Vanessa and Jacob have more in common then they realize. Both are fighting demons. Vanessa lost many years to drink and drugs. Sobriety was her new self. It had been a difficult voyage to distance herself from drugs a daily personal fight with one’s own insecurities and weaknesses. Each fight a new challenge met Vanessa’s determination to become a more responsible person. She had hit bottom. Her family kept her at arm’s length as if frightened of the person she had become. And now Vanessa is home to Gold Valley perhaps to reconnect with family especially her twin Olivia.

Jacob spent a long time having a good time. Women and drinking with buddies kept Jacob from facing his demons. Light and loose, until reality and tragedy hit him in the face. Unrealistic blame for an accident surely not his fault. Guilt because he should have answered that call instead passing it to his friend. The friend that died because Jacob was busy with a lifestyle that was shameful at best. Now Jacob finds himself with a self-imposed wall between his brother and most of his family.

Guilt, shame is what Vanessa and Jacob have in common. Both need a second chance if not only just for their own psyche.

You might say LONE WOLF COWBOY is about second chances. Irony is that both Vanessa and Jacob have signed on to help kids get back on track. They recognize the angst and issues that face the kids that come to the school. But can’t seem to forgive themselves for their wildness when they were younger. Vanessa and Jacob struggle with their new chosen paths. Their past gets in the way of any real forward motion. Vanessa is quite gallant in her goals and in her hard work to get to this more steady life. But there is much more work to be done.

Jacob sees himself at a sort of plateau. He can’t forgive himself for what he feels was an egregious act of selfishness and sees his future as a lone person. Atonement is a bitch. Forgiveness is a gift. Both Vanessa and Jacob deserve these.

LONE WOLF COWBOY by Maisie Yates is a study in differences. People manage tragedies in their lives differently. It’s all a matter of how you are standing at the end. Strength and love are in equal measures imperative for our existence. We can develop that strength over time. We then have to accept that we deserve the love and can give it freely. Fine line between friendship and love. In LONE WOLF COWBOY Maisie Yates reminds us that often friendship comes first followed by the love that a marriage and commitment is built on.  LONE WOLF COWBOY is the seventh book in Maisie Yate’s Gold Valley series which I admit to reading totally out of sequence. Each book stands so well by itself but I’ve revisited earlier books to get the goods on some really wonderful characters. Each book in the Gold Valley series centers on some of the best characters created by Maisie Yates.