THE RANCHER'S HEART

Author: C.H. Admirand ISBN: 1594145741 2/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: FIVE STAR
Time Period: Colorado 1860's

James Ryan's peaceful existence turns upside down the night he catches young Mick O'Toole trying to rustle his cattle. Running from a dark past of his own, Ryan agrees to take the boy and his ailing widowed mother in. Widowed Bridget O'Toole's life finally changes for the better the night the darkly handsome rancher opens his home and his heart to Bridget and Mick. But her past is just a day's ride away from town, on a collision course with Ryan's when her husband returns from the dead, blazing a path of destruction straight toward Bridget, Mick and the new life they've made in Emerson, Colorado.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE RANCHER'S HEART is a story of a mother's love and the strength that love gives to a woman. It is also a story about love, forgiveness and redemption.

Bridget O'Toole has been raising her 12 year-old son alone since the day he came into the world. Although she is a widower, she is forced to move from town to town because most folks believe she was never married. Most folks, that is, until she meets James Ryan, his family of ranch hands and one stubborn Irish sister.

Although James has a secret past of his own and a wall built securely around his heart, ever since he was betrayed by the last woman he fell in love with, he cannot resist this beautiful young woman with a heart of gold who is willing to give the ultimate love by starving herself so her young growing son can get the nourishment he needs. Why, he has even found himself quite fond of her boy, too. Unfortunately, just as their relationship heats up and they all but confess their feelings to one another, her dead husband reappears. And he is not the same man her young girl fantasies had built him up to be. Actually, he is very far from it.

When the husband reappears, James is tormented by the fact that he let his heart rule again, and Bridget probably lied to him the entire time. Not only do they need time to figure out what to do with their new relationship, they need to figure out what to do about the fact that she is a married woman.

THE RANCHER'S HEART has some lovable characters you can't help but cheer for, and certainly helps us gals in committed but unhappy relationships, have hope that it is never too late to go after our happy ending or beginning. This one has it all, so don't miss it! Happy reading!

Deana Monteleone