Review of Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller

Sheriff Slade Barlow is the illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher.  For his entire life, Slade’s father did not acknowledge his existence.  His father’s attention went to his legitimate half bother, Hutch Carmody, while Slade grew up barely getting by.  The brothers spent most of their lives feuding and it is not until their father passes away that they realize that something has to give.

With John Carmody passes away, the bothers find that their father has equally divided his estate between his two sons.  Included in his estate is a very profitable ranch that Hutch does not intend to share with his brother.  Hutch feels that he is entitled to the entire estate because his father mentored him to take the ranks.  As a result, he is determined to take his brother’s share of the ranch away from him.  He makes Slade a huge monetary offer for his share of the ranch but Slade does not intend to sell to Hutch. 

Slade is tired of Hutch always having everything handed to him while he has had to work hard for everything he has gotten. In fact, Hutch has even had the attention of former prom queen Joslyn Kirk who left town years ago after her stepfather cheated everyone in town out of their hard earned savings.   Joslyn and her mother had to sneak out of town in the middle of the night and Joslyn has spent years trying to pay back the people that her stepfather cheated.  She is now back home and finds that the townspeople are not so forgiving.

Slade tries to convince Joslyn that she is not liable for the criminal acts of her stepfather. He tells her she has nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to be sorry for.  Further, Slade also finds himself questioning his own family’s problems.  He wonders why he wants to keep his share of the ranch. Is it a question of birthright or is he simply trying to get back at his brother?  The brothers' feud will lead to a showdown with the entire town watching and waiting for the outcome.

You can purchase Big Sky Country from the following retailers: Amazon.com, Barnes &Noble, Harlequin, IndieBound, and Powell’s.

You can find about author Linda Lael Miller at www.LindaLaelMiller.com. You can also find Ms. Miller on Facebook and Twitter.