- Title: Jake (A Wyoming Sky Novel)
- Classification: Adult Fiction
- Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
- Format: Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Forever (February 26, 2013)
- ISBN-10: 1455502448
- ISBN-13: 978-1455502448
- Author's website: http://www.ryanlangan.com/
Divorce is never an easy thing. It can be one of the most difficult experiences in a person's life. To children, however, it can be utterly devastating. The family they know, love, and rely on is ripped apart for reasons they might not truly understand. In some of the more ugly instances, they are used as the ultimate weapon by one parent to inflict pain upon the other. Such was the case for Meg Stanford. When she was only ten years old, her parents divorced and she was told her father had disinherited her and never wished to speak to or see her again. Now, years later upon his death, she's come back to what was once her home to realize things weren't as she once thought them to be. One of the biggest emotional events that had shaped her life and molded her into the person she'd become had been manipulated by her mother. She'll find her father hadn't abandoned her at all. But that's not the only surprise she finds when her father dies. She'll learn she has a seven years old brother that she never knew existed. She'll have to reevaluate her life and decide what's really important and where she and Cory belong.
Jake Conway is one of the areas most eligible bachelors. He's also a veterinarian who, through his work knows just about everyone. He's got looks, charm, and women falling all over themselves to get his attention. When Meg calls him to treat her brother's horse, his charm and easy going mannerism isn't lost on her or her brother. He manages to coax her brother, who has refused to speak since she arrived, to talk.
Meg and Jake both feel an undeniable attraction for each other, but Meg has no intention of staying beyond the week she feels is necessary to sort out her father's estate. Falling for a sexy cowboy who steals her breath away is by no means in her plans, but she and Jake are thrust together when someone starts threatening her and Cory's safety by breaking in to her father's home; for Meg, resistance may prove futile.
This is the third book in the Wyoming Sky series. I didn't read the first two books, but I didn't feel lost for the lack. This book is about Jake, and with this book we get a glimpse as to how his two brothers and their wives are doing. I confess I wasn't hooked into the story right away, but when the action and intensity picked up in the second half, there was no putting this book down.
Jake was a fun character who seemed to feel the need to protect Meg. He comes from a loving tight knit family which is the polar opposite of the family life Meg had. He makes it pretty clear from the beginning that he'd like to start something up with Meg, but is gentlemanly enough not to push for anything. Slowly, through deeds rather than words, he weaves his way into Meg's life and heart.
Meg is a hot shot lawyer from Washington D.C. She's spends most of her time working long hours with time for little else. For years she thought her father abandoned her after her parent's divorce. Going through his things, she realizes that wasn't true. She finds a series of letters her father had written that had been returned to sender by her mother. Dealing with regret of years lost, she doesn't just have herself to think about. She has to think about her younger brother who has no other family but her. A brother who seems to want little to do with her. A little boy that responds to Jake, but not her. Additionally, there's the mystery of what someone might be after of her father's. Someone keeps breaking into his home and no one has a clue as to why. As things escalate Jake proves over and over that he's something special and Meg has to deal with her growing feelings.
There is also a secondary mystery that finally gets solved. Jake's mother up and disappeared one day without a trace. It was like the earth opened up and swallowed her whole. She was just gone. I don't know if it would be possible to actually come up with a fairly accurate picture of what happened over 20 years ago, but it was a great way to end the series. I've heard of similar real life stories of similar happenings and wonder if one of those inspired the author. I'm trying not to give too much away, but it's really difficult.
Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. This is a heartwarming tale about love, loss, and forgiveness. I thought the two mysteries were well written and the characters seemed to spring to life from between the pages. The way the author allowed Meg to take a step back from everything, weigh her options, and evaluate her feelings and Cory's was a nice touch. I loved that Meg didn't just fall in love and give everything up on a whim. She made sure it was the right decision. I definitely will be reading more books by this author. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
FYI, R.C. Ryan also writes books under the name Ruth Ryan Langan.
Order of the series:
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