Saving Face: An unexpected adventure on a ranch

by Rifi Strawn

His secrets could save…or destroy her.

After a bitter divorce, artist Dani Marshall trusts no one but the horses on her beloved southern California ranch. Then she hires Lucas Herrington. He’s the best handyman and vet assistant she’s ever had, but he’s a temptingly handsome devil who comes with a complicated past. His seemingly bottomless chest of secrets could tear her world apart.

Lucas sticks his neck out for Dani when he uses one of his many secrets to save her life. Revealing this special talent from his past could put him behind bars. Sworn to secrecy, he can’t take credit for saving her. To regain her trust seems an impossible task, especially after he’s claimed almost everything she holds dear.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2019

About the author

Writing is my passion!

After hanging up my interior design hat, the desire to create still burned inside. I sewed, knitted, made jewelry, and turned my backyard into a mini-botanical garden (I wish), but the yearning to do more didn't stop.

I got busy on my computer crafting romance novels and loved it! I’ve been lucky enough to travel, enjoy different cultures, and meet interesting people. I channel those experiences into my stories—my characters and settings. I hope you love them as much as I do.

What started as a creative outlet, is now a full-time passion and job.

I call myself a citizen of the world, but at heart I’m a true Texan. I married my best friend, and we have two children I’m proud of. Whenever I have free time, I love to cook and ride my bicycle with friends.

Facebook: facebook.com/RifiStrawnAuthor
Twitter: twitter.com/RifiStrawnAuthor
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Amazon: amazon.com/Rifi-Strawn/e/B07P861CP2
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rifi-...

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in this book were interesting as was the premise. I thought he was a great character, but she came across as a bit naïve considering where she lived. The fact that there had been activity in the area in the past and she still didn't take it seriously made her seem extremely stupid. Anyone living where she does would have been the one to warn others of the risks involved. So that didn't really make sense. From the blurb, I thought that this would be a quick into the action part, but it does take quite a long time to get to that part. Stick with it though, because this is a good story. The interactions between them were good. There were parts that seemed to lag a bit but overall I enjoyed reading this book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This my first read by this author and I enjoyed it. Meet Dani Mitchell, she is a busy woman. She has managed to get through a butter divorce, she has a ranch to tend that needs repairs and she needs to find a caregiver for Rosa and her Alzheimer's. As she works her way through the checklist, she hires Lucas as a vet assistant and general handyman for a place to stay. Dani finds herself attracted to Lucas but she has decided to move past that and plow forward. No more relationships for this gal, no more headaches and heartbreaks. Lucas is a man with a past and a boat load of secrets that he carries with him. However, he has sprung a leak and he is losing secrets. These secrets pose a few twists and turns in the story that make for interesting reading. What are they going to do? Does the truth set you free or does it get you fired? In the midst of all the flowing secrets and hurt feelings, Dani finds herself in danger and Lucas is the only one to come to her rescue. Dynamics shift again but it positively and can these two find a HEA? Enjoy!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an ARC from Hidden Gems.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dani stays busy on the ranch and taking care of Rosa (Alzheimer's). Lucas shows up, and she hires him to be a vet assistant for her horses, and trades a cabin for him to stay in for him doing maintenance at the ranch. She nearly give herself to him, then he reveals who he really is, and that completely upends her entire world. But he has more secrets. Secrets that he has no intention of revealing. Until Dani's attacked by a mountain lion and on death's door. This was a beautiful and touching story - how much Dani dotes on Rosa, and then Lucas takes care of her as well. Dani and Lucas were up and down for a while, but you just can't run away from true love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dani Marshall has a horse ranch in need of maintenance. Lucas Herrington is hired as a vet's assistant to tend to her horses. Lucas agrees to stay at the ranch to repair what needs repairing. Dani has a live-in housekeeper Rosa who has Alzheimer's. Dani hires Lola to babysit Rosa while Dani tends to her ranch. Dani soon finds that Lucas has many secrets that he isn't revealing. Dani is attacked by a mountain lion and Lucas comes to her rescue. I really enjoyed reading this beautifully written heartwarming story of love and compassion. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Rifi Strawn and I loved it! The descriptive passages were wonderful and drew me into the story with the terrific characters. The story was great and had suspense, intrigue, drama, and romance. There were also other issues in the story that the characters dealt with such as drug addiction and estranged families.

I would love to read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fab book from this new author, with a good storyline that will keep you guessing. This book has a bit of everything from love and lies to horses and lions with a certain amount of suspense. Rifi Strawn has captured it all and it certainly makes for good reading with a sweet romantic HEA. I was given this ARC to read for an honest and unbiased review.

[Nicky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would travel with Rifi Strawn just to listen to her stories by the light of a camp fire. I would not mind sitting next to Lucas at all...especially if the mountain lion snores from exhaustion in the hills far away. This new author has a gift for bringing people together who do not seem to belong. Her story and writing are both compelling!

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dani trusts no-one but her horses. Lucas has some deep secrets that he'd rather not see light of day.

Lucas may be all mysterious but he has a heart of gold, a way with animals and a way of getting under Dani's skin. Rescued horses, drug addiction, estranged families,...oh and a Mountain lion make for some exciting reading.

[Floraljoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you guessing
Saving Face was a complex book with many twists and turns that kept me interested and guessing right till the very end. I appreciated that there was an element of mystery and intrigue in addition to romance. Unfortunately the writing was rather choppy at times and some facets of the story were improbable and unrealistic. However it was still an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Face has charming, easy to like characters with a fun, plot-twisting story line! It is easy to read and kept my interest throughout. Rifi is a great story teller and I'm truly loving her books!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This writing is so immersive, everything draws you in, you can smell the air and feel the atmosphere. The story is so beautifully written with characters that have so much depth...this is a must read.

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling!
Dani is lost and bitter after a bitter divorce from her cheating husband. Rosa, her horses, and her ranch are the most important things in her life. She hires Lucas as her vet assistant and provides a cabin for him to occupy. There are lots of twists and turns, along with the constant danger of a mountain lion. The characters are brought to life through her talented writing, and the story is compelling. I consider this a must read and just purchased her first book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[LeeAnn Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of underlining chemistry that you can feel and a sense of suspense in the sighting of a mountain lion and then killer on the loose. Each page keeps you guessing what is coming next. I love a suspenseful romance and this book did not disappoint. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Face has a touching storyline. It is an enjoyable quick read. Strawn is growing as an author. Her characters are gaining dimensions and her stories are gaining more depth.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read with good likable characters and a plot with plenty going on and lots of twists to hold your interest. I cannot wait to read more from this series

[Jennifer Richey]

Wow the main character Dani she has a huge trust issue and only trusts her horses than this man walks in her life Lucas but he is harboring all these deep secrets but has a sweet heart! With drama and suspense this book is good!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dani Mitchell is happy living on her ranch with her horses and taking care of her aging housekeeper Rosa who has Alzheimer’s. The one thing she does need is a new vet for her animals and is quite surprised by who her local pastor recommends.

Lucas a vet assistant is not quite what Dani expects, but she hires him on a trial basis to care for her animals and offers to let him stay in the cabin on her property in exchange for some handyman chores.

This may seem like your run of the mill romance, but it is anything but. The story dives in depth into the characters in ways you cannot imagine. There are hidden secrets, buried pasts and exciting events happening right on the ranch to keep you turning pages and sitting on the edge of your seat.

I absolutely loved the story and how the author takes you on an adventure in each book. I loved all the twists and turns in the story and how the characters stories developed throughout the story. Thank you so much to the author Rifi Strawn for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Carol Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dani has lived on the large ranch in the Santa Mountain range most of her life. She was raised by her father and their caretaker, Rosa. She is still mourning the death of her father five years ago and the betrayal of her now ex-husband a year ago. She is finding it harder to keep up with the ranch without a man to help and with Rosa’s worsening Alzheimer’s. Then the very handsome Lucas shows up and seems to be the answer to her prayers. He moves into the cabin on the ranch to tend the horses and help with handyman jobs. Dani soon learns that Lucas is not what he seems and he harbors secrets that could turn her world inside out.

This book has a great storyline. It has adventure, suspense, mystery and romance. It will at times warm your heart and at times make your blood boil. Be warned that there is a considerable amount of violence in the book. In addition, there are a few fairly graphic sex scenes and several curse words. For these reasons, I would only recommend it to the mature reader who has a tolerance for reading these types of scenes.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, WOW!
Keep the tissues handy! Truly an amazingly moving book!
It kept me enthralled from beginning to end, without stopping. (Ok, I take that back, puppy potty breaks, and sprite zero refills.)
This is the second book I read this year that was quite a ride. While it wasn't a lifelong storyline as the previous mentioned, so much happens, it seemed that years and years went by as I read.
I was completely moved to tears, anger, and joy!

I sincerely hope others will read, I for one want more of this author's writing.
Ms. Strawn's writing was amazing!

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were many plot twists in this story and they kept me intrigued. My heart went out to Dani as she had so much on her plate the heaviest being Rosa and watching her slowly slip away to dementia. Then enter Lucas with his secrets, a mountain lion, a murderer and Dylan, a troubled but talented teenager. Dani’s emotion go from high to low as she is called on to deal with all this. I think this book is well worth reading. I look forward to reading more from this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a review.