Big Sky Country (Swoon-Worthy Cowboys, #1)

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Big Sky Country (Swoon-Worthy Cowboys #1)

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 · rating details · 1,183 ratings · 183 reviews

The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller is back with a new series about Parable, Montana-where love awaits.The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father-until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited ha...more

Paperback, 384 pages

Published May 29th 2012 by HQN Books

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Jun 07, 2012 Tina "coffee and books" rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, part-of-a-series, reviewed

Big Sky Country is the first book in Linda Lael Miller's new series, Swoon-Worthy Cowboys. I am a huge fan of Linda Lael Miller and have found another great series to love. This book is about so many things. The love of a step father, the hurts that a father can cause, forgiveness, acceptance, overcoming the past, healing.

Slade Barlow is the sheriff of Parable, Montana. He was raised modestly by a single mother in this very town, all the while being completely ignored and unclaimed by his wealt...more Big Sky Country is the first book in Linda Lael Miller's new series, Swoon-Worthy Cowboys. I am a huge fan of Linda Lael Miller and have found another great series to love. This book is about so many things. The love of a step father, the hurts that a father can cause, forgiveness, acceptance, overcoming the past, healing.

Slade Barlow is the sheriff of Parable, Montana. He was raised modestly by a single mother in this very town, all the while being completely ignored and unclaimed by his wealthy and affluent father. The book starts with the reading of this same father's will. Of course, all believe that his assets and many millions will be left to his "legitimate" son Hutch Carmody. Surprise, surprise old John Carmody splits everything between his two sons. Hutch would like nothing more than to buy Slade out and keep Whisper Creek Ranch "in the family". To add to the mix, Slade's 16 year old step-daughter from his previous marriage is back in the picture and needs her "dad" to make life better.

Joslyn Kirk, prom queen, beauty queen, homecoming queen - has returned home after the death of her step father. She, her mother and housekeeper Opal fled Parable, Montana after her step-father swindled many of the towns people out of their hard earned savings in a get rich quick scheme. She's back to face the townspeople and take responsiblity for his actions. In the process she finds herself.

Slade not only has to make a decision about Whisper Creek Ranch, but the rest of his life, as well. Does he really want half the ranch or is he just holding out to aggravate his half brother? Can he adjust and be what his 16 year old step daughter needs? Can he convince Joslyn that she doesn't have to make amends and do penance for the sins of her step father?

Pros:

This is a great book. It's a bit slow in parts, but that's normal for a first book in a series. Linda did a great job in creating the characters and relationships between them. She lays great groundwork for the upcoming books. I can not wait to read the next books in this series.

Cons:

Weirdly enough I only have one. Joslyn and Kendra have been lifelong best friends. Yet, there are so many secrets between them. This is very unbelievable to me. Kendra is described throughout the book as one of the only 2 people of Parable, Montana to standby Joslyn when her step-father shamed the family. Yet, Kendra hides past relationships and her feelings about them. She doesn't lean on or call in the middle of the night for support when her ex-husband is dieing and requests Kendra at his bedside. I get the secrets are important for the next book. But, it's very hard to swallow that any friends, least of all best friends would be this closed off emotionally from one another.(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Dianne Socci-Tetro rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: galleys-arcs

*ARC Supplied by Publisher*

This is a slow moving book and we have a lot of opportunity to meet many of the characters that will make up the main and secondary characters in the next two books. Have patience with this novel, since the second third is well worth the wait.
In this opening novel in the Parable Trilogy we meet Sheriff Slade Turner who is the illegitimate son of a deceased wealthy and respected rancher. Joslyn Kirk is the step-daughter of a man who was also rich, but who had run a pyra...more

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Nov 22, 2012 Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love my cowboy romances and I love the ones written by Linda Lael Miller in particular. Sadly this one wasn't much of a romance at all. Hero and heroine spend most of the book exchanging glances and very few words. Their romance when it happens (by that I mean when they decide to act on their feeling) was, as a concequence, very hard to believe. I adore ILoveYou's and WillYouMarryMe's but only when I have to time to see a romance bloom. Too bad really because the characters and the setting to...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Kris rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3 STARS

Slade Barlow has never received any recognition from his biological father, John Carmody all his life so imagine his surprise when he leaves half his estate to him. The other half is willed to his half brother, Hutch, who was Carmody's legitimate son. Hutch wants to buy Slade's half of the ranch and Slade wants to be a rancher when his time as Sheriff is over. Slade cannot let go of his hurt and chooses to leave Hutch hanging.
Joslyn Kirk returns to town years after her stepfather scammed...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

All of the Linda Lael Miller books that I've read thus far have been her historicals. Truth be told, the last series I read didn't thrill me, so I approached this book with a bit of caution.

However, within the first thirty pages I settled down and enjoyed a very good book. I believe if you're looking for a "comfortable" read, as I like to call them, this is the book for you. And what I mean by "comfortable," is that this book won't be one of those gripping, thrill-riding, bite-your-nails page-tu...more All of the Linda Lael Miller books that I've read thus far have been her historicals. Truth be told, the last series I read didn't thrill me, so I approached this book with a bit of caution.

However, within the first thirty pages I settled down and enjoyed a very good book. I believe if you're looking for a "comfortable" read, as I like to call them, this is the book for you. And what I mean by "comfortable," is that this book won't be one of those gripping, thrill-riding, bite-your-nails page-turning suspense novels. Instead, it's a book to take to the beach, or to sit and read when you want something light and carefree. If you've watched a little too much crime-drama TV and want something that won't have you wincing or make you feel...well, depressed.

As I said, at first I approached this book with caution. Upon first cracking open the book the reader is introduced to the heroine, the bastard son of a wealthy rancher who never acknowledged him while alive. Then you meet the slightly-younger, albeit legitimate, half-brother, who right away lets it be known he can't stand the hero.

I remember reading the synopsis of the book, but with all the other books I read simultaneously, the plot of this book was lost. And in some way I like to keep it that way, because everything that comes to me about the story is a bit of an unknown. Anyway, when I read this part about two brothers, a wealthy father and an inheritance, I thought to myself, oh no, another one of these types of stories.

Other romance readers will know what I'm talking about. Animosity will be rife. Townspeople will be divided, with most probably treating the hero with a mixture of friendliness, respect, courtesy to outright disdain. The half-brother will be the golden child whom everyone loves without question. Then throw in the heroine whom townspeople will treat as the half-brother's property.

Fortunately, that didn't turn out to be the case at all. And much to my surprise, LLM shows us that first impressions can be deceptive.

Not to give spoilers away, but I'll say this much: The hero is the sheriff, and thus, people don't see him as that bastard son of a wealthy rancher. A person to whom they can turn their noses up. I think LLM might be showing a very contemporary feel here. Because in my opinion, I would have been snorting if she had made him such a character. I mean, do people really view illegitimate children like they did in years previously? I understand this is a small town, and so the same kinds of attitudes don't apply like they do in cities. But I would imagine that even in communities such as LLM has created have loosened the sticks up their butts about children born out of wedlock? Not all mind you, and maybe not even most, but some? In any event, I was incredibly glad and relieved that LLM decided to be more modern and not have this a book that had a host of characters with antiquated thoughts, and making people choose sides.

Moving along... After the hero, you have the half-brother, who LLM shows that despite really not liking his older half-brother, doesn't go around blacklisting him, or trying to start a fight with him at every turn. Or even fighting him for the heroine's affection. The latter is one area in which LLM shows us right away that the half-brother has his eyes turned elseward.

Then of course we have the heroine whom is a former spoiled rich-girl coming home under a cloud of old shame. Years ago her stepfather cheated many of the townspeople out of a lot of money, and while she had nothing to do with it, she feels guilty. And I'll say this much, some people regard her with hostility, but for the most part of the book, people don't treat her as a pariah.

I'm not sure what else I could say about this book without giving spoilers. It's a good, old-fashioned romance if you ask me. The hero and heroine, while they didn't run in the same circles growing up, wind up slowly falling in love as adults. The two of them don't go out of their way to avoid each other, but there's definitely a tug-and-pull of attraction for most of the book. Throw into this mix the two of them dealing with their own sets of problems, and you've got a good balance of character, plot and romance.

Needless to say, I liked this book very much. As I've already said, it's a comfortable book. Nice and sweet, with just enough of an ending to make you feel satisfied, but eager for the next book. Which is called Big Sky Mountain, which is to be followed by Big Sky River.(less)

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Jun 24, 2012 Bookworm rated it 4 of 5 stars

About:
Big Sky Country is the first in a new series by author Linda Lael Miller set in small town Parable, Montana and revolving around two half brothers and their love interests.

Sheriff Slade Barlow and his half brother Hutch Carmody have bad blood between them. Slade is the illegitimate son, and has never been acknowledged by his father John Carmody, who has now passed away and left both his sons his ranch. Whisper Creek Ranch is worth millions and has been willed evenly to the two brothers.

C...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books-read, 2012-men-in-uniform-challenge, other-uniformed-hero, romance

I really liked this book. It starts out with Slade and Hutch at the reading of the will. Slade is a fairly laid back guy who is pretty slow to anger. He also tends to think well before he speaks or acts. He has always resented the fact that his father never acknowledged him or gave his mother any kind of support, but has made a good life for himself in spite of it. Hutch is ticked that Slade has been given half of everything that he always expected to be his, and is determined to buy Slade out s...more

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Jun 16, 2012 Virginia Campbell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, romance, western

Linda Lael Miller is definitely a champ when it comes to creating captivating cowboys who charm their lovely ladies, and the hero of "Big Sky Country" is no exception! Slade Barlow has easy-going appeal, slow-burn sensuality, and an innate goodness. He is a divorced step-dad to a teenaged daughter whom he adores. He has a great relationship with his mother, a very unique and spirited lady who never married his father. Slade's bond with his mother, and the fact that both of them moved forward in...more Linda Lael Miller is definitely a champ when it comes to creating captivating cowboys who charm their lovely ladies, and the hero of "Big Sky Country" is no exception! Slade Barlow has easy-going appeal, slow-burn sensuality, and an innate goodness. He is a divorced step-dad to a teenaged daughter whom he adores. He has a great relationship with his mother, a very unique and spirited lady who never married his father. Slade's bond with his mother, and the fact that both of them moved forward in life without bearing the name of his father, are what really makes the story line stand out. Slade's mother, Callie, runs her own beauty salon which is attached to her trailer-home. She's a lively lady with a big heart, a good head on her shoulders, and her own special sense of style. I am fortunate enough to know women like Callie in my own life, and I admire them and treasure their friendship. Slade is the sheriff in the little community of Parable, MT, and he is at a turning point in his life, trying to decide whether to stay in office or follow his heart and become a ranch owner. Life gets even more complicated when beautiful Joslyn Kirk returns to Parable to clean up the community financial ruin left behind by her deceased stepfather. Things really get stirred around when Slade learns that his late father, who never publicly acknowledged him, has left him half of his fortune. Slade's half-brother, Hutch Carmody, is irate and demands that Slade sell him his half of the estate. Slade and Hutch have always been at odds with each other, many times coming to blows throughout the years. Joslyn and Hutch had a high school romance which became a lifelong friendship, and now it's Slade who makes Joslyn's heart skip a beat. If he didn't have enough going on his life before Joslyn came home, he now can't keep his mind off her and the thought of having her as his lady. When Slade's stepdaughter, Shea, decides that she wants to spend the whole Summer with her dad, Slade realizes he has to give up his sparse bachelor quarters and find a real home. So many complicated decisions for a man who longs for a simple family life on his own ranch! Slade is a strong, quietly-idealistic man who is more than up to the challenge of handling his increasingly complicated existence. I really enjoyed Slade's dry humor and his level-headed approach to keeping the folks of Parable in line. Then there is his romantic, sexy side--he is loaded with pure cowboy appeal and irresistible masculinity. He knows it too, but you just grin along with him--you can't help yourself! Look forward to two more books in the "Parable, Montana" series. The second book is "Big Sky Mountain"--Hutch Carmody's own story. (less)

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Jun 03, 2012 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

3.5 stars

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

Set in the town of Parable, Montana, Big Sky Country introduces a new slew of burly heroes and winsome heroines from best-selling romance author Linda Lael Miller. And having inhaled this book in prompt order, I can happily say that Miller’s on her game. Despite having a mark against it for not being set in Texas, my favourite setting for anything involving tasselled leather, deep fried breakfasts, and frenzied bursts of ho...more 3.5 stars

This review originally appeared at www.readinasinglesitting.com.

Set in the town of Parable, Montana, Big Sky Country introduces a new slew of burly heroes and winsome heroines from best-selling romance author Linda Lael Miller. And having inhaled this book in prompt order, I can happily say that Miller’s on her game. Despite having a mark against it for not being set in Texas, my favourite setting for anything involving tasselled leather, deep fried breakfasts, and frenzied bursts of horse riding, Big Sky Country is Miller through and through, and every time I pick up one of these books I’m impressed by the degree to which the author clearly knows her audience. Sure, there’s a formula to these books, but it’s a formula because it works.

Hutch and Slade (the latter named after a hero in one of his mother’s favourite romance novels) are half-brothers, one the legitimate heir of the vast Whisper Creek Ranch, and the other the out-of-wedlock son who’s never been formally acknowledged by his father, and who’s grown up living in a trailer on the outskirts of town. Needless to say, they’re not exactly fine friends. So when their father passes away and leaves the ranch to both men, things start to heat up. Hutch, who’s worked on the ranch his entire life, offers to buy out Slade, but Slade, now the town sheriff, decides that perhaps running a ranch mightn’t be such a bad idea after all. Particularly if helps put Hutch in his place.

The two are part-way through drawing their battle lines when extra trouble crops up: trouble in the form of Jocelyn Kirk, the step-daughter of a man who fleeced half of the town out of their life savings. Slade’s immediately smitten, or at least as much as his gruff exterior will let him admit as much–but Jocelyn’s got plenty of her own issues to work out before so much as looking his way. And then there’s Hutch, with whom Jocelyn was close during her teen years…oh, and the fact that Slade’s ex-wife is back on the scene.

Jocelyn, for her part, is returning to make amends for her step-father’s wrongdoing. Having made her fortune selling off her software development company, she’s endeavouring to repay all of the townsfolk affected by her father’s greed, and to make a fresh start in the place she once called home. But memories in a country town are long, and Jocelyn’s efforts aren’t exactly being met with big smiles and open arms. But there’s Hutch, her old school friend, and not to mention his brother, Sheriff Slade Barlow, who’s more ubiquitous than biscuits and gravy.

You can just feel the drama, can’t you? Big Sky Mountain is all terrible dress sense–sequins, pink cowboy boots and floofy dresses–and comfort food (blueberry breakfast balls, anyone?), and I devoured it in the same manner that I would an episode of Passions when I was in my teens. As in all of Miller’s books, each major character has a dark past that prevents them from being able to fall in love, and there’s all manner of familial complexity to help keep the tension running on high. But like Passions, there are just a few things that have the reader in a bit of a “you don’t say?” mindset.

There’s the fact that young Jocelyn has built up a software empire by “learning lots of languages” and sold it off for a gajillion dollars just like that. As someone married to a software engineer who runs his own business, well…let’s just say that we’re not quite gajillionaires yet. And then there’s Jocelyn’s apparent desire to slough off her education and success to become a real estate agent’s receptionist. I’m all for taking a brief sabbatical, but it seems odd to switch gears so drastically. And why are the town’s animals all drawn to Jocelyn? At last count there’s a dog, a cat (with kittens), and a horse–perhaps she’s moving in to become the town’s new animal whisperer? Finally, well, not finally, but the last that I’ll comment on, there’s the giggle-worthy scene of the horse race challenge between the two brothers to decide who’ll get the ranch. Although, admittedly, I did kind of love the sheer ridiculousness of it. “That’s not a spoon! This is a spoon!”

But the silliness is a constant reminder that Miller’s books are almost a pastiche of themselves, and there are plenty of winks to the reader that indicate that she’s perfectly aware that she’s working in a fantasy world. Indeed, Miller’s writing is humorous and self-aware enough that you’re happy to let these things slide until you’ve closed the book.(less)

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May 31, 2012 Allizabeth Collins rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review:

I am usually not a fan of Harlequin romances or westerns, but somehow the love-struck crime-fighting cowboy in Big Sky Country kept me entertained. Of all the characters involved, I loved Slade (the aforementioned cowboy) the most! He's a down-to-earth, passionate man, full of rancher's dreams, and a lot of history to go with them - not to mention a lot of muscles... I found Slade to be the most well-developed character, however, I did enjoy reading about most of the characters milling a...more Review:

I am usually not a fan of Harlequin romances or westerns, but somehow the love-struck crime-fighting cowboy in Big Sky Country kept me entertained. Of all the characters involved, I loved Slade (the aforementioned cowboy) the most! He's a down-to-earth, passionate man, full of rancher's dreams, and a lot of history to go with them - not to mention a lot of muscles... I found Slade to be the most well-developed character, however, I did enjoy reading about most of the characters milling about in Parable, Montana - especially Joslyn, Hutch, Opal, Shea, Boone, Jasper, and Lucy-Maude (furry friends included). Speaking of Parable's pets, I must comment on Linda Lael Miller's writing abilities, it is rare to find a book where the reader is groomed to care as much about the four-legged characters as they do for their human counterparts. I am an animal lover, so I liked the contrast between the person-to-person and person-to-pet relationships - dogs, cats, horses... they tend to bring out the "softer" (and more vulnerable) side of the people they interact with. The story is filled with rich imagery, making me yearn for the openness of the Montana skyline; if the cover-art did not thrill me, the landscape descriptions sure did! I found the dialogue simple, yet effective, although I wish that the conversations between Slade and Joslyn had not been so predictable. I enjoy a well-cultivated romance - slow to bloom, but full of promise, potential, and hidden passions - however, I thought that once Slade and Joslyn got over their history of "sideways glances" and "hidden feelings" that they moved too abruptly into a full-blown relationship. I understand that they had known each other since childhood, but there was no real "build-up" or excitement. It is unfortunate that the romance never seemed to hit a peak, because it made the ending feel rushed and unrealistic (no spoilers). I hope that Linda Lael Miller rounds up some of the loose-ends in book two of the Parable series, Big Sky Mountain, due out this August; I would love to know more about Hutch and Kendra! Overall, Big Sky Country is a nice summer romance that will warm the heart and leave readers homesick for Montana's big sky.

Rating: Bounty's Out (3.5/5)

*** I received this book from the author (Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
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May 29, 2012 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sheriff Slade Barlow has always known who his father was even though the man never claimed him. It didn’t matter that his father was the richest rancher in Parable Montana, Slade raised himself up with determination and a mother’s love. But now the man is dead and he did in death what he never did in life, claim him as his son. This however isn’t sitting well with his half brother and the legitimate heir to the family fortune. Now Slade has a lot to think about especially when a fallen angel com...more Sheriff Slade Barlow has always known who his father was even though the man never claimed him. It didn’t matter that his father was the richest rancher in Parable Montana, Slade raised himself up with determination and a mother’s love. But now the man is dead and he did in death what he never did in life, claim him as his son. This however isn’t sitting well with his half brother and the legitimate heir to the family fortune. Now Slade has a lot to think about especially when a fallen angel comes back to town and to make matters more difficult his stepdaughter too.
Joslyn Kirk was a spoiled rich girl living in a mansion in town until the day her stepfather broke the law and scammed many of Parable’s citizens out of their life savings. This has never set well with her and now, after he’s died in prison and with the means available she’s back to set right the wrongs done by him, but not everyone is glad to see her home and the jury’s still out about what Slade thinks. But what they both know is that fate has crossed their paths for a reason and it’s up to them to give into the fierce attraction they feel for each other and if their sheltered and damaged hearts and souls can just open up they may find the happiness each one has been unknowingly searching for.
Linda Lael Miller brings us a new series with her debut novel set in the big sky country of Montana. Her characters are what she’s famous for hard working salt of the earth people who remind this romance lover of a time long ago when respect and a man’s word were all that were needed. She brings this in her customary aw shucks dialogue that makes her one of the worlds leading ladies of Western Romance and in this reader’s opinion Queen of the crop. The romance is sweet and yet sensual and the conquest is not the end-all it’s the chase, but not to worry if you’re looking for some smokin love scenes because she delivers those as well. So sit back and let her take you to a simpler life yet with enough complications to make the read that more interesting.
Please check out my Q&A with author Linda Lael Miller here - http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...(less)

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May 19, 2012 Kathy Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

his was another wonderful western romance by Linda Lael Miller. I feel that I can depend on her for heart-warming romances. Joslyn is back in town after leaving in the night with her mother and housekeeper when the scandal broke that her stepfather conned a large number of people out of their life savings in a scam. She had been a pampered princess until this time. Since then she has grown up, gone to college, and started a software company but there was always something missing. She sold her co...more

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May 18, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

4 STARS
Its a nice romance story that deals with some real issues. Fast easy read. thier is a couple of love scenes.
Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a with a single mother and a father who never claimed him or showed him he cared. So Slade was surprised when he was included with his half brother Hutch in the reading of the will. He finally was claimed and left half of the estate.
Hutch did not care about the money but he did care about the ranch. Everyone knew they were half brothers but no one men...more

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May 15, 2012 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, romance, cowboy, western

Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reviewed by JoAnne
Review Copy provided by Netgalley

Miller is one of my favorite authors having read most of her other books. While an enjoyable read this book didn’t quite draw me in and keep me engrossed as her McKettrick, Stone Creek or Montana Creed series have. Part of it could have been the secrets that Kendra was keeping that were never divulged or the lack of family ties and history that the characters had. But like her other books Big Sky Country is set...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Cynthia D'Alba rated it 4 of 5 stars

Linda Lael Miller is know for her cowboy stories and for good reason…She does it better than anyone else writing today. With this book she starts a new contemporary western series set in Parable, Montana. The local sheriff, Slade Barlow, dreams of another life…one with days of riding the range, raising cattle, fixing fences, and going home every night to a loving wife and a passel of kids. But being the illegitimate son of the town richest man hasn’t done anything to help him fulfill his dream o...more Linda Lael Miller is know for her cowboy stories and for good reason…She does it better than anyone else writing today. With this book she starts a new contemporary western series set in Parable, Montana. The local sheriff, Slade Barlow, dreams of another life…one with days of riding the range, raising cattle, fixing fences, and going home every night to a loving wife and a passel of kids. But being the illegitimate son of the town richest man hasn’t done anything to help him fulfill his dream or make his and his mother’s lives any better. His father denies parentage until the day he dies, but in his will, finally steps up the plate by leaving half of his sprawling ranch, Whisper Creek Ranch to Slade and the other half to the legitimate Carmody heir, Hutch. Needless to say, this doesn’t sit well with Hutch. The two men have never gotten along and the idea of sharing half of everything he considers rightfully his colors everything that Hutch does throughout this book. But this isn’t his book. This is Slade’s book. Inheriting this ranch has definitely had a sudden and unexpected impact on Slade life. What else can life hand him? How about a 16 y/0 step-daughter? She isn’t legally his step-daughter as he never adopted her during his marriage to her mother, but their relationship remains strong. When the daughter becomes too much for his ex-wife to handle, he agrees to take her for the summer. So now add a hormonal teenager into his life. But that’s not all…

Joslyn Kirk is back in town. Joslyn was the rich girl we all had in our class…the one who had everything–the clothes, the car, the good looks–the one who was clueless how all that impacted those around her. But now she’s back to the town that her step-father swindle out of millions of dollars…the dollars that kept her in clothes, shoes, cars and the fancy mansion. Dear old step-dad didn’t get away the scam, landing in the slammer and proceeding to die there leaving Joslyn to pick up the pieces. She is a talented computer software designer. She has sold her company and used the money to repay much of the money stolen by her step-father… anonymously of course. My question is...if she was such a hot shot software designer who made (and gave away) millions, why is just a receptionist in a real estate office now? And having the real estate agent gone for months (visiting a dying ex-husband...and all I could think of was "WOW. He sure isn't as near to death as his family thought!") and Joslyn holding down the fort didn't really pass the smell test for me. No way could a real estate office function without a licensed agent. And why does Joslyn come off as just barely computer literate? And why doesn't she begin designing software again? There's money to be made there. After all, she had her own computer software company at one time.

She and Hutch have always been friends and never more than that. Slade has always “worshiped” her from afar knowing that he didn’t fit into her rich world. But now she’s back and not so rich. Fate keeps throwing them together. The attraction keeps growing and simmering under the surface until it explodes into some sexy bedroom scenes.

I enjoyed this story a great deal. I confess that I don’t miss reading any of this author’s contemporary westerns. They set the standard for all others in the genre. Ms. Miller’s fans are in for a treat.(less)

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Mar 15, 2012 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

A really fine and entertaining Western romance that features a "strong, silent type" sheriff whose life has boiled down to going to work and coming home to a small and impersonal duplex. The heroine is a woman returning to her small hometown but her welcome is mixed because of the deadly financial scam her stepfather perpetrated against some of her best friends--and they lost everything and now he is dead. Yet return she does, for reasons she is not really sure she can articulate. She and her be...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Missy Fleming rated it 3 of 5 stars

I recently became a fan of Linda Lael Miller which surprised me. I may live in a Western state, but never got too interested in reading a romance about it. The Creed/Stone Creek series captured me from the first book so I decided to try her newest series.

WHAT I LIKED:

The central conflict was good, Slade coming into this unexpected inheritance from his late father. I liked the tension between him and Hutch. Joslyn was interesting as well, her reasons for returning to Parable. I thought Shea was...more I recently became a fan of Linda Lael Miller which surprised me. I may live in a Western state, but never got too interested in reading a romance about it. The Creed/Stone Creek series captured me from the first book so I decided to try her newest series.

WHAT I LIKED:

The central conflict was good, Slade coming into this unexpected inheritance from his late father. I liked the tension between him and Hutch. Joslyn was interesting as well, her reasons for returning to Parable. I thought Shea was a real bright spot to this book. But while all these things are good, I felt a little disappointed.

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

A lot of this book fell flat for me. The potential was there for some amazing stories and growth, but it never gained momentum. Take Joslyn for instance. She came to town to be a martyr of sorts, to atone for her stepfather's sins. We learn she sold her software design company for a huge bundle then gave the money to those who lost everything to her stepfather's money schemes. She spends all this time worrying about what the townfolk will think of her being back...yet we only see one or two awkward encounters. I would have loved to see her confront her past more. To be honest, I didn't see any growth in her. I completely expected her 'good deeds' to blow up in her face, for someone to figure out it was her who gave the money back. It would have been a great story arc.

The heroine of the third book, I assume, was introduced by a New Yorker who moved to Parable to buy a chicken farm. Joslyn was introduced to her, had one conversation, and later there is one sentence about how she believes she found a great friend in Tara. Ummm, did I miss something?

Another storyline that fell flat was Shea, Slade's teenage stepdaughter. While her character is great, there was a lot of lost potential there. She went to stay with him because she was supposedly a handful yet with Slade she's sweet and angelic. Would she really have adapted that fast? They kept talking about the water tower, Slade warning her not to go up it, I was expecting that to happen. She behaved a little too well for someone who was thisclose to being shipped off to boarding school.

The ending was anticlimatic. We get two paragraphs to make up for two months passing, saying things continued well between Joslyn, Slade and Shea as they took care of their new horses. The romance didn't advance until all of a sudden, after a boring horse race, he says 'I love you'. Romance books are about the longing, the wanting to be together, fighting the obvious chemistry. I didn't feel that. I felt it more between Kendra and Hutch who are the next to characters in the series.

With the Creed series, the books and especially the characters got me emotionally invested. This one felt too rushed at the end. I missed that sweetness, the yearning. I am going to read the next one, Big Sky Mountain, only because Kendra is a fascinating character. I would have liked to see Hutch and Slade be at odds longer, much like Connor and Brody Creed.

To sum it up, it was good but I felt let down...disappointed in what could have been.(less)

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Mar 30, 2013 Krista rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, contemporary

I won this through a randomly-chosen-winner giveaway on Twitter. It's the first in a series about a small town in Montana called Parable, and I'm already looking forward to reading more. Thankfully I don't have to wait since the next two are out already. This is a perfectly nice, light, not overly saccharine small-town romance with believable, appropriately detailed supporting characters and solid writing. Another reviewer called it a "comfortable" romance and I agree with that--it won't keep yo...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Phyllis rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was such a disappointment compared to most of Miller's other books.

It is the first book in a new series and I don't understand why she has to throw so much into every book. Her books are so formulaic now that you know exactly what is going to happen, but this one was even worse.

SPOILERS!!!! (maybe)

The book takes place in Montana -- a girl coming home. Her stepfather had swindled the towns people out of money in the past. The beginning of the book was about how she had made money at a...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Wanderlust rated it 3 of 5 stars

Cover - 3.5/5
Favorite character - Joss

The book was a mindless easy afternoon read. It had a hot horseman (who was also a swoon worthy sheriff) & woman who was trying to right past wrongs as the leads. The story was not particularly interesting, it did not seem to go anywhere. Considering I just read it & it was almost 400 pages long you would think i would be able to remember something memorable from it but i cant - I don't really think anything did happen in it. It reminds me of a made...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Dalene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, kindle, netgalley

I’ve read this author before and so when I saw it on Netgalley I snagged it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was slightly hesitant in that I was afraid the author would deliver a similar plot line as her other books I’ve read. Not so. Other than being the similar in country, the family dramatics involved were much more different than the other series I read.

This book is a quick read. It grabbed me and I quickly needed to know what was going to happen. I enjoyed all the characters. The author...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-kindle, not-my-fave-from-this-author, writing-style-drove-me-nuts, i-was-bored

I have a like/hate relationship with this book. I liked it. It was SLOW moving, but an overall decent read-- a solid 3.5 stars. The characters were likable. The premise got old, but it could have been so much worse. It had the requisite happy ending. Eventually. There wasn't a lot of drama. It wasn't cheesy or over the top.

This book simply had my pet peeve. The "I know we've only exchanged 3 sentences, and it's been MAYBE 2 days since I met you, but you're super hot and I've actually mapped out...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2013

This book was just "eh." I love contemporary romances about cowboys as much as the next person but this one was lackluster. The heroine, Joslyn, has had guilt over a scheme that her stepfather perpetuated when she was a teenager. She has let this affect her entire life and she has come back to her hometown for some reason that is never really explained to the readers. This is completely unbelievable as a plot point and Miller never took the time to really flesh Joslyn's character out to make it...more

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May 11, 2012 Heather ShoeGirl rated it 3 of 5 stars

**My FULL REVIEW here!**

Slade didn't have an easy upbringing. He grew up in a trailer with his hard-working single mom, Callie. His father was a very wealthy, well known rancher who never acknowledged that Slade was his son. Fast forward to present day and Slade is the Sheriff of Parable with dreams of buying a plot of land and becoming a rancher.

When Slade's father passes away, Slade goes to the funeral, but stays on the outskirts so he won't be seen and expects that to be the last he has to th...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Liberty Ann (SnifferWalkBooks) Ireland rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romance, Cowboy and Montana lovers

Shelves: western-cowboys-theme, contemporary

**SMALL SPOILERS**

The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller is back with a new series about Parable, Montana-where love awaits.

The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father-until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited half of Whisper Creek Ranch, one of the most prosperous in Parable, Montana. That doesn't sit well with his...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Linda Broday rated it 5 of 5 stars

She's done it again. LLM has written another excellent beginning for a new series. Sheriff Slade Barlow, the illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, is accustomed to the snide comments and stares. But he never got used to the refusal of his father to recognize and accept him. When his father dies, Slade is shocked to discover that his father has left half of everything he owns to him to share equally with his half brother. Now he has to come to terms and accept that everything he thought about hi...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read, 3-75-wine-glasses

Read for Review
Overall Rating 3.75
Story Rating 3.50
Character Rating 4.00

First Thought When Finished: Loved the characters, loved the setting, but wished they had gotten together a little quicker!

What I Loved: Parable, Montana is a fantastic little town filled with a quirky group of people. I fell in love with the town, the people, and the fact that LLM wrote in an animal rescue center. I also loved that LLM wrote in a stepdad that loved his stepdaughter and was willing to take her even though he...more

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May 22, 2012 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Slade Barlow is sherriff in Parable, Montana. This is a big deal. Slade was born out of wedlock. This is why, when his father dies, he does not expect to be mentioned in his will, let alone inherit half of Whisper Creek Ranch. This does not make Hutch, Slade's half bother too pleased. Hutch offers to purchase Slade's half of the ranch.

Joslyn Kirk used to be the town's beauty queen. She and Hutch used to date. Although Joslyn had eyes for Slade. Only Slade would not have known it as he thought s...more Slade Barlow is sherriff in Parable, Montana. This is a big deal. Slade was born out of wedlock. This is why, when his father dies, he does not expect to be mentioned in his will, let alone inherit half of Whisper Creek Ranch. This does not make Hutch, Slade's half bother too pleased. Hutch offers to purchase Slade's half of the ranch.

Joslyn Kirk used to be the town's beauty queen. She and Hutch used to date. Although Joslyn had eyes for Slade. Only Slade would not have known it as he thought she was a spoiled rich girl. Joslyn is only in town to make mends to all the people her step father burned and than she is leaving again. Joslyn's friend, Kendra tells Joslyn that she is not responsible for her step father's actions.

The longer that Joslyn stays in town the harder it is to resist Slade.

It has been a while since I have read a book by this author. Seeing that Linda Lael Miller had a new series coming out, starting with Big Sky Country, I thought I would check Mrs. Miller out again. I have to say that Mrs. Miller does know her cowboys and how to write a good book. I liked Slade. He was a gentleman but he also had a sense of humor about him. When I think of men in uniform, I don't think of sherriffs near the top five of my list but if the guy looked anything like Slade, than I woold have to make an exception. It was easy to see why Joslyn feel for Slade. Although, it felt like it took a really long time for either Joslyn or Slade to admit their feelings toward each other and hook up. For a while, I thought Slade's half brother, Hutch, was going to end up on top. Speakling of which. Hutch was a jerk in tbe beginning but as the story progressed I changed my mind about Hutch and did like him. Good thing as I can not wait to read his and Kendra's story in Big Sky Mountain.

Reading this book, it did feel like there were two stories going on...one involving Slade and Joslyn and the other involving Hutch and Kendra. I would say that this book was more on the serious side and not so much on the lovey, dovey, romance side. Still a good book. I think that fans of this authors will enjoy this new series. Big Sky Country is filled with open skies, romance, good characters, and is a nice start to a new series by Linda Lael Miller!(less)

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Jan 16, 2013 Cenna Lipscomb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Joslyn Kirk returns to Parable, Montana her previous hometown that she and her mother left under a cloud of suspicion. Joslyn's step father had hatched a scheme and embezzeled money from many of the citizens of town causing many to lose everything they had. She runs into Slade Barlow the illegitimate son of one of the wealthiest ranchers of the area. A major problem in Slade's life is Slade's father never acknowledged him while he was living, but upon his death he left Slade half of his assests,...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Jonetta rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, western-romance

Slade Barlow, the divorced Sheriff of Parable Montana, grew up as the illegitimate son of wealthy rancher, John Carmody, who never acknowledged him as his son. Now that he is dead, Carmody decides he's going to come clean with the town's worst-kept secret by including Slade in his will. Slade now shares half of his estate with his half brother, Hutch, who was raised by Carmody with all of the rights and perks of that legacy. Joslyn Kirk returns to Parable following the shame of her stepfather's...more

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About Linda Lael Miller

Twenty-four years after she sold her first novel, Linda Lael Miller is having what anyone would call a stellar year.

The self-proclaimed barn goddess and author of novels set in the West of today and yesterday is celebrating exciting career milestones. With 70-some books to her credit, Linda is watching her modern-day McKettrick Men trilogy soar to the top of all the national bestseller lists, and...more Twenty-four years after she sold her first novel, Linda Lael Miller is having what anyone would call a stellar year.

The self-proclaimed barn goddess and author of novels set in the West of today and yesterday is celebrating exciting career milestones. With 70-some books to her credit, Linda is watching her modern-day McKettrick Men trilogy soar to the top of all the national bestseller lists, and the Romance Writers of America have announced Linda as the recipient of their prestigious 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award.

And the year is still young.

But what makes these successes all the more enjoyable is that Linda has come home, home to Spokane, Washington, home to writing the stories of her heart, stories set in the Western culture of her childhood, and home to living where she can pull on her boots and ride her beloved horses. Inside, there's the clatter of little paws, her dogs, Sadie and Bernice, and the elegant treading of two cats that Linda claims rule the roost.

The daughter of a town marshal, Linda grew up in Northport, WA, a community of 500 on the Columbia River, 120 miles north of her birthplace, Spokane. Her childhood remembrances include riding horses and playing cowgirl on her grandparents' nearby farm. So rustic was her grandparents' spread that in the early days it lacked the conveniences of electricity and running water.

As delightful as this childhood was, though, Linda longed to see the world. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she left to pursue her dream. Because of the success of her author career, Linda was able to live part-time in London for several years, spend time in Italy and travel to such far-off destinations as Russia, Hong Kong and Israel. Now, Linda says, the wanderlust is (mostly) out of her blood, and she's come full circle, back to the people and the places she knows and loves.

Before Linda begins her writing day, she takes her first cup of coffee while enjoying the scenic view of the wooded draw behind her new home. Inspired by the view, which occasionally includes a wandering moose, she focuses on her work-in-progress. It might be another contemporary Western romance, like McKettrick's Luck, McKettrick's Pride or McKettrick's Heart, or it might be a new Western historical, such as July's hardcover, A Wanted Man. It also might be a romantic thriller, such as Deadly Gamble, which launched another winning Linda Lael Miller series for her enthusiastic publisher, HQN Books.

Devoted to helping others pursue their dreams, Miller is excited about another endeavor. Each year she sponsors a round of competition for her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women. The stipends, which she funds from her writing and speaking earnings, enable women 25 years and older to improve their lot in life through education. Unlike traditional scholarships, Linda's may be used for childcare, transportation, or any other expense that stands between a woman's dreams and their fulfillment.

It's no wonder the protagonists in Miller's novels are women her readers admire for their honor, courage, trustworthiness, valor and determination to succeed, despite overwhelming odds. "These timelessly admirable qualities make them excellent role models for young women," Miller explains. "The male leads possess equally noble traits that today's woman would be delighted to find in her life's mate."

And speaking of finding, Linda is excited about her association with The Humane Society of the United States, for whom she has become an advocate for the group's Pets for Life program. Once someone finds a furry friend to bring into their home, Linda and The HSUS want to help them learn how to keep the critter for life.

Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection bef(less)

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Quotes from Big Sky Country

“Liking something and wanting to take it for a ride are two very different things', Joslyn sais, climbing out of the truck to stand on the ground. Hutch's eyes sparkled as he came around to face her. 'I'm not touching that one with a ten-foot pole,' he told her.” — 2 people liked it

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