Great read. The author really draws the reader into the story. Seemed so real. Will definitely read another book by this author. I felt like I was part of the story.

Leanna suffered a mysterious trauma years ago but now she's carpenter who will work on the cabinets at Logan's home in Wyoming. He has trauma in his background as well. This looks, on the surface, as if it has a lot of potential but but it gets weighed down. Who is gaslighting the ranch? Is it the evil Polcyn corporation which is trying to buy up land to frack? Regardless of where you stand on the fracking issue, McKenna has pushed a lot of argument against it in what is meant to be a romance novel. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I didn't love this one largely because the characters weren't strong enough to carry the unsurprising plot.

This book has good parts and also shortcomings. Since I read an advance reader copy I am hoping some of the errors have been corrected and the wording tightened. An innocent love story that becomes action packed and steamy. What a surprise. Some strange beliefs also. Overall it was an enjoyable story with the main man being a little too good to be true and the female too unworldly.

A strong man who hasn’t quite recovered from the loss of his wife and baby and a woman who was attacked as a teen who is moving on with her life. Leanna Ryan has been offered the opportunity to create a unique carpentry remodel at a ranch in Wyoming. Her first views of Silver Creek are impressive as is the man who owns Wild Goose Ranch, Logan Anderson. An accident when she first arrives is not the start to the new life that she was planning, but Logan offers her safe living arrangements at his home. Slowly, as they work on the remodel, they both begin to develop a strong friendship…could there be a future for them? Everything is not completely blissful as a man is determined to gain access to the ranch for its mineral and water rights. Logan is determined to protect his land and heritage, but when their lives are threatened will he be able to keep Lea safe? A heartwarming story of love of family and community. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

DNF 25%

Idk, the blurb made it seem like this would be a story I would enjoy. You know—a small town romance with a bit of suspense. What I was not expecting, however, were the lengthy, full-on descriptions. From valley, hills and mountains to rooftops, grazing cattle and every hardwood floor, door, cabinet and anything and everything Lea came upon. I understand that this was Lea’s first time out of what was familiar to her and that she is a master wood worker, but some times little bits of details here and there are better than paragraphs that add nothing to the story.

In addition to those detailed descriptions, the author decided to take on fracking. Used as a part of the plot was actually interesting, it made for an established villain of sorts. However, having the HERO and HEROINE discussing this at length on the page when they first meet really disappointed me. Add to that the fact that Logan spent an unbelievable amount of time talking about the whole history of how the ranch came to be, and I was done. And what is most disturbing is the fact that all this transpired in a day! A DAY! There were no sparks, no internal acknowledgement of attraction. Nothing! Just history, politics and trees.

ARC provided in exchange of an honest review.

I read the synopsis of this book and sounded like something I would like to read. Well, I promised to read it all the way through, and I did, but it was one heck of an effort.

Lea is a woman in her late 20's who is still traumatised by something that happened to her in her teens. She doesn't trust men but Logan is different. Logan is kind and patient and there is something he sees in her that makes his heart go pitter-patter - just after he met her. That was the first slightly odd thing. Oh well, I thought, quirky but let's move on.

The whole book was repetitive and so many scenarios seemed forced. It was as if this book had been sitting in the author's drawer since the 80's and then she decided to add Afghanistan and fracking as well as #metoo and voila, the book was now brand new. It just didn't work. Lea came across as spoilt and truculent (oh yes, just tell the man that you supposedly love just after he breaks his ankle that you are "not a housewife", when he clearly needs some help and support) and how independent and fierce you are, when you are clearly not. I liked Logan a little more but he seemed to be confused by Lea - she ran hot and cold all the time. And just when I thought that the two of them had been honest with each other about their feelings, and things were moving forward, they took a step back for no particular reason. And started talking about fairy folk, as you do. Even the suspense part wasn't particularly suspenseful. It was all very frustrating.

The only reason this book gets 2 stars instead of 1, is that the romantic scene was quite good and it didn't have a lot of grammatical errors. That is about it though, that is time spent reading this book that I won't get back.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books.

Silver Creek Fire is a fantastic contemporary western. Well written and entertaining plot with believable characters. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

It's sad to believe that there are people in the world that will do anything to get what they want. Lea is so sweet and innocent. Logan is the perfect man for her. He's so gentle and kind. The way that a man treats those that works for him speaks volumes.

I honestly thought I would love this book. Though I didn’t dislike it, I just found it a but draggy and boring. The boring part was from just toooo much details and descriptions going on and on and on. There was also quite a bit of repetitive explanation of certain things going on.
I wanted to love this story. It had so many opportunities to draw you in. Sad to say, it didn’t happen.
Loved the setting of the book.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book. This is my honest opinion and review.

Lea and Logan kick off a new series by Lindsay McKenna. Once again McKenna has project to push. This time it is fracking and if you did not know anything about it before you read the story you will have knowledge as you finish. Vets are part of the story but more as a side issue this time. This is a slow burning romance as Lea has some issues from her past that have kept her fearful. Logan is just the one to bring her out of her shell and into the light. Nice setting. I think if we could find that valley we would all move there.

Lindsay McKenna brings us Lea and Logan. Because of an incident in her past, Lea is weary of men. She lives a quiet life with her parents working with wood in coastal Oregon. All this changes when she gets an opportunity for a commission at the Wild Goose Ranch in Silver Creek, Wyoming. Her parents encourage her to spread her wings and explore more of the world. Getting hit by a truck upon reaching the ranch rattles both Lea and Logan, but ranch owner Logan's calm demeanor and easy going manner calms Lea enough to start trusting him and opening up to him. Will Logan be able to get past Lea's walls enough to start a future or will the events that surround the ranch be too much for her to handle?

Lindsay McKenna shares the sweet story of Lea and Logan where the courtship is slow yet the feelings are powerful. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for this privilege.

I love books about "small town" life and romances and was delighted to get this ARC and read a new author. In the beginning, with Lea and her father discussing her past trauma and her upcoming move, the dialog felt forced. Like the reader was being told what to think and instantly relate to Lea, although she was not a very relatable character because the reader has not yet seen her do anything except wallow in a vague event that happened around 15 years ago. Now, I'm not saying a person would not justly feel trauma after what I assume was a horrible event, but I have to assume it because there were no details that made me feel angry or sad on her behalf. It was just this "event" that changed her life.

Then, when she arrives in Wyoming, we got not one, but two lectures about how bad fracking is. OK, I respect someone standing by their beliefs and there is certainly merit in the cons (as well as the pros) to fracking. However, maybe it would've been a better idea not to describe the wood shop's heating system in the next few pages as being a gas heat system right after we were lectured on how horrible fracking is, which supplies natural gas. Seems a bit hypocritical.

Moving on, aside from the car crash in the beginning....nothing happens for 25% of the book. A lot of talk about types of wood, which was interesting in the beginning, but went on for way too long. I finally decided to give up when Logan had the thought of cupping Lea's elbow as they walked and then he suddenly remembers the whole #metoo movement and we get a lecture on how men "were taking unconscious, unthinking advantage" of women and gosh darn it Logan was not going to be one of those guys. Yeah, that's when I decided to DNF.

I don't care for stories that have politics in it. I read to get away from the real world, not be lectured on the author's POV. Now, authors are certainly welcome to have their opinions and their books are their art and they can do anything they want when writing them. I wish them all the success in the world. But I will not be reading those books.

I thank the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book and I do recommend other readers try this book if it sounds like something you would like. This review is my opinion.

SILVER CREEK FIRE by Lindsay McKenna is the first book in the Silver Creek contemporary romance series. The protagonists are Leanna (Lea) Ryan and Logan Anderson. Lea experienced a traumatic event when she was a teenager and went from being an extrovert to seeking a safe harbor. She concentrated on following in her father’s footsteps and became a master carpenter and wood sculptor. At age 29, she finally decides to take a commission in Wyoming to do some remodeling work on Logan’s Wild Goose Ranch. But all is not calm at the ranch. Will Lea come out of her shell? Who is causing the disturbing events that are happening at the ranch?

Both Lea and Ryan are likeable characters. They have similar values but have approached life very differently. Their flaws and virtues came through and they were definitely individuals you could root for. They seemed to balance each other. Both had clear goals that influenced the plot and had believable motivations. The secondary characters were not quite as well developed, but they did enhance the story rather than overwhelming it. The world-building was good and this book also served as an introduction to the community and its traditions. The story line does emphasize taking care of the environment and the negatives associated with fracking. There is one steamy scene at about 90% in the book.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was an entertaining book that was emotionally intense. It also had a few idiosyncrasies and surprises and just enough suspense to balance things out. Additionally, the author did a good job of meshing the romance and the suspense without either suffering. If you are a fan of contemporary romances with a bit of suspense and without instant love, then you may want to check this one out. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Kensington Books – Zebra and Lindsay McKenna provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

While the synopsis of this book attracted me to pick it up, the story telling was not for me.

I found there to be too much political lecturing and not enough romance to this romantic tale. There were paragraphs devoted to the successful stewardship of the land from previous Anderson generations. There were discussions on the ‘evils’ of fracking which is where the danger aspect of the novel comes from. There was also talk about the #metoo movement and how men and women have to change how they navigate any new romantic relationships. Because of his concern regarding his romantic interest to a Lea, Logan came across as insipid and meek. To me, Lea came across as a frail and nervous, 'damsel in distress needing a man to save her'.

Unfortunately, there was no pulse pounding for me in either the suspense or romance aspect.

Silver Creek Fire is the first in a new series by Lindsay McKenna. In this book, Leanna Ryan decides to leave the comfort and safety of her home with her parents in coastal Oregon. This is a hard step for her after a traumatic event that happened to her as a teenager. She followed in her father's footsteps as a master wood smith. She travels to Silver Springs, Wyoming to take a job at the Wild Goose Ranch owned by Logan Anderson. Logan is not without his own scars; Lea finds herself the victim of a hit and run as she approaches the ranch. This is just the first of a number of mysterious attacks on and around Wild Goose Ranch and other ranches in the valley. Polcyn is a fracking company buying up mineral rights to land in the valley. Polcyn is willing to use unsavory, illegal and harmful methods to procure the land they want. Lea and Logan work together against Polcyn while they grow closer romantically. They face Lea's past trauma, Ryan's heartache and sadness as well as Polcyn. Will they be victorious? This book is a wonderful start to the series.

This was my first book by McKenna and if this is emblematic of her work then I'm going to pass on the rest of her backlist. The writing was repetitive to the point that it felt like a novice writer and not an established author. The characters were flat and unlikeable, I couldn't figure out why there was any romance going on between them. And the plot, though it was close to today's headlines, just never interested me. Fracking is an issue but you know where I want to read about fracking? In the news. Not in my romance books that I read for pleasure and relaxation.

Silver Creek Fire (Kindle) by Lindsay McKenna
I have always been a big fan of Lindsay McKenna but this book missed the mark for me. The story was repetitive. I felt as if I was reading the same paragraphs and conversations over and over. I care about environmental health but I don't think all fracking is bad (there are bad people everywhere and the bad guy in this story is not everyone involved with fracking) I do not like politics in the books I read to get away from all the division in this country. I liked the H and h and and were glad to see them get to their HEA.

SILVER CREEK FIRE is the first book of a new series centering on Silver Creek by Lindsay McKenna.
As usual Lindsay McKenna leads us down a path that is laden with twists and turns at unexpected times. SILVER CREEK FIRE starts out looking rather benign and then the intrusion of complications, greed, avarice turns what begins as a simple tale of searching for a new safe beginning into something quite different. The Flying Goose Ranch is a wondrous place envisioned by people that deeply care for the land and its history. It is a family owned ranch that has provided well for several generations. Logan Anderson is the current owner. Logan understands how rich his property is in so many ways. Not the least the fact that it sits on a considerable amount of oil. Not something Logan is really interested in but he is not naïve. Logan knows there is great interest in his land from someone who wants that oil and isn’t above using dangerous methods to acquire it.
SILVER CREEK FIRE is designed to be an introduction to this community of ranches, most handed down generation to generation. With that ownership comes a great deal of tradition and responsibility. As in all life there are changes and challenges. Some are natural. Some come from within this thriving community and others from outside forces. We immediately see forces that are affecting the general well-being of these ranches and its inhabitants.
SILVER CREEK FIRE is predominately about Logan Anderson and Lea Ryan. Logan is heir apparent to the ranch and takes it seriously. For several years it has been the sole focus of his life. Early tragedy prevented Logan from seeking out any real relationship but when Lea enters the picture that focus will change. Lea is a master wood carver. Logan’s home, buildings and furnishings were built from the trees on the Flying Goose Ranch. Logan knows these century old items need repair and commissioned Lea.
Lea is more than just an artist. She has a generous loving but troubled soul looking forward to her job on the ranch as a way to restart her life, her sense of security. This job is the first step outside her parents’ home. It is a large step, one of many.
Lindsay McKenna generously explains the history of this place mostly created from within her imagination. She envisioned a ranch that had been designed generations ago by people who respected the land and its riches. Folks that planted with the future of the ranch and its inhabitants in mind for years to come. The world of Logan Anderson and his family seems rather unique to those of us that are city dwellers.
So welcome to the Silver Creek series. SILVER CREEK FIRE by Lindsay McKenna touches many bases. Lea and Logan are warmhearted wonderful characters. They are the center of SILVER CREEK FIRE and the supporting cast is well developed. SILVER CREEK illustrates this author’s love of people and nature via a lovely romantic tale.

I was lucky enough to be chosen to read this ARC. I know that anything written by Lindsay McKenna is going to be good, and this was no different. What made it even better, is it is set in Northern Wyoming, where I grew up. Now I have never been to the valley described in the book, but just knowing it is there, makes me go explore.
Lindsay Mckenna has a way of drawing you into the story. You can see, taste, hear what she is describing, you feel like you are there.
Lea Ryan, master carpenter and wood sculptor, trapped by her past, moves away from her familiar surroundings in Oregon to Wyoming for a possible job. Wyoming, where she had dreamed of going someday.
Logan Anderson, good guy, former military has his own past to deal with, is running a ranch that has been in the family for several generations.
Lindsay Mckenna has woven a story with so many quirks, surprises, and takes you on a journey that makes you keep reading so you know what happens next. The good, bad, ugly, and the love. You are left wanting more, more of this couple, more of the town and surrounding ranches.

I enjoy read books by Lindsey McKenna. This book is about Lea who lives with her parents in Oregon and learned how to make items from wood from her father. She received an job offer from a rancher named Logan in Wyoming. which she accepted I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read her next one.