bookbox; ARC; first in a new series by this prolific author. Colt is back at the ranch to help his ailing father, but his brother doesn't want him there and the lovely housekeeper seems a bit out of place as if she's hiding something…which she is.

Back in the Saddle is an enjoyable, quick read, hard to put down. I like the way it emphasizes the importance of communication in relationships. It speaks of the loss of a parent in several scenarios: death, abandonment, divorce. It also speaks of single dads, which not many books do.

If you like romance, and stories about small-town and ranch life, you will enjoy this book. ( )

4.5 healing stars.

Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne is an uplifting story about reconciliation, forgiveness and faith. This first installment in the delightful Double S Ranch series also has an understated yet endearing romance that is guaranteed to melt readers' hearts.

Colt Stafford never imagined he would return to his family's ranch but after losing his lucrative job on Wall Street, he has few options open to him. Estranged from his father Sam and with his relationship with brother Nick strained by his long absence, he is uncertain what reception awaits him. His unexpected arrival a day early takes housekeeper Angelina Morales by surprise and their introduction is unorthodox yet understandable given the circumstances. Colt is rather smitten by Angelina, but he also quickly realizes there is much more to her than meets the eye and he is very curious about the secrets she is keeping. While Colt easily steps back into the day to day operations on the Double S, will he be able to repair his fractured relationships with his family?

The death of Colt's mom when he was four years old set the stage for the complicated family dynamics. His heartbroken father quickly remarried and when the marriage ended in divorce, Sam became even more distant from Colt, Nick and eventually, their adopted brother Trey. When Colt and Trey wanted more for their lives than ranching, Sam issued ultimatums to both of them that resulted in longstanding estrangements between him and his sons. Now in ill health, Sam is ready to make amends, but is it too late to mend their broken relationships?

Colt never quite recovered from the loss of his kind-hearted and gentle mother. He could not wait to get away from the ranch and his small hometown but with his career in tatters and his assets frozen, he has little choice but to return to the Double S. Planning only a temporary stay on the ranch, he maintains an emotional distance from his father and rebuffs his attempts to make up for past mistakes. His relationship with his brother is equally uneasy but this does not stop Colt from trying to help Nick move past his heartache over his broken marriage. At the same time, Colt's feelings for Angelina begin to deepen but with both of them looking to the past, will they sacrifice their chance at happiness?

An incredibly poignant and realistic depiction of working through the pain of past mistakes, Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne is a healing journey of redemption and renewed faith. The novel is well-written with a storyline that is a meaningful and thought-provoking. The romance between Colt and Angelina is slow growing and very sweet. The cast of characters is beautifully developed with true life flaws and imperfections that make them sympathetic and easy to like. This first installment in the Double S Ranch series is a heartfelt and engrossing story with a gentle undercurrent of spirituality that is sure to resonate with readers of Christian fiction. ( )

Colt is a well known person on Wall Street. He has all the nice suits and the look of a winner. But as the stock market starts to take a dive, he makes a decision to go back to his hometown. He grew up on a huge ranch called the Double S. It won't be easy going home for him since he has some relationships that need mending. So begins the story of a modern day prodigal son. Will he be welcomed by everyone?

Angelina finds herself working as a housekeeper at the ranch. She is very hard working and family oriented. When she meets Colt it is almost like an explosion going off. He didn't expect her to be in the house and she wasn't expecting him at all. As they begin to get more accustomed to each other they begin to have feelings for each other. Angelina knows that she is hiding something about her past and it is just a matter of time before her secret is found out. Will Colt support her or will he feel betrayed?

The Stafford men are a force to be reckoned with. Rough around the edges, decent, hardworking, stubborn to the core. But each grapples with deep wounds from their past. Patriarch Sam Stafford is finally ready to face the part he played in his broken family and willing to make amends...if it's not too late. What a wonderful set up for the Double S Ranch series.

I was provided with this book to review by NetGalley Bloggers Program in exchange for an honest review ( )

“Back in the Saddle” is the first book in author Ruth Logan Herne’s “Double S Ranch Series”. I so enjoyed this story—the writing is perfectly paced, the story line is involving, and the characters all have great appeal. Colt Stafford left his ranching family home in Gray’s Glen, Washington to make his mark in the financial world of Wall Street. Big city life and big business suited him just fine until it crashed, leaving his future uncertain. With his reputation and his own personal finances in question, he finds himself heading home to touch base with his family and to immerse himself, at least for a while, in the day to day operations of the ranch. He doesn’t expect to be met at the door by a beautiful young woman wielding his father Sam’s own gun. Angelina Morales is the housekeeper and general overseer of the Stafford household. Colt’s brother Nick is the one who stayed behind to help run the ranch, and his other brother, Trey, had left home and started a successful music career. The relationship between father and sons is complicated, as Sam was a difficult and demanding man. Health problems and his own personal losses have given him a new perspective on life, and he wants to make amends with his family and the community. Angelina has her own secrets, but she and Colt have an immediate attraction. Neither of them intended to stay permanently at the Double S, but heartstrings are drawing them closer together—is love in their future? Each character’s faith is in various stages, and their personal growth is an ongoing process. The author generously included a wonderful recipe for “Angelina’s Cherry Cake”. I very much look forward to future entries in this series so that I can find out more about the Stafford men and the special woman who will claim each man’s heart.

Book Copy Gratis via Blogging for Books ( )