"Another Rustand success! Don't miss it!"

Jolie Maxwell is back in Montana, exactly where she swore sixteen years ago that she'd never willingly return. In spite of her misgivings, she is enjoying the fresh air, wide open spaces, and getting the medical clinic in town ready to re-open. Maybe coming back will prove to be a good move, if she can make peace with her family, and if she can manage to avoid Matt Dawson, the handsome neighbor who makes her heart do funny things and threatens her peaceful, solitary existence.

Jolie had left Paradise Corners years earlier in an attempt to get away from a father who ignored her and siblings who didn't appreciate her attempts to help them. Now that she was back, she could see that the only changes have been for the worse. Her father has developed heart trouble that does nothing for his bad temper, her brother is in trouble with the law, and her sisters still resent her trying to help.

To compound the problems, Jolie has found herself increasingly attracted to her neighbor, a widower with two children who seem to have attached themselves to Jolie. The more contact she has with the children, the more difficult it is to avoid their father.

Any book by author Roxanne Rustand is virtually guaranteed to be a great read, and this is no exception. Her characters grab the reader's attention and interest at the beginning and don't let go. Jolie and Matt are both just flawed enough to be believable, but noble enough to justify the reader's continued interest and support.

The plot is simple on the surface, but has several subplots running in the background. One especially effective strand revolves around Jolie's brother Bobby and his former girlfriend, who finds her way to Jolie's clinic and elects to stay for awhile.

This is one of a series called the "Big Sky Trilogy," and Rustand does a fine job of introducing the reader to the picturesque Montana outdoors, and the wildlife that abounds there. Her descriptions of the small town of Paradise Corners and the medical clinic are evocative without being laborious, leaving the reader with as clear a picture as if she'd been there.

A MONTANA FAMILY is another Rustand success; don't miss it.

Reviewed by Martine Bates

Reviewed by Leena Hyat
Courtesy Heart Rate Reviews
Posted September 7, 2001

Set against the magnificent background of Montana comes the saga of the Maxwells - one of the state's most influential ranching families. Dr. Jolie Maxwell--oldest of the Maxwell sisters--doesn't expect a royal welcome when she finally comes home. But her brother in trouble with the law, and her father's health is failing. They need Jolie. The townsfolk need her too--they haven't had a local doctor in years. However, they're not happy about having another Maxwell in their midst. In fact, one of them will do anything to drive her away. Coolness from her family, hostility from the townspeople and the very real threat of danger make Jolie appreciate the friendship of her handsome new neighbor and his two young children all the more. Although when it comes to Matt, friendship is only part of what Jolie wants.

Summary

Set against the magnificent background of Montana comes the saga of the Maxwells - one of the state's most influential ranching families. Dr. Jolie Maxwell--oldest of the Maxwell sisters--doesn't expect a royal welcome when she finally comes home. But her brother in trouble with the law, and her father's health is failing. They need Jolie. The townsfolk need her too--they haven't had a local doctor in years. However, they're not happy about having another Maxwell in their midst. In fact, one of them will do anything to drive her away. Coolness from her family, hostility from the townspeople and the very real threat of danger make Jolie appreciate the friendship of her handsome new neighbor and his two young children all the more. Although when it comes to Matt, friendship is only part of what Jolie wants.