Taming Rafe, Noble Legacy Series #2

Hotel heiress Katherine Breckenridge just wants to make a lasting difference in her world by running her late mother's charity foundation. But she fears she lacks the passion and courage to be as successful as her mother was--a fear that's realized when money from the foundation goes missing and Katherine's one shot to recover it is ruined by Rafe Noble. Two-time world champion bull rider Rafe Noble is at the top of his game when tragedy hits. Guilt stricken over the loss of his best friend, Rafe accidentally drives his truck into the lobby of the Breckenridge Hotel during Katherine's fund-raiser. With a broken knee, a ruined reputation, and the threat of several lawsuits, Rafe goes back to his family's ranch--the Silver Buckle--to recover. Desperate to save the foundation, Katherine heads to the Silver Buckle to talk Rafe into helping her raise the needed funds. But a few days under the bright Montana skies give her more than she bargained for, and Kat discovers there's more to both herself and Rafe Noble than she realized.

Hotel heiress Katherine Breckenridge just wants to make a lasting difference in her world by running her late mother’s charity foundation. But she fears she lacks the passion and courage to be as successful as her mother was--a fear that’s realized when money from the foundation goes missing and Katherine’s one shot to recover it is ruined by Rafe Noble. Two-time world champion bull rider Rafe Noble is at the top of his game when tragedy hits. Guilt stricken over the loss of his best friend, Rafe accidentally drives his truck into the lobby of the Breckenridge Hotel during Katherine’s fund-raiser. With a broken knee, a ruined reputation, and the threat of several lawsuits, Rafe goes back to his family’s ranch--the Silver Buckle--to recover. Desperate to save the foundation, Katherine heads to the Silver Buckle to talk Rafe into helping her raise the needed funds. But a few days under the bright Montana skies give her more than she bargained for, and Kat discovers there’s more to both herself and Rafe Noble than she realized.

People are not all who they appear to be in Taming Rafe, the second installment in Susan May Warren’s Noble Legacy series. Rafe Noble is a champion bull rider scarred by the death of his friend, and Katherine Breckinridge is the daughter of a supermodel, trying to keep her late mother’s charity organization from going under. When the lives of these two individuals intersect, they are able to bring out the best in one another. In this novel of risk, romance, and hope, Warren shows how God can use one life to impact another for the better, even in a short period of time.

Taming Rafe has spurts of action occurring almost right from the beginning until the end. Within the book itself, Warren offers snippets of another novel, Unshackled, which one of the characters wrote and many other characters read during the course of the story. This technique gives insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions through their reactions to the story. The characters’ relationships with one another unfold in more detail as the novel progresses.

Katherine Breckinridge is holding an extravagant fundraising event in her grandfather’s hotel when her party is literally “crashed” by Rafe Noble’s pickup truck. Determined to make Rafe pay for the damages he caused her sinking charity program, Katherine chases Rafe to Phillips, Montana, where her cowboy father once lived, and where Rafe is staying at his family’s ranch. Unfortunately for Katherine, or “Kat,” Rafe is bordering on broke. However, Kat has an idea to raise the money her charity needs, with Rafe’s help. After getting off on the wrong foot, Kat gets Rafe to show her the workings of the ranch, and the two become close as they begin to crack one another’s outer shells.

Rafe agrees to help Kat with her plan. When Kat’s gracious, but seemingly overprotective hostess, Lolly, fears that Rafe will break Kat’s heart, she calls Bradley, Kat’s refined New York boyfriend. Bradley arrives in Phillips and takes Kat back to New York to get married, breaking both Rafe’s and Kat’s hearts. However, when a bull riding competition takes place in New York and the truth about Bradley is revealed, a final showdown gives Rafe and Kat another chance.

Kat is sweet and optimistic, looking for answers about her past and support for the program she believes in. Rafe is rough on the outside, but soft on the inside, trying to live up to his professional reputation but move on from his sad past. When the two are put together, Rafe brings out the confidence Kat needs, and Kat gives Rafe the motivation to be the best man he can be. They find friends and unexpected family among other characters, who provide them with love, support, and wisdom.

Taming Rafe is an entertaining novel that portrays how God uses others to show people His plan for their lives. Since the story is told from both male and female characters’ perspectives, it could be appropriate for readers of both genders. Even if you aren’t a big fan of westerns, it would be safe to try this book. Taming Rafe is full of action, romance, and warmth, and is just fun to read! -- Laura Coulter, Christian Book Previews.com

“Warren’s first novel in her Noble Legacy series will win her many fans . . . [and] will keep readers glued to the pages . . .”
Romantic Times BOOKreviews

Average Rating:

8 of 19 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Lynette Freake (Canada), May 20, 2009

This is a good series. It has interesting characters, in interesting situations, what more could you want!

Reviewed by Kate (Indiana), August 19, 2008

I absolutely loved this book! I love the whole modern day on a ranch, cowboy kind of book. I have to say this is my favorite book. Definitely a great read!

Reviewed by Tonja Evans (Alma, AR), July 18, 2008

REALLY LOVED TO READ THIS ONE I INJOYED IT ALOT WOULD HAVE SOMEONE READ THIS BOOK

Reviewed by Demarie Webb (Schwenksville, PA), June 02, 2008

It's very entertaining. It keeps you on your toes until the end. Even though you think you know what's going on, you really don't know the whole story until the last chapter. She's a very good writer. She gets you to look at the same story from different angles.

Reviewed by Taylor (North Dakota), May 24, 2008

I absolutely loved this second book. On the first page its like you are going through what the charactors are going through. It'll have you longing for your own cowboy or cowgirl!

Reviewed by Gloria Glider (Heber Springs, AR), May 05, 2008

This book is packed with action. It is also very informative about bull riding. I really enjoyed this second book of the series as well as the first. A good read for male or female.

Reviewed by Stacey (Las Vegas, NV), May 05, 2008

Susan May Warren pens another winner with "Taming Rafe"! There is no lack of action in the opening chapters with the younger Noble brother's tragic bull ride and a trip to New York City with less than a desirable outcome. Katherine Breckenridge's story is easy to get caught up in as well: a poor little rich girl who is about to have her foundational rug literally ripped out from under her, she must convince Rafe to help her recoup her fund raiser losses caused by his thoughtlessness in New York. There's only one problem - Rafe is broke and broken. Can Kat help restore Rafe's cowboy spirit in time to appease her grandfather's demands? Will her time spent on the Noble ranch leave her heart intact? Susie is an incredible storyteller! She does her research on her subjects so that you can trust how she brings her stories to life. I almost wept when she mentioned Lane Frost, a deceased champion bull rider. I was so wrapped up in these characters that when the romance finally kicked in, my heart melted. And then, when I saw the conflict that would drive them apart being introduced, I almost yelled into the book to warn the characters it was coming! Susie also brilliantly injected a "novel" within this book that we were able to really read and enjoy, so "Rafe" was like a two-for-one read! How creative!!! I'm so glad I invested in this novel. I was absolutely not disappointed.

Reviewed by Bekah (Wayne, NJ), April 13, 2008

Great, engrossing read. Her characters feel so real-you are instantly drawn into the book from the first page. I think I enjoyed Reclaiming Nick more than this one but they are both excellent!

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Author: Susuan May Warren
Submitted: January 30, 2008

    Tell us a little about yourself.  Susan May Warren is the best-selling author of more than 20 novels and novellas with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A three time Christy award finalist, and three time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice contest, Susan currently has over 500,000 books in print. A seasoned women’s events speaker and writing teacher, she’s taught at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference for the past three years, and she runs a fiction editing service mybooktherapy training writers how to tell a great story. After serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries in Khabarovsk, Far East Russia she now writes full-time while her husband runs a hotel on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota

    What was your motivation behind this project?  I’m the first to declare that I am incredibly blessed to be allowed to write books. I love to write, to see the story unfold, to get to know my characters, and see how God works out His plan for their lives. For me, writing a story is so much about a journey, and seeing God provide each step of the way. Every book tests my faith, because when I sit down and stare at a blank screen, I have to trust that even when I don’t have words, God does. Every book also brings me deep joy because at the end, I see how God has worked it out, beyond what I can ask or imagine. It is a humbling thing to see God at work in your life, in the process, and in the end product, and know that He has done this for His good pleasure, and for my joy. To quote Kat – it is no small thing to have the Creator of the Universe working IN you and THROUGH you to touch others. It takes my breath away.

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