Wolf Haven

Wyoming Series, Book 9

By: Lindsay McKenna

Narrated by: Anthony Haden Salerno

She's caught in her past until he shows her a future... Some things can never be forgotten. A helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Capture. Torture. Now U.S. Navy nurse Skylar Pascal is struggling to regain control of her life after a trauma that nearly destroyed her. After losing so much, an ideal job at the Elk Horn Ranch in Wyoming offers Sky something she thought she'd never find again... hope.

Former SEAL Grayson McCoy has his own demons. But something about Elk Horn's lovely-yet-damaged new nurse breaks something loose. Compassion - and passion. And even as Gray works with Sky to piece her confidence back together, something deeper and more tender begins to unfurl between them. Something that could bring her back to life. But not even the haven of Elk Horn Ranch is safe from dangers. And all of Sky's healing could be undone by the acts of one malicious man...

©2014 Nauman Living Trust (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"Talented McKenna delivers excitement and romance in equal measure." (RT Book Reviews)

A very touching read

Any additional comments?

I have wanted to read this author’s work for a long time when I got this in the mail I thought now would be a great time. When I found it on audible I knew I could get it listened to fast than I could read it so I picked it up. This author hooked me from the first page as Skylar relived her helicopter crash in Afghanistan, her capture and her torture it really grabs your heart pulling you in. Those are scene you won’t forget for a while. PTSD has to be one of the worse things anyone could live through with few knowing just what it is like unless you have had to deal with it. I feel Ms. McKenna put a lot of though into writing this story right down to the PTSD giving you a compelling read. You feel the pain each character goes through from her being talked her down to her father and their issues. This is a story that really touched me.

Mr. Salerno as a narrator gives a wonderful listen I thought his male and female voices were wonderful. There are no background noises, repeat words, or any high or low of the volume. If he took a break you could not tell. He puts emotion in to the read making you feel each characters emotion whether that be happy, sad, or scared. He had my heart in my throat with the bear scene your heart really goes out to these animals. The narrator gives you an even tone clear audio that pulls you in as you picture the scenes in your mind with no trouble at all. For me Grayson voice didn’t work for me I thought it was a little flat I did love all the other. One of my favorite was their boss she is such a wonderful sweet lady trying to help others get through tough times which shows through the narrator’s voice. When the characters go through some trying times the narrator has you on the edge waiting to see how it turned out there was more than once I held my breath. I really enjoyed this narrator and look forward to listening to more from him.


Skylar has so much going on from her own PSTD just trying to hang on rebuilding her life to her family and how they are dealing with her issues. Things are not so easy going in this town not everyone is thrilled as the author spins a little suspense in taking the story in another way. With all that is going on I found it believable that Skylar being an RN would over look the signs and not put two and two together over her health issues (I do not want to give the story away). What I really liked about this character is her strength. She won’t give up nor will she turn to drug to make life easy but looks for other ways to overcome her issues. She is hurt and broken along with being afraid to reach out for help afraid to be touch even more afraid to talk for fear of those not understanding and making too much of it or not enough. She goes through life doing her day to day things helping others which in return is helping her rebuild her life.

Grayson is a man after your own heart with his caring ways always helping others giving back to those around him. He is always there for Skylar even when he isn’t sure he wants her around. He gives just enough information to his boss without showing his hand. This is one man who has been through so much with his PSTD but has worked hard to overcome it help Skylar and her family deal with what is going on around them. I loved how he took Skylar under his wing from the start helping her when money was tight as well as her mental issues. There just isn’t anything about this man you won’t love.

This is really a story inside a story from the ranch that helps wolfs rebuild to the other side where they help people rebuild giving them a sense of peace when their lives may be anything but. It is a place I would have dearly loved to have visited. I really enjoyed the supporting characters from Skylar’s father who has issues of his own to her lovely caring mother. I adore their boss who is always there giving a helping hand, she might be a little on the nosy side but you can’t help but adore her. There are many other characters that come in and out of the story which are a wonderful addition. I really thought this was well written giving you the facts with a wonderful plot that pulls you in. The author shows how hard it is not only for those with PSTD but others who have come to the ranch with trouble children how the ranch helps them and brings families together stronger. This is so much more than a story about PSTD or a romance it is a story about hope, rebuilding, starting over, giving back, being there no matter what and the love of the animals. This is a very well put together story the author gives very vivid details you have no trouble picturing the words she puts on the page. She pulls you in from the first and keeps you entertained throughout. This is the first I have read/listened why this author I am so looking forward to more of her work.

Touching

I found this book to be very informative. I love anything to do with the outside and the animals that live there. Wolves and their habits especially are extremely interesting to study.
As for the PTSD both of these main character's and other's have to deal with is more than mind boggling. The torture of this Navy nurse was almost more than I could stand to listen to. I am so glad Lindsay McKenna didn't drag it out any more than she did. Don't think I could have stayed with it otherwise. Grayson McCoy was a wonderful hero in my eyes. He is a dream for any woman, wish I could have found someone like him in my life time. As for Anthony Haden Salerno's narration? I found it to be perfect! Great job Anthony Haden Salerno. Ms. Lindsay McKenna You also did a great job on this book.

The idea of the story was great. The story itself?

This was a very disappointing story for me. Gray was so solicitous that I found myself at times just rolling my eyes. There was almost a story about the Ace Trucking guys, but it honestly went nowhere. One thing that really annoyed me though was the whole water issue. At the start of the story the mere thought of water turned her stomach and she couldn't bathe in more than 2" of water.....not so very long later she was taking showers? As with the whole book, the story was almost there...but never quite.
PTSD is such an important story to tell and this author has done a much better job in earlier books.
Quick question though..do all seals and PTSD patients go to Jackson Hole WY?