14 Sept 2015

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Book Review / Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas

From New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas comes the first book in a compelling, emotionally resonant series set in a remote west Texas town—where family can be made by blood or by choice…

Rancher Staten Kirkland, the last descendent of Ransom Canyon's founding father, is rugged and practical to the last. No one knows that when his troubling memories threaten to overwhelm him, he runs to lovely, reclusive Quinn O'Grady… or that she has her own secret that no one living knows.

Young Lucas Reyes has his eye on the prize—college, and the chance to become something more than a ranch hand's son. But one night, one wrong decision, will set his life on a course even he hadn't imagined.

Yancy Grey is running hard from his troubled past. He doesn't plan to stick around Ransom Canyon, just long enough to learn the town's weaknesses and how to use them for personal gain. Only Yancy, a common criminal since he was old enough to reach a car's pedals, isn't prepared for what he encounters.

In this dramatic new series, the lives, loves and ambitions of four families will converge, set against a landscape that can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful, where passion, property and pride are worth fighting—and even dying—for.


Published:     25th August 2015
Publisher:  HWN Books
Author Website:  Click here
Goodreads :  Click here
Series or Stand-Alone:  Book 1, Ransom Canyon
Source:  Review Copy from Publisher






PLOT/STORYLINE:  Oh I love a good romance and this one definitely ticked all the boxes for me.  This is one of those stories that doesn't necessarily concentrate on a single storyline but has a few at the same time.  The great thing about this book was that it wasn't difficult to keep on top of who is who and what is happening with what character (I have had a lot of trouble with that in the past with other books).  You have the story of Staten Kirkland who is a rancher, has had a very difficult and painful past but things may be looking up with Quinn O'Grady who he has known for a very long time.  You then have Lucas Reyes who is down on his luck and has to work hard to prove himself.  You then have Yancy who arrives in town having left a troubled past and settles in Ransom Canyon and makes friends there.  He has to make some very difficult decisions throughout the story.  Even though these may seem like very separate stories based in one place, Ransom Canyon, They are weaved together in certain places as well, but not in a confusing way. 

CHARACTER(S):  The best part of the story were the characters Staten Kirkland and Quinn O'Grady.  I did find myself in this story reading other parts (such as following Yancy and his story but wanting to get back to Staten and Quinn.  Staten is such a broken man who seeks comfort in his friend of many years and the prospect of romance was something I was hoping for.  I have to admit that out of the two characters my favourite was Quinn.  At the beginning of the story we don't know that much about her and as the story goes on we find out more and more, especially a shocking secret that I was not expecting...

SUMMARY:  What a great dramatic romance.  If you like reading realistic romance style books this is definitely one to check out. Imagine my surprise when I discovered when writing this review that this was book 1 in a series!  I cannot wait to pick up the next one and see what happens next!  I love it when that happens... 





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