celebrity, and here is someone, at the top of his game, yet he is truly evil and twisted.
Then we meet his legal team. I could understand why they defend him the way they do. Money. It is the be all and end all. It’s obvious that they don’t particularly like Conners, but they do their job and they do it well.
It isn’t until the team head out to Rainwash Ranch in Utah. Initially, they want somewhere to close themselves away from the press, being away from modern day life so that they concentrate on building their case. Sam, who seems to already be doubting his involvement with the case in hand, takes to the environment like a duck to water, his attraction to Kali helping matters.
Kali Jorgensen… a woman with hurt in her past and who uses that hurt to control her present and that of her daughters. Until Sam turns up, it works. Kind of.
What follows is a story that captivates and pulls you in until the very last page. I commend Allred as I did guess who the mystery man was, but I’d managed to dissuade myself that it couldn’t be him because of events in the story. Up until the end I was kept guessing and that’s something that doesn’t happen often.
A solid 5 stars!
Having read at least one of Allred’s book previously, I know when I started She Cries that I would be taken on a whirlwind of mystery full of twists and turns, perpetrated by well rounded and relateable characters. I wasn’t disappointed.
Let me start of by saying that it’s not very often that I come across a character that I despise the moment they are introduced, but that is exactly what happened when Jeremy Connors appears on the pages. It wasn’t just because of the way he treats women (like that wasn’t enough), but mainly because of the way he expects to get away with what he does.
The media is full of stories about top athletes being let off with their crimes due to their status and celebrity, and here is someone, at the top of his game, yet he is truly evil and twisted.
Then we meet his legal team. I could understand why they defend him the way they do. Money. It is the be all and end all. It’s obvious that they don’t particularly like Conners, but they do their job and they do it well.
It isn’t until the team head out to Rainwash Ranch in Utah. Initially, they want somewhere to close themselves away from the press, being away from modern day life so that they concentrate on building their case. Sam, who seems to already be doubting his involvement with the case in hand, takes to the environment like a duck to water, his attraction to Kali helping matters.
Kali Jorgensen… a woman with hurt in her past and who uses that hurt to control her present and that of her daughters. Until Sam turns up, it works. Kind of.
What follows is a story that captivates and pulls you in until the very last page. I commend Allred as I did guess who the mystery man was, but I’d managed to dissuade myself that it couldn’t be him because of events in the story. Up until the end I was kept guessing and that’s something that doesn’t happen often.
A solid 5 stars!
June 22, 2014
Heather's Review:
I want to start off by saying “Wow!” If I was asked to describe the emotional reaction in one word it would definitely be “Wow!” The characters are so well written, interesting, intriguing, and they all trigger immediate and long-term emotional ties to your heart. Some times the feeling you get immediately stays with you, a perfect example is Kali and her girls and of course Jeremy, even though they are very different ends of the emotion spectrum. Sometimes, that immediate reaction changes with time, such as with Jeremy’s lawyer, Sam.
When their worlds collide the emotions just explode in a firestorm of spoilers that I won’t touch on here. Seeing a setting that could have easily been taken from nearly any newspaper in the world and knowing that it could and has happened, actually saddens the heart a bit but it also fed my desire to read the story and see how the author brought it to conclusion. I will say that for those who love romance, mystery/suspense, drama with maybe even a touch of thrillers, you will feel as you did as a kid waking up on Christmas morning.
I have to say that there were occasions that the story felt a little disjointed but I think that was to add to the suspense build-up. For my taste, I could have done with a little more smoother scene transitions but it wasn’t enough for it to take away from my enjoyment or my need to reach the last page as quickly as possible. As I reached the final page, I wished that I had taken a little more time and savored the story more, but in my personal review scale that is my benchmark of a great tale.
Rating:
4.5 honey pots
I want to start off by saying “Wow!” If I was asked to describe the emotional reaction in one word it would definitely be “Wow!” The characters are so well written, interesting, intriguing, and they all trigger immediate and long-term emotional ties to your heart. Some times the feeling you get immediately stays with you, a perfect example is Kali and her girls and of course Jeremy, even though they are very different ends of the emotion spectrum. Sometimes, that immediate reaction changes with time, such as with Jeremy’s lawyer, Sam.
When their worlds collide the emotions just explode in a firestorm of spoilers that I won’t touch on here. Seeing a setting that could have easily been taken from nearly any newspaper in the world and knowing that it could and has happened, actually saddens the heart a bit but it also fed my desire to read the story and see how the author brought it to conclusion. I will say that for those who love romance, mystery/suspense, drama with maybe even a touch of thrillers, you will feel as you did as a kid waking up on Christmas morning.
I have to say that there were occasions that the story felt a little disjointed but I think that was to add to the suspense build-up. For my taste, I could have done with a little more smoother scene transitions but it wasn’t enough for it to take away from my enjoyment or my need to reach the last page as quickly as possible. As I reached the final page, I wished that I had taken a little more time and savored the story more, but in my personal review scale that is my benchmark of a great tale.
Rating:
4.5 honey pots
July 21, 2014
Reviewed by Marissa
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Kali was a little too perfect and perky for my taste. Yes, she was down to earth and a good mother, but for the most part she was just “too” perfect. Her saving grace is that she strives to do the right thing, be it for her family, her friends, or for her own moral integrity. She stands up to those who think they defy the law and pushes when right is on her side.
On the villainous side, Jeremy was perfectly perfect. I am all too familiar with his type – smooth and the life of the party on the outside, evil and sadistic on the inside. Jeremy is the man every woman wants and every man wants to be. He’s a famous athlete, rich, charming, and says all the right things. But there’s the other side of him that is sociopathic, thinking he is always innocent and has never done anything wrong.
The other characters – Sam, the three daughters, the extended family – are all likable characters. Even the lawyers and posse members, despite some idiosyncrasies, have their contributions to the story. And that’s the point. Whether likable or not, each character stands on it’s own – as does the story. I found the book engaging and plausible considering today’s society. The ending was enjoyable without being overly sappy and I look forward to more from Allred.
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Kali was a little too perfect and perky for my taste. Yes, she was down to earth and a good mother, but for the most part she was just “too” perfect. Her saving grace is that she strives to do the right thing, be it for her family, her friends, or for her own moral integrity. She stands up to those who think they defy the law and pushes when right is on her side.
On the villainous side, Jeremy was perfectly perfect. I am all too familiar with his type – smooth and the life of the party on the outside, evil and sadistic on the inside. Jeremy is the man every woman wants and every man wants to be. He’s a famous athlete, rich, charming, and says all the right things. But there’s the other side of him that is sociopathic, thinking he is always innocent and has never done anything wrong.
The other characters – Sam, the three daughters, the extended family – are all likable characters. Even the lawyers and posse members, despite some idiosyncrasies, have their contributions to the story. And that’s the point. Whether likable or not, each character stands on it’s own – as does the story. I found the book engaging and plausible considering today’s society. The ending was enjoyable without being overly sappy and I look forward to more from Allred.
June 10, 2015
This book really packs an emotional punch. It deals with some difficult subject matter, including rape and the mentality of rape culture, and there is an element of suspense as well. Kali is a strong, yet vulnerable main character, and I couldn't help but feel for her. The children in the story were very realistic and didn't come off as plot devices, which seems to happen in many romance novels (which I find irritating). The hero, Sam, has some learning to do, and it was satisfying to see his transformation as he interacted with Kali, her children, and the great wide open. Unfortunately, there was no redemption for the bad guy in this one--he was completely awful from beginning to end. Ms. Allred points out the grotesque way in which we glorify athletes, even when their off-the-field-behavior is unpleasant at best and criminal at worst. I truly feel like this one spans the genres as well--it should appeal to many different readers. For me, it was a gripping read from beginning to end. (less)
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January 13, 2025
This is a strong story about a strong woman. At times the book was hard to read, because of the violence toward the women. Rape is always a hard subject to write about but Alexandra Allred handles it well, by not shying away from the harsh truth of the subject, and using a deft hand. Sam was difficult for me to like at first, but slowly he grew on me and by the end I was happy to see the happy ever after ending.
This gritty story does not flinch from the harsh truths of rape or violence against women. The suspense kept me guessing and I was rooting for that happy ever after ending which every romance has to have. I was not disappointed by the ending.
This gritty story does not flinch from the harsh truths of rape or violence against women. The suspense kept me guessing and I was rooting for that happy ever after ending which every romance has to have. I was not disappointed by the ending.
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