TAKING THE REINS

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Taking the Reins is a Kensington publication. This book was published in Dec. 2012. This is a contemporary western romance written by Kat Murray. I received a copy of this book from the publishers and Netgalley. Peyton is the middle child. Her older brother, Trace is a rodeo star, and her younger sister, Bea is an actress living in California. That means that Peyton has been running the ranch and trying to keep the place profitable. This life is in her blood and she loves it, but when her mother had no head for business and has let the ranch run down. When Sylvia dies in an accident, Peyton learns the true extent of the damage her mother did and not only that, but her father is the only one that left a will. The ranch would be split three ways amongst the children. The ranch really belongs to Peyton and everyone knows it, but she has to contact her siblings and work out the details. Meanwhile her horse trainer is fired and Peyton desperately needs help.  Red is the best trainer around. He has lots of offers and can pick and choose. But, when Peyton approaches him with a job offer, he is stunned. The two don't exactly get along so well. Trace comes home and brings along a child and is mum about the details. He won't discuss the situation about the mother with anyone, but does the best he can to help Peyton and be a good parent. Bea on the other hand come back  and doesn't appear to have matured much over the years. But, she's also at loose ends and she and Peyton start to repair their relationship. Peyton has to live down her mother's reputation and get the ranch back on it's feet. But, her attraction to Red is distracting. She is afraid of getting involved with him for several reasons, but the two just can't seem to keep away from each other. This was a fast, light romance. Nothing too dark or heavy. Red is easy to like and Peyton learns to bite back her pride and to live a little. Trace and Bea will most likely be featured in future books. Both of them remain a bit of a mystery in this book though. Entertaining and enjoyable. Over all a B.