Montana Skies
Kay Stockman
Harlequin SuperRomance, Jan 2007, $5.50
ISBN: 0373781407

Her husband died in a car accident that also injured their daughter Skylar. So to help her raise her offspring, pilot Rissa Mathews moves to North Star, Montana where her family and best friends live. Whereas Skylar feels at home, Rissa loathes the move, failing to adapt to the small town.

Skylar makes one friend Caroline Taggert, daughter of the sheriff. The town's prime law enforcement official Jonas is not happy with seeing his relatively obedient daughter hanging out with the newcomer, an obviously troubled teen. Making matters worse, he meets Skylar's mom when he stops her for speeding and to his chagrin he is attracted to her; she feels the same way about him including the belief this is the wrong time for them.

The romance takes a back seat to the troubled teen as Rissa steals the show with her behavior and attitude. The storyline is character-driven as the two single adults struggle with parenting that each knows must supersede their love for one another. Readers who appreciate a solid, realistic, family drama (climax aside) will want to journey to MONTANA SKIES as the responsible lead couple raises their offspring while falling in unwanted love.

Harriet Klausner