Victoria Vane's SLOW HAND & giveaway

In rural Montana… 

Wade Knowlton is a hardworking lawyer who’s torn between his small-town Montana law practice and a struggling family ranch. He’s on the brink of exhaustion from trying to save everybody and everything, when gorgeous Nicole Powell walks into his office. She’s a damsel in distress and the breath of fresh air he needs.

Even the lawyers wear boots…
Nicole Powell is a sassy Southern girl who has officially sworn off cowboys after a spate of bad seeds—until her father’s death sends her to Montana and into the arms of a man who seems too good to be true. Her instincts tell her to high tail it out of Montana, but she can't resist a cowboy with a slow hand…

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He went to work on his shirt buttons. His collar was soon wide open revealing a generous show of muscular chest that make her hands itch to rip it off him. She diverted her gaze and curled her itchy hands by her sides.
“Have no fear, cowboy,” Nikki replied in a tone meant to disguise the warm flush that had come over her. “I corralled all my wild impulses long ago.”
“Did you, now?” He still stood in doorway, head cocked. “Somehow, I think you may have missed a few strays.”
“Maybe I need to make myself clearer. I have an aversion to cocky cowboys.”
Just keep telling yourself that, Nikki. Maybe if you repeat it often enough it’ll become true.
“Is that so?” His brows flew upward. “I can’t say I ever met a woman with an actual aversion to me.”
“Don’t take it personally. It’s nothing against you in particular, but to your type.”
“And what do you think you know about my type?”
“Since I don’t have a pole handy, enough to keep you at arms-length. Besides that, this whole line of conversation is entirely inappropriate in light of professional ethics, don’t you think? You are my attorney, after all.”
“Well, darlin’,” he scratched his unshaven jaw, “there’s a little hitch to that.”
“What do you mean? You said you’d help me.”
“And I will, but you can’t engage my professional services until I know who you are.”
“I’ve told you who I am!” she insisted.
“Sweetheart, I’m a lawyer, and according to the law, your claim don’t weigh without authentication.”
“Authentication?”
“Proof.”
“So what are you saying? That you don’t believe me?”
“I’m not saying that at all. Only that our professional relationship will commence once you get your I.D. In the interim,” His gaze slid over her in a way that threatened to melt her insides, “you’d best find yourself a nice, long, sturdy pole.”

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My thoughts 3.5 stars

Ms. Vane’s first foray into contemporary is an undoubted success. Who knew she could dash off strapping Montana cowboys with the same aplomb she applies to sensuous Georgian rakes?  The warmth, intelligence, and attention to detail that mark her Georgian historicals are evident in SLOW HAND. 

Montana’s rugged natural beauty shines brightly as does the character of those who live there and struggle to earn a living. Thanks to SLOW HAND Big Sky country has been added to my list of places to visit.

In Wade readers meet an honest to goodness working cowboy raised to be a Southern gentleman. That’s a rare combination. When you figure in Wade’s depth, intelligence, charm, and good looks what woman in her right mind would even consider resisting?

Enter Nicole, aka Nikki.  Nikki is a sucker for a Stetson, tight jeans and boots. Seems Nikki also has a penchant for picking losers and poseurs. Though not a complete lost cause she doesn’t consistently demonstrate common sense, much less intelligence. Refusing to see what’s right your eyes is stubborn for the sake of stubborn.

Thank goodness for Shelby, Nikki’s half sister. Shelby might be on the trashy side of life but she’s blunt and quick with a good swift kick.

Dirk, Wade’s brother, is toting a chip the size of Texas. To say the brothers have bad blood is putting it mildly. The realism of their relationship and the competitiveness that brought them to their present situation is one of my favorite aspects. Families are messy and hard.

Wade & Nikki’s verbal foreplay was delightful and Nikki held her own despite Wade being trained in argumentative.  Thankfully there’s no instant gratification and plenty of anticipatory build up.  No stinting on the heat in Montana. Wade illustrates the truth behind the adages “actions speak louder than words’ and “be careful what you wish for” beautifully to Nikki while showing her the real differences between boys and men. 

If viewed in the light that it’s the heroine, not the hero, who needs to grow a bit, let go, & realize what she stands to lose, SLOW HAND is a role reversal which makes Nikki more understandable, bless her heart.

SLOW HAND ties up nicely while leaving room for Dirk’s story, Rough Rider. I look forward to seeing what kind of woman would willingly take on the contrary and bitter ex-Marine rancher.

Victoria Vane is a multiple award-winning romance novelist and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.

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