Title: Winds of Wyoming (Kate Neilson Series, Book 1)
Author: Rebecca Carey Lyles
Pages: 416
Year: 2012
Publisher: Stonehouse Ink
Some time has passed since I read this novel so before reading the sequel, Winds of Freedom, by the same author I curled up to read and refresh my memory of the tale. The main female character is Kate Neilson who after losing both her parents and brother was shifted from foster home to foster home. Though she was placed in homes she never felt like the people really cared, loved or wanted her to be around. When the system failed to take care of her, Kate embarked on a road of self-destruction that finally led her to prison for five years where she earned a college degree. Now, Kate is leaving Pittsburgh to live and work on a ranch for her required internship. The ranch that hired her is called Whispering Pines, and it is here that Kate’s past would crash into her present possibly irrevocably negatively impacting her future.
Laura and her son Mike run Whispering Pines Ranch since the death of her husband the year before and her oldest son years ago. Mike has his own past that hinders him in growing spiritually and allowing others to be friends. Mike’s nemesis is a woman named Tara who refuses to live in reality, believing a life filled with lies that she created long ago in her high school years. Her father has been hassling the Whispering Pines owners by attempting to bully them into selling their land.
Winds of Wyoming is the author’s first novel that is set in Wyoming among a few small towns. I enjoyed getting lost in the tale of a young woman who dreamed of a brighter future, but lost in the darkness of her past. Whispering Pines is the recipient of trouble and weird occurrences since it opened its door for the new summer season. There is a person who has but one goal in mind and that is to make Kate belong to him alone and pay her back for what he views as wrongs done to him by Kate. How the novel ends is really awesome and delightful, giving readers the sense of hope and redemption. Readers will also understand the power of past mistakes no longer holds them when shared with those who love them and stand by them. Grab a copy to give as a gift to the reader in your family or friendship circle!
My rating is 5+ stars.
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This was a story full of mystery, suspense, and of course romance. The ranch in Wyoming was one I would like to visit and I would love to sit and visit with dear sweet Dymple! She was quite the character and the way she mixed up her words had me laughing out loud at times.

The real story though centered around Kate Neilson who is trying to leave her rough and troublesome past behind her and start fresh working at a ranch in Wyoming. She decides not to share her prison time with anyone, or the fact that someone has followed her here and wants to do her harm. Mike Duncan is trying to help his Mom run this "dude" ranch since his father past away. He has a passion and love for the buffalo, for the ranch, and is beginning to have feelings for Kate. But too many things are happening since she came "on board" and that makes their future together very unstable.

I liked the story line and the characters in this story. They seemed very real and had real problems to deal with. Life can be hard for people, but what I liked is how God can change folks and turn things around for good. I thought the author ended it rather abruptly, but I liked the ending. I look forward to reading more by this author. ( )

Kate Neilson's terrible childhood lead her down the road that eventually landed her in the Pennsylvania Penitentiary. While there, she finds the Lord and earns a marketing degree and is offered an internship at a Wyoming Guest Ranch. Desperately wanting a fresh start and to be a truly changed person she heads there with high hopes. But her high hopes are soon crushed when a man from her past finds her and will stop at nothing to get her back. Mike Duncan is trying hard to fill his father's shoes in running the ranch along with his mom. He's not sure about her hiring a new intern but when he meets Kate there is an immediate attraction. But it seems like the trouble their having started when Kate hit town. Will Kate get that fresh new start or will her dark past, she's tried so hard to hide, be brought to light? And will her new found faith be strong enough to carry her through?

What an amazing story of God's redemptive love and the power of His grace! I was totally immersed in the story from beginning to end and loved hanging out at Whispering Pines. Kate Neilson is the total embodiment of God's amazing grace. She was such an encouragement to me. Dymple was one of my favorite characters in the story. Everyone should have a Dymple in their life. She exemplified the love of God in her life. This was a very gritty and realistic story. This author didn't white-wash evil or sin. Yet this story is filled with hope that God can truly change hearts and lives. I love the way the author so naturally blended scripture throughout the story. It really caused me to ponder these truths in my own life. This tale has suspense, humor, romance and something happening on just about every page. It was difficult to put down. One of my favorite parts was toward the end. Although we are treated to a great conclusion, there are a few things left open. Nothing that would drive you crazy, but I am hoping there will be a sequel! This is the first time I've read anything by this author but I will definitely be watching for her next tale to arrive! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take a trip to Whispering Pines Guest Ranch. I guarantee it's worth the trip. Great job, Rebecca!
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 609 KB
Publisher: StoneHouse Ink; 1 edition (January 2, 2012)
ASIN: B006SPP7G8 ( )