Genell Dellin, Montana Red

Montana Red

Genell Dellin

Harlequin HQN, Apr 2007, $6.99

ISBN: 0373772017

In North Texas, Clea Mathison serendipitously steals "her" horse Ariel from her ex-spouse Brock, a fake in every sense of the word except when he seeks revenge. Clea would not call abducting Ariel a theft as she and the steed were one as they rode together until her vindictive, wealthy and influential former husband cut her off from her beloved horse. Though she fears every mile she drives towards Okalahoma and beyond to Big Sky Country that she will be caught, Cleo knows the risk of jail time is worth having her beloved horse with her.

Jake Hawthorne has signed a one year contract with California based "deep pockets" Natural Bands who wants to "baby-sit" horses in their natural habitat; he took the job to make plenty of money after losing his heart to Victoria and the two boys, but money proved stronger than love. Still his reason for accepting the wrangler does not sit well with him as in the past he accepted jobs because of adventure. At his house, Jake, Teddy and Buck see Clea in her real fox fur vest holding precariously a shot gun that she fires and kills a truck; they assume she is a horse thief although she stopped at the wrong barn. When Ariel escapes, Jake and Clea pursue; as they fall in love on the trail, Brock chases after the woman who embarrassed him.

Though Brock comes across as an obstinate, nasty person, readers will enjoy this fun, contemporary Montana romance starring two protagonists who distrust love based on recent experiences. The storyline is fast-paced with charming droplets of humor brought mostly by Teddy and Buck. Fans will enjoy this fine Big Sky romance from the moment Clea kills the truck and especially appreciate joining the lead couple on the trail after spirited matchmaking Ariel.

Harriet Klausner