An Outlaw's Christmas by Linda Lael Miller *ARC Review*

With his wild heart, Sawyer McKettrick isn't ready to settle down on the Triple M family ranch in Arizona. So he heads to Blue River, Texas, to seek a job as marshal. But in a blinding snowstorm he's injured—and collapses into the arms of a prim and proper lady in calico.

The shirtless, bandaged stranger recuperating in teacher Piper St. James's room behind the schoolhouse says he's a McKettrick, but he looks like an outlaw. As they wait out the storm, the handsome loner has Piper remembering long-ago dreams of marriage and motherhood. But for how long is Sawyer willing to call Blue River home?

As the gray skies clear, Piper's one holiday wish just might bring two lonely hearts together forever.

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Not only have I not read a Linda Lael Miller in a while, I can't remember the last time I picked up a Western that I enjoyed as much as this. Yes, as a Christmas story you know you're in for a heartwarming tale with a great HEA, but the characters in this particular McKettrick installment were quirky, fun, and interesting the entire way through. 

Piper wasn't just an uptight schoolmarm - she has feelings and worries and in spite of all of those she ventures out to do what she can for Sawyer. Once he's actually awake and she's faced with the reality of a real live man living in her room at the schoolhouse...well then things get a little more complicated. She doesn't know what to do; she's nervous about having him there, attracted to him and his forthright attitude, but held back by the repercussions she knows will come about by having him recover there. It's a conundrum I tell you :).

Sawyer doesn't make it any easier just by being himself. He's a 'modern' man in this historical town, understanding that women are smart capable people - and appreciative that Piper doesn't take any crap. Their back and forths were my favorite part of the whole story because each of them were so clearly taken with the other but didn't know what to do about it. When Sawyer finally proposes marriage to salvage Piper's reputation (which should be a spoiler people - Christmas romance) nothing is rushed into. He's very respectful of her inexperience and wants her to enjoy the sexy times as much as he knows he will, lol. The supporting characters from the town and Piper & Sawyer's relatives enhanced the story and definitely played a roll in my overall enjoyment - they each serve a purpose in helping the hero and heroine grow but didn't overreach or become an unnecessary barrier to their HEA. 

Even without background from the rest of the McKettrick books this is a great feel-good stand alone and I highly recommend it. 

Overall Feeling - B+

Series - ...14) The McKettrick Legend 15) A Lawman's Christmas 16) An Outlaw's Christmas

**Title requested from NetGalley**

Consent to Love by Abby Wood

Twenty-four-year-old small-town girl Ana Reynolds serves beer at the local bar, tries to keep her beater car running, and dreams of a better life as a painter. If she can learn to make a decent steak, she might get promoted to cook- and earn enough for her real heart's desire. Right now, that doesn't include romance.

But when she meets a tall, dark and sexy Native American man named Kane, Ana can't take her eyes off him- or stop thinking about him. But she'd better. Everyone knows the proud Lakota who raises horses wants nothing to do with a townie barmaid who'll bring shame to his people.

Except Kane can't get Ana off his mind. He proposes a red-hot weekend in bed, a no-strings affair to end Monday morning. Yet once Kane brings the outsider onto Lakota land, everything changes....

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The is a prime example of a book failed by its description. I requested this from NetGalley almost in spite of myself, as it kind of sounds like Kane is gonna be a dick. Instead what you get is a man who's been burned but is pulled into a relationship despite his doubts because of the way he feels for Ana. It makes for a nice story - maybe not terribly unique, but nice. Kane and Ana circle around each other in the beginning, both of them feeling the pull but worried about how it could end up. While they initially find themselves agreeing to a no strings attached weekend, it's because they're both scared - and really their feelings only let that last for maybe a week or two. 

Kane and Ana both have to grow in order for their relationship to be stable enough to last. Ana learns to believe in herself more and Kane is able to leave the past in the past and trust that their love is enough to get them through. 

Again, not a bad little romance and I'd be interested to see what other kind of books Wood comes out with.

Overall Feeling - B

Series - 1) Consent to the Cowboy 2) Consent to Love

**Title requested from NetGalley**

Mini Me: Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

When Jack Mercy died, he left behind a ranch worth nearly twenty million dollars. Now his three daughters—each born of a different marriage, and each unknown by the others—are gathered to hear the reading of the will. But the women are shocked to learn that before any of them can inherit, they must live together on the ranch for one year. They are sisters—and strangers. Now they face a challenge: to put their bitterness aside and live like family. To protect each other from danger—and unite against an enemy who threatens to destroy them all?

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Usually, no matter who's doing it, I'm only about 70% positive  that 3-in-1 romances like this work. Somehow one of the couples always ends up being a little less fleshed out, a little less real, and as much as I love Nora Roberts, Montana Sky doesn't completely escape that.Willa Mercy is clearly the stand out; as much as we read about Tess and Lily their romances are more in the 'over and done' category. There might be a bit of conflict here and there, but really we meet them, meet their partners, everybody's happy! Hooray!

The best thing about this book is the murder mystery. Just gruesome enough, Roberts also put a bit (read A LOT) of unexpectedness when it comes to the killer. You just don't get that til the end. And I can't say anymore if I want to keep it that way for everybody else. 

The Maverick by Diana Palmer

Always in the middle of trouble, be it during roundup or at Jacobsville county dances, Harley Fowler emerges unscathed. Until he meets whirlwind, top-notch investigator Alice Jones, who is trying to solve a murder involving the one family Harley doesn't want to talk about—his own. Suddenly he's in the midst of mayhem—and all he can think about is protecting Alice. But the stubborn woman is unappreciative of his efforts. What's a confirmed maverick to do? Is seduction the solution?

There are a couple things I want to start out saying with this review - 1) this cover description is one of the lamest, most misleading ones ever, and 2) finally Diana Palmer has come out with a Long, Tall, Texan Novel that has a different plot. Before this book I could have described to you quite succinctly how any of Palmer's books went: first, older man meets younger, virginal woman. Second, after being scared by his feelings for her, older man treats younger woman horribly to run her off. Finally, younger woman forgives older man for his shitty attitude and sex, love, and happiness ensue: The End (ask me sometime about Bertrice Small books - I can do the same thing). This novel, as you would never tell from the description is different. Alice might be a virgin, but it is her wit and feelings for Harley that take the forefront, from the beginning she uses humor and kids him about marrying her. That attitude helps Harley overlook the disappointing relationships he's had in the past and makes him that much more anxious to spend time with her. The only thing that I would say is negative about this book is that it seemed to really need to be almost twice as long. They start bringing in a criminal/mystery element to this book that isn't fleshed out enough and is definitely left hanging. Hopefully this means that Palmer has a full sized novel coming out soon or at least there are going to be some more Silhouette Desire books to round out the suspense!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. A fun book that definitely deserves to be added to shelves, and one that claims its place as the latest release in this well known, and well loved, series.

Series - Started in 1988, there are almost 30 books in this series, so please check out Diana Palmer's website for the list!