If anyone had told Erica Sloan a year ago she’d end up on a ranch in the middle of Idaho, baking snickerdoodles and running the inventory office, she’d have called them crazy. But here she was, doing just that, at River’s End Ranch, working for Dani Weston. Even more crazy, she loved every minute of it. Some days, she was even able to forget what had brought her here—or what she was trying not to remember.
Something about these snickerdoodles, though, spurs the arrival of an unexpected guest to the ranch and turns everything in her world upside down. Now, with her memories popping up right before her eyes, Erica must face them once and for all, or risk her heart being closed forever.
******************************* Discover River's End Ranch, a gorgeous "destination" ranch and resort in Riston, Idaho, that is run by the six Weston siblings and their well-meaning, semi-retired parents. Five bestselling western romance authors have created a world like no other--full of fun outdoor activities, a huge family in need of love, and side characters you will never forget. Join us in a world where our characters learn, laugh and love.
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Cindy Nichols writes heartwarming stories interwoven with the bonds of friendship and family that combine what she loves most about women's fiction and romance.
She's lived most of her life near a beach...just the way she likes it. She hopes to share that feeling of peace and serenity with readers in her gently thought-provoking, feel-good stories.
Feel free to sign up for her mailing list to hear about new releases as soon as they are available. Just copy and paste into your browser: https://www.subscribepage.com/goodreads
The story is a wonderful addition to the River’s End Ranch Series but as each of them will read well as a stand-alone novel. There is a great cast of characters, and many of the people that are secondary characters in the story will be found in other books in the River’s End Ranch series. Another thing that comes out is Jaclyn and how she talks to and gets advice from the fairies. Well, those fairies seem to know what they are talking about and play a huge part in matchmaking.
The story has both sad and happy memories. Soldier, Sergeant Randy Stanton, stationed in the middle east, is part of a search and rescue operation. His fellow soldier and friend, Jacob, was killed in the line of duty, and Jacob’s service German Shepherd, Rocky, is grieving, and won’t eat. That is until a care package from the states arrives with Snickerdoodle cookies. Randy’s company commander feels Randy and Rocky needs to take leave, and they will travel to Idaho to see his brother and sister-in-law.
Erica Sloan has settled in River’s End and is determined this will be her home. Raised as an Army brat, she hated the moves, the giving up friends, and starting over. She has a job she likes and people she really cares about. Being a military wife does not appeal to her. She has seen how her father is married to his military career and she wants more than that in a spouse and her future.
Meeting Randy when he comes home on leave to visit his brother leads to them spending lots of time together. Especially when she learns the plight of Rocky losing his handler and not eating anything except those Snickerdoodle cookies she baked and placed in his care package she mailed for Emma and Chad Stanton. Erica isn’t a cook, but she has become proficient at baking Snickerdoodles.
The plot will be a whirlwind romance between Erica and Randy, but it has its major drawbacks. He loves his military career, it is the only job he has ever had, and she swears she doesn’t want to marry a soldier. Rocky’s military career as a service dog is in jeopardy, and it becomes even more apparent during an outing at the Ranch. Two weeks go by fast and saying goodbye is heartbreaking for them. Randy has decisions to make, will he continue in the military and eventually retire, its time to re-up and the military needs answers. Can these two find a solution now that they found each other or will this be goodbye? Are the fairies wrong about them?
The story was near and dear to my heart in several ways. My father is a retired military officer, servicing over twenty years, so as a military brat, we moved often, and that meant saying goodbye to friends, meeting new ones, and all the schools. In my childhood, I went to eleven different schools. Also, my son has been active military for the past sixteen years and has deployed to the middle east seven times
The 25th installment in this fabulous series. I say this every two weeks when I read the newest release that this is my new favorite! This one really is my new favorite because the dogs find love too!
This is a book with adorable and heartwarming characters with a very enjoyable yet unexpected romance that will have you laughing and rooting for both couples to get their nappy ending.
Once again Jaclyn and the fairies help a new couple get together. This time is the turn of Erica, Dani's assistant, and Randy, Chad's brother. Like many of the relationships in the series, this one is complicated because it's supposed to be temporary, but the magic in the place helps get them together and they decide that it's better if they stay together.
This is another one of the books that actually has mature characters, and proves that it doesn't have to be crazy to be good. The characters know what they want, what they need, and are mature about their choices. Even if the situation seems to be more complicated than it really is, and obviously everything works out in the end. Is one of the books I really like in the series, even if the insta-love and other details are still a little crazy.
Another fantastic story from Cindy Caldwell in the Rivers End Ranch series. Another one I loved and enjoyed that I couldn't put it down. I have to admit I love Snickerdoodles and a hero in uniform, a wonderful and kind heroine and a German Shepherd that worked hard as a service dog. What's not to like? Even a sick dog can bring two people together and love happily ever after. Even a little doggy romance in this wonderful story. I really recommend this one as all the River End Ranch stories. I would love to live at this magical place myself.
It's hard to believe that this is #25. Every story in this series deals with another reality in this life we live. Cindy has done a great job of weaving her story around the real life possibility of choosing between a military career and accepting love as a solid replacement. When faced with this decision, will Randy chose Erica or his career. Then there's Rocky. He needs a home too.
Part of a Series: bk25 Setting: Idaho Hero: Randy- in the Army Heroine: Erica- Army brat as a child finally found a home at RER. She works with Dani in inventory. plot/storyline:4.5* He came to visit his brother Chad (the golf pro) on leave with his late friend/coworker's service dog. She helps trying to cheer up the dog. Ending-4.5*- A wonderful HEA. Reading Enjoyment:4.5* - Overall rating:4.5 - (out of 5*)
Cute story if read as a stand alone. But no surprises and very predictable. Follows the same pattern as the other books in the series. No transition between friendship and love. Bam, it just happens. Maybe the next character should be a psychiatrist so he can examine everyone for letting fairies/gnomes run their lives.
Jacqueline has given up her snickerdoodle recipe so something is up. After all she's never given it up before and many have asked. Randy has come to Rivers End Ranch to see his brother and he's brought his service dog, Rocky. Dani's assistant, Erica, is fully aware of military life. Can two weeks be as magical as the fairies say?
Another sweet love story from River's End series with a special bonus!
Erica & Randy have both traveled with the military, her as a child & him with his career. They are well matched. I never thought Jaclyn would share her Snickerdoodle recipe. What a great bonus we are given that recipe we read about in each story! I can't wait to make them myself!
Really cute that Randy and Erica met at the ranch when he came to visit his brother and the way the snickerdoodles play into it. Another fantastic book in the River's End Ranch series.
Cookies send to a soldier,a big dog and coming home.meeting Erica 4 times in one day,Jaclyn giver her, her snickerdoodle recipe,a sick dog, and just taking care of Rocky and getting to know each other. And a big decision to make and trust.
I keep saying the same thing with each of these stories. The characters are great and very real to life making for a very enjoyable story. I don't bake but want to the recipe for the cookies
Erica grew up an Army brat. She has finally found a home, a place she could stay and not have to keep moving like she did every time her father got new orders. Randy is career Army. But the fairies and the gnomes told Jaclyn it would work. Great story!
I am not the type of reader that falls for short romance stories that end happily. the River End series had me in love with the books. There are very few I have just liked. Sometimes it is ok to sit back and enjoy cute adorable stories.
Loved the storyline and opportunity to learn more about dogs in military service. I've read the series and this is the first where I've found several typos.
Erica & Randy If you stick cookies in a package you are mailing for a friend – all sorts of good things can happen. Can a trained Army service dog suffer from grief and depression?
Your heart breaks for Rocky and Randy and everything they have been through, you pray for them to find peace and heal. Can Erica help them do this? She is still finding herself and settling into River's End, not exactly sure what she wants but she knows exactly what she doesn't want......and that is everything Randy's life as he knows it!
Neither can see a future where they can be together in the same place, but nor can they imagine a future without the other in it. Is there a way to be together and have a future or are they only supposed to have two weeks together and not a lifetime? There will be lots of tears as you read this one but it is worth every one - another great book for a great series!