The Restless Wrangler

Author: Karen Baney
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Colter Sons #5
Pages: 235
Release Date: March 8, 2023
Publisher: Desert Life Media

Compelling love story full of heartache and redemption set in Ash Fork, Arizona Territory in 1893-1894.

Preston Colter felt like he was the forgotten son. Years of drinking and drifting finally catch up to him. When a near-death experience recharts the course of his life, he finds himself face-to-face with an old flame. Will he prove he is a new and different man, or will he fall back into his old destructive ways?

Years ago, Hetty Clark made one bad choice to follow her attraction to a man she loved which led to the birth of her son out of wedlock. After she inherits her father’s ranch, an older man offers her security for her son’s future if she marries him. When the man from her past shows up on her doorstep, she is faced with a difficult decision. Will she choose a loveless proposal to secure her son’s future? Or will she risk her heart on a man she doesn’t believe has really changed?

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

This is a story of second chances for a prodigal son who, while living selfishly, hurt many people, especially his family and the woman he loves. However, when his second chance arrives, someone has to sacrifice, and Preston is not sure he can live up to that or stay sober. But, when he finds out everything he has been missing in his life, Preston sets out to make changes and find his soul's redemption.

Hetty has made some mistakes in her life, and one of those gave her her son. But when Preston suddenly appears back in her life on the heels of her family's tragedy, she is not sure what to think. She at first is cold towards him, but she quickly realizes that she still loves him, just maybe not enough to give him that answer he so desperately wants from her. Hetty has trust issues where Preston is concerned. She knows his deepest darkest secrets and forgives him anyway. But when it comes to her heart, she is unwilling to let him in again.

This was an emotional tale of a family that needed its missing piece back. This is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and taking a risk that someone has truly changed and gotten their life back together. The question is, what would you risk for love, maybe even the love of a lifetime?

I look forward to reading more about the other brothers in this series and more of author Baney's works.

I was provided with a copy of this novel by the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Heather L. Jones

The Restless Wrangler is the fifth book in the Colter Sons series by Karen Baney. It won't disappoint and will keep you lassoed to your seat!

The main characters are a young couple from successful ranching families who meet and fall in love in July of 1889, yet wrong choices threaten to separate them. Preston is the youngest son of the Colter family who, feeling he could never measure up to his four older brothers and the success each has achieved, sets out on his own self-destructive path.

He leaves home, eventually arriving in Ash Fork, located in Arizona
Territory. After going from job to job due to his drinking, Preston
eventually meets Hetty Clark, a beautiful, strong only child of the
Clark family, during a riding competition. They fall for each other and
one night give in to their attraction. But Preston's feelings of inferiority drive him to leave Hetty the next morning without a goodbye.

In the interim, Hetty is struck by tragedy. One character who offers marriage to Hetty, who now has a son by her union with Preston, takes advantage of her loss. This is one character I did not care for, as
altruism is not one of his strong points. Around the same time, Preston has a near-death experience, which has a profound effect on him. He then sets about to change his life for the better.

The young lovers meet again in 1893, only this time Preston discovers he and Hetty have been blessed with a son. While he wants to marry her and become a family, Hetty is held back by the pain she still feels over his leaving her without a word. Forgiveness will have to wait as fear grips her over the possibility of Preston drinking and abandoning not only Hetty for a second time but also their child. 

Preston faces a tall order on his road to recovery. Can he achieve it?
Will he win back the heart of the fair, headstrong Hetty? Will they and
their little young'un ride off happily into the sunset? Or will Hetty accept the marriage proposal of a man she doesn't love? One will have to read the book to find out. You won't be sorry if you do. 

I recommend this book. It is a lovely read and gives one the feel of being in the story. I give this book five stars.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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