Excerpt:
Today’s escapade would put all that in the shade, of course. Tongues were wagging and jaws were flapping for sure—by now, various up-to-the-minute accounts were probably popping up on all the major social media sites. Before Slade and Boone had dragged Hutch out of the sanctuary, he’d seen several people whip out their cell phones and start texting. A few pictures had been taken, too, with those same ubiquitous devices.Big Sky Mountain
The thought of all that amateur reporting made Hutch close his eyes for a moment. “Shit,” he murmured.
“Knee-deep and rising,” Slade confirmed, sounding resigned.
Kendra sat at the antique table in her best friend Joslyn’s kitchen, with Callie Barlow in the chair directly across from hers. The ranch house was unusually quiet, with its usual occupants gone to town.
A glance over one shoulder assured Kendra that her recently adopted four-year-old daughter, Madison, was still napping on a padded window seat, her stuffed purple kangaroo, Rupert, clenched in her arms.
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Publication: Harlequin HQN (July 31, 2012)
Description: 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.
My Thoughts: This story begins with a wedding. But it is the wrong wedding and the groom - Hutch Carmody - calls it off just as the bride-to-be is starting down the aisle. He knows the marriage would be wrong. He had tried to talk to Brylee and call off the wedding but she just wasn't listening to him. It was time for desperate measures.
Hutch has never really gotten over his first love Kendra even though they fought and she married another man. Now Kendra is back in Parable, Montana with an adopted daughter. Madison is the daughter of her ex-husband who has now passed away and one of his many girlfriends. Kendra is determined to give Madison the secure and loving childhood that she herself didn't know. She certainly doesn't want to take another chance on Hutch. After all, he broke her heart once already.
But Hutch and Kendra are right for each other. Or, they would be, if they could just get over their fears and trust issues. This was a wonderful, heart-warming romance about two good people who needed each other but were afraid to take a chance on love.
They are assisted to the right path by a number of unlikely "cupids." Kendra's best friend is now married to Hutch's half-brother Slade and is intent and getting the two of them together. Opal, the housekeeper for Slade and Joslyn, is also playing Cupid for the couple. And, most of all, Madison wants a new daddy and thinks Hutch would be a perfect candidate.
This has all the hallmarks of a Linda Lael Miller romance. There is a small, tight-knit community. Both the hero and the heroine have a tight group of excellent friends. There are strong cowboy values. There are cute kids and lovable pets. The side characters are well-rounded and fully developed people with stories of their own too. Just a note, Ms. Miller, but I really want to read about Walker and Casey and Boone and Tara too, please.
Readers looking for a feel-good romance with just a little spice can't go wrong with this story.
Favorite Quote:
In the moment, Kendra felt a wistful sort of hope that places like Parable would always exist, so babies could be born and grow up and get married and live on into their golden years, always in touch with their own histories and those of the people around them, always a part of something, always belonging somewhere.I got my eARC from NetGalley for my spot on the blog tour for this book. You can buy your copy here. I am also hosting a giveaway for one finished copy of this book. You must live in the US or Canada and fill out the form below before Aug. 15.
Thank you for entering me.
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