McKettrick's Luck

The first installment in Miller's new trilogy features the present-day \t\t descendants of the heroes from her earlier McKettrick novels; fortunately, the \t\t new generation fills in admirably. Cheyenne Bridges makes a reluctant return to \t\t her hometown of Indian Rock, Ariz., her job hinging on whether she can persuade \t\t her high school flame Jesse McKettrick to sell some of his land for her \t\t employer's condo development deal. Jesse, a confirmed bachelor and committed \t\t poker player, refuses outright to sell his land—at the same time he refuses \t\t to acknowledge the feelings that Cheyenne stirs up in him. Miller's ability to \t\t bring a cast of characters to life is on full display here, as Cheyenne must \t\t decide whether to use whatever means necessary to get Jesse to sell the land or \t\t surrender to the hunky rancher and join his team. Though her plot twists are \t\t somewhat predictable, the veteran romance author doesn't disappoint in her \t\t sizzling love scenes and fine sense of place. (Feb.)