THE MARRIAGE PACT is the first book in a new contemporary western romance centered on the brides of Bliss County by one of my favorite authors, Linda Lael Miller. The bride books are about three lifelong friends Hadleigh, Melody and Bex.

Ten years before Hadleigh was all set to have the wedding of her dreams. Everything was perfect--except, if she were to be absolutely honest with herself, the groom. Oakley would have been a good choice except for all his secret baggage, but Hadleigh was too young and vulnerable to have seen through Oakley's façade of love and caring.

It was up to Tripp to save or spoil the day, depending on your point of view. He was either the white knight or the devil. Tripp felt this was an obligation to his friendship with Hadleigh's brother Will. It was what Will would have done if he were still alive. On the surface this action is hurtful and demeaning as far as Hadleigh is concerned. She is totally in the dark about any secrets Oakley has successfully hidden. Having secrets in such a small town like Mustang Creek seems almost impossible and highly improbable. And yet Oakley's secret is not the one that is truly going to break Hadleigh's heart. Tripp's announcement that he is married holds that distinction.

Life goes on and now ten years later, Tripp is back in town, and needless to say he and Hadleigh are going to run into each other. Tripp decides to break the ice by dropping in at Hadleigh's place. Awkward is stating the obvious. Tripp is looking for a way to clear the air. He hates being on the outs with the girl he's known forever, but Hadleigh is no longer a girl. She is a beautiful business woman with a warm, big heart. Tripp is discovering that he wants to regain part of that heart for himself.

Tripp is pretty sure he is up to the challenge, but Hadleigh is going to give him a run for his money. The other unexpected challenge is the condition of his father's ranch. Tripp will have to invest time and money to get it back in shape. Returning home where lots of things have undergone drastic changes and settling back in is quite an eye opening experience and will test his mettle.

Tripp only knows one way to operate and that is full throttle, and he is going to get his home back in shape and his love life as well. Hadleigh is becoming more important to Tripp and his plans--now he has to get her on board, which may take every move Tripp has. The stakes have never been higher for either Tripp or Hadleigh.

Home is where the heart is and hopefully the past hasn't poisoned the future for these two people. The town is rooting for them. The question is will that be enough.

Fans of Linda Lael Miller will fall in love with THE MARRIAGE PACT and without a doubt be waiting for the next installments, which will feature Hadleigh's friends. Miller gives a little hint, just enough to whet my appetite, to where one of the next storylines will go. There are the requisite pets, for without them this would not qualify as a true Linda Lael Miller book. Her ranch-based westerns have always entertained and stayed with me long after reading them. There isn't a character that hasn't won my heart and endeared themselves to me and that is still true in this newest series.