The second book in the Copper Creek Cowboy series
THE REBEL OF
COPPER CREEK is another story by R.C. Ryan. Once again
Ryan has penned a wonderfully touching and somewhat
inspiring story that just happens to take place on a
ranch. This is a timeless piece about acceptance, love,
integrity and inner strength. THE REBEL OF COPPER CREEK
brings us back to the larger than life MacKenzie family.
Ryan introduced us to this family in The Maverick of
Copper Creek and candidly left me waiting eagerly for
this next installment. Anyone who loves cowboys and
cowgirls, horses, dogs and just plain hard working people
will be smitten with this very warm and touching story
about people with grit and staying power.
THE REBEL OF COPPER CREEK centers on two newcomers to
this area of Montana where life is full of legacies --
ranches are handed down generation to generation. Griff
Warren was brought up by a single mother who upon her
death left behind the knowledge of his birth father's
name. She had already started the legal process to prove
to his father -- Bear MacKenzie -- that Griff was indeed a
son that he had never known about. So much about Griff
was like his father Bear including the indisputable
physical likeness. In fact once at the MacKenzie Ranch
Griff found something he had missed all these years --
family. His legacy. One of the joys in reading this story
is the reference by almost anyone Griff meets as he is
commonly greeted as Bear's other son. Love it.
Also new to the area is Juliet Grayson -- commonly
referred to as the widow Grayson. Her husband succumbed
to injuries sustained in combat leaving Juliet with a
three year old son and a child on the way. After Buddy's
death Juliet moves lock, stock and sons to Buddy's family
ranch as per her husband's wishes. This ranch was his
legacy to his sons. For Juliet it meant a huge adjustment
but she needed this change for herself and for her two
little boys. Adjusting to the death of her husband also
meant dealing with issues that included her son's
adapting to life without a father -- especially difficult
to the six year old Ethan.
Juliet decided to use the ranch as a means to help
veterans cope with life altering injuries. Help them with
a few hours of freedom so to speak -- back on the saddle -
-
help these heroes win back some of their independence
from wheelchairs. This was her way of helping men just
like her husband. It was a noble cause and Juliet found
it satisfying and challenging.
Juliet's group of veterans called themselves the Romeos
and as luck would have it Griff met up with one of them
at the local bar. Call it luck -- or perhaps fate. But
that was why Griff found himself at the Grayson ranch
meeting Juliet and her sons. This was to be a defining
moment in all their lives.
The MacKenzie family is still reeling over the recent
murder of Bear MacKenzie. His killer is still at large
and the family is determined to get to the bottom of this
callous and cowardly act. The MacKenzie's are a tough
bunch totally devoted to each other and when they begin
to realize how important Juliet is to Griff well the
family of course takes her and her boys under their
collective wings. Juliet and Griff haven't really
cemented any sort of a relationship but their attachment
is strong. There is of course a lot at stake here so both
are going to move real slow. However as you will find --
the MacKenzie bunch doesn't do anything half way. There
is strength in numbers and this family never backs away
from a challenge.
THE REBEL OF COPPER CREEK is a great continuation of a
family legacy story but it surely stands on its own
merit. I have loved both of the first two books in the
Copper Creek Cowboy series and once again find
myself awaiting
the next installment. R.C. Ryan has created rich
wonderful characters who are definitely larger than life
and have great personalities that jump off each page. In
THE REBEL OF COPPER CREEK Ryan has added a few new ones
that will surely be around for a long time. It's a story
with just the right amount of drama you won't want to
miss.
A love worth fighting for . . .
The last thing widow Juliet Grayson needs is a man in her
life. Between caring for her two young sons and
maintaining
her husband's ranch, her hands are more than full. Then
she
meets Griff Warren. With his quiet strength and his easy
way
with her boys, she's tempted to trust him. But if there's
anything she's learned, it's that love only leads to
heartbreak.
Former Marine Griff Warren never thought he'd settle
down.
Rebellious and proud, he's always been on his own . . .
until the father he never knew he had died, leaving him
with
land that is his legacy and brothers to share the load.
He
doesn't need more than that. But Juliet touches something
deep inside him-and he wants nothing more than to protect
her and her sons. Now if only he can convince her to take
a
second chance at true love.
Excerpt
..."I hate that I'm such a coward."
"You?" Griff turned Juliet to face him, rubbing his hands
over her shoulders, down her
back. "You're the bravest woman I know." He looked down at
her in her skimpy night
clothes, his gaze trailing from her high, firm breasts
peeking through the cami, to her
bare toes. "And the sexiest."
"Griff..."
He hadn't planned it. It just happened. One minute he was
offering comfort; the next
he was seeking it.
He lowered his face. His mouth covered hers in a kiss so
hot, so hungry, he saw stars.
And wondered whether it was the storm outside, or the storm
within.