A combination of “everything but the kitchen sink” plotting and unlikable characters sunk this book. After reading a continuing series of misfortunes and calamities, this reviewer was exhausted by the end of the story.

Both the Creed’s and the Blackthorne’s are Texas rancher families. The Creed ranch is surrounded by Blackthorne land, and the Blackthornes own the banks, the stores, the politicians, etc. There is a long-standing feud between the families which is not adequately explained until late in the story. Part of the current hatred between the families stems from the fact that old man Jackson “Blackjack” Blackthorne and Callie’s mother, Lauren, were once in love, and did not end up together. Callie’s father, Jesse, who has always felt second best, has a passionate hatred for everything Blackthorne. Yessiree, the historical Hatfield and McCoy feud has nothing on these families.

Callie Creed and Trace Blackthorne became lovers in college and hoped to end the feud between their families with their relationship. Prior to the revelation of their love, Callie’s brother Sam is injured in a football accident by Owen Blackthorne. Nothing could ever be accidental, of course. Callie determines that she must return to her family and end her relationship with Trace. Trace wants Callie to give it some time, and then go away with him after graduation. Neither can compromise their position, and they end the relationship with bitter feelings. Callie does not bother to tell Trace that she is pregnant.

Fast forward eleven years. Callie’s husband has died, and her family is on the verge of losing the ranch. Trace has returned from whatever mysterious corner of the globe he lived in to assist in his father’s recovery from a heart attack. Both Trace and Callie are still hurt and angry over their breakup, but have buried feelings for each other.

Just the plot device of the feud between the families would be enough for these two lovers to overcome. Instead, in an effort to stretch the plot, Callie and Trace must deal with horse thefts, attempted murders and suicides, the secret baby plot, serious financial difficulties, and assorted other sub-plots involving both sets of siblings and parents.

Neither Trace or Callie could be considered likable characters. At first Trace offers to help pay Callie’s bills if she’ll have sex with him until he tires of her. Then he becomes the too-good-to-be-true hero, rescuing Callie and her family at every turn. As for Callie, she spends most of her time whining and obsessing over the fact that her family can’t make it without her, that she must single-handedly save the ranch. Gone With the Wind this is not. Even after Trace eventually fixes the situation for her and threatens to take his son to another country, she continues to bemoan the fact that only she can save the ranch, she can’t leave, her family can’t make it, ad nauseum. At odds with her own martyrdom, during the middle of a serious crisis, she and Trace have their first love scene in the front seat of his car. What?

I truly enjoyed the description of the cutting competitions and the cutting horses. In my limited knowledge in this area, it appeared like the author had done her research in relation to the way these horses perform. Too bad there wasn’t more focus on this aspect and less on the never-ending sub-plots.