by Linda Lael Miller
Series: Swoon-worthy Cowboys #3, Parable, Montana #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, brings you to Parable, Montana-where love awaits. Sheriff Boone Taylor has his job, friends, a run-down but decent ranch, two faithful dogs and a good horse. He doesn't want romance-the widowed Montanan has loved and lost enough for a lifetime. But when a city woman buys the spread next door, Boone's peace and quiet are in serious jeopardy. With a marriage and a career painfully behind her, Tara Kendall is determined to start over in Parable. Reinventing herself and living a girlhood dream is worth the hard work. Sure, she might need help from her handsome, wary neighbor. But life along Big Sky River is full of surprises...like falling for a cowboy-lawman who just might start to believe in second chances.
I am in love with the townsfolk of Parable Montana. Big Sky River is book three in Linda Lael Miller’s Swoon-Worthy Cowboy series and yea-ha it was good to return. Each can be read as a standalone, but if you are like me and want to know all of the side characters and their stories go for book one first. This book focuses on Sheriff Boone Taylor and his city-born neighbor Tara Kendall. Since the first novel Big Sky Country, these two have butted heads and it was lovely reading their story. As always once I started reading, I could not put it down and consumed this in a few hours.
Boone Taylor has loved and lost. Right now he needs to focus on his two fragile young sons and his career as the local Sheriff. He has friends, a double wide and is not looking for romance. His next-door neighbor Tara Kendall, a city slicker determined to reinvent herself after a divorce that left her mourning the loss of her step-daughters but not the man who fathered them. She and her neighbor Boone have butted heads more than once and his run-down property is an eye-sore to her view of the river. If you told her she’d be thinking about kissing the man, she’d call you crazy; but fate has different ideas. The tale had suspense, tragedy, a little romance and a few hot moments.
I have come to love the characters in this small town and their sense of community. I have always been interested in quite reserved, Boone Taylor and was delighted to get his story. He is noble, loves hard and is completely swoon-worthy. We get to see the softer, damaged and fragile side of him. His hurt felt so real. Tara is delightful and has made good friends in town. Despite her initial fear of her chickens, she has made a success if not unique living off them. Her snarky interactions with Boone were hilarious and when she realized she was attracted to him, her inner thoughts had me giggling. Opal the town matchmaker is up to her usual tricks and of course, other lovable characters from the first two books are threaded into this tale and I loved reading about the developments in their lives. Boone’s kids were adorable as were the twins. Several events happen in town and as always I enjoyed these side stories.
The romance in Big Sky River was sweet, but I wanted more scenes with this couple. I loved the tension and awkwardness these two felt around each other. It was precious and sometimes downright hilarious.Their relationship felt genuine and I enjoyed watching it unfold. Other threads in their storyline were suspenseful and kept me turning the pages. While I felt assured I would get my happily ever after, the ride there was fun and full of twists. Miller has created a town in Montana that reminds me of Robin Carr’s Virgin River series with flesh out characters you want to visit time and time again.
I recommend Big Sky River and the entire Swoon-Worthy Cowboys series to fans of small-town romances and yummy cowboys. I have long been a fan of Miller and look forward to Big Sky Summer the next book in this series scheduled for release in June of 2013. I am also looking forward to The Man from Stone Creek which will publish in March of 2013.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
kindlemom1
I have to admit, with all the great reviews you have been doing lately about books with cowboys, you really have me wanting to give them a try!
kimbacaffeinate
o.o everyone needs at least one cowboy..err I mean everyone needs to READ at least one cowboy book!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
How funny that the series is actually called “Swoon worthy Cowboys” LOL I’m not sold on cowboys but you are really tempting me….
kimbacaffeinate
Oh what’s not to love, honest men who work with their hands, wear cowboy hats, boots and levi’s and look like chiseled sculptures?!?
Blodeuedd
More cowboys, and for me? 😉 Yay yes send all those cowboys to me, i am sure they are real gentlemen
kimbacaffeinate
hehehehe..i will tell Santa <3
Heidi
All these small town cozy feel romances put you in a good mood, right? I grew up in Idaho so I know a thing or two about cowboys and small towns. This does sound like a nice escape. The bad thing about Montana is the snow. I bet you are having lots of fun in the blizzard…..hey it is pouring buckets here in Portland today but at least I don’t have to shovel it and I won’t slide off the hill. I live on a big steep hill!
kimbacaffeinate
We live at the top of a hill that goes down in both directions, beautiful reviews..driving in snow ..no fun. My car is at the bottom of said hill..we are still waiting on snow plows! I have been to Montana and love it there!
kimbacaffeinate
O.o it is and you would love this series Diana 🙂
Diana Leigh
If this series is anything like Virgin River, I’m gonna have to try it!
kimbacaffeinate
they are yummy!
kimbacaffeinate
O.o yes you do, I always end up feeling good after reading one of her books <3
kimbacaffeinate
hehehehe..well i was but now i am reading for January and it’s’ all dark gooey goodness!
Christy (Love of Books)
You’re on it with Christmas and cowboys this month. lol.
kimbacaffeinate
O.o Candace these are delightful, and I love getting to know all the townfolk
Candace Robinson
Not so lng ago I would have skimmed your review and said that this isn’t my kind of read. But I have been craving something like this. Small town in Montana is something familiar to me (spent some time there) and I think I might grow addicted to this series. I might go order the first one….
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Nick, I do love small town contemps 🙂
Nick
I love small-town contemporaries. It’s pretty easy to get immersed in such stories! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed this one although you wanted more of the couple. That can be frustrating!
Lovely review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
O.o me too and this one is delightful!
kimbacaffeinate
I am loving this series 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
this is a fun series and i love all the characters:)
Book Savvy Babe
whenever a series has the term “swoon-worthy” I think I’m pretty much always sold… I’m glad you liked this one, I’ve always been curious about Tara, and Boone, and the rest of the characters… yeah… I’ll have to pick this one up once I catch up on my current massive TBR a bit more. Great review, Book Savvy Babe
Turning the Pages
I’ve been meaning to give this author a try for years. Might have to give this series a chance:) I love small town romances.
Aurian
Nice review Kim, thank you. I really need to dive into my stack of books by Linda Lael Miller.