There's plenty of action in this romantic adventure story set in the rugged terrain of Wyoming. A handsome hero, a spunky heroine, and an horse named Storm struggle to outwit the bad guys. Once I started this book, I could not stop reading it. I'd love to see it on a movie screen in color. ( )

“At the moment, she had much more to fear than the weather or a wild animal. With the soldiers on the move, her grandfather’s health deteriorating and winter approaching, Niki couldn’t help but feel they were on the brink of losing the battle to survive.” – Big Horn Storm

Fast-paced, action-packed adventure with just the right balance of romance and suspense that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I also loved the strong sense of place – a character in its own right – and vivid descriptions.

The only negative for me was the frequent point-of-view switches mid scene. As skilfully done as it was, it still jarred. However, I believe that this is a convention common to the romance genre.

I look forward to reading more of Kim McMahill’s work. ( )

Kim McMahill is a natural born writer.

Big Horn Storm is set in the Big Horn Mountains, a few miles from the Canadian border. It is the kind of romantic adventure that is pure escapism and makes you want to sign up for a dude ranch immediately.

Niki Garat is a graphic designer who works in Denver but lives for the few weeks each summer that she spends with her grandfather at the Blackburn Ranch. Since her difficult childhood, it has been her home away from home, though her grandfather is only an employee at the ranch which is owned by Bob Blackburn and his impossibly handsome son, Deuce.

This summer, as Niki heads to the ranch, America is under threat of attack from a coalition of enemies and Iranians are massing on the Canadian border. Still, it does not occur to Niki that the tranquillity of the ranch may be affected by international events. She's more concerned as to why her childhood friend and idol, Deuce Blackburn has barely uttered a civil word to her for years.

What makes Big Horn Storm such a page turner is the blend of the romantic relationship and the authenticity of the setting. Kim McMahill knows how to take her time, both in bringing the reader into the grand landscape and building up the characters. Whether describing hobbling horses, riding the trail or setting the coffee to perk on the fire, the detail and language show a true intimacy with the rituals of ranch life.

The coalition of enemies attacking America is slightly implausible but when soldiers appear in the mountains, the action is realistic and stays right on genre because the characters only do what they know from their years of ranching.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and anyone who has ever dreamed of being a cowgirl out in the wilds with a gruff, gorgeous cowboy who gets to rip off his bloodstained shirt, will too. ( )