Rocky Mountain Heat by Vivian Arend (Six Pack Ranch, #1)
Contemporary Romance
November 15, 2011 (Rerelease, with extended material)
E-book
Samhain

Reviewed by Helyce

Blake Coleman is the oldest of six sons who live on and run the Six Pack Ranch along with their parents. They work hard and play hard. Lately, Blake has been spending a lot of time trying not to notice Jaxi. He’s got a list a mile long of why he shouldn’t be interested in her: she’s ten years younger, she used to date his brother Travis, he’s known her since she was 7 years old, he held the reins the first time she rode a horse, she’s like a sister to him. But the thoughts he’s having about Jaxi are far from sisterly.

Jaxi was only about 7 years old when her parents moved to the property next to the Coleman’s ranch. An only child, it didn’t take her long before she made friends with the younger Coleman boys and was slinging mud, swimming, and learning everything there was to know about growing up on a ranch. Jaxi has had a crush on Blake for years and though she dated Blake’s younger brother Travis, they were just kids and they were never serious about each other. No, its Blake she wants and she’s determined to get him.

When Blake’s mom, Marion, falls while picking apples and breaks her arm, it’s makes perfect sense that Jaxi move in with the family to help out. Jaxi sees this as the perfect opportunity to finally make Blake see her as the woman she is and to stop treating her like the little sister she is not. Jaxi’s got her work cut out for her. She may be all in where Blake is concerned, but Blake’s got some brotherly competition. Seems he’s not the only Coleman son who has noticed that Jaxi is all grown up!

What follows is a wonderful cat and mouse game that keeps you guessing. Blake fights everything he feels for Jaxi, going so far as to suggest that maybe she should go back to school, thinking a little separation might ease the constant ache he has for Jaxi. Little does he know that every single class that she’s ever taken has prepared her for what she wants most in life-to be the best ranch wife she can ever be or more to the point-to be Blake’s wife. Jaxi goes head first into her quest to make sure that Blake notices her, but even her blatant nudity isn’t enough to entice Blake. She even tells him outright that she wants him and Blake starts to list the reasons why they shouldn’t be together. Jaxi realizes quickly that she might have to get a bit more creative in order to push Blake to admit his feelings.

As this is the first book in this series, we meet a lot of people. Blake is the oldest, but we get good insight into each Coleman son and learn just enough about them to be very intrigued and to absolutely lust for more! While focus is on Blake and Jaxi, we get little side stories that set up lines for future books and Ms. Arend is very generous with her hints. I’m already in love with these men!

Rocky Mountain Heat is a wonderful read that has everything I love about a series that revolves around a family. Strong family values set off the warm and fuzzy feelings I imagine a close knit ranching family would have, while at the same time showing the necessity of a strong work ethic in order to make life on the ranch a successful lifestyle. And while far from perfect, we see what a difference it makes to have a supportive family and the problems that ensue when you do not. Of course, these are cowboys and they are all hot and hardworking; but know how to play when their chores are done. There is definitely some chemistry between Blake and Jaxi and Ms. Arend beautifully writes their more intimate scenes. In fact, I’ve never been much of a pool player, but if I ever had the chance to play pool the way these cowboys play pool, I imagine I’d be a pro at it! A great start to a series I really look forward to reading!

Rating: B

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