Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Her Montana Man by Cheryl St.John
Historical western released by Harlequin Historical 1 Dec 08

Every reader has what I call a “comfort author.” Those authors who write books that are the equivalent of “comfort food.” The macaroni and cheese writers, if you will 😉 . For me, it’s Cheryl St.John. I’ve loved some of her books more than others, but she has yet to outright disappoint me. I also tend to tear through her books at a fast clip, which I really appreciated with Her Montana Man, since I’ve been trying to ward off the beginnings of an epic reading slump.

Jonas Black has a powerful crush on Eliza Jane Sutherland. Jonas owns the local hotel and saloon in Silver Bend, Montana, and while he’s a respectable business man, Eliza Jane is practically local royalty. Her family owns the local brick yard and literally built the town. No, she’s way out of his league. Still, he can’t resist watching her every afternoon when she heads to the local tea shop for some refreshment.

Eliza gets one hour a day to herself, only because her younger sister, Jenny Lee, insists on it. Eliza takes care of Jenny Lee, whose weakened heart has finally confined her to what will soon be her death bed. She also takes care of Jenny’s young son, Tyler, and does her best to hide her distaste for her odious brother-in-law, Royce. Royce swooped in on Jenny Lee with his slick ways and smarmy charms only to get his hands on their father’s business. However, Eliza will do anything to protect Jenny and Tyler, which includes not speaking ill of Royce. All bets are off though once Jenny Lee succumbs and Royce turns his oily designs on Eliza Jane. She needs help, and for that she turns to the most decent man in town….Jonas Black. A man her brother-in-law would sooner gut than say a kind word about.

St.John has a knack for writing about nice people with a host of baggage, but she’s really outdone herself this time around with Jonas. This guy is just about the most perfect hero ever to grace the pages of a romance novel. He’s a tough guy with a marshmallow interior. He stands up for people who cannot defend themselves, like when an abusive ex shows up at the hotel demanding to drag one of the maids out by her hair. He’s charming, he’s sweet, and he’s hopelessly infatuated with our heroine, which just endears him all the more.

Eliza is a heroine in need of rescuing, but I appreciated the fact that she fought back in her own small way. She has her name, and is well respected in town, but she’s still a woman and at the mercy of men’s whims. Royce thinks he has her securely under his thumb, but that doesn’t stop her from plotting, scheming and fighting back. There’s a particularly fantastic moment during her sister’s wake that had me standing up and cheering for her.

My only quibble is that towards the end Eliza acts a little dense. She knows what Royce is capable of, yet she acts surprised when she learns to what lengths he’s gone to gain the power and control he craves. She’s smarter than this, and she should have figured it out. I also felt she held out on telling Jonas the whole truth for a little too long, especially after he had more than proved himself hero-worthy. But the girl certainly has trust issues when it comes to men, so it was hard to hold that against her.

Her Montana Man is another enjoyable read from an author who has proven to deliver consistently readable and heart-warming stories. A sure bet for her many devoted fans, and a good introduction for those of you haven’t yet boarded the “comfort food” train.

Grade: B

Summary:

Protecting people runs through Jonas Black’s blood, and Eliza Jane Sutherland is one woman who needs his strong arms around her.

A rugged Montana man, Jonas will guard Eliza from her vile brother-in-law as fiercely as he guards his own heart. But though he can fight her enemies, he can’t fight the attraction between them.

Soon Jonas is sure they have a future together—only Eliza hides secrets that could change everything….

Read an excerpt.