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Wind River Valley #3
Wind River Cowboy
The new novel from the bestselling author of Wind River Rancher
An unexpected reunion . . .
Kira Duval was part of a Special Forces team that got caught in an ambush--leaving only two wounded survivors: herself and Weapons Sergeant Garret Fleming. Losing her team was traumatic, and in the chaotic aftermath, as the Army moved them from hospital to hospital, she lost Garret too. But she never lost her secret yearning for him.
Finally, she gave up trying to track him down back in the States. But as she settles in at the Bar C cattle ranch in Wyoming, a place where veterans can find a home and a place to heal, she's introduced to her sandy-haired, hazel-eyed housemate: none other than Garret Fleming.
They're a long way from Afghanistan--and a long way from the people they used to be before tragedy changed their lives. But as Kira earns her keep by caregiving for the ranch owner's bedridden, alcoholic father--a task that sometimes feels more challenging than any black ops mission--she finds that even in peacetime Garret still has her back, and that in this warm, welcoming place, the passion she resisted in the heat of battle may finally have a chance to flourish . . .
An unexpected reunion . . .
Kira Duval was part of a Special Forces team that got caught in an ambush--leaving only two wounded survivors: herself and Weapons Sergeant Garret Fleming. Losing her team was traumatic, and in the chaotic aftermath, as the Army moved them from hospital to hospital, she lost Garret too. But she never lost her secret yearning for him.
Finally, she gave up trying to track him down back in the States. But as she settles in at the Bar C cattle ranch in Wyoming, a place where veterans can find a home and a place to heal, she's introduced to her sandy-haired, hazel-eyed housemate: none other than Garret Fleming.
They're a long way from Afghanistan--and a long way from the people they used to be before tragedy changed their lives. But as Kira earns her keep by caregiving for the ranch owner's bedridden, alcoholic father--a task that sometimes feels more challenging than any black ops mission--she finds that even in peacetime Garret still has her back, and that in this warm, welcoming place, the passion she resisted in the heat of battle may finally have a chance to flourish . . .
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 28, 2017
452 people are currently reading
1501 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay McKenna
359 books2,500 followersI've lived six lives in one and it all shows up in the books I write, one way or another.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
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March 18, 2017
Wind River Cowboy by Lindsay McKenna
Wind River Valley #3
Kira and Garet were on the same special ops team and spent three years together overseas. They survived an attack that left the other ten men of their team dead. They lost touch with one another while recovering from their injuries but fortuitously met up again working in Wyoming on a ranch that hires military veterans with PTSD.
Garet is a great guy. He is strong, caring, a team player and protective to the core. Kira seems to have lost herself a bit but begins to blossom and return to her previous self while working in Wyoming. The two have hidden their romantic interest in one another for the entire time they worked side by side in the military but that interest did not fade in the year they were apart. The time it takes the two be willing to express that interest in one another left me a bit puzzled but…sometimes I guess it is hard to break the habits created over time.
In addition to the romance of Garet and Kira there is a second storyline that deals with the trouble between the owner of the ranch and her father. Finding out how that will be resolved is as intriguing as is the next story in the series that will speak of two horse wranglers who are veterans with PTSD.
I enjoyed this book but think I enjoyed the previous one a bit more. I am not sure if it is because it took Kira and Garet so long to finally admit they cared for one another as more than friends or if it was something else. Anyway, it is a nice addition to the series and I do look forward to finding out how Noah and Dair will find their HEA. An aside – Brook, a widow with a child, was mentioned and I wonder if perhaps she will find a husband in Harper or if another veteran will show up for her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Zebra for the ARC. This is my honest review.
3 Stars
Wind River Valley #3
Kira and Garet were on the same special ops team and spent three years together overseas. They survived an attack that left the other ten men of their team dead. They lost touch with one another while recovering from their injuries but fortuitously met up again working in Wyoming on a ranch that hires military veterans with PTSD.
Garet is a great guy. He is strong, caring, a team player and protective to the core. Kira seems to have lost herself a bit but begins to blossom and return to her previous self while working in Wyoming. The two have hidden their romantic interest in one another for the entire time they worked side by side in the military but that interest did not fade in the year they were apart. The time it takes the two be willing to express that interest in one another left me a bit puzzled but…sometimes I guess it is hard to break the habits created over time.
In addition to the romance of Garet and Kira there is a second storyline that deals with the trouble between the owner of the ranch and her father. Finding out how that will be resolved is as intriguing as is the next story in the series that will speak of two horse wranglers who are veterans with PTSD.
I enjoyed this book but think I enjoyed the previous one a bit more. I am not sure if it is because it took Kira and Garet so long to finally admit they cared for one another as more than friends or if it was something else. Anyway, it is a nice addition to the series and I do look forward to finding out how Noah and Dair will find their HEA. An aside – Brook, a widow with a child, was mentioned and I wonder if perhaps she will find a husband in Harper or if another veteran will show up for her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Zebra for the ARC. This is my honest review.
3 Stars
September 22, 2017
You are back at the Bar “C” cattle ranch with the same characters as in the last book. The difference in this book is that it opens with Kira Duval and her trauma that she is experiencing since being home since the Special Forces unit that she was attached with was ambushed. Only she and Garret Fleming survived the attacked and she wonders what has even happen to Garret because she has not found any information about him. Now being summoned to the Pentagon to see her mentor how has found her a job with a place to stay if she wants it in Wyoming at a ranch named Bar C. once there she finds out that the other vet’s there all have their PTDSD issues as well. She also finds Garret and this is there story. Both of them working through their fears, and other issues, but will it led them to each other. Can they each tell the other one what and how they feel? Read this good book. You also still have the same part of the story with the father who thinks he still owns the ranch but ran it into the ground and his abuse issues especially towards females and his daughter, if you have read any of the other books. If not you will be caught up. A very good book. To go along with the rest of the series. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
June 8, 2020
I feel this book is closer more to a two star than a 3, but I gave her three because unfortunately, I’m planning on reading the next book. I don’t really care for the entire storyline especially this whole dum part with Ray, her dad. The other thing that kills me is how week she is making these women. The men come to the rescue. Sometimes it feels like the author does not do too much background when she writes these books. I almost put this book down A couple of times but completed it. As I mentioned previously it reminds me of a soap opera, I don’t like them but I watch one of them to get my mind in a different state. I guess this low rated book is filling the void right now. I am going to read the next book because I was happy that they’re bringing some diversity finally in the group now with Dara being half American Indian. Also on the next book we know Noah is a true cowboy, I think the name of this book was misleading. Garretts a good guy but not a cowboy. One of the parts I need to bring up as well, they said Harper did not graduate from high school because he had trouble reading but was a Korman attached to the Navy SEALs. That just does not happen.
March 12, 2017
Kira, an Army veteran with severe PTSD, takes a job on a Wyoming ranch, and reconnects with the only member of her black ops group who survived. The premise was interesting, but the characters' reluctance to admit their feelings until 3/4 of the book was done seemed a bit odd.
March 30, 2017
This book was graciously provided by netgalley for an honest review.
Oy. I don't even know where to begin.....
Kira Duval and Garret Fleming were on the same black ops team for 3 years. There team was station in Afghanistan and consisted of 11 men and 1 woman. One night, they were ambushed leaving 2 lone survivors. Because of the injuries of that night, Kira and Garret lost touch with one another and both suffer from both physical wounds and PTSD.
Garret has been working at the Bar C for the past year, a ranch ran by Shay, a former military veteran who wants to give back to veterans, like herself, who experience PTSD.
After being fired from her last 5 positions because of anxiety, stress and symptoms of her PTSD, Kira leaves her father and is called to a meeting with her superior at the Pentagon. While there, she is given the opportunity to go to Wyoming to work at the Bar C Ranch. She immediately takes it.
Upon her arrival, Shay fills Kira in on her working requirements; she will be the caretaker of Shay's alcoholic father who is recovering from a stroke as well as work on translating documents. In exchange for room and board, Kira will give 15% of her profits from translating to the ranch. Kira is assigned a ranch house. She will be staying with a wrangler who has been with the ranch the longest, a man named Garret.
In walks Garret from Kira's past.........
It is quickly revealed that both Kira and Garret are in love with each other, but both fear telling or showing the other their true feelings. Shay's abusive, alcoholic father triggers all of Kira's PTSD symptoms, which triggers Garret's fierce protectiveness over Kira. This was the entire story.
In my opinion, Kira and Garret's relationship felt very middle-schoolish. I don't mean to be insensitive to their reluctance to rush into anything because of their experiences, but the continual 'Could I really be reading/feeling love/lust/longing/need/want in his/her eyes/actions.' got tiring. Fast. Then talking themselves out of what they were reading/feeling; over and over and over. And over again. They would feel giddy and/or aroused over a simple, brief touch on the shoulder or forearm. This went on for 90% of the book, the span of MONTHS for the characters.
There were many sweet, thoughtful and caring gestures which occurred, but I found myself shouting in my head, 'Just get on with it!'
As many of my friends could tell you, I don't quit on books and authors easily. While this was my first Lindsay McKenna book, I don't think it'll be my last. I look forward to finding a book which redeems this one.
Thank you, again, to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to review and arc of this book.
This is my honest review.
Oy. I don't even know where to begin.....
Kira Duval and Garret Fleming were on the same black ops team for 3 years. There team was station in Afghanistan and consisted of 11 men and 1 woman. One night, they were ambushed leaving 2 lone survivors. Because of the injuries of that night, Kira and Garret lost touch with one another and both suffer from both physical wounds and PTSD.
Garret has been working at the Bar C for the past year, a ranch ran by Shay, a former military veteran who wants to give back to veterans, like herself, who experience PTSD.
After being fired from her last 5 positions because of anxiety, stress and symptoms of her PTSD, Kira leaves her father and is called to a meeting with her superior at the Pentagon. While there, she is given the opportunity to go to Wyoming to work at the Bar C Ranch. She immediately takes it.
Upon her arrival, Shay fills Kira in on her working requirements; she will be the caretaker of Shay's alcoholic father who is recovering from a stroke as well as work on translating documents. In exchange for room and board, Kira will give 15% of her profits from translating to the ranch. Kira is assigned a ranch house. She will be staying with a wrangler who has been with the ranch the longest, a man named Garret.
In walks Garret from Kira's past.........
It is quickly revealed that both Kira and Garret are in love with each other, but both fear telling or showing the other their true feelings. Shay's abusive, alcoholic father triggers all of Kira's PTSD symptoms, which triggers Garret's fierce protectiveness over Kira. This was the entire story.
In my opinion, Kira and Garret's relationship felt very middle-schoolish. I don't mean to be insensitive to their reluctance to rush into anything because of their experiences, but the continual 'Could I really be reading/feeling love/lust/longing/need/want in his/her eyes/actions.' got tiring. Fast. Then talking themselves out of what they were reading/feeling; over and over and over. And over again. They would feel giddy and/or aroused over a simple, brief touch on the shoulder or forearm. This went on for 90% of the book, the span of MONTHS for the characters.
There were many sweet, thoughtful and caring gestures which occurred, but I found myself shouting in my head, 'Just get on with it!'
As many of my friends could tell you, I don't quit on books and authors easily. While this was my first Lindsay McKenna book, I don't think it'll be my last. I look forward to finding a book which redeems this one.
Thank you, again, to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to review and arc of this book.
This is my honest review.
April 19, 2017
Kira Duval and Weapons Sergeant Garret Fleming are sole survivors from battle that are separated in the hospitals. They each move to the Bar C in Wyoming to recover and find each other again. This is the 3rd wind river valley book and am enjoying the setting, characters and their struggles and courage.
Ebook from Net Galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
Ebook from Net Galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
March 19, 2017
I've really enjoyed all the books in this series, including this one, however this one wasn't my favorite. It took quite a while for the relationship to develop between Kira and Garrett to develop even though they have known each other and cared about each other for a long time. The whole thing was too drawn out in my opinion. The secondary storyline of the ranch owner and her father was far more interesting and I can't wait to see how this works out. There are also several secondary characters that are intriguing and left me wanting more so I will definitely be looking for the next in the series.
This is one I would recommend with the caveat that it takes a while to get going but worth the wait.
This is one I would recommend with the caveat that it takes a while to get going but worth the wait.
February 25, 2019
Wind River Cowboy is a mixed bag of good and bad for me. First, the good - McKenna picks a topic that is different and unique that brings the two title characters together. They're the only two survivors of an attack on their special-ops unit in Afghanistan, and have been separated and suffering from PTSD. They also don't fall into bed thirty pages in the book, which makes the book more about addressing their personal issues at an appropriate speed and seeing how their relationship and connection to each other is bigger than sex. They and other members of the farm they live on are military veterans suffering from trauma while in service. They form their own type of unit and deal with the adversity of the alcoholic and abusive father of the woman who owns the farm. On the meh side, it drove me more than a little crazy to constantly read the two main character's POV about how they'd loved each other since they met and felt those feeling were unrequited through most of the book. I haven't been military or experienced the aftereffects of PTSD, and as a person that hasn't, there were points in the book where I wished McKenna didn't mention it every other page and instead focused on the emotions and struggles the characters were enduring and overcoming as a result of the trauma they'd faced. I feel like that creates a much stronger message. Finally, the storytelling in the book tends to have that stilted, somewhat simple style to it that tends to crop up when an author is under contract to write so many books in a relatively short period of time.
June 24, 2018
Kira & Garret: I liked Kira's character better than the women of book 1 & 2. Although she cried alot it was proactive crying - crying with a purpose if you will. It punctuated her strength better and fore shadowed a rebuilding original strength damaged through the ravages of war. I didn't enjoy the simpering strength of the other women of book 1 & 2, it made me fall out of love with them. I didn't enjoy the almost total collapse of their strength in deference to their partners. Perhaps through the eyes of the Noah and Harper's story there will be a glimpse through their interaction of budding strength.
I enjoyed Garrets character, his dimensions. His ability to see things as they are and deal let's you know even though he has a ways to go in dealing/grieving, he will be alright. I must say I would have liked more on his physical, emotional and psychological climb out of amnesia instead of a brush over summary that was minimizing in its scope and gravity. Like "oh yeah I was shot in the head, loss my memory for 6 months then it came back." He and Kira complimented each other well.
I enjoyed Garrets character, his dimensions. His ability to see things as they are and deal let's you know even though he has a ways to go in dealing/grieving, he will be alright. I must say I would have liked more on his physical, emotional and psychological climb out of amnesia instead of a brush over summary that was minimizing in its scope and gravity. Like "oh yeah I was shot in the head, loss my memory for 6 months then it came back." He and Kira complimented each other well.
August 30, 2018
Third in a series about a Ranch that operates as a therapeutic centre for Vets with PSTD. There Kira meets up with Garrett, the only other survivor of a blacks ops mission that killed their ten other team members. Both are suffering and this being a romance both are deeply in love with the other but unwilling to come out and say so. That they will be sharing the same living quarters adds another dimension to the drama.
The scenes with her host’s father are rather uncomfortable. Those between the two erstwhile lovers leave one wondering, why don’t they just get on with it? After a while one gets the sense that the author is being paid by the word for these stories. The level of detail gets repetitive, tedious, and boring and one stops caring about what for the victims is probably a really serious issue.
The scenes with her host’s father are rather uncomfortable. Those between the two erstwhile lovers leave one wondering, why don’t they just get on with it? After a while one gets the sense that the author is being paid by the word for these stories. The level of detail gets repetitive, tedious, and boring and one stops caring about what for the victims is probably a really serious issue.
July 8, 2017
Wind River Cowboy is the third novel in the Wind River series, and although it was well-written and I liked the premise, it was somewhat problematic for this reader, and I could only give it 3 stars.
First problem, the title. The hero in this novel, Garret Fleming, isn't a cowboy, and never even gets on a horse. It's a small point, granted, but it's certainly misleading.
The hero and heroine, Kira Duval, served together in Afghanistan as part of a 12-person black ops team for 3 years (Kira was the lone female), until an ambush left 10 men dead, Kira and Garret each shot twice, but Garret took a shot to his head. Once Kira was medi-vacced out, she couldn't find any information on Garret, whom she loved in secret, whom she'd pulled to safety, and whose life she saved. Garret also came to in a hospital, only to discover he had total amnesia, which lasted 6 months. He too tried to find Kira when his memories returned, but when he contacted her father, Les, her father told him that after living with him for a month, she moved on and he had no idea of her whereabouts.
If you've read the previous novels in this series, if won't come as any surprise that these two characters have PTSD, not unusual at the Bar C Ranch, where only damaged veterans are employed. Kira has lost 5 jobs in the past year as a result of her PTSD issues with stress, anxiety and flashbacks. When her superior sends her to Wind River, Wyoming and the Bar C Ranch for another try at a job where she can heal and where her issues will be understood by the owner, Shay, a PTSD victim as well, Kira is shocked and surprised to discover that Garret has been living and working there for the past year. These two are thrilled to find each again, still secretly in love, and still trying to work through their own issues.
Unfortunately, Kira's new job at the ranch is as caregiver, cook and cleaning lady to Shay's abusive, alcoholic father, Ray, who is recuperating from a stroke and who was brought back to the ranch in the previous novel in this series. Her fluency in Arabic is also put to use as as an on-line translator. She's also sharing a house on the ranch with Garret. Kira, afraid of being fired yet again, doesn't mention that Ray's verbal abuse began on Day One, and this is where my problems with this novel really began. It's not as though Garret doesn't notice that Kira comes back from waiting on Ray, pale, shaken and withdrawn. He keeps trying to figure it out, but since he's lived there for a year, he already knows what Ray is like, so he should have been able to figure it out long before Ray's abuse became physical. Also, Shay, who watched her mother being abused and who, after her mother's untimely death, became the target of her father's abuse, doesn't even bother to warn Kira about Ray's behavior at all.
The next problem I had was one of maturity. Garret and Kira aren't in high school, but most of the novel consists of them existing in their own heads, page after page of their internal dialogue, mooning over each other but doing little to nothing about it. Garret, at 30 years of age, misses every signal of Kira's affection for him, and while I commend him for his patience and willingness to take it slow, all the head games and doubts move this novel forward slower than molasses in January, and their endless self-doubt becomes incredibly redundant and unnecessary. These two admirable characters don't admit to their feelings for each other until the novel is almost over, nor is there any type of action scene to propel the story forward. Frankly, at the midway point of the novel, I started to skim past much of the internal dialogue because it was so repetitive, and in all honesty, I believe this story could have easily been told in half the time.
It also hit one of my recent pet peeves for the repeated use of the phrase, "in the best way possible" or "in the best possible way." I started encountering this phrase in other novels by other authors about 2 years ago, and its use over those 2 years has skyrocketed--it now appears in almost every novel I read. Things happen when they happen, and once an author has created characters as vividly drawn as Ms. McKenna always does, I wish these authors would give some credit to the intelligence of their readers, who are perfectly able to deduce how a character will react to a comment or event without being told that they took whatever happened "in the best way possible."
Yes, as expected, there's an HEA ending as well as the set-up for the next novel in the series, and, because I'm a long-time fan of Ms. McKenna's novels, I'll read and review it, and I sincerely hope that it won't be quite as slow-moving or redundant as Wind River Cowboy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel and received no compensation for doing so. The opinions expressed are my own.
First problem, the title. The hero in this novel, Garret Fleming, isn't a cowboy, and never even gets on a horse. It's a small point, granted, but it's certainly misleading.
The hero and heroine, Kira Duval, served together in Afghanistan as part of a 12-person black ops team for 3 years (Kira was the lone female), until an ambush left 10 men dead, Kira and Garret each shot twice, but Garret took a shot to his head. Once Kira was medi-vacced out, she couldn't find any information on Garret, whom she loved in secret, whom she'd pulled to safety, and whose life she saved. Garret also came to in a hospital, only to discover he had total amnesia, which lasted 6 months. He too tried to find Kira when his memories returned, but when he contacted her father, Les, her father told him that after living with him for a month, she moved on and he had no idea of her whereabouts.
If you've read the previous novels in this series, if won't come as any surprise that these two characters have PTSD, not unusual at the Bar C Ranch, where only damaged veterans are employed. Kira has lost 5 jobs in the past year as a result of her PTSD issues with stress, anxiety and flashbacks. When her superior sends her to Wind River, Wyoming and the Bar C Ranch for another try at a job where she can heal and where her issues will be understood by the owner, Shay, a PTSD victim as well, Kira is shocked and surprised to discover that Garret has been living and working there for the past year. These two are thrilled to find each again, still secretly in love, and still trying to work through their own issues.
Unfortunately, Kira's new job at the ranch is as caregiver, cook and cleaning lady to Shay's abusive, alcoholic father, Ray, who is recuperating from a stroke and who was brought back to the ranch in the previous novel in this series. Her fluency in Arabic is also put to use as as an on-line translator. She's also sharing a house on the ranch with Garret. Kira, afraid of being fired yet again, doesn't mention that Ray's verbal abuse began on Day One, and this is where my problems with this novel really began. It's not as though Garret doesn't notice that Kira comes back from waiting on Ray, pale, shaken and withdrawn. He keeps trying to figure it out, but since he's lived there for a year, he already knows what Ray is like, so he should have been able to figure it out long before Ray's abuse became physical. Also, Shay, who watched her mother being abused and who, after her mother's untimely death, became the target of her father's abuse, doesn't even bother to warn Kira about Ray's behavior at all.
The next problem I had was one of maturity. Garret and Kira aren't in high school, but most of the novel consists of them existing in their own heads, page after page of their internal dialogue, mooning over each other but doing little to nothing about it. Garret, at 30 years of age, misses every signal of Kira's affection for him, and while I commend him for his patience and willingness to take it slow, all the head games and doubts move this novel forward slower than molasses in January, and their endless self-doubt becomes incredibly redundant and unnecessary. These two admirable characters don't admit to their feelings for each other until the novel is almost over, nor is there any type of action scene to propel the story forward. Frankly, at the midway point of the novel, I started to skim past much of the internal dialogue because it was so repetitive, and in all honesty, I believe this story could have easily been told in half the time.
It also hit one of my recent pet peeves for the repeated use of the phrase, "in the best way possible" or "in the best possible way." I started encountering this phrase in other novels by other authors about 2 years ago, and its use over those 2 years has skyrocketed--it now appears in almost every novel I read. Things happen when they happen, and once an author has created characters as vividly drawn as Ms. McKenna always does, I wish these authors would give some credit to the intelligence of their readers, who are perfectly able to deduce how a character will react to a comment or event without being told that they took whatever happened "in the best way possible."
Yes, as expected, there's an HEA ending as well as the set-up for the next novel in the series, and, because I'm a long-time fan of Ms. McKenna's novels, I'll read and review it, and I sincerely hope that it won't be quite as slow-moving or redundant as Wind River Cowboy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel and received no compensation for doing so. The opinions expressed are my own.
March 8, 2017
Sgt. Kira Duval has survived a horrible ambush in Afghanistan. The only other survivor was Garrett Fleming, but that was a long time ago. Kira has struggled with her PTSD and other physical wounds, lost five jobs and alienated her father when she finally gets a chance to work at the Bar C Ranch for recovering vets. Kira is stunned when she finds out that Garrett is also at the Bar C but no one is more surprised to see Kira than Garrett. Once again, author Lindsay McKenna scores a big hit with her latest Wind River Valley installment. Ms. McKenna continues her award-winning writing for outstanding military-themed novels with her deep insight into PTSD and other issues plaguing vets today. Ms. McKenna's characters are multi-dimensional and engaging while her storylines are realistic and relevant. I recommend all of the Wind River Valley books and especially this third addition.
Wind River Cowboy by Lindsay McKenna will be available March 28, 2017 from Zebra Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Wind River Cowboy by Lindsay McKenna will be available March 28, 2017 from Zebra Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
July 16, 2017
At the Wind River Ranch in Wyoming owners Shay and Reese Lockhart hire military vets who are suffering from PTSD giving them a chance to get on their feet while they do ranch chores and establish themselves in jobs which will support them. Kira Duval, a survivor 0f an ambush in Afghanistan where most of her squadron were lost, joins the ranch family. She is surprised to find another survivor from her squadron whom she'd always had feelings for, Garret Fleming. He is very protective of her but is afraid he might interfere with Kyra's healing so he remains silent about his feelings for her. As they show each other respect for each other's needs, they become closer and open up to each other. As you read you are rooting for this couple to get together. They deal with some problems with Shay's father and shine light on how some men feel it is okay to treat women abusively. This book was hard to put down. I definitely enjoyed reading it.
August 29, 2021
This third book in the series is my favorite so far. Kira and Garret were in the same black ops unit in Afghanistan. She was part of an elite group of women placed among men as a test. It was a testament of wills for both of them because they'd each developed strong feelings for the other, but due to the nature of their unit couldn't act on them. After a devastating attack where Kira saved his life, they were the only members of their unit to make it out alive.
They were separated in recovery and because of the secret nature of their deployment, we're unable to locate each other. Flash ahead and Kira is placed by her former Commander at the Bar C ranch for recovering vets. She and Garret meet and their friendship is immediate. Can they overcome their parts to make a future? You'll want to read this one to find out. I thought no reading the books in order makes for a more cohesive storyline, so on to book 4 for me!
They were separated in recovery and because of the secret nature of their deployment, we're unable to locate each other. Flash ahead and Kira is placed by her former Commander at the Bar C ranch for recovering vets. She and Garret meet and their friendship is immediate. Can they overcome their parts to make a future? You'll want to read this one to find out. I thought no reading the books in order makes for a more cohesive storyline, so on to book 4 for me!
March 1, 2017
Garret was featured in the previous book. Like the other characters in the story he is ex-military and suffering from PTSD. He has found a place on Wind River Ranch. Now Kira a new vet has arrived and she was part of his black ops team. This is a nice story that uses the problems some of our returning vets are having as background for the story. A nice romance between Garret and Kira with some added problems. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. There is one problem that is outside the PTSD of the characters and it is adding to the tension in the story. It is keeping me wondering how that will be resolved.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
March 16, 2018
Book three of Wind river series and a great read. I love that the Bar C Ranch hires military vets to work for them when these men and women suffer physically and mentally from protecting our country. PTSD affects so many veterans and they have no where to go. Kira Duval was part of a Special Operation that was top secret where she worked with eleven guys in Afghanistan. During a fire fight, ten of the guys were killed but she was able to drag Garret Fleming behind rocks and protect him until help could get to them. Kira knew that Garret had been shot several times, including his head but after they were taken to the hospital, she lost contact with him. She thought she would never see him again but fate stepped in. Great emotional story.
February 21, 2019
I have been buying the Wind River Valley series as they are on sell. I now have 6 so I have started to read them in order.
Kira is ex special forces. Her unit was attached and she and one other survive. She has sever PTSD and comes to the Bar C to work for Shay another ex-military. Garret has been on the ranch for several months also; when Kira arrives she finds Garret working at the ranch; he is the other survivor. The both suffer from PTSD. Part of Kira's job is to look after Shay's dad Ray Crawford. Ray is an alcoholic and abuser. He treats Kira awful and she is afraid she will lose her job. Garret she bruises on her wrist and gets her to talk to him. Ray wants his ranch back; but is not able to run it due to a stroke and his mad at the workers on the ranch all ex-military
Kira is ex special forces. Her unit was attached and she and one other survive. She has sever PTSD and comes to the Bar C to work for Shay another ex-military. Garret has been on the ranch for several months also; when Kira arrives she finds Garret working at the ranch; he is the other survivor. The both suffer from PTSD. Part of Kira's job is to look after Shay's dad Ray Crawford. Ray is an alcoholic and abuser. He treats Kira awful and she is afraid she will lose her job. Garret she bruises on her wrist and gets her to talk to him. Ray wants his ranch back; but is not able to run it due to a stroke and his mad at the workers on the ranch all ex-military
March 19, 2019
Kira and Garrett were in the special forces together, but during the crazy ending to the war, they were shipped from place to place loosing contact but never stopped thinking about one another. Kira tries to find Garrett but has no luck so she finally settles down on the Bar C Ranch, where vets go to recover from the shock of the war.
As luck would have it, she meets her roommate Garrett, and they begin to get close again.
Kira has the job of caretaker for the owners cantankerous father who is bed ridden, but quick with his vicious tongue.
It was sweet, a romance with little issues, other the the obvious. It was ok but I don't care much for sweet romance, my taste runs a little darker.
All opinions are my own and influenced n no way by outside people.
As luck would have it, she meets her roommate Garrett, and they begin to get close again.
Kira has the job of caretaker for the owners cantankerous father who is bed ridden, but quick with his vicious tongue.
It was sweet, a romance with little issues, other the the obvious. It was ok but I don't care much for sweet romance, my taste runs a little darker.
All opinions are my own and influenced n no way by outside people.
December 22, 2017
I've never read a novel such as this one. It was so different for me. This is not your average veteran romance novel. Rather, it is about how to vets find each other again after horrific events. Chance brings them to Wind River Valley, where the sparks that they felt in a war zone can now burn bright.
This novel really deals with some of the worst thing people can go through: war, violence, abuse. I was really struck with how they all seemed to rise above the issues that they'd faced to be good and hard working people, and to accept love as well as happiness in their lives. This has to be my favorite McKenna novel to date. And I can't wait to read more.
This novel really deals with some of the worst thing people can go through: war, violence, abuse. I was really struck with how they all seemed to rise above the issues that they'd faced to be good and hard working people, and to accept love as well as happiness in their lives. This has to be my favorite McKenna novel to date. And I can't wait to read more.
June 8, 2021
3.85 *** This series by Lindsay McKenna are a fun read and a way to take a quick escape into the wilds of Wyoming with some amazing veterans with PTSD.
Wind River Cowboy is about Garret and Kira who were part of a black ops team in Afghanistan for 3 years. After a brutal Taliban attack that their 10 team members did not survive and Kira saved Garret’s life. Fast forward over a year later where the two of them lost contact immediately after the attack and are suddenly thrown back together at the Bar C ranch. Their love story and journey back to finding themselves is a wonderful story.
However, there are timeline issues that greatly distracted me from fully enjoying the story.
Wind River Cowboy is about Garret and Kira who were part of a black ops team in Afghanistan for 3 years. After a brutal Taliban attack that their 10 team members did not survive and Kira saved Garret’s life. Fast forward over a year later where the two of them lost contact immediately after the attack and are suddenly thrown back together at the Bar C ranch. Their love story and journey back to finding themselves is a wonderful story.
However, there are timeline issues that greatly distracted me from fully enjoying the story.
March 17, 2017
Wind River Cowboy is the third book in this exciting new series, by one of the most talented authors around. Ms. McKenna doesn't just write from her heart, but with her military background, she endears herself to readers because of her experience. Emotionally fulfilling, I can't say enough about these stories.
Kira Duval, a Special Forces Operative in Afghanistan, survived a ghastly attack that took out her team. After months in the hospital, she is back in the States to continue healing, mentally and physically. The only other survivor of that mission was a man Kira had come to care deeply about, Garret Fleming.
Learning about a place in Wyoming that employs Vets, Kira makes her way to the Bar C Cattle Ranch. She is offered the job of caring for the owner's bed-ridden, alcoholic father to earn her keep, but could not in her wildest dreams have imagined what a nightmare that would become.
When she finds out she'll be sharing a home with one of the Vets, she can't believe it turns out to be Garret. After months of searching for him, with no luck, it's as if fate has thrown them together again.
This is a heartwarming, poignant book that is truly a treasure, for its depiction of bravery and the ability to move forward through the pain, for a brighter future. Bravo!
Kira Duval, a Special Forces Operative in Afghanistan, survived a ghastly attack that took out her team. After months in the hospital, she is back in the States to continue healing, mentally and physically. The only other survivor of that mission was a man Kira had come to care deeply about, Garret Fleming.
Learning about a place in Wyoming that employs Vets, Kira makes her way to the Bar C Cattle Ranch. She is offered the job of caring for the owner's bed-ridden, alcoholic father to earn her keep, but could not in her wildest dreams have imagined what a nightmare that would become.
When she finds out she'll be sharing a home with one of the Vets, she can't believe it turns out to be Garret. After months of searching for him, with no luck, it's as if fate has thrown them together again.
This is a heartwarming, poignant book that is truly a treasure, for its depiction of bravery and the ability to move forward through the pain, for a brighter future. Bravo!
July 17, 2019
I loved this story. Garret had a gentle soul who lost touch of someone through a injury. The story gives you insight into what happens to vets that are injured on the battlefield. Seeing Korea again is a second chance and learning what happened to her after the hospital. Its a great story of second chance. I like the continuation of the problems with dad for Kids cares for him. For the story continues in this story. We get to see how this family of vets are doing. Its well done and has a good flow.
March 20, 2017
*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley and I'm freely giving my honest review.*
Kira's way of processing her traumatic experiences from her time serving her country is a way that makes sense to me, through drawing and talking, and remembering her friends and the good times they had she manages to see the good in life.
Garret has not processed his experiences and is struggling with showing his emotions afraid to lose control.
Now they have found each other again as the only two survivors of their group after a ambush. Bar C ranch is a place for veterans to work and recover and here they share a house.
This is such a sweet, tender love story containing so much feelings that I cried several times. This author has written a book with powers to wreck me.
The writing style is a little more heavy then I usually like but in this story it works so well because it's needed to get all the emotions out in the open. I feel like I really now the characters when I finished this book.
It had enough dialogues to make me satisfied and there where som fun parts that made me laugh so it not all sad and horrible.
I liked the quiet protection Garret shows for Kira and she is showing her care for him in small ways of getting him to talk and open up.
The book handles PTSD as a very important subject, and the author seems to know what it's about in the way she writes. I find it admirable to write about such a heavy subject.
A wonderful book and I recommend you read the first two books in this series before getting to this one. It can be read as a standalone but there is many references to the other stories so if your curious like me read the 1 and 2 first.
Kira's way of processing her traumatic experiences from her time serving her country is a way that makes sense to me, through drawing and talking, and remembering her friends and the good times they had she manages to see the good in life.
Garret has not processed his experiences and is struggling with showing his emotions afraid to lose control.
Now they have found each other again as the only two survivors of their group after a ambush. Bar C ranch is a place for veterans to work and recover and here they share a house.
This is such a sweet, tender love story containing so much feelings that I cried several times. This author has written a book with powers to wreck me.
The writing style is a little more heavy then I usually like but in this story it works so well because it's needed to get all the emotions out in the open. I feel like I really now the characters when I finished this book.
It had enough dialogues to make me satisfied and there where som fun parts that made me laugh so it not all sad and horrible.
I liked the quiet protection Garret shows for Kira and she is showing her care for him in small ways of getting him to talk and open up.
The book handles PTSD as a very important subject, and the author seems to know what it's about in the way she writes. I find it admirable to write about such a heavy subject.
A wonderful book and I recommend you read the first two books in this series before getting to this one. It can be read as a standalone but there is many references to the other stories so if your curious like me read the 1 and 2 first.
January 4, 2018
Kira and Garrett were on the same Special Forces A team when they were ambushed. Kira and Garrett were the only two survivors and lost track of each other after they were shipped home and discharged from the Army. They both ended up on the Bar C ranch in Wyoming and became roommates. Garrett looked after Kira because her PTSD was really bad. They had fallen in love overseas but could never admit it. They finally admit it and it made both of them stronger people.
March 11, 2018
So disappointing
Story was very inconsistent. Was hired for her mechanical abilities but was put on duty taking care of Shays dad instead. He is a mean spiteful old man with a history of abuse before his stroke and yet everyone is surprised how mean he is to Kira!, So she goes from mechanical to caregiver to translator to photographer and sketch artist all within e months time plus dealing with PTSD!!! I've enjoyed Ms. McKennas book in the past but was just horrid to read.
Story was very inconsistent. Was hired for her mechanical abilities but was put on duty taking care of Shays dad instead. He is a mean spiteful old man with a history of abuse before his stroke and yet everyone is surprised how mean he is to Kira!, So she goes from mechanical to caregiver to translator to photographer and sketch artist all within e months time plus dealing with PTSD!!! I've enjoyed Ms. McKennas book in the past but was just horrid to read.
January 9, 2019
Sappy but in an unrealistic way. The conversations seemed forced and unrealistic. The author attempted to tell stories from the past through the voices of her characters. No one tells a story so bland to someone that was 'there'. The dialog felt almost robotic.
"I will be out in the barn working on machinery."
The characters felt underdeveloped and stereotyped.
I'm sure if sappy and nothing else is something you enjoy, then I guess you found a good series.
"I will be out in the barn working on machinery."
The characters felt underdeveloped and stereotyped.
I'm sure if sappy and nothing else is something you enjoy, then I guess you found a good series.
August 18, 2019
4 stelle e mezza
È stato un piacere leggere questa storia, le pagine volavano via e l'ho finito in un batter d'occhio, approfittando di un intero fine settimana dedicato solo al relax. Devo dire che la protagonista era adorabile: soprattutto ho invidiato le sue abilità creative (disegno e fotografia)...
È stato un piacere leggere questa storia, le pagine volavano via e l'ho finito in un batter d'occhio, approfittando di un intero fine settimana dedicato solo al relax. Devo dire che la protagonista era adorabile: soprattutto ho invidiato le sue abilità creative (disegno e fotografia)...
January 13, 2020
This is a powerful series, with military vets dealing with PTSD and relationships. This is a standalone book but is so much better when read in the series. The book offers insights into what vets are dealing with post military career. Some wounds cannot be seen with your eyes. The power of a hug and a hand. Bravo!!!
January 9, 2021
Giving it a 4 because it is my favorite in the series, not because it is a 4 star rating for a book in general. I am frustrated because this book has so much potential, but Kira is absolutely annoying and weak. She is contently needing protecting, and does not match up to the banter and intellect of the other characters. This will be the last book in this series for me.
January 28, 2024
really enjoying this series of books, Garrett and Kira's story was lovely and I loved the way they supported each other and the rest of the guys on the ranch. Shay's father is a horrible man and I'm glad he was got rid of. Love the characters in this series and looking forward to reading more of there stories.
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