Even though Linda Lael Miller has been writing for a long time, I haven’t read any of her books. For a long time I just wasn’t interested in cowboy books, plus all her books seemed connected and I hate starting a series in the middle, When I saw that she was beginning a new trilogy and that A Creed in Stone Creek was the first book, I decided this was the right time to try her.

Stephen Creed has had a dual upbringing. Spending the school year with his mother, his grandfather, and uncles in Boston, he lived the life of a preppy kid, and then spending the summer with his father on the Creed ranch, he was a cow hand. He always thought that he took after his father’s family with his love of ranching, but the law is as intrinsic to him as it was his grandfather.

When the time comes to make a home for his newly adopted son, he decides to buy a ranch and set up a small law practice in Stone Creek, Arizona. The first morning there, eating breakfast in Sunflower Bakery and Café, he is drawn to alluring Melissa O’Ballivan. As luck would have it, he has a chance to meet her when he goes to the courthouse to pay a parking ticket. But his luck hasn’t completely turned. She is the county prosecutor and he swore off dating other attorneys after a bad experience. Still, the chemistry is too great to ignore.

Melissa O’Ballivan has lived in Stone Creek, all her life, except for the time spent at college, then law school, and a short time working for another county’s prosecutor. She has the doldrums. Her sisters and brother are all happily married, while she hasn’t had a date in a year since her last relationship ended. Work is not especially challenging, She is unsettled. She notices Stephen checking her out at the café and she does the same. She feels the attraction, but she just not sure she is ready to jump back in the dating pool. Stephen has a child as well, which is a definite reason not to get close. She did that once, and she still is not over losing touch with her ex-boyfriend’s children.

The setting of the book is small town, nostalgic Americana. The overriding theme is of family connection, happily married couples, well adjusted children, and citizens that take care of their own. Melissa sent a young man to prison and he is now back in town, providing the mystery for the book. And of course there are animals. Now I like all of the above but for the most part the book was very mellow, perhaps a bit too mellow.

The relationship between Melissa and Stephen develops quickly which was a little problematic for me. Not that I couldn’t suspend belief but I wanted to be privy to more flirty and sexually teasing conversation. Minimal background is given about the couple’s previous relationships which is part of the conflict. As a result, I felt the discord keeping the couple apart was weak.

While this is the first book in the series, it makes reference to other characters. I suspect that for readers who have read Ms. Millers’ other books, this will feel like a family reunion. Ms Miller does state that this story features extended members of the Creed & McKettrick families. Despite its issues, I don’t regret the time spent reading this book. The characters were interesting and the happily every after satisfying. I liked the multiple story arcs. The author made me laugh, too, which is always a plus. As with other small town series books, I think that they appeal to a certain audience. If you enjoy small town life, in a western setting, then you will spend a couple of pleasurable hours with this one.