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Montana Creeds #5
A Creed In Stone Creek
New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller returns with a brand-new trilogy about putting down roots and the healing power of love. Experience the thrill of her Creed and Stone Creek series in one powerful story...
When single attorney Steven Creed becomes guardian of an orphaned five-year-old boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close-knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him. But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match in the opposing counsel - beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan. It'll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected to win any man's heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he's truly found home.
When single attorney Steven Creed becomes guardian of an orphaned five-year-old boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close-knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him. But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match in the opposing counsel - beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan. It'll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected to win any man's heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he's truly found home.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
458 people are currently reading
1714 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,221 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
February 9, 2016
"A good story is life with all the boring
bits taken out."
- Alfred Hitchcock
He found a flower shop after some searching, but it was closed. From there he proceeded to the supermarket. He'd seen seen roses and various house plants in the produce section of grocery stores lots of times. He'd have preferred something a little fancier, a big bouquet with exotic blossoms and a ribbon tied around the vase but for tonight anyhow he'd have to make do. Inside the store, Steven chose between daisies, rose-buds just opening up, and what was probably some kind of lily. He considered buying several bunches and putting them together but he wasn't sure which colors went with which so he settled for a dozen yellow roses.
I blame Facebook. Before Facebook nobody was really interested in the fact that you had a tomato sandwich for lunch.
Things I would rather do than finish this book
Attend the synchronized swimming final at the Commonwealth Games.
Go to a Star Wars convention dressed as Darth Vader
Watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy on an iPod Touch
did-not-finish
May 25, 2012DNF after two chapters. Actually, I'm pretty impressed I lasted that long. Linda Lael Miller's writing style is not my cuppa. If the hero got choked up one more time, I was going to have to punch him and steal his lunch money, or something. Baby.
May 13, 2012
This book would probably have worked better for a reader more familiar with her other books.
February 26, 2011
I have faithfully read all the books in the Creed, O'Ballivan, McKettrick series, and this turned out to be one of my favorites. Steven and Meg meet when he comes to build roots in Stone Creek for the "son" he has adopted after his best friend and his wife pass away. Steven knows that he likes Meg; he finds her attractive, intelligent, and she treats Matt with respect. I really liked Meg, who has created a life for herself but realizes that something is missing. She has a great job, amazing friends (I LOVED her scenes with Tom), a nice house, and a solid family - but she sees the glow that her family has that comes from being with that special someone, and wonders if she will get that too. Meg's confusion over a job that she worked hard for but no longer really fits her felt genuine. I loved that Byron really challenged her to look at herself, and question whether he could have changed, and whether he deserves a second chance to start anew. What I really liked: I loved that she had such a great friend in Tom, without feeling like they should have been more with each other. I loved that Matt was so cute I couldn't wait for scenes with him. Steven and Meg had great chemistry, sexually and on a more intellectual plane. They challenge each other. I also appreciated that Meg had a great sexual relationship with her previous boyfriend, Dan. Sometimes it feels as if the heroine hasn't discovered sex until she meets her hero, and it was great to see she was confident in her needs. What I didn't like: There are so, many, children. Each book in the series has pregnancy (at least), if not every hero or heroine already having children coming into the relationship. Even Meg's ex had children. I felt it is a bit unrealistic, and while Miller writes families and children so well, I would have liked to see the romance stand-alone. In some ways, the child (or children) become a prop to carry the story, and she writes so well that the characters don't necessarily need it. I think this book is definitely worth reading, and even if you haven't read the series you wouldn't feel confused.
May 23, 2012
Romance Lovers Book Club June pick.
If you're a Linda Lael Miller fan, then you're going to like this one, too. It's pretty much just like all her other books. Miller never lets the tension get too deep, or the danger too extreme. You can count on lots of heartwarming scenes, some involving plot moppets, and lots of loving family moments. And you'll read rather a lot about hand washing.
I find the writing a bit schmaltzy and the characters rather two-dimensional. There was one major discrepancy. Early in the book Melissa thinks about her break-up with Dan, saying that he "dumped her." Later in the book we find out she's the one who kept postponing the wedding, and he broke it off because of her lack of commitment. That seems like a big difference to me.
If you're a Linda Lael Miller fan, then you're going to like this one, too. It's pretty much just like all her other books. Miller never lets the tension get too deep, or the danger too extreme. You can count on lots of heartwarming scenes, some involving plot moppets, and lots of loving family moments. And you'll read rather a lot about hand washing.
I find the writing a bit schmaltzy and the characters rather two-dimensional. There was one major discrepancy. Early in the book Melissa thinks about her break-up with Dan, saying that he "dumped her." Later in the book we find out she's the one who kept postponing the wedding, and he broke it off because of her lack of commitment. That seems like a big difference to me.
September 5, 2015
There's a formula for me, children and pets.... I'm a goner! ahahahahah
and this great story contained all the elements I love, so it's vey good.
The story is a bit lame, hence the 4 stars, but LLM is sweet and her stories are quiet, there is no conflicts or aggressiveness.
And the children and pets are loved and respected.
A dreamworld for me :)
and this great story contained all the elements I love, so it's vey good.
The story is a bit lame, hence the 4 stars, but LLM is sweet and her stories are quiet, there is no conflicts or aggressiveness.
And the children and pets are loved and respected.
A dreamworld for me :)
March 28, 2011
I usually enjoy LLM's books more than I did this one. Not that I didn't like it, but I usually am more engaged in her stories. Though I didn't mind this book, something about it just didn't fully hook me.
Series Note:
This book has oodles of series connections. It's the first book in LLM's newest "Creed" trilogy...which has a connection to the first "Creed" trilogy and a "Creed" historical. It is also connection to the "Stone Creek" series, which is connected to the "McKettrick" series. All in all, there are A LOT of books this connected to, but I think you could do well enough reading this book on it's own.
Summary:
Melissa O'Ballivan is the local prosecutor in Stone Creek, Arizona who is feeling a disconnected from everything. Her job doesn't require much since there isn't much crime in the area, and though she would love to have kids, she's afraid to get involved with a man. Then Steven Creed walks into her life.
Steven recently became the adopted father of his late best friends' little boy. To give young Matt the best life possible, he buys a ranch in Stone Creek where he plans to raise Matt and do some pro bono legal work. The second he meets Melissa, though, he's drawn to her. But considering that his last girlfriend dumped him when he decided to adopt Matt, he's very wary of getting involved again.
It doesn't help that the two are continuously clashing over a local troubled youth who Melissa is prosecuting and Steven is defending. Both will have to learn to put their pasts and differences aside and focus on the feelings between them.
Review:
I'm sadly at a loss over what to say about this book. I read it a few weeks ago and nothing has really stuck in my head about the story. LLM's books usually make more of an impression on me, so I guess that says something.
A few things I can think to say: Melissa definitely wasn't one of my favorite LLM heroines. She's not entirely likable. She's kinda temperamental and judgmental. The things she got mad at Steven over were kind of ridiculous and you wanted to tell her to get over herself. And the psychosomatic pet allergy (don't ask) was just really bizarre. I didn't have the best impression of Melissa from previous book in these series and my opinion didn't really change as I read.
The story was rather predictable. It was easy to see where everything was going, even the very minor suspense aspect of the story. There were no surprises. Sometimes I found the character of Byron more interesting than other parts of the book.
I did like the ambiance of the story...quiet, old fashioned Western town. Characters with values and morals you can appreciate. And you get to catch up some with past characters of the various series. I also like that she referenced some of the historical tales in the series, as they have been some of my favorites.
I wish I could say more about the book, but that's all I can think of. So I guess that makes it a fairly average story. LLM usually engages me more emotionally in her stories, but this one was pretty basic with a few things that turned me off. But I still didn't mind it. I think LLM fans will like it enough.
Series Note:
This book has oodles of series connections. It's the first book in LLM's newest "Creed" trilogy...which has a connection to the first "Creed" trilogy and a "Creed" historical. It is also connection to the "Stone Creek" series, which is connected to the "McKettrick" series. All in all, there are A LOT of books this connected to, but I think you could do well enough reading this book on it's own.
Summary:
Melissa O'Ballivan is the local prosecutor in Stone Creek, Arizona who is feeling a disconnected from everything. Her job doesn't require much since there isn't much crime in the area, and though she would love to have kids, she's afraid to get involved with a man. Then Steven Creed walks into her life.
Steven recently became the adopted father of his late best friends' little boy. To give young Matt the best life possible, he buys a ranch in Stone Creek where he plans to raise Matt and do some pro bono legal work. The second he meets Melissa, though, he's drawn to her. But considering that his last girlfriend dumped him when he decided to adopt Matt, he's very wary of getting involved again.
It doesn't help that the two are continuously clashing over a local troubled youth who Melissa is prosecuting and Steven is defending. Both will have to learn to put their pasts and differences aside and focus on the feelings between them.
Review:
I'm sadly at a loss over what to say about this book. I read it a few weeks ago and nothing has really stuck in my head about the story. LLM's books usually make more of an impression on me, so I guess that says something.
A few things I can think to say: Melissa definitely wasn't one of my favorite LLM heroines. She's not entirely likable. She's kinda temperamental and judgmental. The things she got mad at Steven over were kind of ridiculous and you wanted to tell her to get over herself. And the psychosomatic pet allergy (don't ask) was just really bizarre. I didn't have the best impression of Melissa from previous book in these series and my opinion didn't really change as I read.
The story was rather predictable. It was easy to see where everything was going, even the very minor suspense aspect of the story. There were no surprises. Sometimes I found the character of Byron more interesting than other parts of the book.
I did like the ambiance of the story...quiet, old fashioned Western town. Characters with values and morals you can appreciate. And you get to catch up some with past characters of the various series. I also like that she referenced some of the historical tales in the series, as they have been some of my favorites.
I wish I could say more about the book, but that's all I can think of. So I guess that makes it a fairly average story. LLM usually engages me more emotionally in her stories, but this one was pretty basic with a few things that turned me off. But I still didn't mind it. I think LLM fans will like it enough.
February 24, 2011
There was a time when I would have swooned at the idea of a millionaire cowboy hero with a heart of gold, riding into town and saving the lonely spinster from a life without love and babies, however it has been sometime since I have found this plot very satisfying. Unfortunately I found Miller's story to be naive and, despite the contemporary setting and a few intimate scenes, rather old fashioned. The book's label as a contemporary romance hides a plot that feels transplanted from the 1970's (except Melissa would have been a secretary instead of a lawyer).
Miller paints her characters with a brush laden with sterotypes. Despite a successful career as a prosecutor, "..an amazing body..", owning her own home and a custom roadster, Melissa who is barely 30, laments her life is empty without a man and babies to share it with.
Steven is a handsome defense attorney from a moneyed family whose summers at his father's ranch qualifies him as a cowboy and whose heart of gold is proved by his adoption of his best friends orphan son. Had Melissa had a bit more self esteem, Steve been a little less perfect and Matt not nearly as precocious, I would have been more willing to surrender to the fairytale of happy ever after.
The romance seemed to center around Melissa's biological clock, with the mutual attraction between the pair a lucky concidence. The relationship conflicts seemed hollow and inconsistent with Melissa's character in particular. I didn't think her sudden bitterness about their opposing lawyer roles made much sense.
I was much more interested in Byron's storyline, and would have liked to have had more depth to it. I also enjoyed the naked, dancing senior citizens and the toilet paper war. I just felt that the connections between the subplots and main storyline weren't as cohesive as they could have been.
I had hoped to enjoy the story more but A Creed in Stone Creek was an undemanding and quick read. I am sure fans of Millers McKettricks, Montana Creeds and Stone Creek series will be happy with this latest installment, as will romance readers dreaming of rescue by prince charming.
Miller paints her characters with a brush laden with sterotypes. Despite a successful career as a prosecutor, "..an amazing body..", owning her own home and a custom roadster, Melissa who is barely 30, laments her life is empty without a man and babies to share it with.
Steven is a handsome defense attorney from a moneyed family whose summers at his father's ranch qualifies him as a cowboy and whose heart of gold is proved by his adoption of his best friends orphan son. Had Melissa had a bit more self esteem, Steve been a little less perfect and Matt not nearly as precocious, I would have been more willing to surrender to the fairytale of happy ever after.
The romance seemed to center around Melissa's biological clock, with the mutual attraction between the pair a lucky concidence. The relationship conflicts seemed hollow and inconsistent with Melissa's character in particular. I didn't think her sudden bitterness about their opposing lawyer roles made much sense.
I was much more interested in Byron's storyline, and would have liked to have had more depth to it. I also enjoyed the naked, dancing senior citizens and the toilet paper war. I just felt that the connections between the subplots and main storyline weren't as cohesive as they could have been.
I had hoped to enjoy the story more but A Creed in Stone Creek was an undemanding and quick read. I am sure fans of Millers McKettricks, Montana Creeds and Stone Creek series will be happy with this latest installment, as will romance readers dreaming of rescue by prince charming.
Read
December 24, 2014Personal opinion: Great book about taking chances in life and love. One thought that sticks with me after I have finished reading is that I want to dance with Steven. LOL Ms. Miller made me yearn for his strong arms to surround and protect me. Just like a cowboy should!
Happy reading,
Kim S.
Happy reading,
Kim S.
March 12, 2013
Quick and easy as usual. Love a good cowboy romance sometimes even when you know how it ends up. :) Linda Lael Miller is one of my favorite authors for that.
January 27, 2011
Its that time of the year to head back to your cowboy roots with the queen of western romance. In this new trilogy, we meet up with some more of the Creeds, Steven and his twin cousins, Brody and Connor. This book features Steven who has recently adopted his best friends five year old son, Matt, and the towns prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan. Steven moves to Stone Creek, Arizona to be near his McKettrick side of the family and leave a bad breakup and the big city behind and start over a bit with Matt. On his first day there he sees an attractive woman, who turns out to be Melissa, and the attraction is instant and mutual.
This book is full of small town country life. Melissa is coerced into supervising the town parade and as a result, has to deal with numerous small problems from the older women in the community. One of the side storied involves a young man that Melissa had successfully prosecuted and sent to jail, getting released and returns back home and he deals with some unfortunate circumstances and lead to Melissa and Steven, a public defender, squaring off against each other. And then there is Matt. I really loved the relationship between Matt and Steven. It was no surprise to Steven that he was the guardian, this was told to him shortly after Matt was born so there wasn't they big 'what do I do with a kid?' problem, which was great. There were a bit of inconsistencies, to me I felt, with Matts age and how he acted, but that seems to happen often with kids in the book. I think its hard to hit it just right with kids and how they act versus their age.
Also present in this book is lots of family and love between them. Melissa has her brother, Brad (who is married to Meg, Stevens cousin) and her twin sisters. Thank goodness both her sisters are happily married because I thought they were going to be paired up with Stevens twin cousins and I am a bit over the twin with twin thing lately. (Of course I don't know what happens with the next two books but I hope nothing happens to the sisters husbands!!) But, at the same time, the intertwined family life is a bit confusing sometimes. Everyone seems to be related somehow! The attraction between Steven and Melissa was heated and progressed very quickly but as Melissa had been burned by a guy with kids before, she is a bit hesitant as he with her as his ex was a prosecutor as well. They gradually overcome these issues with no big misunderstanding which was a plus!
Overall, this is a pleasant book to spend a nice snowy day with while curled up in front of the fireplace and some hot chocolate. I am looking forward to the twin cousins stories as there is some good back story waiting to be told that should be interesting. I have enjoyed all of Linda Lael Millers westerns and enjoy coming back each year for more. I have not tried any other westerns, as its not really my thing, but she does a great job giving you just enough without overpowering you. 3 1/2 stars
I received this ebook via netgallery.com
This book is full of small town country life. Melissa is coerced into supervising the town parade and as a result, has to deal with numerous small problems from the older women in the community. One of the side storied involves a young man that Melissa had successfully prosecuted and sent to jail, getting released and returns back home and he deals with some unfortunate circumstances and lead to Melissa and Steven, a public defender, squaring off against each other. And then there is Matt. I really loved the relationship between Matt and Steven. It was no surprise to Steven that he was the guardian, this was told to him shortly after Matt was born so there wasn't they big 'what do I do with a kid?' problem, which was great. There were a bit of inconsistencies, to me I felt, with Matts age and how he acted, but that seems to happen often with kids in the book. I think its hard to hit it just right with kids and how they act versus their age.
Also present in this book is lots of family and love between them. Melissa has her brother, Brad (who is married to Meg, Stevens cousin) and her twin sisters. Thank goodness both her sisters are happily married because I thought they were going to be paired up with Stevens twin cousins and I am a bit over the twin with twin thing lately. (Of course I don't know what happens with the next two books but I hope nothing happens to the sisters husbands!!) But, at the same time, the intertwined family life is a bit confusing sometimes. Everyone seems to be related somehow! The attraction between Steven and Melissa was heated and progressed very quickly but as Melissa had been burned by a guy with kids before, she is a bit hesitant as he with her as his ex was a prosecutor as well. They gradually overcome these issues with no big misunderstanding which was a plus!
Overall, this is a pleasant book to spend a nice snowy day with while curled up in front of the fireplace and some hot chocolate. I am looking forward to the twin cousins stories as there is some good back story waiting to be told that should be interesting. I have enjoyed all of Linda Lael Millers westerns and enjoy coming back each year for more. I have not tried any other westerns, as its not really my thing, but she does a great job giving you just enough without overpowering you. 3 1/2 stars
I received this ebook via netgallery.com
September 20, 2019
It's not the best romantic western, I've read. But, it's not the worst. The story seemed to be rushed, the characters not really in great detail. You want to know more about them. The story line even seemed to be pushed together. The thing in great detail is you know what they lost, their parents, friends, loved ones, boy friends and girl friends. Kind of a sappy.. Woo is me story.
Melissa is kind of a priss.
Just wish there was more to the story then what I read.
Melissa is kind of a priss.
Just wish there was more to the story then what I read.
March 14, 2011
A Creed in Stone Creek was a very enjoyable novel. I liked the setting, I liked where the plot was going and I enjoyed the characters. I will be reading the rest of this trilogy as well as picking up some of her other series books now. Linda Lael Miller writes a book that brings you right into the story and keeps you there until the conclusion. The characters feel like your friends and you just don't want to say goodbye at the end (and thankfully you won't have to, because I am sure Steven, Matt and Melissa will be making appearances in the next two books as well).
Let's start with the characters. I feel like this is Ms. Miller's strong suit - giving us great characters. I loved getting to know Melissa, Steven and wonderful little Matt. I also like the fact that she added a child to the mix of characters. It adds that extra depth and fun with precocious Matt. He really adds to the story and doesn't take anything away from the romance at all. In fact I love the fact that he adores Melissa from the start.
Another thing I enjoyed was the setting. The town takes on a life of it's own in this book and I have never kept it secret that I enjoy small town novels. Stone Creek is one of those towns where everybody knows everyone's business and most of the people care deeply about the town and the people around them.
There was also good tension in the book with Melissa being a prosecutor and Steven coming in as a new defense attorney. That added to the tension and growing romance between the characters and made a great obstacle for the two of them to overcome to find their love for each other.
While the romance is not prominent it is there, I see this more of a character or relationship novel than a romance and if you look at it like that you will really enjoy it. The romance is there, but it's not as front and center as some other romances I loved. But that didn't take away from the storyline for me. The storyline kept me interested and I kept turning the pages to learn more about Melissa and Steven and the town of Stone Creek.
Let's start with the characters. I feel like this is Ms. Miller's strong suit - giving us great characters. I loved getting to know Melissa, Steven and wonderful little Matt. I also like the fact that she added a child to the mix of characters. It adds that extra depth and fun with precocious Matt. He really adds to the story and doesn't take anything away from the romance at all. In fact I love the fact that he adores Melissa from the start.
Another thing I enjoyed was the setting. The town takes on a life of it's own in this book and I have never kept it secret that I enjoy small town novels. Stone Creek is one of those towns where everybody knows everyone's business and most of the people care deeply about the town and the people around them.
There was also good tension in the book with Melissa being a prosecutor and Steven coming in as a new defense attorney. That added to the tension and growing romance between the characters and made a great obstacle for the two of them to overcome to find their love for each other.
While the romance is not prominent it is there, I see this more of a character or relationship novel than a romance and if you look at it like that you will really enjoy it. The romance is there, but it's not as front and center as some other romances I loved. But that didn't take away from the storyline for me. The storyline kept me interested and I kept turning the pages to learn more about Melissa and Steven and the town of Stone Creek.
September 12, 2013
A Creed in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller is the first book in her new Creed Cowboys contemporary western romance trilogy.
After defense lawyer Steven Creed finds himself caring for Matt, the 5-year-old son of his deceased best friends, Steven decides to move the two of them to Stone Creek, Arizona for a fresh start. What Steven doesn't count on is his intense attraction to county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan. Melissa finds herself attracted to Steven as well, but she's wary of having her heart broken again since her last relationship ended badly. And when the two lawyers clash over a troubled boy, Melissa wonders if their romance can survive their differences ...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- Miller's books are like comfort reads to me. You know where the story is headed every step of the way, but it's still fun getting there. Plus, she always has really great cowboy covers. I know, I know, you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but a good cover never hurts.
I liked a lot of things about this book -- the Arizona setting, the secondary characters, the references to characters from Miller's other books (the Creeds and the McKettricks). I also liked how Melissa struggled with certain aspects of her job as a prosecutor.
However, I did think that the romance between Steven and Melissa developed too quickly. It was pretty much instant, undeniable, overwhelming attraction. They take one look at each other and bam! They know their lives will never be the same. I like romances that are a little slower to develop. It just seems more realistic to me.
Also, there was a suspense subplot that I didn't think added much to the book. (I don't know why so many of the westerns I've read recently have had a suspense plot in them, but that's a post for another time.)
Overall, this isn't the best Miller book that I've read, but it's still a decent read. If you like westerns, you'll probably enjoy this one and others by Miller.
After defense lawyer Steven Creed finds himself caring for Matt, the 5-year-old son of his deceased best friends, Steven decides to move the two of them to Stone Creek, Arizona for a fresh start. What Steven doesn't count on is his intense attraction to county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan. Melissa finds herself attracted to Steven as well, but she's wary of having her heart broken again since her last relationship ended badly. And when the two lawyers clash over a troubled boy, Melissa wonders if their romance can survive their differences ...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- Miller's books are like comfort reads to me. You know where the story is headed every step of the way, but it's still fun getting there. Plus, she always has really great cowboy covers. I know, I know, you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but a good cover never hurts.
I liked a lot of things about this book -- the Arizona setting, the secondary characters, the references to characters from Miller's other books (the Creeds and the McKettricks). I also liked how Melissa struggled with certain aspects of her job as a prosecutor.
However, I did think that the romance between Steven and Melissa developed too quickly. It was pretty much instant, undeniable, overwhelming attraction. They take one look at each other and bam! They know their lives will never be the same. I like romances that are a little slower to develop. It just seems more realistic to me.
Also, there was a suspense subplot that I didn't think added much to the book. (I don't know why so many of the westerns I've read recently have had a suspense plot in them, but that's a post for another time.)
Overall, this isn't the best Miller book that I've read, but it's still a decent read. If you like westerns, you'll probably enjoy this one and others by Miller.
May 11, 2011
First I'd like to thank Harlequin for reaching out to "Good Choice Reading" and offering us "A Creed In Stone Creek" for review. It's an honor.
I have to start off by saying that this was a cute western romance book. I love contemp romance but this book was a bit fast paced with its characters and slow paced with the story.
Here's what I liked:
1. It's a complete delight to see a single man drop his life to adopt his best friend's child and raise
him as his own.
2. I like that Melissa is a woman that has a career and can manage on her own.
3. I love how Steven approached any situation when it came to Matt and his family. He respected
Matt enough to let him make some decisions
Here's what I didn't like:
1. I didn't like how the main characters story was hot and cold.
2. Now I love Matt's character. But he seems to be a bit too smart for his age, even if he's a gift child.
3. I didn't like how the story was prolonged with other subplots.
Overall it was a sweet story. How could you not like a man who takes resposibility for his deceased best friend's son without a thought. That was admiring. A man who dropped his life to raise his "new" adopted son. And then there's Melissa, a woman with character and a great career whose well educated and established. And I love how both Steven and Melissa have a great family bond. Seeing how their family supported them throughout the book was heart-warming. Despite the little issues I had with the story, Linda still managed to keep my attention.
I give this book a 3.5 stars. This is a good book for you if you're into western romance.
I have to start off by saying that this was a cute western romance book. I love contemp romance but this book was a bit fast paced with its characters and slow paced with the story.
Here's what I liked:
1. It's a complete delight to see a single man drop his life to adopt his best friend's child and raise
him as his own.
2. I like that Melissa is a woman that has a career and can manage on her own.
3. I love how Steven approached any situation when it came to Matt and his family. He respected
Matt enough to let him make some decisions
Here's what I didn't like:
1. I didn't like how the main characters story was hot and cold.
2. Now I love Matt's character. But he seems to be a bit too smart for his age, even if he's a gift child.
3. I didn't like how the story was prolonged with other subplots.
Overall it was a sweet story. How could you not like a man who takes resposibility for his deceased best friend's son without a thought. That was admiring. A man who dropped his life to raise his "new" adopted son. And then there's Melissa, a woman with character and a great career whose well educated and established. And I love how both Steven and Melissa have a great family bond. Seeing how their family supported them throughout the book was heart-warming. Despite the little issues I had with the story, Linda still managed to keep my attention.
I give this book a 3.5 stars. This is a good book for you if you're into western romance.
February 2, 2011
Steven's life has changed so much in the past few months, and he's decided to make one more change and move to Stone Creek. In the past few months Steven's best friend died in a motorcycle accident leaving Steven to take care of his friends five year old son. Steven and Matt moved to Stone Creek to start anew, where Steven will be a Defense Attorney pro-bono and will work on his ranch. The last thing Steven expected was to find a woman that turns his world even more upside down than it already is.
Melissa is the Prosecutor for Stone Creek, and she is content in her life until she see's Steven. It's an instant lust attraction on her end and she can shake this man with the adorable son. She's had her heart broken by a man with sons before and she's not looking for that to happen again. With all of her siblings happily married and having babies Melissa begins to question her life and if she is really happy or if she is missing something or someone.
I really enjoyed this book, I haven't read any of her other books so this book was fine as a stand alone novel for me. The characters were amazing, Matt was so adorable always wanting a family and was completely honest in everything he did. You really got to see the relationship grow and expand with Matt and Steven and saw them struggle with what they were to each other. The way Steven was with Matt just made you love him even more. He had such a kind heart and wasn't above sharing it. Both the characters have a trouble family past and are both reluctant with relationships but they were amazing together. I look forward to reading more books in this series especially ones with the cousins Connor and Brody.
Melissa is the Prosecutor for Stone Creek, and she is content in her life until she see's Steven. It's an instant lust attraction on her end and she can shake this man with the adorable son. She's had her heart broken by a man with sons before and she's not looking for that to happen again. With all of her siblings happily married and having babies Melissa begins to question her life and if she is really happy or if she is missing something or someone.
I really enjoyed this book, I haven't read any of her other books so this book was fine as a stand alone novel for me. The characters were amazing, Matt was so adorable always wanting a family and was completely honest in everything he did. You really got to see the relationship grow and expand with Matt and Steven and saw them struggle with what they were to each other. The way Steven was with Matt just made you love him even more. He had such a kind heart and wasn't above sharing it. Both the characters have a trouble family past and are both reluctant with relationships but they were amazing together. I look forward to reading more books in this series especially ones with the cousins Connor and Brody.
October 18, 2014
Ok so, this may be the one and only time I ask you to overlook the book covers. I felt like I had steeped into a Mills and Boone set when I saw the cover. Trust me, when I say that I hate sappy crap and although I love a love story, I still cringed when I think about PDA! So as I was house bound and in desperate need for something new to read, the choices were limited and so you don't ask questions you just give it a try.
I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the books. Although the books focus on the sexual tension, once they got their shit together they sped through the second and third and fourth bases so to speak in a matter of pages. The first book could of been its own singular story and although it links, the second and third books are clearly joined and flow together much better.
Steven is my favourite but Brody has that bad boy image working for him and pulls off the best dates a girl could dream of. Each book places a focus on one of the brothers and their search for a wife. By the third book I felt like I was reading just a similar version of the previous books. It was too much of the one author and having all brothers think the same really allowed for no variety. Or perhaps don't read all three in one sitting like I did so that you get a break and enjoy it more. If this is what those three books were like then I would be afraid to read any of her other series in the fear that there is no real change between story lines expect for the town and characters names.
I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the books. Although the books focus on the sexual tension, once they got their shit together they sped through the second and third and fourth bases so to speak in a matter of pages. The first book could of been its own singular story and although it links, the second and third books are clearly joined and flow together much better.
Steven is my favourite but Brody has that bad boy image working for him and pulls off the best dates a girl could dream of. Each book places a focus on one of the brothers and their search for a wife. By the third book I felt like I was reading just a similar version of the previous books. It was too much of the one author and having all brothers think the same really allowed for no variety. Or perhaps don't read all three in one sitting like I did so that you get a break and enjoy it more. If this is what those three books were like then I would be afraid to read any of her other series in the fear that there is no real change between story lines expect for the town and characters names.
March 3, 2011
I enjoyed the previous books about Stone Creek and the O'Ballivans but this was a huge disappointment. The writing seemed very disjointed, the people were poorly characterized and there were plot threads that led nowhere. I have so many negatives about this that I'll just pick a few. Melissa seemed inconsistent, frequently acting out of character. The side plot with Tom and Tessa felt like big chunks were edited out. The bit about the nudists seemed pointless. There was a rather glaring mistake with Nathan. When Nathan was going to sue over police brutality, Steven was with him as an attorney, told the sheriff to release him and even gave him money. Later in the book, when Steven took Velda home, Nathan was described as someone Steven had never seen before and they introduced themselves to each other. My overall impression was that this book was both hastily written and hastily edited, just thrown together at the last moment.
February 3, 2015
When single attorney Steven Creed becomes guardian of an orphaned five-year-old
boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close
knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his
run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him.
But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match
in the opposing counsel—beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan.
It'll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected
to win any man's heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he's truly found home.
Another great Lael Miller read. Enjoyed all the characters, and hated the appropriate ones.
An easy book to get lost in. 5 stars.
boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close
knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his
run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him.
But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match
in the opposing counsel—beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O'Ballivan.
It'll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected
to win any man's heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he's truly found home.
Another great Lael Miller read. Enjoyed all the characters, and hated the appropriate ones.
An easy book to get lost in. 5 stars.
December 13, 2015
The story of Steven creed who moves to stone creek with his adopted son matt. When he meets the town prosecutor Melissa he is quite taken by her and so is his son matt who wants her to marry his dad and be his mommy. When he asks her out and things seem to go good she backs off afraid to get hurt or make a commitment. Melissa gets roped into looking after the parade committee. Everyone is on edge when a local store gets robbed a gun point and the police are looking for the guy who did it. When Steven stops to talk to Melissa about his feelings they end up at the wrong place at the wrong time with the robber with his gun on the cashier...At that moment everything changes...Twin cousins of Steven s end up in the same place at the same time after years of not speaking to each other after a big argument...
April 25, 2011
This was my first Linda Lael Miller book...I won it from Goodreads Giveaways. It was an okay read. A little slow, in my opinion. I liked the premise of opposing lawyers trying to make a relationship work but we didn't really get the angst that could have developed from that kind of storyline. I adored Steven and his 5yr old adoptive son Matt. What a great guy! I wasn't to fond of Melissa for the most part...she was a little to indecisive and seemed "cold" at times. I'm glad that she eventually warmed up to Steven and the thoughts of a future with him. Overall, it was a nice and quick read. Not sure if I enjoyed it enough to seek out others in the series. I might try something else of Miller's before I give up completely (maybe something from the popular McKettrick series).
April 25, 2011
Sadly, this was another book that was not my cup of tea. I seem to have these aversions against slice of life contemporary romances like this one. You see, I tried reading the Virgin River series and it bored me to tears. It's a good series, there's no doubt about that, but I don't think a lot of people have the patience to finish it. I'm usually a fan of western romances but this one just didn't cut it for me. It was nice... but I think when it comes to these types of books, they're more suited for those that enjoy reading about small town settings and such.
January 14, 2012
I normally enjoy Miller's books, but not this one. The pace was too slow, and the plot was too predictable - defense attorney and prosecuting attorney clash. The more interesting emotional stories were quickly explained away rather that given the attention that they deserved.
March 28, 2013
This book was on the 100 books to read before you die. And yeah, I'm just not into that romance garbage. It was very well written, and the story was good, and I'm sure I would've loved it had I been born someone else.
January 7, 2018
I always enjoy reading Linda Lael Miller's books. This book brings several different families from past books together in a setting familiar with this author's books.
March 28, 2011
This review was originally published on Book Lovers Inc.
My Thoughts: I'm not an expert when it comes to Western romances, so far I have only read about half a dozen of this genre, but I enjoyed those a lot, so I was looking forward to A Creed in Stone Creek, especially given its single-dad-raising-an-orphaned-little-boy premise and that as a junior lawyer I like reading novels where the hero and heroines are law practioners. Unfortunately A Creed in Stone Creek left me lukewarm.
A Creed in Stone Creek takes place in nowadays' Arizona, but it feels dated, as if the reader is back in the '50s and that made me lose my grip on the story and its reality a couple of times.
Though there is a blatant black and white categorization: happy women living in Stone Creek are married, pregnant, great cooks and happy housewives, it wasn't even this that I took offense with. It was the fact that Linda Lael Miller tries hard to portray Melissa, our heroine as feminist and independent, but it rings hollow as Melissa is like a Stepford housewife from the '50s in mentality (except for the cooking) (which don't get me wrong I don't have a problem with, if it isn't stated every chapter how modern and independent she is). Melissa, after completing years of law studies, exams and having worked hard to be a prosecutor is having some sort of crisis not being happy with her work and personal life. I can understand her needing a change from law but at the end of the novel she takes a 180° turn and it's as if she becomes just one of the many streotypical small town women, shedding her personality and individuality.
Though I like my heroine and hero to discover each other and for their affection and love to grow gradually and develop realistically, I can understand that sometimes love can be more instinctive and overwhelming. However the romance between Steven and Melissa was completely unrealistic: two intelligent grown up people always experiencing the Earth moving, tilting on its axis every time the other is around? The very first time they glimpse each other only the lightning is missing, because it sure is described as if they have been struck with such a powerful attraction and blossoming love (without knowing anything about the other..).
Her smile nearly knocked Steven over. [...] Holy crap. Steven thought, because the ground shook under his feet and the sky tilted at such a strange angle that his equilibrum was skewed.
Their romance was instantenous and unfounded, and the hot and cold hesitation of Melissa felt very naive and immature. One minute she is:
Steven Creed. The man was a sin sundae, and she was so tempted to dig in.
Then the next she is acting all timid and virginal. I couldn't really know what to do of her hot and cold behaviour, which didn't fit the bill of her pantsuit, independent persona which was projected.
The love conflict/difficulties between the hero/heroine were forced and artificial; and Melissa despite being a mature 30 year old adult threw such irrational, stubborn hissy fits that Steven wasn't the only one not understanding what the hell was up.
The highlight of the novel were definitely the scenes about Steven's parenting and Matt's cute one liners:
"Is she anybody's mommy?" Matt wanted to know.
Steven swallowed. Just when he thought he has a handle on the single-dad thing, the kid would throw him a curve. "I don't know, Tex," he answered. "Why do you ask?"
"I like her," Matt said. Simple as that. I like her. "I like the way she smiles, and the way she smells."
Me too, Steven thought. "She seems nice enough."
"So if she's not already somebody's mommy, she might want to be mine," Matt speculated.
Steven's eyes burned. How was he supposed to answer that one?
"And she's going to make a parade," Matt enthused.
"I want Dad to marry Melissa," Matt said with so much enthusiasm that more people than just his grandparents heard the statement and turned to grin as they registered it. "But I'm not getting anywhere with it."
Matt mumbled something as Steven set him in the car seat and began buckling him in but, true to form, he didn't wake up.
"He's terrific," she said softly.
"I agree," Steven told her, after Matt was secured. They stood facing each other now, on that darkened sidewalk. "Of course it would be a real plus if he'd stop proposing to women."
My other main problem despite the romance lacking credibility and gradual progress was that although A Creed in Stone Creek is the first book in Linda Lael Miller's new Creed Cowboys contemporary western romance trilogy, it is too interwoven with her previous novels. I had a hard time reading and following the plot as a standalone. This I bet is something longtime fans might enjoy, but as a newbie Linda Lael Miller reader I was lost with the constant name dropping of dozens of secondary characters who were mostly just props in this story. Those who have read Linda Lael Miller's previous novels might have been familiar characters, but I just felt like the new kid at school exluded from the happenings because the characters just kept to themselves and closed their ranks.
Besides my feeling left out I also felt confused a couple of times when some characters were first mentioned this way, then a couple of sentences later differently, see for yourself:
"Looks like Tanner and Olivia are here," Tessa said, with obvious relief.
Melissa had gotten out of Steven's rig to speak to them. The two women were embracing, while Tanner took the stairs two at a time.
Steven nodded to him and stepped back and Quinn pulled Tessa in for a quick brotherly hug.
It took me two re-reads to realize that Quinn and Tanner were the very same person since there was noone else on the porch besides Tessa and Steven... But don't ask me why he has two names, it is never mentioned in the novel whether one of them is his surname or what.
Despite dozens of supporting characters being mentioned I seriously missed being introduced in more details to a few secondary characters, they seemed to act merely as props, which knowing that they had their own novel in the past I can understand, but greatly affected my enjoyment of the novel, since (again) as a new reader I couldn't place these characters.
There is a suspense subplot which in my opinion was completely unnecessary to the story.
All in all A Creed in Stone Creek is not a novel I will re-read, but it might be enjoyed more by those who have read Linda Lael Miller's previous series and know already some of the characters.
My Thoughts: I'm not an expert when it comes to Western romances, so far I have only read about half a dozen of this genre, but I enjoyed those a lot, so I was looking forward to A Creed in Stone Creek, especially given its single-dad-raising-an-orphaned-little-boy premise and that as a junior lawyer I like reading novels where the hero and heroines are law practioners. Unfortunately A Creed in Stone Creek left me lukewarm.
A Creed in Stone Creek takes place in nowadays' Arizona, but it feels dated, as if the reader is back in the '50s and that made me lose my grip on the story and its reality a couple of times.
Though there is a blatant black and white categorization: happy women living in Stone Creek are married, pregnant, great cooks and happy housewives, it wasn't even this that I took offense with. It was the fact that Linda Lael Miller tries hard to portray Melissa, our heroine as feminist and independent, but it rings hollow as Melissa is like a Stepford housewife from the '50s in mentality (except for the cooking) (which don't get me wrong I don't have a problem with, if it isn't stated every chapter how modern and independent she is). Melissa, after completing years of law studies, exams and having worked hard to be a prosecutor is having some sort of crisis not being happy with her work and personal life. I can understand her needing a change from law but at the end of the novel she takes a 180° turn and it's as if she becomes just one of the many streotypical small town women, shedding her personality and individuality.
Though I like my heroine and hero to discover each other and for their affection and love to grow gradually and develop realistically, I can understand that sometimes love can be more instinctive and overwhelming. However the romance between Steven and Melissa was completely unrealistic: two intelligent grown up people always experiencing the Earth moving, tilting on its axis every time the other is around? The very first time they glimpse each other only the lightning is missing, because it sure is described as if they have been struck with such a powerful attraction and blossoming love (without knowing anything about the other..).
Her smile nearly knocked Steven over. [...] Holy crap. Steven thought, because the ground shook under his feet and the sky tilted at such a strange angle that his equilibrum was skewed.
Their romance was instantenous and unfounded, and the hot and cold hesitation of Melissa felt very naive and immature. One minute she is:
Steven Creed. The man was a sin sundae, and she was so tempted to dig in.
Then the next she is acting all timid and virginal. I couldn't really know what to do of her hot and cold behaviour, which didn't fit the bill of her pantsuit, independent persona which was projected.
The love conflict/difficulties between the hero/heroine were forced and artificial; and Melissa despite being a mature 30 year old adult threw such irrational, stubborn hissy fits that Steven wasn't the only one not understanding what the hell was up.
The highlight of the novel were definitely the scenes about Steven's parenting and Matt's cute one liners:
"Is she anybody's mommy?" Matt wanted to know.
Steven swallowed. Just when he thought he has a handle on the single-dad thing, the kid would throw him a curve. "I don't know, Tex," he answered. "Why do you ask?"
"I like her," Matt said. Simple as that. I like her. "I like the way she smiles, and the way she smells."
Me too, Steven thought. "She seems nice enough."
"So if she's not already somebody's mommy, she might want to be mine," Matt speculated.
Steven's eyes burned. How was he supposed to answer that one?
"And she's going to make a parade," Matt enthused.
"I want Dad to marry Melissa," Matt said with so much enthusiasm that more people than just his grandparents heard the statement and turned to grin as they registered it. "But I'm not getting anywhere with it."
Matt mumbled something as Steven set him in the car seat and began buckling him in but, true to form, he didn't wake up.
"He's terrific," she said softly.
"I agree," Steven told her, after Matt was secured. They stood facing each other now, on that darkened sidewalk. "Of course it would be a real plus if he'd stop proposing to women."
My other main problem despite the romance lacking credibility and gradual progress was that although A Creed in Stone Creek is the first book in Linda Lael Miller's new Creed Cowboys contemporary western romance trilogy, it is too interwoven with her previous novels. I had a hard time reading and following the plot as a standalone. This I bet is something longtime fans might enjoy, but as a newbie Linda Lael Miller reader I was lost with the constant name dropping of dozens of secondary characters who were mostly just props in this story. Those who have read Linda Lael Miller's previous novels might have been familiar characters, but I just felt like the new kid at school exluded from the happenings because the characters just kept to themselves and closed their ranks.
Besides my feeling left out I also felt confused a couple of times when some characters were first mentioned this way, then a couple of sentences later differently, see for yourself:
"Looks like Tanner and Olivia are here," Tessa said, with obvious relief.
Melissa had gotten out of Steven's rig to speak to them. The two women were embracing, while Tanner took the stairs two at a time.
Steven nodded to him and stepped back and Quinn pulled Tessa in for a quick brotherly hug.
It took me two re-reads to realize that Quinn and Tanner were the very same person since there was noone else on the porch besides Tessa and Steven... But don't ask me why he has two names, it is never mentioned in the novel whether one of them is his surname or what.
Despite dozens of supporting characters being mentioned I seriously missed being introduced in more details to a few secondary characters, they seemed to act merely as props, which knowing that they had their own novel in the past I can understand, but greatly affected my enjoyment of the novel, since (again) as a new reader I couldn't place these characters.
There is a suspense subplot which in my opinion was completely unnecessary to the story.
All in all A Creed in Stone Creek is not a novel I will re-read, but it might be enjoyed more by those who have read Linda Lael Miller's previous series and know already some of the characters.
November 3, 2019
I have been reading the author's books haphazardly, with the intention of some day, re-reading them in order. In this book, some members of the Creeds, McKettricks and O"Ballivans families, all from previous books, are living in Stone Creek.
Lawyer Steven Creed was raised in Lonesome Bend, Colorado, until his parents divorced and he spent most of the year in Boston with his mother and the summers with his Creed relatives, hellraising with his twin cousins, Conner and Brody. After his mother and grandfather died, he no longer felt welcome in the family law firm, so moved to Denver. But after his two best friends died, finds himself the adopted father of their son, five year old Matt. When his fiancee, is not at all interested in raising someone else's child, he packs up and he and Matt move to Stone Creek, Arizona, where he buys a rundown ranch near his McKettrick relatives and plans to set up shop as a defense attorney. Sparks fly when he first meets county prosecutor, Melissa O'Ballivan, but do two people on the opposite side of the court, both carrying baggage from previous relationships, have a chance together? They will if little Matt has any say in the matter. As always, endearing characters and an engaging story make this an entertaining read.
Lawyer Steven Creed was raised in Lonesome Bend, Colorado, until his parents divorced and he spent most of the year in Boston with his mother and the summers with his Creed relatives, hellraising with his twin cousins, Conner and Brody. After his mother and grandfather died, he no longer felt welcome in the family law firm, so moved to Denver. But after his two best friends died, finds himself the adopted father of their son, five year old Matt. When his fiancee, is not at all interested in raising someone else's child, he packs up and he and Matt move to Stone Creek, Arizona, where he buys a rundown ranch near his McKettrick relatives and plans to set up shop as a defense attorney. Sparks fly when he first meets county prosecutor, Melissa O'Ballivan, but do two people on the opposite side of the court, both carrying baggage from previous relationships, have a chance together? They will if little Matt has any say in the matter. As always, endearing characters and an engaging story make this an entertaining read.
October 7, 2020
I really enjoyed A Creed in Stone Creek. The characters were well developed, the storyline filled with interesting plot twists and thoughtful, though sometimes tough, circumstances. Some of the back and forth interactions between Melissa and Steven got a little repetitive, but overall, I enjoyed the development of their relationship as well as the intertwining of their families and community.
A Creed in Stone Creek is a heartwarming story that offers a simple reminder that life has a way of it's own and love conquers all.
A Creed in Stone Creek is a heartwarming story that offers a simple reminder that life has a way of it's own and love conquers all.
June 21, 2018
Don’t make it complicated. Great story, but each book leaves you hanging a bit.
If Steven told Melissa he would go to the dance with her ..if she picked in up In her sports car, why did he pick her up in his truck.
They were having twins... what did they have?????
You need to add access to the next book at the end of each one I have to hunt and peck thru Amazon to find it.
I also wasn’t sure if I should read the Creeds or the other family first.
If Steven told Melissa he would go to the dance with her ..if she picked in up In her sports car, why did he pick her up in his truck.
They were having twins... what did they have?????
You need to add access to the next book at the end of each one I have to hunt and peck thru Amazon to find it.
I also wasn’t sure if I should read the Creeds or the other family first.
September 17, 2019
Tender Story
Okay I described it as a tender story because underneath the arguing and crazy town politics it was a tender story of three hearts coming together to make a family. A little boy who had a new dad because his parents were gone, a new dad who had a heart breaking past of his own, and a town girl who had initially closed off her heart because of past loss and heartbreak.
Another winning story in the series.
Okay I described it as a tender story because underneath the arguing and crazy town politics it was a tender story of three hearts coming together to make a family. A little boy who had a new dad because his parents were gone, a new dad who had a heart breaking past of his own, and a town girl who had initially closed off her heart because of past loss and heartbreak.
Another winning story in the series.
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