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The second novel in USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins’ compelling new Women Who Dare series follows a female rancher in Wyoming after the Civil War.
A reporter has come to Wyoming to do a story on doctors for his Black newspaper back east. He thinks Colton Lee will be an interesting subject…until he meets Colton’s sister, Spring. She runs her own ranch, wears denim pants instead of dresses, and is the most fascinating woman he’s ever met.
But Spring, who has overcome a raucous and scandalous past, isn’t looking for, nor does she want, love. As their attraction grows, will their differences come between them or unite them for an everlasting love?
Review:
Wild Rain is the second of the Women Who Dare series, but is part of the interconnected universe of the Carmichael/Lee family. However, the novel works perfectly as a standalone.
Wild Rain begins with Spring Lee, an independent rancher heading home during a blizzard after assisting in the arduous and protracted birth of a foal (who arrives stillborn). She’s bone-tired, freezing cold, and just wants to go home but plans change when she catches sight of a rider-less, fully laden horse. According to the novel, had she been anyone else, she might have let the horse go on, given the horrendous weather conditions, but instead, she hitches the horse to her wagon, keeping an eye out for the owner. She soon comes upon a downed man, whose knee has been injured when he was thrown from his horse, and helps him into her wagon.
Turns out the rider is an East Coast newspaperman named Garrett McGrady who has traveled all the way from Washington DC to interview Colt Lee, her brother and the town doctor about life on the frontier. His father owns the “sundown paper” which will publish the story. Spring Lee, who has survived a savage past, isn’t bedazzled by Garrett’s strong build or exceptional good looks and warns him that, while she will let him stay with her and will tend to him, she will not be trifled with.
However, the blizzard and Garrett’s injured knee forces them into close proximity. After a few days, Garrett, a former slave, navy sailor, educated in the law and a carpenter to boot, makes an impression on her, together with his mild manner and gentlemanly ways. And he cooks! What woman can resist a man who knows his way around a kitchen?
When trouble from Spring’s past rears it’s ugly head, Garrett steps up and shows himself to be more than an intelligent man with good manners, but a decent man with an iron character who is determined to stand up for Spring and love her the way she needs to be loved.
This book is fantastic. Spring is no one’s doormat and, after a harsh and relentless life, knows exactly what she needs to be happy. Garrett is a priceless cinnamon roll, the kind of perfect, self-possessed, sensitive beta hero a woman like Spring can be with – one who sees Spring’s extraordinariness and loves her exactly as she is. I need more books like this one, where the HEA is perfect for the couple but might not look the same as everyone else’s.
This novel is a natural follow-up to Tempest, part of the Old West Series, but it is also the second book of the Women Who Dare series. I love interconnected novels – they, create a series of deep relationships between characters that you invest in and grow to love with each installment. For example, Reagan and Colt (Tempest) make their reappearance in this novel and it is such a pleasure to see how their family – and love – continues to flourish. I am eager to see which other couple will be featured in future novels.
ARC provided by NetGalley/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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