Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller
Series: Swoon-Worthy Cowboys, #2
Publication Date:July 31st 2012
Big Sky Mountain is my very first novel by Linda Lael Miller and by now it's safe to say that it won't probably be the last!
Big Sky Mountain is the second book in Ms Miller's new series Swoon Worthy Cowboys, and it's the story of Hutch, owner of Whisper Creek Ranch and Slade's half brother and Kendra, newly divorced and Hutch's old flame. Though I haven't read the first book in the series, I could follow the story here pretty easily. Linda Lael Miller did a splendid job presenting her story and characters, giving their background in a detailed way and connecting with the first book in a way that left no room for misunderstandings.
I have to admit that this is my first story featuring a cowboy so, to be completely honest I didn't know what to expect. I'm not that familiar with that lifestyle, so I was afraid I may end up not liking the setting, but thankfully this wasn't an issue. I loved Parable, the way people lived there, away from city's wild lifestyle. It felt at times that the characters were living in another lifetime, where everything was simpler and people had time to actually live and enjoy themselves.
I really enjoyed the animal descriptions and through those it was evident the author's love for animals, from horses to dogs. The pets described here are adorable!
Hutch and Kendra is a nice and cute couple, but somehow, their story failed to grab my interest. I wanted them to end up together, but to be honest I couldn't see why they weren't for such a long time, thus their excuses for staying away from each other failed to convince me. I just couldn't understand their inhibitions and caught myself wishing at times that they would talk to each other and be done with it.
Another issue I had with Big Sky Mountain, and it's entirely a matter of preference, it was the fact that it was too family centred for my taste. I kind of expected that, but still, it was just too much for me. I'm all for marriage and family and such but the way Madison, Kendra's step daughter, kept asking for a daddy (which is natural, I don't disagree here), or the way Kendra imagined her perfect family a couple of times, well, it was a bit too much for me. But, like I said it's only a matter of preference.
The secondary characters where well presented and good enough development (for secondary characters) something that I can't say I'm afraid for Hutch and Kendra. They were kind of there to tell their story and not actually live it, if I'm making any sense. Kendra especially was just Madison's mother and Hutch's old flame. Nothing special about her. And I wanted a bit more from her.
All in all, Big Sky Mountain is a really fun book, perfect for a light reading with no memorable story or characters but with a really beautiful setting and even better descriptions.
Publisher:Harlequin HQN
Paperback, 384 pages
Useful Info: Goodreads, Author's Website, Book Depository
With his rugged good looks, vast wealth and family name, hell-raiser Hutch Carmody is still the golden boy of Parable, Montana. But he's done some growing up—making peace with his illegitimate half brother and inheriting half of Whisper Creek Ranch, which should have been all his. These days, Hutch knows there are some things money can't buy: like the heart of loving, ladylike divorcée Kendra Shepherd.Kendra's quiet mansion reminds her of what she wants most—a devoted husband and the pitter-patter of little feet. She can't get Hutch Carmody out of her mind. But a rough-and-tumble cowboy like Hutch, coming home for family dinner? Seems crazy! Then again, crazier dreams have become reality under the vast Montana sky.
Big Sky Mountain is my very first novel by Linda Lael Miller and by now it's safe to say that it won't probably be the last!
Big Sky Mountain is the second book in Ms Miller's new series Swoon Worthy Cowboys, and it's the story of Hutch, owner of Whisper Creek Ranch and Slade's half brother and Kendra, newly divorced and Hutch's old flame. Though I haven't read the first book in the series, I could follow the story here pretty easily. Linda Lael Miller did a splendid job presenting her story and characters, giving their background in a detailed way and connecting with the first book in a way that left no room for misunderstandings.
I have to admit that this is my first story featuring a cowboy so, to be completely honest I didn't know what to expect. I'm not that familiar with that lifestyle, so I was afraid I may end up not liking the setting, but thankfully this wasn't an issue. I loved Parable, the way people lived there, away from city's wild lifestyle. It felt at times that the characters were living in another lifetime, where everything was simpler and people had time to actually live and enjoy themselves.
I really enjoyed the animal descriptions and through those it was evident the author's love for animals, from horses to dogs. The pets described here are adorable!
Hutch and Kendra is a nice and cute couple, but somehow, their story failed to grab my interest. I wanted them to end up together, but to be honest I couldn't see why they weren't for such a long time, thus their excuses for staying away from each other failed to convince me. I just couldn't understand their inhibitions and caught myself wishing at times that they would talk to each other and be done with it.
Another issue I had with Big Sky Mountain, and it's entirely a matter of preference, it was the fact that it was too family centred for my taste. I kind of expected that, but still, it was just too much for me. I'm all for marriage and family and such but the way Madison, Kendra's step daughter, kept asking for a daddy (which is natural, I don't disagree here), or the way Kendra imagined her perfect family a couple of times, well, it was a bit too much for me. But, like I said it's only a matter of preference.
The secondary characters where well presented and good enough development (for secondary characters) something that I can't say I'm afraid for Hutch and Kendra. They were kind of there to tell their story and not actually live it, if I'm making any sense. Kendra especially was just Madison's mother and Hutch's old flame. Nothing special about her. And I wanted a bit more from her.
All in all, Big Sky Mountain is a really fun book, perfect for a light reading with no memorable story or characters but with a really beautiful setting and even better descriptions.
*This title was provided for review from MediaMuscle
It has been over 20 years since I last read one of her books, in Dutch, historical romances. But I have been collecting them secondhand in English. Somehow, they never get picked up to read, though lots of people like them.
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