For some writers love is a little like a country western song, after all the lyrics tell stories, some bittersweet. So when Jodi Thomas describes Sheriff Dan Brigman it seems appropriate to parallel the Toby Keith song "A little less talk and a lot more action." At least that's how Brandi sees Dan. Handsome, bossy, a bit shy, good kisser and honest eyes. And Brandi got all that in a brief moment.

Life's been hard for Brandi and she long ago gave up looking for anything better. No real perceptional goals. Dan's life has settled into years old routine. He likes his job as sheriff of Crossroads, loves his daughter Lauren and was okay with settling for what was a somewhat lonely single life. Couldn't really picture himself putting his heart in jeopardy again.

Let me take a moment to interject an important factoid. WILD HORSE SPRINGS is by Jodi Thomas which means it is filled to the rafters with amazing characters. Now back to the story.

Caution WILD HORSE SPRINGS is not a simple tale of love, life and loss, again not the way of Jodi Thomas. WILD HORSE SPRINGS is actually a rather complex story of many interwoven tales encompassing the days and nights of many engaging characters. Too many to do justice to their contribution to this book in this review. But in WILD HORSE SPRINGS we get to revisit with some old and young favorites of the town of Crossroads. Kind of see what they are up to but most important catch up with Thatcher and his good friends Tim and Lauren. Yes Lauren is Sheriff Dan's daughter all grown up as are her friends. They are all caught up in a drama that has Thatcher smack dab in the middle of something nasty going on right under the nose of the town's folks.

Dan is going to have quite a problem, a dilemma, keeping his jobs responsibilities and obligations separate from his personal. First he is finding himself totally and unexpected drawn to bar singer Brandi. Dan would like to spend as much time as feasible with this gorgeous woman who captured his eye. A secret affair in a small town. But Dan knows Brandi is a transient whose time in town is limited. Until Brandi gets the notion to hit the road Dan plans to enjoy feeling the warmth of a lovely woman again.

And Brandi. Beautiful woman with an equally beautiful soul searching voice. The first woman to reach far within Dan and make him long for something, someone who could be that special person. Is it impossible to wish for someone who is truly unattainable? And Dan who prides himself on his instincts has no clue about the secrets hidden deep inside Brandi, indeed parts of her that are privately held.

WILD HORSE SPRINGS is the next book in the Ransom Canyon series that has definitely become a must read for me. Jodi Thomas' diehard fans are just going to love this book. In WILD HORSE SPRINGS Jodi Thomas combines and contrasts some very different life styles with her usual panache. There are always some rather eclectic characters in small towns and when newcomers join the mix the results can often be rather joyous. That's what WILD HORSE SPRINGS is, absolutely joyous.