Rescuing Hope by Heidi M. Thomas, a compelling contemporary western novel, combines modern ranching struggles with a story of survival in harsh Montana winters. The novel is the second in the Samantha Moser “Rescue Series.”

Sam Moser leases the ranch her great-grandparents once owned. But she’s worried about the owner who has already made one attempt to sell the ranch, and she’s afraid she won’t be able to “prove” herself to him. Her dream is to operate an equestrian center using her four rescued horses.

While working at a neighboring dude ranch the previous summer, Sam met a troubled teen, a girl into Goth, but who, with Sam’s help, was developing into a loving young woman with a passion for horses. But when she returns to New York for school, the teen takes a turn for the worse. The girl begs to return to Montana, but is Sam capable of caring for this troubled girl?

Brad, a videographer, previously showed his friendship and even romantic interest while making a successful documentary about Sam, the ranch, and her ambition. He offers to pick up another horse slated to be needlessly euthanized. On his way to Sam’s ranch with truck and horse trailer, he is in an accident in a blinding snowstorm in which both he and the horse suffer traumatic injuries. A budding romance turns into a question of survival, then of questioning whether their relationship can withstand his lingering injuries.

When an opportunity opens up to help veterans with PTSD through horseback riding, Sam yearns to help, but doubts her ability to take on the responsibility of complex, troubled lives.

Rescuing Hope is an inspirational, but realistic read. Author Heidi M. Thomas was raised on a working Montana cattle ranch and knows the hardships and rewards of cattle ranching, and the special love between horse and human. Her stories are engaging, heartwarming and full of hope.