Sandy M’s Duckies Do Series reviews of the Montana Creeds Trilogy by Linda Lael Miller
Contemporary western romances released by HQN Feb – Apr 09

I really enjoyed Miller’s McKettrick series, so when the opportunity came along to read her Montana Creeds trilogy, I didn’t hesitate. And I have this thing about reading about brothers, so I figured these were the books for me. I love it when I’m right.

Logan (Montana Creeds, Book 1)
Released 1 Feb 09

The oldest of the three wild Creed boys, Logan is the first brother to come home to Stillwater Springs, Montana.  He’s come from visiting his McKettrick cousins and seeing how that family has stood together for years has put a crimp in his heart.  Knowing he’s not blameless in the fight with his brothers on the day of their father’s funeral, he’s ready to end their five-year estrangement.  Even seeing the old homestead looking a little worse for wear doesn’t deter him. He digs right in and begins putting the place back to rights in between talking to his brothers and trying to get them to come home.

That’s when he meets Briana Grant and her sons, Josh and Alec.  She works at the local casino, has worked her way up the ladder and lives from paycheck to paycheck to take care of her boys after her no-good husband dumped them off in front of WalMart and simply drove off, leaving them staring after him.  They may not have much materially, but they’re a family and they survived the worst heartache.  From the moment she meets Logan Creed during their picnic at his family cemetery, something clicks between them, and the more Briana tries to keep her distance, the more she falls for the handsome cowboy.

This is a great start to the trilogy.  I really enjoyed how Logan got his brothers fired up enough to hightail it back to the ranch. They didn’t stay that first time, but it’s enough to get them thinking about home again. The way Logan took to Briana’s kids is a nice touch. They need a father desperately and theirs is a real piece of work. I do have to say he tried, though, eventually. Briana is one strong lady. She has to be for her boys, instead of crawling in bed and crying under the covers when their world is toppled. But she finally picks right when her heart lets her fall for Logan, a man who doesn’t run from a ready-made family.

Grade: A-

Summary:
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Descendantsof the legendary McKettrick family, the Creeds are renowned in Stillwater Springs, Montana—for raising hell…
After years of wandering, Logan Creed, a cowboy with a dusty law degree, has returned home. To put down roots, to restore his family’s neglected ranch… to have kids of his own proudly bearing the Creed name.
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Divorced mom Briana Grant has heard the stories about her gorgeous neighbor. So Logan’s kindness with her young boys is a welcome surprise, especially when her ex reappears. And when an unknown enemy vandalizes her home, Logan shows Briana—and the folks of Big Sky country—just what he’s made of.
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Meet the Creed cowboys of Montana: three estranged brothers who come home to find family—and love.
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Read an excerpt.

Dylan (Montana Creeds, Book 2)
Released 1 Mar 09

Dylan is still on the rodeo circuit and also working as a stunt man when he receives calls from his older brother Logan talking nonsense about rebuilding on the old homestead and putting up fences on his property.  But it’s when a one-night stand can’t take being a mother any longer and leaves his two-year-old daughter Bonnie in his truck one night that he even seriously thinks about going home.  Once he gets there and sees what Logan has in mind and finds out that his lost love is still unmarried, he realizes that home is exactly where he belongs.

Being the town librarian isn’t the fanciest job in town, but Kristy Madison is happy with her life.  Or is she?  She’s suffered so many losses in the last few years, including the family ranch, but what else is she to do.  When Dylan shows up on her doorstep, wanting to reacquaint himself with her in every way, she can’t resist him or his daughter. They have a lot to get straight between them before a relationship will really work, but when it’s so good between them in bed, the talking isn’t far behind.

Dylan makes a terrific father and the scenes with his daughter are lovely. I liked the slow way Ms. Miller lets the brothers work out their differences and become a family again.  Though they all have their separate problems when they come together, they learn quickly those problems can be solved when working together. And Dylan and Kristy’s situation is no different. There’s a hurtful past between them and it takes time and work to get through it all. But everything is worth it with a family waiting for them on the other side.

Grade: A-

Summary:
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Hailed as “rodeo’s bad boy” for his talent at taming bulls and women, Dylan Creed likes life in the fast lane. But when the daughter he rarely sees is abandoned by her mother, Dylan heads home to Stillwater Springs ranch. Somehow the champion bull rider has to turn into a champion father—and fast.
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Town librarian Kristy Madison is uncharacteristically speechless when Dylan Creed turns up for story time with a toddler in tow. The man who’d left a trail of broken hearts—including her own—is back… and this time Kristy’s determined to tame his wild ways once and for all.
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Meet the Creed cowboys of Montana: three estranged brothers who come home to find family—and love.
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Read an excerpt.

Tyler (Montana Creeds, Book 3)
Released 1 Apr 09

This is the brother in the series who is the most hurt, both by his brothers and by his parents.  The youngest of the three, Tyler refuses to come home to make up with his siblings, but when he finally gets back to the ranch, there’s more waiting for him than he could have ever guessed.  Not only is Lily back in Stillwater Springs, but he happens upon a young boy who may be his son.

Lily left town years ago with a broken heart after Tyler went from her bed to another woman’s, but now a widow with a daughter in tow, she’s home taking care of her ailing veterinarian father. It takes no time at all for her to realize she’s still in love with Tyler, but with so many things working against them, including a son by the woman he chose over her years ago, will they really have a chance to make a life together?

This is my favorite of the three books, but only by a hair. There’s just more hurt to be salved in Tyler’s story, so it was much more emotional for me than the other two. As with the first two couples, Tyler and Lily have a lot to work out, but they are a great couple and end up sticking together with each other and this big new Creed family that has grown so much. And that’s what was fun about all three books, seeing a seed planted with Logan being the first to come home and then at the end of the series, this family has healed itself, has grown into a healthy and happy bunch and will leave a legacy for generations to come.

Grade: A

Summary:
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Whether winning championship belt buckles or dealing with Hollywood types for endorsement deals, former rodeo star Tyler Creed can handle anything. Except standing on the same square foot of land as his estranged brothers. Yet here they are in Stillwater Springs, barely talking but trying to restore the old Creed ranch—and family.
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Lily Kenyon knows all about family estrangements and secrets. The single mom has come home to set things right, to put down roots for her daughter. What she doesn’t expect is Tyler Creed, whom she’s loved since childhood. Now the handsome, stubborn cowboy who left home to seek his fortune just might find it was always under the Montana sky…
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Meet the Creed cowboys of Montana: three estranged brothers who come home to find family—and love.
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Read an excerpt.

Overall Grade: A