BIG SKY SECRETS is Book 6 in this author's Parable,
Montana series. The character Landry Sutton was
introduced
in the previous book. It's a good idea to read that other
book before this one in order to get a little of the
character's backstory. I wasn't quite sure what to make of
Landry while reading that other story. I wasn't sure
whether it was a good thing or a bad thing for the self-
made wealthy businessman from the city to turn cowboy.
After reading this story I have my answer -- it was a
fabulous idea! I'm so glad the author wound up giving him
his own book because he became one of my favorite male
characters in a romance novel. Landry and Ria Manning are
both starting over and relative outsiders in their current
community. Landry is trying to put his businessman persona
aside in favor of a bronc riding, raiser of buffaloes. Ria
is a widow who traded city living for farm living. They are
both trying to fit in and be part of the local community in
their own way. They find each other attractive, even though
for Ria it's hard to admit. However, it's not until Bessie,
Landry's buffalo, tramps onto Ria's flower farm that a path
to romance is paved.
Landry eventually ends up daring Ria
to go on a date with him and she accepts. Though the date
doesn't go exactly as either of them planned, how Landry
handled the fallout from the evening out helped to show his
good character. Even though he cajoles Ria, and turns the
full force of his charm (which is considerable) on her, he
never comes off as being too aggressive or in any way
smarmy.
For her part, even though she pushes him away at
times, she doesn't really come off as being too prickly to
be likable. Ria is a strong woman who suffered some
heartache but still has a lot of love to give -- mostly for
her beloved niece Quinn, and eventually Landry.
The two
both have their respective issues with family. Ria has a
difficult relationship with her sister, and is forced to
temporarily act as a surrogate mother to her visiting
niece. Landry struggles in the book with how to handle the
sudden reappearance of his vagabond father. '
The characters
are so fleshed out and enjoyable to read about. However, at
the end of the day, it's all about the romance. The
chemistry between Ria and Landry is palpable but the ghost
of Ria's first husband acts as a barrier to the
relationship. I thought the author did a great job of
exploring the relationship she had with her husband and how
that has influenced her ability to get involved in another
romantic relationship. I also really liked how Landry
seemed to pick up on the signals Ria was putting out and
interpreting them correctly. This showed depth to his
character. I loved how in touch with his feelings he was,
when it came to Ria. I totally fell for Landry in this
story. I loved watching the romance develop over the course
of the book.
BIG SKY SECRETS is a very satisfying western romance and
I very much look forward to more books in this series and
other things by this LINDA LAEL MILLER.
The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling
author Linda Lael Miller delivers the stunning finale of her
acclaimed series set in Parable, Montana—where love awaits
Self-made tycoon Landry Sutton heads to Hangman Bend's Ranch
to sell his land to his brother Zane. Though he's got cowboy
in his blood, Landry plans to return to city life before the
dust even settles on his boots. Of course, he didn't count
on falling for Big Sky Country…or Ria Manning.
Ria's starting to settle into country life herself…until she
has a close encounter of the terrifying kind with a buffalo.
Turns out the peeping monster belongs to the cowboy next
door—and he has her running even more scared than his bison.
She wants a home where the buffalo don't roam, and the men
don't either. Could Landry's homecoming be her heart's
undoing?
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