McKettrick's Luck (McKettrick Men Series #1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Linda Lael Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007

A new generation of McKettrick men stake claim to their land -- and the women they love . . .

Like his celebrated ancestors who tamed the wilds of Arizona, Jesse McKettrick's Indian Rock ties run deep. The triple M Ranch is in his blood, along with the thrill of risk. But with his land at stake, Jesse won't get involved in Cheyenne Bridge's scheme -- despite the temptation she brings.

Cheyenne grew up in Indian Rock and left its painful memories behind to become a self-made woman. Now her job is to convince Jesse to sell his property. Jesse's not the kind of man Cheyenne could ever forget, but he's too wild and dangerous for a woman committed to playing it safe. Yet sparks of attraction fly, tempting Cheyenne to lay it all on the line for the passion she sees in Jesse's eyes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The first installment in Miller's new trilogy features the present-day descendants of the heroes from her earlier McKettrick novels; fortunately, the new generation fills in admirably. Cheyenne Bridges makes a reluctant return to her hometown of Indian Rock, Ariz., her job hinging on whether she can persuade her high school flame Jesse McKettrick to sell some of his land for her employer's condo development deal. Jesse, a confirmed bachelor and committed poker player, refuses outright to sell his land—at the same time he refuses to acknowledge the feelings that Cheyenne stirs up in him. Miller's ability to bring a cast of characters to life is on full display here, as Cheyenne must decide whether to use whatever means necessary to get Jesse to sell the land or surrender to the hunky rancher and join his team. Though her plot twists are somewhat predictable, the veteran romance author doesn't disappoint in her sizzling love scenes and fine sense of place. (Feb.)
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Review

"Intrigue, danger, and greed are up against integrity, kindness, and love in this engrossing western romance." -- Booklist, starred review of McKettrick's Choice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Books; McKettrick Cowboys Series #5. edition (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373771851
• ISBN-13: 978-0373771851
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In January of 2006, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Linda Lael Miller left the Arizona horse property she's called home for the past five years and listened to the call of her heart. Packing up her work-in-progress for HQN Books; her dogs, Sadie and Bernice, and her four horses, the author of more than 70 novels bid farewell to her home in the desert and returned to the place of her birth, Spokane, Washington.
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda grew up in Northport, WA, a community of 500 on the Columbia River, 120 miles north of Spokane. Her childhood remembrances include riding horses and playing cowgirl on her grandparents' nearby farm. Her grandparents' spread was so rustic that in the early days it lacked electricity and running water.

As delightful as this childhood was, Linda longed to see the world. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she left to pursue her dream. Because of the success of her author career, Linda was able to live part-time in London for several years, spend time in Italy and travel to such far-off destinations as Russia, Hong Kong and Israel. Now, Linda says, the wanderlust is (mostly) out of her blood, and she's come full circle, back to the people and the places she knows and loves.

Before Linda begins her writing day, she takes her first cup of coffee while enjoying the scenic view of the wooded draw behind her new home. The first morning there, a snowfall blanketed the pine trees, something she had missed in the desert outside Scottsdale. Still enamored with the people she came to love in Arizona, she says she will still set books in that starkly beautiful area, and, of course, in other stories the action will take place in Washington.

Devoted to helping others pursue their dreams, the author will launch her sixth round of Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women in May of this year. A talented speaker, she donates all her speaking honoraria to her scholarship fund. The stipends are awarded to women who seek to better their lot in life through education.

It's no wonder the protagonists in Miller's novels are women her readers admire for their honor, courage, trustworthiness, valor and determination to succeed, despite overwhelming odds. 'These qualities make them excellent role models for young women,' Miller explains. 'The male leads possess equally noble traits that today's woman would be delighted to find in her life's mate.'

The author traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she made her first sale.

Although Linda has written successfully in other genres, she is best known for stories set in the West'stories like McKETTRICK'S CHOICE (HQN Books March 2006 paperback); THE MAN FROM STONE CREEK (HQN, June 2006 hardcover) and that very first novel, FLETCHER'S WOMAN, which is being reissued in 2006. Her stories, set in yesterday's world, and today's, are historical romances, romantic thrillers, and other contemporary tales. They consistently score on prestigious national bestseller lists.

Linda has come a long way since leaving her sheltered life in Northport at age 18 to experience the world. 'Growing up in that time and place, in a family grounded in Western values, served me well,' she allows. 'And I'm happy to be back home.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first of a trilogy, March 25, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McKettrick's Luck (McKettrick Men Series #1) (Mass Market Paperback)

In McKettrick's Luck by Linda Lael Miller, we revisit a new branch of the McKettrick family, originally portrayed in her previous historical trilogy.

Cheyenne Bridges has brought her family, her mother and brother, back to where she grew up, Indian Rock, Arizona, to complete the deal of her life. She must convince Jesse McKettrick to sell her company a plot of land that he won in a poker game. The sale will set up for life her paraplegic brother and her mother who takes care of him. But the Jesse McKettrick she remembers from her childhood is nothing like the man he's become. Sure, he's still affable and popular, and he seems aimless, making his living as a professional gambler, but he's got reasons for keeping the land, and he's not interested in selling to Cheyenne's company. He is, however, interested in Cheyenne.

This book features Miller's breezy, descriptive writing. She vividly draws the town, and a host of McKettrick family and secondary characters. Cheyenne is a buttoned up, principled woman, who begins to let her hair down as she falls for Jesse. She does have a secret that she keeps from him, but Miller doesn't belabor the point, and the resolution is believable.

Jesse is one of my favorite kinds of heroes, affable on the outside, and determined and strong willed on the inside. He is a generous soul, and gives both of himself and his time to support Cheyenne's troubled brother and herself. The story also introduces Jesse's cousins, Rance and Keegan, both of whom will receive treatment at Miller's deft hand.

I found myself rooting for both characters to communicate with each other and discuss what their issues were. If I had any complaint about the story it's that if they would have done that sooner, things would have worked out faster for them. However, that's a tiny nit-pick with a well-written tale.

Armchair Interviews says if you're looking for a great contemporary cowboy story, you'll find one in McKettrick's Luck

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars McKettrick's Luck, January 29, 2007

By 

Dawn M. Byrnes "bookworm" (Holts Summit, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: McKettrick's Luck (McKettrick Men Series #1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Miller has once again brought the McKettrick family to life only this time with a new generation. I loved it. Having read the first series and now the first book in the new series I can recommend it without hesitation. The characters are rich and the plot is riveting. This is a must have for any romance reader.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steamy!, April 8, 2007

By 

K. McComb (MIdwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: McKettrick's Luck (McKettrick Men Series #1) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first in the modern day series of the McKettrick men. It will have you hooked from the beginning. Steamy love scenes and realistic story lines. You will become hooked to this series and will insist on reading Rance and Keegan's stories as well. Bravo Ms. Miller!