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Throwback Thursday Review: Ryan’s Hand by Leila Meacham

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Ryan’s Hand by Leila Meacham
Re-release Date: July 12 , 2016 (original 1/1/84)
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 256
Source: book provided by the publisher for review

 

 

A sweeping, classic romance about the ties that bind us together-and the promises that can break us apart …

Some friends are more like family…and that’s exactly how Cara Martin feels about Ryan Langston. He stood by her side through the most difficult time of her life and there’s nothing she won’t do for him, even now after his death. But inheriting Ryan’s share of his family’s ranch in west Texas and living there for a year? Cara doesn’t understand what he was thinking. Still, she cannot, will not deny Ryan’s last request…even if it means sharing a roof with his brooding, arrogant older brother.

Jeth Langston doesn’t trust Cara as far as he can throw her. Jeth is certain she prevented his baby brother from spending his last days at home. And he’ll be damned if he lets this stranger take over the Langston family legacy too. Whatever the cost, he’s determined to drive this beautiful outsider away-no matter how intriguing he finds her.

But as the days grow longer and sunshine sweeps across the plains, Cara can’t help but fall for the untamed land-and the man whose passion for it captures her, heart and soul. Can their love bloom wild and free on this Texas ranch?

 

Review:  Ryan’s Hand held my interest from the first page to the last.  I read it in less than twelve hours.  I couldn’t put it down since I wanted to see what would happen next and how else Jeth and Cara would get under each other’s skin!  It was an emotional read that had tears running down my face almost from the start.

Ryan and Cara are friends and always spend Sundays together.  He’s from a wealthy ranching family in Texas but lives and works in Boston after going to Harvard.  His brother and he share ownership  of the ranch since their parents died in a plane crash.  She came from wealth that is now gone since her parents lived beyond their means and she’s doing the best she can to pay off their debts and live within her meager means after their death.  When she makes Ryan  a deathbed promise will it be one she regrets or will it change her life forever?

Jeth and Cara dislike each other from the moment they meet since he fears she has a hidden agenda after deciding to spend a year on the ranch she now co owns before selling her share back to him.  He’s harsh to her at every turn and no one on the ranch likes her because of who they think she is.  Jeth is snarling one minute and nice the next until something sets him off again.  He has moments of kindness that are few and far between.  No matter what Cara tells him he feels they are all lies.  She works herself to the bone without grumbling and manages to do all the chores assigned to her and gains the respect of others but not him.  They both have secrets and hold back the truth on so many things saying what they think the other wants to hear, especially Cara.

There are family, the ranch, the animals, the cowboys, never ending tasks, loss, sorrow, anger, fear, hurt, tears, respect, plans made and ultimately love.  There is a nice flow to the story and a depth to the characters since neither wanted the other to know what they were feeling or thinking.  The descriptions of the home, the ranch, the horses, the roundups and other business on the ranch made me feel that I was there.  There is closure but an epilogue would have been nice.

I was surprised to read this was the first book written by Ms. Meacham – on a dare – and first published in the 80’s and republished now without changes.  If this is her caliber of writing I’ll definitely be back to read more of her books!  This is the first book of her books that I’ve read but I’ve had several on my TBR pile for quite a while.  I will be rectifying that shortly.

Favorite Quote:  The stallion was an awe-inspiring sight.  Coal black with a full mane and tail, head held with the proud, graceful carriage of a Thoroughbred, he was the kind of horse that raised goose bumps just looking at him.  Cara could easily understand how this equine king of the range had been able to outrun the fleetest of La Tierra’s horses, and outwit the most cunning of her men, Jeth Langston.  “So you are Devil’s Own,” she breathed softly.  Beneath her, Lady’s muscles twitched coquettishly.  The mare’s ears perked and her tail swished in outright flirtation.

joanne







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