Review: Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller

Big Sky Mountain
Linda Lael Miller
Series: Swoon-Worthy Cowboys #2
Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: July 31, 2012
Mass Market Paperback {p.378}
Source: Publisher
Genre: Contemporary, Western
Kendra Shepherd, Hutch Carmody
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

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.

This insatllment picks up at least nine months down the road. Hutch is engaged to Brylee, whom I don't recall from the previous novel. Of course that doesn't work out because he's still in love with Kendra. As she is with him.

The story opens up great, but then starts to lag. It didn't quite hold my attention like the previous one. Kendra and Hutch are both great, as is Madison, Kendra's daughter, but I never really warmed up to them or became invested. I was glad things worked out for them, but I didn't feel they resolved anything.

Hutch was amazing with Madison and that only made him more appealing. As for the secondary characters, Walker and Boone, one I liked and one I didn't. I'm looking forward to getting to know Walker's story. The whole dynamic of him and Casey seems promising. Boone on the other hand, has lost all points with mewhen I found out he has children that he gave away. At first I was sympathic, but then when his son doesn't even consider him as his father and Boone doesn't take steps to remedy that, that is when I washed my hands of him.

It will be interesting to see how Miller is able to redeem him. I'm sure she will because if there is anyone who can, it's Miller. She's one writer that knows how to write one fine cowboy.

Guest Post & Giveaway: Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller

As part of the blog tour for Big Sky Mountain, please help me in welcoming Linda Lael Miller with today's excerpt and guest post as part of the scavenger hunt! I'm also hosting a giveaway for a copy of the book!

Joslyn, meanwhile, tuned in on Kendra’s face and read her expression, however guarded it was, with perfect accuracy. They’d been friends since they were barely older than Madison was now, and for the past year, they’d been business partners, too—Joslyn taking over the reins at Shepard Real Estate, in nearby Parable, while Kendra scoured the countryside for Jeffrey’s daughter.

“Thank heaven he came to his senses,” Joslyn said, with her usual certainty. “Brylee is a wonderful person, but she’s all wrong for Hutch and he’s all wrong for her. They wouldn’t have lasted a year.”

The crowd in the kitchen began to thin out a little then—Shea, the dog and Madison headed into the family room with their cookies, and Callie followed, Shea regaling her “Grands” with an account of who did what and who wore what and who said what.

Slade ascended the back stairway, chuckling, no doubt on his way to the master bedroom to change clothes.

Can you tell us about your Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women?

Full information is available on my website—www.lindalaelmiller.com—but here’s an overview: each year I give away $10,000 in special scholarships, based on essays explaining the applicant’s goals, what the money will be used for, etc. A number of people read the entries very carefully—in fact, each one is read several times, to assure that the awards are fairly given. I began the program several years ago, as a way to give something back—and I still fund it personally. At this point, I’ve given away something like $75,000. Having been a single mother myself, I have a special place in my heart for women raising children alone—I was very poor in the early years and I know the struggles and the heartache involved well—though we also consider women who are older, and want to change their lives for the better. Over the years, I’ve received a number of graduation photos and lovely thank you notes from winners, and they always warm my heart. I believe very deeply that the scholarships benefit the children of these women if only by proving that somebody out there cares.

http://booktrib.com/booktrib-blog-tour-nyt-bestselling-author-linda-lael-millers-big-sky-mountain/

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

{August 20 - September 3, 2012}

• Only residents of the U.S. and Canada are eligible to win
• No P.O. Boxes please
• Giveaway copy will be sent directly to winner from the publisher
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• Please check my Contest Policy before entering

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In My Mailbox {107}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Paperback Swap

Matched by Ally Condie

List of Five ~ August 2012

I got the idea of making a list of the books I'm going to read for the month from a similar feature done by GalleySmith. Although she lists 10 books I'm only doing 5, to take into account ARCs I may receive or just falling into a reading slump.

Hopefully this will also cut down on the time I spend sitting in front of my bookshelf trying to decide what to read next. Plus maybe it will help with my need to read my own books. I have this problem of putting books on the shelves in favor of reading newer, shinier books and forgetting all about the previously purchased ones.

My goal is to stick to this 5 with the addition of others throughout the month. I may not read them in the order they are listed, but it is my goal to read all five.

August 2012 List of Five:

• Run the Risk
• The Boy Recession
• The Ghost and The Goth
• Blame It on Texas
• Kinky Neighbors

Review: Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

Sweet Talk
Julie Garwood
Publisher: Penguin
Publish Date: August 7, 2012
Kindle {p.312}
Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Olivia Mackenzie, Grayson Kincaid
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

In the new contemporary romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood, a detective and a lawyer are falling in love— and making a federal case out of it.

When FBI agent Grayson Kincaid first encounters Olivia MacKenzie, she makes quite an impression.

The beautiful, tough, young attorney has stumbled into the middle of an FBI sting operation and has reduced it to chaos. Months of surveillance and careful planning down the drain, Kincaid’s partner is furious and lets Olivia know that she’s ticked off the wrong guy. After all, he’s FBI.

Olivia isn’t intimidated by his partner’s bullying because she’s something even scarier . . . she’s IRS.

And working for the IRS isn’t for the faint of heart. She’s on the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naive and unsuspecting victims, and one she has personal reasons to be angry about. But after she asks questions of the wrong people, her life is suddenly endangered. She’s accustomed to fighting for the underdog but being vulnerable herself is a very different story. Smart enough to know when to call for reinforcements, she contacts Grayson Kincaid.

Together they make an excellent team to fight corruption but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.

Olivia and the Pips are highly entertaining from the start. The Pips are Olivia and her three best friends from childhood. Upon meeting them, I instantly fell in love and hope they get their own stories. There did seem to be an opening for that in the last few pages for Collins.

Olivia and Grayson take an instant like to one another when they meet at a job interview gone wrong. Both characters were able to stand on their own and were very likeable. Olivia’s family the on the other hand were absolutely horrible, unlikeable people. It was obvious very early own that they were all about money, and Olivia’s true family were the Pips.

One of the Pips, Jane, became really sick and no one could figure out why. I pretty much figured out that one from the start.

The romance between Olivia and Grayson kept me entertained, but the suspense storyline was a bit out there to me. But then again, when money is involved, I guess the lengths some go to aren't that far-fetched.

Another Julie Garwood to add to my keeper shelf.

In My Mailbox {106}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Big Lots

Deep Kiss of Winter by Gena Showalter

Books via Half Price Books

Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan

Books via Paperback Swap

Hard to Hold by Julie Leto

Meet Me in Manhattan by Judith Arnold

Victoria's Got a Secret by HelenKay Dimon

Work of Heart by Cindi Myers

Books via Publisher

The Boy Recession by Flynn Meaney