In life, Jack Mercy hadn’t been a kind man. In death, he was no different. His daughter Willa expected to inherit his ranch, the place she’d put her heart and soul into. But at the reading of the will, she learns that her home has been given not just to her, but to two sisters she barely knows as well. And in order to inherit, they must all live on the ranch for a period of one year.
None of the three sisters are happy with the arrangement. And apparently, neither is someone else as deadly incidents begin occurring around them. Willa, Tess and Lily find themselves fighting for their lives alongside the men who have become part of the lives and their hearts.
Willa is heartsick and pissed off that her father has willed the ranch that she’s worked her ass off on to not only her, but her two sisters as well. Jack Mercy had cast off two of his daughters and their mothers when they failed to produce sons. He would have done the same to Willa’s mother, I’m sure, had she not died when Willa was a baby.
The sisters must live on the ranch in order to receive their inheritance. Willa of course will be there til the end of her days, but now she has to run the ranch on her own.
The oldest sister, Tess, is from California and wants nothing to do with Mercy Ranch. She’s a screenwriter and wants Rodeo drive and spa treatments. When she finds out how much the ranch is worth, however, she’s willing to stick it out for a year so that she can be bought out at the end.
Lily, the middle sister, thinks she’s found heaven. She’s running from an abusive ex-husband who can’t seem to leave her alone. She’s finds Mercy Ranch to be the solace that she needs in her life.
I read this book when it first came out in 1996. I absolutely loved it. Of course I wasn’t reading a whole lot of anything Nora Roberts at the time so the diversity in my reading was pretty much non-existent. I remember this book as being laugh out loud funny in a few parts and pretty awesome in the romance department. All I can say is: what was I thinking? Lol
The romance with the 3 different girls and their 3 men was ok, but relatively unexciting (not that romances have to all be exciting but I just remembered it that way) . Tess’s was mostly based on sex even though her man was in love with her. The resolution came extremely quickly and then the story moved on to the next girl. Very dissatisfying.
Willa’s romance was written about the most but was kind of stilted. Neither party wanted to admit their feelings, and when they did it was done in a grumbling manner as if they truly just wanted to say it and get it the hell over with.
Lily’s romance was the best of the three in my opinion. She fell in love and found what she had deserved all along: a good man. Was it perfect all the time? No, but they worked it through and it was all good.
I have to say though that the suspense portion of this book was probably the best part. Kind of bloody, but Roberts kept us pretty much in the dark about who it was for most of the book. I had my ideas but not until a few pages before the end did we know whodunit.
Overall not a bad book but just not what I remember it being.
In 1996 I would have rated it 4.5 out of 5.
Today’s rating: 3 out of 5
So does the book remain a keeper after all these years? 🙂
I like this reread challenge for this exact reason. I’m trying to pick books I haven’t read in the last year or two.
This was by far not my favorite NR book even when I read it the first time. However, my Mom, who is from Montana, loved it. So every time I see it in a ubs, or store, I think of Mom.
It’s funny how a book can strike a chord when we first read it, but is unable to stand the test of time. I think that often has to do with how “experienced” we are as readers. I know books from my early days of romance reading rarely live up to the memories now that I have been reading the genre for half of my life.
Amy – Yeah, I don’t think so. There are so many Roberts books that I remember fondly but now I’m kind of scratching my head and wondering what I would think now. I don’t think this will be a keeper for me any longer. Again, good book but not keeper material for my shelves.
Rosie – I loved the descriptions way back when but maybe having read it before it didn’t have the same effect on me IDK.
Shannon – Exactly! I think this is why I’m looking at books that I haven’t read in forever for this challenge. I need to see if they stand the test of time. As I said, back then I didn’t read a whole bunch of other authors so it might have skewed my outlook.
I know some books, regardless of time and place will stand the test of time, but those are somewhat rare.
I’m sure if you think about how many books (romances, in particular) that you’ve read since the first read of Montana Sky, it’s inevitable that your tastes would change/develop. In some ways, it’s like developing a palate for food or wine: each item that you’ve had between reads of the book, contributes to your current expectations and tastes.
Montana Sky is one of my favorites by Nora, but I think it’s because her “tougher” heroines are some of my favorites (along with the hypochondriacs, LOL!). Then again, I believe I’ve kept all but one of my Nora books that I’ve bought throughout the years.
Renee – wow well put. It’s a good book but just not my taste any longer.
Kati – ok, I have to ask…which is the one book you didn’t keep? And wow your bookshelf must be incredibly impressive!
LOL, personally, I think our standards has gone up 🙂 I enjoyed Montana Sky, but it’s not one of my favorite.
See, my problem with Montana Sky is that it feels like one of her trilogies, but put together into one book.
This idea of a “palette” is something I’ve been thinking about for a while, since my reading tastes have changed over the last few years.
I think that’s one of the things that’s cool about the re-read challenge–that we get to see some of this idea in action! 🙂
I first read this one quite a while ago and really liked it. I don’t know how it would stand up in a reread though. Although I LOVE JD Robb – I’m not quite as carried away by Nora Roberts if that makes any sense.
When I remember this one – I think it’s where her standard trilogies started
Tough/workaholic girl
Party/flashy girl
Injured/earth mother type girl
I started seeing this pattern way to much in her trilogies and just gave them up a few series back. I still read her single titles but I think what bothers me about her series is the same thing that would bother me in a reread of Montana Sky.
Nath – that’s true about MS feeling like one of her trilogies I never looked at it like that before.
Renee – Well you said it perfectly and I agree. The re-read challenge is perfect for seeing how our tastes have changed over the years/months (depending on when you first read the book)
Kristie – You and Nath had the same feeling. The first book I read by Roberts was the second book in the Born In series (not knowing it was a trilogy). I loved it then and got hooked on her. Read all her JD Robb’s too until 1998 when I had my first child and stopped reading almost entirely.
I’ve never been a huge NR fan. I can read her occasionally and enjoy a book for its stand alone value, but I could never ever glom her. Never.
I read this back in the day as well. I remember loving the romance b/w Willa and Ben. I wonder if I’d feel the same way?
Lori – I glommed her big time in the late 90’s but I don’t think I could do that again. 🙂
Ames – I really liked Willa and Ben’s relationship the first time I read it as well but not as much this time. Maybe I’m just jaded. lol