Welcome to book one in the Cowboys of Copper Creek
by
R.C. Ryan. THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK is an intriguing
story with several intended twists to keep the reader on
their toes. Of course the basic story line is that of a
romance after all this is R.C. Ryan. But true to form
Ryan has taken great liberties with that premise and
developed a page turning crime drama -- a regular who-dun-
it. Who can resist a romance crime novel complete with
rough and tough cowboys, ex-marines and the requisite
damsel in distress. THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK has all
that and more.
Several years before Ash MacKenzie had run out of
patience and endurance for the punishing comments made by
his domineering larger than life father Bear. He had done
anything asked but always found himself falling short of
Bear's expectations. Having inherited his father's well
known temper Ash did something totally unexpected. He
left home. This was not an easy decision and perhaps if
he had truly thought it through it wouldn't have come to
fruition. But an angry discouraged nineteen year old
doesn't always do his best thinking when mad.
Fast forward a decade of years and a lifetime of new
experiences Ash is called home. This time to the news of
his father's death -- actually a murder. The family
naturally gathered around in this time of great sorrow.
Even more pressing was the fact that there was a murderer
still at large and everyone in Copper Creek Montana
instantly became a suspect. Bear had certainly amassed a
great deal of friends in his life but he also had an
equally fair share of enemies. Men with power and wealth
often did.
But Ash had other issues to face upon returning home.
Somewhat immediate was his hasty departure from his best
friend Willow. Ash had become a great source of comfort
for Willow whose home life was a nightmare. Willow had
enjoyed becoming a part of Ash's close family. Losing Ash
also meant losing that connection to the only kind people
she knew.
While Bear's killer remains at large there are a wide
range of incidents that seem to be targeting both Ash and
Willow or perhaps either one. Facts are that no one can
determine who the real target is. It would seem that the
likely candidate would be Ash -- no one is any wiser to
who or why Bear was killed. Willow has no family left and
her ranch is rapidly falling into disrepair. For all
intents and purposes there isn't any reason for Willow to
be on anyone's radar.
But someone is out there wreaking havoc and making the
MacKenzie family anxious to get this all settled before
anyone else is hurt or worse.
Suffice it to say THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK is a
surprising delightful addition to the many stories I've
read by R.C. Ryan. Since it is book one of this new
series you can only expect this story to improve with
age. All R.C. Ryan books are independent stories and
stand on their own. But MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK will
definitely leave
you wanting more. This entire series will be an excellent
addition to must reads.
Ash MacKenzie
broke his share of hearts when he left Copper Creek all
those years ago and struck out on his own. Tall, tough,
and
proud. That's how Brenna always remembered him, and from
the
looks of things, he hasn't changed much. Once, she thought
he could save her-whisk her away from her rough childhood
home and start fresh together. Now she knows better . . .
Ash isn't planning to stick around town long. As
soon as he uncovers the truth about his father's death and
makes sure the family ranch is safe, he'll be back out on
his own. And then he runs into Brenna Crane. It broke his
heart to leave her once-a herd of stampeding horses
couldn't
make him do it again. But Brenna has made a new life for
herself, one that doesn't include him. Now he just has to
convince her to give their first love a second chance.