Book Review: Against the Wind by Kat Martin

Against the Wind

The Raines of Wind Canyon

by Kat Martin

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Mira; Original edition (December 28, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0778329194

ISBN-13: 978-0778329190

eArc courtesy of NetGalley

They were known as the "no-account Raines boys" but they've grown into successful, honorable men and everything they have, they've fought for tooth and nail. Now each of the three brothers has one last obstacle to overcome to claim what's eluding them: love.

Secrets don't stay buried long in cattle country. Sarah Allen, the beautiful girl who humiliated Jackson Raines in high school, is back in town. Not so long ago, she couldn't wait to leave Wind Canyon, Wyoming, in her dust. But, recently widowed, she has nowhere else to go and finds herself on Jackson's ranch. And despite everything, Jackson's finding himself reluctant to get rid of her.

Sarah brings her own kind of trouble, and he can't resist trouble. Enemies of her dead husband show up making threats, thinking she has something they're owed. They're not taking no for an answer, but what they will take is the one thing she has left—her daughter. Jackson's the only one who might be able to save little Holly and bring her home.

Review:

Sarah Allen left Wind Canyon over a decade ago and never thought to return. But when her prince charming turns out to be a wife-beating criminal and winds up dead Sarah packs up her daughter and returns to the small town in Wyoming to start fresh.

Jackson Raines and his younger brothers grew up on the wrong side of the tracks but he’s now the successful owner of Raintree Ranch. When he realizes that the new renter of his cottage is the girl that humiliated him in high school he’s none too happy but is powerless to stop the attraction that burns even brighten then it did sixteen years ago.

Sarah never wanted to hurt Jackson but was caught up in the high school dramas of popularity. She is determined to convince him to let her stay on the ranch and prove that she won’t be a bother. But trouble has seemed to follower her from L.A. when the men her late husband was blackmailing starts threatening her for a disc he made. Jackson, always one to help a person in need, names himself Sarah’s protector and together they set out to discover who is behind Sarah’s threats, what the disc they are looking for is and who murdered her husband. Along the way they discover a passion too hot to deny but can they put aside their past and learn to depend on and trust each other fully?

Kat Martin never disappoints! I have been reading Ms. Martin's novels for well over a decade now and was eagerly anticipating this next series.

With Against the Wind she gives readers a compelling western contemporary romance with an interesting, heart melting story of two people learning to love again and their journey to put an end to Sarah’s troubled past so her and her daughter can live in safety and peace.

Jackson is a strong, capable and rugged hero (and smokin’ hot cowboy) with a big heart, he knows Sarah’s past and treats her accordingly, never pushing too far, despite his distrust in her from their high school past. His dedication to both Sarah and her daughter Holly is warming. Sarah has a bad view on men thanks to her late husband and expects the worst in them; she doesn’t think that she can ever let her guard down with Jackson. And she is determined to be strong, independent and make a good life for her daughter, no matter what it takes. Their relationship developed & progressed realistically and Sarah and Jackson are an endearing couple capable of some very hot and steamy love scenes.

Each character is real and identifiable while the world building is detailed; Kat Martin truly knows the western terrain and I was easily able to picture it even though I have never visited that side of the country. The plot moved at a nice, steady pace filled with romance & suspense and sprinkled with action (more towards the end) and mystery. Complete with chases, kidnappings and gunfights. After a few surprising twists the story comes to a climatic end and a satisfyingly conclusion. 

I really enjoyed the glimpses of small town life and the other two Raines brothers. Against the Wind is a classic Kat Martin romance and a great read! I'm diving into Against the Fire, the second novel in this trilogy about Gabe Raines, right away!

4 Wine Glasses!

AND a Snack Tray!

3 Smokin Hearts for some smexiness going on!