Sloth Goes Places is a feature where I share books I have tracked from previous Literary Escapes reading challenge hosted by Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book.
Today we are looking at books set in ....
Montana
The Talk of Coyote Canyon by Brenda Novak
Published by MIRA on November 28, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads
She’s not here to make friends. She’s here to make trouble.
With her piercings, tattoos and spiky blond hair, Ellen Truesdale doesn’t quite fit in with the other folks in Coyote Canyon—and that’s just fine with her. She’s only here to put her father out of business, as payback for abandoning her when she was young.
Or is she more interested in finally proving that she was worth keeping?
Either way, she’s struggling to keep her rival well-drilling company afloat. And being a single woman in a male-dominated field has started to take a toll. So when Hendrix Durrant steps in to help, Ellen has no choice but to let him—even though he happens to be her father’s business partner and therefore her enemy. But the closer she works with him, the more she sees what she’s been missing…in life and love. And once she lets go of her anger long enough to learn the truth about her past, she might just find the family she’s always wanted.
I adored every book in this series and was sad Novak stopped at three. You get a bit of a feel for the state as the main characters work outdoors. They were competing well-drillers which was definitely something new for me, and I enjoyed learning a bit more about it as I watched these two fall for each other.
[review]
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Published by Yearling on September 26, 2006
Age/Genres: Young Adult, Historical, Fiction
Goodreads
Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle's homesteading claim. For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie's been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends--especially Charlie, fighting in France--through letters and articles for her hometown paper.
Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a "Loyal" American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie's determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.
This book really showed off the state. It was about a young woman who inherited her uncle's homestead in Montana. It was tough! I always admire those people from back when. They had some grit and were hardier than I am. I picked this one up for a different reading challenge, and I was so glad I did. I highly recommend if you enjoy historicals or stories about people rising to meet challenges.
Published by Berkley Books on May 30, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance
Goodreads
The McBride brothers are in for a matrimonial surprise when an enterprising woman answers their little sister's mail order bride advertisement in this laugh-out-loud historical romance.
As the oldest of the McBride siblings, Morgan had to be protector and shepherd since Ma died and Pa ran off. It hasn't always been easy, especially when his heart longs to roam on the trail. But now that his brother Kit is married and settled, the time is right for Morgan to leave Buck's Creek. Little does he know that his hellcat of a little sister Junebug is dead set on keeping him at home and getting more help around the house - all with one honest advertisement in The Matrimonial News.
Epiphany Hopgood has always had a gift for doing the exact wrong thing. She's too tall, too loud, too opinionated, and too contrary for her family and community. Staring down the barrel of spinsterhood, she and her grandmother answer a seemingly straightforward ad for a bride.
But when Pip shows up to Buck's Creek, she finds that Morgan McBride is not the husband she expected. In fact, he doesn't even want to be a husband. But maybe there's a way to make everyone happy out on the Montana frontier...
This is another book set in old-time Montana featuring the McBride family. I adored this family! I am sort of sad that it looks like we will not be getting more books. I really hoped each sibling would get their own story, but it seems that will not happen. Regardless, I had a lot of fun with the McBride's.
[review]
Let us know in the comments!
It's on my bucket list to travel to all 50 states. I'm sad and embarassed to say that this part of the country isn't one that I've ever been to - Utah, Colorado,Montana Idaho. I've been to more states in the Deep South!
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit every state too. I hadn't really been off the east coast until my southwest trip (Utah is wonderful). I hope we both are able to see them all!
DeleteI'm very impressed that you've read so many books set in the state. It seems like one of those places that we know exists but rarely actually hear about. I bet it is very peaceful!
ReplyDeleteEveryone I know who has been to Montana loved it! Those middle states are so different from where I grew up. I like reading about them.
DeleteI like books set in Montana. It always sounds so green and has so many tree's which is something I don't see a lot of here.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about Montana, but I suppose that have cities. I am glad that the authors always feature the beautiful, green parts of the state.
DeleteOh, no! We're not getting another McBride novel? I had high hopes we would! I loved The Talk of Coyote Canyon and still need to read the last book in the series. Hattie Big Sky sounds like a story I'd love! I'm going to see if they have an audio at my library!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look good for more McBride books. It's been over a year since the last one. We can still hold on to hope. I actually did listen to Hattie. It was good.
DeleteMontana is a state I would love to visit again! And I am certain that I have read books in Montana. I think The Coppersmith farmhouse took place there.
ReplyDeleteBy Perry? I think you are right. I haven't read it, but I feel like I had it marked for MT.
DeleteI know that I've read a lot of books set in Montana, but absolutely nothing is coming to me at the moment.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. I feel like many of the books I read set there are either really outdoors or cowboyish.
DeleteI started the McBride series this year - I didn't know it wasn't continuing!
ReplyDeleteI mean, I haven't seen anything official, but it's been over a year since the last book, so not looking great.
DeleteI find there are lots of great books set in Montana. These are good choices.
ReplyDeleteIt's never a hard state to check off, and I have read some great books set there.
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