Linda Lael Miller

The ever-elusive 2 stars. You've earned it, book.

I've read worse books, but never one that annoyed me so much. First of all, this is insta-love at its worse. The two main characters meet, have a long night of (hot?) sex, then the next day are engaged to be married. And nobody has a problem with that. Her dad is overjoyed, her young daughter is excited to move into a trailer away from everything familiar, and his brothers are congratulating him at every turn. It's so ridiculously show more unrealistic, and it drives me nuts. And don't tell me that they loved each other in high school, because it's been a decade, a failed marriage for both of them, a career in Hollywood of all places, and a kid. People change, and these two people have no business jumping right back into things like they're still in high school.

Then there's the horribly convoluted plot. Nothing really ever happens, except for some drunk guy driving a semi truck into his cabin, which I think was supposed to serve as the climactic action? It gets a question mark, because there's not a second of worry that the characters will actually get hurt, there's no emotional turmoil, and they wanted to bulldoze the cabin anyway! Win-win! Grr.

Last but certainly not least, this is a ball of sickening fluff. It's like the author can't bear to write in any sort of struggles for her characters, and we the readers end up suffering for it. Everybody in this book is super rich, rich enough to just pack up and sell their cars, apartments, and belongings with no worry, and to bulldoze a cabin and immediately start putting in a house with absolutely no forethought. I usually don't have a problem with the rich hot guy trope, but this book really makes it sickening. And thanks author, we get that you like kids and animals, but does every woman in this book need to be barefoot and pregnant to feel happy? For god's sake, the book ends with an info dump about every single one of the Creed wives and their new babies' names and their happy children. There's nothing wrong with having kids in your epilogue, but this is a prime example of the wrong way to do it. Finally, the thing that bugs me the most - the "cowboy" culture. I'm from the high plains, I talk to real cowboys all the time and they DO NOT act like the Creed men. They don't jet off to become high-powered lawyers or movie stars and then decide that they miss the "big open Montana skies." If you want to write about cowboys, write them the right way.

This book is downright terrible, and I will absolutely never be reading anything by this author again. Now I need to go and find one of my old favorites to get this crap out of my system. show less

This was a heartwarming holiday story with just the right amount of sizzle. Charlie grew up in Mustang Creek, raised by her aunt after her parents were killed. But she wanted more than the small town life, so she headed for New York City as soon as she could. She's spent seven years living the life in the big city, but lately she hasn't been as happy as she was. The job isn't as great as it used to be, she doesn't really have any friends, and the dating scene stinks. There was one man that show more had promise, a veterinarian, but when he had to go back to Idaho to help his sick dad, she wasn't ready to give it all up and go with him. Now she's headed back to Wyoming to take care of Aunt Geneva, never expecting what is there for her.

Jax had really fallen hard for Charlie, and has missed her since their breakup. Now that his dad is doing better, Jax is no longer needed in Idaho. When he finds out that his college roommate, Nate Cameron, lives in Mustang Creek and is looking for a partner in his vet practice, Jax jumps at the chance. Now all he needs to do is convince Charlie that they belong together.

Fate being what it is, Charlie and Jax end up arriving in Mustang Creek at the same time and in the middle of a blizzard. Jax has the last available hotel room because finding Nate's house in that weather would be impossible. Charlie doesn't want to disturb her aunt's mysterious housemate that late at night, but find no room at the inn - thanks to the last person she ever expected to see in Mustang Creek. Jax is, of course, sweet and chivalrous and offers to share the room with her. The sparks are still there between them, but Jax is determined not to rush things and maintains his distance. Charlie isn't sure what to think, other than the need to keep herself under control.

The next day, Charlie meets the mysterious Mrs. Klozz, who knows far more about Charlie than Charlie knows about her. Mrs. Klozz also seems to have a knack for knowing just what Charlie is thinking or needs. While Charlie is off to the assisted living center to see her aunt, Mrs. Klozz manages to get Jax to the house and invites him to stay there while looking for a place to live. Of course, he knows that Charlie isn't going to be thrilled with the idea, but he's willing to see how it plays out. He was right, but Charlie finds herself succumbing to Mrs. Klozz's gentle bulldozer tactics.

Mrs. Klozz is quite the matchmaker and finds any number of ways to throw Charlie and Jax together. Add in her happily married friends, Hadleigh, Bex and Mel, and Charlie quickly gives up resisting the sparks. I loved their ski weekend together, as they started the process of getting to know each other again. Jax tries to be patient and not push too hard, but he wants Charlie in his life.

I liked Jax a lot. He's really a sweet guy with a big heart. It was fun watching him work his way into the hearts of all the ladies, from Charlie to Mrs. Klozz, just by being his charming self. I liked how he was up front with Charlie about his feelings for her. I enjoyed seeing how easily he slipped into life in Mustang Creek.

I liked Charlie, but there were also times that she frustrated the heck out of me. I really liked that she had no problem dropping everything to take care of Aunt Geneva. There is a lot of love and respect between the two of them. Charlie is also quite stubborn, and when she sets herself on a path, it takes a lot to change her direction. She had a hard time admitting, even to herself, that city life wasn't everything she had expected it to be. Even back home, she was still focused on trying to find another job in the same field. Even though multiple people told her the same thing about what she could do, she didn't want to listen.

I really enjoyed the rekindling of their relationship. Jax is steady in his resolve to win her, and finds little ways to win her over. Charlie has a hard time resisting the sparks, but can't see a way past the obstacles she sees in their conflicting dreams. She spends a bit too much time overthinking everything rather than listening to her heart. I loved the various ways that Jax and others showed her that she belonged there rather than in the city. Once she finally saw the light, there was no stopping them. I loved the epilogue and the peek into their future.

Secondary characters are always good in these stories, and this was no exception. I loved Mrs. Klozz and subtle and not-so-subtle ways of getting them to do what she wanted. There was a hint of holiday magic about her that added an extra something to the story. I also loved Aunt Geneva. She loved Charlie so much, and wanted t make sure she didn't make the same mistakes. I also loved her practical viewpoint of the challenges of her life. I also enjoyed seeing the couples from the other books in the series again. show less

Once a Rancher by Linda Lael Miller is a 2016 HQN Books publication.

I love this author, but I am always incessantly behind with her series, so when I saw this one and noticed it was the first one in a new series, I didn’t hesitate.

The ‘Carsons of Mustang Creek’ is centered around the Carson brothers on their Wyoming ranch. The oldest brother, Slater, is a historical documentary filmmaker, with a young daughter, named Daisy. He’s single, not really looking for love, but when he meets show more Grace, he finds he is missing something in his life, and didn’t know it until now.

Grace is a former cop, now in the hospitality business, and raising her teenage stepson, Ryder, despite being divorced from his father. After the failure of her first marriage, Grace is not looking to make a repeat mistake. But, Slater Carson has her considering a second chance at love.

As with many ‘first in a series’ novels, I had a little trouble getting into the story at first. But, once all the characters were introduced, and the lay of the land was mapped out, the story picked up speed, which is a good thing, except it felt like we went from a slow trot to a full blown gallop, in nothing flat.

I did enjoy this story, though, and should explain that although this is pretty much a standard contemporary western romance, it also has some romantic suspense elements mixed in, as well.

When Grace catches an employee engaging in illegal activities, she must terminate him, but he's not leaving without a little payback, which awakens Slater's protective instincts.

I couldn’t help but laugh as poor Grace was literally swept off her feet, caught up a true whirlwind romance. Slater is a cool guy, not a game player, is honest, straightforward, and stable. He showed Grace how a real man behaves, and proved he is a good father, and will be a positive influence on Ryder, who really needed a steady male presence in his life.

Things do seem to happen very quickly between Slater and Grace, and although Grace fights against the inevitable, she runs out of steam pretty fast. It was so funny watching the Carsons help Slater wear her down, and put her fears to rest, too.

I loved the tight knit family atmosphere in this one and the way they all work together, and support each other. I really liked Slater, who is strong, has a dominant personality, but is not a jerk!! He may move at warp speed, but he treats Grace with respect and understands the challenges she faces and her reluctance to move too quickly, even though he hates cooling his heels or having to step back and let her handle things her way, in her own time.

By contrast, Grace is very special, especially towards Ryder. She doesn’t always like being nudged along by Slater or his family, but she grows to love them and accept them just the way they are, while still maintaining her strong independent personality.

Slater and Grace have a different approach to life’s curveballs, but, they complimented each other nicely.

Ryder’s story is sad, but he has found a nice landing spot, and is better off now than he ever could have thought possible, which really warmed my heart.

I think the Carson family series has gotten off to a pretty good start and Miller’s fans will probably like this one. I’m looking forward to Drake’s story in the upcoming ‘Always a Cowboy.”

Overall, this one gets 4 stars show less

Oldie but goodie, and highly emotional. Glory is returning to Pearl River for the first time since her brother's funeral eight years earlier. She'd been forced to leave, breaking her heart and her boyfriend's, but given no choice. She's back for a brief visit, to see her mother married, then moving on from a new heartbreak. But there's one thing she wants to find out before she leaves - what happened to the baby girl she had and gave up for adoption.

She didn't expect Jesse to be the first show more person she saw when she arrived back in town, or the sparks that flew between them. Likewise, Jesse was stunned to see Glory, and not happy to see the woman who had broken his heart. A heated confrontation ends in a scorching kiss that shows them both that the past is still alive and well.

Then Glory makes the startling discovery that her baby girl had been adopted by Jesse's older brother and his wife. They were recently killed in an airplane crash, leaving Liza in Jesse's custody. Glory is convinced that Jesse was in on his grandfather's scheme the whole time, while Jesse is stunned to discover that he isn't just Liza's uncle, he's also her father. Glory decides then and there that she isn't going to leave Pearl River again, she'll get a job locally and get to know her daughter. Jesse is equally determined at the time to keep them apart.

This begins an emotional roller coaster of a story. I spent the last third of the book in almost constant tears, aching for Glory, who wants to get to know her daughter. I was also equally mad at and aching for Jesse. I loved watching Glory get to know Liza, being excruciatingly careful not to give away the truth, while desperately wanting to do so. The two of them bonded quickly, aided by Jesse's cousin Ilene. I loved the part where Glory was helping Liza with an angel costume. She is so happy just spending time with Liza, but is also determined not to give up hope of eventually telling her the truth. I got a bit frustrated with her when she started to cave in to the pressure to leave Liza alone.

Jesse is torn between allowing Glory to spend time with Liza and wanting her gone from Pearl River entirely. He has moments of being so understanding, like when he brought Glory the pictures of Liza from when she was small. He also has his moments of being a real butt-head, such as when he told Glory she needed to stay away for awhile. Jesse tells himself he is protecting Liza from being hurt by a woman he doesn't trust to stick around, but he is also protecting his own heart. Jesse was so inconsistent with his behavior toward Glory that I really wanted to grab him and shake him. And knowing his grandfather as well as he does, it bugged me that he had listened to and believed what the old man had told him ten years earlier. I loved what happened when he discovered the truth and how he admitted his idiocy. His big moment at the end was good, and I especially loved Glory's response.

Liza was a big part of the story of course, and I really liked that she played an active part. She's smart and sweet and her relationship with Jesse is already good, so she doesn't have any trouble accepting that he's her father too. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her get to know Glory and figure out the truth there. show less