Archive for the ‘Linda Lael Miller’ Category
June 28th, 2011 | 
Author: 
The Creed Legacy by Linda Lael Miller
Publisher: HQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Rough-and-tumble rodeo cowboy Brody Creed likes life on the move. Until a chance encounter with his long-estranged twin brother brings him “home” for the first time in years. Suddenly Brody is in Creed territory—at thirty-three, he’s a restless bad boy among family with deep ties to the land and each other. And a secret past haunts him as he tries to make plans for his future.
Carolyn Simmons is looking for Mr. Right in Lonesome Bend, as the ticktock of her biological clock gets ever louder. Then she falls for gorgeous Brody Creed, the opposite of everything she wants. Until lassoing his wild heart becomes everything both of them need.
Grace’s Review:
Fans who have been impatiently waiting for Brody Creed’s story are going to love The Creed Legacy. The final book of Linda Lael Miller’s latest trilogy is an emotional and stirring romance that breaks the reader’s heart then turns around and lifts it with joy. And it will also leave you hoping the Ms. Miller has plans for future Creed novels.
A hint here and a little bit of Brody’s story there have revealed bits and pieces of this enigmatic cowboy’s past. In The Creed Legacy, we finally get to know Brody Creed in all his Technicolor glory. The tragedies in his life are truly heartbreaking. But what makes Brody so remarkable is his ability and willingness to risk his heart for the woman who has captured his heart.
A difficult and unsettled childhood has Carolyn Simmons searching for a place to call home. After years of house sitting in and around Lonesome Bend, Carolyn is now in business with her close friend Tricia Creed and has settled into a permanent life in the small town. Not a woman who trusts easily, Carolyn’s heart was broken by Brody years earlier when he abandoned her without explanation following their weeklong passionate affair. Brody’s return stirs up all kinds of emotions Carolyn thought were in the past and her distrust makes it difficult for her to freely give her heart to him again.
The Creed Legacy is a poignant and moving novel that engages a full spectrum of emotions. Sorrow for the tragedies that Brody has endured. Heartbreak for Carolyn’s troubled childhood. Laughter. But above all, love. The Creeds are a close-knit family whose love and loyalty are limitless.
The Creed Legacy is an insightful and deeply touching novel. As with her other works Linda Lael Miller has created a story with realistic and lovable characters that touch the reader’s soul with heartfelt emotions. And as always, Ms. Miller leaves the reader in eager anticipation of her next book.
Rated 4.5 Gold Crowns by Grace!
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Creed’s Honor by Linda Lael Miller
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Conner Creed knows exactly who he is: a hardworking rancher carrying on his uncle’s legacy in Lonesome Bend, Colorado. Maybe a small-town cowboy’s life isn’t his dream, but he owes the man who took him in as a kid. Until the identical twin brother he’s been estranged from for years reenters his life.
Conner struggles with identity issues as he gets to know his wilder brother. And then he meets Tricia McCall, a beautiful woman who knows a thing or two about living someone else’s dreams. Together, they just might find their own dreams right here in Lonesome Bend.…
Grace’s Review:
Creed’s Honor is quintessential Linda Lael Miller. Alluring characters, a wonderfully precocious child, and two quirky yet lovable pets are a heartwarming and winning combination. Fans of the Creeds are going to fall in love with Ms. Miller’s latest novel.
Tricia McCall is a wonderfully developed heroine. Her tongue-tied shyness around Conner Creed is endearing and it will resonate with anyone who has experienced the same problem around someone they are attracted to. Her strong loyalty to her family and friends is easily one of the novel’s strong points. Her growth as a character is compelling and enjoyable.
Conner Creed is the poster boy for the strong, silent cowboy. His troubled past with his twin brother Brody is a central theme in Creed’s Honor and proves to be quite revealing. He is somewhat unyielding and stubborn, but he is also capable of compromise when the need arises.
The first half of the novel moves at a rather slow pace as Tricia and Conner separately work through their respective issues. It is not until they resolve their individual problems and their romance begins that Creed’s Honor picks up speed. But it is well worth the wait to see these two charming protagonists find their way to love.
Creed’s Honor is a delightful romance. Warm and loving family ties along the small town atmosphere contribute to homey feel of Creed’s Honor. Linda Lael Miller excels at creating realistic and appealing characters who work their way into the reader’s heart.
Ms. Miller’s tantalizing peek into Brody Creed’s past will leave her readers chomping at the bit for the release of The Creed Legacy, the last book of this thoroughly enjoyable trilogy.
Rated 4 Gold Crowns by Grace!
A Creed in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Romance, Western
Length: 384 pages
Summary:
When single attorney Steven Creed becomes guardian of an orphaned five-year-old boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close-knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him. But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match in the opposing counsel—beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O’Ballivan. It’ll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected to win any man’s heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he’s truly found home.
Grace’s Review:
A Creed in Stone Creek is the first of three new books in Linda Lael Miller’s wildly popular Montana Creeds series.
Steven Creed and his newly adopted five year son, Matt, are beginning a new life in Stone Creek. With a recent breakup in his past, a ranch to rebuild, and a new son, the last thing Steven is looking for is love. He is instantly attracted to the feisty and beautiful prosecutor Melissa O’Ballivan.
With a failed relationship behind her, Melissa is reluctant to risk her heart again. Helpless to resist the passion flaring between them, Steven and Melissa cautiously begin dating. Will their burgeoning relationship survive an impending court case that finds them on opposites of the law?
A Creed in Stone Creek is trademark Linda Lael Miller. Well developed, winsome characters easily engage the reader in this fast paced and entertaining novel. Steven and Melissa are likeable and vibrant characters, and their respective struggles to let go of their painful pasts is moving. Given the losses in his life, Matt is mature for his age but he still manages to hold onto his childlike innocence, and his faith in the adults in his life is unshakeable.
Overall, the plot of A Creed in Stone Creek is sound, but there are a couple of inconsistencies in the story line. The romance between Steven and Melissa felt rushed and the conflict in their relationship was abrupt and unexpected, but it was resolved quickly. The secondary characters are charming and their interactions with the main characters provide added depth to the novel.
Fans of novels with strong family connections, traditional values, and small town living will thoroughly enjoy A Creed in Stone Creek. Followers of this series will be delighted with the opportunity to catch up with characters from previous books. The intriguing glimpses of Brody and Connor leaves Linda Lael Miller’sreaders eagerly anticipating the next two novels of this compelling trilogy.
Rated 3.5 Gold Crowns by Grace!
