Book Review for HOT ON THE TRAIL by Vicki Tharp

The stunning beauty and quiet majesty of the Wyoming wilderness can heal your soul. But one woman will discover that her heart is fair game . . .
 
The Lazy S Ranch is everything to Jenna Nash. It’s given her family, friends, and a fulfilling career: helping veterans rebuild their lives. She sacrificd a lot to get her equine therapy program off the ground—including love. But suddenly, she’s in danger of losing it all . . .
 
Joining the Marines was the best decision Quinn Powell ever made, even if he had to go it alone without Jenna. Now his best friend’s death has brought him back to the ranch he once called home—and to the woman who rejected him.
 
Quinn hasn’t lost his touch—with the wildest horses or with Jenna. Though she’s falling for the brash, impulsive cowboy all over again, Jenna has reason to be wary. But when she and the ranch are threatened, Quinn will put everything on the line to save them both . . .

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A beautiful and heartbreaking demonstration of love, loyalty, and friendship, in a story with second chances, that is filled with intense emotions, healing conversations, and suspense and action where no one is safe and everyone's lives are put on the line. 
Jenna Nash and Quinn Powell are characters easy to like and relate to. They both are strong, smart, capable, goal oriented, determined to the point of stubbornness, and fierce protectors of what they believe is right and of the people they care about. They have a history that broke both of their hearts, yet the pain has dulled over the years apart, even if their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls still recognize their mate. 
Quinn's career in Marines is on the line because of a helicopter accident while on duty that left him wounded. Jenna has worked vigorously to start her program to the military vets, yet now everything is put on the line because of her first client, Quinn's best friend, is found dead on the property by an apparent overdose of drugs. 
I loved everything about the way and the time span Jenna and Quinn have to rekindle their feelings, to have the healing moments from the past hurt, and to connect on a deeper, true level again. The pain is palpable, but so is the connection and attraction between them. The trust doesn't come easy, yet on a very basic level, they know they can count on the other. They have to work on the forgiveness, on themselves and their issues, on building something lasting between them again, while in a middle of an undercover operation to find out what really happen to Quinn's friend. 
The character growth, while subtle and fragile, was a beautiful thing to witness. As likable and lovable Jenna and Quinn are, even with their imperfections or maybe because of them, I cheered for them, rooted for them to find a way, to find a compromise they both could live and be happy and content with. It does not come easy, there are no obvious conclusions, it takes time, work, and sacrifices, but the willingness to find a way and fight for the happiness shines through. 
The author's knowledge about the healing powers of the animals is shown numerous times through the tale. It is demonstrated with both dogs and horses, the interactions endearing and adorable. The a-ha moment when everything clicked for Quinn was so powerful it brought tears to my eyes. 
With an intriguing and entertaining cast of characters providing drama, banter, and demonstrations of love and loyalty, with the delightfully sexy and charming love story developing, and with the deadly danger from the cartel and drug and human trafficking, this story held me captive, enthralled, and excited until the swoon-worthy end. 
An alluring love story with lusciously adorable romance mixed with captivating and thrilling suspense and deadly action makes a highly entertaining tale of cowboys, soldiers, and cartel members
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side  

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Born with a love for animals, author Vicki Tharp pursued a career as a veterinarian, graduating from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. Always an avid reader of mystery and suspense, she combined her interests into her first book entitled "Don't Look Back". 

She makes her home in south Texas with her husband, two children and pets too numerous to mention.

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