Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller

Review of Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller

Published: July 24, 2012

4 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "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."

Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller is a story about realizing being stubborn can stand in the way of your dreams. Kendra and Hutch are two characters who fuel fire to one another.  They go from mad to hurt to happy in under 60 seconds just based on how the other one reacts to the conversation at hand.  While they seem like an unlikely pair, it turns out they are two halves of a whole.  And though the story is about romance and finding your way back to the person you have always loved, the foundation of the story is about creating your own family when yours falls apart. What was adorable about this story was Madison and her eerie way of knowing exactly what is going on even though she is only 4 years old.  The one part of this story I had trouble with was the fact that we as readers did not get to see how Hutch and Kendra resolved solved those issues before they moved to the next step.  I give Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller 4 smirks because the story included all the characters from the previous book and we as readers got to see where in their lives they currently are; how their lives were progressing.


Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller

Review of Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller

Published: May 29, 2012

4 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father—until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited half of Whisper Creek Ranch, one of the most prosperous in Parable, Montana. That doesn’t sit well with his half brother, Hutch, who grew up with all the rights of a Carmody. Including the affections of Joslyn Kirk, homecoming queen, rodeo queen, beauty queen—whom Slade has never forgotten.

But Joslyn is barely holding her head up these days as she works to pay back everyone her crooked stepfather cheated. With a town to protect—plus a rebellious teenage stepdaughter—Slade has his hands full. But someone has to convince Joslyn that she’s responsible only for her own actions. Such as her effect on this lawman’s guarded heart."

Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller is a story about trusting your instinct and having the courage to go after what you want.  At first I thought this story was extremely awkward because the two main characters didn't really converse in the way of actually talking. Slade and Joslyn seem to have this eerie connection where they know one another on a different wave length than everyone else.  The less they seem to talk, the more they seem to know about one another.  To be honest, at first I was turned off by how this author set up this romance story.  I like knowing what the characters talk about and this story was mainly about descriptive thinking.  Although after reading this story I can see the brilliance Linda Lael Miller brings to her books, by making them unlike any other romance books out there today.  So even though I didn't really like the way the characters just cruise by one another, I'm smart enough to admit the brilliance of this story because I know I didn't put the book down until I was finished.  I give Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller 4 smirks because brilliance is brilliance and this story was brilliant.