Meet a horse trainer and an exercise rider in
Becky Wade’s
contemporary romance
A Love Like Ours
Bethany House
*******
The Story
Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.
When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.
Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?
Introducing Jake & Lyndie
Jake Porter
Brief physical description
Jake is over six feet tall. He has dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a hard athletic body. He’s extraordinarily handsome, except for the scar across the right side of his face. It runs from his nose across his cheek down to his jaw. He’s intimidating! He gives off a battle-hardened and glowering impression.
Resembles… 
In my imagination Jake looks somewhat like a grimmer, leaner Stephen Amell.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths: He’s a horse trainer and a genius with horses. He’s reliable, hard-working, and would do anything for his family.
Weaknesses: Jake struggles against survivor’s guilt and nightmares. He’s lost his faith and his hope and so has closed himself off from love and relationships.
Quirk (if any)
Unlike his brother Ty, Jake’s not a very talkative fellow. Pulling words out of him was a challenge for Lyndie at first!
Your inspiration for the character
I love brooding heroes and so that character type inspired Jake. He’s somewhat like the Beast from Beauty and the Beast.
Background to the story
The real life stories I’ve seen and read about servicemen and women who experienced trauma overseas and who come home with PTSD. PTSD doesn’t have a ‘cure’. It can be something that veterans (and non-veterans, too, who’ve experienced a range of hardships) can fight for years and years. It was an honor, truly, to have the opportunity to cast a veteran with PTSD as my novel’s hero.
Lyndie James
Brief physical description
Lyndie is short and slim. She’s an exercise rider for Thoroughbreds, and so probably wouldn’t exceed 5’4″ or weigh more than 115 pounds. She has long and wavy blond hair (darker blond with paler highlights), a dusting o
f freckles, and brown eyes. She’s spent most of her life in California and so she has a light tan and a ‘California girl’ vibe.
Resembles…
In my mind Lyndie has the sweet, natural beauty of model Marisa Miller.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths: Lyndie is creative, empathetic, a natural-born healer, brave, optimistic.
Weaknesses: She’d rather stay home with her dogs and cat than brave the dating scene. She can be too soft-hearted toward wounded things (Jake included) and too quick to believe in the best outcome.
Quirk (if any)
She likes to wear either big hoop earrings or long dangly earrings.
Your inspiration for the character
I based Lyndie on the older daughter of a family who lives in my neighborhood. They have two children, and the older one (Lily) is in perfect health. Due to a tragedy at birth, the younger daughter (Claire) has severe cerebral palsy. When I saw how beautifully Claire’s parents and her sister Lily care for her I was filled with inspiration to write a story about a fictional family just like their real life family.
Background to the story
I adore horses! I wanted to write a Secretariat-esque, Seabiscuit-esque story of my own. So I made Jake a Thoroughbred trainer and Lyndie an exercise rider. It was so much fun to “own” my own ranch full of horses through the writing of this novel!
Thanks Becky!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of A Love Like Ours and My Stubborn Heart
Character spotlight on Bo & Meg
Character spotlight on Matt & Kate
Pop Quiz 2013 with Becky
Get to know Becky
Visit Becky’s website
Buy at Amazon: A Love Like Ours or Koorong
Photo Credits
“Marisa Miller at the Mirage Portrait” by Marisa_Miller_at_the_Mirage.jpg: Alex E. Proimosderivative work: Mbinebri (talk) – Marisa_Miller_at_the_Mirage.jpg. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
“Stephen Amell WonderCon 2013” by Gage Skidmore Uploaded by MyCanon – Stephen Amell. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
June 27, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Stephan Amell as Jake? I could totally live with this. 😉
June 28, 2015 at 9:16 am
Hear hear!!!
June 30, 2015 at 1:00 am
Ab. so. lutely!
June 27, 2015 at 7:47 pm
I do like Jake. but I’ve liked all the Porers so far!
June 27, 2015 at 8:01 pm
It’s not fair to choose Jake since it is the one Becky Wade book I haven’t read, but I do have an affinity for a man struggling with PTSD and working to overcome it.
June 27, 2015 at 11:32 pm
I am only familiar with Ty but Jake sounds like someone I need to get to know!
June 28, 2015 at 12:52 am
I’ve not yet met the Porter family. Thanks for the chance to do so soon.
June 28, 2015 at 1:14 am
Sorry I have not read any other books to know the brothers.
June 28, 2015 at 2:21 am
May I choose all? 🙂 If I have to pick only one, it’d have to be Bo. However, each brother is wonderful as is each book in the series. I must say, I really hope Dru gets a book. I have a feeling her story will be great. I’m glad this book was featured…it’s amazing!!!
June 28, 2015 at 8:32 am
Thank you, Amanda! I jumped on to respond to your question about whether or not Dru will be getting her own book. The answer is yes. 🙂 The final book in the Porter series will be Dru’s and it will release next spring. I’ve already turned it in and will be working on rewrites on it this summer! All the best, Becky
June 28, 2015 at 8:54 am
I can’t wait!!!! God has blessed you with immense talent.
June 28, 2015 at 9:47 am
June 28, 2015 at 9:49 am
Oops, that reply didn’t post right. I’ll try again… 🙂 🙂 🙂
June 28, 2015 at 3:48 am
Favorite? Hmmm. I guess I’ll go with Ty as he’s the only one of the family I’ve met so far. But I’m pretty sure I’d like them all! 🙂
June 28, 2015 at 4:23 am
Unfortunately, I have not met any of the characters yet. Thanks for the chance to win a copy so I can get to know them.
June 28, 2015 at 4:34 am
I guess I’d have to say Ty do far!
June 28, 2015 at 8:49 am
I haven’t read any of the books yet, but this sounds great!
June 28, 2015 at 9:23 am
This book sounds like a very good read. Is it a stand alone novel? Thanks for the giveaway.
June 29, 2015 at 8:12 am
Shirley, A Love Like Ours is book #3 in the Porter Family series. Book #1 is Undeniably Yours and book #2 is Meant to Be Mine. However, each book is a complete love story in and of itself, so you could jump right in with A Love Like Ours if you wanted to. 🙂
June 28, 2015 at 9:25 am
I haven’t been able to read Jake’s story yet (though I very much want to). I liked Bo most of the time in Undeniably Yours. Ty was such a jerk at first in Meant to Be Mine but I liked him later as he realized he needed to get his act together. I liked his persistence. I liked the Porter family as a whole; I don’t really have a favorite.
June 28, 2015 at 9:53 am
I’m not entering the giveaway since I already have a copy but I just wanted to say that I love this book! 😉 As to a favorite, I can’t pick one! Love them all! LOL
June 29, 2015 at 8:13 am
Thank you, Cyndi!
June 28, 2015 at 10:25 am
I haven’t read Jake’s story but I would like to.
June 28, 2015 at 10:25 am
I went to imdb looking for a non-smiling picture of “Jake” and remembered another guy that would seem to fit your description… Jay Ryan from Beauty and the Beast. http://www.imdb.com/media/rm54962432/nm1216008?ref_=nmmd_md_nxt#. What do you think?
June 29, 2015 at 8:15 am
I always love to see photos readers send me of actors that they think represent my characters well. This guy even has the scar! Well done!
June 30, 2015 at 4:51 am
🙂
June 28, 2015 at 10:32 am
I would have to go with Jake.. he’s into horses 🙂
June 28, 2015 at 10:35 am
As much as I loved how gallant and sweet Bo was, I’m going to have to say Ty is my favorite Porter brother. I just adored his charm!
June 28, 2015 at 10:58 am
I’ve only read the synopsis for Bo’s story and I like him;however, I’m currently reading Ty’s and Celia’s story and I love his charm and humorous sincerity!
June 28, 2015 at 11:03 am
Ty, for now. Of course that could change. lol
June 28, 2015 at 11:17 am
I love these details. What a great example, too, of outlining a character before writing them. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
June 28, 2015 at 11:20 am
Right now it is Jake. As he is currently freshest in my memory he gets the honor. Although I’m really excited for Dru as the only girl (I love the descriptions).
June 28, 2015 at 11:21 am
Right now it is Jake.
June 28, 2015 at 11:56 am
Bo is definitely my favorite. I can’t wait to read this book!
June 28, 2015 at 1:41 pm
I’m intrigued by this story… my husband has PTSD and even though he’s been retired for six years it can still be an issue in huge crowds, fireworks, thunderstorms (b/c they’re rare up here) and etc. I look forward to giving it a try! Thank you for your time into something that impacts more lives than anyone realizes.
June 28, 2015 at 1:42 pm
PS: Haven’t read any of these yet! lol
June 28, 2015 at 1:42 pm
I’m going to say Jake (even though I’ve yet to read about him) just because I’m a veteran’s wife. 🙂
June 28, 2015 at 4:04 pm
I love Ty! He was such an adorable man who tried so hard to make things right between him and Celia!
June 28, 2015 at 6:26 pm
My fav sibling is Bo! He is the best!
June 29, 2015 at 4:46 am
I have yet to read the books, so I can’t say which I like best. Perhaps it will be whoever is the oldest child. (Of course, no idea why I might connect with oldest children in fiction.)
June 29, 2015 at 6:06 am
So far my favorite Porter brother is Bo, but my favorite Porter is Drusilla. I hope we get to read her story!
June 29, 2015 at 8:18 am
Thanks, Brittaney! Dru’s story is coming up next. Her book was a great deal of fun to write. 🙂
June 29, 2015 at 10:08 am
Although I do have the first book in the series, I haven’t read it yet. So, I don’t have a favorite character. I need to get busy reading!
June 29, 2015 at 12:40 pm
I would say my favorite is Bo. Really hard to choose though.
June 30, 2015 at 12:59 am
I’ve already read this book and it immediately became my favorite even before I saw Stephen Amell’s picture….but was all it took to tip the scale in Jake’s favor. Yes. Ma’am!
June 30, 2015 at 2:02 am
I think this would be an interesting book to read. If I don’t win it, I’ll be checking the local library.
June 30, 2015 at 2:50 am
It’s hard to choose a character but I will say Ty.
June 30, 2015 at 5:06 am
So far I think I like Ty and Celia’s story best, so I guess I would choose him! But I haven’t read Jake’s story yet…
July 1, 2015 at 1:14 pm
I am gonna go with Ty!!! your are a very talent writer thanks!!!
July 4, 2015 at 5:57 am
I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read the series so can’t comment on who is my favorite Porter character.
July 5, 2015 at 2:07 am
I love Becky’s books! They’re so touching and beautiful! And I’m glad I had the chance to read them! I have yet to read this one, but Jake has intrigued me since the first scene in “Undeniably Yours”. Though I love all three brothers, I think Jake is my favourite because he’s quite mysterious. Look forward to reading his story!! So far Meant to be Mine is my favourite book! 🙂
Is this giveaway international? If not, do not enter me, because I don’t live in the US.
July 5, 2015 at 8:35 am
Maria » Hi Maria, unfortunately it isn’t international. I will always make specific mention of a giveaway is open internationally. I think you are going to love Jake’s story!