Review: Quinn – R.C. Ryan

Quinn by R.C. Ryan
Series: Wyoming Sky #1
Release Date:  March 1, 2012
Publisher:  Forever Romance Publishing
Page Count:  352
Source:  Provided by publisher
Buy the book at: Amazon 

The Truth Can Be an Irresistible Temptation . . .
As a young boy, Quinn Conway was shattered by his mother’s mysterious disappearance. Today, as the oldest of the Conway brothers, his only concern is protecting his family and their ranch. One look at beautiful, strong-willed Cheyenne O’Brien tells him she’s also no stranger to tragedy. A series of increasingly dangerous “accidents” are plaguing her and her land, and Quinn can’t stand idly by while a woman is in danger.
Fiercely independent, Cheyenne isn’t one to lean on others, yet she can’t deny her attraction to the rugged rancher offering help. Soon, the passion building between them proves as wild and untamed as the land she loves-and just as impossible to resist. But a relentless enemy is about to make one final devastating move. To survive, Quinn and Cheyenne must put their cherished freedom-and their hearts-at risk . . .

Quinn Conway, wolf whisperer, has spent the past five years tracking a pack of wolves that live in and around the land that houses his families ranch.  When the alpha wolf is killed right in front of him, he sets off to confront the person who did it.  He wasn’t expecting the rancher to be a woman or to be attracted to her or to be proven wrong on what he thought happened.  In other words…Cheyenne O’Brien rocked his world.

Cheyenne has been running her family’s ranch since the death of the brother and father.  When she’s confronted by Quinn in her barn, he was terrified that is was her brother’s old friend out to do her harm.  Instead she finds a man who intrigues her and causes her to go mushy and warm in certain placed.

Soon, Cheyenne and Quinn find out a pack of wolves is the least of their problems when mysterious fires start erupting around Cheyenne.  It takes the two of them and their collective family and friends to get to find the one responsible.

Quinn and Cheyenne were interesting characters, both having to deal with devastating personal losses that seem to have molded them into the adults they are today.  They are both very family oriented and that was quite visible in the interaction they had with the other characters in the story.  With two strong characters you would expect a lot more head butting to happen when Quinn strongly suggested Cheyenne do something, but it seemed they were also very level-headed and able to do what was necessary instead of lashing out.  Even with their romance, while their inner monologues talked of passion, I didn’t quite get that feeling…as even their passion seemed to be as even keeled as they were.

They mystery behind the fire wasn’t a big surprise, but the culprit finally showing his true colors was engaging and kept you turning the page.

There was so much potential to this story, but I found myself wondering what Quinn’s backstory had to do with what was happening present day in the story.  The author spent quite a bit of time giving us Quinn’s family history that I was sure the mystery of his mother’s disappearance would play a role in what was happening or somehow tie to two ranches together.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get that (the ranches did have a common Arapahoe thread, but that was through caretaker Ela at the Conway ranch and Cheyenne’s mother).

This was an enjoyable read, with just enough to keep you entertain.