ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL (Six Pack Ranch #10) by Vivian Arend-a review

Rocky Mountain Devil

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2016

The sweetest part of temptation is giving in…

Raphael (Angel) Coleman and Laurel Sitko were thick as thieves throughout their school years. The unlikely friendship between the rancher’s son and the preacher’s daughter might have gone unnoticed by most, but their shared laughter and connection were the best parts of Rafe’s life growing up. Now that she’s returned to Rocky, he’s eager to move from friend to something far more intimate.

After three years away, Laurel’s ready to start over with the gorgeous cowboy who’s always owned a piece of her heart. But when her college ex shows up in town, she’s got a lot more to deal with than expected, including one suddenly possessive cowboy determined to protect her even as he tutors her through every sexual lesson in the book.

Desire flares hotter and hotter through stolen moments and willing seduction. But when tragedy strikes, Rafe’s left on shaky ground, his biggest fear now a reality that could tear them apart and rip forever from their grasp.

Will the connection forged by time be strong enough to see them through to the other side?

Warning: Friends to lovers equals sweet kisses heating to earth-shaking passion, mixed with laughter and tears. Get ready for hellos, farewells and goodbyes…some forever. Because everyone knows the only real secrets in a small town are the ones you’re willing to take to the grave.

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REVIEW: ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL is the tenth installment in Vivian Arend’s contemporary, adult SIX PACK RANCH cowboy romance series focusing on the Coleman family of Rocky Alberta, Canada. This is twenty somethings rancher Raphael Coleman, and librarian Laurel Sitko’s storyline. ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Several characters cross-over between this series and the author’s spin off series Thompson and Sons.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Rafe and Laurel) ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL is a friends to lovers romance that focuses on the rekindling friendship and relationship between Raphael ‘Rafe’ Coleman, and his angel Laurel Sitko. Rafe and Laurel have been best friends since the second week of kindergarten, and have been one another’s support system for almost as long until Laurel headed off to college, and Rafe remained behind to work on the family ranch. In the three years Laurel was away, neither one contacted or kept in touch with one another but they had made a promise that if neither one was in a relationship they would get together upon Laurel’s return. What ensues is Rafe’s slow seduction of the woman he has loved for most of his life, and Laurel’s struggles with the return of her past.

We are witness to Rafe and Gabe’s battle with their emotionally absent father Ben- a man who has struggled since the death of his son Mike. Ben’s behavior is a constant thorn in the Rafe and Gabe’s side, a thorn that forces the brothers to keep their distance from the man they once called dad. Their long-suffering mother remains strong as the family dynamic continues to crumble.

The relationship between Rafe and Laurel is a friends to lovers romance that has been developing since the couple was five years old. Rafe’s slow seduction of our heroine is truly romantic as he is determined to date with woman he has known for most of his life. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative. The sexual tension is palpable.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL has a very large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including numerous extended Coleman family members-cousins, aunts, and uncles, and the birth of a new generation-an Excel spreadsheet may be advisable to keep track of the mult-generational connections 😉 . Rafe’s cousin Jesse is struggling with his relationship with his twin brother Joel, and makes a decision about his current direction in life. Jesse’s story will be told next in Rocky Mountain Home.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVIL is an emotional story line with plenty of heartbreak for the Coleman family. There are moments of sexy romance and love; frustration and acceptance; loss and moving forward. The premise is engaging; the characters are dynamic and energetic; the romance is passionate and heartwarming. There is very little story line conflict-the outside threat to Rafe and Laurel’s relationship is tepid and never crosses over the proverbial line-the biggest threat is Rafe’s guilt about family and loss.

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy