Friday Feature: Guest Blog Linda Lael Miller, Review & Contest for Big Sky Mountain

When brainstorming your next storyline, do you know whether it will be a trilogy or a stand-alone book? Can you discuss the differences between writing a trilogy or a stand-alone?

I usually think in terms of a series—there are actually six books in the Parable/Big Sky group. I’ve tried many times to write a stand-alone book—I meant The Man from Stone Creek to be one—but I seem to be wired for trilogies. Some engaging secondary character always appears, with a story to be told, and the next thing I know, I’m off and running. Some of my early books—Fletcher’s Woman and Willow come to mind—were intended as single stories and stayed that way, but the series thing goes back a long way. My first series was the Corbin books—there were brothers, and an interesting sister, too. So the first book turned into four. It’s organic with me—I guess I just think in terms of big, sweeping stories with casts of thousands!

Follow the TOUR for your chance to win a Cowboy necklace:

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Title: Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller
Parable Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HarlequinMIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

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.

The Review:

The second installment in Linda Lael Miller’s Parable series, Big Sky Mountain begins and ends with wedding scenes. While the groom is the same for both weddings, the ceremonies have completely different endings. What happens in between is a beautiful second chance at love story that will tug at your heartstrings.

Once a couple, Hutch Carmody and Kendra Shepherd’s relationship fell apart and Kendra married another man. With Kendra now divorced, the attraction is burning hotter than ever between them. Will Hutch and Kendra forgive the mistakes of the past and find love again?

Big Sky Mountain is an understated romance between two ordinary people who need to come to terms with their issues and emotional baggage before they can have a healthy relationship. With no grand gestures or big dramas, Hutch and Kendra’s story unfolds in a realistic fashion.

The conflict in the story is internal and both characters are quite introspective. They are able to see their past relationship with new perspectives and figure out why it failed the first time. Hutch and Kendra also make peace with their respective childhoods. The accept that their parental figures did the best they could given the difficult circumstances facing them. The growth of the characters, both as individuals and as a couple, is phenomenal.

Ms. Miller is well-known for her ability to create homey, close-knit communities and she certainly does that in Big Sky Mountain as well. The residents of Parable are wonderful and their concern for one another always comes shining through. Details about old and new characters are revealed, leaving readers eagerly awaiting the next novels in the Parable series.

Friendship, family and values are always strong components in Linda Lael Miller’s novels and Big Sky Mountain is overflowing with them. Hutch and Kendra’s story is a delightful addition to a wonderfully heartwarming series that fans of contemporary romances will not want to miss.

Read my review of the other novels in the Parable series HERE.

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It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. This contest is open to US and Canadian addresses only.

The winner will announced Saturday August 18th.

***The book in this giveaway is courtesy of the Book Trib Blog Tour.***