Darcy Leighton is the last veterinarian working in a small town practice after the founder's death. She knows the practice has been sold, but doesn't realise that the new owner only wants an equine clinic. FALLING FOR THE RANCHER might be better titled Falling for the Vet, but rancher does imply the great outdoors.

Logan Maxwell arrives in Aspen Creek Crossroads with more than one shadow in his past. He has decided to just get on with making a good life and since it's his money, the practice will be run his way. But Darcy, determined to raise her daughter well after being widowed, asks Logan to work with her. If she sees to it that he doesn't lose clients in the first two months, he can use the time to get established among the horse owners and then decide about keeping or reducing small animal work.

I thoroughly enjoyed the tale which is gently inspirational and presents the good side of small town life. Emma, the four year old girl, is smart, well advanced for her age and dying to learn to ride -- of course. Logan has two reining horses including the lovely palomino in the cover picture, and Darcy, who rode in her youth, has a wonderful ride. But first there's a lot of fuss and kerfuffle, including a handyman auction for charity, renovating the elderly, graceful home Darcy inherited and dealing sensibly with Emma's asthma. All that and vet patients of the large and small variety as well.

The author Roxanne Rustand tells us that she loves the back country Wisconsin setting and she brings it excellently to life, with fine weather at Easter giving way to violent storms. The atmosphere is supportive, the people genuine. The romance is suitable for anyone from teens to adults. I will look forward to more visits to the town and if you have not read earlier books in the series don't worry, FALLING FOR THE RANCHER works perfectly as a standalone. I recommend the read.