Christmas Ranch Rescue

Wrangler's Corner #5

by Lynette Eason, Lauryn Eason

HER CHRISTMAS PROTECTOR

When his former crush is suspected of funneling drugs through her ranch, it’s DEA agent Nathan Williams’s job to find out if Becca Price is guilty. But after Becca is attacked, his top priority becomes protecting her. Convinced she’s innocent, Nathan is determined to find the real culprit before the escalating threats become deadly. An ex’s betrayal has left Nathan wary, and falling for the suspect he’s secretly investigating is a no-win move, so he must keep an emotional distance. But with criminals preparing for a fatal showdown, can he find the truth in time to save Becca’s life?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Christian Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Christian, Contemporary

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 2017

About the author

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."

Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! Eason has done it again, this time with a bit of collaboration from her daughter. This was a quick read for me, and I honestly don't have anything to criticize. The action is fast-paced, the danger real, and the characters authentic. I snapped it up in a couple hours' time and enjoyed every bit of it, even the parts I read while semi-distracted (eating, watching my pups play outside, organizing things around the house).

It took me awhile to figure out who the main bad guy was, which always makes me happy...I want to figure it out, but I want to work for my guess a bit!

Thanks to Netgalley for a free review copy. They didn't require a positive review, but I have to admit also that I didn't use the review copy. I ended up caving to book buying addiction and buying a paperback!

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this book was quite a delight! The journey was a fun one, and I could totally relate to Becca’s back issues. While I haven’t been thrown from a horse, I did experience locked-up muscles; not fun! Since she had a sprain rather than locked-up muscles at the point the story begins, the ways in which she moved were more plausible, though I’m thinking some of them would have caused her more pain than was indicated.

This story was so special for a number of reasons. The top reason has to be that it’s co-authored with Lynette’s daughter. That is way awesome. Be sure to read both letters to the reader at the end! I also enjoyed the special-needs kids. They might not have been in there very long, but they made an impact! Okay, so who doesn’t like cowboys and ranches and horses? Yep, that was definitely a plus.

One thing that made my heart melt (totally a positive thing, y’all!) was when Becca asked God twice (twice!), “What do I do?” I don’t see that very much in fiction, that complete submission to God’s will and asking for His perspective without making demands or putting in her two-cents’ worth first. All she said in those moments was, “God, what do I do?” I loved that!

The heart and hope in this book were wonderful. But then, that’s typical Lynette Eason, isn’t it? I think it shone even brighter, though, because this story was co-written with her daughter. You wouldn’t think that was a tangible thing to pop from the pages… yet it is. (At least to me.)

Suspense! Yes, this is a suspense book, and the action was wonderful. (Have I overused that term yet? It thoroughly describes this book, so please excuse my redundancy.) With Mrs. Eason, I know that her stories will be slightly predictable for me by now (since I’ve read so many), but that doesn’t mean they’re any less amazing. In fact, they quite feel like a comfortable chunk of home. I love ’em. Yes, even when I figure out some of the bad guys or certain plot “twists” early on. (To be completely transparent: I was wrong about one of my suspects, who ended up being a red herring. Score one for the authors!)

I hope you’ll adore this book as much as I! Merry Christmas!

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the background story about how this book came into being (make sure to read the author's note at the end.) I think I've read most every Lynette Eason book out there so it was fun to read this mother/daughter debut.

The ranch setting brings an extra thrill (at least to this citified armchair sleuth.) And the tension between Becca and Nathan. Oy. He's there under false pretenses only he isn't really because he cares about what happens to her and wants to protect her but her sheriff cousin has put him in an impossible situation and...it's complicated. Deliciously so. He's all moodily falling for her all over again and she's completely unaware only sometimes she sees a dark, brooding look and she thinks 'maybe there's a chance'.....Love that kind of push/pull in a romance.

And the suspense is so heart-wrenching because Becca is in way out of her depth. She's an innocent bystander caught up in the dangerous scheming of a nefarious villain. Things get desperate and creepy and downright jump-at-your-shadow dangerous. The perfect definition of a page-turner

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Ranch Rescue was another good addition to the Wrangler's Corner series. I haven't read all the books, but I've read most of them. This one was special since it is co-written with the author's daughter. :)

I thought it was written very well. I didn't find it predictable and was interested in finding out who the "bad guys" were. I liked the characters and thought that the setting was nice.

All in all, Christmas Ranch Rescue was great and I recommend it. You don't need to read the series in order.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* 

[Westminster Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Wrangler’s Corner series has Clay’s cousin, Becca Price, and old friend, Nathan Williams back together on her horse ranch. Becca is being attacked--both her reputation and her life. Don’t miss this action packed novel! Christmas is the time frame that this book is set in but it can be read year around.

Quotes I liked from this book: Nathan protesting to Clay, “You want me to lie to her and I won’t do it.”

Find Christmas Ranch Rescue at the Westminster Public Library.

[Chris Unwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a Lynette Eason book written with her daughter of course it was good. Why four stars? It really wasn't a Christmas story, ok it's set at Christmas time and they decorate a tree and go to dinner on Christmas Day but that is about the sum total of Christmas. It doesn't ruin the story just makes for a strange title. The story is the 5th in the series and as I got it as a freebie, and I'm not complaining, I missed reading about the other characters first. It is easily a standalone but it will be nice to go back and read about the development of the characters. Mystery, romance, and intrigue at its finest. Don't miss out. Clean read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Ranch Rescue is the fifth installment from the Wrangler's Corner series. I thought it was a pretty good suspense Christmas story. 4 stars.

[Rebecca Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooo good!!! It kept me guessing and kept me interested. Also liked the fact that the girls name was Becca and I felt like we related in a few things.

[Pam Graber]

As an avid Lynette Eason fan, I've learned some things about her books. 1. The "bad guy" is NEVER the obvious choice. 2. She doesn't have a problem with her heroines going through hard things. She often takes them just to the brink of death before yanking them back to safety. 3. While her characters may be flawed, no one is beyond the redeeming power of the cross. 4. If they catch a "bad guy", do NOT assume you can sit back and relax. Inevitably, the first is a decoy to lull readers into thinking the main character is safe, then BAM something else happens.

Christmas Ranch Rescue, written with her (then) 15-yr-old daughter, Lauryn, is a shining example of all of the above. When Nate Williams gets a call from his friend Sheriff Clay back in Wrangler's Corners, he is stunned by who his friend wants him to investigate. Nate's childhood friend and secret crush, Becca Price, is being investigate in a drug running scheme. Since she's Clay's cousin, he is too close and needs an objective observer. Nate agrees to pose as a temporary ranch hand for Becca, only because he knows that the girl he fell for back in high school would never be involved in drugs. Can he prove her innocence as the evidence against her mounts? And, can he keep her alive as attempt after attempt is made on her life?

Becca Price walked away from a successful career in medicine to chase a dream of owning a horse ranch. She loves everything about her job until a horse she's riding goes berserk and nearly incapacitates her in the fall she takes. Her injury sets her back financially, then the sheriff's department - her own cousin - suspects her of running drugs. As her clients begin to pull out of her stables, and her students find other teachers, Becca sees her dream going up in smoke. Who is targeting her, and why?

This story was non-stop action. I loved the characters, and their relationships to one another. I especially enjoyed how tenderly Eason treated the special-needs character of Brody Mac. She makes clear that he may have challenges, but that he deserves the respect that others would show any other man.

Readers who love suspense-filled stories with a dose of romance on the side, will love Christmas Ranch Rescue. I know it came out a few years ago, but it's still worth looking for.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and fantastic addition to the Wrangler's Corner series. The author has once again brought a story that is full of angst, action, romance and hair raising close calls. The characters and realistic and yet completely surprising, some way more than others. I took notes on my thoughts while reading and here are a few of them.

Becca Price is cousin to the Starke's from the first 4 books. She is a doctor that stepped back from medicine to pursue her dream of owning her own horse ranch. Teaching children to ride. She is suspected of dealing drugs but there has been no evidence found on her or her property, just rumors. This of course creates issues within the family seeing as Clay is the town's sheriff.

Nathan Williams is a DEA agent on leave after being injured. He jilted when it comes to women after his fiancée was found at a drug house during a raid. This is how he discovered she was not only a junkie but also a dealer. Understandably this has caused him to have some doubts when it comes to the opposite sex. He's been asked by Clay to go undercover at Becca's ranch to investigate the claims against her. He is finding this difficult because not only is Becca his best friend from high school, she's also his teen crush and being with her is forcing him to face all the old feelings he thought he had moved passed.

Brody Mac is a special needs man who has just turned 21, is getting ready to finish 'school' and works on Becca's ranch. He's a great characters. He's tender hearted and sweet as can be. He adores Becca and love helping he rout.

Zeb Culbreth is one of the town vets. He works with Aaron Starke. He has been taking care of Becca's animals for her. He seems to be interested in her but there's something not quite right about him (I later found out why, somewhat surprising, and disappointing).

My list of suspects in order of most to least likely:
Zeb
Brody's Dad
Neighbors
Client
Parents

By chapter 12 I had figured out who did it and how but there were still a few surprises along the way. Great book and I can't wait to read the next story. I hate waiting but I know it will be worth it.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Christmas Ranch Rescue" is a romantic suspense novel. It's the fifth in a series, but you can understand this book without reading the previous ones. The suspense came from the bad guys periodically attacking the heroine. I liked that the hero supported and backed up Becca rather than trying to run things. He (briefly) struggled with his judgment about Becca's innocence as his last girlfriend totally deceived and betrayed him.

Becca acted much younger than the trained surgeon we're told she was. She was impulsive, didn't think through her actions, and was driven by her emotions. She was stubborn and didn't have a strong sense of self-preservation, though she didn't want anyone else to get hurt. While I liked that Becca was dealing with a back muscle injury due to a riding accident (thus forcing her to accept help), I found it improbable that she went through a car wreck and everything else with this injury never really impairing her ability to move or getting worse.

Having kept my horse at a boarding stable, I was immediately suspicious of a certain character's behavior and quickly figured out what was going on. Though...we're never told why the bad guys ran their drug scheme in such a risky way. Since I found it so easy to figure things out, it seemed odd that the good guys felt like the case was so baffling. (Side note: horses don't automatically run from their opened stalls in a barn fire as horses aren't rational when frightened.) There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful novel.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Books and Spoons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting, exciting and inspiring story that held my interest with the chaotic type of constant fear and tension that each new plot twist brought to the deadly game the culprits were playing against Becca.
Becca Price had reached her dream despite the resistance from her parents. She was an owner of a horse ranch and trying to make the business flourish, when the malice attacks put everything in danger, including her life.
Becca was easy to like and admire. She has guts, she has determination, capability, and smarts. Her faith in God and His guidance might not have been as strong as it used to be, but the dire straits she is in, are drawing her closer to Him, and readily accept the help from her teenage best friend, Nathan Williams.
Nathan is a good, Godly man struggling with demands of his trying job with the DEA. He is weighted down by the deception towards Becca, yet the need to keep her safe is the priority, and his re-awaken feelings towards her have to be put on the backburner.
The connection between Nathan and Becca was natural and easy to see. The tight friendship from their high school days was the foundation for the bond between them, the budding romantic feelings a natural development considering the strong chemistry between them. While they are fighting to keep the ranch going and to stay alive the team effort and support for each other brings them even closer together.
With a great balance between suspense and romance and elements of faith, the developments of the story kept me on the edge while being entertaining and inspiring at the same time.
~ Four Spoons

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Christmas Ranch Rescue. This is the fifth book in the Wrangler Corner Series I really enjoy Lynette's books and this one with her daughter is excellent. This story is well written, action packed, and faith filled. I know you are going to love this one. I hope we hear more from Lauren. Becca and Nathan are my favorite couple so far.

Doctor Becca Price left the medical world to run her own ranch. She was hurt in accident four weeks ago; now she's trying to protect her back until it is totally healed. She is out in the barn working when she feels like someone is watching her. Becca is attacked in her own barn. Her best friend from high school comes to the rescue. Can she trust Nathan to keep her safe and find the man who is trying to destroy her.

DEA Agent Nathan Williams has returned to take a job working with Becca undercover. Sheriff Clay Starke believed drugs are being funneled through Becca's ranch. He had searched her property and found nothing but he is sure there was something going on. Nathan refused until Clay suggested he prove her innocent. Nathan and Becca had been best friend until her family had moved away; now he felt like he was betraying her. His ex betrayed him and he is determined not to care for a woman again. How can he help Becca without losing his heart?

An awesome journey of two broken souls, a drug ring, and the sheriff's department of Wrangler's Corner. God has a plan for this couple, a good plan and not for evil. God has a plan for you too. Give Him your heart, give Him control, and trust Him to work out all the details.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan, a DEA agent, is being sent back home to investigate his friend, a girl he'd been in love with, for drug trafficking. He can't imagine that she's involved. He also hopes to reconnect with his family, especially his father. But when Becca witnesses a murder and become a target, he needs to protect her and find the killer before she's murdered as well.

This was a fast paced story that started out with a major scene and didn't really let up the entire book. There is a strong sense of faith and family woven into the story along with elements of romance. I've only read one other book in this series, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment and I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Although I definitely plan on going back and reading the others books to catch up. The author left some openings for other characters to have their own story. I loved how she tied everything up in the end. Overall, this was a great story and I look forward to reading the next one.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca Price is accused of smuggling drugs and Nathan Williams is there to find the proof. Under the guise as a new ranch hand he's working hard but can't seem to keep his eyes off Becca and might have a hard time separating his heart with the case after his previous relationship he's not willing have a repeat.

This was such a good mystery suspense book. I loved that there was plenty enough for readers to make their own guesses of who it could be and I had my suspicions of a could people and was pleasantly surprised that my assumptions where wrong and was surprised at who it really was. I loved that there was plenty going on to keep things interesting other then the romance that was blooming between the two. I kept wondering with how the book progressed was the drug rumors were just that or if there was someone really after the ranch or something. So heres the think that I really liked about the book was that there was enough mystery to keep the readers guessing which was part of the fun of reading it. Overall it was a pretty great book, I really enjoyed it.

[Ashley Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was pretty good. Nathan always had a crush on Becca all through school. Now he is supposed to see if the drugs coming in to the area are coming from her ranch. Becca is trying to recover and keep everything going but strange things have been happening. I love how they come back into each other's lives.
It was sad about Becca's family on several levels though. I understood the hurt and betrayal. The whole thing was just a mess. Her and her father, oh, that about broke me! I loved how Nathan was there for her though. Even if he was investigating, he always had her best interest at heart. Oh and the 'young man' who helped out around the farm was precious! Just a great cast of characters.
It was a 5/5 for me. Heartwarming, quick read.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via Netgalley). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Ranch Rescue is such an intense book. It starts off with poor Becca being stalked and then attacked by someone a big masked someone who grabbed her by her head and ..... Now she was...... Hey I can't tell you what happens next, you have to find out for yourself and believe me you you will want to find out what does, but I will tell you Becca's best friend, Levi from high school shows up on the scene . Does he become a love interest? A love interest among all this mess? Believe you me there is a big mess yes. All I will tell you is GOD is in control - of all of it, and both of their lives. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.

if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com

[Marilyn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book five in the Wrangler's Corner series, I would say it is a stand alone book because it is the first in the series for me and I had no problem keeping up. Knowing it was in a series though I am sure I missed some history in some of the characters, but not enough to make a difference.

This book is full of mystery, suspense, romance and more. I enjoyed the writing style of Lynette Eason and the way she developed her characters.

Becca Price is having a run of some bad luck. When she is suspected of running drugs will she be able to find the truth before her ranch fails?

Nathan Williams can not believe he has agreed to spy on Becca, yet when her life is in the balance he is willing to do whatever to try to keep her safe.

I loved the chemistry between Becca and Nathan. There is more going on than one might think.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has you up on your toes in this mystery, with non-stop action, and guess right up to the end as to who the culprit is.
The main character is someone to be admired, a young woman who has excelled in her career and become a medical doctor, only to flee and follow her dream of returning home to open her own horse ranch. Don’t get to comfortable with her dream, someone it seems does not want her to fulfill it, and seems to want her dead.
There is something her for every here, a bit of romance, compassion for those less fortunate, family, and finding out who wants you dead.
Once you begin you won’t be able to stop, and when you find out surprises abound.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense and way Eason not only keeps my interest but I hate to put her books down! However compared to her other work I felt a little let down with this one and felt there were too many clues because the ending was predictable. Also it felt like at the very end the story was sort of chopped off instead of a detailed happy ending like I’m used to. Maybe it’s because this is #5 in the series or maybe it was tweaking Lauryn’s original short story to make it work. Regardless I find it very impressive that Lauryn at such a young age developed the beginning of a great story and find it so sweet that Lynnette gave her daughter credit where credit is due. After Lauryn completes school would love to see another future collaborative work!

[Vikki Corowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Nathan's MMC role in this in how he was presented and although it was less intense than the other ones I think, with its pace and action, it was still a good book to read. I enjoy small town country books and the Wranglers Corner Collection of family stories is a must read now for me to finish out.

As an author I see the benefit and the success of doing a series and the allurement of writing a connecting series with the characters from previous stories in it, that is the reader can hear or read what the previous characters are up to. Kinda like feels you're a part of the story or the family. haha

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last, I figured at least one of these things out before the end of the book. This was a good book with a lot of tense moments. DEA agent Nathan Williams’s job is to find out if Becca Price is guilty of funneling drugs through her ranch. One problem is that Becca doesn't know that is why Nathan is there. She hired him to help with her on her ranch under her cousin Sheriff Clay Stark's recommendation. Although she knew him from high school, she trusts him to help her. But things are not going well for Becca and Nathan: Someone is trying to kill them. Who and why? Read and find out!

[Jess Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas Ranch Rescue is number 5 in the Wranglers Corner series. I absolutely adored this story. It is a second chance/friends to lover romance. Nathan and Becca went to high school together and were best friends. They both always had feelings for each other yet neither wanted to risk the friendship. With Becca in trouble Nathan could do nothing else but be in her corner. This story is suspenseful and wonderful. It had me from the beginning.

[Pianosue · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting Read. Several twists and turns. DEA agent Nathan Williams is called by his friend to come help investigate undercover their friend Becca Price. To find out whether she is guilty of funneling drugs through her ranch or if someone is. Someone is certainly trying to kill Becca. Will they be able to figure out what is going on? Who is behind the drugs and who is trying to kill Becca and why?

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book grabs your attention and interest from the first page, with a dangerous situation. The main characters, Becca and Nathan, are amazing and inspiring as they are trying to walk the right path in life, avoiding unusual, mysterious situations. It did not take long to read and was well worth the time! It was even more interesting to learn how this beloved author and her daughter made this book come together!

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is what an awesome book. Once I picked it up I just could not put it down. Becca has so much trouble on her ranch that people are accusing her of running drugs. She is losing business and could lose the ranch over this.

Someone even wants her dead. SO much going on in the book I stayed up half the night to finish and it was worth it.

[Teresa Forsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former DEA agent, Nathan comes back home to go undercover at Becca’s ranch. The only problem: she is his high school crush. As they work on her ranch together, danger strikes at every turn. Is Becca a target or part of the danger? I enjoyed this audio, but figured out the mystery pretty early on. Also, this is set at Christmas time but had little discussion of Christmas at all.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read anything by Lynette Eason, I love her work! So when I saw she had a new book coming out I jumped at the chance to read it. As usual she didn't disappoint, I couldn't put this book down. Definitely worth the read, I didn't realize till after I started reading that I had already read two books in this series, but the great thing about this series is that you can read them as a standalone novel and not feel like you're missing anything. I would definitely recommend you pick this book up if you like a good suspense novel! Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Brenda C. McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!!!!

What a page-turner!!!! Filled with danger, intrigue, and romance!!! And people depending on God for their safety and future. I'm so glad that things turned out for good for everyone except for the bad guys!!!GREAT STORY!!!!!!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story - I will be reading the rest of her series. Wrangler's Corner seems like a place I would like to visit. I also enjoyed reading a book written by a mother/daughter team. I hope they will consider doing it again in the future.