AGAINST THE WALL (Maverick Montana #1) by Rebecca Zanetti-a  review

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release March 23, 2013

Never challenge a cowboy in the courtroom…

Surveying the proposed site for a high-end golf course should have been a breeze for spunky Landscape Architect Sophie Smith. But when this born-and-bred city girl is suddenly—and quite literally—swept off her feet by a sexy cowboy on horseback, she realizes that the country life has some serious (and seriously steamy!) possibilities. That is, until she finds out exactly who her smokin’-hot wrangler really is.

Cowboy and Tribal lawyer Jack Lodge is desperately trying to block the development. And if that means playing hardball—and being every inch the shark lawyer—so be it. But Sophie is a distraction he didn’t expect. A distraction that makes his blood burn.

Two different worlds. Two opposing sides. And when they finally give into the exquisite temptation, the consequences will shake the foundations of both of their lives…

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REVIEW: AGAINST THE WALL is the first storyline in Rebecca Zanetti’s new Maverick Montana contemporary romance series focusing on the Lodge brothers and, the men and women of the Kooskia Tribe of Montana.

The Charleton Group of investors hires an architectural firm to design and oversee the plans for a golf course surrounding the Native community near Mineral Lake. Sophie Smith is the landscape architect who must present her designs to the local band (tribe) members for final approval, while trying to win the support of the various groups opposed to the development. But convincing the elders was futile when the tribe has plans of their own. And Sophie’s fight was only beginning when vaguely disguised threats begin to surface suggesting she leave town. There was no recourse open to Sophie and failure appeared to be the only option-only failure meant that her uncle’s firm would most likely suffer a terrible financial blow.

Concerned for the environment, the Kooskia Tribe hire one of their own, lawyer Jake Lodge to represent the community in their fight to preserve the natural resources of Mineral Lake. But Jake’s struggles now included his Sophie. Pitted on opposite sides of a debate, Jake knew that to prove his case and win, he may lose Sophie in the process.

Against The Wall is an interesting tale but left a few questions and holes with a number of storyline premises. There is some bad blood between Sophie and her family but it was never fully addressed; a potential suitor from within her uncle’s firm is brought into the storyline but this particular angle ends rather abruptly without explanation; the threats against Sophie are resolved too quickly and rather poorly.  Too many holes and unexplained variables did not sit well with this reader. The storyline had potential but fell short on many levels with what felt like a rush to the finish and in doing so, there was something missing. Everything came to conclusion too quickly; too neatly. There was a definite problem with cohesion.

Overall, AGAINST THE WALL is a fast paced storyline with an interesting premise that can be found in many local headlines wherever the environment, Native communities or land acquisitions are threatened. The love interest and relationship between Jake and Sophie is aided by several well meaning men and women of the community and when things begin to unravel for Sophie, she knows she has the support of Jake and the people she has grown to call family and friends. 

Reviewed by Sandy