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Overview
When Jack Mercy died, he left behind a ranch worth nearly twenty million dollars. Now his three daughters—each born of a different marriage, and each unknown by the others—are gathered to hear the reading of the will. But the women are shocked to learn that before any of them can inherit, they must live together on the ranch for one year. They are sisters—and strangers. Now they face a challenge: to put their bitterness aside and live like family. To protect each other from danger—and unite against an enemy who threatens to destroy them all?
Synopsis
Jack Mercy's three daughters are strangers to each other. Now they must learn to live as a family-in order to gain an inheritance worth 20 million dollars...
Publishers Weekly
Having published 100 novels in 15 years, Roberts (True Betrayals) just keeps getting better. In life, Jack Mercy, owner of the 25,000-acre Mercy Ranch, garnered more enemies than friends. His death promises to do the same, since his will forces his three grown daughters, half-sisters and virtual strangers to one another, to live together at the Montana ranch for a year or forfeit his estate, worth up to $20 million. If any die during the year, the survivor(s) will inherit the fortune, assuming they last the 12 months. Giving it a go are bossy Willa, part Blackfoot Indian, the only sister who lived on the ranch and is capable of running it; Tess, a sassy Hollywood scriptwriter who wants money but balks at a family reunion; and meek, divorced Lily, grateful for refuge. As the siblings settle in, someone begins committing barbaric acts against animals and then humans: Are these the random crimes of a psychopath? Or are they a devious distraction in a sinister game plan? Roberts balances the tension and sometimes gruesome action with three romances, crackling dialogue and a snappy infusion of humor. Setting her rich narrative against majestic scenery integral to the plot, she again demonstrates why, in 1986, she was the first author inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly -
Having published 100 novels in 15 years, Roberts (True Betrayals) just keeps getting better. In life, Jack Mercy, owner of the 25,000-acre Mercy Ranch, garnered more enemies than friends. His death promises to do the same, since his will forces his three grown daughters, half-sisters and virtual strangers to one another, to live together at the Montana ranch for a year or forfeit his estate, worth up to $20 million. If any die during the year, the survivor(s) will inherit the fortune, assuming they last the 12 months. Giving it a go are bossy Willa, part Blackfoot Indian, the only sister who lived on the ranch and is capable of running it; Tess, a sassy Hollywood scriptwriter who wants money but balks at a family reunion; and meek, divorced Lily, grateful for refuge. As the siblings settle in, someone begins committing barbaric acts against animals and then humans: Are these the random crimes of a psychopath? Or are they a devious distraction in a sinister game plan? Roberts balances the tension and sometimes gruesome action with three romances, crackling dialogue and a snappy infusion of humor. Setting her rich narrative against majestic scenery integral to the plot, she again demonstrates why, in 1986, she was the first author inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame.Library Journal
Three half-sisters come together at their late father's ranch in Montana. The terms of his will dictate that all three women must live together at the ranch for one year. If not, his enormous estate will be given to charity. Willa has lived all her life on the ranch and feels anger and resentment at her father's decision. Tess is a glamorous Hollywood screenwriter. She merely wants the cash and a quick escape from the desolate countryside. Lily, trying to hide from an abusive ex-husband, is only too happy to have the opportunity to stay in one place. Their evolving relationships with each other make up the heart of the story. It wouldn't be a Roberts novel if during their year of forced togetherness each sister didn't become romantically involved with tall, handsome cowboys. All six of the major characters are wonderfully written, with just the right touch of genuineness, warmth, and distinctiveness to make readers emotionally invest in their stories. Highly recommended for all libraries.-Margaret Hanes, Sterling Hts. P.L., Mich.Kathleen Hughes
Best-selling romance writer Nora Roberts is in her element here, spinning a meandering, epic tale of love, lust, and overpowering passions. When millionaire Montana rancher Jack Mercy died, he left behind a ranch worth nearly $20 million, several enemies, and three daughters, each from a different marriage (and unknown to each other). Willa, the bold, rash cowgirl daughter, fully expects to inherit everything; Tess, the snooty Californian, is a gold digger and proud of it; and Lily, the timid, abused, and shy sister, just wants someplace to stay. However, the terms of Mercy's will dictate that before any of them can take a share in Mercy Ranch, all three must live together for a year. Of course, sparks fly and claws are bared as the women spar continuously, fall in love with a couple of burly ranch hands, capture a psychotic murderer who is killing people around the ranch, and ultimately realize their true sisterly feelings for each other. Despite the occasional depictions of mutilated people and animals that are sprinkled throughout the story, Roberts' fans will no doubt enjoy this work.Kirkus Reviews
Three bridegrooms for three sisters: Roberts (True Betrayals, 1995, etc.) stylishly moseys into Big Sky romance.Jack Mercy was a mean "son of a bitch" when he was alive, and as a corpse, buried with his Stetson and his bullwhip, he's not much better. According to his will, his three daughters, who've never met and whom Jack had by three different wives, must live together for a year at his big Montana ranch house in order to win their inheritance. During the long winter, the women bicker and bond and get entangled with three sexy, strapping fellows. Roberts has always been a winner at sexual tension and sexy dialogue, and so the reader gets to see not one but three couples get past the preliminaries and into the sack. The youngest sister, cowgirl Willa, manager of the Mercy ranch and daughter of an Ute mother, matches wits and strong wills with Ben McKinnon, lusty part owner of the Three Rocks spread. Lily, from Virginia, is a delicate, bird-boned creature who's been battered by her husband, but is now taken under the wing of Adam Wolfchild, Willa's Indian half- brother. And, finally, Tess, a sharp-dressing, wisecracking screenwriter from Hollywood who couldn't wait to get back to Rodeo Drive, stays to marry Nate, a frontier lawyer who raises horses, graduated from Yale, and loves Keats. Providing the usual Roberts suspense is a serial killer who guts and scalps his victims—not only humans but (in the newest romance-novel manifestation of evil) calves, cats, skunks and deer. ("Why would anyone do that to Bambi's mom?" wails Tess.) Roberts also includes a genuine, successful red herring, virgin territory for most romance writers, and incorporates all the important rituals of the genre with her customary skill and humor.
A good read on a long winter's night.