Habits are hard to break. Those born out of necessity or survival are practically indestructible like a hard shell meant to protect from harm or hurt. Physical or emotional pain is something in human nature to avoid when at all possible a self-defense weapon.

This is a story about new beginnings and none occurring without a great deal of angst and work and determination. But anything worth doing is worth doing well right? Linda Lael Miller knows how to do cowboys and their women well. She has perfected the art. Anyone who loves a story with strong cowboys or cowgirls has to be familiar with Miller's long list of tales just begging for another installment in a fabulous series. Families are her keystone and in Big Sky Secrets she so talently shows us how difficult family can be but in the end how important.

Ria and Landry are both quite similar in this regard. Penetrating that shell was going to take a lot of work and time.

Landry's family basically consisted of an absentee father, deceased devoted mother and older brother Zane. Both Zane and Landry grew up with love but little else. Ria grew up in great wealth and the love of her mother but was barely accepted by a step sister and barely tolerated by her father.

Ria found love with her firefighter husband whose untimely death left her back where she had always been -- alone. In Three Trees Montana Ria found purpose and friends, all she really felt she needed. Investing her heart in a new relationship would only leave her vulnerable for the inevitable at least in her mind. When Ria and Landry first met there was an instant attraction but Ria was so raw she turned that into instant conflict. From that point on Ria and Landry were like flint. Sparking for a verbal battle and each returning to their own corner to lick their wounds.

Fast forward one year and we are going to be treated to a wonderful tale about faith and trust and relearning to love again in Big Sky Secrets. They do say love is lovelier the second time around but some mistakes are difficult to avoid repeating.

Landry is very careful with handling of his newly discovered feelings for his neighbor Ria. He knows there is something there between them but he is pragmatic enough to realize that Ria has some secret battles or demons to conquer before she is ready or willing to even try starting a relationship.

Landry is a pretty cool character. Actually Ria thinks he is quite smug. But he is smart enough to know how to keep his distance while at the same time leaving an impression. Hopefully the stars will align. Ria would use a plant metaphor.

It was nice to revisit some very familiar and dear characters in Linda Lael Miller's book six of Parable Montana but no worries if this is your first foray in this series. Big Sky Secrets definitely stands on its own. Miller has infused this book with just the right amount of heart and lust to keep everyone very satisfied. Once again she has brought us two very dynamic characters who will win your heart with their crisp dialog and snappy personalities.