Title: Second Hope
Author: J. B. McDonald
Publisher: Samhain Publishing LTD
Publisher URL: http://samhainpublishing.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60504-472-9
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs reviewer: Rose Nymph
When Cole Masterson and his horse are involved in a freak accident, Cole knows exactly where to go to give his horse the best possible chance of healing – The Second Hope Ranch. With the reputation of offering the best equine rehabilitation going, he’s willing to pay whatever’s necessary to stay at the ranch with his horse, regardless of how unusual it is for the owner to accompany their horse. He just hopes the owner will agree to his terms.
As annoyed as Nat Jackson is about her new client’s request, she allows Fleet’s owner to stay. It’s not like she’ll pay him any attention anyway; her only concern is mending the horse. Her parents may not approve of her choices in life but with the help of her Grandmother’s investment, she’s been able to make the ranch quite the success. She isn’t going to turn an injured horse away just because of her dislike for cowboys. Running the ranch is difficult but Nat is a natural healer, even if the introduction of this unpredictable man is making her feel like she’s the one being healed.
Every so often I read a story that has a deep effect on me; the characters and story breaking past the typical boundary of casual escapism and creating a more permanent mark on me. Second Hope is one of these stories. The plot of a woman who has been hurt deeply but fights on, who won’t allow a man close enough to learn the truth of who she is or to inflict further pain, who is proud and gains respect for her work ethic, strength and tenderness caught my attention in a way few do. I was intrigued as to what could have hurt this character so badly and hoped she could gather all the strength from her suffering and use it to move on.
Cole was a character who I took a liking to immediately. I could tell that this was someone special; someone worth Nat opening her heart to. The intricate way he and Nat tested each other to see if they were trustworthy was wonderful. The author went at just the right speed; not rushing or making me wait too long. The use of the relationship between human and horse to portray the measure of a persons’ worth was a very nice touch, linking the story together.
Author: J. B. McDonald
Publisher: Samhain Publishing LTD
Publisher URL: http://samhainpublishing.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60504-472-9
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs reviewer: Rose Nymph
When Cole Masterson and his horse are involved in a freak accident, Cole knows exactly where to go to give his horse the best possible chance of healing – The Second Hope Ranch. With the reputation of offering the best equine rehabilitation going, he’s willing to pay whatever’s necessary to stay at the ranch with his horse, regardless of how unusual it is for the owner to accompany their horse. He just hopes the owner will agree to his terms.
As annoyed as Nat Jackson is about her new client’s request, she allows Fleet’s owner to stay. It’s not like she’ll pay him any attention anyway; her only concern is mending the horse. Her parents may not approve of her choices in life but with the help of her Grandmother’s investment, she’s been able to make the ranch quite the success. She isn’t going to turn an injured horse away just because of her dislike for cowboys. Running the ranch is difficult but Nat is a natural healer, even if the introduction of this unpredictable man is making her feel like she’s the one being healed.
Every so often I read a story that has a deep effect on me; the characters and story breaking past the typical boundary of casual escapism and creating a more permanent mark on me. Second Hope is one of these stories. The plot of a woman who has been hurt deeply but fights on, who won’t allow a man close enough to learn the truth of who she is or to inflict further pain, who is proud and gains respect for her work ethic, strength and tenderness caught my attention in a way few do. I was intrigued as to what could have hurt this character so badly and hoped she could gather all the strength from her suffering and use it to move on.
Cole was a character who I took a liking to immediately. I could tell that this was someone special; someone worth Nat opening her heart to. The intricate way he and Nat tested each other to see if they were trustworthy was wonderful. The author went at just the right speed; not rushing or making me wait too long. The use of the relationship between human and horse to portray the measure of a persons’ worth was a very nice touch, linking the story together.
However, it is because of the effect this story had on me that the few faults I found were heightened. The way Nat and Cole’s relationship played out to begin with was a joy; the glances, touches and kisses sending jolts of electricity through me. I guess that with such a buildup the result was never going to live up to expectations. I wish there could have been more detail to Cole’s thoughts as his patience and kindness are rewarded. I wanted to read more about the effect being so intimate with Nat had on him, as I believe this was both their stories, not just Nat’s. The ending was slightly abrupt and I wonder if there is more to come in this tale. Also, the writing became slightly repetitive; the words “sinew” and “cord” when describing muscle becoming a little grating. I must say though that horses always add a touch of magic and romance for me and I was sad that Second Hope had to end.
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