Painted Montana Sky

By: Debra Holland

Narrated by: Lara Asmundson

Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Painted Montana Sky, a novella from the acclaimed Montana Sky series, NY Times and USA Today best-selling author Debra Holland brings together two people who have turned their backs on love and relationships. In 1894, Lily Maxwell, aspiring painter, travels to Sweetwater Springs, Montana, with her precious cocker spaniel to work on an artistic project that could launch her career. For years, Lily has denied herself happiness because of an equestrian accident that left her with a damaged hip, a limp, and a sense of unworthiness. Her inability to bear children has kept her from giving her heart to anyone. After rancher Tyler Dunn's wife abandoned him and their son, he wants nothing to do with women. But this new girl in town, with her lovely violet eyes and her wonderful talent, stirs feelings in Tyler. After Tyler rescues Lily's dog from being swept away by the river, Lily develops a friendship with him, the people on his ranch, and his young son, Oliver. Yet the two of them dare not give in to their feelings for each other. Can these lonely souls find their hearts' desires under the majestic Montana Sky?

©2015 Debra Holland (P)2015 Debra Holland

Wonder addition to this series LOVED IT!

Any additional comments?

Another wonderful addition to this series as the author takes you back to another time and place of many years ago when you had cowboys, ranchers, people who knew the true meaning of living and loving. The author tells a compelling story of lost love, hurt, pain, learning to live and well as loving again. Both of the main characters have given up on finding love for different reasons. Ones lost his love in a cruel way the other is a cripple not feeling that any man would want her even less when they knew her secret. Love does have a way of lifting its head when you aren’t looking as it did for these two. Both being bullheaded and stubborn look the other way, it does seem life and love has its own story to tell as it refuses to give up and walk away.

I have listened to a few audio’s done by Lara Asmundson I always get a smile on my face when I see her name. Just as with this author when I see the narrators name I know this is going to be one outstanding listen. Her voice is smooth like silk her different characters voices are outstanding as she brings to life a compelling story of so much pain, sorrow and love. Her voice is clear with no background noise as the audio plays you forget you are listening to a story as you see pictures in your mind of the wonderful land marks, flowers, rivers and the hot springs you yourself are dying to jump into. As the narrator pulls you in painting a wonderful picture of Sweetwater Montana and this lovely town the author has given us you find you really want to visit Montana taking in all the wonderful sites as you look up into the wonderful blue Montana sky. It was a pleasure getting back into this series the audios always bring more life to me as Ms. Asmundson brings wonderful voices that you come to love. It is easy to know who is talking, their reactions as she hits the correct tones at the correct times. I love her male and female voices her deep tones or her higher ones are just a pleasure to listen to. Even the mean old widow gets your attention as she gives her the right tone and pitch, you might not care for the widow but you will sure love the narrator’s voice. The plow flows easy as Ms. Asmundson reads it, if there is any editing done you cannot tell it. This was not a very long audio which made it easy to listen to it at one setting. I found I walked around the store a little longer even listen to it as I pumped gas I just didn’t want to put my kindle down. I couldn’t wait to see what happen to these characters.

The story its self was like coming home seeing people you haven’t seen in awhile. I love this series so much as well as the characters. I had forgotten about the ponies I had to smile as I remembered their story in a past book. It was wonderful how the author brought them back as part of this book why they were very helpful to a lady who had trouble getting around painting the flowers she wanted to. It was truly wonderful to catch up with some wonderful characters from the past seeing how their lives had changes what new members were added to each family. If you are an animal lover you will fall in love not only with the ponies but the cocker spaniel. I am guessing you will feel as I did wanting to jump in the book to protect this dear and sweet girl. This might be a short listen compared to most audios but it is well worth the listen as the author and the narrator brings so much at a very fast pace filling it in with wonderful details never leaving you guessing or behind. The story never feels rushed it is just a wonderful compelling read.

Lily is aspiring painter, traveling to Sweetwater Springs to work on an artist project that could launch her career. She has given up on happiness and having a family because of an accident that damaged her hip, she has a limp, and a feeling of unworthiness. When she was told she could never have a child she knew she would never have a husband. At this point most people would have given up and had a pity party depending on others to do for them not Lily. She is a strong character who is determined to make a living on her own. I would have to say she was my favorite character she never gives up, she travels, paints doing what she loves and is really a happy woman. There are times when the past comes back and slaps her in the face, she revisits it and moves on not letting it get her down that is until she finds she wants the one thing she cannot have children, love with Tyler.

Tyler has a haunting past as well his wife abandoned him and his son he vowed to never trust another woman. When he first meets Lily and her dog he can’t take his eyes off her, one touch he finds he misses the touch of a women, a few more touches and he is thinking maybe he might rethink this thing called love. Of course he notices her limp but he looks deeper into her heart and sees one find lady that even when she is in pain she never gives up. He goes out of his way to make her comfortable as he takes her to the warm springs to help her easy her painful muscles. Then he finds reason to go against his feeling the one thing he cannot over look. I really liked Tyler he is a down to earth gentleman who loves his son and gives so much back to this town. He goes out of his way to help Lily get what she needs even though it brings back a bad memory which turns him away from Lily and what she can give him and his son. These two have their work cut out for them as they fight the attraction.

The author gives you characters that you can relate to they are normal people just trying to get by as they make a living out of the land god has given them. You can feel the attraction as you can almost feel the sparks coming off them from the first touch. The supporting characters are so wonderful, caring and loving. The author brings back a time when men help men women help women giving back to those who need a helping hand. A time when strangers was just a friend you had not met yet now like to today when you are scared to even talk to the person you walk by. A time when guns were used to protect and hunt for your food. The author gives you a story you can get lost in as she writes a compelling story of strong characters that have to work out or get over their past to make a new life and a new generation to help build the future of our great country.

Ms. Holland is one of my go to authors when I am looking for a book to read or listen to. Her audios are outstanding she picks the very best narrators. Her stories are always heartwarming and soul touching. I adore both her mail order bride and her Montana sky series. If you are looking for a wonderful well told story that will break your heart, touch your soul and make you smile why you relive the west look no farther you have found it. I highly recommend any book this author writes, I know I do not plan on missing one of her outstanding reads.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I just love this series

Im in love with the Debra Holland series, however this one felt like it ended too soon, it tells you her story and then the love story starts but it kind of ends very soon.
Its very sweet and clean and it makes you want to live in Montana territory in the 1800s

Good

A good book. Nice and clean...maybe a little ho hum Nice series. I like her books they're nice and clean!

Another amazing story!

I am so in love with this series! I just wish Tyler would have confessed his love for Lily!

Painted Montana Sky You Can Picture Anywhere

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would. Debra Holland is a wonderful author and this audible can be listened to anywhere.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the whole story. I liked that I was listening to this story on my kindle while crocheting on my backporch during a nice fall day and was so relaxed. I could felt like I was part of the story. Lara did a wonderful job narrating the story. Beautiful story.

Have you listened to any of Lara Asmundson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this is the first one I have listened to and I look forward to hearing more.

Love Found

This is a story set in beautiful Montana. A painter with physical issues and a rancher who was damaged by an unfaithful wife that ran off with a painter . Despite all the problems they both carry they fall in love, although neither wants to believe it . Chance meeting for Lily of the pregnant doctors wife, gives Lily hope that Tyler will love her. A wedding for them sets them to new lives.

Love Debra Holland

Lily travels to Montana to paint flowers. She is sitting by the river painting and her little dog falls into the river and is swept away. Tyler is fishing down river, sees the little dog and rescues her. He likes the pretty woman who has a slight limp until he finds out she is an artist. His was leaving him for a traveling painter, but she died. He is still a little bitter. As Tyler comes to know Lily and see how wonderful she is with his son, he starts to think she might stay but she is a city girl and she may not like his kind of life. Lily would love to stay, but she was told she could not have children and she would not want to burden Tyler with a wife that can't have children.

What a wonderful story and narrated perfectly.

What did you love best about Painted Montana Sky?

I loved how Tyler started getting feelings from being around Lily that he hadn't thought of or felt in a very long time and you knew a love story was going to come out this for sure.
Actually there were many things.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the sweetness of Tyler with Lily and carrying her and really being careful with her since she was injured.

What about Lara Asmundson’s performance did you like?

Lara did an amazing job with all the different characters man or woman or child. She was very good in this story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I wanted to cry when Lily's dog was in the rushing water of the river scared and not being able to get out and Lily in a panic and going into the water trying so hard to get her.
I also wanted to cry when Lily rode the horse into the river to get to Tyler and he couldn't believe it but then he really couldn't believe she was saying yes to him to marry him.

Any additional comments?

I had already read this story but hearing it again just put more emotion into it and it just made it even better and it was already a great story. Loved it, all of it. Or and Tyler getting the Fallabella horse and carriage for Lily to drive to go out and paint. Loved that also.

Lily painted the beauty of Montana....

Would you consider the audio edition of Painted Montana Sky to be better than the print version?

The audio version brought to life the book itself. The descriptions of the sky and flowers seemed to become alive with audio. Also, the people in the story seem more real when listening to the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Painted Montana Sky?

The brush with drowning for the little dog was gripping. However, when Tyler borrowed a cart with a small horse for Lily to use, it made me love Tyler.

Which scene was your favorite?

The soak in the hot springs after the water mishap was so descriptive that I could actually see the area in my mind and feel the hot water.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely! I didn't want to take a break for even five minutes.

Any additional comments?

The little boy, Oliver, was such a caring child. Oliver added a lot to the storyline.

A love story that will touch your heart!

Would you consider the audio edition of Painted Montana Sky to be better than the print version?

Yes, I do. PAINTED MONTANA SKY is excellently narrated by Lara Asmundson. She has been the narrator for a few other of the Mail Order Brides of the West Books and I always enjoy her performances. Her voice is pleasing, crystal clear and well-paced to the tale. She inserts pauses and emotion at the appropriate times. When Lara narrates, the story takes precedence as she perfectly delivers the tale. It allows me to sink into the story and not think about reading. I look forward to hearing her again.

What other book might you compare Painted Montana Sky to and why?

Any of Debra Holland's or Caroline Fyffe's other western romances are very similar. I've loved each one. A side benefit is that enjoyment of any of their series would be enhanced the more you partake of it, as the characters of Sweetwater Springs will evolve to become your friends and neighbors as you read their stories.

Which scene was your favorite?

I had quite a few but I'll mention the one at the social after Caleb Livingston had escorted Lily outside and Tyler rescued her. Here's the scene after Caleb had left: "I think Livingston was going to steal a kiss in the moonlight."
Lily wrinkled her nose. "Well, I certainly wouldn't have given him one. He made me too uncomfortable, and I just met him!"
Tyler cupped her face with his hands, leaning closer. "What about me?" he said, his voice low. "Will you give one to me?"
"I shouldn't." The lonely years stretched ahead of her. Her earlier vow to make memories rose and suddenly she was desperate for some kisses of Tyler's to remember. In answer to his question, she tilted her mouth to his.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I found myself adding in more workout time which equates to more listening time.

Any additional comments?

PAINTED MONTANA SKY is a love story that will touch your heart. Debra is one of my favorite authors. I know when I pick up one of her clean, western romances, that I'll be transported back in time with wonderful, solid characters that will fondly remain with me long after I've finished the story. I've fallen in love with the characters of Sweetwater Springs, Montana and look forward to more of Debra's stories set there. I highly recommend PAINTED MONTANA SKY to anyone who enjoys sweet western romance.

Loved it!

I love all Sweetwater Spring stories, lovely characters, sweet stories. I love to switch between the book and audible, depends I am in mood to reading or just wants to listen while walking or do house chores. I'm always looking forward to read the new stories of this lovely community.