Series: Parable MT (Book 2)
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.
Very good book. Kendra has returned to Parable with her adopted daughter, looking for the best place to raise Madison. She has her daughter, her business and her friends, and has no intention of inviting a man into her life. Hutch has mellowed since we saw him in Big Sky Country. He has gotten to know his half brother and they are friends. He has also come to realize that his life is rather lonely. He nearly married a woman he didn't love, coming to his senses just in time. Now Kendra is back in town and making him want what he gave up years before. I really liked both Kendra and Hutch. I loved the way that Kendra was so focused on taking care of Madison. She was a fantastic mom, able to give her what was needed without spoiling her. Kendra and Hutch had been in love years before, but had broken up and gone their separate ways. Now she wasn't sure if she could trust Hutch to be the type of husband and father she needed, as he had a reputation for being wild. She was very cautious, but Madison just loved her "cowboy man" so she decided to give him a chance. Hutch had given up his wild ways and made friends with his brother Slade. When Kendra came back to Parable, he realized that he had never forgotten her or gotten over his love for her. He was determined to get back into her life and not give up on them a second time. I loved seeing him with Madison - it was obvious he was going to be a fantastic father. This was a slower, gentler romance, and a very satisfying one. The passion was there between Hutch and Kendra, but it wasn't overpowering. I loved seeing more of the people of Parable. Slade and Josslyn have become parents, Opal is still feeding everyone, and we get hints of what is to come in the next book. I can't wait!
Series: Parable MT (Book 1)
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 half brother, Hutch, who grew up with all the rights of a
Carmody -- including the affections of Joslyn Kirk, homecoming queen,
rodeo queen, beauty queen, whom Slade has never forgotten.
But Joslyn is barely holding her head up these days as she works to pay
back everyone her crooked stepfather cheated. With a town to protect,
plus a rebellious teenage stepdaughter, Slade has his hands full. But
someone has to convince Joslyn that she's responsible only for her own
actions -- such as her effect on this lawman's guarded heart.
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 so he can have it back. Every time the two of them are together the tension is up. Joslyn has come back to Parable, which she still considers her home. She is deeply ashamed of what her stepfather did, and sold her software company and used the money to confidentially repay the people he cheated. There are some people who have welcomed her back, and others who haven't, but she still feels at home here. She has also felt an immediate attraction to Slade, but doesn't expect anything to come of it. Slade also feels the attraction and is very interested in seeing where it goes. Slade also ends up with his teenage stepdaughter staying with him. I loved seeing her and her interactions with people. Slade is trying to curb her rebelliousness with work and rules, while Shea tries to get away with what she can. She also seems to have no filter between brain and mouth and says some pretty interesting things to both Joslyn and Slade. There are also some good scenes with the dog who adopts Slade and the cat that adopts Joslyn. The dialogue in the book is great, with sarcasm and humor and tenderness all there. While there wasn't any really intense conflict in the book, there was enough emotion to really suck me in. I'm looking forward to book two, which is Hutch and Kendra's story, and book three I expect will be that of Boone and probably Tara.
