Montana Rose by Sherry Derr-Wille

Title: Montana Rose

Author: Sherry Derr-Wille

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 11/09

ISBN: 978-1-60435-424-9

Genre: Historical

Length: 322 pgs

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Rating: 2.75 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: Sasha Evins

Date: 12/14/09

Rose McKinney has lived her entire life at the Purple Moon cathouse in St. Louis. When the man she has always considered her father dies and leaves her his ranch in Montana, the Rocking M, she leaves vowing to sell the property and return as soon as possible. Once on the ranch, she learns not only must she stay for one year before she can sell, but also that her father's murder is one mystery she needs to solve before more deaths occur on the Rocking M.

Cameron Blake has found refuge on the Rocking M, not only for him but also for his son. His first impression of Rose is that she's someone he wants nothing to do with. It's evident she's a whore and he certainly doesn't need that kind of influence around his thirteen year old son. It isn't until he becomes completely involved in solving the murder of his former boss, that he comes to see Rose in an entirely different light. 

I really enjoyed the setting and world building in this release. It was very real to me and I found myself daydreaming of what life was like in 19th century Montana. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the cattle rustling as well. The hero and heroine were realistic to me and I could see each growing emotionally as they left their pasts behind. This was a sweet romance, with a couple of chaste kisses, which I respect as this is what is expected with the 'Sweet' heat level. I was disappointed that I really felt no chemistry between the hero and heroine, and in the end almost felt they had fallen into a marriage of convenience  I couldn't see the spark of love growing between them. If you're looking for a good historical mystery with a romantic element this is a good read, and I would have rated it a 4 outside of a romance review site. I did enjoy the story very much, but not as a romance.