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Wind River Valley #2
Wind River Rancher
The new novel from the bestselling author of Wind River Wrangler
Something to hold on to . . .
Not so long ago, Reese Lockhart was commanding a company of Marines. Now his life is spiraling out of control. The Bar C ranch outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming may be his last chance to save himself . . .
Shaylene Crawford, an Afghanistan veteran herself, knows all too well the demons of PTSD—that’s why she’s determined to turn her family’s cattle ranch into a place where wounded warriors can work, find a home, and rebuild their souls. Her embittered father nearly drank and gambled the place away, but with help from a small crew of vets—including the newest arrival, the quietly compelling Reese Lockhart—she intends to hold on to her dream. And when someone tries to destroy that dream, Reese will do whatever it takes to defend her . . .
Something to hold on to . . .
Not so long ago, Reese Lockhart was commanding a company of Marines. Now his life is spiraling out of control. The Bar C ranch outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming may be his last chance to save himself . . .
Shaylene Crawford, an Afghanistan veteran herself, knows all too well the demons of PTSD—that’s why she’s determined to turn her family’s cattle ranch into a place where wounded warriors can work, find a home, and rebuild their souls. Her embittered father nearly drank and gambled the place away, but with help from a small crew of vets—including the newest arrival, the quietly compelling Reese Lockhart—she intends to hold on to her dream. And when someone tries to destroy that dream, Reese will do whatever it takes to defend her . . .
488 pages, Library Binding
First published December 27, 2016
317 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay McKenna
360 books2,504 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 24, 2016
This story delves quite deeply into Vets and PTSD...perhaps more so than any other story I've read to date with that same premise. Not only was the story educational to the true suffering of Vets with PTSD, but was softened with the romance and the kindness of human nature added in. My only complaint was that the story ended abruptly, without closure on Shay's father and his ulterior motives for moving back to the ranch. Perhaps that'll be addressed in the next story in the series, but from the brief glimpse given in the sneak peak at the end of the book, it only mentioned his now living at the ranch, but none of the conflict resolution that led to that occurring.
This is a real same because Shay's father was such an integral part of her self worth and it would have been nice to have this addressed, providing closure for Shay, Reese and the reader. I realize the story has an important message to deliver here and it does, but I did find at times it was a bit wordy and dragged on in spots (I'd found this to be true in the first book in the series as well, but had hopes this story would be different). This didn't take away from the overall story, but for the sake moving the story along...and perhaps addressing Shay's father further...some whittling down could have taken place.
This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
This is a real same because Shay's father was such an integral part of her self worth and it would have been nice to have this addressed, providing closure for Shay, Reese and the reader. I realize the story has an important message to deliver here and it does, but I did find at times it was a bit wordy and dragged on in spots (I'd found this to be true in the first book in the series as well, but had hopes this story would be different). This didn't take away from the overall story, but for the sake moving the story along...and perhaps addressing Shay's father further...some whittling down could have taken place.
This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
December 16, 2016
Wind River Rancher by Lindsay McKenna
Wind River Valley #2
Big issues discussed with potential for much more to be said about them in the books that may follow. I felt the ending was a bit abrupt with issues like what happens with Shay’s father, low ranch income, potential of future foreclosure, and what the futures of the three other wranglers with PTSD on the Bar C Ranch might end up being. I also felt that Reese and Shay were left dangling even though they were engaged with a wedding date in sight.
The story had a feel-good-do-good aspect along with a bit of with an entire small town community pulling together to help one another out and most willing to employ ex-military. The book was educational in discussing PTSD a bit. I came away feeling that the author believes, as do many, that military veterans are not given the support they need when discharged and that this one small community could be a prototype for others to emulate – although – that would probably require a fairy godmother to come in with big bucks or a very magic wand. Do I recommend this book? – Yes, if you like slower paced, small town stories with happy endings and don’t mind a bit of predictability in the plot.
I believe that there will be at least three more books in the future to discuss Noah, Garrett and Harper – the other three men on the Bar C Ranch. I looked up book one in the series since I had not read it and though it is set in the same locale I found it did not pertain to Bar C and this group of characters. At least I don’t think it did.
What would I like to see in future books of the series? More back story for the characters and what caused their PTSD – it was mentioned a bit but perhaps an educational or informational blurb with signs, symptoms, causes, treatment, etc at the back might be beneficial – especially to someone who is reading and has no clue what it is or might be married to someone that has it and has not been diagnosed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the copy of this book. This is my honest review.
3 Stars
Wind River Valley #2
Big issues discussed with potential for much more to be said about them in the books that may follow. I felt the ending was a bit abrupt with issues like what happens with Shay’s father, low ranch income, potential of future foreclosure, and what the futures of the three other wranglers with PTSD on the Bar C Ranch might end up being. I also felt that Reese and Shay were left dangling even though they were engaged with a wedding date in sight.
The story had a feel-good-do-good aspect along with a bit of with an entire small town community pulling together to help one another out and most willing to employ ex-military. The book was educational in discussing PTSD a bit. I came away feeling that the author believes, as do many, that military veterans are not given the support they need when discharged and that this one small community could be a prototype for others to emulate – although – that would probably require a fairy godmother to come in with big bucks or a very magic wand. Do I recommend this book? – Yes, if you like slower paced, small town stories with happy endings and don’t mind a bit of predictability in the plot.
I believe that there will be at least three more books in the future to discuss Noah, Garrett and Harper – the other three men on the Bar C Ranch. I looked up book one in the series since I had not read it and though it is set in the same locale I found it did not pertain to Bar C and this group of characters. At least I don’t think it did.
What would I like to see in future books of the series? More back story for the characters and what caused their PTSD – it was mentioned a bit but perhaps an educational or informational blurb with signs, symptoms, causes, treatment, etc at the back might be beneficial – especially to someone who is reading and has no clue what it is or might be married to someone that has it and has not been diagnosed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the copy of this book. This is my honest review.
3 Stars
December 14, 2016
2.5 stars
This is a predicament for me. On one hand I like the idea of the story, some of the characters, and the turn of events (although it's rather predictable, but when one pick this book hoping for happy ending: voila!). But oii the flow and pace of the story, the long dialogues (inner and spoken alike), they almost put me to sleep.
The story centered on the vets with PTSD issues which put quite a gloom and raw atmosphere right from the start. That place so low (for the hero) that the only way to go is up. Which situation had me rather teary-eyed on first pages. After such a moving opening and introduction to the few secondary characters (who I believe will have their own stories later on in the series), the narrative sort of drone on and the heroine show the tendency of leaky eyes.
Don't get me start on the romance. I mean, I'm all for slow-burn romance, but we're talking slow slow here, the one that got me even, "Gah! Come on already!!" And then when they finally did, it felt like rain after long drought where I got, "Okay, you guys did it. Yay! Now could you come out of the bedroom already!" There's also the abrupt ending that - after the slow-mo I suffered throughout the book - felt quite glaring.
In all fairness though, this book is not a bad one. Far from it. The issue with the vets felt real and depressing. So is the life of ranching in unforgiving weather, but there's always the community solidarity that help the locale survive. I guess I just have problem with the way the story delivered. Others may not feel the same way and could really love this story.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a predicament for me. On one hand I like the idea of the story, some of the characters, and the turn of events (although it's rather predictable, but when one pick this book hoping for happy ending: voila!). But oii the flow and pace of the story, the long dialogues (inner and spoken alike), they almost put me to sleep.
The story centered on the vets with PTSD issues which put quite a gloom and raw atmosphere right from the start. That place so low (for the hero) that the only way to go is up. Which situation had me rather teary-eyed on first pages. After such a moving opening and introduction to the few secondary characters (who I believe will have their own stories later on in the series), the narrative sort of drone on and the heroine show the tendency of leaky eyes.
Don't get me start on the romance. I mean, I'm all for slow-burn romance, but we're talking slow slow here, the one that got me even, "Gah! Come on already!!" And then when they finally did, it felt like rain after long drought where I got, "Okay, you guys did it. Yay! Now could you come out of the bedroom already!" There's also the abrupt ending that - after the slow-mo I suffered throughout the book - felt quite glaring.
In all fairness though, this book is not a bad one. Far from it. The issue with the vets felt real and depressing. So is the life of ranching in unforgiving weather, but there's always the community solidarity that help the locale survive. I guess I just have problem with the way the story delivered. Others may not feel the same way and could really love this story.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2020
Let me start by saying that because of my mother I’ve been watching young and the restless all my life. The show kills me, I complain every time it’s on, I get mad and talk about how dumb it is but at the same time I keep watching it. I am saying this because that’s the way I felt about this book. I always like jumping back to a good serious romance. This book was a cut above a soap opera. maybe like The weekly series in the 80s called Dynasty. I was rolling my eyes the entire time. Why do they always make the woman look weak. Started out great, she was supposed to be a strong rancher that’s helping everybody out. Next thing you know she’s crying three times a week after she visits her dad, getting week knees when she sees Reece and always flustered about everything. I thought I was going to love her character being a strong woman but two minutes after they met the author created a weak woman. Again like I said I do like jumping back to a good romance once in a while but my goodness, even the sex scenes were out there. The first time they had a sexual encounter, Jesus Christ, don’t have a condom, she says she’s just been checked with no diseases, he’s worried about being done in one minute, she explains how that’s gonna be all right, and again this is all in their first sexual encounter. Who does this? I know, like I mentioned before, I’m overthinking but had to put this out there.
March 16, 2017
This is a good story about a veteran Shaylene Crawford a veteran who has come home to take over her family’s ranch after her father had a stroke. She has hired three vets as wrangler’s to help her on the ranch and to help them with their PTSD. She is dealing with own issues as well. Now a fourth veteran has shown up in town looking for work. Reese Lockhart was a Captain in the Marine Corps but PTSD forced him out of the corps and you find out that his wife also divorced him. Now looking for any type of work Shaylene decides to give him a job at the ranch. It turns out that he also has a degree in business and is able to help her go over her father’s books which he did not keep up. The story goes along you become familiar with the other men at the ranch and also her father who is in a home but is a piece of work in a bad way. When Reese steps in and stands up for Shaylene you can see he is coming back to himself as an officer, but also as someone who cares for her as well. Attracted to and she to him he is scared because of nightmares, and not wanting to hurt her. He does not think he is worthy to have another relationship because of his PTSD and the effects it did to his marriage. There are some characters from the first book that appear in this story that help this book along and give it the moments it needs for the story to move in the right direction. Without giving too much away this is a very emotional, but powerful book and issues other than PTSD are discussed like being verbally abused. Overall a very good story well written and very good characters. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
April 11, 2017
This gives you a real feeling for what our soldiers feel who have PTSD. I really liked it.
June 15, 2017
So this book wasn't a fav. I really feel like it would have been better without preaching the virtues of veterans. I think the sad thing is that I agree, but at the same time there are a lot of people out on the streets who have experienced major life traumas. Somehow having fought for our country makes them more worthy of help than other people. I understand the logic, I just don't agree with it. I really think that the author could have made all of the same points through the characters. Instead the reader is beat over the head with the need to do right by veterans because the characters perspectives and the author's exposition double the point.
One of the things I really don't like is the disconnect between Shay and her veteran status. It's interesting that all the men seem to be veterans with extreme PTSD, but not Shay. Oh she has PTSD but it's often associated with her childhood and her father, not her experience in the military. She is the mother or maternal nuturer of all of these men. It seems that because of femaleness she is unaffected by military life. Also she talks about veterans like she isn't one and that's weird to me. I think that the story would have been better for me if she viewed herself as helping her own instead of helping others.
I think that I would have liked this book more if we could have really focused on Shay and Reese's relationship. I liked Noah, Garrett, and Harper. They were a good addition to the ranch and I appreciated the military family they helped create with Shay and Reese. I liked Maud and Charlie and they way they represent the values of the community. And of course I hated the father, but the reader is supposed to dislike him. I didn't like how the book ended. The storyline with the father seemed incomplete to me. Maybe it continues in the other books, but I won't be reading them to find out.
I like Shay and Reese a lot. I appreciate that they have issues but it seems that Shay's issues are the real focus. There was something about their relationship that seemed off and out of balance. It's like the author wanted to maintain gender norms in a context that was a little outside of gender norms. I have read other books by the author and this is the first that just didn't work for me.
One of the things I really don't like is the disconnect between Shay and her veteran status. It's interesting that all the men seem to be veterans with extreme PTSD, but not Shay. Oh she has PTSD but it's often associated with her childhood and her father, not her experience in the military. She is the mother or maternal nuturer of all of these men. It seems that because of femaleness she is unaffected by military life. Also she talks about veterans like she isn't one and that's weird to me. I think that the story would have been better for me if she viewed herself as helping her own instead of helping others.
I think that I would have liked this book more if we could have really focused on Shay and Reese's relationship. I liked Noah, Garrett, and Harper. They were a good addition to the ranch and I appreciated the military family they helped create with Shay and Reese. I liked Maud and Charlie and they way they represent the values of the community. And of course I hated the father, but the reader is supposed to dislike him. I didn't like how the book ended. The storyline with the father seemed incomplete to me. Maybe it continues in the other books, but I won't be reading them to find out.
I like Shay and Reese a lot. I appreciate that they have issues but it seems that Shay's issues are the real focus. There was something about their relationship that seemed off and out of balance. It's like the author wanted to maintain gender norms in a context that was a little outside of gender norms. I have read other books by the author and this is the first that just didn't work for me.
January 2, 2017
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a totally honest opinion.
Reece has been wandering for 2 years, trying to outrun his demons and find a place where he can go on with his life while dealing with his PTSD. He was a Marine and commanded his own squad in Afghanistan.
Shay also served and when she came home, it was to a failing ranch and her father having a serious stroke. Her father, an alcoholic and gambler, basically ran the ranch into the ground but that isn't how he sees it. He also never thought women were much use so he wasn't ever really a father to Shay. All he ever gave her was cruel criticism and no self worth.
When Reece wanders into town looking for work he doesn't know his life has just been saved. He is dirty, smelly and bearded, looking more like a bum. This town appreciates their vets. When he asks about available work, a wonderful business owner calls Shay because he knows she is looking for another hand at the ranch.
Shay has 3 vets working at her ranch, 4 when she hires Reece. She wants to give back also and while trying to save her ranch hopefully the vets will find their place in the world. The only problem is, she is so busy trying to take care of the ranch and her vets while dealing with her father when she visits him 3 days a week at the rehab he is in, she is neglecting herself physically and emotionally.
Can Reece finally find a place to call home? Can he and the vets help Shay save her ranch, her legacy? Will her father ever see how smart and wonderful she is?
I loved this book! he author writes really well and there were many times that my heart broke for this group of people and then sang when they made a breakthrough that would make life easier for them.
The camaraderie of this group and the town was amazing! I wanted to live with these people. I would definitely recommend this book.
Reece has been wandering for 2 years, trying to outrun his demons and find a place where he can go on with his life while dealing with his PTSD. He was a Marine and commanded his own squad in Afghanistan.
Shay also served and when she came home, it was to a failing ranch and her father having a serious stroke. Her father, an alcoholic and gambler, basically ran the ranch into the ground but that isn't how he sees it. He also never thought women were much use so he wasn't ever really a father to Shay. All he ever gave her was cruel criticism and no self worth.
When Reece wanders into town looking for work he doesn't know his life has just been saved. He is dirty, smelly and bearded, looking more like a bum. This town appreciates their vets. When he asks about available work, a wonderful business owner calls Shay because he knows she is looking for another hand at the ranch.
Shay has 3 vets working at her ranch, 4 when she hires Reece. She wants to give back also and while trying to save her ranch hopefully the vets will find their place in the world. The only problem is, she is so busy trying to take care of the ranch and her vets while dealing with her father when she visits him 3 days a week at the rehab he is in, she is neglecting herself physically and emotionally.
Can Reece finally find a place to call home? Can he and the vets help Shay save her ranch, her legacy? Will her father ever see how smart and wonderful she is?
I loved this book! he author writes really well and there were many times that my heart broke for this group of people and then sang when they made a breakthrough that would make life easier for them.
The camaraderie of this group and the town was amazing! I wanted to live with these people. I would definitely recommend this book.
December 9, 2016
*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley and I'm freely giving my honest review.*
Shay owns a ranch and hires only veterans as help, one day Reese comes to the ranch. Shay and Reese feels a immediate connection but they both have emotional scars from their time in the military, can they find together despite their challenges?
I liked this story very much, the description of Shay and Reese's connection is so vibrant and full of feelings. The build up is very slow and sometimes I get frustrated but when the story ends I feel like this was like it should be.
The writing style take some getting used to but I've read the first book in this series and liked that too so I've experienced the style before. I really like to read the rest of the series as it comes out.
The story has enough dialogues to hold my attention and not get bored, and there are not an overwhelming amount of descriptions of the surroundings, just enough to give me a picture of it using my imagination.
The subject of the book is veterans with PTSD in addition to the love story, and I think it's a important subject which the author seems to have some knowledge about. I feel for those scarred souls who has fought to keep our world safe.
I recommend this book if you're interested in a sweet love story with som important underlying issues. Good 4,5 star reed.
Shay owns a ranch and hires only veterans as help, one day Reese comes to the ranch. Shay and Reese feels a immediate connection but they both have emotional scars from their time in the military, can they find together despite their challenges?
I liked this story very much, the description of Shay and Reese's connection is so vibrant and full of feelings. The build up is very slow and sometimes I get frustrated but when the story ends I feel like this was like it should be.
The writing style take some getting used to but I've read the first book in this series and liked that too so I've experienced the style before. I really like to read the rest of the series as it comes out.
The story has enough dialogues to hold my attention and not get bored, and there are not an overwhelming amount of descriptions of the surroundings, just enough to give me a picture of it using my imagination.
The subject of the book is veterans with PTSD in addition to the love story, and I think it's a important subject which the author seems to have some knowledge about. I feel for those scarred souls who has fought to keep our world safe.
I recommend this book if you're interested in a sweet love story with som important underlying issues. Good 4,5 star reed.
December 26, 2016
I thought this was a wonderful story that was very well done. It's another look at the struggles our vets deal with on a daily basis and how just a little kindness from all of us can help them get their lives together. In this story Reese Lockhart is most definitely down on his luck. Homeless, jobless, and hungry he staggers into the feed depot in a town just outside Jackson Hole looking for work. The kindness of the owner is astounding and before Reese knows it his life is turned around. He's working on the Bar C, a ranch owned by Shaylene Crawford who is also a vet. She along with the help of a small handful of vets are trying to turn the ranch into a place other vets can come to work and deal with their demons. Someone is trying to keep that from happening and Reese is determined to keep both the woman and the dream safe.
An excellent read and I definitely recommend it.
An excellent read and I definitely recommend it.
June 22, 2020
Admittedly this book wasn't a favorite. I do like that the author is tackling a really heavy issue in regards to PTSD and the poor treatment of our war-vets, but that seemed to be ALL that this book was about. In addition to PTSD, we're also dealing with the issue of alcoholic family members. It was just too many heavy issues all at once. Remember, this is a romance novel.
Not so long ago, Reese Lockhart was commanding a company of Marines. Now his life is spiraling out of control. The Bar C ranch outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming may be his last chance to save himself . . .
I think the premise of the book is great. I love the idea of Bar C being a haven for war vets, and I like the little co-op style community that Shay has created for them at the ranch.
As with the first book in the series, Wind River Wrangler I'm left wanting to know more about the hero. (see my review here.)
Rated 2-stars because this book went a little too far for its assigned genre. I also prefer a little more conflict in a romance. Book 1 was definitely more of a romantic-suspense, but this one just fell flat. I love small-town romances and Wind River Valley is a community I definitely want to still read more of as the author has introduced a great ensemble for characters behind the romance.
My Ratings:
5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite
4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it
3*** I liked it well enough,
2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will
keep/re-read if part of a series
1* didn't like/possibly not finished
Not so long ago, Reese Lockhart was commanding a company of Marines. Now his life is spiraling out of control. The Bar C ranch outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming may be his last chance to save himself . . .
I think the premise of the book is great. I love the idea of Bar C being a haven for war vets, and I like the little co-op style community that Shay has created for them at the ranch.
As with the first book in the series, Wind River Wrangler I'm left wanting to know more about the hero. (see my review here.)
Rated 2-stars because this book went a little too far for its assigned genre. I also prefer a little more conflict in a romance. Book 1 was definitely more of a romantic-suspense, but this one just fell flat. I love small-town romances and Wind River Valley is a community I definitely want to still read more of as the author has introduced a great ensemble for characters behind the romance.
My Ratings:
5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite
4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it
3*** I liked it well enough,
2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will
keep/re-read if part of a series
1* didn't like/possibly not finished
December 18, 2016
Lindsay McKenna’s series about Wind River continues in her second book Wind River Rancher. Her books highlight a setting that is rugged and sometimes quite harsh - Jackson Hole, Wyoming and veterans that have come home from the war and are struggling. Her understanding of the issues of PTSD and the need for support and understanding are not meant to be the main focus of her novels, but are certainly a feature of the main characters.
Shaylene Crawford is trying to save her family’s ranch. She is fighting with her father in a nursing home and a badly managed ranch that needs a lot of upkeep. She has seen the ravages of war as she is a veteran herself and is looking toward making the ranch a home for wounded warriors to live on while the work through the demons of PTSD. Reese Lockhart’s life is out of control. He left his parent’s home knowing that his struggles with PTSD would preclude him living there. Out of luck and food, he stumbles onto Shaylene’s ranch and is offered a home. With the home comes healing and love with Shaylene while he works to unravel what is happening with the family ranch.
Wind River Rancher is meant to be a fun, romantic, hot read. Which it is, but it also can open people to the long term consequences of PTSD and the proud warriors who return.
Shaylene Crawford is trying to save her family’s ranch. She is fighting with her father in a nursing home and a badly managed ranch that needs a lot of upkeep. She has seen the ravages of war as she is a veteran herself and is looking toward making the ranch a home for wounded warriors to live on while the work through the demons of PTSD. Reese Lockhart’s life is out of control. He left his parent’s home knowing that his struggles with PTSD would preclude him living there. Out of luck and food, he stumbles onto Shaylene’s ranch and is offered a home. With the home comes healing and love with Shaylene while he works to unravel what is happening with the family ranch.
Wind River Rancher is meant to be a fun, romantic, hot read. Which it is, but it also can open people to the long term consequences of PTSD and the proud warriors who return.
November 18, 2016
Wind River Rancher was definitely a better story and held my interest far more than book one. I’m always a sucker for a returned soldier and know first hand the difficulties they face after serving their time in war torn countries.
Reece is a man that you can’t help but adore. He holds honour and loyalty close to his heart, but struggles with day-to-day life after serving his country. With little expectation about his future, Reece clings to the hope that the Bar C Ranch may be his salvation.
Shaylene has seen her own share of death and destruction as a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, and returning to find she has almost lost her family home to her self-absorbed, drunken, gambler father, makes life just that much harder. Determined to make things right, not only for herself but others who have protected and served, Shay is on a mission to get the Bar C back up and running.
When hearts collide and sparks fly, anything can and will happen; but can two tortured and fragile souls find peace and happiness when they battle everyday with the demons from the past?
I’m sure that Shay and Reece will have you in their corner and cheering them on, as they build a brand new life, literally from the ground up!
Reece is a man that you can’t help but adore. He holds honour and loyalty close to his heart, but struggles with day-to-day life after serving his country. With little expectation about his future, Reece clings to the hope that the Bar C Ranch may be his salvation.
Shaylene has seen her own share of death and destruction as a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, and returning to find she has almost lost her family home to her self-absorbed, drunken, gambler father, makes life just that much harder. Determined to make things right, not only for herself but others who have protected and served, Shay is on a mission to get the Bar C back up and running.
When hearts collide and sparks fly, anything can and will happen; but can two tortured and fragile souls find peace and happiness when they battle everyday with the demons from the past?
I’m sure that Shay and Reece will have you in their corner and cheering them on, as they build a brand new life, literally from the ground up!
February 12, 2022
Reese Lockhart
Shay Crawford
Shay runs the Bar C ranch and hires veterans with PTSD to help work the ranch. Shay being a veteran with PTSD knows how these veterans feel and wants to help them get back on their feet. Reese walks into Wind River having hit bottom after being homeless and on the road for 2 years. He goes to the local hardware store hoping to find a job. Charlie calls Shay and tells her Reece is looking for work if she wants to come meet him, she does and hires Reece. At the ranch Reece is introduced to the 3 other veterans already living and working the ranch. The story goes into all of the veterans relationships. How Shay works to help each heal. Shay is also dealing with her abusive father, Ray who has had a stroke. Reese is protective of Shay and stands by her in her dealings with her Father. This is a very good book that reads fast. The PTSD is through out the book and is written very well, so you understand but are not overwhelmed. This is a book of hope, for the veterans, for starting new relationships and as they all look to the future. This book can be read as a stand alone. I would definitely read more books in the series and by this author. (Book 3 Wind River Cowboy- Garett’s story at Mid Continent)
Shay Crawford
Shay runs the Bar C ranch and hires veterans with PTSD to help work the ranch. Shay being a veteran with PTSD knows how these veterans feel and wants to help them get back on their feet. Reese walks into Wind River having hit bottom after being homeless and on the road for 2 years. He goes to the local hardware store hoping to find a job. Charlie calls Shay and tells her Reece is looking for work if she wants to come meet him, she does and hires Reece. At the ranch Reece is introduced to the 3 other veterans already living and working the ranch. The story goes into all of the veterans relationships. How Shay works to help each heal. Shay is also dealing with her abusive father, Ray who has had a stroke. Reese is protective of Shay and stands by her in her dealings with her Father. This is a very good book that reads fast. The PTSD is through out the book and is written very well, so you understand but are not overwhelmed. This is a book of hope, for the veterans, for starting new relationships and as they all look to the future. This book can be read as a stand alone. I would definitely read more books in the series and by this author. (Book 3 Wind River Cowboy- Garett’s story at Mid Continent)
June 2, 2021
3.5 *** … another good story in the Wind River Valley series by Lindsay McKenna. Shay is trying to save her 120 year old family ranch after her father nearly lost it with his gambling, alcoholism, and being abusive to all his employees. Shay came home a year ago after a family hardship discharge from her career in the Marines, which she had left for at the age of 18 to escape her father, but is now back to run the ranch after he has a major stroke. As a veteran with PTSD, she has been hiring vets with similar conditions to help them find a purpose, get back on their feet, regain their sense of self worth, and to help her make the ranch solvent again. Reece Lockheart comes along, having been homeless for the past 2 years after leaving his post as a Marine Officer. Their story is engaging, raw, and full of hope even in the darkest of times.
However, the last chapter seemed a bit scattered and there were still many loose ends that I did not feel were actually addressed, bringing this rating down.
However, the last chapter seemed a bit scattered and there were still many loose ends that I did not feel were actually addressed, bringing this rating down.
January 26, 2024
I really liked the second book of the series. I loved the way Reese and Shay supported each other from the very start and were trying to help each other get over there past trahma. I especially loved the way Reese stood up to Shay's father and refused to allow him to continue his horrible treatment of her. The only thing I was a little disapointed with was the ending of this one as we don't yet know her father's motives. I highly suspect however in the next and subsequent books we'll learn that over time. I hope he does change and start valuing Shay more given how she's worked to get the ranch back on track. No father should treat a daughter the way he treats her but nnow she's got reese hopefully he'll recieve some of the healing she's trying to give the veterans who will come to the ranch for help.
February 15, 2017
I was a little leery of tackling this second novel in Lindsay McKenna's Wind River Valley series, because I was somewhat disappointed by the first novel in the series, Wind River Wrangler, but the Lindsay McKenna whose books I've enjoyed for decades is back in fine form and I'm happy to be able to give this novel 4.5 stars.
Let me start by stating that I'm no stranger to PTSD, I've been married to a Vietnam veteran for 40+ years, and so I fully understand the challenges faced by the characters in this novel. Over the past 20 years, more and more veterans have been returning to the U.S. as wounded warriors, not only in body, but especially in mind and spirit, and the suicide rate among them has never been higher. So, kudos to Ms. McKenna for doing a first-rate job in attempting to make the uninitiated reader familiar with and sympathetic to the struggles, both personal and financial, that our returning veterans face. The photos of these broken, hopeless and homeless men and women have certainly been gaining attention and their shame is really our nation's shame because programs and help for these brave soldiers who've put their lives on the line for all of us is and always has been too little too late, and I applaud Ms. McKenna's efforts in writing a wonderfully readable novel that, although fiction, is all to real for so many.
This is Shay and Reese's story. Shay, whose mother died when she was only 10, joined the Marines at age 18 to escape her abusive, alcoholic father but had to return home to run the family ranch after her father suffered a stroke that left him incapacitated. She'd been beaten down emotionally by his abuse for as long as she could remember, and was shocked to discover that during the time she'd been away, her father's alcoholism and gambling had left the ranch in deplorable condition and near foreclosure. It didn't help that she was also dealing with her own PTSD, but because the ranch was in no shape to again support a cattle operation, she decided to hire down-on-their-luck veterans to help her rescue the ranch, and to become a place of healing for these emotionally wounded warriors.
When we meet Reese, a former Captain in the Marines, he's been homeless and wandering from place to place for two years. He's thin, starving, bedraggled, dirty and hopeless--picking up odd jobs here and there just to keep himself alive. When he wanders into the Wind River Hay & Feed store looking for enough work to pay for a meal, he meets Charlie, the owner, a man with a very open heart, and is soon, fed, washed, clothed and ready to be interviewed for a job at Bar C ranch. His boss, he soon discovers, is the very pretty Shay Crawford, and his life is about to change for the better in ways he cannot begin to imagine. He soon meets the other ranch hands, all veterans with PTSD like himself, and slowly but surely, they form a bond of family.
While I complained about the lack of relationship building and character development in my review of Wind River Wrangler, it's certainly more than abundant in this novel. Ms. McKenna has embued these characters with real depth, and made their struggles so real that she at times reduced me to tears. Granted, the openness, willingness to help and giving nature of almost every character in the Wind River Valley was somewhat hard to imagine really existing, but this reviewer would like to believe that there are still places just like it to be found in America.
I absolutely loved that Reese and Shay took their time, and their relationship and respect for one another grew slowly, as did dealing with their individual issues before getting involved with one another--I've never been a fan of insta-love, and I'm so happy that Ms. McKenna didn't take that route. I also liked that the daily chores of a working ranch were included, when so often in western romances, it seems the ranch runs itself. It's also important that we see the benefits of a hard days' work and the feeling of accomplishment to be gained from it.
This was not an action-packed story, but an emotional one, and the only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was the abruptness of the ending. I felt a bit cheated at being told there's a HEA coming, but not getting a chance to share it with these wonderful characters. Plus, there's a dangling plot element at the end of this story, and I hope it's dealt with in the next installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel.
Let me start by stating that I'm no stranger to PTSD, I've been married to a Vietnam veteran for 40+ years, and so I fully understand the challenges faced by the characters in this novel. Over the past 20 years, more and more veterans have been returning to the U.S. as wounded warriors, not only in body, but especially in mind and spirit, and the suicide rate among them has never been higher. So, kudos to Ms. McKenna for doing a first-rate job in attempting to make the uninitiated reader familiar with and sympathetic to the struggles, both personal and financial, that our returning veterans face. The photos of these broken, hopeless and homeless men and women have certainly been gaining attention and their shame is really our nation's shame because programs and help for these brave soldiers who've put their lives on the line for all of us is and always has been too little too late, and I applaud Ms. McKenna's efforts in writing a wonderfully readable novel that, although fiction, is all to real for so many.
This is Shay and Reese's story. Shay, whose mother died when she was only 10, joined the Marines at age 18 to escape her abusive, alcoholic father but had to return home to run the family ranch after her father suffered a stroke that left him incapacitated. She'd been beaten down emotionally by his abuse for as long as she could remember, and was shocked to discover that during the time she'd been away, her father's alcoholism and gambling had left the ranch in deplorable condition and near foreclosure. It didn't help that she was also dealing with her own PTSD, but because the ranch was in no shape to again support a cattle operation, she decided to hire down-on-their-luck veterans to help her rescue the ranch, and to become a place of healing for these emotionally wounded warriors.
When we meet Reese, a former Captain in the Marines, he's been homeless and wandering from place to place for two years. He's thin, starving, bedraggled, dirty and hopeless--picking up odd jobs here and there just to keep himself alive. When he wanders into the Wind River Hay & Feed store looking for enough work to pay for a meal, he meets Charlie, the owner, a man with a very open heart, and is soon, fed, washed, clothed and ready to be interviewed for a job at Bar C ranch. His boss, he soon discovers, is the very pretty Shay Crawford, and his life is about to change for the better in ways he cannot begin to imagine. He soon meets the other ranch hands, all veterans with PTSD like himself, and slowly but surely, they form a bond of family.
While I complained about the lack of relationship building and character development in my review of Wind River Wrangler, it's certainly more than abundant in this novel. Ms. McKenna has embued these characters with real depth, and made their struggles so real that she at times reduced me to tears. Granted, the openness, willingness to help and giving nature of almost every character in the Wind River Valley was somewhat hard to imagine really existing, but this reviewer would like to believe that there are still places just like it to be found in America.
I absolutely loved that Reese and Shay took their time, and their relationship and respect for one another grew slowly, as did dealing with their individual issues before getting involved with one another--I've never been a fan of insta-love, and I'm so happy that Ms. McKenna didn't take that route. I also liked that the daily chores of a working ranch were included, when so often in western romances, it seems the ranch runs itself. It's also important that we see the benefits of a hard days' work and the feeling of accomplishment to be gained from it.
This was not an action-packed story, but an emotional one, and the only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was the abruptness of the ending. I felt a bit cheated at being told there's a HEA coming, but not getting a chance to share it with these wonderful characters. Plus, there's a dangling plot element at the end of this story, and I hope it's dealt with in the next installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel.
April 3, 2018
Shay Crawford and Reese Lockhart
Reese is a vet with PTSD and is down on his luck. He shows up at the feed store in Wind River, Wyoming and asks for a job. The proprietor does one better and gives him not only a job but a home with Shaylene Crawford. Shaylene is in need of wranglers and has taken in other vets and makes a deal with them to help her fix up her ranch and they can stay there. Reese is just another vet in need of her help.
It was a slow build but a true friendship grows between Reese and Shay and they learn to love one another. I liked it so much better than book 1. I see that Shay has had to deal with her own PTSD issues and an abusive father. Reese now has her back.
I'm looking forward to the other stories.
Reese is a vet with PTSD and is down on his luck. He shows up at the feed store in Wind River, Wyoming and asks for a job. The proprietor does one better and gives him not only a job but a home with Shaylene Crawford. Shaylene is in need of wranglers and has taken in other vets and makes a deal with them to help her fix up her ranch and they can stay there. Reese is just another vet in need of her help.
It was a slow build but a true friendship grows between Reese and Shay and they learn to love one another. I liked it so much better than book 1. I see that Shay has had to deal with her own PTSD issues and an abusive father. Reese now has her back.
I'm looking forward to the other stories.
August 28, 2021
Second chance
Both Shay and Reese are vets dealing with PTSD. She runs the family ranch, hiring vets as wrangler to give them a second chance. They support each other and the ranch by sharing duties and earnings. She's worked hard on bringing the ranch back to life after her father, a gambler and alcoholic, had it at the brink of foreclosure. Can Reese move beyond his past and fears of how his PTSD affects others, to grab at a second chance with Shay. This series is all about community and support from members in this small town. Each book seems to flow into the next so they should be read by in order. 3.5 stars as there was a lot of repetition in the storyline, constantly reminding us it's about vets. Looking to Garrett's story next.
Both Shay and Reese are vets dealing with PTSD. She runs the family ranch, hiring vets as wrangler to give them a second chance. They support each other and the ranch by sharing duties and earnings. She's worked hard on bringing the ranch back to life after her father, a gambler and alcoholic, had it at the brink of foreclosure. Can Reese move beyond his past and fears of how his PTSD affects others, to grab at a second chance with Shay. This series is all about community and support from members in this small town. Each book seems to flow into the next so they should be read by in order. 3.5 stars as there was a lot of repetition in the storyline, constantly reminding us it's about vets. Looking to Garrett's story next.
December 22, 2016
A message of hope delivered through the pages of a romantic suspense novel. Wind River Rancher not only entertains, it informs. Ms. McKenna sheds light on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the struggle it's victims experience on a daily basis. Reese is a man focused on moving forward, but the demons from his past keep trying to pull him back in. Shaylene, is an inspiring work of art. Guiding by her heart, yet trying to escape her past has led her on a path to help those that may not have been as lucky as herself. Through Shaylene and Reese, Wind River Rancher uplifts, delivers insight and engrosses.
July 1, 2019
The opening pages of this book were so powerful to me. I immediately found a hero that I wanted things to go well for. All the characters became real to me. Though fictional characters from the authors imagination the stories of these veterans paint pictures of the brave men and women who give so much to keep America free. I would love to live in a town like Wind River where the people care about veterans and one another, ready to share whatever is needed. Facts about PTSD and about domestic abuse are woven through the pages making a very thoughtful story relevant.
July 17, 2019
This is about a woman who needed to rebuild a ranch from the ground up. Shaylene came from a father who put a new meaning to mean & a drunk. This book is the grounding for a new series on vets. Its based on her experience as a vet and wanting to help other vets. She meets Reed who gives her the grounding to rebuild. This story gives you an insight to a series about vets who suffer different forms of ptsd. Its a great series for it flows together well. You get to meet new and old in each story. They are well written and a great romance with a neat twist in each.
December 27, 2016
FANTASTIC!!! This book has all the feels. This book is emotional, heartfelt, heartwarming and had me crying. If I could rate this book higher than a 5 I would rate it an 8. Shaylene is an amazing woman who not only has her own Demons to fight but helps Vets with healing at her ranch. Reese walks into Shay's life at the perfect time. When Reese came to Shay's defense with her mean and verbally abusive father and helping her to make her dream come true made him a hero many times over in my book. Both going through PTSD understand each other. Lindsay McKenna gave great educational information on what our Vets go through and writes amazing military books. I highly recommend reading this book. It is absolutely fantastic. Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing.
December 27, 2017
Reese is an ex-Marine Captain that is down on his luck due to PTSD when he arrives in Wind River. Shay, another vet, hires him to work on her ranch. There he meets three other vets, all suffering with PTSD. As Rees and Shay work together to save her ranch; the five of them become a family. Along the way Shay learns how to stand up to her abusive father. She and Reese learn how to deal with their PTSD as a couple. Ms. McKenna is a new author for me and I enjoyed this book.
February 1, 2018
This is the 2nd book in the Wind River Valley romance series. Shay Crawford owns a ranch in Wyoming that has seen better days. She hires armed forces veterans, like herself, who struggle with PTSD. Events are on an upswing with her latest hire, Reese Lockhart, who fits in well around the ranch and in her heart. I enjoyed this patriotic town, its characters, and the pro-veteran message, but found the writing repetitive at times.
Thanks for the copy of the book Lindsay!
Thanks for the copy of the book Lindsay!
June 24, 2018
Much better than the first although still a bit of rumornating it's not as bountiful as book 1. The loves scenes are a bit Luke warm but the story telling was good enough to hold my interest and not make me want to set my hair on fire like the first. PTSD is a robust subject matter and quite significant. However I found the author so far more repetitive than progressive in her narration of the trauma and it's impact. Hopefully we see more progression in the series.
December 8, 2019
Helping Veterans
Loved this story of a young woman who suffering from PTSD herself made it her “mission” to help other veterans who also were suffering. This despite having been raised by an abusive, alcoholic father who belittles her every chance he gets. While helping these veterans, she is able to find love and with the help of some wonderful neighbors give a further leg up to help her veterans and save her ranch.
Loved this story of a young woman who suffering from PTSD herself made it her “mission” to help other veterans who also were suffering. This despite having been raised by an abusive, alcoholic father who belittles her every chance he gets. While helping these veterans, she is able to find love and with the help of some wonderful neighbors give a further leg up to help her veterans and save her ranch.
January 29, 2020
Wind River Valley is the home of a struggling ranch and vets with PTSD, both the owner and the wranglers. This is a series filled with hardworking and honest people, values, struggles and growth, and the many forms of love and respect (and the power they hold). I have read this book several times already. This is a stand alone love story (and so much more) but is so much better when read with the later books in this series. Bravo!
January 23, 2022
I found this book so thoughtful and informative. Loved the focus it put on our service men and women who have given so much to an often clueless public. It was also a painful case study on abusive alcoholic homelife of many people. It was refreshing to see an alternative life being offered to some suffering homeless souls. I did find it redundant to the point of needing to scan in spots thus the lack of stars, also I'm not a huge fan of the sort of cliff you left us on at the end.
February 13, 2022
Don't waste your time
This was the most over written, overwrought book I've had the misfortune to read in a long time. Why use 1 word when you can use 100. Maybe this would appeal to a Tween but for me it was a complete waste of time. The premise of the book Is a good one. Trying to help vets reacclimate. But it was so poorly written that it was hard to get through. I definitely do not recommend it.
This was the most over written, overwrought book I've had the misfortune to read in a long time. Why use 1 word when you can use 100. Maybe this would appeal to a Tween but for me it was a complete waste of time. The premise of the book Is a good one. Trying to help vets reacclimate. But it was so poorly written that it was hard to get through. I definitely do not recommend it.
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