Published: June 24, 2011
Words: 89864 (approximate)
Language: English

Ebook short description

When Chrys Hart was 17, she emptied her sister’s bank account and fled from her family's New Mexico ranch, the Lonely Hart. She started a new life in San Francisco and was written off by her family. Now, fifteen years later, she returns for her mother’s funeral and uncovers a secret that unravels her family’s legendary past.

Extended description

For over a century, the legend of the Lonely Hart Ranch defined the Hart family members, goading them to the high standards of founder, Maggie Hart. The current family matriarch, 93-year-old Belle Hart, shined that legend to a sparkle and kept a tight rein on the members of the family. But now, Belle's world is changing.

After a neighbor's attempted assault, Belle's granddaughter, Chrysanthemum Hart, fled from the ranch and her alcoholic mother. But she did not leave penniless: she stole her sister’s college savings. Fifteen years and many burned bridges later, she returns to Northern New Mexico to attend her mother’s funeral believing this will put her own guilt to rest and help rebuild her ruined family relationships. Instead, she steps into a snare of complications as she and her sister work together to sell the family ranch -- what’s left of it.

As the past and the present intertwine, Chrysanthemum uncovers a secret about the family’s buried history. And she finds herse... (Read more) For over a century, the legend of the Lonely Hart Ranch defined the Hart family members, goading them to the high standards of founder, Maggie Hart. The current family matriarch, 93-year-old Belle Hart, shined that legend to a sparkle and kept a tight rein on the members of the family. But now, Belle's world is changing.

After a neighbor's attempted assault, Belle's granddaughter, Chrysanthemum Hart, fled from the ranch and her alcoholic mother. But she did not leave penniless: she stole her sister’s college savings. Fifteen years and many burned bridges later, she returns to Northern New Mexico to attend her mother’s funeral believing this will put her own guilt to rest and help rebuild her ruined family relationships. Instead, she steps into a snare of complications as she and her sister work together to sell the family ranch -- what’s left of it.

As the past and the present intertwine, Chrysanthemum uncovers a secret about the family’s buried history. And she finds herself head-to-head with Belle, the caretaker of the legend and the gatekeeper of the secret.
(Less)

Tags

womens fiction, southwestern mystery, historical western fiction, southwestern

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Reviews

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Review by: Lawrence Miller on Aug. 02, 2011 :
The sweep of generations of strong women, their loves, losses, triumphs and disappointments, are all connected by the Lonely Hart Ranch. Chrysanthemum Hart runs away as a teen, leaving the land that defines her and her family. Years later she returns to bury her mother and must find a way to reconnect with her estranged sister, Harmony, her grandmother Belle, and re-discover her place in the Prado Viejo community.

Rebecca Carrier’s novel is filled with memorable characters that discover family legends often hide deep secrets, and the unveiling of truth provides a satisfying and poignant climax to this engaging novel.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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