Matt

The beguiling first novel in the Malloys of Montana contemporary series from Ryan (a pen name for Ruth Ryan Langan) depicts the lure of the mountains as a Chicago lawyer falls for a handsome rancher. Matt Malloy meets Vanessa Kettering when she comes to his ranch in Montana to interview his family about protecting the local wild mustangs. Matt and Nessa’s attraction heats up after a storm forces them to spend a night alone together in his mountain cabin. When her prosecutor father fears that a high-profile criminal will attack Nessa to get at him, the Malloy family offers to keep Nessa safe at their ranch. With more time together, Matt and Nessa succumb to the romantic tension simmering between them, and Nessa quickly becomes enamored with Matt’s grandmother’s quest to photograph the wild horses. As danger closes in on Nessa, Matt uses all his resources to keep her safe, even as he begins to fall in love. Touching and romantic, Ryan’s portrayal of a city slicker falling for a cowboy delves into the depths of each of their personalities to find common ground in their love for the land. Readers will eagerly anticipate future installments. (May)