Home to Wind River: Wind River Valley, Book 7

Two military veterans find solace with each other in McKenna’s moving seventh Wind River Valley contemporary (after Wind River Lawman). Former Marine Jake Murdoch is a gruff solitary ranch foreman at Wyoming’s Wind River Ranch, owned by Maud and Steve Whitcomb and staffed by veterans. As Jake’s mother, Jenna, has broken her hip and needs care during her convalescence, Jake agrees with Maud’s plan to temporarily move Jenna and a caregiver into his ranch cabin. Maud hires Lily Thompson, an RN and Army vet who volunteers at the Whitcombs’ no-kill animal shelter, to be Jenna’s nurse. Lily has a kind and caring nature, and is wracked by terrible memories of her military service in Afghanistan. Her emotional wounds start to heal as she cares for Jenna and helps with the cooking at Jake’s cabin. As Jake and Jenna begin to trust each other, their PTSD symptoms lessen, and they must decide whether they can face the demons of their pasts and embrace the possibility of a future together. McKenna is spot-on with her portrayal of military veterans facing PTSD in this heart-wrenching story of warmth, friendship, and love’s healing powers. Agent: Claire Gerus, Claire Gerus Literary. (Dec.)