Her Rebel to Kiss

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Pub Date Jan 26 2016 | Archive Date Apr 17 2017
Tule Publishing | Montana Born Books

Description

Don’t look down and don’t give up.
Justin Oberman‘s credo for living his adventurous–some might say death-defying–life to the max served him well until the unfortunate outcome of a climb made him walk away from the sport he loved. A lucrative new job offer could pave the way to a more traditional life in Marietta, Montana, where his two best friends have fallen in love with the women of their dreams. But settling down always seemed more daunting than Everest and not worth considering until a mysterious lady in red walks into his life on New Year’s Eve. Suddenly, that happily-ever-after stuff Flynn and Tucker have been raving about looks within reach.
The first fall is always the hardest.
Nikki Magnesson Richards has loved Justin Oberman most of her life. First, from the safety of her brothers’ old tree house. Later, with unrequited teen-age angst. Her poorly thought out attempt to get him to notice her cost them both dearly. Now, a dozen years later, her fairy godfather boss has orchestrated the most romantic meeting possible–the Big Sky Mavericks Masked Ball for Charity. A kiss at midnight with her very own Prince Charming isn’t too much to ask, is it? But what are two star-crossed lovers supposed to do when one kiss isn’t enough?

Don’t look down and don’t give up.
Justin Oberman‘s credo for living his adventurous–some might say death-defying–life to the max served him well until the unfortunate outcome of a climb made him walk...


A Note From the Publisher

Former award-winning newspaper journalist Debra Salonen is a nationally bestselling author with 26 published novels for Harlequin’s Superromance and American lines and one single title release for Harlequin Signature. Several of her titles were nominated for “Best Superromance,” including UNTIL HE MET RACHEL, which took home that honor in 2010. Debra was named Romantic Times Reviewer’s Career Achievement “Series Storyteller of the Year” in 2006. Debra lives in the foothills near Yosemite National Park in California with her husband and two dogs. Luckily, her two children and three grandchildren live close by to keep Debra connected to the real world.

Former award-winning newspaper journalist Debra Salonen is a nationally bestselling author with 26 published novels for Harlequin’s Superromance and American lines and one single title release for...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781943963904
PRICE $3.99 (USD)

Average rating from 35 members


Featured Reviews

So romantic, but why should he hate her?

Can her father really be blamed for a heart attack?

The zip line sounds great.

I'd never go vegetarian, hot guy or not. Although, tofu isn't that bad.

Bahaha, dirty trick!

It's "Ashton Kutcher".

Her family sounds horrible.

That's a good lesson for anybody, including me.

Oh. My. God. Toni, that's the worst, most heart-breaking story I ever heard

Aw Kat, don't worry. Everyone forgets stuff at times..

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Montana Rebel, the latest book in Debra Salonen's Montana Mavericks series, draws heavily from Romeo and Juliet with reference to Shakespeare In Love, Cinderella (but with a fairy godfather), and Goldilocks, though of course it as its own identity too.
There's history between our heroes - Nikki has been in love with boy next door Justin most of her life, while Justin has been living with the guilt of being responsible for a climbing accident in which Nikki broke her back. It wasn't his fault and Nikki certainly never blamed him but wrapped around that accident is the death of his mother, brought on by the angry reaction of her father to news of Nikki's accident. It's complicated and I'm not gong to wreck the book for other readers by trying to explain.
This story took a little while to grow on me, and about as long to understand the hidden depths to Justin's character, however once I got there I couldn't put the book down. The plot works well, leaving readers wondering just how these two are ever going to be a happy ever after couple. Set in a variety of locations, the story takes us from the north to the south of the USA, and from east to west. From glamorous ballrooms to hospital rooms to rugged mountain outcrops. There's plenty to keep readers turning pages and this book is another winner!

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I was given a free copy in exchange for honest review.
A well constructed romance, with a hot hero who is emotionally repressed and a strong heroine who has physically and emotionally been through a lot of pain. The chemistry is strong between them and the development of their love affair is sweet. 3 stars

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One of the reasons I look forward to reading Debra Salonen's novels is her books are like a comfortable blanket. They give you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. She takes the time to let you get to know her characters Rebel in exchange for an honest review. Montana Rebel is my favorite book in the Big Sky Mavericks series. Justin's wanderlust and addiction to adventure make him a high risk bachelor but can the love of a good woman rescue him from a lonely existence? It's not often love gets a second chance but when it does it is worth every tear. Wonderfully heartwarming romantic fun.

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I've enjoyed this series right from the start. The hardships all the characters have had to overcome, the lives they live and the heartbreak and love they experience are all as close to reality that fiction can get. Debra Salonen's writing makes you feel like you are right there with all her characters, watching their lives unfold in front of you first hand. Montana Rebel is no exception. The vivid imagery and the heartfelt emotion is part of the Big Sky Mavericks experience. Though this series has come to an end I hope it is not the last that we will be seeing of them. A must read series for every hope-filled romantic

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A heartwarming romance not to be missed.

Do you ever wonder where you’ld be if you kissed that one person who got away but took a piece of your heart? Nicole Richards is about to find out when she returns to Marietta after her boss decides to hire her school girl crush, Justin Oberman. Their first meeting is at The Big Sky Mavericks’ New Year’s Eve Masked Ball.

Justin doesn’t recognize the sexy lady in the red dress and fantastic mask as Nikki, the girl next door, who crashed his climbing party in Yosemite and fell off the side of the mountain breaking her back. Nicole’s family still holds Justin responsible for the accident.

Does Nicole’s boss J. Angus Hooper has a plan of his own for hiring Justin for his new project? Nicole confided in J. Angus about her feelings towards Justin. So was Justin the real reason J Angus decided to branch out into a high-end, outward-bound-for-adults-with-impairments sort of operation or did he just want to get Nicole and Justin together?

I enjoyed Nicole and Justin’s story a lot. It was sweet and entertaining. The story was written really well and the chemistry between Nicole and Justin was intense. The friendship between Nicole and J Angus was very special. As with the rest of the books in this series, it was hard to put down.

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Love, loved this book!!!! A fairy tale that comes true, even with the fairy god mother to help along. I really enjoyed how much both of these characters had to over come for the love of their lives. They both tried to live to their fullest on edge until injury took it away.

The book starts at a New Years Eve Masquerade Party in Marietta Montana, Nikki walks in with a cane, when Justin spots this beautiful lady. Little does he know, but she was the little girl next door that had a huge crush on him, the person that ended his career as a rock climber due to a devastating injury and to top it off his new boss. There is an immediate chemistry between these two, and dreams will come true.

I so enjoyed the relationship of Nikki and her so called boss, J Angus. The father that she never had. He will make sure her dreams come true even on his death bed.

I highly recommend this book along with the rest of the series, can be all stand alone books but better read in order. I am hoping to read more of this series from the author, pretty please!

I received this book from netgalley for an honest review.

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Montana Rebel is a very fitting conclusion to the Big Sky Mavericks by Debra Salonen. I must admit that this series has become a favorite of mine concerning the small Montana town of Mariette. I have enjoyed how the author branched out to include new comers to the area who are not cowboys. Cowboys are wonderful but these versatile wildfire fighters have been a delight.

Justin with his restless nature and Nikki with her determination made a great pair for a second chance meeting. I adored the “fairy” godfather in this case as well as seeing how the rest of Big Sky Mavericks were doing. I am hopeful that perhaps there are one or two others wanting their stories told so that Debra Salonen will have a spin-off to these, especially since there is a bit of hint from the author.

4.5 Stars The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

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Whenever I read a book by Debra Salonen, I know I will get characters and a story that will make me laugh and cry. Montana Rebel is no different. The two main characters have a past that isn't pretty. Nikki and Justin grew up next door to each other, and Nikki watched from afar. When Nikki's college attempt to catch Justin's eye results in an accident that changes both their lives, Nikki's love seems destined to be unrequited. Thanks to her Fairy Godfather Boss, Nikki has a second chance with Justin at Marietta's New Year's Eve Masked Ball.
Since the terrible accident in college, Justin has kept moving, pushing himself in climbing but only getting close to his two friends. After spending the past 6 months in Marietta and watching his two best friends find their match, he wonders if it is even possible for him, but he is ready for something else. An unexpected job offer may give him the chance, but he is still waiting for the other shoe to drop. When he meets a masked lady in red, he is instantly intrigued. How will he react when he finds out who Nikki is?
The two main characters have both worked hard to get where they are today. They are strong people, but still have their scars. I love how they work through the past to live in the present. The secondary characters are so real and add so much depth to the story, you can't help but love them. The story made me laugh and, at times, made me teary-eyed. Linking the story to others are past characters, which serve to enrich the story.
Though part of a series, this book can stand alone, but with such wonderful characters and heart-warming stories, why wouldn't you want to read the others? I just hope Salonen finds a way to continue the series!
**I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review (though I would have purchased it anyway!)

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4 stars

Montana Rebel by Debra Salonen was a good read.

The storyline was entertaining, my interest was held from start to finish. I enjoyed watching Nikki and Justin reconnect, it was heartwarming to see them get a second chance at love. I was very happy for them and knew these two would have a happy life together.

Thank you to Tule Publishing via NetGalley for the advance copy.

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Montana Rebels was a pleasant read. I thought the history between Nikki and Justine was very heart-warming – the little girl next door who hero-worships her babysitters brother - was very sweet.

The consequences of what happened - not only to the protagonists of the story, but also their families - after the tragic accident where Nikki is seriously hurt in a climbing accident and Justine was blamed, was very believable. It wasn’t only Nikki that was left with scars from that fateful day.

I was looking forward to see how Salonen worked her magic on creating a beautiful romance. The New Year Eve’s Masquerade Ball was a wonderful way of bringing Nikki and Justine back together again and that first kiss when the clock struck twelve was….! Nikki and Justine were obviously made for each other – which was why none of their previous relationships had worked out, that became very clear, very quickly. The romance was well written and very believable.

The only thing I had issue with in this story was Nikki’s bad back. I know many people who have serious back conditions, some like Nikki, who have sustained injuries very similar to what she had - there is no way they would have been dancing a few months after an operation, add to that a night of passion then a hike in the snow the next day and more passion…I don’t think so. I felt this portray was completely unrealistic and ruined the story for me. I thought it was a brave attempt to include a heroine who had been severely injured, but maybe a little more research next time?

The story also dragged for me on occasions, which was a shame because the writing is superb and Salonen is obviously a very skilled storyteller. I loved the whole Fairy-Godfather idea…we all could do with one of those in our life.

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What a great addition to this brilliant series - I have thoroughly enjoyed reading every single one of them, including this one! This one is a delectable second chance romance, one where her teenage crush seeking his approval make her take dangerous risks and both pay the price for her foolhardiness. Now, years later, her fairy godfather is plotting to reunite the two in the hope of ensuring they give their love a second chance to develop.

The author writes emotively, painting robust pictures of the dramatic locations and complex characters in the imagination of her readers. It was great to reconnect with so many of the folks I’ve grown to relate to through reading this series, seeing how life is changing and developing for them as well as meeting new ones in this novel. I don’t, however, think you need to have read any of the earlier books in the series to appreciate this entrancing novel. I have no idea if the author deliberately wrote this story as a modern day version of Cinderella or not, but it certainly has many episodes reminiscent of the fairy tale. To me, Justin Oberman was something of an out of reach Prince that Nikki Magnesson Richards has grown up loving whilst he has been relatively unaware of her and J Angus Hooper is the 81 year old entrepreneur who acts as the fairy godfather for the couple. The relationship between the three is superb and believable. There are plenty of twists encountered as they strive to attain their goals, like being part of the team climbing a mountain together, supporting each other but with a few hairy moments along the way!

Everyone could do with a J Angus in their lives! If you enjoy a well written, entertaining and delightful romance, with a well developed plot and great characters, look no further - this is just what you need! I recommend you check out any books by this author as all I have read from her have been great!

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review.

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Really have enjoyed this series. Always can count on this author's books for enjoyable evening.

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In the grand tradition of Romeo and Juliet, “Montana Rebel” tells the story of former neighbors Nikki Magnesson Richards and Justin Oberman who due to an almost fatal accident changed their lives. Though both had moved on from that time, Nikki still holds a torch for Justin, while Justin has tried to forget that part of his life.

But fate has a way of changing things, or was it the work of a fairy godfather? Whatever it was, Nikki and Justin found themselves in a masquerade ball in Marietta during New Year’s Eve.

Behind their masks, there was instant attraction, a chemistry that cannot be denied. But, at the stroke of midnight and masks went off, there was recognition and as an old saying went, all hell broke loose.

Now that they know exactly who they were, Nikki and Justin had to face their past before they could face the future, that is, if there is even a future for them.

A heartbreaking story that tugs at your heartstrings, author Debra Salonen focused on how a tragic event can actually make someone stronger. It might sound a cliché, but the story of Nikki and Justin is truly moving.

And, don’t worry, there is romance and lots of steamy scenes that can make you feel warm all over in these cold winter days. A fast and easy read, and as you have already surmised, “Montana Rebel” is Rated M for Mature due to sexual content.

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"Montana Rebel" by Debra Salonen is book nine the "Big Sky Mavericks" series. This is Nikki Magnesson Richards and Justin Oberman‘s story.

Nikki lived next door to Justin when she was growing up. She has loved him for most of her life. An accident happened that changed both of their lives dramatically.

Nikki works for J Angus Hooper, 81 year old entrepreneur. J Angus treats her like a daughter or granddaughter.

Justin has been working with taking groups rock climbing and training rock climbing, but has walked away for a while and is going to work for J Angus.

They have not seen each other since the horrible accident that changed both of their lives. Justin and Nikki meet up at the Big Sky Mavericks Masked Ball for Charity. Justin does not know who she is but feels drawn to her. What will happen when Justin finds out who Nikki really is? Will this destroy their chance at romance and happiness?

This a sweet and steamy romance between two people that have suffered through some very difficult times in their life. I really enjoyed all the characters, especially J Angus. I enjoyed the story and would like to go back and read the other books in this series.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Tule Publishing for an honest review.

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Another fun romance from Marietta, Montana. Not my favorite, but a good story none the less. A little more details and less quickly from hate to love would have made it a much stronger book. Overall, I liked the characters though, and the story of the young woman with a crippled body, and the man who saved her coming together years later. Would highly recommend.

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I chose Montana Rebel by Debra Salonen on Netgalley by accident. I'd thought that it was part of a different series. But, I am glad that I did for I found it to be a wonderful find.

Montana Rebel is the 9th book in Salonen's Big Sky Mavericks series and while I'm sad that I missed the first 8 books, I can tell you that it was a great stand alone book.

Justin is Nikki's childhood crush, and to her dismay he'd barely even knew that she existed. That was until he had led a climb, during which she'd had a crippling accident.

Years later the two find themselves at a masquerade ball. What will happen when Justin not only finds out who the mystery woman is, but finds out that she is his new bosses assistant?

This is a sweet romance that moves quickly and will leave you wanting to return for another adventure with the Big Sky Mavericks of Marietta, Montana.

I received this copy of Montana Rebel by Debra Salonen from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Great addition to the series this book is well written well paced and has great character i love how the author has written this book.

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