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New Americana #1
Sunrise Canyon
In the heart of Arizona's Sonora Desert, a little girl in need of her father, a woman in need of forgiveness, and a war hero in need of love come together to create a family . . .
Before he left for Afghanistan, Jake O'Reilly had everything--a beautiful wife, a baby on the way, a wonderful life. Three years later, his wife is dead and he is so haunted by his memories of war that he can't bring himself to go home. But when his wife's grandfather tracks him down and persuades him to come work on his ranch, where Jake's daughter is living, he agrees--even though he is reluctant to expose his little girl to the man he's become.
At Flying Cloud Ranch, his daughter doesn't recognize the brooding stranger he's become. But the beauty of the ranch and the immediate connection Jake feels with his wife's cousin Kira slowly begins to heal his wounds. Though he doesn't want any complications, he finds himself impossibly drawn to the tough woman who runs a horse therapy program for troubled teens. And as they each begin to imagine a new future, they discover that happily ever after is always within reach--if only you are willing to open your heart . . .
Before he left for Afghanistan, Jake O'Reilly had everything--a beautiful wife, a baby on the way, a wonderful life. Three years later, his wife is dead and he is so haunted by his memories of war that he can't bring himself to go home. But when his wife's grandfather tracks him down and persuades him to come work on his ranch, where Jake's daughter is living, he agrees--even though he is reluctant to expose his little girl to the man he's become.
At Flying Cloud Ranch, his daughter doesn't recognize the brooding stranger he's become. But the beauty of the ranch and the immediate connection Jake feels with his wife's cousin Kira slowly begins to heal his wounds. Though he doesn't want any complications, he finds himself impossibly drawn to the tough woman who runs a horse therapy program for troubled teens. And as they each begin to imagine a new future, they discover that happily ever after is always within reach--if only you are willing to open your heart . . .
335 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2016
2555 people are currently reading
1260 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
396 books1,846 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
July 31, 2021
Even though this wasn't/isn't really written by Janet Dailey as she passed away in 2013,
whoever the "Ghostwriter" for her Estate is..damn it was good!
It's been awhile since I could polish off a book so fast..it was like she did write it!
Janet Dailey was a big "go to author" way back in the day for me, I still have all her "oldies"
Great love story, characters, storyline, and never dragged nor lost my interest.
Whoever you are "author Ghostwriter" you did Janet Dailey and her legacy proud.
On to book two..
whoever the "Ghostwriter" for her Estate is..damn it was good!
It's been awhile since I could polish off a book so fast..it was like she did write it!
Janet Dailey was a big "go to author" way back in the day for me, I still have all her "oldies"
Great love story, characters, storyline, and never dragged nor lost my interest.
Whoever you are "author Ghostwriter" you did Janet Dailey and her legacy proud.
On to book two..
August 14, 2016
Jake O'Reilly once had everything ... a beautiful wife, a baby on the way. And then he left for Afghanistan. Three years later, his wife is dead, and his daughter is being raised by Kira, his late wife's cousin. He suffers unimaginably with PTSD and for that reason has stayed away from his daughter and the only family he has known.
His wife's grandfather tracks him down and talks him into coming back and working on his ranch. Kira now runs a horse therapy program for troubled teens.
This is a terrific story ... a story of love, forgiveness, hope, and conquering personal demons. But will love and support be enough to help this man calm his fears, and learn to deal with his PTSD? Will Kira find forgiveness within herself?
Janet Dailey is known for her well written love stories. This one is that and more. The reader can't help but feel the emotions from her characters. The issue of PTSD is handled with the precision of someone who has been there.
Of secondary note is the characterization of the troubled teens. They are all damaged in one way or another, but under Kira's tutelage, and with the horses, they are learning lessons that will follow them the rest of their lives.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Zebra / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
His wife's grandfather tracks him down and talks him into coming back and working on his ranch. Kira now runs a horse therapy program for troubled teens.
This is a terrific story ... a story of love, forgiveness, hope, and conquering personal demons. But will love and support be enough to help this man calm his fears, and learn to deal with his PTSD? Will Kira find forgiveness within herself?
Janet Dailey is known for her well written love stories. This one is that and more. The reader can't help but feel the emotions from her characters. The issue of PTSD is handled with the precision of someone who has been there.
Of secondary note is the characterization of the troubled teens. They are all damaged in one way or another, but under Kira's tutelage, and with the horses, they are learning lessons that will follow them the rest of their lives.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Zebra / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
December 29, 2021
It’s a lovely book on horse therapy to manage troubled children. There should be trigger warnings on PTSD, self harm, suicide and cyber bullying.
I like how the children worked together with Kira to resolve their traumas and personal issues though not all were a success story. The relationship between Kira and Jake was a little too fast, I wondered if they had feelings when they were much younger. The character development wasn’t adequate for me but in all, it was a nice story about living each day and conquering personal demons.
I like how the children worked together with Kira to resolve their traumas and personal issues though not all were a success story. The relationship between Kira and Jake was a little too fast, I wondered if they had feelings when they were much younger. The character development wasn’t adequate for me but in all, it was a nice story about living each day and conquering personal demons.
October 25, 2016
2.5 Stars, 2 Flames
A veteran that has lost his way and a therapist who specializes in children and horses need to work together to help each other heal. In order to do that they must let go of their pride and begin to trust someone else. They have many trials that lay ahead but together they can fight away their demons and find love.
Upon reading the blurb this sounded like a book I would really enjoy. I love contemporary romances that has a wounded hero who only needs love. It seemed to go well until Jake comes into the picture. I understand that all veterans go through different problems but Jake did not want to get better at all. Then there is Kira. She was supposed to be great with horses and with young adults but she was always second guessing and walking away from the real problem.
I ended up skimming through most of the book and still understood most of it and the plot. I liked it for the most part but it seemed to drag on as well as two pieces of a puzzle trying to fit. The whole book Jake complained about Kira, her chosen profession, the ranch, and Kira's ways yet the next moment he is in love. And vice versa with Kira and how she felt about his ways.
Overall, I think it was an okay book with not a lot of heat and slow story. Too much drama for my taste and I love drama!!
I was gifted a copy of this novel from the JeepDiva in exchange for a honest review.
A veteran that has lost his way and a therapist who specializes in children and horses need to work together to help each other heal. In order to do that they must let go of their pride and begin to trust someone else. They have many trials that lay ahead but together they can fight away their demons and find love.
Upon reading the blurb this sounded like a book I would really enjoy. I love contemporary romances that has a wounded hero who only needs love. It seemed to go well until Jake comes into the picture. I understand that all veterans go through different problems but Jake did not want to get better at all. Then there is Kira. She was supposed to be great with horses and with young adults but she was always second guessing and walking away from the real problem.
I ended up skimming through most of the book and still understood most of it and the plot. I liked it for the most part but it seemed to drag on as well as two pieces of a puzzle trying to fit. The whole book Jake complained about Kira, her chosen profession, the ranch, and Kira's ways yet the next moment he is in love. And vice versa with Kira and how she felt about his ways.
Overall, I think it was an okay book with not a lot of heat and slow story. Too much drama for my taste and I love drama!!
I was gifted a copy of this novel from the JeepDiva in exchange for a honest review.
March 27, 2018
was kind of having mixed feeling on this book, I love the fact that it talked about a horse therapy program, which is something I wouldn't mind doing. and it went in to tell how the kids became part of the program, was really upsetting that one of the kids had to be sent home, for not following the rules, It was nice to learn about the PTSD and how in-depth the author went in to it, I didn't know it was bad like that, i have herd of PTSD , but didn't know it entailed so much. what i didn't like and i dont want to give anything away, was the two characterless ended up together in the end. I guess I can see if happening, but it makes you wonder did he/she have feeling along . that is just my opinion on it. other than that, it was a good story and will read more from this author.
April 13, 2017
Review written: February 10, 2017
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Heat Rating: ☀☼☼☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
Sunrise Canyon is a hard book with some ugly but home truths that Kira and Jake have to deal with. About the only thing pretty about this book is the descriptions of some of the places in the desert, which is a fitting metaphor for the book even as the book uses it as a metaphor for life and people.
Kira's now-dead cousin was married to Jake. He was in the Army and did tours in Afghanistan. They have a daughter, Paige. Jake has PTSD and Dailey lets us see some of the difficult truths about the condition: it's often permanent; it's ugly and scary; it can be dangerous to other people; talking about it doesn't necessarily help. Jake's struggles with PTSD, depression, lack of help (He refuses it.), and alcohol are a kick in the pants and an overt reminder of how we, as a society, continue to fail our returning service members. (Disclaimer: I work with veterans on a daily basis as the company I work for hires a lot of military folks.)
Kira is a bleeding heart. As a counselor and therapist who uses horses as part of her therapy for troubled teens, she has seen a lot. She is also raising Paige and struggles to both be mother to her niece as well as therapist to the groups of kids who come in. As events unfold, she too is forced to accept certain difficult truths, most notably that she can't help everyone and that she often stretches herself too thin and doesn't take care of Paige the way she should (She cannot, in fact, do it all.).
Secrets divide the characters (some uglier than others) but the enforced proximity, a couple of disasters, and some basic struggles bring them together. I wouldn't call this a redemption story. No one here needs to be redeemed. I would call it a story about learning to live with the bad and take joy in the good. The slow progression Jake goes through with his PTSD symptoms is a story all its own that is worth it. The peace of the desert acts as a balm to his troubled spirit and psyche and slowly allows his brain to begin to retrain itself. (This is something I have read about before for veterans with PTSD, where the peace of a place can help.)
The romance in this book is very quiet, more of a slow realization than a transcendent burn. It fits with the rest of the tone of this book. While I'm surprised at how tame this is for a Dailey book, I feel like anything different would take away from the dominant storylines and themes.
This review is ©February 2017 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Heat Rating: ☀☼☼☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
Sunrise Canyon is a hard book with some ugly but home truths that Kira and Jake have to deal with. About the only thing pretty about this book is the descriptions of some of the places in the desert, which is a fitting metaphor for the book even as the book uses it as a metaphor for life and people.
Kira's now-dead cousin was married to Jake. He was in the Army and did tours in Afghanistan. They have a daughter, Paige. Jake has PTSD and Dailey lets us see some of the difficult truths about the condition: it's often permanent; it's ugly and scary; it can be dangerous to other people; talking about it doesn't necessarily help. Jake's struggles with PTSD, depression, lack of help (He refuses it.), and alcohol are a kick in the pants and an overt reminder of how we, as a society, continue to fail our returning service members. (Disclaimer: I work with veterans on a daily basis as the company I work for hires a lot of military folks.)
Kira is a bleeding heart. As a counselor and therapist who uses horses as part of her therapy for troubled teens, she has seen a lot. She is also raising Paige and struggles to both be mother to her niece as well as therapist to the groups of kids who come in. As events unfold, she too is forced to accept certain difficult truths, most notably that she can't help everyone and that she often stretches herself too thin and doesn't take care of Paige the way she should (She cannot, in fact, do it all.).
Secrets divide the characters (some uglier than others) but the enforced proximity, a couple of disasters, and some basic struggles bring them together. I wouldn't call this a redemption story. No one here needs to be redeemed. I would call it a story about learning to live with the bad and take joy in the good. The slow progression Jake goes through with his PTSD symptoms is a story all its own that is worth it. The peace of the desert acts as a balm to his troubled spirit and psyche and slowly allows his brain to begin to retrain itself. (This is something I have read about before for veterans with PTSD, where the peace of a place can help.)
The romance in this book is very quiet, more of a slow realization than a transcendent burn. It fits with the rest of the tone of this book. While I'm surprised at how tame this is for a Dailey book, I feel like anything different would take away from the dominant storylines and themes.
This review is ©February 2017 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
February 10, 2017
This was my first Janet Dailey book in a new series entitled New Americana. She originally wrote 50 books in her Americana series. Since the author passed away a few years ago, I do not know if there will be any more to this series. I enjoyed the book and although I give it 3 stars on Goodreads, I actually think it should be a 3 1/2 stars. It centered on Kyra, who lived on a horse ranch in Arizona, where she had a horse therapy program for troubled teens, mix in a troubled army veteran with PTSD, who was married to her late cousin and is the father of the niece she is raising. Also add several troubled teens, some gentle horses, and a dog, as well as Paige, the little 5 year old girl, who is wiser than her years and you have a winning story. What a shame that this prolific author passed away at only 69 years old.
Much thanks to the publisher, Zebra and to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Much thanks to the publisher, Zebra and to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2019
Ultimately this is a romance novel and so points off for that as my least favorite genre. But there is more to the story, and this is why I could continue on with this book. Family secrets are revealed to father and war hero, Jake, who due to PTSD struggles with these truths. Seven troubled teenagers are learning to cope with their issues while working on the ranch with horses. Little five-year-old Paige doesn't know the true identity of Jake as her father but she's a smart child who is probably the most memorable character in the book. An okay, light read.
July 28, 2020
Sunrise Canyon
It's been a really long time since I have sat down and read a book by Janet Dailey. Nothing has changed. The writing is still excellent and the story has strong characters with real life problems. Very enjoyable.
It's been a really long time since I have sat down and read a book by Janet Dailey. Nothing has changed. The writing is still excellent and the story has strong characters with real life problems. Very enjoyable.
December 31, 2016
I have only read a few books by Janet and I really enjoyed this book. Jake was such a broken man, not because he wanted to be, but because he lost (almost) everything while fighting for his country. When Jake went to Afghanistan, he had a wife and a baby on the way. While there, he lost his wife in a horrible accident and because of the horrible PTSD he suffered from, he felt it best to stay away from his daughter. When his wife's grandfather bails him out of jail and offers him the chance to work his debt off at his ranch, Jake is hesitant. Not only because he knows that he will see his daughter, but he will have to see Kira, his wife's cousin and best friend.
Kira is a hard working psychologist who works with children, and she uses horses to help soothe them. She doesn't want Jake to come back to the ranch. She feels guilty, because she was driving the car when the accident happened. She has also been raising his daughter and is afraid of what will happen to Paige. Once Jake is there, she feels an immediate spark, but doesn't want to pursue it because she knows he is planning on leaving. He also feels the connection to Kira, but doesn't believe he can be the man Kira and Paige need.
They fight the attraction as long as they can and then decide to see what will happen. But, when one of the kids on the ranch breaks the rules and Jake can't contain his PSTD reaction, he decides to leave because not only did Kira see how bad his temper could get, but so did Kira (who he had finally decided to tell that he was her dad).
The next morning, Kira realized that Jake is gone and decides to move on. Unfortunately, she is heart broken and then furious because she realizes that Paige (who is wise beyond her years and was instantly drawn to Jake) has left the house during a storm, to find Jake.
Kira finds Jake and he helps search for Paige. Will they find her in time? Will he stay? What will Paige's reaction be, if he tells her who he really is?
This was a great book, I just wish that the ending would have addressed one issue a little bit more.
Thank you Janet, Kensington Books, Zebra Publishing and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would highly recommend this book.
Kira is a hard working psychologist who works with children, and she uses horses to help soothe them. She doesn't want Jake to come back to the ranch. She feels guilty, because she was driving the car when the accident happened. She has also been raising his daughter and is afraid of what will happen to Paige. Once Jake is there, she feels an immediate spark, but doesn't want to pursue it because she knows he is planning on leaving. He also feels the connection to Kira, but doesn't believe he can be the man Kira and Paige need.
They fight the attraction as long as they can and then decide to see what will happen. But, when one of the kids on the ranch breaks the rules and Jake can't contain his PSTD reaction, he decides to leave because not only did Kira see how bad his temper could get, but so did Kira (who he had finally decided to tell that he was her dad).
The next morning, Kira realized that Jake is gone and decides to move on. Unfortunately, she is heart broken and then furious because she realizes that Paige (who is wise beyond her years and was instantly drawn to Jake) has left the house during a storm, to find Jake.
Kira finds Jake and he helps search for Paige. Will they find her in time? Will he stay? What will Paige's reaction be, if he tells her who he really is?
This was a great book, I just wish that the ending would have addressed one issue a little bit more.
Thank you Janet, Kensington Books, Zebra Publishing and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would highly recommend this book.
February 22, 2017
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.5
He was haunted by PTSD. He spent a lot of time stationed in Afghanistan. She was haunted by the death of his wife. She was the one driving the car. This was a sweet romance.
3.5
He was haunted by PTSD. He spent a lot of time stationed in Afghanistan. She was haunted by the death of his wife. She was the one driving the car. This was a sweet romance.
January 13, 2017
"Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review"
3.5 stars
The beginning grabs the reader's attention with its intensity: the beautiful landscape (Arizona’s Sonora desert), the tortured hero (a “volatile man” with a “wounded soul”), the well-rounded secondary characters.
The portrait of the hero, a proud man, "a man of honor", was well done. I liked that he changes throughout the story and learns, for example, to use his skills to discipline and deal with the teens. I also liked that such an alpha male was, nonetheless, afraid of horses and snakes and confessed it so candidly. The building of the relationship of this “raw, edgy and dangerous” man with his little girl is very tender and emotional. But with the heroine he gives up too easily when difficulties arise.
The title identifies one of the most striking features of the story: a strong sense of place and also of time (the different phases of the day and how they relate to the setting). These features are remarkably drawn and influence the characters. The descriptions of Arizona’s desert – a “starkly beautiful place” - are marvelous. Having horses and a dog is another interesting
I didn’t feel a great chemistry between hero/heroine; the heroine is a strong character but for whatever reason didn’t appeal to me. I felt that the revelation about the deceased wife was not needed.
A good depiction of PTSD’s effects, with no magical cure.
Overall a good story and a good opportunity to revisit this author, Janet Dailey.
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher, Kensington Books/Zebra, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
3.5 stars
The beginning grabs the reader's attention with its intensity: the beautiful landscape (Arizona’s Sonora desert), the tortured hero (a “volatile man” with a “wounded soul”), the well-rounded secondary characters.
The portrait of the hero, a proud man, "a man of honor", was well done. I liked that he changes throughout the story and learns, for example, to use his skills to discipline and deal with the teens. I also liked that such an alpha male was, nonetheless, afraid of horses and snakes and confessed it so candidly. The building of the relationship of this “raw, edgy and dangerous” man with his little girl is very tender and emotional. But with the heroine he gives up too easily when difficulties arise.
The title identifies one of the most striking features of the story: a strong sense of place and also of time (the different phases of the day and how they relate to the setting). These features are remarkably drawn and influence the characters. The descriptions of Arizona’s desert – a “starkly beautiful place” - are marvelous. Having horses and a dog is another interesting
I didn’t feel a great chemistry between hero/heroine; the heroine is a strong character but for whatever reason didn’t appeal to me. I felt that the revelation about the deceased wife was not needed.
A good depiction of PTSD’s effects, with no magical cure.
Overall a good story and a good opportunity to revisit this author, Janet Dailey.
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher, Kensington Books/Zebra, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
May 9, 2019
I love, own, and train horses. I nearly became an Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. And I certainly have a soft spot for romances. So it wasn't a surprise I enjoyed Sunrise Canyon. Kira is an equine assisted counselor living on a ranch in Arizona. She happily spends her days helping children – the 'at-risk' ones that she serves through her program, and her young niece Paige – with the help of her grandfather. But when the husband of her late cousin (Paige's mother) is unexpectedly drawn back to the ranch by her grandfather, Kira finds herself faced with the demons of her past.... and the hope of something new.
When I first started reading Sunrise Canyon, I noticed that it seemed similar to one of my favorite romance authors, Susan Wiggs. However, as I progressed through the novel, I realized that I was enjoying this novel more than any I've read by Wiggs! Dailey has a talent for writing real characters –ones that have flaws (in their looks, in their behavior, in their choices), ones that experience life in a way that reflects the real complications we all have. The ending isn't tied up in a neat little bow – it's heartfelt and a little disarming in its honesty. In addition, the book was fairly clean, with only two intimate scenes that were brief and not overdone. I felt something rare with this novel – I enjoyed the book so much that I nearly don't want to pick up the next one in the series for fear of losing my connection with Kira, Jake, and Paige. Highly recommended!
When I first started reading Sunrise Canyon, I noticed that it seemed similar to one of my favorite romance authors, Susan Wiggs. However, as I progressed through the novel, I realized that I was enjoying this novel more than any I've read by Wiggs! Dailey has a talent for writing real characters –ones that have flaws (in their looks, in their behavior, in their choices), ones that experience life in a way that reflects the real complications we all have. The ending isn't tied up in a neat little bow – it's heartfelt and a little disarming in its honesty. In addition, the book was fairly clean, with only two intimate scenes that were brief and not overdone. I felt something rare with this novel – I enjoyed the book so much that I nearly don't want to pick up the next one in the series for fear of losing my connection with Kira, Jake, and Paige. Highly recommended!
April 26, 2022
The story itself held such promise, but the characters often felt wooden, the dialogue felt strained, and the romance held no believable chemistry. Despite all that, I enjoyed Sunrise Canyon for two reasons: it offered some brilliant descriptions of nature, and it validated the holistic relationship between man and animal. The author really captured the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert and Catalina Foothills in springtime.
I would consider this a PG-13 romance set in the contemporary west.
I would consider this a PG-13 romance set in the contemporary west.
December 17, 2023
Some cliches that bugged me. Lot's of pushing away. Just ok
November 2, 2020
A deeply moving story of a broken man's search for redemption and love. FIVE HEARTWARMING STARS.
Janet Dailey infuses her stories with depth and compassion, bringing her characters to life as they face various challenges. The hero of this story (Jake) is a former Army Ranger who suffers from severe PTSD after serving three tours in Afghanistan. I learned a great deal about PTSD through Jake: his episodes of fear and panic, nightmares and flashbacks of combat experiences, emotional and sometimes violent outbursts, overwhelming guilt, and suicidal thoughts.
Jake returns from the war a broken man, working at menial jobs, getting into fights, and unable to maintain close relationships. When his late wife's grandfather (Dusty) bails him out of jail, Jake agrees to work as a maintenance man on Dusty's Arizona ranch to repay him for the bail money. Sounds simple, right? But there's a problem. Two, in fact. Our heroine (Kira), the cousin of Jake's dead wife, lives at the ranch, where she runs a horse therapy program for troubled teens. And she's raising Jake's five-year-old daughter (Paige), a child who's never known her father.
Determined to leave after he pays his debt, Jake refuses to tell Paige that he's her father, fearing she'll be hurt when he goes. And he resists falling in love with Kira, afraid his problems will doom their relationship. "To be here, with his little girl and a woman to love, would be his idea of heaven. But could he make that heaven last? Could he find the strength to control the horrors in his head--the nightmares, the rages and the awful black bouts of depression?" He decides to try. Will he succeed? Read this book to find out.
I loved the characters in this novel: Dusty, an old cowboy with a deep understanding of human nature; Kira, a strong, self-confident woman who opens her heart to a broken man; little Paige, a child who's wise beyond her years; the troubled teens, who gradually form healing bonds with their horses and each other; and Jake, who struggles to reach beyond his pain to find healing and happiness with the woman he loves.
This novel has everything I've come to expect from Janet Dailey: immersive scenery, memorable characters, a gripping plot, tension that builds to a dramatic conclusion, and a satisfying HEA. As always, kudos for professional proofreading, no explicit sex scenes, and limited profanity. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Janet Dailey infuses her stories with depth and compassion, bringing her characters to life as they face various challenges. The hero of this story (Jake) is a former Army Ranger who suffers from severe PTSD after serving three tours in Afghanistan. I learned a great deal about PTSD through Jake: his episodes of fear and panic, nightmares and flashbacks of combat experiences, emotional and sometimes violent outbursts, overwhelming guilt, and suicidal thoughts.
Jake returns from the war a broken man, working at menial jobs, getting into fights, and unable to maintain close relationships. When his late wife's grandfather (Dusty) bails him out of jail, Jake agrees to work as a maintenance man on Dusty's Arizona ranch to repay him for the bail money. Sounds simple, right? But there's a problem. Two, in fact. Our heroine (Kira), the cousin of Jake's dead wife, lives at the ranch, where she runs a horse therapy program for troubled teens. And she's raising Jake's five-year-old daughter (Paige), a child who's never known her father.
Determined to leave after he pays his debt, Jake refuses to tell Paige that he's her father, fearing she'll be hurt when he goes. And he resists falling in love with Kira, afraid his problems will doom their relationship. "To be here, with his little girl and a woman to love, would be his idea of heaven. But could he make that heaven last? Could he find the strength to control the horrors in his head--the nightmares, the rages and the awful black bouts of depression?" He decides to try. Will he succeed? Read this book to find out.
I loved the characters in this novel: Dusty, an old cowboy with a deep understanding of human nature; Kira, a strong, self-confident woman who opens her heart to a broken man; little Paige, a child who's wise beyond her years; the troubled teens, who gradually form healing bonds with their horses and each other; and Jake, who struggles to reach beyond his pain to find healing and happiness with the woman he loves.
This novel has everything I've come to expect from Janet Dailey: immersive scenery, memorable characters, a gripping plot, tension that builds to a dramatic conclusion, and a satisfying HEA. As always, kudos for professional proofreading, no explicit sex scenes, and limited profanity. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
March 4, 2019
Sunrise Canyon: The New Americana Series Book 1 is by Janet Dailey. This fast-paced book is set on a ranch outside of Tucson, Arizona. The ranch is run by Dusty and his great-niece, Kira. The two of them run a horse therapy program for troubled youths. The youths stay at the ranch and learn how to control their anger, handle stress, find self-confidence, and learn to get along with others as they learn to handle and ride horses. They take complete care of their horses, including mucking stalls, before they earn the privilege of riding the horses. Along with work, lectures, programs, and campfires, they have one-on-one counseling with Kira. So far, the program is only for those whose parents can afford it; but Kira hopes to get grants to cover those who have limited income.
At the same time, Kira is raising her cousin Wendy’s daughter, Paige. Wendy died in a car accident when Paige was still very little. Her husband, Jake, had been in Afghanistan at the time. While on leave, he was so shocked that he barely registered that Kira said she would take care of Paige. By the time Jake was finally released from the Army, he realized he was in no condition to see Paige. He was in and out of the VA for treatment for PTSD. He decided his best bet was to stay alone and work wherever he found work and move on when things got rough. He did refrain from committing suicide by remembering his friends who had died. He just couldn’t take a cowardly way out. So, he continued to ramble.
Dusty had hired a private investigator to find Jake. He knew Paige needed her father and he surmised that Jake needed them. When Jake ended up in jail, Dusty made the long trip to pay his fine and get him out of jail. He then offered Jake a job on the ranch. With the understanding it was only until he had worked off the fine money, Jake agreed. He then found himself facing not only Kira and Paige but also his own fears and monsters.
Can a war-weary veteran who had severe PTSD problems find help on a ranch with an old man, a little girl, his wife’s cousin, and seven troubled teens? What can possibly go wrong?
At the same time, Kira is raising her cousin Wendy’s daughter, Paige. Wendy died in a car accident when Paige was still very little. Her husband, Jake, had been in Afghanistan at the time. While on leave, he was so shocked that he barely registered that Kira said she would take care of Paige. By the time Jake was finally released from the Army, he realized he was in no condition to see Paige. He was in and out of the VA for treatment for PTSD. He decided his best bet was to stay alone and work wherever he found work and move on when things got rough. He did refrain from committing suicide by remembering his friends who had died. He just couldn’t take a cowardly way out. So, he continued to ramble.
Dusty had hired a private investigator to find Jake. He knew Paige needed her father and he surmised that Jake needed them. When Jake ended up in jail, Dusty made the long trip to pay his fine and get him out of jail. He then offered Jake a job on the ranch. With the understanding it was only until he had worked off the fine money, Jake agreed. He then found himself facing not only Kira and Paige but also his own fears and monsters.
Can a war-weary veteran who had severe PTSD problems find help on a ranch with an old man, a little girl, his wife’s cousin, and seven troubled teens? What can possibly go wrong?
December 6, 2016
Jake O'Reilly has served his country proudly in the military! Now back in country, Jake is plagued with PTSD that has him homeless and moving from town to town. He's trying to escape memories of the death of his wife and the young daughter that he left behind. He is found by his wife's grandfather, Dusty, and brought back to the ranch where Kira (his wife's cousin) is running a horse therapy program for troubled teens. The story is classic Janet Dailey! It has brooding, emotional characters and a rich, endearing story. The PTSD inclusion is so topical in today's world. I felt like it was written in an educational way for someone who really doesn't understand the symptoms and scope of life-altering trauma for those who live with it. I really loved the story and would highly recommend it to lovers of Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, Robyn Carr and to anyone who loves contemporary romance.
Sunrise Canyon by Janet Dailey will be available February 28, 2017 by Kensington Books Corp. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Sunrise Canyon by Janet Dailey will be available February 28, 2017 by Kensington Books Corp. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
February 25, 2021
Okay. Honestly, this is the first book of its kind that I've ever read. I used to read YA fiction in a similar vein as a kid, but never as an adult. The only reason I even looked it up (I read it online) is for an assignment for which I needed to understand western romance as a genre. Not sure how western this is, other than the ranch and horse-back riding, but it was, surprisingly an enjoyable read. An easy read that I finished in one day, it has a few clichés and provides very little depth for the characters, but the plot moves it along, and the tension of whether guy ends up with girl and finally tells someone important about his identity makes you want to keep reading. Of course there's a happy end, and it does give some insight into what war vets go through and PTSD. I have no idea how it compares to other books in its genre, but it had enough strengths (maybe the independent, capable, smart female protagonist helped) that I didn't hate it.
January 20, 2025
I wasn’t really that disappointed in this book as my expectations were low when I decided to read it. I only read ebooks from my libraries, and everything I really wanted to read was already signed out, and everything was on hold for weeks.
This was a formulaic book with fairly wooden one dimensional characters, and a plot you could see from a mile away. I mostly chose it for the setting, a ranch outside Tucson, Arizona where therapist Kira and her grandfather run a program for troubled teens using horses as therapy. When her grandfather invites her deceased cousin’s ex-soldier husband to stay at the ranch, hoping it will help him overcome his PTSD, Tara fears trouble will follow.
There is a lot of repetition in the book, probably to make it the proper number of pages. I grew tired of the constant angst--will he stay, should he stay, he can’t stay, he shouldn’t stay—long before the happy little conclusion.
Meh. I should have waited for one of my library holds to come through!!
This was a formulaic book with fairly wooden one dimensional characters, and a plot you could see from a mile away. I mostly chose it for the setting, a ranch outside Tucson, Arizona where therapist Kira and her grandfather run a program for troubled teens using horses as therapy. When her grandfather invites her deceased cousin’s ex-soldier husband to stay at the ranch, hoping it will help him overcome his PTSD, Tara fears trouble will follow.
There is a lot of repetition in the book, probably to make it the proper number of pages. I grew tired of the constant angst--will he stay, should he stay, he can’t stay, he shouldn’t stay—long before the happy little conclusion.
Meh. I should have waited for one of my library holds to come through!!
August 25, 2020
Being that this was a Janet Dailey book, I was expecting so much more. I was hoping for this great love story, but all I got was a couple of kisses, and then the h and H were in love with in a couple of weeks and a few interactions. I just didn't feel the development or connection between the two characters. felt more like insta-love but no chemistry. The love scene was generic and bland. The ending left me unsatisfied, and I agree with another reviewer who said the reveal about the deceased wife felt unnecessary. I won't remember this book, and won't try to find the next in series. After reading that this may have been published after the author's death, I can see how maybe someone tried to finish and publish her work
January 24, 2017
Jake is a returning veteran who suffers from PTSD and believes that his daughter is better being brought up by her mother's cousin. Kira is therapist helping troubled teens at her grandfathers ranch while raising Paige. Just like the canyon depicted in the story , these two must come to terms with the tragedy and change in their lives so new growth and live can grow.
Have long enjoyed this author's books with the scope of place and characters she pens. Enjoyed reading this one especially with the point that healing takes place every day for the long term.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
Have long enjoyed this author's books with the scope of place and characters she pens. Enjoyed reading this one especially with the point that healing takes place every day for the long term.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
June 4, 2017
I had two major problems with this book: It wasn't much of a romance, and there are a lot of little things that added up to irritate me. A huge portion of the book revolved around Kira's work with the kids in her therapy program, which admittedly was more interesting to me than anything else that happened. I'm sure PTSD and war is horrible, but Jake's stubbornness and refusal to even try, his desire to hide away from his daughter and his almost obsession with his dead wife was really uncomfortable. And the actual romance between him and Kira was almost nonexistent. Not to mention, the whole thing had hints of "love conquers mental disorders."
May 13, 2019
I've been a Janet Dailey fan since the late '70s, so reading this book was like coming home to an old friend. This was more than a love story, it was an inspirational tale that addressed very real issues in our modern-day society. Kira's character owns her tough, no-nonsense role as she runs a horse therapy program and Jake is a broken soldier with PTSD. How these two heal each other and the children they work with is a true reflection of Ms Dailey's expertise authorship and will have you falling head-over-heels in love. Add a wonderfully cranky old cowboy and Jake's adorable young daughter, and this is a winning read.
April 12, 2021
Jake O'Reilly has been drifting across the country after serving three tours of duty in Afghanistan followed by treatment for PTSD at the VA Hospital. As the story begins, Jake is in jail for starting a fight while going through one of his dark moods. He is surprised to suddenly be set free especially when he finds out that his deceased wife's grandfather is the one who paid his bail. Dusty takes Jake back to his home in Arizona known as Flying Cloud so he can work to repay his debt to Dusty. There he meets up with two very special people. Perhaps living in the heart of the beautiful Sonora Desert with family members can help him control the demons that invade his mind and haunt his dreams.
November 3, 2022
A wonderful story about love and forgiveness and also a look at PTDS. jake left for Afgahastahn three years later though his wife his dead his daughter is without her parents for his PTSD and she is on her wife's father's ranch along with his wife’s cousin who also blames herself for the accident that killed his wife. When the grandfather tracks Jake down and makes him an offer and basically pays him to come and work on the ranch, he has no money so Jake has nothing to lose. This really turns out to be a good story just took me a while to read it for my own PTSD issues. Good characters and overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com
June 29, 2024
This is a story of using horse therapy on a ranch in Arizona for young troubled teens. The timeline was short for each session and that was unrealistic I thought. Also it is a story of Jake, the widower of Wendy, who returned from Vietnam with PTSD and felt unable to control his behaviors some of the time.
Kira, Wendy's sister ran the therapy group and Dusty her father helped run the ranch until he had a heart attack. Kira and Jake had a romance that developed way too fast and the end of the story was when they told Paige, his daughter, that they would marry. The timeline on the whole story was unrealistic but it was an interesting read.
Kira, Wendy's sister ran the therapy group and Dusty her father helped run the ranch until he had a heart attack. Kira and Jake had a romance that developed way too fast and the end of the story was when they told Paige, his daughter, that they would marry. The timeline on the whole story was unrealistic but it was an interesting read.
March 31, 2025
Janet Daily is always a good read. This was especially interesting and enjoyable to me, in that it was about the desert in Arizona, where I used to live. The descriptions of the land, cactus, and other vegetation were colorful and I could see them in my mind. It was also interesting to find out more on PTSD. I am always looking to find out more about it.
This book is part of "The New American" series, and there are many more that you can read. This took place in Arizona's Sonora Desert, at Flying Cloud Ranch. It centers around Jake O' Reilly, a war hero in Afghanistan, who has PTSD. He is hoping that his time on the Flying Cloud Ranch will help him conquer his frightening memories of war.
This book is part of "The New American" series, and there are many more that you can read. This took place in Arizona's Sonora Desert, at Flying Cloud Ranch. It centers around Jake O' Reilly, a war hero in Afghanistan, who has PTSD. He is hoping that his time on the Flying Cloud Ranch will help him conquer his frightening memories of war.
June 2, 2025
I haven't read Janet Daily in years. It was a wonderful story. My mum wanted to open a horse therapy on the farm that they lived on for so many years before she had her fall. She wanted people to bring their horses, & they could stay there for a weekend, or a wee, going for outrides in the forest, & have a needed break with their horses, so that is why I really appreciated a book like this. I absolutely loved the little girl, Paige. She was a real sweetheart. I also loved the budding romance & attraction between Kira & Jake. All the characters were wonderful. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in this series.
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