At Home in Stone Creek

by Linda Lael Miller

rated 4 stars

Reader's Choice Author L-Z

Back Cover:

Can the magic of Christmas give two college sweethearts a second chance? It's Christmastime and two of Ashley O'Ballivan's siblings are expecting children. No wonder she feels a bit left out. To make matters worse, Jack McCall--an old college flame--has booked a room at Ashley's Bed and Breakfast. When Ashley finds herself nursing Jack back to health after he falls ill, it would seem love was in the air again. In fact, Jack is furious with himself for compromising her safety. unbeknownst to Ashley, Jack makes his living doing high-tech global security work, which means he has more than his share of enemies. After a picture-perfect Christmas, Jack disappears, and Ashley assumes he's gone for good. Could anything make him return?

My Thoughts:

This is Ashley's story. She is the younger sister of Brad (book 1-ish though of the series) and Olivia (book 2). Melissa is Ashley's twin, although she doesn't play a particularly heavy role in this story, but her story is set up for the next book. Aaanyway, she runs the B&B in Stone Creek. Her on again/off again love affair with Jack McCall is the center for this book. They met in college and both fell madly in love, but his career is in "security" (wink wink, which means mercenary). So, to keep the love of his life, safe he must keep a distance from her, (rolls eyes). Now, he has come to her B&B in Stone Creek to recuperate from a mystery illnes, (he was injected with some sort of exotic toxin by an Argentinian Drug Lord, I know! Happened to me last week, very inconvenient!) In his weakened and fevered state, he only wants to be near Ashley. (awww!) She is not exactly jazzed about that, since 6 months ago he visited and they "rekindled" their romance only to have him leave one day while she slept. No word, no note, just disappeared. Mmmm Hmmm!! So, Will she nurse him back to health? Will he learn to "Love em and Stay"? Will they survive the dangerous Argentinian Drug Lord? Will they live Happily Ever After? "Tune in next week to find the answers to these questions and hear the climactic conclusion to....At Home in Stone Creek".....Just Kidding! Yes! Yes! Yes! and Yes!

Now this story had some of my least favorite cliches, but I found there were moments of emotion that were very touching. Jack's family was told that he's died in the Gulf War 18 years ago, so he is forbidden to have any contact with them,for their safety. However, we see him "stalking" the website of his father's dentist practice. He "googles" his mom and finds out that she passed several years back due to Breast Cancer. His younger brother, is a dentist with Dad, and the youngest is in school to become an Opthamologist.(rebel) So, to see that even though he is the tough guy, he hurts knowing what he's missed, although has no (NO) desire to go to dental school. (Whew! not typical hero stuff) Ashley is the Martha Stewart "Clone" member of the family, so everyone sees her as fragile. They take matters into their own hands, and confront Jack. Go Away, and Never Come Back, basically covers the conversation. Ashley is not happy about their interferance and finally decides to follow her heart. So we see, Jack and Ashley both grow a little.

Yes, this was not my favorite of the series, but it was a good, solid read. It was quick and nice and gave me the warm fuzzies that I expect from LLM. (that's what her friends call her, Linda Lael Miller) I recommend this book, it was perfect for a cozy afternoon by the fire.

The Bridegroom

by Linda Lael Miller

Rated 4 stars.

A Stone Creek Novel. Gideon is the youngest Yarbro, the son of a career outlaw Payton Yarbro. Having been mostly raised by Payton and his new woman Ruby a Madam and Saloon owner (since Gideon's mother died when he was a baby). Gideon went to live with his brother Rowdy (a reformed outlaw turned sheriff) when he was about 16. During that stay he helped save little 8 year old Lydia Fairmont, who's father died in a snow storm. A long lost aunt comes to claim her but Lydia is afraid. Gideon writes his name on an envelope for her and a writes a note for her that says. " Come to get me" (or something very similar). He tells her that if she if ever afraid, or needs help all she has to do it put that letter in the mail and he will come to get her, "no questions asked".

Well some 10 years later, he gets the letter. Lydia's Aunt Nell has passed away and the family is in financial ruin. In order to ensure the existence of her two matron aunts and Helga the housekeeper she agrees to marry a bulbous obnoxious banker who can financially ensure her family. She dreads this, and in a moment of weakness, mails the letter to Gideon who was her childhood crush, and savior.

In comes Gideon and "kidnaps" her on her wedding day, along with spiriting away Helga and the Aunts. Lydia's fiance doesn't take this sitting down, and comes after the couple who have gone to Stone Creek where Rowdy and his family and Wyatt (the other brother who is also a reformed outlaw) and his family live. In order to avoid charges of kidnapping it is decided that Gideon and Lydia should marry quickly. They do. Also, Gideon is in Stone Creek on "Assignment". He is an undercover agent, working for the Copper Mine Owners. There is talk of a strike, and bringing in chinese workers to replace the current workers. Gideon is sent to report back to the owners.

Of course this brings some danger of it's own, as well as the fact that Lydia's gilted fiance who wants to see Gideon dead, so that he can reclaim his bride....

All the while Lydia and Gideon are finding passion and love in each other. (Gideon reluctantly! Of course!)

It was great at fulfilling my addiction for a western and those Yarbro men are great. Lark, Rowdy's wife is fun and I love when she teaches Lydia how to seduce the Gideon.) Good solid read and I expect to meet the absent Yarbro twins soon.....Yay!!

Besides, the cover art looks like Brad Pitt from Legends of the Fall. Woo Hoo!!!

The Rustler

by Linda Lael Miller

3rd in the Stone Creek Series

pages 374

rated 4 stars

Back Cover:

Where does an outlaw go when he's ready to turn straight? For Wyatt Yarbro, reformed rustler and train robber. Stone Creek is his place of redemption. And lovely Sarah Tamlin is the perfect angel to help him clean up his act...

But Sarah keeps a dark secret behind her prim and proper facade, even as her heart is lost to charming, sexy Wyatt. When a vengeful enemy prepares to unleash havoc on the peaceful town. Wyatt and Sarah will discover that they can't hide from the past. To win the fight, they must believe in something they never trusted before---the hope of tomorrow.

My Thoughts:

I enjoy Ms. Miller's Stone Creek novels. I liked Wyatt, and his redemption. I liked Lonesome. Who wouldn't!? I also liked Sarah, and felt like her "secrets" were overplayed. I did like that one of her secrets was that she was a part of a secret "Women's Poker Society". Fun!! The story was all good, however I did feel like the end was tidied up a little to suddenly. It was a fast and good read. It was not my favorite of the "Stone Creeks" but it was a good solid read.