Customer Reviews

Montana Secrets : Going Back (Harlequin Superromance No. 1307)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kay Stockham weaves a story of regret, despair, lost love and forgiveness in "Montana Secrets". The story follows the tale of Grace, a physical therapist on her toughest assignment ever. To rehabilitate the scorned love she left years ago, and not lose herself to the secret that made her leave him in the first place. Its a very heartwarmin story that leaves readers wanting more of this couple, and more of Mrs. Stockham's writing. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who loves happy endings, and a good looking cowboy that sweeps his woman off her feet!

Physical therapist Grace Korbit returns to her home town of North Star, Montana to help her high school lover Seth Rowland adjust to being wheelchair bound. He is nasty to her as he is to everyone else who enters his now tiny circle since the riding accident, but in this case he also tosses the memories of her deserting him to go east on a scholarship. She handles all he tosses at her seemingly calm until she finally challenges him to an arm wrestling match. If he wins she will leave because his muscles are strong enough to work the chair; if she wins he must follow her orders. He agrees just to get rid of her. To his shame, she beats him easily.

While they work together to build up his strength, he finds he still loves her, but interrogates her to learn why she really left. Grace never stopped loving Seth, but has hidden the real reason for a decade. As Seth continues to probe, dark family secrets reemerge endangering Grace, Seth and family members.

Though the MONTANA SECRETS that drove her away seem over the top, fans will enjoy this second chance at love romantic suspense. The story line is at its best when Grace works with Seth who is going through a form of grieving for what he has lost. Grace is terrific as the courageous therapist who refuses to allow her beloved to wallow over his misfortune. The added suspense seems sensationally unneeded though that serves as the motive to have driven Grace away as the prime theme is the healing of the lead couple, which makes the novel worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

Montana Secrets by Kay Stockham
Harlequin SuperRomance # 1307 - October 2005
Book # 1 - North Star, Montana

Grace Korbit couldn't refuse returning to North Star to help her high school sweetheart with his rehab from a riding accident. Only Seth Rowland hadn't known his brother Jake had called Grace, and Grace is the very last person he wants to see. Ten years ago she left without even a goodbye and the rejection still hurts. Seeing Seth wheelchair bound and shutting out life is a tremendous shock, but even more shocking to Grace is that she still loves him, and she still feels that terrifying attraction. Seth's frustration only grows because Grace isn't going to leave but as he slowly gives in to her coaxing, he realizes that she is still the haunted young girl that ran away.

This is Ms. Stockham's debut, and she takes on the difficult topic of child abuse and rape with a great deal of care. I like that this is a well-paced story and that the trust and healing follow a normal course. While Grace brings Seth back to the world of the living, he shows Grace that she's worthy of his love. These are wonderful characters. Grace is a strong woman dealing with her childhood trauma, fighting to live a normal life. Seth, once he gets over his very normal anger and self-pity, is a man every woman wants on her side. His own situation enables him to see inside Grace and to reach out to her. This is a poignant lovestory that touches the heart. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. Stockham! :D

Time, shame and pride have injured this couple.
Grace Korbit took off to get an education and to support her younger brother. Also to hide her past.
Jake Rowland and his wife were at their wits end to help Seth who had been there for them when they needed help.
Now big brother was in a hell of his own and not willing to accept help.

Despite Grace's emotional fear of returning to Montana and seeing Seth again she came and ultimately challenged him to accept her help. I liked her bit of no-nonsense bullying.

Jake and Maura's daughter, Lexi added just the right amount of mischief and misunderstanding to add to the challenge of Grace's presence. Why had Grace left him ten years ago? He didn't want her to see the shell of a man he had become. Had he pushed her too far with his physical demands then? Now he couldn't even do that.

What a great story - wonderful characters - great moving plot -
DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED --m

Grace and Seth's story will have readers turning the pages quickly. You'll remember this story long after you've finished. With all the odds against Grace and Seth, they still manage to find their way back to each other after several years. Even though Seth is bitter and broken, he still loves Grace, while Grace has never given up on her love for Seth.

Montana Secrets is for anyone who enjoys a good love story where the characters will grip at your heart. It's easy to get swept away in this wonderful reunion.

Montana Secrets is the debut book by Kay Stockham. She's definitely an author to watch for in the future!

Kay Stockham debut in Montana Secrets is a heart felt, profoundly emotional story.

Physical Therapist Grace Korbit is pulled back to her hometown to care for former high school sweetheart after his terrible accident. She is willing to overlook the ghost from her troubled past to pull Seth out of his shell.

Seth Rowland an active rancher has let his riding accident send him into a tailspin.
He locks himself in his room, drowning in his pain and sorrow. Seth has gone through several therapists before Grace walks back into his life. At first Seth resist Grace's effort but is slowly pulled back to the land of the living.

But Seth realizes Grace has pains that go deeper then any accident. Can these two emotional scared souls find their way to happiness?

Montana Secrets really tugs at your heartstrings. The inner family struggles to care for an injured relative are expressed so true to life. Seth and Grace find a deep and abiding love. It was a treasure to watch their journey.

MONTANA SECRETS by Kay Stockham
October 27, 2005

Amazon rating 4/5


"In Kay Stockham's debut novel, MONTANA SECRETS, physical therapist Grace Korbit is battling demons from her past. She has just been hired by her childhood friend Jake to help his brother (her ex-boyfriend) Seth Rowland recover from an accident that left him a paraplegic. Seth's been told that it is very possible for him to make a recovery, but he refuses to believe it, and spends his days feeling sorry for himself. The once active cowboy now sits in his wheelchair doing nothing.

Grace in the meantime is carrying a secret that she has kept close to her heart. It has made her fear and distrust men. Seth was one of only two men she tried to have a relationship with, but both failed due to her fears. Now, Grace is back in Seth's life." - Complete review at BookLoons dot com -- M Lofton.

Enjoyable romance, with well-written characters and believable plot. Recommended.