Jilted seamstress Constance Taylor travels to Sweetwater Springs to live with her estranged father, the livery stable owner. She plans to open a dressmaking shop and bring sophisticated clothing styles to the uncouth frontier town.
Angus Cameron is a young doctor, who’s bitter and discouraged from his work with upper class Londoners and the wretched poor in the East End slums. He arrives in Sweetwater Springs to share the medical practice of his brother, the town doctor.
Although Constance and Angus don’t want to live in Sweetwater Springs, both are determined to change the town in ways they think are important. They clash over her fashionable creations, which Angus knows are unhealthy, and Constance refuses to change. They deny their attraction to each other until Constance falls ill from the arsenic used in her favorite purple and green fabrics, and Angus must fight to save the life of the woman he’s come to love.
USA 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.
Sweet historical small town romance with so much heart. I love this series. With each book you revisit the growing frontier town, and the amazing families while a couple courts each other. Some books are practical as was needed in the times. Many deal with both life and death and hardship. That’s part of what’s makes them special. They become family.
This book, the 8th in the series, has a new doctor in town and his first run-in with the heroine has him frowning in disapproval of her tight corset. He knows how unhealthy a corset is but as a dressmaker, fashion is important to her. A career woman. Two of the many stumbling blocks they need to resolve. It’s sweet and heartwarming and a little bit poignant. So many secondary characters that I want to know more about too. A town from the past with a rosy glow. It’s a bit of escape from today’s mad world. I can’t wait for the next edition.
In this book you finally get to meet Mac’s daughter and Dr. Cameron’s brother. Both are referenced in earlier books. Constance and Angus have a rough first meeting. Fortunately each of them gives the other a second chance.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Strong dear characters highlight Bright Montana Sky. I have loved every book in the series. As much as I loved the book as a whole, the episode with Jewell was the gem of the book!
An enchanting tale and a lovely addition to this captivating series!
Dr. Angus was dedicated to the poor served by London’s East End medical clinic. Discouraged after losing a woman giving birth slums, Dr. Angus firmed his resolve to join his brother in Sweetwater Springs: “I need to flee to the new world, to a new life, to clean air and blue skies and to wide open spaces. Perhaps there I can make a difference.” --- Meanwhile: Constance has found her way to her father in Sweetwater Springs: “I’m here to stay, Papa. I’ve sold Aunt Hannah’s house and stored most of the contents in my neighbor’s attic for now.” He halted and gave her a searching look. “Are you sure about that, Connie-girl? No more traipsing around the world?” “For the last few years, I’ve had more than my share of traipsing. I’m looking forward to settling down in one spot.”
Debra Holland transports her readers back to Sweetwater Springs, Montana in Bright Montana Sky. I know that when I pick up one of Debra’s books, my present day cares will take a back seat to the wondrous vistas and day-to-day goings-on in the small town of Sweetwater Springs. This is the darling story of two new arrivals to Sweetwater Springs: dressmaker Constance Taylor, Mac’s daughter, and Dr. Angus Cameron, Dr. Cameron’s brother.
When Constance lost her Mom, she’d essentially lost both parents as her father had sent her off to stay with her Aunt Hannah. Though they’d corresponded, she’d not seen her father again until she arrived in Sweetwater Springs, surprising him with her presence along with her ten trunks and crates. Being a dressmaker, she prided herself on staying up with the latest fashion, including tight corsets.
Our forthright Scottish hero did not share Constance’s appreciation of popular fashion trends. To say that they floundered their first awkward meeting is an understatement. Thankfully, they were both amendable to second chances and delightfully discover a mutual attraction providing many laughable and heartwarming moments.
Fans of the series will enjoy catching up with previous favorite characters including Pepe, Lucia and many more.
Following please find a few lines from Bright Montana Sky that I loved:
Hank pointed up the mountain. “If you keep going up the road, about a half an hour’s climb, you’ll hit the Swenson place.” “Swenson,” Constance echoed. “Do they have beautiful little blonde girls?” “Got that right. Nicest family you ever met.” She shifted so she that she could see all three of them. “I saw five of the girls in the sweet shop once. They were so adorable; I wanted to adopt them all.” With a raised eyebrow, Angus gave her a curious glance. “Trying to steal away the girls from their parents, eh?” She slanted him a Cheshire cat smile. “The thought might have flitted through my mind.” --- The trees opened up. They drove into an Alpine meadow where a few horses and foals grazed. Grassland dotted with flowers sloped to a small blue lake that reflected the puffy clouds in the sky. Beyond was a spectacular view of the snow-covered peaks. “Oh,” she sighed. “How lovely.” As the surrey drew closer, Constance could see that the lake didn’t end, but took a bend to the right. Two swans floated on the placid water. A canoe lay upside down on the shore. She released a pleased breath. --- “Constance, I do not think I can go on without kissing ye. Will you allow it? Her heartbeat kicked up. “You didn’t ask before.” “I’m trying to be a gentleman here, but you’re making it verra difficult.”
Lara Asmundson returns to narrate Bright Montana Sky. Lara never fails to produce a polished performance that is a true pleasure to listen to. Her voice is clear and easy to understand. Her selection of voices is appropriate for the characters and consistent throughout - making it easy to discern who is speaking at any one time. Her pacing is spot-on and she exudes the expected emotions. If you are an audiophile as I am, you cannot go wrong choosing the audio edition of this book.
Debra is a storytelling genius. Her Montana Sky books always lift my spirits and sweep aside my doldrums. As a plus, this charming installment includes many interesting historical facts regarding the fashion of ladies of this period including the medical concerns regarding the corset. I love learning while being thoroughly entertained! Angus’ and Constance’s happy-ever-after is a sweet and enchanting tale and a lovely addition to this captivating series.
Well I really liked the series as well. This story shows that opposites attract. I do like that Angus was really concerned about Constance and her health and influence over other women, in relation to wearing corsettes and using dyes in certain materials or materials that held certain toxins. In the previous story, Singing...Sophia experiences extreme exhaustion and fatigue which lead to her developing flu like symptoms. When she visited Sweetwater springs and went to visit Dr. Cameron, he mentioned his brother's knowledge about using dyes that were poisionus especially in purples. Anyway when Angus wrote the letter to her, he really explained in detail the ramifications of tightening a corsette to decrease the waist size and how unhealthy it was... It also contained ways to decrease the use of toxins in materials. I believe that she realized what harm she was doing when her young assistant commented on she slept in her corsette to decrease her size and also was not eating. Constance began to reflect and realize that she needed to change. A though it was funny when after church, she finally was able to speak for a moment to Angus to let him know she had read the letter by calling it a love letter. There were some interesting characters introduced at the end when they meet Torin and Jewel. I was glad that Angus was able to talk to him and educate him on his daughter, unfortunately even today children with down's syndrome are rarely excepted in our society. The meeting with the family also allow Constane to demonstrate kindness and compassion with Jewel. She actually demonstrated understanding of the people of Sweetwater, which would benefit being a doctor's wife.
I look forward to the next book. I really enjoy these stories, each novel has a story that is relevant in today's society.
Another great story from Sweetwater Springs. This time with two newcomers, Angus Cameron from Scotland and Constance Taylor from Chicago via a two year tour of Europe. Constance’s father owns the livery in Sweetwater Springs.
There is instant conflict and animosity between the doctor and dressmaker. Angus understands the damage that Women’s fashion can do to a woman’s body. Waists were not meant to be 16-18” and dyes for the most awesome colors fabrics were often awfully toxic!
An interesting theme that the author touches on, but does not pursue or resolve is why, of all the towns in the West, do people come to Sweetwater Springs? As readers, we know why. Debra Holland brings them to this place she created clear back when a prosperous rancher went back east to find a bride. But I think they stay, because on the whole, Sweetwater Springs is a welcoming and supportive community. It is diverse. It is emblematic of the American dream of the 19th Century. Going West for personal and financial independence and creating community where you land. It represents the best in what we believe about ourselves.
“Americans—whether new to the country, or with roots going back generations—seemed to believe in the endless possibilities of a better future for themselves and their families and were willing to take risks to make their dreams happen.”
I love this series and love visiting Sweetwater Springs all over again, this story finds two newcomers in Sweetwater. Dr Angus Cameron and Constance Taylor both seem to lock heads when they first meet but as the story unfolds they find a mutual attraction to each other. But Constance is a dress maker and tends to encourage the corsets what was fashionable at the time but the corset had health issues for women and I found it very interesting to read Debra's take on this, obviously she had done her homework and researched the fashion of the time I found it very intriguing learning historical facts of lady's fashion of this era and also the medical aspects of the corset. Dr Angus was concerned about the medical aspects of the corset and what it did to the women sometimes restricting movement crushing ribs and body organs. A really educational read that I would recommend 5 stars.
Debra Holland is a master story teller. I loved another fantastic story in Bright Montana Sky. Great characters, great story and lots of fun things going on. Two people not sure about romance and are stuck in their professions, wrestle each other about fashion and its consequences of all things. Doctor versus seamtress. I loved the friction between them and the hints of a little something between them. I also really loved the addition of a little girl with autism being included in this story and the wonderful way Debra handled this idea back in the 1800's. Well done. Now I can't wait for the next book but I have been that way with all of her stories. I highly recommend this story but since this is part of a long established series I would start with book one. I am sure you too will love this Montana Sky series, all the books and the Mail Order Brides of the West that are included into the series. Comment
I loved this story! I loved their long European delays to find each other! I loved their compassion for children, whether his nieces and nephews, her encounter with the Swensen girls, or their resuce of Jewel! And I love how I keep having to look up words, songs, styles of clothing and furniture, and even other languages. These last few books, I feel have been very educational!! (The books I read before the most recent few, were mostly on audio, so I didn't take the time to look up stuff).
I absolutely loved this book. I’ve always seen Doc Cameron as a simple secondary character so I thought I would enjoy this book as much. I’m glad I was very wrong. Angus and Constance but heads at the begging because of the dresses and accessories that she plant to sell to the ladies of sweet water spring. Slowly we see them fall for each other build a lasting and wonderful love.
Besides having a nice visit with the good people of Sweetwater Springs, Montana, this book also gave me a good education on social history of women's fashion and economic independence. Debra Holland admits to having an unusually high percentage of women business owners in this story. I always fond myself doing searches online for historical accuracy and Ms. Holland has never let me down. I am eager to read her next book coming out in August, 2018.
So happy to read this book. I love this world, everyday I'm always telling people around me that I'm living in the wrong time period. All the inconveniences that people had back then don't make me think otherwise. I know since many didn't have modern utilities or modern communication they don't know what they were missing. I love all this new technology, but I would give it up to live in this world you've created.
Constance and Angus made me smile because they were so awkward around each other at first. Fortunately, Angus had a wise older brother to help him win over Constance. Constance's reaction to The Letter was my favorite part of the story. I am looking forward to more Constance and Angus in future books because their story was a wonderful addition to the series.
Debra Holland does a wonderful job keeping you wanting more of The Montana Sky series. The characters in the book all fit together with the rest of the series. Great read and you can find other books in other series with authors that write mail order bride series. Keep writing I’ll keep reading. ❤️
This is the story of Constance and Angus . So Sweetwater Springs finally gets a dressmaker and a second doctor. It's a nice story without a lot of convoluted nonsense. Also, the author stays true to the times with societal conventions about relationships and how special needs people were treated. This is a very good contribution to the Montana Sky series.
I have read all of Debra Holland's Montana Sky novels, and have pre-ordered a new one due out in August 2018. Her books are filled wonderful characters who live in and around Sweet Water Springs Montana. It is historical fiction and romance at its best about those courageous people who settled the west.
Enjoyed this book ,Now I know why ladies wore tight corset ,for small waist line. Interesting, glad that Angus and Constance finally got together. I also like how wrote ethical and it was not an issue ,for her she wrote about life. In a west times. Where people excepted oneess
A growing town new neighbors and lots of adventures. People finding there purpose and making a living in surroundings that are new and full of learning experiences. Community and family all come together in a sweet story of life.
I am a good friend of the Montana Sky stories. I have read and loved them all and they are the kind of. Stories you remember. As always I really enjoyed this new addition to the series.
Marriage dreams jilted, she heads west to peruse her dreams. A Scottish doctor throws a snare in her plans. Can she comes to terms with his criticism about her health?
We finally get to meet the Dr. Cameron's brother-doctor and the livery owner daughter...took forever! What a great book. Can't wait for the next one. Yeah!!
I do so enjoy it when a writer puts research into their stories. In this case it was about the danger of women causing themselves physical damage by being too tightly corseted. Ah the plight of a doctor going against fashion. Enjoy 💜
Once again, I am very disappointed in the abrupt way the story ended. New characters were introduced in the last chapter and the reader is left to wonder. The book needed more time for the main characters to flirt and develop their relationship. It needed at least 4 more chapters. Argh!
Well written storyline. The author did a fantastic job of keeping the characters storylines separate but at the same time weaving them together to come to the love connection. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
I am so impressed, with your stories. Not only do you acknowledge God's sovereignty, you bring up scenarios that most authors would avoid like racial differences and society levels and down syndrome children, with such grace. Thank you for the great stories 😊.
Another wonderful story! I really enjoyed this one also! Even though the horse was hurt I loved his part of the story! Very well written even if it made me cry!
I've read all the books in this series. This one may be my favorite. Great story and terrific characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!