Review: Montana Cowboy by Debra Salonen

Title: Montana Cowboy

Series: Big Sky Mavericks #2

Author: Debra Salonen

Publishers: Tule Press

Date of Publication: August 28/29th 2014

Pages: 142

Rating: 5/5

My Review:

This is another story in the superb Big Sky Mavericks series and I have loved every one that I’ve read – this is no exception! Whilst the stories have many of the same characters appearing in them, they each contain their own romance so it isn’t essential to read them in order as the stories make sense on their own. That’s actually a good thing as for some reason I had missed reading this, the second story in the series, but had read many of the others already!

The stories are set in Marietta, Montana and have the Zabrinski family as key characters. In this case it is Austen Zabrinski, a Harvard trained lawyer and politician who has returned to his cattle ranch after he was the innocent scapegoat of a political scandal. Someone else who has moved to the community to escape unwanted attention is Serena James. She’s renting the ranch adjoining that of Austen and it is here she intends to raise her fifty alpacas – and two llamas. She’s had a cyber stalker unsettling her otherwise peaceful life. She’s no idea if the stalker is male or female, what their intentions are or anything – just that the whole experience has been traumatic and she wants to be away from all that. When Austen and Serena meet, there’s a hilarious scene in which Austen discovers more than he’d intended about alpacas and their habits! You’ll just have to read it yourself to discover what I mean and be thankful that it doesn’t cover you, too!

This story has many laugh out loud moments in it, is thoroughly entertaining and a real page turner. Whilst there are many obstacles in the path of true love, with interfering family members and, of course, the scandal and stalker endangering the couple, this is a delicious read that I enjoyed escaping into. It was great to revisit so many places and characters encountered in other Marietta based stories, it feels like catching up on friends and family. I really enjoy this author’s style, which takes the reader into the scenarios and makes them feel an integral part of the story rather than someone detached and just looking in. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this – and all the other books in this series – to anyone who enjoys reading romances based on families and communities where it feels you are always welcome.

Synopsis:

Austen Zabrinski looks the part —

He’s got the ranch, the boots, the hat and even a few head of cattle, but everybody in Marietta, Montana, knows the former golden boy of Marietta High is a wealthy politician, not a cowboy. And even though that nasty scandal in Helena might have knocked him down a notch or two in the polls, what kind of a fool would trade access to the halls of power in Helena and a Harvard law degree for a ranch in western Montana? Possibly one whose new neighbor, Serena James–the woman the guys at Grey’s Saloon call “…the Red Hot Llama Mama”–makes him start to think about what he wants out of life, instead of what’s expected of him.

Serena James knows trouble when it hops her fence–

Moving to Montana and deleting her blog seemed like the perfect solution to her online stalker problem. Serena’s ready for a fresh start, but when her escrow on her ranch falls through, she has to scramble to find an immediate but temporary safe haven to rent for her herd of 50 alpacas, two llamas and one giant dog. Serena’s barely moved in when Austen Zabrinski–the man her landlord called “my absentee ranch owner brother who lives and works in Helena”–hops the fence in need of a lift. Even at first glance, Serena can tell he’s nobody cowboy, but who’s to say that isn’t a good thing? A little tryst with her gorgeous, sexy, here-today-gone-to-Helena-tomorrow neighbor might be the perfect welcome to Montana.

The Big Sky Mavericks series (with links to reviews where I’ve read the book)

Book 1: Montana Cowgirl

Book 2: Montana Cowboy

Book 3: Montana Darling

Book 4: Montana Maverick

Book 5: Her Forever Gift – Free!

Book 6: Montana Hero

Book 7: Montana Rogue

Book 8: Montana Miracle

Book 9: Montana Rebel 

This book is available from a variety of sources including

amazon.co.uk           amazon.com          barnes and noble