AUTHOR: Cynthia Bruner
DATE: March 2015
PUBLISHER: Montana Inspired Arts
STARS: *****
Being a fishing guide on Montana's Bighorn River is a dream job, but peace isn't flowing like a river in Jen Olson's life. Working for her parents has taken over her own plans and dreams. To make matters worse, Jen has to guide a reporter for the weekend, and she suspects Zeke Smith has come to smear, not cheer. It isn't long before things come crashing down in the most unflattering way for her, and her parents' business. But even trips to familiar places can be life-changing if you can see those places with new eyes. Jen's about to see the river in a whole new way—and maybe even snag herself a keeper.
This book’s subtitle is A Montana Weekend Novella, and it certainly made me want to spend a weekend in Montana’s Bighorn River area. Author Cynthia Bruner paints a finely detailed picture of this area, and her characters are delightfully realistic. Not perfect, but real and charming.
Heroine Jen and I have little in common, and yet within the first paragraph of this story, I felt we were long-lost friends. Her life should be fantastic, but she’s struggling with insecurities and restlessness. Enter Zeke Smith, a man who is entirely too intriguing, given his power to crush her family’s business.
I loved this story, its gentle faith message, and the descriptions of fly fishing that made me want to try it at least once. Beautifully written, Jen’s Keeper easily earns five stars. Highly recommended.