Peace in the Valley by Ruth Logan Herne

I truly love reading book series, especially when the author is someone I truly admire. Ruth Logan Herne has just released Peace in the Valley, the third book in her "Double S Ranch" series and let me tell you, it was the 'icing on the cake' to this series. The first two books in the series, Back in the Saddle (read my review here) and Home on the Range (read my review here) were excellent, but Peace in the Valley, well let's just say, it was definitely worth the wait.

About the Book:

ADDING THE NEXT VERSE TO AN UNFORGETTABLE LOVE SONG

In spite of their differences, Trey Walker Stafford knows he owes his life to cowboy and legendary rancher  Sam Stafford--the uncle who rescued him after his parents' death. Trey left the Double S Ranch to purse music against Sam's wishes, but returns to central Washington when he learns he's the best match for a procedure that could same Sam's life. Although Trey's found country music fame and success, he's also endured the tragic loss of his wife. He croons about love, but struggles with a yawning emptiness he can't explain.
     Overwhelmed by a growing list of challenges and mistrustful of Stafford men, single mother Lucy Carlton reluctantly accepts Trey's help to revive her crumbling farm when Sam instructs him to repay the overdue debt to her family.
     As the two grow close, Trey slowly begins to open his heart to this beautiful woman and strives to let go of the grief he's held for years. Lucy has a complicated history of her own. Can Trey accept her as she is, learn to forgive the past, and find the elusive peace he's sought for so long?

My Review:

To be perfectly honest, I hated to see this series end. The three Stafford boys were as cowboy as cowboy can be. They were kind and gentle and all of them are 'swoon worthy'. But Trey stole my heart in the second book and never let it go. This is a character that you would want to introduce to your daughter, or sister, or niece or your best friend. He's genuine, authentic and yes, 'swoon worthy.'

Lucy Carlton has had a lot of tough breaks and has an issue with trust and well so does Trey. Together, through God's grace, they learn to trust God, each other and other people as well.

There is a young girl named Ashley that I would love to see get her own story. She is actually Lucy's sister-in-law. I would love to see her three "uncles" take her under their wing and anytime a young gentleman came courtin'... Well, like I said earlier, I hate to see this series end and would love to see maybe one more book...Ashley's story. 

If you enjoy a good clean read with a little bit of cowboy and country music mixed in, you will love this book. I guarantee it. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is best you read all three books in order.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!

I would like to thank the author, Ruth Logan Herne for my copy of Peace in the Valley. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Home on the Range by Ruth Logan Herne

When I pick up a novel to read, it is with the hope that I will be swept away by the characters and can become one with their world. It is rare to find an author who can do that, let alone, do it consistently. Ruth Logan Herne is one of those authors that can consistently create a world of characters that pull you in and let you become one with the story. Her newest book, Home on the Range is the second book in her "Double S Ranch" series and it pulled me in from the very first page. The first book in the series, Back in the Saddle (read my review here), was without a doubt the best contemporary novel I read last year and Home on the Range is the best contemporary novel I have read this year.

Back Cover Blurb

CAN THE BROTHER LEFT BEHIND and A WOMAN WITHOUT HOPE WORK TOGETHER for THE GOOD of TWO PRECIOUS CHILDREN?

Nick Stafford stayed in central Washington, working his family's large ranch after his brothers left to pursue other passions--but his toughest job is being a single dad. As a child he watched his father fail at marriage and parenting, so Nick was determined to show him up. He'd be a better husband, father, and ranch manager than Sam Stafford ever was. Despite that commitment, three years after Nick's wife left him, he has a daughter in trouble at school and both of his girls are facing issues that force him to rethink his stubborn plans.

For Dr. Elsa Andreas, life fell apart when tragedy caused her to abandon her family therapy practice and retreat to the backwoods of Gray's Glen. Her school principal sister believes Elsa can guide the Stafford girls and that working with kids will draw Elsa out of her protective bubble.

Summer on the Double S teems with life and adventure. Amid the bounty of God and land, will Nick and Elsa find the courage to build futures based on faith rather than fear?

My Thoughts

I loved this book. From start to finish the characters captivated me and pulled me into their story. Nick was a character I met in the first book of the series. I can honestly say I didn't get the warm fuzzier about him in the first book but as the author allowed him to reveal his issues and hurts in this book my heart melted and I grew to love him. Elsa, I liked right away, especially when she started working with the girls, Cheyenne and Dakota. She was sweet yet firm and allowed us to see deep into her hurts and issues as well. Now the girls were special. They had me wrapped around their little fingers right off and I didn't want to say goodbye to them.

Another thing I find rare in an author's work is when they can write in such a way that it engages all five senses in the reader. Ruth Logan Herne did just that in this book. There is a scene on pages 130 -133 that engaged all my senses. Elsa takes the girls into the forest to a small bog. On the way you will hear birds chirping and frogs croaking. You will smell the dampness and earthy smell of the forest. When we get to the bog, we will hear the sound of the Spring Peepers...tree frogs. The characters sit down and listen and it is amazing how I was so transported into this scene that I could feel, hear, see and smell everything that was occurring in that scene and I felt at peace, just as the characters did. This to me is a true gift of story telling and Ms. Logan Herne has truly been blessed with this gift.

I could go on and on about this wonderful book, but I don't believe in giving out spoilers. I will say that this book can be read as a stand-alone book but if you haven't read the first book in the series you might want to pick up a copy and read it first. I would highly recommend both books in this series. Home on the Range, releases on September 17, 2016.

I am looking forward to the third book in this series, Peace in the Valley, which is due to be out in March 2017. This will be Trey Stafford's story and I'm anxious to learn more about him.

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author Ruth Logan Herne for my copy of Home on the Range. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne

The last book I read in 2015 was without a doubt the best contemporary novel I read last year. Ruth Logan Herne's book, Back in the Saddle, is the first book in her "Double S Ranch" series for Multnomah Books. It is a contemporary western, set in a small town in Washington state.

It is on a rare occasion when I pick up a book to read and the author's words paint such a beautiful picture I feel like I am watching a movie unfold before my eyes. That is exactly the experience I had when I read Back in the Saddle. I had a clear and vivid image of each of the characters and the ranch and town. It was a wonderful experience seeing the story as well as reading it.

This is the story of Colt Stafford. As the story begins, he has just left his career on Wall Street due to some stock market issues that have hurt him financially. He has come home to the family ranch in Gray's Glen, Washington to help out as his father is ill. As he enters the house, he encounters the ranch house manager, Angelina Morales. Angelina is a 'spitfire' that takes her job seriously and Colt finds himself at the other end of a gun questioning which of his father's gun it just might be and who is on the other end of it. 

Colt has personal issues he needs to deal with and a relationship he needs to mend with his father and brothers. Angelina has a secret she is hiding and only Sam, Colt's father, is aware of it until Colt starts snooping around. Can Colt get over the past hurts from his father and make amends or is it too late? Will Angelina let down the walls she has built around her heart to let Colt see who she really is? 

This is a story about forgiveness, trust and growing beyond the hurt and pain.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the characters develop and open up to each other. I hated to say goodbye to them. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

Back in the Saddle is a sweet story that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good read. I absolutely loved this book and as I said at the beginning, it is without a doubt the best contemporary book I have read in 2015. Be sure to pick up a copy when it released on March 15, 2016.

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author, Ruth Logan Herne, for my copy of Back in the Saddle. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,