She Died Then Showed Me

The Pioneer Ranch Saga, Book 1

By: Samar Reine

Narrated by: Jeannie Hawks

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

READERS' FAVORITE 5-STAR BADGE WINNER

In a realm of family secrets and lost letters, love paints the truest portrait. Peyton Chase fights to save her family’s heritage, confront the mysteries of her troubled past, face her deepest fears, and reframe her legacy.

Overshadowed by her mother's prodigious talent as a renowned artist, Peyton wrestles with her own insecurities. Filled with self-doubt, she secretly pursues her passion for painting while yearning to break free from the shadows.

After her father’s passing, Peyton is rocked by his secret dealings to sell her late mother’s paintings. She’s determined to stop her family’s estate from falling apart, but only if she can decipher the enigmatic clues hidden in her late mother's masterpieces. But truth always comes at a price. In unearthing her family's legacy, will Peyton find the confidence to paint her own path with resolve, courage, and wit?

Amid the labyrinth of mysteries and sibling rivalries, a captivating new man, a cowboy turned Navy SEAL captain, sets her soul ablaze. While a former lover who possesses the key to her financial troubles reignites a dormant ember, but at what cost to her authentic self?

As Peyton's journey evolves into a confrontation with personal demons and her family's hidden truths, the revelations lead the heiress on a voyage of compassionate insights into family dynamics and the odyssey of self-love.

©2023 Samar Reine (P)2024 Samar Reine

Critic reviews

“It was a page-turner, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The descriptions of New Mexico were so vivid that I could visualize them. The characters were intriguing and dynamic. I could relate to them, and they could be anyone I know. My favorite character was Peyton. I could relate to her struggle with her demons... The story was vivid and beautifully written, and it is a lovely story about family and love.”—Readers’ Favorite

"Be prepared to get enthralled by incredible, vivid imagery of scenic beauty, detailed and lively descriptions of characters."—Reedsy Discovery

I Had to Binge Listen

I adore a heartfelt family story, but I'm even more drawn to tales of personal growth and discovery. This book delivers both beautifully. Plus, I'm a big fan of magical realism, and this book has it in abundance. It's filled with spirituality and deep, mature love. I can already tell it's the type of book I'll revisit on tough days. Samar Reine has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

Magical Realism and Flawed, Beautiful Humanity

I just finished She Died Then Showed Me and wow, it really kept me hooked! This book is filled with family secrets, stunning New Mexican vistas, and some really intense personal drama. Peyton, the main character, is super relatable. She’s dealing with a ton of stuff—her mom was a famous artist, and after her dad dies, she finds out he was trying to secretly sell off her mom’s paintings. The whole book is about her trying to save her family's legacy and figure out the cryptic messages her mom left behind in her artwork. It feels like every chapter ramps up the mystery and the emotional stakes.

The descriptions of New Mexico and California are a major highlight—vivid and beautiful, I could almost see the colors and landscapes myself. I loved the dynamic and complex characters; everyone from Peyton’s new love interest, a rugged cowboy turned Navy SEAL, to her old flame who comes back into her life, adding more twists to the story. The writing is lyrical and descriptive, especially when delving into Peyton’s internal struggles and the scenic settings. It's definitely a page-turner with a lot of suspense that keeps things really engaging. Plus, Peyton’s journey toward finding her confidence and confronting her family's secrets had me rooting for her the whole way. Overall, if you’re into novels that have a good mix of mystery, drama, and beautiful landscapes, this book is definitely worth a read.

Remarkable, Evocative, Immersive, Moving

Beautifully written, lyrical, heartfelt, and filled with vivd descriptions. This author submerges the reader in uplifting, spiritual and healing experiences. The characters are deep, three-dimentional, and flawed in the most intriguing and realistic ways. Peyton is so real. The conversations are emotional, impactful, moving, and engaging. The evolution of the story and the psychological weaving is brilliant. One of the best books I've read in a long time, phylosophical, but immersive and feel-good, too. And the ending? Oh, so remarkable!

A wonderful and captivating literary novel

This is an extremely appealing story for readers who enjoy family dramas, packed with intrigue. The setting is the enchanted hill country of New Mexico and the sweeping beauty of the California coast. The story contains themes of legacy, the struggles of dealing with complicated relationships and ultimately true redemption. This is a book any avid reader would thoroughly enjoy.

A Work of Art

She died Then Showed Me is a work of art. I bought this book because I enjoy reading interesting family sagas with strong female characters. This book did not disappoint! The well-drawn protagonist (Peyton), complete with strengths and weaknesses, comes alive and leaps off the page.
This book explores modern day relationships, spirituality, self-discovery, and resilience in the face of adversity. The author blends painful realities with healing love in a strong, uplifting tale. She intertwines Peyton’s different loves – the family she was born into, the family she chooses, and the love that brings them together. Along Peyton’s healing journey of self-discovery, the reader is treated to a look at Navajo customs and beliefs; the inner workings of the art world; and the beauty of the West and Southwest. In fact, the raw beauty of the West and Southwest is captured so beautifully that I want to hop on a plane and head west.
I recommend this novel as it is an elegantly structured, beautiful story of love and family with lots of edges and considerations. With an emphasis on the power of family and friends, the joy of new romance, this novel is fresh and unforgettable. I’m thrilled that this book is part of a series and I look forward to getting to know this cast of characters even better as the saga continues.