Book Review: McKettrick's Luck by Linda Lael Miller

McKettrick's Luck
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Series: McKettrick Men (Book 1)
Publication: HQN Books; Reissue edition (June 26, 2017)

Description: A classic tale of a new generation of cowboys staking claims to their land—and the women they love…

Like his celebrated ancestors, who tamed the wilds of Arizona, Jesse McKettrick's Indian Rock ties run deep. The Triple M Ranch is in his blood, along with the thrill of risk. But with his land at stake, this world-class poker player won't be dealt into Cheyenne Bridges's gamble—despite the temptation she brings.

Cheyenne grew up in Indian Rock and left its painful memories behind to become a self-made woman. Now her job is to convince Jesse to sell his property. Jesse's not the kind of man Cheyenne could ever forget, but he's too wild and dangerous for a woman committed to playing it safe. Yet sparks of attraction fly, tempting Cheyenne to lay it all on the line for the passion she sees in Jesse's eyes.

My Thoughts: Cheyenne Bridges is back in Indian Rock and must convince Jesse McKettrick to sell 500 acres of land. 

Cheyenne managed to get out of Indian Rock and leave her troubled past behind. Her father was a compulsive gambler who died in prison. Her mom is a sweet woman but has bad taste in men. Her younger brother Mitch is still recovering from a four-wheeler accident that left him a paraplegic and Cheyenne to cover the bills for the uninsured family.

Cheyenne's boss is property developer Nigel Meerland. He's offered a bonus that will set the family up if Cheyenne can convince Jesse to sell the land. He wants her to do whatever it takes to bring the deal home. 

Jesse McKettrick is a scion of those McKettricks but he doesn't work in any of the family businesses. He's a world class poker player having won tournaments. In fact, it was one of his wins that gave him the extra money that let him buy the piece of land that Meerland wants for his condo development. Jesse is content to raise his horses, play some poker, and just live his life. He is lonely, though, and tired of rattling around alone in the big house his parents gave him. 

Cheyenne had a monstrous crush on Jesse when she was a teen. They even dated a couple of times. But now that they are both grown up, the attraction between them is all grown up too. I enjoyed their sparring over the land. I liked that Jesse pushed Cheyenne to try things she hadn't done before and how helpful he was with her brother.

I liked that she got a new job doing Human Relations for the McKettricks which was good for her and for the community. I felt bad for Cheyenne that she was under so much pressure from her boss who wanted her to spy on the McKettricks in order to get some sort of advantage over them. I also liked getting to know some of the other McKettricks who are stars of other books in this series.

The romance was well done and the suspense added just enough extra interest to the story to keep it fast-paced. I liked the cast of characters and look forward to reading about more of them. 

Favorite Quote:

She had no illusions.

There would be no fairy-tale endings.

She'd hate herself in the morning. Maybe even before then.

But for one brief interlude in eternity, she was not going to be Cash Bridges' daughter.

She was not going to be Nigel Meerland's hired gun.

She was not going to be Ayanna's support system.

She was not going to be Mitch's protector. 

She was going to be one thing, and one thing only.

A woman.

A flesh-and-blood woman, freely giving herself up to a flesh-and-blood man, And damn the consequences.

I bought this one sometime before February 2008. You can buy your copy here.