Coming after Big Sky Wedding, this story lets us meet again Zane and Brylee, now happy together, with their ranch in Parable County, Montana. In BIG SKY SECRETS Landry, Zane's younger brother, isn't making such a good job of the cowboy life however hard he tries. He's come back from Chicago after a broken-up marriage and keeps two buffalo on a small spread. Unfortunately these imposing creatures keep breaking out of the drought-stricken patch and making for a flower grower's home, where they thoughtfully munch their way through her tended gardens - and profits. Ria Manning wishes her neighbour Landry Sutton would do a better job of fencing at Hangman's Bend.

Landry has an absent father who keeps ringing to mooch money for his gambling debts, and Ria has her own family issues. She moved here when she married but she's now widowed, and determined to be self-supporting despite her half-sister's phone calls trying to drag her back into the crashing family business. Unexpectedly Ria's niece, seventeen-year old Quinn arrives with a bag and a small dog, having opted to head here rather than a summer camp as her mother had intended. She was very lucky to have hitched without incident, and Ria can't bring herself to send the girl home. To make amends Landry has asked Ria to come to the local dance with him, on a sociable basis, and young Quinn encourages her aunt to take up the offer. It's time Ria stopped mourning and got on with her life.

Populated by friendly, contrasting characters, the story eases its way into motion and carries us along for the ride. Landry comes across as a bit too sure of himself where women are concerned, too insistent that Ria must want to get to know him better. But, it seems he knows a good thing when he sees it and wants to snap her up as soon as she makes herself available.

BIG SKY SECRETS will be enjoyed by all the loyal fans of this series, and I found it easy reading romance with a good feel for the location.