Mace Carson was driving his truck, when he notices a car
sliding on the road, heading for the bottom of the creek.
He doesn't hesitate for a moment and hurries to rescue the
driver. The woman seems somewhat familiar, but he can't
place her. While she doesn't seem hurt, he still takes her
to the hospital, and when he comes back the following
morning to enquire how she's doing, he has remembered who
she is: Kelly Wright, who he had rescued before from a
near-rape when they were both attending college in
California, ten years ago. Kelly's attacker, Lance
Vreeman, was sent to jail on Mace's testimony. Kelly is
not in Mustang Creek for a friendly visit: the company she
works for, Great Grapes International, wants to partner
with Mountain Winery -- Mace's company. Mace wants no part
of the business offer; he likes things just the way they
are, he doesn't need the money, and he wants to make the
wines he wants. However, Mace wants Kelly, but will the
past resurface and destroy it all?
FOREVER A HERO was my introduction to Linda Lael Miller,
and it was about time! FOREVER A HERO is the third part of
The Carsons of Mustang Creek trilogy, and had I
not known, I would never have guessed. I'm also very
pleased to add that, given the blurb, the book did not go
as I had imagined, not at all! Business-wise, Mace and
Kelly are on opposite sides of the fence, which to my
relief was handled in a civilised manner: there is no
endless bickering, no demeaning of the other's point of
view, and no instalust either. Although Mace and Kelly are
attracted to each other; they don't let their attraction
interfere with their business dealings, not even when they
start flirting, and it's obvious that the romance is
blossoming. Ms. Miller knows her cowboy country, and it
shows: I was basking in the wonderful descriptions of the
Wyoming vistas, the ranch, the winery, the sights and
sounds of Mustang Creek, as well as getting acquainted
with its engaging residents and critters: Mace's family
and friends, a few fussy chefs and cooks, the unflappable
server Thelma, the intriguing Red, and a bull who keeps
running away!
I loved both Mace and Kelly, they're nice, normal people,
and their romance felt real because it evolved
organically. In spite of their conflicting views on the
business venture, their relationship was warm and playful,
and filled with witty banter. It seemed that Fate had a
thing for Mace and Kelly, because he always happens to be
at the right place and at the right time for her. There is
quite a lot happening in FOREVER A HERO, but it never felt
overwhelming because of the impeccable pacing and flawless
structure of the story. I loved how the business side of
things was handled by the author: it was totally
unexpected, and very clever. One thing struck me as I had
almost finished the book, and this detail matters a lot to
me: I realised that I hadn't encountered one sorry cliché
about the physical appearance of the characters that irk
me to no end: chiselled jaw, full lips and such. And I
will only say this about the Vreeman storyline: it was
realistically chilling, and dealt with in the most
spectacularly brilliant manner! That is one ending that I
will never forget!
For the youngest Carson brother, finding—and fixing—trouble seems to be all in a day's work Mace Carson doesn't consider himself a hero. Back in college, he came upon a woman in trouble and intervened—but he was just one irate Wyoming cowboy with his boots planted firmly on the side of right. Now a successful vintner, Mace is shocked to be reunited with the woman he saved. But it turns out she's in Wyoming on business…a corporate executive representing the company that wants to buy his winery. Only, he's not selling. Kelly Wright has never forgotten that horrible night ten years ago when Mace came to her rescue, has never forgotten him. The surprising success of a winery in the middle of ranch country has brought her to Mustang Creek, and she's secretly thrilled to discover Mace at the helm. Reluctant to mix business with pleasure, Kelly vows to keep things professional, until her attacker is released from prison and comes for vengeance…against both of them.
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