Review: Review posted at Heather's Musings
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 31, 2011
Val's Rancher by Debra Kayn* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*Val is the youngest McDougal daughter and runs the local tavern, Valenciennes.  She is dealing with her father's illness and can't handle Sam walking back into her life.  She was devastated when he walked away two years ago; he claims that he is back for good but she is afraid to take a chance on love again.Sam knows that he screwed up when he left two years ago.  He told himself that Val needed to grow up but in reality it was him that wasn't ready to settle down.  Now he's back and working to make his grandparent's ranch a home.  With the help of Stuart, he made some wise investments with his rodeo winnings and now he is the proud owner of his own cattle.  Now he just has to convince Val that he's there to stay and he wants to spend the rest of his life with her.Val never stopped loving Sam and she's scared to death that her love is going to kill him.  Everyone she loves has left her and she's sure that it's all her fault.  After a near miss, she has to walk away from Sam for his own safety, even if she is miserable the rest of her life.  There's only one person that can show her that it's ok to love Sam and to enjoy every day, her daddy.Val and Sam have so much history that you are instantly pulling for them to work things out.  She has seen so much unhappiness and loss in her life that she deserves some happiness.  It's not easy for her to trust Sam or her heart again but he holds the key to her future.  When Val loves, she loves deeply and for life, that is why she could never find anyone else because they weren't Sam.  A lifetime of happiness is in front of her, if she can grab a hold of it.Sam is a sexy cowboy with his own issues.  He never stopped loving Val but felt she needed some time to grow up; in reality, he was the one that needed the time.  He screwed up and he admits it but he is willing to do whatever it takes to convince Val that he isn't going anywhere.I love the family dynamics in this series.  The McDougal's are a tight knit family that can face anything as long as they are together.  Their father's illness has really taken a toll on the sister's and the strain is starting to show.  Val tries to hold everyone together and ends up making herself sick in the long run. The author keeps the focus on the main characters, while still giving us a glimpse into the lives of the others.I loved this installment of the McDougal sister's series.  This book invoked a wide range of emotions from happiness to sadness and everything in between.  Stuart still reminds me of my grandfather in so many ways, which made this story hard to read but also therapeutic.  I give Val's Rancher 4 Flaming Hearts.