3.5 Wine Glass #Review of Wind River Wrangler by Lindsay McKenna

 

Title: Wind River Wrangler
Series: Wind River Series Book 1
Author: Lindsay McKenna
Format: Kindle, 384 Pages
Published: Zebra (October 25, 2016)
ISBN: ASIN: B01BAYVCPQ
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Still waters run deep . . .

From the moment  Roan Taggart picked up the pretty redhead at the Jackson Hole airport, his training and experience told him she was spooked. She’s left New York City to visit the Wind River Ranch, where Roan is a wrangler, and just as he can pick up a horse’s mood, he can feel the tension coming off her body.  And that vulnerability is triggering all his protective instincts...

Shiloh Gallagher likes the gray-eyed cowboy’s dry humor—and the Special Forces background that lends him a stoic, powerful presence. But she’s been scarred by trauma and her mother’s murder . . . and knows a strong man can be dangerous. She came to wide-open Wyoming to flee a threat that’s left her unable to write her novels. Now, as she rides horses with Roan and helps him build an isolated cabin, she’s slowly letting down her guard. But danger has followed her west, and they won’t have a future together unless they defeat a killer from her past… 

Linda's Thoughts:
Shiloh forced herself to look up at him. Roan deserved her courage, not her cowardice. “You wanted to kiss me.”
“I still do.”

Wind River Wrangler by Lindsay McKenna is a slow-building western romance set against a treacherous game of cat and mouse. It’s the first book I’ve ever read by Lindsay McKenna, but it won't be the last! This is the story of cowboy Roan Taggart and author Shiloh Gallagher.

Shiloh feels that someone is out to get her in New York City. No one believes her, except for her mother’s old friend, who offers her refuge at Wind River Ranch in Wyoming.

This story starts off well with Roan picking up Shiloh at the airport as she’s fled New York. Roan is a ranch hand at the ranch, but he was previously Special Forces in the military. He picks up immediately that Shiloh is spooked and vulnerable - which triggers his protective instincts. The ranch is secluded and no one knows where Shiloh is, or do they? When the very real threat follows Shiloh to Wyoming, the suspense and danger ramp up exponentially.

The relationship between these two characters tugged at my heart. Shiloh was basically a broken shell when she arrived in Wyoming. Her stalker had made her appear demented and she’d even started questioning herself. Their chemistry was immediate, but Shiloh was unable to accept it. I loved how Roan slowly brought out the real Shiloh, challenging her, and how he gave her the strength to love and to fight her villain knowing Roan was on her side.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Wind River Wrangler:

She could literally feel the heat of his body; they were inches apart. She inhaled deeply, his masculine scent mixed with dust and sweat. Heat tore down through her and she gazed up into those gray eyes that studied her in the building silence. He wanted her. The thought was shocking. What was more shocking and disconcerting to Shiloh was she wanted him!
---

She looked over at him, her eyes warm. “Your face has a story to tell.”
Mouth quirking, Roan growled, “It’s a top-secret face, Darlin’.”
---

The lush greenness of the pastures infused Shiloh. Overhead, she saw a red-tailed hawk flying in higher and higher circles in the sky. There were bluebirds everywhere, many of them sitting on fence posts. When they took off, that flash of brilliant blue always made her gasp with delight; it was almost an unearthly gorgeous color.

Wind River Wrangler is well-written with vivid imagery that made me feel that I was right there in picturesque Wyoming. Except for the middle of the book which dragged a bit, the story held my attention. The last fourth of the book was riveting; fast-paced and action-packed making me so glad that I hadn’t stopped. If you enjoy sweet and hot tales of sexy cowboys determined to protect those they love no matter what, you won’t want to miss Wind River Wrangler.



Suggested Reading Order: 
Wind River Wrangler (Book #1)
Wind River Rancher (Book #2)
Wind River Cowboy (Book #3)
Wrangler’s Challenge (Book #4)
Lone Rider (Book #5) – Coming March 27th, 2018!