What do you think?
Rate this book
Montana Sky #1
Wild Montana Sky
When her brother announces his marriage, Elizabeth Hamilton suddenly becomes unwanted and unwelcome in the only home she’s ever known. To escape the new mistress of the house, Elizabeth accepts the invitation of her best friend to journey to Montana.
The dirt streets and wooden storefronts of Sweetwater Springs and the hardships of ranch living are worlds away from the refinements of Gilded Age Boston, yet Elizabeth is filled with new hope—and buoyed by a wealthy banker’s attentions. Yet it’s cowboy Nick Sanders who slowly awakens her heart and helps her recognize her strengths. And when a deadly influenza epidemic strikes, Elizabeth will fight for those she loves—and the life she’s ready to claim.
The dirt streets and wooden storefronts of Sweetwater Springs and the hardships of ranch living are worlds away from the refinements of Gilded Age Boston, yet Elizabeth is filled with new hope—and buoyed by a wealthy banker’s attentions. Yet it’s cowboy Nick Sanders who slowly awakens her heart and helps her recognize her strengths. And when a deadly influenza epidemic strikes, Elizabeth will fight for those she loves—and the life she’s ready to claim.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2011
1464 people are currently reading
1225 people want to read
About the author
Debra Holland
65 books318 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Debra Holland is a three-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist and one time winner. She’s the author of the award winning Montana Sky Series, sweet, historical Western romance. Book Two, Starry Montana Sky, was selected by Amazon as one of 50 Greatest Love Stories. Debra is also the author of The Gods’ Dream Trilogy, fantasy romance. Painted Montana Sky Christmas is her latest book.
Debra has written a nonfiction book, The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving from Alpha Books (a subsidiary of Penguin). She has a free ebooklet available on her website, http://drdebraholland.com: 58 Tips for Getting What You Want From a Difficult Conversation.
Debra has written a nonfiction book, The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving from Alpha Books (a subsidiary of Penguin). She has a free ebooklet available on her website, http://drdebraholland.com: 58 Tips for Getting What You Want From a Difficult Conversation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
October 24, 2012
This one falls into that ever-growing pile of books that you can tell were written by women solely based on the male character's propensity to act like a woman.
I'm not saying men can't be sensitive or have emotions, but they generally do not react/think/feel the same way a woman would, and in this book, Nick Sanders thinks and feels like a woman. Or, more closely, the way a woman fantasizes about a man thinking and feeling. I don't mind fantasy, but I don't like reading about a character who is essentially a woman with a penis.
And Elizabeth Hamilton? Oh, dear god...
Man, what do I say about Elizabeth? For starters, she's petty. She's also melodramatic, delusional, and needs approval from others to feel good about herself. I lost count of how many times the "kindness and love" her friends were showing her was helping to erase the bruises from her ravaged heart. Seriously? Her brother got married without giving her a heads-up, and her new sister-in-law was a bitch. Put your big girl panties on and deal with it, for shit's sake. She lost her fiance' and parents to an influenza epidemic 11 years previously and she acts like it happened six months ago. Then she nearly binds herself to a man who's a complete tool merely because he looks like her dead fiance'. It's intolerable. You've got a hot, strapping young cowboy panting after you and you go for the stodgy old banker because his face reminds you of a dead man?
I concur. And then find Nick Sanders a better woman.
I'm not saying men can't be sensitive or have emotions, but they generally do not react/think/feel the same way a woman would, and in this book, Nick Sanders thinks and feels like a woman. Or, more closely, the way a woman fantasizes about a man thinking and feeling. I don't mind fantasy, but I don't like reading about a character who is essentially a woman with a penis.
And Elizabeth Hamilton? Oh, dear god...
Man, what do I say about Elizabeth? For starters, she's petty. She's also melodramatic, delusional, and needs approval from others to feel good about herself. I lost count of how many times the "kindness and love" her friends were showing her was helping to erase the bruises from her ravaged heart. Seriously? Her brother got married without giving her a heads-up, and her new sister-in-law was a bitch. Put your big girl panties on and deal with it, for shit's sake. She lost her fiance' and parents to an influenza epidemic 11 years previously and she acts like it happened six months ago. Then she nearly binds herself to a man who's a complete tool merely because he looks like her dead fiance'. It's intolerable. You've got a hot, strapping young cowboy panting after you and you go for the stodgy old banker because his face reminds you of a dead man?
I concur. And then find Nick Sanders a better woman.
August 28, 2011
I'm always disappointed when I don't love a book and this one left me disappointed. The main problem I had was with Elizabeth, the heroine. I did not like her, not one little bit. I thought her a spoiled brat type heroine. With her parents dead for quite some time, she has played the role of hostess for her brother. Her world is rocked when her brother unexpectedly marries. I think we are supposed to feel sorry for her when her sister-in-law wants to start making the home over into her own style rather than leaving it the way Elizabeth designed it. Elizabeth is the SISTER, not the wife. Of douse the wife wants to make it into her own. And I was disappointed that the author went the route of making the sister-in-law a bitch. I know she did it to create conflict and to light a fire cracker under Elizabeth to get her to move to Montana, but I thought it a cheap shot.
I also found Elizabeth to be a snob. I read a book just before this where the heroine came from a wealthy family and rather than think her way was the best way, she was open to new ideas. But not so Elizabeth. Yes, eventually she came to see the sense of things, but always her first reaction was to think the other person was wrong.
After almost getting the boot from her brothers wife, Elizabeth moves to Montana to live with her best friend and her husband and children. Elizabeth is pretty useless after living a life of luxury back home. She is escorted to Montana by Nick Sanders, a friend of the family and a ranch hand. Nick could have been a good hero but he lost points with me by falling in love with Elizabeth because of a picture. He had no idea of what she was like, but he loved her because of a picture.
But the biggest reason I didn't care for Elizabeth and thus the book because itS the heroine who makes and breaks a book is because Eliza ethos still mourning the loss of her fiancé, TEN years ago. All through the book, whenever she started thinking about her beloved Richard, I thought 'give me a break!! It was TEN years ago lady'. And she is constantly thinking about him thus causing me to constantly be thinking 'give me a break'. This is not a good way to be thinking about the heroine of a book. When Elizabeth meets the town banker, who very much resembles her dead for TEN years, give me a break fiancé, she immediately sees them married, seeing as he is rich and resembles her former love. Meanwhile she does have strange feelings for Nick, but doesn't even contemplate them because he's beneath her and all.
See, I really don't like the heroine. This book goes to prove sadly that not all Westerns are good books. For me, this one wasn't.
I'm glad I didn't pay much for Wild Montana Sky. I see others have rated it highly, but I just can't.
I also found Elizabeth to be a snob. I read a book just before this where the heroine came from a wealthy family and rather than think her way was the best way, she was open to new ideas. But not so Elizabeth. Yes, eventually she came to see the sense of things, but always her first reaction was to think the other person was wrong.
After almost getting the boot from her brothers wife, Elizabeth moves to Montana to live with her best friend and her husband and children. Elizabeth is pretty useless after living a life of luxury back home. She is escorted to Montana by Nick Sanders, a friend of the family and a ranch hand. Nick could have been a good hero but he lost points with me by falling in love with Elizabeth because of a picture. He had no idea of what she was like, but he loved her because of a picture.
But the biggest reason I didn't care for Elizabeth and thus the book because itS the heroine who makes and breaks a book is because Eliza ethos still mourning the loss of her fiancé, TEN years ago. All through the book, whenever she started thinking about her beloved Richard, I thought 'give me a break!! It was TEN years ago lady'. And she is constantly thinking about him thus causing me to constantly be thinking 'give me a break'. This is not a good way to be thinking about the heroine of a book. When Elizabeth meets the town banker, who very much resembles her dead for TEN years, give me a break fiancé, she immediately sees them married, seeing as he is rich and resembles her former love. Meanwhile she does have strange feelings for Nick, but doesn't even contemplate them because he's beneath her and all.
See, I really don't like the heroine. This book goes to prove sadly that not all Westerns are good books. For me, this one wasn't.
I'm glad I didn't pay much for Wild Montana Sky. I see others have rated it highly, but I just can't.
March 21, 2018
WILD MONTANA SKY by Debra Holland is a sweet western historical romance that features likable characters in a challenging situation. I included more photos from our western vacation because I love dreaming about Montana. (See the photos and follow the discussion at my blog here.)
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? When faced with choosing sweet or spicy for this month’s challenge, I had gobs to choose from in both categories. But I’ve been on a sweet romance tangent in my buying, so I really need to lessen the pile. I tried two other books before I found this one. One was a DNF within a few chapters, so it will be donated, then the next one was okay, but I didn’t like it enough to evaluate. Since I reviewed Debra Holland’s novella for our January challenge, I was curious how a full-size novel would compare. Three books off the TBR Mountain Range this month!
We meet Elizabeth Hamilton and Nick Sanders in the prequel, BENEATH MONTANA’S SKY. I highly suggest you read that just because it’s so good. If you don’t, book one in the series stands well enough on its own. Elizabeth is Pamela’s best friend, so when Pamela marries John and moves to Montana, they’re separated in distance, but their friendship continues through letters. What Elizabeth doesn’t realize is that Pamela has adapted to frontier life much faster than Elizabeth can anticipate for herself.
Nick Sanders is John’s godson and knows Elizabeth through paintings and her letters to Pamela. He has been secretly in love with her for years, so when she comes for a visit, he hopes it’s permanent. The only problem is that Nick is extremely shy and tongue-twisted with Elizabeth. When their local wealthy banker shows an interest in courting Elizabeth, Nick feels the need to quickly convince Elizabeth he’s the better man.
There’s a lengthy love triangle in this book. At first, Elizabeth seems well suited to the banker for two reasons. He’s the spitting image of her fiancé who died, and they’re both comfortable with the Boston society crowd. He can provide her with everything she’s accustomed to, but does she want comfort or adventure?
Oh, and the sister-in-law, Genia, who Laurence married is a piece of work! I fully understood Elizabeth’s need to run away from home when that woman took over her brother’s household in Boston. Which, by the way, had always been run by Elizabeth who is now displaced. There are quite a few chapters devoted to Elizabeth’s dilemma in Boston with the new wife, and her mother who comes to visit, so I was spitting mad by the time Nick took her away from them. LOL
The setting in Montana didn’t seem to come alive for me as much. Maybe because I was distracted by the wealthy banker’s opulence in a rustic town. I also wanted to know why the town buildings had false-fronts. That mystified me, and I wanted more clarity. I know they existed in history, but I couldn’t remember why, and it drove me silently crazy. I can’t help it, I wanted more historical Montana feels.
WILD MONTANA SKY didn’t make me squeal with joy like the prequel novella in this series, but that doesn’t surprise me. The author didn’t do anything wrong, I was just so darn excited to find her when I read the novella, that my reading was heightened by my enthusiasm. I wasn’t as off-the-wall giddy this time while reading, but I really enjoyed the book, and I’ll eagerly read the next one in this series. They’re addicting, and I’m glad I stocked up when they were on sale.
For me, I find that many authors are better at writing a specific page length. I don’t always like novellas and category-size novels from the same author equally. Some are just more gifted at one or the other. That’s not the case with this author because Debra Holland’s style engaged me in both books.
I did have a momentary hardship with the age difference between Elizabeth and Nick. I’m not sure why I find an older man with a younger woman preferable to an older woman with a younger man. Maybe it’s because my husband and I fit that older man/younger woman scenario, that I just can’t imagine it any other way. I kept wondering what this young cowboy saw in her, even though she was beautiful.
Elizabeth was also a little too froo-froo for someone I’d imagine loving Montana. I picture someone who’d gravitate toward rustic, but I guess that’s misleading because I adore Montana and I can act like a diva when I set my mind to it, even though I envision myself more like a pioneer. LOL It’s funny how we get this idea in our head as we’re reading, and we can’t fathom how it will ever work out. She eventually frees herself of the stigmas of being a lady, so it’s all good.
But, when you think of the old west, and how few women were available, then it makes more sense. Nick was smitten before Elizabeth arrived. Also, it’s very evident that Nick grew up fast, as was necessary for his situation. I guess after my initial wavering, I accepted their age difference, because the author convinced me with her characterization.
There were some scenes with a bear that didn’t fully convince me, but they served their purpose and I enjoyed the outcome. Most of the time I didn’t question what I was reading because I was entertained. That’s because it’s sweet, romantic, and very cute when Nick and Elizabeth are together. Pamela and John’s children are adorable, and they add to the drama. I loved how Pamela has grown into this self-sufficient mother who fights for her children.
My favorite sentence from this novel fully describes Nick’s love for Elizabeth. He wanted her to be happy, whether she ended up with him or not.
“Before she chose to step into Livingston’s gilded cage, he wanted her first to experience flying free.”
Nick pushed Elizabeth to blossom before our eyes and it was beautiful to observe. That was probably my favorite part of this novel – Nick’s constant attention to Elizabeth’s western experience showed he cared as a man should for a woman.
If you love western historical romance, then I highly recommend this sweetly romantic series so far. I’ve enjoyed both books and I’m anxious to read STARRY MONTANA SKY. I think they would make great book club discussion topics because I certainly can’t stop talking about them within my reviews! Sheesh – I sure was wordy this time. 🙂
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Book purchased in digital format.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? When faced with choosing sweet or spicy for this month’s challenge, I had gobs to choose from in both categories. But I’ve been on a sweet romance tangent in my buying, so I really need to lessen the pile. I tried two other books before I found this one. One was a DNF within a few chapters, so it will be donated, then the next one was okay, but I didn’t like it enough to evaluate. Since I reviewed Debra Holland’s novella for our January challenge, I was curious how a full-size novel would compare. Three books off the TBR Mountain Range this month!
We meet Elizabeth Hamilton and Nick Sanders in the prequel, BENEATH MONTANA’S SKY. I highly suggest you read that just because it’s so good. If you don’t, book one in the series stands well enough on its own. Elizabeth is Pamela’s best friend, so when Pamela marries John and moves to Montana, they’re separated in distance, but their friendship continues through letters. What Elizabeth doesn’t realize is that Pamela has adapted to frontier life much faster than Elizabeth can anticipate for herself.
Nick Sanders is John’s godson and knows Elizabeth through paintings and her letters to Pamela. He has been secretly in love with her for years, so when she comes for a visit, he hopes it’s permanent. The only problem is that Nick is extremely shy and tongue-twisted with Elizabeth. When their local wealthy banker shows an interest in courting Elizabeth, Nick feels the need to quickly convince Elizabeth he’s the better man.
There’s a lengthy love triangle in this book. At first, Elizabeth seems well suited to the banker for two reasons. He’s the spitting image of her fiancé who died, and they’re both comfortable with the Boston society crowd. He can provide her with everything she’s accustomed to, but does she want comfort or adventure?
Oh, and the sister-in-law, Genia, who Laurence married is a piece of work! I fully understood Elizabeth’s need to run away from home when that woman took over her brother’s household in Boston. Which, by the way, had always been run by Elizabeth who is now displaced. There are quite a few chapters devoted to Elizabeth’s dilemma in Boston with the new wife, and her mother who comes to visit, so I was spitting mad by the time Nick took her away from them. LOL
The setting in Montana didn’t seem to come alive for me as much. Maybe because I was distracted by the wealthy banker’s opulence in a rustic town. I also wanted to know why the town buildings had false-fronts. That mystified me, and I wanted more clarity. I know they existed in history, but I couldn’t remember why, and it drove me silently crazy. I can’t help it, I wanted more historical Montana feels.
WILD MONTANA SKY didn’t make me squeal with joy like the prequel novella in this series, but that doesn’t surprise me. The author didn’t do anything wrong, I was just so darn excited to find her when I read the novella, that my reading was heightened by my enthusiasm. I wasn’t as off-the-wall giddy this time while reading, but I really enjoyed the book, and I’ll eagerly read the next one in this series. They’re addicting, and I’m glad I stocked up when they were on sale.
For me, I find that many authors are better at writing a specific page length. I don’t always like novellas and category-size novels from the same author equally. Some are just more gifted at one or the other. That’s not the case with this author because Debra Holland’s style engaged me in both books.
I did have a momentary hardship with the age difference between Elizabeth and Nick. I’m not sure why I find an older man with a younger woman preferable to an older woman with a younger man. Maybe it’s because my husband and I fit that older man/younger woman scenario, that I just can’t imagine it any other way. I kept wondering what this young cowboy saw in her, even though she was beautiful.
Elizabeth was also a little too froo-froo for someone I’d imagine loving Montana. I picture someone who’d gravitate toward rustic, but I guess that’s misleading because I adore Montana and I can act like a diva when I set my mind to it, even though I envision myself more like a pioneer. LOL It’s funny how we get this idea in our head as we’re reading, and we can’t fathom how it will ever work out. She eventually frees herself of the stigmas of being a lady, so it’s all good.
But, when you think of the old west, and how few women were available, then it makes more sense. Nick was smitten before Elizabeth arrived. Also, it’s very evident that Nick grew up fast, as was necessary for his situation. I guess after my initial wavering, I accepted their age difference, because the author convinced me with her characterization.
There were some scenes with a bear that didn’t fully convince me, but they served their purpose and I enjoyed the outcome. Most of the time I didn’t question what I was reading because I was entertained. That’s because it’s sweet, romantic, and very cute when Nick and Elizabeth are together. Pamela and John’s children are adorable, and they add to the drama. I loved how Pamela has grown into this self-sufficient mother who fights for her children.
My favorite sentence from this novel fully describes Nick’s love for Elizabeth. He wanted her to be happy, whether she ended up with him or not.
“Before she chose to step into Livingston’s gilded cage, he wanted her first to experience flying free.”
Nick pushed Elizabeth to blossom before our eyes and it was beautiful to observe. That was probably my favorite part of this novel – Nick’s constant attention to Elizabeth’s western experience showed he cared as a man should for a woman.
If you love western historical romance, then I highly recommend this sweetly romantic series so far. I’ve enjoyed both books and I’m anxious to read STARRY MONTANA SKY. I think they would make great book club discussion topics because I certainly can’t stop talking about them within my reviews! Sheesh – I sure was wordy this time. 🙂
Review by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. Book purchased in digital format.
April 9, 2014
Prelim Review: This was a hard book for me to enjoy at times. While I liked Elizabeth and Nick's chemistry, and Holland's descriptions about the adjusting yourself from refined lady of Boston to rancher's wife in Montana, there was a few things that just kept repeating themselves throughout the story that nagged at me.
Everyone in the story--Pamela, John, Nick, random character in the town--lost a younger sister. I know it was hard back in the day, that children died quite often and of things that wouldn't necessarily kill a child now, but it felt weird that it was constantly brought up. I don't think I've ever noticed, in any historical romance novel I've read before, quite so much childhood death.
The other thing that nagged at me was that neither Pamela nor Elizabeth found it...disconcerting that Elizabeth was setting her cap for a man who resembled her beloved deceased fiancee so very much. Elizabeth I can understand mostly, she lost Richard quite young and never had anything to fill that loss, plus moving to Montana was a strain. Pamela though? Pamela who was her best friend and KNEW Caleb resembled Richard so much? It didn't occur to her that maybe it could be unhealthy?
Full review to be posted at Poisoned Rationality
Everyone in the story--Pamela, John, Nick, random character in the town--lost a younger sister. I know it was hard back in the day, that children died quite often and of things that wouldn't necessarily kill a child now, but it felt weird that it was constantly brought up. I don't think I've ever noticed, in any historical romance novel I've read before, quite so much childhood death.
The other thing that nagged at me was that neither Pamela nor Elizabeth found it...disconcerting that Elizabeth was setting her cap for a man who resembled her beloved deceased fiancee so very much. Elizabeth I can understand mostly, she lost Richard quite young and never had anything to fill that loss, plus moving to Montana was a strain. Pamela though? Pamela who was her best friend and KNEW Caleb resembled Richard so much? It didn't occur to her that maybe it could be unhealthy?
Full review to be posted at Poisoned Rationality
January 17, 2016
Title: Wild Montana Sky
Author: Debra Holland
Publisher: D.H.
Series: Montana Sky # 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Wild Montana Sky" by Debra Holland was a beautifully written historical western romance read. This author did a good job about presenting this enjoyable story of the move from Boston to Montana for Elizabeth Hamilton. It was indeed interesting to see a Boston lady becoming a woman of the west. I enjoy how this novel was very realistic aspects of this area in the west in the late 1800's of this wild 'Montana Sky.' I will say at this point that I did find "Wild Montana Sky" somewhat predictable but still a good read. Be really for some mystery, little romance and good notations of a beautiful scenery but most of all seeing Elizabeth change from a Victorian woman who would be able to survive the wilds of the west as a proper Montana lady. Will Elizabeth find love in Montana?
The characters were well developed, portrayed, colorful and even believable only to give you a good enjoyable read that will definitely hold your attraction.
If you are a cowboy lover of a western romance and a clean cut one then this novel "Wild Montana Sky" would definitely be a good read for you.
Author: Debra Holland
Publisher: D.H.
Series: Montana Sky # 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Wild Montana Sky" by Debra Holland was a beautifully written historical western romance read. This author did a good job about presenting this enjoyable story of the move from Boston to Montana for Elizabeth Hamilton. It was indeed interesting to see a Boston lady becoming a woman of the west. I enjoy how this novel was very realistic aspects of this area in the west in the late 1800's of this wild 'Montana Sky.' I will say at this point that I did find "Wild Montana Sky" somewhat predictable but still a good read. Be really for some mystery, little romance and good notations of a beautiful scenery but most of all seeing Elizabeth change from a Victorian woman who would be able to survive the wilds of the west as a proper Montana lady. Will Elizabeth find love in Montana?
The characters were well developed, portrayed, colorful and even believable only to give you a good enjoyable read that will definitely hold your attraction.
If you are a cowboy lover of a western romance and a clean cut one then this novel "Wild Montana Sky" would definitely be a good read for you.
February 17, 2013
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. The plot is nonexistent, the heroine is utterly unlikeable, the hero is so bland I can barely remember is name, and the secondary characters served no purpose except to make the heroine seem more "perfect." The writing style was horrendous; how the author got this book published is beyond me.
January 3, 2020
A sweet clean romance novel! I look forward to reading more books by this author. Would definitely recommend it.
August 31, 2017
This was ok, but I didn't love it. I think because I didn't really like the heroine all that much, and that is pretty important, especially for this type of book. Also, there was a pretty big dropped plot point, and that kind of bugged me. 2.5 stars
April 22, 2016
I am a fan of clean romance novels and am very happy to have found an additional author who, evidently, adheres to the clean romance standard. This is the first book of The Montana Sky Series. The protagonists are Elizabeth Hamilton and Nick Sanders. Elizabeth is a true blue, upper class Bostonian who is used to being pampered by servants and all the amenities money can buy. But she has not been shielded from heart ache and sorrow. Her parents have passed away as did her fiancé, Richard, just weeks before the wedding. She is now the mistress of the house where she and her brother Laurence live. But, that all changes when Laurence surprises Elizabeth with the announcement that he has married. Genia Hamilton, her new sister-in-law, is replacing her as mistress of the house. Genia, a wicked-step-sister-type-person, makes life miserable for Elizabeth. She confides her new lot in life to her best friend, Pamela Carter. Suddenly, Nick appears at her doorstep. He has been sent by Pamela to escort her back to Sweetwater Springs, Montana. Realizing the opportunity is at hand to escape her miserable life in Boston, she hesitantly accepts her friend’s invitation. Thus begins a true-to-life adventure that grips the reader with the twists and turns of a well written novel.
August 21, 2012
Elizabeth was spineless. Yes I know she shot a bear with her little pistol at he end but by that time I was rooting for the bear. Nick was to good to be true. Though I liked his character. Caleb was a total jerk. A 10 year old would have spotted that guy as a loser. Elizabeths sister-in-law was a little over the top as the meanie. Elizabeths brother absolutely dense. It was over 600 pages and I'll be honest I didn't finish it. A rarity for me. Once I pay for it I usually hang on for the full ride.
July 24, 2017
I read the prequel and it was a sweet story. Not so much here. The main character, Elizabeth is a spoiled, arrogant snob. She was awful and I couldn't care at all if she found happiness or anything else. I had to quit though when the the author actually had a Chinese character say "Erizabeth" or something horridly racist like that. Disgusting.
April 24, 2017
I started this one, after reading several review that classified it as "clean". I got most of the way through, and then the main characters ended up in a compromising situation. Not completely inappropriate, in today's terms, but at the time it would have been.
And the main character was like la-dee-da that was nice but I still love this other guy, when will we get married. Which is the point at which I stopped reading.
The author had already contrived ways to force modern sensibilities on the main characters (for example its to dangerous to ride side saddle around cows, the little girls have to ride normal). But the complete disregard for ingrained social and moral norms of the time, exhibited by the compromising scene, was over the top for me. If your going to set your story in the past, your characters should act like they are in the past.
And I get that some women of the time were "no better than they had to be" but if that was the case, I think we would have seen that side of the character earlier. Instead she's mildly horrified that her friend lets her daughter ride normally and won't let some guy touch her knee. Not really the behavior of someone wont to through morals to the wind.
And the main character was like la-dee-da that was nice but I still love this other guy, when will we get married. Which is the point at which I stopped reading.
The author had already contrived ways to force modern sensibilities on the main characters (for example its to dangerous to ride side saddle around cows, the little girls have to ride normal). But the complete disregard for ingrained social and moral norms of the time, exhibited by the compromising scene, was over the top for me. If your going to set your story in the past, your characters should act like they are in the past.
And I get that some women of the time were "no better than they had to be" but if that was the case, I think we would have seen that side of the character earlier. Instead she's mildly horrified that her friend lets her daughter ride normally and won't let some guy touch her knee. Not really the behavior of someone wont to through morals to the wind.
December 11, 2018
2.5 Stars
Elizabeth is the most aggravating heroine you’ll ever read. I’m not sure what we’re supposed to make of her and her annoying ways. She pines for Richard in a way that is a fixation, her expectations of Genia seem rather unfair, she is pretty snobby and judgmental herself (as well she should be with her society upbringing) but then hypocritically looks down on the same traits in others. As for Nick, he’s wayyyy to nice for this world. Sickeningly so, I’m not sure where he got a backbone from but good for him for finding it. The ending will give you the awwws and I like that there was free audio available on this with Kindle Unlimited and if the other books in this series have that, I’ll probably read them too because these books are soothing books about quaint, old-timey times.
Elizabeth is the most aggravating heroine you’ll ever read. I’m not sure what we’re supposed to make of her and her annoying ways. She pines for Richard in a way that is a fixation, her expectations of Genia seem rather unfair, she is pretty snobby and judgmental herself (as well she should be with her society upbringing) but then hypocritically looks down on the same traits in others. As for Nick, he’s wayyyy to nice for this world. Sickeningly so, I’m not sure where he got a backbone from but good for him for finding it. The ending will give you the awwws and I like that there was free audio available on this with Kindle Unlimited and if the other books in this series have that, I’ll probably read them too because these books are soothing books about quaint, old-timey times.
January 1, 2024
Loved it. I needed an easy historical romance and this was perfect. On to book two.
January 19, 2024
Enjoyed the book
I had researched Debra Holland before purchasing her books and decided to take a chance. I have four more books I have purchased and I expect them to be as good as this first book. I am excited to now continue to read the other books.
I had researched Debra Holland before purchasing her books and decided to take a chance. I have four more books I have purchased and I expect them to be as good as this first book. I am excited to now continue to read the other books.
September 22, 2012
I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I'd hoped. I was looking for a book set in the Old West that featured things like clever dialogue, interesting characters and settings, and intriguing sexytimes. I think what was disappointing to me is that given the credentials of the author, I felt that most of the characters were kind of shallow, and most importantly - I didn't like the heroine. Elizabeth's greatest depths of character involved interior decoration and painting seascapes. I was having difficulty believing that the hero, Nick, would have fallen for her so deeply. He was the one character who fleshed out to a degree in this story, and I just had a hard time seeing how, after meeting his "dream girl" in the flesh and seeing how vapid, haughty and flighty she was, the illusion wasn't shattered.
One of the things that really irked me about Elizabeth is how abruptly her affections would shift between her suitors. There was no transition or gradual build-up from "OMG Nick is hot and I am totally getting the vapors thinking about his bare chest, I need to get filthy with him" to "I'm going to marry Caleb and we're going to have proper parties with his cranky but civilized housekeeper doing all of the dirty work." Her "transformation" from proper Boston lady to Montana wild woman (ha) was not a gradual thing, which I could have bought much easier, if it had occurred in stages of progression. Instead, she bounced between the two identities so abruptly, it was really difficult in the "I'm buying this" department. It's like grinding gears and shifting from fourth gear to reverse in a hurry, just very hard as the reader to go along with that.
I did like the Western scenery, all of the mentions of where food comes from (hey, I'm a farmer, so that's my bailiwick) and I think that these characters and setting had great potential. I'm just disappointed that they were kind of one-dimensional. Also, not enough sexytime. :P
One of the things that really irked me about Elizabeth is how abruptly her affections would shift between her suitors. There was no transition or gradual build-up from "OMG Nick is hot and I am totally getting the vapors thinking about his bare chest, I need to get filthy with him" to "I'm going to marry Caleb and we're going to have proper parties with his cranky but civilized housekeeper doing all of the dirty work." Her "transformation" from proper Boston lady to Montana wild woman (ha) was not a gradual thing, which I could have bought much easier, if it had occurred in stages of progression. Instead, she bounced between the two identities so abruptly, it was really difficult in the "I'm buying this" department. It's like grinding gears and shifting from fourth gear to reverse in a hurry, just very hard as the reader to go along with that.
I did like the Western scenery, all of the mentions of where food comes from (hey, I'm a farmer, so that's my bailiwick) and I think that these characters and setting had great potential. I'm just disappointed that they were kind of one-dimensional. Also, not enough sexytime. :P
October 28, 2015
Debra Holland has quickly became one of my favorite authors, due in part to her emotional, believable, novels that she has created in the quaint town of Sweetwater Springs, Montana. In her novel Wild Montana Sky, Elizabeth Hamilton is forced from the only home she has ever known by her new manipulative sister-in-law. She decides to head west to visit her best childhood friend who has made her home in Montana far from the metropolis of Boston. Nick Sanders has known heartache when he lost his family to a buggy accident when he was a young boy, and he has spent a lot of his life creating a family with the Carter’s who happen to be the friends that Elizabeth is coming west to visit. Nick has never met Elizabeth, but he has been smitten with her because of the portrait that hangs in the Carter’s house, and he volunteers to go east to bring her home. In order for Elizabeth to find peace in her new home she must be willing to let go of her past heartache and her preconceived notions of life, and then open her heart and her soul to new experiences. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to Sweetwater Springs and rest a spell because Ms. Holland has made it worth your effort.
September 20, 2014
A wonderful and beautifully written story, Wild Montana Sky is the first in a warm and hopeful series. The talented Debra Holland creates a smoothly written story of joy and sadness, frustration and opportunity, love and pain. I love the way she allows Pamela to make sense of life in Montana for the very proper but sweet Elizabeth and that she allows Elizabeth the intelligence to accept that life has to be different in her new home. I loved the sweet romance and can't wait to see the development of these characters and new ones in the books.
October 18, 2020
I haven’t read a romance novel since I was a teenager, which is exactly why I decided to read Wild Montana Sky, a historical romance about a wealthy young woman from Gilded Age Boston, who comes to Montana to seek out a new life for herself and perhaps find the man of her dreams. Reading Wild Montana Sky is like watching a Hallmark movie — It’s simple, heartwarming and engaging, and while at times I was a little overwhelmed by the schmaltz and predictability, overall it was a delightful mindless read that fans of the genre will find enjoyable.
January 30, 2014
Loved this book. Character development is thorough, individuals are engaging and likable. The perilous plot complications are numerous but believable. Apparently there was some discussion of creating a movie version. I hope this happens. The story and characters belong on the big screen. Recommended.
June 7, 2015
Dull. Nice man. Nice woman. From nice families. Get married and move to a nice ranch in nice Montana. They live in a nice town with nice neighbors. Isn't that nice?
Kept waiting for something to happen and then the story was over. If they ever had sex they were to nice to talk about it.
Kept waiting for something to happen and then the story was over. If they ever had sex they were to nice to talk about it.
August 14, 2014
My Review is Available on Audible.
I absolutely loved this book. This was the first historical romance that I've read since I wasn't eleven years old. My mom wasn't a reader and never paid much attention to what I was reading. Looking back not all the books I read was age appropriate but I grew up much faster than most at my age.
With Wild Montana Sky age isn't an issue. I think if my daughter was eleven and asked to read this story then I wouldn't have a problem at all letting her read it. This story is clean, it wasn't filled with profanity, sex or talks about sex. It was a very nice, clean story that is hard to find today.
I don't have any issues with sex and profanity in a story. The majority of books I read are filled with it. I just find it extremely nice to find a clean book for once. I loved listening to the story because I felt as if I was there in the 1800's. I vision the way they are dressed and how they live even before the move that Elizabeth embarks on.
Elizabeth lives with her brother and servants. A woman who once loved but her fiancé was killed. She thought she'd never find love again, nor did she really want to. She takes care of the home that they live in being the one who makes decisions about their family home. She has put her love and dedication in that home and to her life in Boston.
When her brother comes home after being gone for awhile he brings a wife with him. Elizabeth is saddened by this because she soon realizes that there's not enough room for two women and Elizabeth doesn't quite like her brothers wife. She comes in talking about replacing things and bringing all her furniture, including her servants. During a dinner to show off her brothers wife her mom says that they really should get rid of all the pictures and replace them with her daughters Elizabeth becomes upset. Elizabeth painted those pictures and she has a feeling everything will be moved including her. Nick is there and saves the day
Nick was sent to Boston to invite Elizabeth to come to Montana to stay with her friend that lives there. When Nick first asked she was against the idea of leaving her home in Boston but that dinner party decides her fate. She packs up her things and lets Nick escort her to Montana to her friend's ranch in Montana.
In Montana, Elizabeth has her doubt's if this style of living is for her. While there she meets a very attractive man named Caleb Livingston, who's a wealthy banker but more importantly has a very strong resemblance to the man she had loved. She feels as if this is her second chance at love. She even believes that having kids with this man will be like having them with Richard, the man she was engaged to. She even learns that Caleb was friends with her beloved.
Getting closer to Caleb is wonderful but there's times that Caleb upsets her. She is even fighting a growing attraction she begins having for Nick. She likes Nick and he seems to understand her more. She enjoys his company and the little time that they spend together.
Things get really hard in Montana, not only for her but almost everyone when an influenza epidemic rages throughout the town making people sick with others fighting for their life. Then Elizabeth discovers her goddaughter is sick with the epidemic. This is when things begin to change for Elizabeth.
With a child's life hanging in peril Caleb stops coming by. As Elizabeth grows from being what I consider to be an uppity Boston woman that worries what people think,how she dresses, and hasn't ever done annual labor. She learns that she can do it all. She's grown not to worry so much about her dress attire but more of comfort. She has even learned to do manual labor, even tedious jobs like cooking.
With Caleb no longer coming to visit her at the ranch Elizabeth is bothered by it. Her biggest concern is getting the child better. Her friend Pam is losing faith and feels as if her daughter is slipping away more with every day that passes. Nick is there helping to bring the child back by bringing lemonade, playing her favorite music, and just being there to help. Elizabeth notices that Nick is there and has been since learning of her sickness. he didn't run away like Caleb and that helps her realize that it's Nick she's in love with.
Debra, I absolutely loved the story. I loved the way you made it known that the main character was sort of snobby, had servants, and came from money. It showed her development and her strengths as she continued to grow in a totally different lifestyle in Montana. I don't think there's anything wrong with writing a male character that has a heart and not so mean, rugged, and carefree in a way that you end up hating the character. This is my first historical romance since I was extremely young. I still know a good book when I read or listen to one.
The book was written with great character development, the characters are likeable, most anyway. The story is very believable because during that time Boston would've been a lot different than the lifestyle in Montana. It was an easy read and wonderful to listen to. I envisioned myself there and it was also one of the most relaxing reads I've listened to in awhile. Thank you Debra for the enjoyment this story brought me. It also took me back in time and that was a gift itself.
I do think there's some who were misled by Nick and the pictures. Yes, Nick liked Elizabeth and her paintings but he didn't fall in love with her because of a picture. After discovering she painted the pictures he saved them from her brother's mother in law suggesting that they be removed and given away. Nick realizes the pictures are important to Elizabeth so he makes up a reason for her to keep them even if that means taking them to Montana.
Please for those who review, be kind, think of other's feelings, and don't post rude or nasty things to an author. It's wonderful if you loved or liked the book. If you don't like a book that's okay as well. PLEASE, PLEASE, BE KIND. I mentioned this already but if you didn't like it then tell the author why, tell the author what they could've changed or added to make it better. Authors are always willing to make changes Andrew improvements. Regardless, whether it's a popular, well known author that's been writing for ten years or longer, they're still learning and open to improvements. For those who enjoy historical or western type novels that are clean, then I highly recommend this story. I can't wait to start the second book Starry Montana Sky. I hope to start it this week. I know that this story has been considered for a movie deal. I think that would be absolutely wonderful to become a movie to the big screen. If not a movie then it would be a wonderful show that comes on once a week. I would watch the movie or a television series.
I absolutely loved this book. This was the first historical romance that I've read since I wasn't eleven years old. My mom wasn't a reader and never paid much attention to what I was reading. Looking back not all the books I read was age appropriate but I grew up much faster than most at my age.
With Wild Montana Sky age isn't an issue. I think if my daughter was eleven and asked to read this story then I wouldn't have a problem at all letting her read it. This story is clean, it wasn't filled with profanity, sex or talks about sex. It was a very nice, clean story that is hard to find today.
I don't have any issues with sex and profanity in a story. The majority of books I read are filled with it. I just find it extremely nice to find a clean book for once. I loved listening to the story because I felt as if I was there in the 1800's. I vision the way they are dressed and how they live even before the move that Elizabeth embarks on.
Elizabeth lives with her brother and servants. A woman who once loved but her fiancé was killed. She thought she'd never find love again, nor did she really want to. She takes care of the home that they live in being the one who makes decisions about their family home. She has put her love and dedication in that home and to her life in Boston.
When her brother comes home after being gone for awhile he brings a wife with him. Elizabeth is saddened by this because she soon realizes that there's not enough room for two women and Elizabeth doesn't quite like her brothers wife. She comes in talking about replacing things and bringing all her furniture, including her servants. During a dinner to show off her brothers wife her mom says that they really should get rid of all the pictures and replace them with her daughters Elizabeth becomes upset. Elizabeth painted those pictures and she has a feeling everything will be moved including her. Nick is there and saves the day
Nick was sent to Boston to invite Elizabeth to come to Montana to stay with her friend that lives there. When Nick first asked she was against the idea of leaving her home in Boston but that dinner party decides her fate. She packs up her things and lets Nick escort her to Montana to her friend's ranch in Montana.
In Montana, Elizabeth has her doubt's if this style of living is for her. While there she meets a very attractive man named Caleb Livingston, who's a wealthy banker but more importantly has a very strong resemblance to the man she had loved. She feels as if this is her second chance at love. She even believes that having kids with this man will be like having them with Richard, the man she was engaged to. She even learns that Caleb was friends with her beloved.
Getting closer to Caleb is wonderful but there's times that Caleb upsets her. She is even fighting a growing attraction she begins having for Nick. She likes Nick and he seems to understand her more. She enjoys his company and the little time that they spend together.
Things get really hard in Montana, not only for her but almost everyone when an influenza epidemic rages throughout the town making people sick with others fighting for their life. Then Elizabeth discovers her goddaughter is sick with the epidemic. This is when things begin to change for Elizabeth.
With a child's life hanging in peril Caleb stops coming by. As Elizabeth grows from being what I consider to be an uppity Boston woman that worries what people think,how she dresses, and hasn't ever done annual labor. She learns that she can do it all. She's grown not to worry so much about her dress attire but more of comfort. She has even learned to do manual labor, even tedious jobs like cooking.
With Caleb no longer coming to visit her at the ranch Elizabeth is bothered by it. Her biggest concern is getting the child better. Her friend Pam is losing faith and feels as if her daughter is slipping away more with every day that passes. Nick is there helping to bring the child back by bringing lemonade, playing her favorite music, and just being there to help. Elizabeth notices that Nick is there and has been since learning of her sickness. he didn't run away like Caleb and that helps her realize that it's Nick she's in love with.
Debra, I absolutely loved the story. I loved the way you made it known that the main character was sort of snobby, had servants, and came from money. It showed her development and her strengths as she continued to grow in a totally different lifestyle in Montana. I don't think there's anything wrong with writing a male character that has a heart and not so mean, rugged, and carefree in a way that you end up hating the character. This is my first historical romance since I was extremely young. I still know a good book when I read or listen to one.
The book was written with great character development, the characters are likeable, most anyway. The story is very believable because during that time Boston would've been a lot different than the lifestyle in Montana. It was an easy read and wonderful to listen to. I envisioned myself there and it was also one of the most relaxing reads I've listened to in awhile. Thank you Debra for the enjoyment this story brought me. It also took me back in time and that was a gift itself.
I do think there's some who were misled by Nick and the pictures. Yes, Nick liked Elizabeth and her paintings but he didn't fall in love with her because of a picture. After discovering she painted the pictures he saved them from her brother's mother in law suggesting that they be removed and given away. Nick realizes the pictures are important to Elizabeth so he makes up a reason for her to keep them even if that means taking them to Montana.
Please for those who review, be kind, think of other's feelings, and don't post rude or nasty things to an author. It's wonderful if you loved or liked the book. If you don't like a book that's okay as well. PLEASE, PLEASE, BE KIND. I mentioned this already but if you didn't like it then tell the author why, tell the author what they could've changed or added to make it better. Authors are always willing to make changes Andrew improvements. Regardless, whether it's a popular, well known author that's been writing for ten years or longer, they're still learning and open to improvements. For those who enjoy historical or western type novels that are clean, then I highly recommend this story. I can't wait to start the second book Starry Montana Sky. I hope to start it this week. I know that this story has been considered for a movie deal. I think that would be absolutely wonderful to become a movie to the big screen. If not a movie then it would be a wonderful show that comes on once a week. I would watch the movie or a television series.
August 27, 2019
I’m not going to lie, Elizabeth frustrated me beyond words. She was petty, melodramatic, and took everything WAY TOO SERIOUSLY. She overacted to her brother’s marriage - yes, her sister in law was a total b**** and her brother was thoughtless, but come one girl. You’re almost 30, grow up please.
Though I wanted to shake some sense into this girl for 80% of the book, that’s what made it so satisfying to read as her character developed. I do think Nick put her on a bit of a pedestal. I was surprised by how blind he was to her faults and why on earth a cowboy would want a prissy socialite as his life partner but that’s love, right?
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Elizabeth was a beautifully flawed character and I got to see her blossom out of selfishness and pride into a true Montana woman. I honestly loved it.
I actually picked up this book because I read rave reviews of book 2 in this series and wanted to start at the beginning. My expectations of the next installment are high!
Though I wanted to shake some sense into this girl for 80% of the book, that’s what made it so satisfying to read as her character developed. I do think Nick put her on a bit of a pedestal. I was surprised by how blind he was to her faults and why on earth a cowboy would want a prissy socialite as his life partner but that’s love, right?
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Elizabeth was a beautifully flawed character and I got to see her blossom out of selfishness and pride into a true Montana woman. I honestly loved it.
I actually picked up this book because I read rave reviews of book 2 in this series and wanted to start at the beginning. My expectations of the next installment are high!
November 30, 2019
Won't pursue this series. (Mild spoilers)
First, the writing itself is decent. Grammatically correct, flows well, etc.
However, I have several issues with the story. One of the secondary characters is Asian. Rather than note that she has an accent and move on, the author writes the accent into every line of dialog, including references to the girl, Lizzy, as "Missy Rizzy." It just feels vaguely racist. I also felt a strong dislike for the main character for about 70% of the book, at which time her personality suddenly changed. She spends most of the book as a snobby Eastern woman who is much too proper and delicate to consider doing things like riding astride. By the end she's riding a horse most of the men can't handle and (spoiler) shooting grizzlies. Also, the love interest is apparently psychic, mysteriously knowing whenever she is in danger and where she is at that time. Other characters simply accept this.
At the end, there is a rainbow.
First, the writing itself is decent. Grammatically correct, flows well, etc.
However, I have several issues with the story. One of the secondary characters is Asian. Rather than note that she has an accent and move on, the author writes the accent into every line of dialog, including references to the girl, Lizzy, as "Missy Rizzy." It just feels vaguely racist. I also felt a strong dislike for the main character for about 70% of the book, at which time her personality suddenly changed. She spends most of the book as a snobby Eastern woman who is much too proper and delicate to consider doing things like riding astride. By the end she's riding a horse most of the men can't handle and (spoiler) shooting grizzlies. Also, the love interest is apparently psychic, mysteriously knowing whenever she is in danger and where she is at that time. Other characters simply accept this.
At the end, there is a rainbow.
March 8, 2023
I absolutely loved the background, out west in Montana. The author did a great job capturing the scenery and what life on a ranch might have been like in the late 1800s. The storyline was very predictable in my opinion. Who did not predict the bear coming back with Elizabeth saving the day??Also having one of the town's "eligible bachelors" knowing the same gesture/ signal that was used by Elizabeth's dead fiance was creepy to me. I also thought it was completely unrealistic that Elizabeth and Nick would share such intimacies only to have her still going after the banker. It almost felt like she could have her cake and eat it too. As others have said, the book was a bit monotonous in some aspects. Typically, I really enjoy Debra Holland's book, this one was not a favorite. I will try to read the next story in the series to see if it is any different.
October 21, 2025
A new life for Elizabeth
Elizabeth was facing spinsterhood, but was somewhat content with the fact. Until her brother, with whom she shared the family home, brought home a wife. His wife, from the start, basically treated Elizabeth like a servant. It was time to move out and live her own life. She traveled to Montana to stay with an old friend from her youth, and her family. Elizabeth had no idea how much her life and expectations would change.
Nick has been somewhat in love with Elizabeth ever since he saw the wall portrait of her. When he was tasked with bringing her safely to Montana, he had no idea how to let her know how much he cared for her. But sadly, she fell for a more refined man who was the local banker. Nick felt he would never capture her heart.
Or will he be the one for the society lady?
Elizabeth was facing spinsterhood, but was somewhat content with the fact. Until her brother, with whom she shared the family home, brought home a wife. His wife, from the start, basically treated Elizabeth like a servant. It was time to move out and live her own life. She traveled to Montana to stay with an old friend from her youth, and her family. Elizabeth had no idea how much her life and expectations would change.
Nick has been somewhat in love with Elizabeth ever since he saw the wall portrait of her. When he was tasked with bringing her safely to Montana, he had no idea how to let her know how much he cared for her. But sadly, she fell for a more refined man who was the local banker. Nick felt he would never capture her heart.
Or will he be the one for the society lady?
June 27, 2017
I don't understand why this book is categorized as a romance. This is historical fiction with just a tiny dash of mild romance. It was a long and very boring story. The characters are not believable and the "romance" was tepid. To make matters worse the narration was terrible. Ms. Ross makes very good male voices but she made the heroine sound overly dramatic and annoying. I would return this audiobook if I could.
If you're looking for a western romance- stay away from this title.
If you're looking for a western fiction story with clean "blink and you miss it" romance then this is for you.
If you're looking for a western romance- stay away from this title.
If you're looking for a western fiction story with clean "blink and you miss it" romance then this is for you.
October 15, 2018
I started this book and immediately connected with the characters. I was introduced to Elizabeth, learned of her friendship with Pamela and then, in walked Nick. I could picture their meeting in my eye and felt their connection. I went through the motions, the ups and downs of Elizabeth's life changes and her finally seeing Nick for the perfect match that he was to her. Lizzy was the bond that brought their feelings out. This story was easy reading but so complex beyond the pages. The way Debra Holland drew me into her characters, setting the scene of a beautiful Montana landscape and meeting the true horse whisper that was Nick.
December 25, 2021
This is the first book I've read in the series, and I enjoyed it. There's depth, but it's not too gritty. I like that fancy, well-off Elizabeth is able to change and become more down-to-earth. She had no choice but to leave her newly-married brother's home back East, where she lived since her fiancé' died of influenza. In Montana, she falls in love with a cowboy, a ranch hand, and sinks into the life of Sweetwater Springs, a small town with lots of good people but it's not quite Hallmark-sweet, thankfully. As I finished the novel, I wanted more, and in the next book in the series, we get to see how Elizabeth and Nick are progressing in their lives. A good hook to the next novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews