Walker Pride by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
* ARC provided for an honest review *
Walker Pride by Bernadette Marie is the first book in what I hope to be a long series on The Walker Family. This book had me from page 1, and why wouldn’t it? Who wouldn’t love a book with a sexy cowboy willing to do anything to protect what belongs to his family? Throw in an unexpected romance, crazy family dynamics, good food, and family secrets, and you have all the fixin’s for a novel that will keep you engaged and melting non-stop.
Eric Walker is a quiet 40 year old man, who likes to live the simple life and his daily routine. He’s taken care of the family ranch for as long as he can remember and now that is being jeopardized thanks to his irresponsible Uncle. He is the brooding type who doesn’t necessarily have the best people skills after losing his mother at the age of 8. He is one of 5 brothers (Russell, Dane, Gerald, Ben), but the only one from his mom. Living not far from his mother’s side of the family who abandoned his mother and being raised by his father Everett Walker and his stepmom Glenda hasn’t been easy for him. Not to mention he can’t stand his “other” cousins Tyler & Lydia whom he just met for the first time.
Susan Hayes is a divorced woman who had to get out of Colorado and away from her ex. She’s on a journey to make a life for herself, figure out who she is, and not let anything get in her way. She misses her family, but is determined to make her catering business a success with the hope of someday having a restaurant. She is also a very trusting woman that wears her heart on her sleeve. It doesn’t help her plans when she meets Eric at a family occasion she is catering for his stepmom. “He was a distraction she couldn’t afford. She’d spent the last ten years being distracted by a handsome face and this was her time to rebuild her life. There was no need for her to get worked up over a set of chocolate eyes that had her knees going weak.”
Despite their differences, he eats meat, she is vegetarian, he is quiet, she is a talker, he is a fighter, she is a lover, their connection is strong and almost immediate. The one thing they both have in common is they love with everything in them 100%, all or nothing. This type of love is what helps them battle all the upheaval headed their way. When Eric suddenly finds out that the family dynamics are not what they seem and secrets begin to surface it throws his life into complete chaos. Someone is killing his animals, trying to move his mother’s grave, destroying his property, destroying his cousin Bethany’s property and Susan is somehow right in the middle. When all the pieces are finally put together it will leave the reader shocked with the true mystery.
This story is full of love, secrets, mystery, healing and family. Sometimes the people you thought were your sworn enemy are the only ones you can count on in a time of need. I can’t believe I have never read any of Bernadette Marie’s books but I see a summer filled with lots of them!
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