Nadia Nichols, Montana Standoff

Montana's Standoff

Nadia Nichols

Harlequin SuperRomance, Jul 2005, $5.50, 299 pp.

ISBN: 0373712871

When a Tainer, Skelton, and Goldstein lawyer was unable to attend a public hearing the firm sends Molly Ferguson. Her job is for the most part is to remain silent, but if needed sell how much the mining will mean for the community. Molly calls her boyfriend to break a date because she will be at the hearing at Moose Horn, Montana adult population 27.

The attorney for the Native Americans, who oppose the mining of their mountain, Steven Young Bear gives a lift to a stranded Molly. At the meeting site, he scoffs at the claims of Ken Manning from the mining company. Though very attracted to one another, Molly and Steven are on opposite sides of the issue as she emphasizes jobs and he points out heritage.

This is a terrific environmental vs. development tale starring two ethical attorneys (and this is not a fantasy) falling in love but differing on what is best for the locals. The storyline is at its best when the disagreeing dynamic duo dispute with one another. Though an intrigue involving questionable deaths add suspense and enables the lead couple to meet, that subplot seems unneeded as Nadia Nichols packs her contemporary tale with plenty of super romance within a complex keenly developed societal issue.

Harriet Klausner