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.