Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble

Title: Lonestar Secrets
Author: Colleen Coble
ISBN: 9781595544872
Publisher: Thomas Nelson/2008
Pages: 316

Shannon Aster, a vet, comes back to West Texas. She had left it as a single mother five years back. Her uncle has left her the farm and she wants her daughter to have a better life. Despite the betrayals of the past she thinks that West Texas is home for her daughter Kylie.

When she sees Faith, the daughter of Horse Trainer Jack MacGowan, she is amazed. Faith looks exactly like her daughter Kylie and both the girls take to each other instantly. Shannon has to get to the bottom of it. Reluctantly Jack too has to agree. Both find themselves in the midst of mystery about the resemblance of the girls, a lost spanish treasure, and a black stallion who loves Shannan. Somehow down the way, they unite their strengths to get into the bottom of it all.

Someone has kidnapped Mary Beth, Shannon's best friend and is asking for 8 million dollars from Shannon, who doesn't have that kind of money. Although she fears for her friend's life, but she doesn't trust Jack enough to tell him about her problems. What with her daughter's father to coming into the picture, it becomes very difficult for Shannon to fight alone.

The mystery about the girls is solved early enough and both Sannon and Jack try to find the best solution. But who is blackmailing Shannon and what is he after, is not revealed until the end and it comes as a complete surprise. The countryside is beautifully described. With other interesting characters like Allie and Rick (of Lonestar Sanctuary), it is an extremely readable novel. Shannon is a strong individual who makes something of herself even though she has no support and has a young daughter. Jack feels guilty about falling in love with her because he thinks he betrays his dead wife's memory. But both love the little girls, Faith and Kylie, are instantly bonded as soon as they meet.

The book does get repetitive at places but it is easy comfortable read, which gets finished fast. There are so many secrets to be revealed and that is what keeps one hooked. I liked Coble's writing and will look out for more of her books.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the copy.