What do you think?
Rate this book
Home on the Ranch #3
Second Chance Ranch
To Heal a Wounded Hero
Former soldier and rodeo rider Zachary McClure's war injuries are far deeper than physical. Skeptical that anyone can reach the dark place in his soul, he visits an Albuquerque equine therapy ranch with no expectations. How can horses possibly mend his physical and emotional injuries when nothing -- and no one -- else has?
He finds the answer when he meets Sophie Powell, an ex-army medic with a sunny smile, gentle touch and a determination to help others through horse therapy. But behind her big hopes and cheerful attitude lurks pain -- and Zachary is just the man to change that. He can make Sophie's dreams a reality...and she may be the woman to heal this wounded hero's heart.
Former soldier and rodeo rider Zachary McClure's war injuries are far deeper than physical. Skeptical that anyone can reach the dark place in his soul, he visits an Albuquerque equine therapy ranch with no expectations. How can horses possibly mend his physical and emotional injuries when nothing -- and no one -- else has?
He finds the answer when he meets Sophie Powell, an ex-army medic with a sunny smile, gentle touch and a determination to help others through horse therapy. But behind her big hopes and cheerful attitude lurks pain -- and Zachary is just the man to change that. He can make Sophie's dreams a reality...and she may be the woman to heal this wounded hero's heart.
- GenresLove InspiredRomance
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 21, 2010
8 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Leann Harris
45 books38 followersI am a teacher of the deaf, specializing in high school math and science. I also am a avid gardener and compostor.
I've been writing most of my adult life, creating stories and letting my mind imagine all sorts of things. I've been a detective, lawyer, veterinary, and antique dealer.
I teach writing now at the local community college in their continuing education department.
I am a Westerner, growing up with that mindset of the west.
I've been writing most of my adult life, creating stories and letting my mind imagine all sorts of things. I've been a detective, lawyer, veterinary, and antique dealer.
I teach writing now at the local community college in their continuing education department.
I am a Westerner, growing up with that mindset of the west.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 5, 2016
Sophie and Zach are both vets from Iraq. Zach lost his foot and is recovering his strength. Sophie was a medic trying to save the world because she couldn't save her brother.
July 17, 2021
3 ½ Stars ~ This is the second book of Ms. Harris' that I have read. She has a pleasant writing voice and creates characters and situations that easily pull you into her stories.
Sophie runs an equine therapy ranch working mostly with handicapped and challenged children. A veteran army medic, she hopes to win a contract to enable her to expand and offer therapy for physically and mentally wounded vets. When her best friend reaches out to her to help her amputee brother recover and adjust to a new life, Sophie can't refuse. Zach, a former rodeo champ, lost his lower leg in Iraq and hasn't adjusted well to his prothesis. From the moment he arrived at the ranch, his spirit pricked and a spark of life seemed to grab hold. Both Sophie and Zach have painful experiences to overcome. With the magic of the horses, they pull together and healing begins.
This is a sweet story with a strong emphasis on faith and the healing power that faith can bring. The HEA ending was a bit rushed with so many of the obstacles they had to overcome suddenly falling neatly into place. Overall, this story provided several very pleasant reading hours. I look forward to ready more about the ranch and some of the secondary characters introduced in this book.
Sophie runs an equine therapy ranch working mostly with handicapped and challenged children. A veteran army medic, she hopes to win a contract to enable her to expand and offer therapy for physically and mentally wounded vets. When her best friend reaches out to her to help her amputee brother recover and adjust to a new life, Sophie can't refuse. Zach, a former rodeo champ, lost his lower leg in Iraq and hasn't adjusted well to his prothesis. From the moment he arrived at the ranch, his spirit pricked and a spark of life seemed to grab hold. Both Sophie and Zach have painful experiences to overcome. With the magic of the horses, they pull together and healing begins.
This is a sweet story with a strong emphasis on faith and the healing power that faith can bring. The HEA ending was a bit rushed with so many of the obstacles they had to overcome suddenly falling neatly into place. Overall, this story provided several very pleasant reading hours. I look forward to ready more about the ranch and some of the secondary characters introduced in this book.
June 12, 2025
Faith and Love Conquers All
What a wonderful story of faith, hope, love, patience and holding God first and foremost even when life throws curveballs at you left and right. Be mindful that every emotion you’re in possession of will be touched, shaken, tested and comforted by the deep faith the characters carry with them throughout their trials and successes. Keeping God centered in their lives brings them through every challenge to a place of peacefulness. They saw and shared the value in each person they encountered.
These are good lessons for all of us to make our own.
What a wonderful story of faith, hope, love, patience and holding God first and foremost even when life throws curveballs at you left and right. Be mindful that every emotion you’re in possession of will be touched, shaken, tested and comforted by the deep faith the characters carry with them throughout their trials and successes. Keeping God centered in their lives brings them through every challenge to a place of peacefulness. They saw and shared the value in each person they encountered.
These are good lessons for all of us to make our own.
June 13, 2025
Great story.
Clean language and relationships with a very good example of redemption, forgiveness, and faith in God.
I loved how Zach came back for a depressed state, put in his pride a side, and trusted in God. Sophie is a gem, beautiful inside and out. Even when her family stops caring for her, she cares for others deeply and gives everything to conquer their fears and healing. Find out how Zach and Sophie confront their wounds, letting God work in their hearts and lives, and show them a greater blessing.
Clean language and relationships with a very good example of redemption, forgiveness, and faith in God.
I loved how Zach came back for a depressed state, put in his pride a side, and trusted in God. Sophie is a gem, beautiful inside and out. Even when her family stops caring for her, she cares for others deeply and gives everything to conquer their fears and healing. Find out how Zach and Sophie confront their wounds, letting God work in their hearts and lives, and show them a greater blessing.
June 1, 2020
She runs a equine rehab operation. She wants to expand with a program for Vets. Zach is her college roommate's brother and he needs the program but getting him involved is not easy.
This was a really sweet romance.
This was a really sweet romance.
June 9, 2021
Really... I hate to say this word.... stupid... scenario in the beginning of the book. They BOTH should have known better.
April 13, 2022
Christian book about using equine therapy for soldiers and others with disabilities to recover. Good topic but written rather fluffy and maybe somewhat unrealistic
January 15, 2015
This book is basically what you expect from a romance novel. The narrative isn't hard to follow and you know it will have a happy ending right from the start.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending though. For me, it feels a bit like the author was about to go over her word limit and had to cram all the aspects of a happy ending into the last 6 pages. Sophie gets reconnected with her parents, gets the contract she needs to keep the ranch afloat, and gets proposed to, all in the same scene.
I would have been satisfied with an ending where she got to keep the ranch and we see some promise of her rekindling the relationship with her parents. The fact that her mother would talk in such a way in front of an army man she doesn't know and the fact that immediately after that Zach feels the need to propose in front of her parents and the same stranger just seems too far fetched, even for a romance novel.
I enjoyed the rest of the book though, it's just what you want from a romance novel.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending though. For me, it feels a bit like the author was about to go over her word limit and had to cram all the aspects of a happy ending into the last 6 pages. Sophie gets reconnected with her parents, gets the contract she needs to keep the ranch afloat, and gets proposed to, all in the same scene.
I would have been satisfied with an ending where she got to keep the ranch and we see some promise of her rekindling the relationship with her parents. The fact that her mother would talk in such a way in front of an army man she doesn't know and the fact that immediately after that Zach feels the need to propose in front of her parents and the same stranger just seems too far fetched, even for a romance novel.
I enjoyed the rest of the book though, it's just what you want from a romance novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2011
Leann Harris presents us with a good story of hope and struggle against the odds. Both main characters have their hurdles to climb and working together, they overcome them. It's a good, wholesome story, suitable for any age. Nothing surprising or unexpected, just a good "lawn chair" read for summer. It includes horses and cowboys... what else does one need?
October 6, 2014
This had the outline of an excellent love story, sweet and free of complications, with strong focus on the equine therapy program, its horses, and Sophie's attempt to buy the ranch in order to keep it going. It suffocated a bit under constant mentions of God, prayer, and the characters' ability to reference a Bible passage in response to seemingly everything.
June 14, 2015
Awesome book! I fell in love with all the characters and the storyline being very real was inspiring and heart warming! I enjoyed that the characters faith in God was what kept them going and brought them through in the end.
December 29, 2010
This is a great story. Watch for full review and giveaway at www.favchristianbooks.com
March 13, 2011
Awesome inspirational fiction! Great book with characters you could definitely relate too!
October 22, 2013
Enjoyed this title, read it in a day.
March 24, 2022
Read Feb 6, 2021
January 28, 2016
Not really what I normally read, but was nice.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews