I’ve definitely enjoyed western romances in the last several months, and Jodi Thomas’ Wild Horse Springs was no exception. While it was a bit light on the cowboy side since this book featured Sheriff Dan Brigman and his romance with country music singer Brandi Malone, the side stories had enough horses and guns to satiate any girls desire for that western flavor. This was my first time experiencing a Jodi Thomas novel, but I definitely want to see where this series goes from here.

Sheriff Dan Brigman is a creature of habit. He works, he eats, he sleeps–he repeats. His daughter is grown and lives in another Texas city, and his wife left him years ago, so all he really has is his job. None of the woman that the locals try to set him up with have really caught his eye over the years, but all that changes once he lays eyes on the entertainment at one of the only local bar that has live entertainment. One look from Brandi Malone, and Dan’s hooked–but they agree to a memorable, secret fling since she’ll be leaving town in a few weeks. The last thing either of them needs is to become attached.

Brandi Malone is a great performer–at music, as well at hiding the pain of losing her only child last year. She travels from gig to gig, never getting attached to anyone or any place, so she’ll never be hurt again. But when she meets the local sheriff, she can’t help but be pulled in by his honesty, his strength, and his need to protect her without being overbearing. One night with Dan and she knows that she’s in trouble, and that he’s more than just another admirer. Overall, Dan and Brandi’s romance was sweet and heated when the actually got the chance to get together–which didn’t happen often since Dan had to investigate several crimes throughout the book.

Dan’s daughter Lauren isn’t so happy on her own in Dallas, so she’s traveled home to Crossroads to visit with her father and decompress. She’s drawn into the investigation and protection of Thatcher, a local 18 year old whom her father trusts and protects like a son. Lauren has her own problems with her alcoholic best friend Tim and the love she never got to actually have Lucas throughout the book. But the three of them try to band together to help find Thatcher and his attackers.

My favorite side story was former Texas Ranger Cody and current park ranger Tess. Cody literally falls down a cliff and Tess discovers his bleeding body. The stubborn man lets Tess swoop in and take over his mess of a life, even if he doesn’t seem to appreciate it. These two people seem perfect for each other.

I give Wild Horse Springs a four out of five. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone in Crossroads, Texas. Since this is book five in the series, I did feel like I was missing some things by not having read the first several books in the series. You get the alternating points of view of at least eight different characters in this book, and it took a bit for me to get used to who was who in the beginning. Once I figured everyone out, I settled into the steady flowing narrative and enjoyed the mysteries that Dan had to solve along the way. The characters were unique and distinct, and the setting was vibrant. I definitely want to continue with this series, especially since I want to see more of Lauren and Lucas.

Review: Thomas is one of my favorite authors. I’ve loved her Harmony series along with many of her other books and Ransom Canyon has not disappointed. So far I’ve read and enjoyed books three and four in the series, Lone Heart Pass and Sunrise Crossing, respectively and the prequel novella, Winter’s Camp. All were five star reads that I highly recommend to anyone who loves romances set in the west with cowboys, alpha males and lots of loving and romance. I plan on reading the first two books in the series that I’ve somehow missed, Ransom Canyon and Rustler’s Moon, so I can get some of the backstories.

Thomas doesn’t just tell a story – she weaves one. The different pieces of the story are interwoven and flow seamlessly from one tale to the next. The characters are complex – even the ones we’ve met before. This is Dan and Brandi’s story but it’s also Tess and Cody’s and Lauren, Tim and Lucas’ and Thatcher’s too. Their interactions are real and continued to add another layer to the story. The descriptions of the land, the town, the homes and businesses, the ranch and even the building of the gazebo made me feel that I was there. There are highs and lows throughout but we never dwell too long on any one since with little effort the author captures our attention from the first page to the last. The pages kept turning late into the night since I always needed to see what would happen next.

There are injuries, gunfights, tears, sadness, loss, fear, anger, helplessness but also laughter, happiness, happily-ever-afters in the offing, sweet talk, loving and love. There are second chances at love and those that thought themselves alone and unlovable might just be surprised. There is wonderful closure with enough loose ends that can only lead to another Ransom Canyon book and left me wanting more. I was happy to see that the author said there will be another four books in the series. YAY – Go Jodi!

This is a fun contemporary romance with the plus of a mystery and touch of danger. Dan is a great character who brought smiles to my face from the very first pages.

Dan is a respectable lawman whose wife walked out on him years ago. At least he had his wonderful daughter, Lauren, to watch over, raising her on his own and even allowing her to study and work at the sheriff’s office. Dan hasn’t had much to do with women since. When he finds a sparkly, fancy cowgirl boot in the road he wonders what it would be like to meet the kind of wild woman who would wear those boots. He tracks her down and finds Brandi Malone mesmerizing the locals with her singing in a local tavern. It is lust, if not love, at first side.

Thatcher, a young man who has been adopted by the town as an abandoned boy, has been accused of shop lifting and assault. He didn’t steal the groceries but was really returning them. But he did punch the grocer and he is not going to tell the sheriff the rest of the story. Lauren gets word that Thatcher is in jail and feels she must come home to watch over him and get matters straightened out. Because things look dicey, Lauren calls on the one lawyer she is sure she can count on, at least for law, if not for commitment. Lucas is a successful lawyer but was Lauren’s cowboy, high school sweetheart before college and life took them on separate paths. There is still a strong ember between them but they are both a little gun-shy feeling abandoned by the other.

Cody Winslow is haunted by his last gun fight as a Texas Ranger. He has not been able to out run his demons and nightmares. Riding hard along the canyon at night he ends up thrown from his horse into the canyon. Lucky for him, Tess, a park ranger, and her handful of 5 and 6 year old campers, find him and get him aid. Now Tess is taking charge of his house while he is healing in the hospital and Cody is thinking he might have something to live for if he can just keep hold of this bossy, strong minded woman.

All three character lines converge as the book progresses and drug thugs try to kidnap Thatcher from jail. Thatcher is actually protecting a little girl but didn’t want to tell Dan about it until it was clear the child is in more danger.

I have read historical romances by Ms. Thomas and enjoyed them a lot. She writes with reasonable, well flowing plots that include a little mystery, a good dose of humor, likeable characters and sweet to sassy romance. I was, of course, rooting for the HEA for Dan and Brandi, Cody and Tess, and Lauren and Lucas. The relationships that resolve are sweet and heartwarming. I recommend this as a fun romance for readers of contemporary romance and for mystery readers who like romance.

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley; my rating 4.25.

MissB. returned to a beloved series with Jodi Thomas’s Wild Horse Springs. ICrossroads, Texas’s denizens’ stories continue. Thomas’s series has steadily produced one excellent ensemble-romance after another and MissB. is always happy to return. Wild Horse Springs is a particularly strong addition, if only because the town’s long-lonely sheriff finally gets his HEA. The novel focuses on three couples and a compelling RS plot. Sheriff Dan Brigman falls for newly-arrived country singer, Brandi Malone; our PTSD-ed Texas Ranger hero, Cody Winslow falls (literally! you’ll see) for park ranger Tess Adams; and, we finally have a reunion between high-powered lawyer, former-Cross-Roads cowboy Lucas Reyes and Sheriff Brigman’s daughter, Lauren. The romances unfold in conjunction with some pretty nasty doings. Former waif now grown and happily ensconced in family love and support, Thatcher Jones, finds and loses a little girl – silent, obviously physically abused, and in much need of rescuing. Sheriff Brigman is on the case, as are various Cross-Road-ites and the novel concludes, other than with HEAs for our couples, with an exciting rescue operation.

If you’re a Thomas fan, you’re going to enjoy Wild Horse Springs. Everything that Thomas does well, she does particularly so here, except for a draggy-saggy bit about two-thirds of the way in. Sheriff Dan Brigman, possibly MissBates’s favourite Cross-Road-ite, is Thomas’s Everyman-hero: committed to his town and family, calm, stoic, hard-working. Lonely. As with every Thomas good-guy-gal character, Brigman is a study in contentment until an encounter with a woman sheds light on those things his life is missing: desire, love, and commitment. Thomas’s characters, male and female, are characterized by lives lived-well, but truncated. Ne’er has MissB. read a romance opening of such palpable contentment as Dan’s: “He knew the county, the people and the potholes for miles around Crossroads, Texas. Now that his daughter, Lauren, was grown, being a lawman filled his time. He’d settled into a comfortable aloneness and counted himself lucky. He’d never run with the bulls or climbed Everest or seen a foreign country, but he’d had a rich life.” Thomas’s start-point is satisfaction; her end, joy, with a healthy dose of earthy lust to bind them in between.

For Thomas, hard work, community, and virtue are the keys to living life well and Dan is its epitome. Dan is a character who’s made his peace with his life. Tess Adams, Cody’s love-interest, is another. There are characters, however, who, while practicing these virtues, are also broken in some way from their past. Cody Winslow is such a character, as is Brandi Malone. Their “peace” isn’t filled with contentment, but involves living with ghosts and making do with nightmares. In either case, a life without colour, or too much of it, coming together as a community to fight evil and recognizing the beloved Other transform lives.

Thomas holds up two values in every books she writes – fidelity and monogamy. Her characters go through life, content or broken, but celibate. When they meet their mate-for-life, while not yet even realizing he or she is The One, they are overwhelmed by earthy desire. Everyone in Thomas’s romances is ordinary-looking (another reason to like her), but transformed into things of desire and beauty in the other’s eyes. Big, short, wide, flat, curvy, thin, or muscular, don’t matter; what matters are the feelings they elicit. When characters flirt with the idea of an affair, they soon have to admit that they’re a one-man-one-woman show. They see flaws in the other, in themselves with the other, and they fight, but what remain unwavering are monogamous desire as sanctioned by marriage and forever-kind-of-love. Nothing says this better than Cody’s declaration to Tess: ” ‘I don’t care about anything else on the planet except you. I made up my mind in the middle of the gunfight that that’s the way it’s going to be. So paint my kitchen, don’t salt my soup and organize me to your heart’s content. Just don’t ever leave me.” Maybe Thomas’s values are Miss Bates’s and that’s why she finds them appealing, but that is one of the most romantic things she’s ever read.

Miss Bates loved Wild Horse Springs and will return for more of Thomas’s Ransom Canyon-Crossroads-Texas romances. With her reading companion, Miss Austen, Miss Bates says Wild Horse Springs is “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.

Jodi Thomas’s Wild Horse Springs is published by HQN Books. It was released in January 2017 and may be found at your preferred vendors. Miss Bates received an e-ARC from HQN, via Netgalley.

I read a bit of everything in the romance genre. From historicals to westerns to paranormal to Christian, I've read 'em all! It just so happens that I haven't read a western in a quite a while, so I was excited to read this new book from Jodi Thomas. I'm always open to trying out a new-to-me-author's novels and while I was blown away by the story, it was good.

The characters presented herein are likeable. I like a dashing lawman and Sheriff Brigman doesn't disappoint. Who doesn't love a hunky hero willing to risk it all to protect those he loves? Brandi Malone, a singer trying to escape heartache and a troubled past, certainly can't resist him! That said, Dan and Brandi deserve more page time! I really like them, but they have to share a book with the sheriff's grown daughter and her two friends and a park ranger and her "husband." It is such a shame that there really isn't a chance for Brandi and Dan's romance to blossom and unfold more fully. The love triangle between Lauren, Lucas, and Tim along with Cody and Tess's relationship are interesting to say the least, but so distracting! I'm all for more romance, but in this instance I think it just makes the story more jumbled.

Jodi Thomas has a unique style of writing. I do appreciate an author who can bring Old West vibes to a contemporary story. While I probably won't read this book again, I'm curious as to how the previous Ransom Canyon stories played out. Wild Horse Springs is a quick read and if you're a fan of the author or the genre, it might be worth a look by you!

*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

For some writers love is a little like a country western song – after all the lyrics tell stories, some bittersweet. So when Jodi Thomas describes Sheriff Dan Brigman it seems appropriate to parallel the Toby Keith song “A little less talk and a lot more action.” At least that’s how Brandi sees Dan. Handsome, bossy, a bit shy, good kisser and honest eyes. And Brandi got all that in a brief moment.

Life’s been hard for Brandi and she long ago gave up looking for anything better. No real perceptional goals. Dan’s life has settled into years old routine. He likes his job as sheriff of Crossroads, loves his daughter Lauren and was okay with settling for what was a somewhat lonely single life. Couldn’t really picture himself putting his heart in jeopardy again.

Let me take a moment to interject an important factoid. WILD HORSE SPRINGS is by Jodi Thomas which means it is filled to the rafters with amazing characters. Now back to the story.

Caution WILD HORSE SPRINGS is not a simple tale of love, life and loss – again not the way of Jodi Thomas. WILD HORSE SPRINGS is actually a rather complex story of many interwoven tales encompassing the days and nights of many engaging characters. Too many to do justice to their contribution to this book in this review. But in WILD HORSE SPRINGS we get to revisit with some old and young favorites of the town of Crossroads. Kind of see what they are up to but most important catch up with Thatcher and his good friends Tim and Lauren. Yes Lauren is Sheriff Dan’s daughter all grown up as are her friends. They are all caught up in a drama that has Thatcher smack dab in the middle of something nasty going on right under the nose of the town’s folks.

Dan is going to have quite a problem – a dilemma – keeping his jobs responsibilities and obligations separate from his personal. First he is finding himself totally and unexpected drawn to bar singer Brandi. Dan would like to spend as much time as feasible with this gorgeous woman who captured his eye. A secret affair in a small town. But Dan knows Brandi is a transient whose time in town is limited. Until Brandi gets the notion to hit the road Dan plans to enjoy feeling the warmth of a lovely woman again.

And Brandi. Beautiful woman with an equally beautiful soul searching voice. The first woman to reach far within Dan and make him long for something – someone who could be that special person. Is it impossible to wish for someone who is truly unattainable? And Dan who prides himself on his instincts has no clue about the secrets hidden deep inside Brandi – indeed parts of her that are privately held.

WILD HORSE SPRINGS is the next book in the Ransom Canyon series that has definitely become a must read for me. Jodi Thomas’ diehard fans are just going to love this book. In WILD HORSE SPRINGS Jodi Thomas combines and contrasts some very different life styles with her usual panache. There are always some rather eclectic characters in small towns and when newcomers join the mix the results can often be rather joyous. That’s what WILD HORSE SPRINGS is – absolutely joyous.

Welcome to Crossroads, TX where there just seems to be so much happening! The main story line in Wild Horse Springs is the sheriff in town, Dan Brigman. Dan has been divorced for years and since his wife left, he just hasn’t dated, much to the chagrins of the women in town. But he’s be busy raising his daughter and being the law to worry about a relationship. Plus no one has really ever caught his eye until Brandi Malone.

Brandi has never been one to stay in one place for long, so what could a little fling with the local sheriff hurt.

This book is full of competing stories with Dan’s daughter Laura and a local kid, Thatcher, who gets involved with a town mystery. I read this book without having read the other books in the series and I though I enjoyed the book, I feel as if I would have enjoyed the book more having known these characters in the previous books, with more of their backstories.

If you like small town romance reads, this is a series that you will you will definitely want to check out! 4 Stars.

Wild Horse Springs by Jodi Thomas

As always, Ms Thomas intertwines in her stories three tales of love and in this book it is new love, lust to love, and unrequited love.

Thatcher Jones is the common aspect to these stories. He seems to be the hapless young man who is always in trouble. The whole town is behind him and wants him to do well. In this story, he is in jail and everyone tries to makes sure he doesn’t have a record so he can continue studying. Thatcher has had a difficult life but he always wins through with his street smarts. In the long run, I cannot wait until Thatcher finds his match. But I digress.

The first thread involves the sheriff. To the town of Crossroads, Dan Brigman is their solid and no-frills sheriff. He is reliable and good to have around in a crisis.

Dan Brigman has found his Cinderella. Well, he finds her boot on the road and manages to trace the owner to a local bar where Brandi is the new, and popular, singer. Dan is very attracted to Brandi and plans to woo her the old-fashioned way. Brandi is prepared to be wooed by the ‘sheriff with the honest eyes’, as she calls him. It has been a long time since he has felt attracted to any woman, as his job keeps him busy, and it also keeps him away from Brandi when they try to get together.

The second thread is the two rangers. Cody Winslow had to fall down a canyon to meet his love. Cody, a Texas Ranger, was riding the range when his horse stopped suddenly and he tumbled down the canyon. At the bottom was Tess Adams, a park ranger, who was out camping with a small group of girls. Tess makes sure he is fine but Cody makes sure she stays by his side, even telling a nurse that she is his wife. Tess then begins to organise Cody’s life while he is in hospital, and while there is some initial discomfort (what is wrong with a messy place?) from Cody, he comes to accept that this is Tess.

The third thread involves Lauren, the sheriff’s daughter. She has loved Lucas Reyes since she was fifteen but with all the mistiming over the years for them to get together, she finally decides it is best to just ignore him. Tim O’Grady says he is in love with Lauren but she says they are friends only. As the story progresses there is more fleshing out to this thread of the story and it will be interesting to follow to find out what happens between these three.

I always enjoy Ms Thomas’s small town stories and the threads that wind through the story. The characters seem likeable and so real. These characters are the type that make you want to cheer for them (but not the bad guys). Another great story by Ms Thomas.

Reviewed by Heather

So much going on in this book! Ms. Thomas weaves a number of characters' stories into this one--Dan and Brandi, Lauren and Lucas, Cole and Tess, Thatcher and Hailey (that last one is not a romance--Thatcher's 18 and Hailey's 5!) --along with a strong thread of suspense running throughout. It could have easily all been too much, or too confusing, but I'm happy to say it wasn't. One couple doesn't get to an HEA (yet--fingers crossed that they will at eventually!) but everyone else reaches a highly satisfying point by the end of the book.

I loved that the main couple, Dan and Brandi, are older than the usual romance hero and heroine (actually, come to think of it, Cole and Tess are slightly older too). The romance universe absolutely needs more main characters finding romance when they're past their 20s. The way that Dan and Brandi started out too was adorable--finding her blue sparkly cowboy boot on the side of the road made their meet cute one with a Cinderella flair.

This book, though it's billed as fifth in the series, worked just fine as a standalone. It's my first book from Ms. Thomas, actually--and it definitely won't be my last!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I love a good cowboy story, but this one was just OK. Wild Horse Springs is the fifth in the Ransom Canyon series...but it certainly isn't my favorite of the bunch.

This story features sheriff Dan Brigman and Brandi Malone. Brandi is a singer who is running from a loss...she travels from town to town preforming on the stage and trying to forget her past. When danger strikes Brandi ends up running to Dan instead of running away like she usually does.

The story also features Lauren Brigman, Dan's daughter, who has come home after her job in Dallas doesn't pan out. Lauren has to decide if home is where her heart is or if she is going to travel back out into the world and try and forge a new life. There are some really solid parts to this story, but it did fall a little flat for me. It look me a long time to get into it, and a lot longer to read than most books of this length.

3/5 stars on Goodreads.

Wild Horse Springs is a very entertaining Texas romance! This fast-paced story contains plenty of humor, suspense, action, and romance to keep you reading past your bedtime! The book follows several couples, but is primarily about Sheriff Dan Brigman and singer Brandi Malone. When Sheriff Dan finds a sparkly blue boot in the road, he's intrigued to know more about the woman who lost that shoe...Brandi Malone is still aching after the loss of her daughter, but can't deny the sparks that fly between the lawman and her. This book is the 5th in the Ransom Canyon series, and although it's a great standalone, I always recommend that readers start at the beginning of a series, because I think it adds to the reading experience. If you love western romances, and the sexy, hunky characters who are the stars of these stories, then you should pick this one up!

I love Jodi Thomas’s books. They are mostly Westerns (historical and/or contemporary) and take place in small towns. Wild Horse Springs is a contemporary. It is the fifth book in the Ransom county series. Although there are past books in this series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone because it has a beginning and an end for these characters. However, since there is a common theme that runs through all books, it adds to your enjoyment if you read them in order. However, it is not necessary.

Dan Brigman is a small-town sheriff who has raised his daughter alone. He, unexpectantly, finds a lone blue cowboy boot in the middle of a highway and becomes obsessed with finding its owner. He discovers a drifter, Brandi , singing in a bar. Brandi is devastated after losing her daughter and cares very little about life. I loved this couple because the drifter “without a soul” falls in love with the “boring” sheriff. Although they seem different, this couple seems to complete each other. I was cheering them as I was smiling and crying throughout their storyline.

Dan’s daughter, Lauren, has finished her law degree in Dallas but decides she wants to be a writer instead. She finally returns to town having accomplished nothing in either area. She meets up with a high school friend, Tim, and they work together mentoring a young man, Thatcher. Even though Tim loves Lauren, she sees him as only a friend.
Then there is Thatcher. He is arrested for stealing canned goods from a store, although he claims he is innocent and ends up punching the owner. Lauren calls on another high school friend, Lucas, a big-time lawyer who has also returned to town. Lauren and Lucas have past history, so you can imagine what happens.

There is also the story of Cody Winslow and park ranger Tess Adams.

I loved all four couples even though there were times when I had a little trouble keeping up with them all. However, Jodi Thomas does a skillful job of helping me keep them all straight in my mind.

Jodi Thomas is a talented author who creates realistic characters with original plots. All of the characters touch each other in some way and, yet, still have their own stories with a clear-cut beginning and ending.

I highly recommend this book and also the other stories in this series. In fact, I recommend all of this author’s books because she writes historical and contemporary stories with the same creative style.

Do not start this book unless you can read it in one sitting because you will not want to put it down.

I love how this book keeps you so busy reading that you cannot put it down. There is so much going on that you are always wondering what is going to happen next and then it is such a surprise when the unexpected happens.

It is about time that Sheriff Dan Brigman gets his happy ever after. I can't wait for the next book to come out so I can visit old friends and find out who the next ones to fall in love will be.

Favorite Quotes:

You shouldn’t cuss, mister. We heard you way back in the canyon yelling out words I’ve seen written but never knew how to pronounce.

The manager said once that drunks were like fish – they smelled if left out overnight.

You do have a death wish, don’t you? I’ve already told you I’m not the kind of girl who does well on dates… All right, but it’s been my experience that I am terrible when it comes to men. My prom date brought me home at nine, then went back to the dance.

I’m not sure the two losers who broke into my cell had a clear plan. They might have been hired killers, but they looked like they were paid in quarters.

‘About our marriage.’ Her smile was so sweet he knew it was poison. ‘ I don’t believe in divorce, Ranger Winslow, so I guess I’ll have to make myself a widow.’ He tried to smile, but he wasn’t sure she was kidding.


My Review:

Wild Horse Springs was packed with a cavalcade of odd and quirky characters. Written from a third person POV, I frequently smirked at Ms. Thomas’s use of wry humor and amusing observational details. I enjoyed this entertaining and eventful tale with several active storylines and unsolved crimes. The small town was unusually bustling with activity and appeared to have suddenly become a hotbed of crime, and unfortunately for the sheriff, just when he’d finally found a possible love interest with a feisty singer who was passing through. The writing was entertaining, enjoyable, and easy to follow.

From the opening sentence of the book, you walk into the small town life, the slower pace, the caring, and nosy neighbors, the community that will always back you up. And it is so easy to get lost on the pages, the drama, trouble, and life of the characters as they are trying to find their way forward. It is like visiting old friends for those who are following series, as things pick up from where it was left off in the last installment. I'm sure you could read this story as a stand-alone, but to get the nuances and the past that has molded their lives to come to this point they are now in, I would recommend reading the series from the start. There are several main characters in the book, they all get their chance to tell the events from their point of view, giving vivid and rich images of the fall and winter in the Crossroads, Texas.
Dan Brigman, the lovable sheriff of the town has been in the previous stories of the series and has always been one of my favorite characters. With his smart, caring, solid character he has kept the town safe, and in my opinion, no one deserves a chance of love as much as he does. And Brandi Malone was the perfect match for him. I enjoyed their story and the attraction and adoration they have for each other. The thought of the sheriff having a wild affair made me smile, and root for them to make it work.
His daughter, Lauren Brigman, with the love triangle that has been developing since high school between her, Tim, and Lucas gets more fire again.
Young Thatcher is in a middle of all the drama and trouble developing in town, one of the characters that always brought a smile to my face with the witty dialog and observations.
One of my favorite storylines in the book was the two rangers, park ranger Tess and Texas ranger Cody. The humorous undertones, the sparks flying as they bicker and quarrel, yet the obvious connection bringing them to each other's arms again and again.
I truly felt I had had a lovely and lively visit with good friends as I finished the book. The action, turmoil, crimes giving more spice to the story and bringing the characters together, while the romance and attractions building the relationships moving the plot forward. The stories always leave me wanting more and looking forward to visiting the Ransom Canyon again, finding out how life is treating the good folks of Crossroads, Texas. An epic saga of life, loving and living.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

<http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=62101>

Wild Horse Springs by Jodi Thomas
Series: Ransom Canyon, #5
Contemporary Romance
January 24, 2017
HQN Books

Reviewed by Tori

Dan Brigman may not lead the most exciting life, but he’s proud of what he’s achieved: he’s a respected lawman, and he’s raised a bright, talented daughter on his own. But finding alone, sparkly blue boot in the middle of a deserted highway gets him thinking maybe the cowgirl who lost it is exactly the shake-up he needs.

After losing her baby girl, Brandi Malone felt like her soul died along with her daughter. Now singing in small-town bars to make ends meet, she’s fine being a drifter until a handsome sheriff makes her believe that parking her boots under his bed is a better option.

College grad Lauren Brigman has just struck out on her own in downtown Dallas when a troubling phone call leads her back home to Crossroads. Her hometown represents her family, friends and deepest hopes, but also her first love, Lucas Reyes. Will Lauren’s homecoming be another heartbreak, or a second chance for her and Lucas?

Thomas’ small town contemporaries are always a welcome respite as they weave a cozy tale of love, laughter, pain, and heartbreak of small town living. Similar to her Harmony series (reviews here), each book pushes forward on the arc while, discussing one or two characters romances while dealing with a small thrilling mystery on the side. The fifth book in Jodi Thomas’s Ransom Canyon series takes readers back to the small town of Crossroads, TX with a few new romances and mysteries while updating us on a some well-known residents and introducing us to a few new ones

Wild Horse Springs had all the ear markings of a typical and entertaining story but seems to lose its way quickly. Even with its normal multiple storyline threads, there is a disorganized feeling to the writing that is only matched by the rambling narrative and random head jumping. Thomas uses the same familiar formula that has worked for years, telling the story from four seemingly unrelated points of view slowly revealing the common denominator that binds them all together. But for me, in this instance, it doesn’t work. I found the main romance uninspiring and drenched in unnecessary purple prose while the second romance was far more entertaining but has less time and space in which to develop realistically. Both romances are fueled by insta-love but Thomas doesn’t give us any clues to what the appeal between any of them is beyond the fact they’re all single. The third “romance” has been dragging out since the beginning of the series and offers very little advancement. After five books in I’m still unsure if this is even a romance or just a childhood dream one of the leads refuses to let die.

Three main storylines circle around, feeding off one another as they slowly merge together though as I stated earlier, the plotlines felt underdeveloped and the narrative predictable and rambling. Even Thomas’ strong characters can’t pull this story out of the rut it’s in. The ending is a fast wrap up, leaving this reader frustrated with more questions than answers. As always, each book leaves off with the promise of more to come, giving Thomas a way to continue to build on the arc and the various relationships of the town.

I’m not sure if I will be continuing this series. While I have enjoyed my time spent in Ransom Canyon, it just isn’t holding the same sense of energy or appeal that her earlier series did. I’m also starting to see a decline in the strength of Thomas’ writing. We shall see.

Grade: C-

You all know I love romance and I was looking forward to Wild Horse Springs. There is a lot more packed into this story than the synopsis would lead you to believe. I think fans of this series will enjoy this return to Ransom Canyon. Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy the story. While I did finish it, I had a hard time connecting with it. Part of that could be because I haven't read any of the other book sin the series. I felt like there were a lot of back stories with the characters that I was missing.

I felt like the story was all over the place. There were too many story lines and points of view. I didn't like the "love triangle" between Lauren, Lucas and Tim. I didn't feel like it really added to the story. Dan and Brandi were supposed to be the main romance, but I didn't buy into it. I felt like I needed more of them together. The story line with the two rangers was kind of stalkerish and weird.

As I said I think fans of the series will enjoy this one. I didn't think that this did well as a stand alone. But, give it a shot. You may like it. It just wasn't for me.

The Ransom Canyon series continues with Wild Horse Springs. Even if you have not read the series, you will love the stories woven throughout the book. Jody has the ability to capture my attention in the first chapter and I am hanging on the edge of my seat wanting to know what will happen next. I read the book in two days.

Dan is a small town sheriff who has raised his daughter alone. He finds a blue cowboy boot in the middle of the road that starts his adventure to find his Country singer Cinderella. I was enthralled with their story and was cheering for them to find just a few minutes alone. I loved that everyone saw him as boring but he displayed so much passion when he was with Brandi.

Cody Winslow is a Texas Ranger literally trying to out run his demons on his horse, Midnight, when he is thrown down a canyon. Tess is a park ranger who happens to be in the park with a passel of young “M” girls. It is the small things like adding the girls to these scenes that sets apart a novice author from an experience author, like Jodi. I loved Tess. She is a tough, take charge kind of girl. She took over his life while he was recovering in the hospital; even organizing his cabinets in alphabetical order. The scenes between them were beautiful and hilarious.

Thatcher and his story of the little girl in a red coat were heartbreaking and endearing. I hope Thatcher gets his happily ever after in another book. The scenes with him in the house with Cody and Tess were comical.

Lauren is Dan’s daughter and my least favorite character. She just seemed too whiny. She is holding on to her best friend (Tim) and sleeping with him sporadically. Although she is still crazy about her high school fling Lucas.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a captivating story, romance and characters that you fall in love with

Sexual content: 2-3, There are physical scenes but most of the action is behind closed doors. Definitely chemistry between the characters that sizzles on the page
Violence: some physical fighting, gun fight, and one beating (although not described in detail, it was heartbreaking)
Alcohol: some of the scenes were in a bar where Brandi was the singer