Karen Rock

Katlynn had enjoyed her "stardom" but now she was thirty-two, and felt threatened all she sacrificed could soon be "swept away" if she didn't do something to hike her ratings up. There was only one thing she could think of, something she had tried hard for all these years to forget... "back home" and painful memories.
If this is what it takes to save her career and the livelihoods of her staff, then she had no alternative.
Cole was out all the chilly night with a cow who was calving. Early morning , his father joined him. As they observed the struggle of the mother struggling to claim her calf. Cole's Dad dropped a "bombshell" on him. When they arrived home, Cole discovered that was not the only "bombshell" his dad had to drop!
Could Katlynn and could Cole escape without "pouring salt into old wounds"?
Several twists, hidden secrets, adventure, excitement, and emotional conflicts occur within these pages. Unhurried secrets that could set those in present bondage, free!
Will they truly be able to solve this mystery from the past?
The characters are so realistic and the scenes depicted so well, the reader will feel he/she is right there with them!
The Cover and Title are a very good "Fit".
*This book was gifted me with no suggestion of a positive review. This is my honest review.… (mais)

Acquired Book By: I received a complimentary copy of “A Rancher to Remember” direct from the author Karen Rock in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Daryl Loveland is shouldering an incredible burden - not just the fate of his marriage and how his relationship with Leanne was disappearing in front of his eyes but he had leftover anguish about how he was raised. Scars like that do not heal easily nor do they fully erase from a person's spirit - Daryl was a kind father with a good heart - as he recognised when he should be more patient and calm when it came to his children even if his insides were boiling past repair. You can see it in how he was trying to work through a disastrous dinner where everything went to heck and a haystack; yet, he stilled his anger and kept things calm for the kids. His daughter and son were questioning why their Mum hadn't returnt home - which is when of course, your own heart went to pull for this troubled family. You knew he had a lot weighing on him just by what was being shared this early into the story but I don't think anything prepared him or I for whom was behind the doorbell.

As jarring as the opening chapter had become, I had a feeling there was an equally rough road ahead of Cassidy and thankfully I was not mistaken. I didn't quite predict how rough her life would become as I was thinking she was going to have a hard exit out of Southeast Asia when in reality her troubles came to a head a bit closer to 'home', so to speak! This was also seriously one of the better trauma induced amnesia patients I've come across recently in fiction - as Cassidy of course is a victim of her injuries but it is how Rock highlighted that fresh angst over lost memory which truly resonated with me.

I loved the scene with Sierra and the injured eagle - mostly as I have held a deep appreciation for wildlife rescue my whole life whilst I've also have taken injured animals to rescue organisations for rehab before they were re-released. It is a beautiful testimony to how we can all play a part in the cycle of life and how dependent the natural world can sometimes be on our everyday kindness. It was lovely finding this sentiment reflected through Sierra but also, of how well she knew her brother Daryl as he wasn't just stopping over for a crash course in raptor rescue procedures!

Sometimes brothers need the straight-talking advice of their sisters - specifically this is exactly what Daryl needed out of Sierra! She doesn't mince words and happily owns her thoughts when it comes to doling out advice to one of her brothers who feels down on himself but without the realisation that he's putting too much blame where it doesn't belong. I knew I liked Sierra but in this story, she truly warms your heart for how caring she is to find the higher road to help Daryl through his self-afflicting recriminations which do not belong against his spirit. I mean, you can understand how he came to this realisation - that is aptly explained - but I took Sierra's side when it came time to owning the reality and the truth; Daryl is far too hard on himself for his own good!

Rock has solidified this series with its deep roots spilt between the Cade and Loveland families - towards that end, she also has intensified our appreciation for these families due to their life affirming bonds and sibling advocacy. They have become entrenched in your heart as you read their stories and this one proves to have one punch after another! I was torn between my concern for Joy and Cassidy; they were each facing their own demons in this installment to where you just wanted to reach out and hug them both! Daryl had a winning personality even though he didn't have a lot of self-confidence in himself (which reminded me of a lot of the American Idol contestants lately who have zero confidence in their abilities right now) nor of his role within the Loveland family.

Despite all of that and the pressure of the unknowns relating to Leanne (Cassidy's sister, Daryl's wife) - Rock brings us fully round to the heart of what makes this series such a worthwhile read. She draws you close to the drama of how family has to bend and yield round each person's adversities and trials; everyone has something to face in life and everyone has something to overcome - that's where family steps in and helps you get through those darker parts of life which seek to destroy your soul. Family has your back and family helps you rebuild your life when you think you can't start anew and find a new purpose to anchour your future towards. This is why I love this series - its about the realness of how the realities of living can seek to push you down but its how you rise out of the ashes that counts the most.

// This is a quotation of my full review originally shared via jorielovesastory.com… (mais)

4.5 Stars

So, I’ll be honest here. I had my doubts about how much I would like this new Karen Rock book but as a fan of the Loveland and Cade clans, I wasn’t about to miss it. Y’all, Rock blew me away with this book. Why, you ask? Well, I’ve got a few things to say about it.

First, my biggest concern after reading the description was a (very recently) widowed man falling for his first love, who also happened to be his deceased wife’s sister? Yeah, that sounded like too much too soon. But nope, Rock gave a believable backstory to that, and the history Cassidy and Darryl share just enhances their attraction and admiration for each other.

Darryl is so determined to do the right thing, to live up to the Loveland name, that he often sacrifices his true desires for others around him. But he is most definitely one of the good guys. I mean, how can you not love a cowboy whose kids are his everything?

And Cassidy? Well, despite her globe trotting photojournalism career, this woman has a tender heart and cares just as much for those kids.

Of course, in true Karen Rock fashion, there’s also plenty of stoic Loveland siblings, hot-headed Cade siblings, and some family drama that remains to be solved in future books.

A Rancher to Remember surprised me in the best kind of way with Rock’s ability to deliver solid stories with tough issues, family ties that are almost unbreakable, and lots of heated kisses for the romantic in her readers.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.… (mais)