Zack's Ranch

Bridleton #3

by Becky Barker

ZACK'S RANCH is a stand-alone title. Zack Bartell is a strong, determined Texan who knows what he wants and is willing to fight for it. What he wants most in life is Meredith Courtland and to develop his share of the family's ranching dynasty at Bridleton. Meri has experienced the deep heartache of a lost love. She’s emotionally wary and unwilling to risk her secure position at Bridleton by having an affair with the incredibly desirable Bartell heir, even though he's a walking, breathing temptation. When an unidentified stalker tangles their relationship even further, Meri's volunteer work with wounded veterans helps them eliminate the threat and find their much-deserved happiness.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2016

About the author

Becky Barker is an Amazon bestselling, award-winning romance author whose books have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages, published in large print library editions and in many electronic formats. She makes her home in central Ohio where she's surrounded by a big, close-knit family.

Sign up for Becky's newsletter or email her at: write@BeckyBarker.com

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story of a widow whose husband died in the war but she's haunted by a feeling that she's somehow guilty for his death. Theirs wasn't a terrific marriage, but they did love each other. Meri worked on the Bartell Ranch and was drawn to Zack. He had similar feelings, but he wasn't quite ready to face them. On New Year's Eve, they were at the same bar and during the countdown, he found his way over to Meri. When another man tried to step in and be her first kiss of the new year, Zack took over and said "mine." That night, they began what should have been an epic love. The story has great bones and the execution is well-done, but I was surprised at how uncomfortable I felt with Zack's character. He wanted to make love to Meri, but in the next second he pushed her away and was cruel to her. After one time, maybe, but to keep acting like that? His actions made me hope that Meri found a better man.
The narration is very well-done by Johnny Peppers. He has a clear, dynamic voice that gives life to each of the characters.

[Sweetpea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack's Ranch is Book 3 in the Bridleton series and a standalone. Zack has wanted Meredith for years but Meredith can't open her heart to another potential loss after the death of her military husband. When a stalker begins vandalizing Zack's property and terrorizing Meredith, Zack is determined to protect her, leading to a thrilling conclusion. Will the stalker be caught? Will Meredith risk her heart again? Listen and find out!

I enjoyed Zack's Ranch and liked Zack and Meredith's story. The suspense started slowly and built to a crescendo at the end. The epilogue was very satisfying and wrapped the story up nicely. The narration was well done and I would recommend this.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.

[Zara Quintana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as a Stand-Alone or in the Series. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom. I have actually listened to book two in this series and enjoyed it and the characters. I haven't had a chance to listen to book one as of yet, but I was happy to find that I could listen to book two and now three without reading/listening to book one. Jonny Peppers does a great job bringing the characters and story to life. I enjoyed book two, but I think I liked book three even better. It gave me all the feels and had plenty of mystery and intrigue to keep my attention and wanting more. This audiobook is a great listen.

[Ferbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were great. I absolutely love Meri's characters

There was just  enough drama, romance, suspense action and character development to keep it interesting.       

Great chemistry between Zack and Meri,  love the way their relationship developed,  love the ending and  love how the story is narrated.

I am honoured to have received a free audio copy and am happy to recommend it

[Lidia Brand]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and it was the first book of this author that I read. I loved the book, it had romance as well as some intrigue with regards to who has done it. I would recommend it.

[BookSnuggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! You get an entertaining story set in Texas on a ranch that involves a good looking cowboy and a steamy romance. I fell in love with Zack's character. He was great!

"Zack's Ranch" by Becky Barker is book number three in the "Bridleton" series. This is Zack Bartell and Meredith Courtland's story.

Meredith (Meri) is a military widow. She works for Zack's Great Aunt Nanette (Nanna) at their family ranch. Meri also volunteers twice a month at a veterans rehab center.

Zack works in San Antonio but spends a lot of time at the family ranch. Through time Zack and Meri became friends.

Over time the chemistry and attraction between Zack and Meri continues to intensify. Meri is afraid to pursue a relationship because she doesn't want to get hurt again. Plus, Meri doesn't want anything to compromise her job at the ranch. There is an unidentified stalker that stirs things up too.

This is a great contemporary western romance. The author does a great job of incorporating a steamy romance with the mystery and suspense of the stalker. This is the first book that I have read by Becky Barker and I look forward to reading additional books by her. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

FYI, includes mature content. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Tina Todd shobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack's Ranch is the third and final book in the Bridleton Series. Though it is the very first book I have read in this series and I had no problem following along. I actually read this book straight through.

Meridith and Zack have made passes at each other for years and actually are pretty good friends. Zack would like to take their friendship to the next level. Meridith who is a widower and based on her marriage she is very lery. She also loves working at the ranch and doesn't want the dynamaics to change because of having a relationship with Zack. She wants to continue to belong.

I absolutely love books that have suspense and intrique in them and this one scores very highly on that feature. I was really drawn into the story trying to figure out who was stalking Meridith. I was also considering the possiblility that her husband was really alive.

I also loved the insight the author bring into this about military veterans.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am now following her as I really enjoy the way she writes.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Pam Truax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack's Ranch by Becky Barker is a Bridleton Book #3. It features Meredith and Zack. Zack's family owns a large ranch and Meredith is employed by his family. Meredith was previously married to a U. S. soldier who was killed in battle. She arrives at the ranch at a very hard time in her life - trying to get past being a young widow. Zack lives in San Antonio and has been extremely busy with his job - without many opportunities to visit the ranch. He has been enamored with Meredith since the first time they met. Finally Zack is able to return to the ranch for some rest and relaxation. Their story has already begun, but when Zack is able to get back to the ranch, it all comes together!

Zack's Ranch gives you a little of everything-love, family and excitement. The entire Bartell family is warm and great to get to know.

Easy - great read!!

Also be sure to read #1 Drea's Homecoming and #2 Chey's Cowboy

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zack’s Ranch is the third book of the Bridleton series by Ms. Barker. It’s a stand aIone so even if you , like me, have not read the previous stories, you will have no problems.
This is the first book by Ms Barker that I read, and it will not be the last.
I will let others tell you about Zack, his family and Meredith, whom he has been wanting from afar for a while, but it waiting for her to be prepared. The storyline is engaging and plausible.
What I will say it that I want to thank the author for bringing to the readers’ attention our need as a society to assist, embrace, thank , and support the enlisted and veteran men and women who return home after serving our country and protecting our lives, while enduring physical , emotional and psychological problems. We can’t abandon them or ignore the problems, such as PTSD. So, Ms Barker, thank you.
I hope to go back to reading books 1 and 2 of the series, since I know I will be enjoying them as well.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend allowed me to read this story a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. It was not so much for the story it was pretty basic with the writing being good, but what I found was so great is how the author dealt with wounded warriors. So many people think they understand but they don’t. Everyone who has serviced comes back changed in some way it may be only on the inside but others have to deal with the changes inside and outside. I want to thank the author for showing how a simple act of kindness can help. Thank you and I am looking forward to reading additional works done by Becky Barker

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack's Ranch is a contemporary western romance with a perfect blend of romance, suspense, and emotion. I was pulled in immediately and couldn't put this book down until I read the last word. I loved the sizzling chemistry and dynamic between strong, sexy Zack Bartell and Meredith Courtland, an emotionally wary widow. This is the first book I have read by Becky Barker and received a complimentary copy of this book but I liked it so much, I purchased the first two books in the Bridleton series and have added Ms. Barker to my auto-buy list.

[Brandy Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zack is a man in love for the past 2 years. Meri is a woman trying to get over her military husbands death. Over the past two years working for Zack's family, she has gotten to know him and become great friends. When things take a turn and become more intimate between her and Zack, a stalker comes out of the wood work. The lengths he will go to to protect Meri make her realize that she's in love with him. This was an exciting and sweet story. I received this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Zack's Ranch by Becky Barker. I recommend the whole series to everyone. Zack and Meridith have flirted for years, but have never acted on their feelings. Meri is a widow that works at Bridleton and she doesn't want to lose her job or her friendship with Nanette (Nanna). This book has a lot of mystery to it that I really enjoyed. I wanted to find out who Meri's stalker was. Well, I won't leave any spoilers, so one-click your copy today and find out what happens. I will say this is my favorite of the three books, but I really loved all three.

[Charline Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received ebook for an honest review. Zack Bartell as been patiently waiting for Meredith to get over her husband's death in Afghanistan. When it seems she has been placed in his path, he is trilled but the next morning she leaves. Since she works for his family ranch, she is afraid to complicate things with the rest of his family. It seems that Meredith has a stalker. Lots of tension even without that added threat. How will Zack handle getting her back?

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by Becky Barker. I enjoyed it very much. Following Zack and Meri as they work out their pasts to be together kept me reading. I will be checking out more in this series as well as other books by Ms. Barker.

I received a copy of this story through Book Buzz, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Daphne Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
New author to me and it was a fabulous pick. Wonderful characters, plot and just an all around great read.
Pick it up and settle in for a fun afternoon.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, war and healing. Zack and Meredith share strong feelings but a deranged person stalks them will love be enough to save them? Meredith decides that Zack is the man to hold her heart and protect her. He proposes. Before she answers, he has to say his true feelings.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zack's Ranch: Bridleton, Book 3
: Becky Barker

This is book 3 in this series, unfortunately I missed out on the first two. I will go back when I have more time and get them. I liked the mystery, suspense, romance and especially the PTSD and wounded vets.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Johnny Peppers.


“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out in a bar, with one of the main characters more than a little tipsy. That kind of surprised me, but I think it enabled Zack and Meredith's relationship to get off the ground. It might have been hard to make it happen otherwise, because Meredith was so determined to keep employer/employee boundaries in place. I got it.
I liked the fact that Zack didn't see the fact that Meredith worked for his family on the family ranch as an inhibitor to pursuing a lifelong relationship with her. He sure had to work hard to convince her!
The suspense in the book came in the form of someone stalking Meredith and it having something to do with her military husband's death. As the wife of a wounded warrior with PTSD, I always appreciate details dealing with the condition. It was also impossible to figure out what was actually going on.One of my favorite parts of the book was actually when Zack and Meredith went to visit with wounded warriors and Zack recognized a female soldier that he had gone to high school with. His reaction to her and his actions were a huge step to getting her out of the PTSD depression--if only for a few minutes. I loved that scene!
The narration by Johnny Peppers was wonderful as always. He definitely gives the western flare to the story.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rancher Love..

This story line centers around Zack, the male lead, and Meredith, the female lead, as she fights her attraction to Zack.

They have played the hide and seek flirtation game for years, however, due to a loss, Meredith is afraid to explore her feelings.

Overall, an interesting lead with likable characters.

The narrator, Johnny Peppers, did well with the narration.

Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."