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Montana Sky #5
Healing Montana Sky
After a grizzly bear kills Antonia Valleau’s trapper husband, she packs her few worldly possessions, leaves her home in the mountains of Montana, and treks to nearby Sweetwater Springs, seeking work to provide for her two young sons.
Reeling from the loss of his wife during childbirth, Erik Muth must find a nursing mother for his newborn daughter to survive. For their children’s sake, Erik and Antonia wed, starting a new life together on his farm on the prairie. But it’s no easy union. Antonia misunderstands Erik’s quiet personality. He finds her independence disconcerting. Both hide secrets that challenge their growing intimacy.
When Indians steal livestock from farms around Sweetwater Springs to feed their starving tribe, the outraged townsfolk demand retaliation. Erik and Antonia must work together to prevent a massacre. Will a marriage forged in loss blossom into love?
Reeling from the loss of his wife during childbirth, Erik Muth must find a nursing mother for his newborn daughter to survive. For their children’s sake, Erik and Antonia wed, starting a new life together on his farm on the prairie. But it’s no easy union. Antonia misunderstands Erik’s quiet personality. He finds her independence disconcerting. Both hide secrets that challenge their growing intimacy.
When Indians steal livestock from farms around Sweetwater Springs to feed their starving tribe, the outraged townsfolk demand retaliation. Erik and Antonia must work together to prevent a massacre. Will a marriage forged in loss blossom into love?
692 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2015
1075 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Debra Holland
65 books320 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
July 17, 2016
Loved this one so much! I bought the next one in the series immediately after finishing, and I'll probably go back and read *listen* to the previous books, too.
Natalie Ross was amazing as the narrator, as usual.
Natalie Ross was amazing as the narrator, as usual.
December 10, 2015
**4 Healing Stars**
Ms Holland did a wonderful job of creating an emotional read dealing with loss, heartbreak and learning to love again.
The characters in this story really touch you and after you close this book, you will come away with a light heart and a smile on your face.
This was definitely an awesome premise for a book but I did have a bit of a problem with all of the references to sorrow and death. After awhile, I found myself rolling my eyes and then just ended up shaking my head.
All in all, this was a great book that I'm happy I took the time to read and enjoy!
Ms Holland did a wonderful job of creating an emotional read dealing with loss, heartbreak and learning to love again.
The characters in this story really touch you and after you close this book, you will come away with a light heart and a smile on your face.
This was definitely an awesome premise for a book but I did have a bit of a problem with all of the references to sorrow and death. After awhile, I found myself rolling my eyes and then just ended up shaking my head.
All in all, this was a great book that I'm happy I took the time to read and enjoy!
October 6, 2019
3.5 stars
I received this book from the author/publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Antonia Valleau has to reassess everything when her trapper husband is killed by a grizzly bear. She ends up packing up her belongings and travelling to the nearest town with her two young children, where she meets Erik Muth - a recent widower desperately looking for a wet nurse for his daughter. Out of convenience, the two end up marrying and Antonia and her sons move to the Muth farm to start a new life. Erik and Antonia begin to build a new life together as they slowly begin to know one another, and learn to deal with their grief and growing feelings together.
If anyone is looking for a really nice, simple read this is one for you. It's been a while since I read a book that is just so nice, and comfortable with a lot of charm and I knew that nothing bad was going to happen to my favourite characters. This is mostly a story about dealing with grief while trying to start a new life, and dealing with feelings you might not be ready to really feel yet.
I really enjoyed the characters of Erik and Antonia - they were quite simple but I do think they gelled really well together and they were a couple I really rooted for. I enjoyed the family life and how the children were a big part of the family, for both Erik and Antonia and loving their stepchildren as their own.
There were times when Erik compared to Antonia to Daisy or Daisy to Antonia that was a bit negative towards the other woman which could be annoying at times, and I didn't really like that, and I felt Antonia didn't do that between her two husbands.
There is also some racist language and derogatory terms used in this book towards Native Americans (the word "redskins" and "squaw") and they are referred to as Indians rather than Native Americans as well which yes, would be of the times but if this book can have a female sheriff, there could probabl be a change in language too.
Overall, a charming, nice read which I really needed and enjoyed. And I am definitely interested in possibly continuing with the series - as I am curious to see how the snobby banker finally meets his match in the next book!
I received this book from the author/publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Antonia Valleau has to reassess everything when her trapper husband is killed by a grizzly bear. She ends up packing up her belongings and travelling to the nearest town with her two young children, where she meets Erik Muth - a recent widower desperately looking for a wet nurse for his daughter. Out of convenience, the two end up marrying and Antonia and her sons move to the Muth farm to start a new life. Erik and Antonia begin to build a new life together as they slowly begin to know one another, and learn to deal with their grief and growing feelings together.
If anyone is looking for a really nice, simple read this is one for you. It's been a while since I read a book that is just so nice, and comfortable with a lot of charm and I knew that nothing bad was going to happen to my favourite characters. This is mostly a story about dealing with grief while trying to start a new life, and dealing with feelings you might not be ready to really feel yet.
I really enjoyed the characters of Erik and Antonia - they were quite simple but I do think they gelled really well together and they were a couple I really rooted for. I enjoyed the family life and how the children were a big part of the family, for both Erik and Antonia and loving their stepchildren as their own.
There were times when Erik compared to Antonia to Daisy or Daisy to Antonia that was a bit negative towards the other woman which could be annoying at times, and I didn't really like that, and I felt Antonia didn't do that between her two husbands.
There is also some racist language and derogatory terms used in this book towards Native Americans (the word "redskins" and "squaw") and they are referred to as Indians rather than Native Americans as well which yes, would be of the times but if this book can have a female sheriff, there could probabl be a change in language too.
Overall, a charming, nice read which I really needed and enjoyed. And I am definitely interested in possibly continuing with the series - as I am curious to see how the snobby banker finally meets his match in the next book!
October 11, 2015
There's a trend in historical fiction to make books "realistic" in a way that only comes out depressing and extremely sad. I'm well aware that life is harsh, and was more so for those living in earlier times, but one of the reasons I read books is to be reminded that life is also good. Debra Holland has written a book that deals with two people going through very tough situations, yet she has managed to maintain a sense of the goodness of life.
Years ago in school I was taught that there are no new plots or themes in literature, so the quality of a book depends on the author's vision and execution. There are a number of historical fiction books about two people who marry for the sake of the children and propriety. Few of them are as good as this one about a man and who woman who have both lost their spouses and marry for the sake of their children. Instead of a completely romanticized story where they instantly fall in love we have two people who need each other and approach their relationship with uncertainty. I loved this much more realistic take.
The author has also taken the time to work out how an uneducated woman who used French more than English might speak and to understand the differences in how trapper's and farmer's families lived. She doesn't have all the townspeople either perfect or awful, but has created a realistic mix of folks, just as the deceased spouses aren't presented as having been either perfect or villains. (Though I'd love to read a book about Jean-Claude. He sounds wonderful.) I also got the feeling she's familiar with the Great Plains and understands how they appear to those who love them and those who don't. All this adds up to a well-written and solid story.
Though it is #5 in the series I couldn't tell it was a sequel, it stood alone so well. It may be my first book by this author, but won't be my last.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Years ago in school I was taught that there are no new plots or themes in literature, so the quality of a book depends on the author's vision and execution. There are a number of historical fiction books about two people who marry for the sake of the children and propriety. Few of them are as good as this one about a man and who woman who have both lost their spouses and marry for the sake of their children. Instead of a completely romanticized story where they instantly fall in love we have two people who need each other and approach their relationship with uncertainty. I loved this much more realistic take.
The author has also taken the time to work out how an uneducated woman who used French more than English might speak and to understand the differences in how trapper's and farmer's families lived. She doesn't have all the townspeople either perfect or awful, but has created a realistic mix of folks, just as the deceased spouses aren't presented as having been either perfect or villains. (Though I'd love to read a book about Jean-Claude. He sounds wonderful.) I also got the feeling she's familiar with the Great Plains and understands how they appear to those who love them and those who don't. All this adds up to a well-written and solid story.
Though it is #5 in the series I couldn't tell it was a sequel, it stood alone so well. It may be my first book by this author, but won't be my last.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
October 1, 2015
This tale of resilience over heartbreak grabbed my attention from the first and did not let go. The opening scene with Antonia burying her dead husband all on her own, sets the mood for this wonderful book.
When Antonia Valleau leaves behind her mountain cabin with her two sons in search of a new a new beginning after the terrible loss of her beloved husband in a hunting accident, she valiantly journeys to the town of Sweetwater Springs to find work to help sustain herself and her infant and young son.
Farmer, Erik Muth gains a daughter but loses his wife in the same day, and if he can't find a woman to feed his infant daughter, he may lose her as well, and that is something he just won't be able to take. Erik takes his newborn daughter and heads into town to find the help he needs for the baby. As fate would have it, Antonia is put in Erik's path for giving the tiny babe a chance at thriving. The only possible way this situation can work is if Erik and Antonia marry, leaving gossip to a minimum while Antonia and her sons move to Erik's farm.
Uniting two wayward families who are strangers is quite a task that Antonia is quite up to. This resilient woman may not be able to act the proper farm wife, but she can put in a hard days' work as well as a man and make sure the children are well cared for. Erik is left bereft when he loses his wife in childbirth, but his daughter's health and safety are paramount and only Antonia can help with that. At first this arrangement is quite uncomfortable for all involved but with time and work, Erik and Antonia see what they have is a good thing.
When the theft of livestock from surrounding farms leads to mistrust and possible danger in the area, Antonia and Erik must work together to hold their own and keep their new family from harm. When danger comes too close to home, Erik finally understands that what he has been given is a gift from above and he will do what he must to protect it.
HEALING MONTANA SKY by the very talented Debra Holland is a journey that can't be missed. When tragedy strikes, survival is the only option and this story clearly shows how that can be done.I love both Erik and Antonia, as they both have so much pain, but so much capacity for hope. HEALING MONTANA SKY is eloquent and so well written. It is a story of hope that should be enjoyed by all.
*received from Netgalley for an honest review*
When Antonia Valleau leaves behind her mountain cabin with her two sons in search of a new a new beginning after the terrible loss of her beloved husband in a hunting accident, she valiantly journeys to the town of Sweetwater Springs to find work to help sustain herself and her infant and young son.
Farmer, Erik Muth gains a daughter but loses his wife in the same day, and if he can't find a woman to feed his infant daughter, he may lose her as well, and that is something he just won't be able to take. Erik takes his newborn daughter and heads into town to find the help he needs for the baby. As fate would have it, Antonia is put in Erik's path for giving the tiny babe a chance at thriving. The only possible way this situation can work is if Erik and Antonia marry, leaving gossip to a minimum while Antonia and her sons move to Erik's farm.
Uniting two wayward families who are strangers is quite a task that Antonia is quite up to. This resilient woman may not be able to act the proper farm wife, but she can put in a hard days' work as well as a man and make sure the children are well cared for. Erik is left bereft when he loses his wife in childbirth, but his daughter's health and safety are paramount and only Antonia can help with that. At first this arrangement is quite uncomfortable for all involved but with time and work, Erik and Antonia see what they have is a good thing.
When the theft of livestock from surrounding farms leads to mistrust and possible danger in the area, Antonia and Erik must work together to hold their own and keep their new family from harm. When danger comes too close to home, Erik finally understands that what he has been given is a gift from above and he will do what he must to protect it.
HEALING MONTANA SKY by the very talented Debra Holland is a journey that can't be missed. When tragedy strikes, survival is the only option and this story clearly shows how that can be done.I love both Erik and Antonia, as they both have so much pain, but so much capacity for hope. HEALING MONTANA SKY is eloquent and so well written. It is a story of hope that should be enjoyed by all.
*received from Netgalley for an honest review*
September 17, 2015
This story starts with an “edge of your seat”, “what’s going to happen next”. I absolutely couldn’t put this book down.
It starts with Antonia having to physically bury her husband who has been killed by a bear. She has a baby she is still nursing as well as a six year old. You can feel this woman’s pain at having to say goodbye to the man she loves and still be strong for her children. She is out on the prairie all alone not knowing what she is going to do. She finally decides to go into the town of Sweetwater Springs where she is helped by the minister and his wife in a way she didn’t see coming.
In the meantime Erik is frantically trying to save his wife who has been in labor for hours and hours. So here you find yourself on another roller coaster of emotion for this family. Daisy, his wife, dies after giving birth to a baby daughter, Camilla. Erik is desperate for help for his daughter. He just can’t lose her too. The minister and some other families in town also help him in such a surprising way. It is suggested that in order to save his daughter as she needs a woman who can nurse her and to help Antonia and her boys, that the two of them get married. They are both shocked at such a suggestion.
This is a story of a second chance at love for sure but before Antonia and Erik can find that again they to go through such pain because of their loss and then the guilt of possibly having a life of happiness once again.
This is a beautiful story of two people becoming a family out of necessity but staying together out of a newfound love for each other and their children. Debra Holland has done it again with another tears and laughter visit to Sweetwater Springs and its wonderful characters.
I received a free, advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.
April 20, 2017
An emotionally complex and satisfying romamce
I took my time reading Antonia and Erik's story. Their journey through grief felt real that I kept wondering how is Debra going to pull this off? But she delivered a poignant love story and as always, I'm a little hesitant to leave Sweetwater Springs when I finish a Montana Sky romance.
I took my time reading Antonia and Erik's story. Their journey through grief felt real that I kept wondering how is Debra going to pull this off? But she delivered a poignant love story and as always, I'm a little hesitant to leave Sweetwater Springs when I finish a Montana Sky romance.
November 3, 2020
I might read more in the series. The author has a lot of background in grief counseling. She did a great job of presenting this story of two people who lost their spouses tragically and were married shortly after to each other due to necessity.
October 18, 2025
Best one in the series so far!
December 27, 2025
Love love love!! I don’t remember when this ended up on my kindle wishlist but I’m glad it did because the story was so beautiful! 😭 The beginning was so sad but hope and love persevered and I really enjoyed it! ❤️
November 23, 2015
A Well-Written, Emotionally Intense Historical Western Romance!
She stopped before the shelf of books and took one down. She'd never held a book before and reverently turned the pages, looking at the incomprehensible print and wishing she could understand the meaning of the words.
Henri drifted close to peer over her arm. "What's that?"
"A book. There be stories in here."
HEALING MONTANA SKY by Debra Holland is a realistic, emotionally intense installment in her Montana Sky series. It's always a treat to revisit Sweetwater Springs, Montana and the interesting array of characters who populate the area, many of whom I've become quite attached to, thanks to the previous books. This is the story of widow Antonia Valleau and widower Erik Muth.
Even though it is part of an ongoing series, HEALING MONTANA SKY can be fully enjoyed as a standalone as the plot and romance are fully contained within this novel. The author seamlessly fills in any information from the previous books that the reader may need to know. That holds true for any of the books in this series, so feel free to read the series in any order.
I liked both Antonia and Erik. The couple were adaptable and genuine with strong backbones - all qualities required to survive in the rugged landscape. Each of the primary characters were suffering the wrenching emotional pain involved with losing a loved one. Some sections were admittedly difficult to read, but there were plenty of bright spots to offset the sadness. There was also much wisdom to be savored in the characters' thoughts and words. While there is much sorrow in the tale, there's also positivity and the threads of a bright future. I was not depressed at the end, but hopeful for a new tomorrow.
I enjoyed catching up with my favorite characters from Sweetwater Springs in this tale including the Carters, the Thompsons with Samantha's miniature horses, and many more. Both the hero and the heroine had children and their antics with all the animals were treats. On a yuck note, Caleb Livingston and the Cobbs were their same old despicable prejudiced selves. In a way, they each provided a form of relief as they made me mad.
Please know that I read the first half of this book and listened to the remainder; It was an easy transition and I thoroughly enjoyed both editions. Natalie Ross returns as the amazing narrator of the audio edition. As she has for the previous books, she does a great job capturing the essence of the characters and seamlessly differentiating between them. She has a very clear and pleasing voice and, under her care, the story flows smoothly and quickly keeping listeners spellbound. Her pauses, accents and mannerisms are always appropriate.
The story was well-paced until near the very satisfactory ending when it seemed to switch to fast-paced. Please do not take any of my review as meaning that I didn't enjoy the story. It was an extremely emotional story - more so than any of Debra's other books I've read - but the tale was engrossing and I didn't want it to end. I look forward to catching up with this couple as supporting characters in ensuing books. I would recommend HEALING MONTANA SKY to anyone who enjoys well-written historical western romance.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses!
She stopped before the shelf of books and took one down. She'd never held a book before and reverently turned the pages, looking at the incomprehensible print and wishing she could understand the meaning of the words.
Henri drifted close to peer over her arm. "What's that?"
"A book. There be stories in here."
HEALING MONTANA SKY by Debra Holland is a realistic, emotionally intense installment in her Montana Sky series. It's always a treat to revisit Sweetwater Springs, Montana and the interesting array of characters who populate the area, many of whom I've become quite attached to, thanks to the previous books. This is the story of widow Antonia Valleau and widower Erik Muth.
Even though it is part of an ongoing series, HEALING MONTANA SKY can be fully enjoyed as a standalone as the plot and romance are fully contained within this novel. The author seamlessly fills in any information from the previous books that the reader may need to know. That holds true for any of the books in this series, so feel free to read the series in any order.
I liked both Antonia and Erik. The couple were adaptable and genuine with strong backbones - all qualities required to survive in the rugged landscape. Each of the primary characters were suffering the wrenching emotional pain involved with losing a loved one. Some sections were admittedly difficult to read, but there were plenty of bright spots to offset the sadness. There was also much wisdom to be savored in the characters' thoughts and words. While there is much sorrow in the tale, there's also positivity and the threads of a bright future. I was not depressed at the end, but hopeful for a new tomorrow.
I enjoyed catching up with my favorite characters from Sweetwater Springs in this tale including the Carters, the Thompsons with Samantha's miniature horses, and many more. Both the hero and the heroine had children and their antics with all the animals were treats. On a yuck note, Caleb Livingston and the Cobbs were their same old despicable prejudiced selves. In a way, they each provided a form of relief as they made me mad.
Please know that I read the first half of this book and listened to the remainder; It was an easy transition and I thoroughly enjoyed both editions. Natalie Ross returns as the amazing narrator of the audio edition. As she has for the previous books, she does a great job capturing the essence of the characters and seamlessly differentiating between them. She has a very clear and pleasing voice and, under her care, the story flows smoothly and quickly keeping listeners spellbound. Her pauses, accents and mannerisms are always appropriate.
The story was well-paced until near the very satisfactory ending when it seemed to switch to fast-paced. Please do not take any of my review as meaning that I didn't enjoy the story. It was an extremely emotional story - more so than any of Debra's other books I've read - but the tale was engrossing and I didn't want it to end. I look forward to catching up with this couple as supporting characters in ensuing books. I would recommend HEALING MONTANA SKY to anyone who enjoys well-written historical western romance.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses!
January 1, 2016
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
I'll be the first to admit Debra Holland's Healing Montana Sky isn't my usual fare. Light fiction is well and good, but I personally find it difficult to sink my teeth into. Make of that what you will and take my comments however you see fit.
As far as leading ladies go, Antonia Valleau had a lot going for her. She's a little rough around the edges, but I thought her position and perspective intriguing. Unfortunately, the character's dialogue drove me up the wall.
"I won’t be breakin’ down. For the sake of my children, I must be strong."
"Should I be takin’ the boys and leave? Head for Sweetwater Springs?"
"No! I won’t be leavin’ Jean-Claude. Cain’t leave my home."
I get what Holland was doing and I appreciate the idea, but as a reader, I found the speech patterns the Holland employed to illustrate Antonia's lack of education both cumbersome and distracting. I groaned in annoyance on more than one occasion and that frustration definitely colored my impressions of the novel.
Moving on, I found very little to appreciate in Erik Muth. Forgive me, but the man lacked both charm and intensity. I couldn't picture him managing a Montana homestead with ease, but I'll get back to that in a minute. The point I'm trying to make is he didn't feel authentic and that made the relationship he shared with Antonia difficult to substantiate and his lifestyle impossible to believe.
Atmospherically, this novel does no justice to Montana. It's a romance and I didn't expect much, but the story could take place almost anywhere and it wouldn't change a thing. It's a shame really, my home state has a lot to offer and in the right hands could be a breathtaking backdrop, but Holland dropped the ball. She utterly ignores the natural beauty of the state and the character of its inhabitants.
Healing Montana Sky is clean literature and slow paced. The themes are a little too soft for my tastes, the story too predictable and the structure too simplistic. There's nothing inherently wrong with the book, but it didn't speak to my interests and I'd have a tough time recommending it forward.
I'll be the first to admit Debra Holland's Healing Montana Sky isn't my usual fare. Light fiction is well and good, but I personally find it difficult to sink my teeth into. Make of that what you will and take my comments however you see fit.
As far as leading ladies go, Antonia Valleau had a lot going for her. She's a little rough around the edges, but I thought her position and perspective intriguing. Unfortunately, the character's dialogue drove me up the wall.
"I won’t be breakin’ down. For the sake of my children, I must be strong."
"Should I be takin’ the boys and leave? Head for Sweetwater Springs?"
"No! I won’t be leavin’ Jean-Claude. Cain’t leave my home."
I get what Holland was doing and I appreciate the idea, but as a reader, I found the speech patterns the Holland employed to illustrate Antonia's lack of education both cumbersome and distracting. I groaned in annoyance on more than one occasion and that frustration definitely colored my impressions of the novel.
Moving on, I found very little to appreciate in Erik Muth. Forgive me, but the man lacked both charm and intensity. I couldn't picture him managing a Montana homestead with ease, but I'll get back to that in a minute. The point I'm trying to make is he didn't feel authentic and that made the relationship he shared with Antonia difficult to substantiate and his lifestyle impossible to believe.
Atmospherically, this novel does no justice to Montana. It's a romance and I didn't expect much, but the story could take place almost anywhere and it wouldn't change a thing. It's a shame really, my home state has a lot to offer and in the right hands could be a breathtaking backdrop, but Holland dropped the ball. She utterly ignores the natural beauty of the state and the character of its inhabitants.
Healing Montana Sky is clean literature and slow paced. The themes are a little too soft for my tastes, the story too predictable and the structure too simplistic. There's nothing inherently wrong with the book, but it didn't speak to my interests and I'd have a tough time recommending it forward.
September 19, 2017
SLOOOW
A little dull. A lot slow. Antonia was a 10. Erik more of a 5. Nothing really wrong with him except he was a pompous jerk. She can and does all types of growing. He can and does get mad at her for hiding the fact that she can't read. An embarrassment for her. He actually tells her he's been nice enough to overlook her poor grammar. But he's going to be magnanimous and teach her to read over the winter. Fortunately she is a quick study a picks it up quickly. Not surprising considering she already speaks THREE languages fluently. English, French and Blackfoot.
A flaw in the book for me was the name dropping from previous books in the series. You know where the writer creates a scene and the characters from previous books show up together to drop snippets of their own book .
The situation with the Indians was beyond contrived. I found it hard to believe that the Blackfoot needed Eric to tell them that if they owned horses they could trade them for cattle so they wouldn't starve. Seriously. How insulting is that to the Indian nation.
But what do I know? This book is loaded with 5 stars reviews so if a pretty well edited book with a very slow story and no sex rings your bell go for it.
A little dull. A lot slow. Antonia was a 10. Erik more of a 5. Nothing really wrong with him except he was a pompous jerk. She can and does all types of growing. He can and does get mad at her for hiding the fact that she can't read. An embarrassment for her. He actually tells her he's been nice enough to overlook her poor grammar. But he's going to be magnanimous and teach her to read over the winter. Fortunately she is a quick study a picks it up quickly. Not surprising considering she already speaks THREE languages fluently. English, French and Blackfoot.
A flaw in the book for me was the name dropping from previous books in the series. You know where the writer creates a scene and the characters from previous books show up together to drop snippets of their own book .
The situation with the Indians was beyond contrived. I found it hard to believe that the Blackfoot needed Eric to tell them that if they owned horses they could trade them for cattle so they wouldn't starve. Seriously. How insulting is that to the Indian nation.
But what do I know? This book is loaded with 5 stars reviews so if a pretty well edited book with a very slow story and no sex rings your bell go for it.
September 5, 2016
This was the first book by Debra Holland that I've read. Sexual tension was executed with a light touch, but I found the emotional and physical shifts and growth between the characters to be very realistic. Kudos to Ms. Holland for writing a delightful book.
October 30, 2025
I love it when a book with children treats the children as actual characters with feelings instead of just stage props to be mentioned when the author feels like it. And the best thing about this book to me is the way that both characters try their very best to be good parents to their kids. They are just good people living normal lives and striving to survive. The formation of the family was nice to follow.
A clean book, no love scenes at all. I would have like to see Erik’s reaction to an enthusiastic sex with his second wife, which is very different from his first. The way Antonia describe making love to her first husband, I am curious as to her take on making love with her second husband. But the book didn’t even touch on that part, even as a closed door scene or a mere mention which is a disappointment. To me this is what caused me to feel a lack on their connection. It sort of feels like a consolation romance after the death of their one true love. Very lukewarm in comparison to the constant mention of their previous spouses. I needed to be convinced better that they are truly into each other.
Also minus one star for the added appearances of characters from the first books. Its just puts me off to be given summaries to their stories and have them introduce their children and babies. It’s too much. Like please just end their books with epilogues rather than disturbing other following books with glimpses of their future.
A clean book, no love scenes at all. I would have like to see Erik’s reaction to an enthusiastic sex with his second wife, which is very different from his first. The way Antonia describe making love to her first husband, I am curious as to her take on making love with her second husband. But the book didn’t even touch on that part, even as a closed door scene or a mere mention which is a disappointment. To me this is what caused me to feel a lack on their connection. It sort of feels like a consolation romance after the death of their one true love. Very lukewarm in comparison to the constant mention of their previous spouses. I needed to be convinced better that they are truly into each other.
Also minus one star for the added appearances of characters from the first books. Its just puts me off to be given summaries to their stories and have them introduce their children and babies. It’s too much. Like please just end their books with epilogues rather than disturbing other following books with glimpses of their future.
August 21, 2020
A widow of 5 days meets a widower of 5 hours
Antonia leaves the mountains with her 2 sons after burying her husband all by herself. Without him to trap and hunt for the furs that provide their income, she knows she has to find another way to provide for her family. Three days later she arrives in the nearest small town. A few hours later, Erik arrives in town with his newborn daughter. He had to leave his dear wife who died giving birth to try to get help so his baby would survive.
These two newly devistated parents are persuaded to marry for the sake of the children. Antonia is still nursing her youngest and the newborn needs food. It is amazing how we take such things for granted now. We have bottles and formula. They only had each other.
As Erik, Antonia and the children adjust to their new circumstances, life goes on. Since prairie life in the old West was hard work, the story of how this new family found their way is very interesting. The main characters in this book are fully developed and so very human in all of their interactions, it was a pleasure to read their story. Debra Holland has written a lovely book and I am glad I have already downloaded the next book in this series. Enjoy!
Antonia leaves the mountains with her 2 sons after burying her husband all by herself. Without him to trap and hunt for the furs that provide their income, she knows she has to find another way to provide for her family. Three days later she arrives in the nearest small town. A few hours later, Erik arrives in town with his newborn daughter. He had to leave his dear wife who died giving birth to try to get help so his baby would survive.
These two newly devistated parents are persuaded to marry for the sake of the children. Antonia is still nursing her youngest and the newborn needs food. It is amazing how we take such things for granted now. We have bottles and formula. They only had each other.
As Erik, Antonia and the children adjust to their new circumstances, life goes on. Since prairie life in the old West was hard work, the story of how this new family found their way is very interesting. The main characters in this book are fully developed and so very human in all of their interactions, it was a pleasure to read their story. Debra Holland has written a lovely book and I am glad I have already downloaded the next book in this series. Enjoy!
December 25, 2021
When Antonia's husband, the trapper Jean-Claude, is killed by a grizzly, she packs up her two small children and all her worldly belongings on two mules, and sets out for Sweetwater Springs, her only hope of survival. Meanwhile, Erik's wife dies in childbirth, and, frantic, he races from his ranch into town to try to save the newborn. When Antonia agrees to nurse the infant, the kindly doctor and minister and their wives encourage Antonia and Erik to join in a marriage of convenience to help each other and the children. It's contrived, yes, but a really good story, too. Antonia becomes Erik's partner, and they grieve together and grow past their broken hearts to forge a new alliance. The subplot of the Indian rebellion is a very small part of this story, and the resolution of it, while satisfying, is a bit blue sky when one considers the reality of America's relationship with its original inhabitants, but it's a nice thought. The romance, in any case, was the main story line and it was good.
July 29, 2023
I really really enjoyed this and it definitely scratched my itch of needing to read about babies and taking care of them, and the ins and outs of marriage and raising kids and working together. I’ve read so many books recently that have the entire pregnancy in the book and nothing to do with the baby - SMH!! I just love a breastfeeding scene idk why lol. It makes the book feel more realistic I guess.
I really loved the development of the relationship between Antonia and Erik…and the bond that begins between Erik and the boys.
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because there was no sex *side eye* and the fade to black sex scene? Side eye x a million. Waited the whole damn book for the last page to reference it…. Hate that.
This book was deeply enmeshed with grief and moving through those feelings to continue living.
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style.
I really loved the development of the relationship between Antonia and Erik…and the bond that begins between Erik and the boys.
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because there was no sex *side eye* and the fade to black sex scene? Side eye x a million. Waited the whole damn book for the last page to reference it…. Hate that.
This book was deeply enmeshed with grief and moving through those feelings to continue living.
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style.
June 1, 2020
Out of grief comes love.
Both Erik and Antonia have lost the loves of their lives. Both grieving the loss, they come together out of desperate need. Erik desperately needing a wet nurse for his newborn daughter now that her mother had died giving her life. Antonia needing to provide a way to take care of her two some after the loss of their father lacking any skills or education other than that taught to her by her trapper husband. By joining forces their common grief builds an everlasting love and joins two families into one.
I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series to see what adventure it beholds.
Both Erik and Antonia have lost the loves of their lives. Both grieving the loss, they come together out of desperate need. Erik desperately needing a wet nurse for his newborn daughter now that her mother had died giving her life. Antonia needing to provide a way to take care of her two some after the loss of their father lacking any skills or education other than that taught to her by her trapper husband. By joining forces their common grief builds an everlasting love and joins two families into one.
I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series to see what adventure it beholds.
November 15, 2025
Absolutely beautiful character driven romance exploring grief and desperate times. You would think such themes would make for a bleak read, but our hero and heroine have inner strength, hope and faith in each other that gets them through. It's uplifting.
But damn that abrupt ending! It slams out of nowhere, and I was honestly a bit stunned to turn the kindle page only to see an acknowledgments page. This book NEEDED to be longer, we needed to see their romance blossom just a little more, we needed to see the trouble with the Blackfoot actually resolved. God I hope there is another book in this series.
But damn that abrupt ending! It slams out of nowhere, and I was honestly a bit stunned to turn the kindle page only to see an acknowledgments page. This book NEEDED to be longer, we needed to see their romance blossom just a little more, we needed to see the trouble with the Blackfoot actually resolved. God I hope there is another book in this series.
June 3, 2017
By far, the best one yet!!!
This book focused on two families at first. Antonia losing her husband and leaving her with 2 children and Erik's wife dying during childbirth. leave him with a new baby to feed. so the two families are joined and they make the best of this situation. Very heartwarming. the feeling they eventually developed. I loved this book. people were put in dire situations, not knowing exactly how things would turn out. I love Antonia and I'm glad both her and Eric were blessed with good descent and caring people to be married too.
This book focused on two families at first. Antonia losing her husband and leaving her with 2 children and Erik's wife dying during childbirth. leave him with a new baby to feed. so the two families are joined and they make the best of this situation. Very heartwarming. the feeling they eventually developed. I loved this book. people were put in dire situations, not knowing exactly how things would turn out. I love Antonia and I'm glad both her and Eric were blessed with good descent and caring people to be married too.
August 27, 2019
Incomplete ending
How these stories end seem to be an ongoing issue for me. Even though it's a series, they're individual stories and feel incomplete without some kind of ending about the problem. So we know how Antonia and Erik settled, but what about the problem with the Indians? I feel that if a complete solution, including what happens afterwards, couldn't be provided, then it shouldn't be in the plot. They could have had a personal issue that didn't involve the town which would have gotten them to the same place.
How these stories end seem to be an ongoing issue for me. Even though it's a series, they're individual stories and feel incomplete without some kind of ending about the problem. So we know how Antonia and Erik settled, but what about the problem with the Indians? I feel that if a complete solution, including what happens afterwards, couldn't be provided, then it shouldn't be in the plot. They could have had a personal issue that didn't involve the town which would have gotten them to the same place.
January 29, 2020
Erik and Antonia both have lost their spouses. They are married on the birth of Eriks daughter and death of his wife Daisy. Antonia arrives in town after barring her husband Jean-Claude with her two sons just in time to help with baby Camilla. Their lives start out in sorrow but with the need to move forward for their three young children. Eriks Farm life is difficult then Antonias trapper life. They have a few bumps to overcome but Henri and Jacques learn to accept a new father and wonderful life. Add in some Indian raiding of farm goods and this book is complete.
July 6, 2017
The details this story contains satisfied an important element of the real lifestyle of our forefathers. it is what I find most intriguing about the settlers .
Loved the background this storyline is built on, the everyday lifestyle of the entire family. I could emphasize with her, and applause her strength of character. She is the strong female in a world where weakness is expected and better understood by many.
Loved the background this storyline is built on, the everyday lifestyle of the entire family. I could emphasize with her, and applause her strength of character. She is the strong female in a world where weakness is expected and better understood by many.
January 6, 2018
Such a Great Stoiry
This story continues the Montana Sky series. A character briefly mentioned in a previous book loses his wife in childbirth. A new character lost her husband. They are thrown into a marriage of convenience. This is a well constructed story with interesting details about farming in the late 1800s. The author also continues to weave many insightful thoughts into the story as well as creating another completely original storyline for the characters.
This story continues the Montana Sky series. A character briefly mentioned in a previous book loses his wife in childbirth. A new character lost her husband. They are thrown into a marriage of convenience. This is a well constructed story with interesting details about farming in the late 1800s. The author also continues to weave many insightful thoughts into the story as well as creating another completely original storyline for the characters.
September 11, 2018
This was a fantastic historical fiction book. I immediately became engrossed in each of the characters in their sad situation. It was so sweet to see the relationship change and Eric was my favorite character. He was portrayed so different from most male characters in hf books, and I loved it. This the first book in the series I read but I will be adding more to my reading list. Great characters, interesting plot and a hea, what more can you ask for?
January 13, 2023
Ok, make the popcorn. This book reads like you're watching a really good movie! It's the kind of book that keeps you wondering about it throughout your day. To quote Ernest Hemingway: "When writing a novel, a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature." These characters were very well-rounded. It was interesting to get a peek into what life was like living in Montana in 1895. It was a fast read for me and I really enjoyed it.
July 13, 2017
years A good frontier story. July2017
DRH. Really enjoyed the 1900's frontier tale. The two main characters Eric Muth and Antonia. We're exceptional _ they were rounded out. Since I served 3.5. years. In early 1970's. Of course the author ignored the tough minus10dkegrkees weather. Truly DRH
DRH. Really enjoyed the 1900's frontier tale. The two main characters Eric Muth and Antonia. We're exceptional _ they were rounded out. Since I served 3.5. years. In early 1970's. Of course the author ignored the tough minus10dkegrkees weather. Truly DRH
October 5, 2017
Insightful
When you read a story that not only delivers what you expect from that particular genre but gives you something extra special that's a good book. The insights this storyteller gives into these characters and to the time period makes this a very satisfying romance to read, well done!
When you read a story that not only delivers what you expect from that particular genre but gives you something extra special that's a good book. The insights this storyteller gives into these characters and to the time period makes this a very satisfying romance to read, well done!
September 20, 2018
Wonderful!
What a good read! No warm fuzzy Harlequin romance here, just gritty pioneers that make you thankful for the lifestyle most of us take for granted.
This is my first “Montana Sky” book, but I intend to start at the beginning and read all of them. Incredible storytelling!
What a good read! No warm fuzzy Harlequin romance here, just gritty pioneers that make you thankful for the lifestyle most of us take for granted.
This is my first “Montana Sky” book, but I intend to start at the beginning and read all of them. Incredible storytelling!
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