Review and Giveaway: Winter at Mustang Ridge

Winter at Mustang Ridge (Mustang Ridge - Book 2) by Jesse Hayworth

Publication Date: 02/04/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet Eclipse
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 0451419154
ISBN-13: 978-0451419156

(Received for an honest review from Signet Eclipse)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Jesse Hayworth on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Summer at Mustang Ridge (2013), Winter at Mustang Ridge (2014)

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from, Winter at Mustang Ridge, courtesy of 

Synopsis:

The Skye family rebel never wanted to be a cowgirl ... and she sure didn't plan on coming home for good.
 
Grateful to her twin for keeping Mustang Ridge in the family, Jenny Skye agrees to return home for a month so her sister can get away. It’s the middle of winter, and only a few year-round staffers, her family, and the animals will be there. But the globe-trotting videographer is soon in way over her head at the dude ranch dealing with reservations, her redecorating-obsessed mother, and the town's hunky new veterinarian.
 
Despite his adventurous past, Nick Masterson is putting down roots in Mustang Ridge. When a stray dog, a missing family member and a snowstorm conspire to throw him and Jenny together, there's no denying the blaze of attraction. But can a relationship that began in the heat of the moment turn into something more for a woman who's always been eager to put her hometown behind her?  

Thoughts:

Jesse Hayworth brings readers the second book in her Mustang Ridge series, Winter at Mustang Ridge. This is a great character driven series that features a family owned dude ranch. Readers who have heard about dude ranches or watched movies like City Slickers will have an idea of what they are in for with this series. Hayworth has created engaging, realistic characters and her use of humor is fun and entertaining. This is a great book for those cold winter nights. A cup of cocoa and a heart warming romance.

What I liked:

This is one of those series' that just warms your heart. I was somewhat skeptical about a modern day dude ranch, but the idea quickly grew on me when I read the first book in the series, Summer at Mustang Ridge. I immediately fell in love with the Skye family and their business. In the second book, Winter at Mustang Ridge I was looking forward to meeting one of the wayward members of the family, who found her fulfillment in life, off the ranch... far, far, away. I 

Jenny was certainly worth the wait. She is girl with an itch for a warmer climate, for the far flung jungles and her work on the film crew of a reality television series. I thought she had tenacity and spunk. But she also had a deep sense of family and when Krista needs a break from the ranch for 6 months, Jenny goes home. I loved the whole idea of the dark sheep returning to the fold. She was different from the rest of the family and that was ok. She was just like them in all the ways that counted. I loved her caring spirit and her love of animals. Rex was one lucky dog!

And so was the new Vet in town, Nick. He was handsome and strong and he loved animals. How could she go wrong? The problem was, he was ready to settle down in Mustang Ridge and she still had the urge to pick up and travel around the world. Nick was so calm and reassuring most of the time. I thought he was the ultimate good guy. I'm glad he didn't finish last. It took some time for him to understand Jenny and that she was worth his time to compromise. I thought he made a great hero.

The romance between these two was sweet. It wasn't saccharine sweet, but just enough to make me feel all warm and fuzzy. There was a little spice here and there, but it wasn't out of place and felt like it belonged to the story and to these passionate characters. It wasn't forced nor did feel contrived. The romance was just what I wanted to relax with.

What I didn't like:

There were several comedic moments in this book that were absolutely a joy to read. My only qualm with this book was that there wasn't more of them! I truly enjoyed this one and can't wait to read the next.

Bottom Line:

A modern day dude ranch is a far cry from what one might expect. I loved the idea and thought it was original and refreshing. The characters were exactly what I wanted. Realistic, easy to relate to and all around good people. This a great series, give it a try.

Winter at Mustang Ridge is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Jesse Hayworth is the author of Summer at Mustang Ridge and the novella Sunset at Keyhole Canyon. She is a farm girl from way back, complete with tractors and livestock. Now farmless and driving a Subaru named Roo, Jesse lives on the East Coast with a cranky tabby she rescued from an auto shop and a beloved husband, who rescued her from Match.com. She loves writing about wide-open spaces, animals, and true love, and she hopes you’ll come along for the ride! 

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Winter at Mustang Ridge by Jesse Hayworth.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, March 14th.

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