With WIND RIVER RANCHER Lindsay McKenna continues her Wind River series that centers on a ranching community that has concentrated efforts on helping returning Vets. Men and women basically left floundering without any valuable dependable resources. Many who suffer from mental, emotions and physical issues after leaving the military. It is an age old problem and since government seems to be lacking somehow in its reach out program, well it's up to the private citizen to pick up the slack.

Lindsay McKenna has a soft spot for these Vets but at the same time acknowledges that they do not need or want charity, they need opportunity to pick themselves up by the proverbial boot strap and what better venue than ranching.

WIND RIVER RANCHER centers on the fact that for many returning servicemen and women it's as if they leave one hell and return home to another. It amazes me how much insight Lindsay McKenna has into the psyche and emotions of these Vets. Many seem to enter the service to get away from a less than gracious home life.

As Shay begins to face her problems dealing with her abusive alcoholic father she recognizes her kinship with some of the wranglers now working on her ranch. One of Shay's issues is trying to handle her own problems, those with her father, the ranch and her own PTSD. Any one of these would bring a lesser person to their knees. But although Shay doesn't acknowledge it, she is essentially a very strong woman. The love, caring and trust she shares with her wranglers is just the support she needs.

With Reese there's more at play. He has become Shay's calm in the storm. Reese is beginning to hold a special place in Shays life and the feeling is mutual. But these two people firmly believe they are damaged. So sad, and yet in WIND RIVER RANCHER Lindsay McKenna saves us the best seat in the house as the drama unwinds and joy returns to these fine men and woman.

When Shay and Reese look in their mirrors their reflection isn't of a person of value, but what they see is not what people around them see. The job is an awesome one for Shay, Reese and their wranglers. They need to see their worth, value and what they bring to the table.

WIND RIVER RANCHER is an amazing look at a very current problem. Returning Vets need help. WIND RIVER RANCHER shows what one community can accomplish. Lindsay McKenna does not sugar coat any of the issues. But instead brilliantly illustrates the unique talents returning servicemen and woman have and how smart people employee these trusted, intelligent and caring folks.

Book Summary

The new novel from the bestselling author of Wind River Wrangler

Something to hold on to . . .

Not so long ago, Reese Lockhart was commanding a company of Marines. Now his life is spiraling out of control. The Bar C ranch outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming may be his last chance to save himself . . .

Shaylene Crawford, an Afghanistan veteran herself, knows all too well the demons of PTSD—that’s why she’s determined to turn her family’s cattle ranch into a place where wounded warriors can work, find a home, and rebuild their souls. Her embittered father nearly drank and gambled the place away, but with help from a small crew of vets—including the newest arrival, the quietly compelling Reese Lockhart—she intends to hold on to her dream. And when someone tries to destroy that dream, Reese will do whatever it takes to defend her . . .

Read an Excerpt