Beverly Jenkins writes another excellent book in her Women Who Dare series. The first book was Rebel. I was very excited to get Spring's story. Spring Lee is a woman rancher in the period after the Civil War. She doesn't wear gowns and gussy herself up. Instead, she wears pants, and her love and dedication to the horses on her ranch mean the world to her.

A newspaper reporter, Garrett McCray heads to Wyoming to interview Spring's brother Colton, who is a doctor. That is something quite newsworthy, because for a black man to have become a doctor at that time was something rare indeed. McCray finds himself more than distracted with Spring, bold, beautiful and a complete breath of fresh air. The pair soon realize that they have a strong attraction to one another, but recognize that they are on different paths in life.

Meanwhile, the fact that Spring is a woman ranch owner in times that were not always safe, she has her share of problems. However, the problems - and even danger - never slow her down.

Wild Rain is not only the second book in a new series, but it is also connected to Jenkins' Old West series, where Spring appeared in the book called Tempest. Although I hadn't read that series, I had no trouble seeing who Spring is, why she is so strong, and developed a strong sense of compassion for her due to her past. McCray was rather remarkable as well. He came from an influential family, but he was a modest and kind individual. It was very easy to root for them to find something everlasting.

This engaging read by Jenkins is followed by an Author's Note which fills readers in regarding the research that she puts into her writing. Even more, her research regarding African Americans during post-Civil War times is something worth noting. I love reading about this time in history and seeing the progress that was made regarding education and the careers that some chose despite the oppression they faced on a daily basis.

Many thanks to Avon and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars

Wild Rain was full of surprises, but then Spring Lee isn’t your typical heroine either. Spring, Dr. Colton Lee’s sister, first appeared in Tempest and I’ve been hoping some type of happy would happen to her after her difficult past. She deserved a special someone who appreciated her uniqueness and Garrett was more than up for the job! I couldn’t have asked for a better fit. He’s respectful, kind and is able to see Spring for who and what she is. He was a lovable cinnamon roll hero (I learned a new term for these super sweet hero types!) and I was cheering him on, along with the rest of Paradise’s residents to win Spring over!

Of course this wouldn’t be a Jenkins book without historical mentions-sundown newspapers and Black sailors in the Union Navy just to name a couple of things-but once again, I walk away from Ms. B’s story with new wrinkles on the brain and armed with a list of sources to research further.

I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/Avon and Harper Voyager and this is my honest review.