Big Sky Secrets

November 18, 2013
Veteran bestseller Miller caps off her Big Sky series (Big Sky Country, etc.) with a sweet love story about trust, family, and forgiveness. Landry Sutton, brother of Big Sky Wedding protagonist Zane, and his neighbor Ria Manning have both been in Parable County, Mont., for a year. Formerly a Chicago investment executive, Landry left his competitive city lifestyle behind after his divorce, but he finds himself still longing for something more as he works out his relationships with his family. Ria is equally burdened; she’s a widow who bears complex grief for her imperfect husband’s memory and wrestles with loyalty to her cold half-sister, Meredith. When Landry decides to pursue Ria, the relationship gives both of them the support to forgive the past and move on. Though the quiet story doesn’t quite live up to the dramatic title, Miller’s fans will find all her comforting standbys: romance with a dollop of humor, a few charming animals, and an optimistic happy ending.

December 1, 2013

Ria Manning, young widow and financial expert-turned-flower farmer, has no use for cocky Landry Sutton, newly (and most likely temporarily) back in Parable after making his financial mark in Chicago, or his flower-trampling buffaloes. Landry returns the "disregard," but as sexual awareness sizzles between them, tension mounts, and the pair are forced to reassess. Ria and Landry struggle against the inevitable--and lose in order to win. VERDICT A pair of totally likable protagonists, a cadre of stunning secondary characters ("take no nonsense" housekeeper Cleo and starchy butler Highbridge are standouts), and a setting that seeps into your blood result in a delightful romance and a satisfying finale to Miller's "Big Sky" titles. Miller (Big Sky Wedding) lives in Spokane.

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