Review: Montana Glory

Montana Glory
R. C. Ryan
Contemporary Western
McCords/Book 3
Grand Central/November 2010

From the back cover ~

They're the McCords. . . three rugged, sexy cowboy cousins who'll inherit the family ranch - if they seek the treasure hidden on it. But even more precious are the women who can tame their wild hearts. . .

Single mom Riley Mason learned how to take care of herself the hard way. . . and keep an explosive secret. But her new job with the McCords has put her and her you daughter under the endless prairie sky and the protective arm of cowboy Zane McCord. The wildest of the McCord cousins, Zane lives as free as the mustangs he tames on his family's land. And even though Riley's unexpected spirit and courage tempt him in ways he never imagined, earning her trust is the hardest challenge he's ever faced. Yet, as a deadly danger from Riley's past threatens to destroy the McCords and their priceless legacy, both Riley and Zane must risk what the fear most to have a future together - and at last claim their. . . Montana Glory

Even though this is the last book in the trilogy, I had no problem following along while learning about the other two cousins, Jesse and Wyatt along with their wives. The story is centered around Riley and Zane and Riley's daughter Summer is also part of the relationship. The Lost Nugget is a working ranch, all three cousins work hard while also searching for the family hidden treasure.

Riley Mason is a recent college graduate, ready to take on the world, as long as that world is far away from Philadelphia. She's hiding out and figures the isolated Montana ranch is the perfect place to keep herself and her daughter safe. I like how Riley didn't expect a man to come to her rescue but was proactive in making a life for herself and her daughter. In fact, she didn't want to get involved with Zane and would rather focus on her new job and taking care of Summer. But this cowboy is very persuasive and doesn't believe in giving up.

Zane is like his cousins in that he loves the ranch and the working cowboy lifestyle. He didn't always live at the ranch with his cousins. When he was a child his parents moved to California taking Zane away from the wild mustangs he loved even then. But he's back and has no desire to ever leave. What he does desire is Riley. He knows pretty quickly that she's hiding something but he doesn't push, letting her learn to trust him, kind of like how he tames horses, earning their trust. He's also learning how to relate to a little girl. Zane knows next to nothing about kids but he's enchanted with Summer. Their scenes were cute without being too sugary sweet. Summer is an adorable minx who, like her mother, seemed a little too mature for her age.

As the romance grows between Riley and Zane and the past catches up to Riley, Zane becomes more protective of her and gets his alpha on. I did like how their romance developed, getting to know each other, and not excluding Summer or having her fade into the background. They made a good couple with both of them mature enough to take the relationship seriously. There was also a very strong family aspect to the story. Zane, his two cousins and their spouses, their Aunt Cora, Cal Randall the ranch foreman all live a the ranch. They take their meals together and are a very close family. Riley and Summer live at the ranch and become part of this close-knit family.

The story was moving along well until it took a sharp turn into action/suspense and I found myself wondering who these previously intelligent characters were. Without giving too much away, they made one mistake after another, that just left me shaking my head, wanting to yell at them to open their eyes because the big bad is right there in front of you! The story bordered on the unbelievable, with shootings and helicopter acrobatics. I was glad to get past those scenes and into the treasure hunt and the HEA of Zane and Riley, and Summer.

Aside from the venture into the unbelievable, Montana Glory was a solid read with sweet and sexy cowboys and a young mother who will do anything to keep her daughter safe.

Rating: B