With his rugged good looks, vast wealth and family name, hell-raiser Hutch Carmody is still the golden boy of Parable, Montana. But he's done some growing up—making peace with his illegitimate half brother and inheriting half of Whisper Creek Ranch, which should have been all his. These days, Hutch knows there are some things money can't buy: like the heart of loving, ladylike divorcée Kendra Shepherd.
Kendra's quiet mansion reminds her of what she wants most—a devoted husband and the pitter-patter of little feet. She can't get Hutch Carmody out of her mind. But a rough-and-tumble cowboy like Hutch, coming home for family dinner? Seems crazy! Then again, crazier dreams have become reality under the vast Montana sky.Review:
When I received Big Sky Mountain I could not wait to trot back into the lives of Parable's cowboys -particularly Hutch, Slade, and Boone. After finishing Big Sky Country, I was left pondering the fates of some of my favorite characters, so I was ecstatic to hear that I would definitely be reading more about Kendra and Hutch's budding romance! I liked how the book began, with a surprise, (no spoilers), and how a recap of previous happenings was woven throughout the continuing story. For this reason, I would still recommend reading the books in order, but it can also be read as a stand-alone. I was glad to see the familiar landscapes and faces of Parable, Montana - as descriptive and lively as ever - a Linda Lael Miller trademark, but I could not figure out why I was not as enthralled by the characters as I had been previously. I remembered Hutch having more of a misunderstood "bad-boy" persona, full of unbridled passion; unfortunately, there was little to no trace of those traits in the second book. There were moments when I thought the old Hutch would resurface, especially during the more risque sections, but I was left wanting. Speaking of, the romance level was very shallow, just enough to move the story along, but not really building on anything. Slade and Joslyn interacted more in the last book than Kendra and Hutch did in this one; there was quite a lot of inner dialogue this go around. However, I did enjoy the slowly mending relationship between Slade and Hutch, I was happy to see them getting along and the same was true for Boone's relationships. Character wise, I still liked most of their temperaments - especially Kendra's no-nonsense attitude and down-to-earth charms - but even though they were realistic, I never truly felt invested in their lives. As always, I loved the animal aspect and the plot-line was pretty interesting - as was the subplot. I just wish that the book had contained a little more action, (romantic and otherwise), and a little less daily grind. Although I did not enjoy Big Sky Mountain as much as Big Sky Country, I cannot wait for Big Sky River to come out in January! I hope that I am lucky enough to review that installment as well! Recommended for those in the mood for a family-centered romance with a little heat.
Rating: Bounty's Out (3/5)
*** I received this book from the author (Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
About the Author:
Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than one hundred historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, the self-confessed barn goddess now lives in Spokane, Washington. Linda hit a career high in 2011 when all three of her Creed Cowboys books—A Creed in Stone Creek, Creed’s Honor and The Creed Legacy—debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. To learn more about Linda, visit www.LindaLaelMiller.com.
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