BOOK REVIEW- BIG SKY COUNTRY by Linda Lael Miller

No one writes Western romance better than #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller! 

Let her take you to the town of Parable, Montana… 

The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father…until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited half of Whisper Creek Ranch, one of the most prosperous in Parable County. That doesn't sit well with his half brother, Hutch, who grew up with all the rights of a Carmody, including the affections of Joslyn Kirk, homecoming queen, rodeo queen, beauty queen—and the girl Slade's never forgotten. 

But Joslyn has come home to Parable under difficult circumstances. Resented by many of the townspeople cheated by her crooked stepfather, she's trying to rebuild her life and repay everyone who lost money because of his schemes. With a town to protect, plus a rebellious teenage stepdaughter, Slade already has his hands full. But someone has to convince Joslyn that she's responsible only for her own actions—and that someone is Sheriff Barlow!    AMAZON 4 STARS

I liked this book although the pace was a bit slower than I normally like.  But as I think about it, it kind of has a laid back feel to it that is similar to one of the main characters.  I'm talking about Slade Barlow, of course.  It was also a good foundation get to know the people of the town and families, kind of book.

I really liked both main characters.  Slade was a rock solid kind of man.  Someone who had been cheated out of a lot of things but grew up strong with a great mom.  Callie was a out of the usual mom but still she wasn't out there that far.  I liked how several people mentioned that Slade was a old-fashioned man, one of those who enjoyed being married.  Even his ex-wife Layne  said so and they managed to remain on a friendly basis.   They understood each other and wanted the best for each other even if they couldn't make it married.  That was refreshing. 

Joslyn was such an honorable young woman who was trying to do penance for the sins of her step-father.  There was so  much that went on that she didn't know about.  And when she did, the shame was overwhelming.  She had left Parable in the dark of night with her mother and housekeeper friend Opal and now she was here back in that same town. She had grown up so much from her spoiled rich days with her step-father.   She did still have one really good friend from her youngest days in Parable, her name was Kendra. And she has quite a story too which was shown just a bit more in the book I mentioned below.

The relationship between Slade and his half-brother Hutch wasn't one.  But what they did have was rocky and tense often just inches from blows.  I kept wondering how would that ever work out if it ever did.  Emotions run high more than once in this story and not just between Hutch and Slade.
I like how the author added some fun descriptive phrases in the book.  
Let me see.  Like, returning to her old home was like, "the place was her emotional Ground Zero" or "from that center-point, the calamity had spread, scorched earth fashion, throughout the community....."  I enjoyed phrases like that but they also weren't overused to my way of thinking.
Yes, there were some unanswered questions but I enjoyed what was answered.

When it comes to reading more in the series, I've already lined up another one.  "Big Sky Mountain: Book 2 of Parable, Montana Series (The Parable Series)  continues the story of Hutch, Slade's half-brother.  At the end of this book, there is a quick and quite interesting look into that book.  It seems like wherever Hutch was, he managed to stir up drama.  Yes, looking forward to that one.