Back In the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne [Review & Giveaway]

About the book: The prodigal is coming home.

It's been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray's Glen, Washington. He's broke, but not broken, and it's time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.

He doesn't expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest---a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there's more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he's determined to find out what she's hiding . . . and why.

Colt's return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam's right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn't thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch's contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray's Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor.  And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district's wealth and power---or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?

My thoughts: The author has woven a multi-storied tale that resembles a bird's nest in it's complexity and strengths. While the "theme" of the prodigal returning is a surface story with rugged cowboy turned New York financier returning to the ranch after the financial world plunges downward dragging him with it, I don't see this as a weakness of Colt's but as a strength. He recognizes his need to return to his home where his father, who has fallen ill, can use his expertise as a cow wrangler and it serves his own need as well. He is not too proud to recognize he has a need and faces the challenge of returning in "shame" to family and friends.

Along with Colt's story, there is a layer of family in crisis and the story of the repentant father who is seeking to make up for his many shortcomings and failures through the years as a father to his broken and hurting family.

And the lovely and interesting Angelina has a story that intrigues and draws Colt. Of course, her beauty and kindness are a "draw" as well.

Ah, there is also a charming wee little one that is tightly woven into this nest of complexity with whom you'll fall in love - just as I did.

Ruth Hogan Herne has given us a good read of contemporary ranching complete with vivid roundups in terrible cold and of newborn calves being cared for by rough and tumble cowboys.

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 29
ENDS April 13 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. 

 Open to USA addresses only.
If you have won a contest from Litfuse Publicity Group or this publisher in the past 30 days prior to contest closing, you are ineligible to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author info: Ruth Logan Herne has more than half a million books in print, including fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels. Back in the Saddle is the first book in her new western romance series. Ruth is a founding member of Seekerville, a popular writing collective blog. A country girl who loves the big city, Ruth and her husband live on a farm in upstate New York.

Read more reviews - click here

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Litfuse Publicity Group to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.