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Don’t look down and don’t give up.

Justin Oberman‘s credo for living his adventurous–some might say death-defying–life to the max served him well until the unfortunate outcome of a climb made him walk away from the sport he loved. A lucrative new job offer could pave the way to a more traditional life in Marietta, Montana, where his two best friends have fallen in love with the women of their dreams. But settling down always seemed more daunting than Everest and not worth considering until a mysterious lady in red walks into his life on New Year’s Eve. Suddenly, that happily-ever-after stuff Flynn and Tucker have been raving about looks within reach.

The first fall is always the hardest.

Nikki Magnesson Richards has loved Justin Oberman most of her life. First, from the safety of her brothers’ old tree house. Later, with unrequited teen-age angst. Her poorly thought out attempt to get him to notice her cost them both dearly. Now, a dozen years later, her fairy godfather boss has orchestrated the most romantic meeting possible–the Big Sky Mavericks Masked Ball for Charity. A kiss at midnight with her very own Prince Charming isn’t too much to ask, is it? But what are two star-crossed lovers supposed to do when one kiss isn’t enough?

The Big Sky Mavericks series
Book 1: Montana Cowgirl
Book 2: Montana Cowboy
Book 3: Montana Darling
Book 4: Montana Maverick
Book 5: Her Forever Gift - Free!
Book 6: Montana Hero
Book 7: Montana Rogue
Book 8: Montana Miracle
Book 9: Montana Rebel

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2016

596 people are currently reading
390 people want to read

About the author

Debra Salonen

128 books208 followers
- Born and raised in Brookings, South Dakota. Youngest of five (much youngest). A Baby Boomer who married her high school sweetheart (our lockers were side-by-side). Mother of two, grandmother of three darling princesses, dog mother of 2.5 mutts.

- Graduate of South Dakota State University with a Master’s degree in Geography and History.

- Job history: taxi driver, flax seed counter, cartographer, rural mail carrier, substitute teacher, secretary/community liaison for Merced College’s Child Development Center, bookkeeper, journalist, author.

- First sale story: June, 1999, to Harlequin Superromance. Total number of books sold to Harlequin =27.

- Honors and awards: Romantic Times BOOKreviews, 2006 Series Storyteller of the Year. Winner: Best Superromance of 2010: Until He Met Rachel. Nominated for Desert Quill in 2008.

- First book published by Tule Press, summer 2014: Cowgirl Come Home. The Big Sky Mavericks series opens Aug. 2014 with: Nobody's Cowboy.

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5 stars
191 (41%)
4 stars
157 (33%)
3 stars
79 (17%)
2 stars
23 (4%)
1 star
12 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,883 reviews136 followers
February 5, 2016
What a great addition to this brilliant series - I have thoroughly enjoyed reading every single one of them, including this one! This one is a delectable second chance romance, one where her teenage crush seeking his approval make her take dangerous risks and both pay the price for her foolhardiness. Now, years later, her fairy godfather is plotting to reunite the two in the hope of ensuring they give their love a second chance to develop.

The author writes emotively, painting robust pictures of the dramatic locations and complex characters in the imagination of her readers. It was great to reconnect with so many of the folks I’ve grown to relate to through reading this series, seeing how life is changing and developing for them as well as meeting new ones in this novel. I don’t, however, think you need to have read any of the earlier books in the series to appreciate this entrancing novel. I have no idea if the author deliberately wrote this story as a modern day version of Cinderella or not, but it certainly has many episodes reminiscent of the fairy tale. To me, Justin Oberman was something of an out of reach Prince that Nikki Magnesson Richards has grown up loving whilst he has been relatively unaware of her and J Angus Hooper is the 81 year old entrepreneur who acts as the fairy godfather for the couple. The relationship between the three is superb and believable. There are plenty of twists encountered as they strive to attain their goals, like being part of the team climbing a mountain together, supporting each other but with a few hairy moments along the way!

Everyone could do with a J Angus in their lives! If you enjoy a well written, entertaining and delightful romance, with a well developed plot and great characters, look no further - this is just what you need! I recommend you check out any books by this author as all I have read from her have been great!

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
Profile Image for Jonel.
1,717 reviews311 followers
June 16, 2018
Salonen had me giggling from the get-go with this one. She expertly melds emotions with heat to create a true romance that you can’t look away from. The picturesque surroundings of Marietta came to life through the intricate descriptions.

I enjoyed how the characters have a troubled past together, yet are both moving forward, if in closed off manners at times. The supporting cast was also fantastic. The ties to past novels in the series without depending on them was genius. And the new characters were a blast as well. J. Angus` personality drew me in. He was the type of guy who draws a crowd no matter what. He was also so caring and supportive of those around him, while also demanding the best.

Once again Salonen has created a heartfelt romance with a kick. It was a great read alone or as part of the series.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Irene.
1,908 reviews129 followers
February 5, 2016
4 stars

Montana Rebel by Debra Salonen was a good read.

The storyline was entertaining, my interest was held from start to finish.
I enjoyed watching Nikki and Justin reconnect, it was heartwarming to see them get a second chance at love. I was very happy for them and knew these two would have a happy life together.

Thank you to Tule Publishing via NetGalley for the advance copy.
666 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2018
Sweet story about the girl next door

It was a sweet story. The girl next door has a crush on her neighbor. Both Nikki and Justin had some tough moments during their lives. With the help of Nikki’s employer they are able to reconnect and deal with their pasts.

It was sweet but predictable with a happily ever after.
Profile Image for Sue .
735 reviews34 followers
January 27, 2016
I liked the fairy tale feel that simmered beneath the surface in Montana Rebel. From Prince Charming to a Fairy Godfather, I was intrigued to see where Debra Salonen would take me in Montana Rebel.

I felt like it took a little too long to get into the main story, but once I was there I was there! I liked Justin and Nikki as a hero and heroine. I liked that the past met the present in a way that helped them both, and they dealt with what came their way in a mature manner. I love this characteristic! It was fun how they started off, and I liked how the relationship evolved.

It took a little while into the story before I had a good feel for the main characters, especially Justin, trying to piece together what made him who he was. There are a host of secondary characters that we've seen in other book in this series (Big Sky Mavericks), and though Montana Rebel can be read as a stand alone I'd recommend reading the other books to understand all the characters!

Montana Rebel portrays everything from close knit friends and family to a bizarrely dysfunctional family, and it was striking to see how the characters involved turned out.

A story that give love and the future hope, I'd recommend Montana Rebel to any romance reader.

3.5 stars

I received a free copy for an honest review.
243 reviews5 followers
February 25, 2016
Justin Oberman is a professional climber who also happens to fight wildfires. With two risky jobs something is bound to happen. After walking away from leading a climb he wasn't comfortable doing some of the party went ahead with it and were killed in an avalanche. Picking up the pieces he heads for Marietta Montana where his two best friends have made a home and found the loves of their lives.

Nikki Richards has been in love with Justin for most of her life but she hasn't seen him since a horrible accident years ago at a climb he was leading. That is until her matchmaker boss decides to hire Justin for a special project at his company.

The two meet at a New Years Eve Masquerade ball and the sparks ar flying instantly, but when she reveals her true identity will he run or will he see if there can be a future for them?

I truly loved this book. I was intrigued by the characters from the beginning. It is a great feel good story packed with a lot of hurt and emotions. I really wondered through the whole story how's this going to end. You wont be disappointed with this story.
Profile Image for Ash P Reads.
1,054 reviews16 followers
January 26, 2016
I've enjoyed this series right from the start. The hardships all the characters have had to overcome, the lives they live and the heartbreak and love they experience are all as close to reality that fiction can get. Debra Salonen's writing makes you feel like you are right there with all her characters, watching their lives unfold in front of you first hand. Montana Rebel is no exception. The vivid imagery and the heartfelt emotion is part of the Big Sky Mavericks experience. Though this series has come to an end I hope it is not the last that we will be seeing of them. A must read series for every hope-filled romantic

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Paula Pugh.
2,287 reviews11 followers
January 26, 2016
I love Debra Salonen and her books are always delightful and great to read. Montana Rebel is another entertaining effort by her.
J. Angus Hooper, 81, is a entrepreneur who is not above meddling in the love life of his assistant, Nicole Richards. He manages to orchestrate a way for Nicole to meet up with her long lost love of her life, Justin Oberman, at the Marietta New Year's Eve masquerade ball. There is more to the history of Nicole and Justin besides her long infatuation with him, history that may very well derail the chance for something-anything-to happen between them.
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews40 followers
January 27, 2016
Justin Oberman has always lived life full out. That's not to say he doesn't have some regrets. The biggest being Nikki. The young girl who was involved in a terrible accident that Justin feels was his fault. Now a dozen years later it appears they are destined to reunite thanks to a meddling old man looking for one last adventure and to leave his favorite person happily cared for.

This was a great story and it's one I highly recommend to everyone.
Profile Image for SynergyQuest.
2,021 reviews7 followers
May 17, 2018
3.5 stars

Decent. This is a pretty idyllic romance about former childhood neighbors (she had a crush, he didn't) who meet again several years after a traumatic event, where he saved her life, but blame and death followed soon after. She gets a second chance at capturing his heart and he sees that gem that she's always been. It's pretty insta-love on his part, but a decent read all the same.
Profile Image for Angie.
2,450 reviews3 followers
May 14, 2018
This book really drew me in. Nikki and Justin have a long history together. Nikki has been through a lot and doesn't let it get her down. Justin has some problems in the past and they won't stay in the past. These two come together to help Nikki's employer. Justin finally realizes how special Nikki is and how much she loves him.
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,700 reviews5 followers
January 26, 2023
Nikki broke her back in a climb she had lied to get on. Justin carried her to the ambulance. Her father had yelled at his mother blaming Justin for her fall. Justin’s mother had a heart attack and died before he could get there. Both were affected by this for years. How their lives changed and how they met years later at a masquerade make an engaging story.
646 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2018
Choose your family

Nikki grew up with mean dad and brothers and a mom that would not stand up for her. She shows how you can get away and choose your own family. So glad her and Justin found each other again
840 reviews5 followers
January 29, 2019
💕

Nikki and Justin were neighbors as teens, now years later he would be working under her supervision. They were attracted to each other but he didn’t want a relationship. How could things work out for them?
2 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2020
Wow?

The story began from the beginning to end with the aspect of forgiveness between families. Nikki and Justin had to learn to leave baggage behind before they could move forward in their love!
64 reviews
February 16, 2021
I liked the book however there was a few lines that I really didn't think a grown man, both a mountain climber and a firefighter just wouldn't say. I'm all for sensitive male leads but this one just didn't seem as believable to me.
12 reviews
May 10, 2018
Not For Me

I'm sure others will enjoy this story, it's just not my cup of tea in regards to writing style and content.
931 reviews3 followers
May 12, 2018
Awesome

This was a great book & well written.It had a lot of love & excitement in it. He showed you can overcome a lot of fears & hardships in your life. Justin fought back & won.
Profile Image for Leslie.
57 reviews3 followers
May 12, 2018
Cute Story

Liked the story line of Nikki. Interesting discussion about what makes us who we are and how life experiences affect us.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews101 followers
May 13, 2018
Beautiful

Another great story from Debra. I have a lot of her books and they draw you in and make you feel all the emotions the characters are.
Profile Image for Amary Chapman.
1,665 reviews27 followers
May 14, 2018
Second chance romance

Contemporary second chance romance set in Marietta.
The couple knew each other in their difficult childhoods and reunited as adults.
Profile Image for Nahal.
18 reviews
May 22, 2018
Boring

The main characters sucked and it was very boring to read..i skipped all the way till end.. dissapponted very much
Profile Image for Lisa.
898 reviews7 followers
January 2, 2019
🙄

Her childhood crush has finally come back all thanks to a man who has become a father figure. But her life is changing so quickly will she be able to get the one that got away?
Profile Image for Jane Drager.
Author 14 books132 followers
February 22, 2020
A nice story, well written, and easy to read. Sex is minimal and no foul language. Just an enjoyable read with a wonderful storyline. Witty dialogue and wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Alice.
2,871 reviews
August 8, 2024
Chapter 14. We're who we are now because of the trials and tribulations we've faced, the challenges we've overcome, and the people we met along the wat
1,347 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2018
5+ Star's

Well done funny, steamy, romantic story I simply could not stop reading until the very end, the characters are strong both male and female.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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