Good book. Carson has come to Rust Creek Falls to see if he can get the recipe for Homer Gilmore's moonshine. The same moonshine that is responsible for the current baby bonanza (see series Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding). Carson is watching the Memorial Day parade and spots a woman dressed as a stork and holding a baby on one of the floats. He can't take his eyes off her and is desperate to meet her. Tessa is the woman in the costume (she got tapped because the costume fit her) and spots Carson at the same time. Unlike Carson, her instinct is to get as far away from him as she can. Something tells her that he could mean real trouble for her.

Tessa is a local girl who moved away to pursue her dreams as a graphic artist. Just when she had landed her dream job, everything got derailed when she met a man. Tessa was so into him that she neglected her job, screwing up an account that her boss had trusted her with. Oh, and that man? He was her boss's ex, which didn't help her cause any. So Tessa ended up fired and threatened with being blackballed in the industry. She went home to Montana to try to get her life back together. She's freelancing her art, and determined to keep men off her radar for a long time to come.

Tessa's attempt at avoidance doesn't work, and she is introduced to him later that day. She is just as attracted to him as she feared, and can't say no when he wants to hang with her for the rest of the day and evening. I loved seeing how quickly they connected, finding several things that they have in common - including the intention to not have children. When Homer shows up and gives Carson a jar of his moonshine and promises that they'll talk later, Carson and Tessa share a few sips from the jar. I loved their comments on its properties, which give away that there is something pretty freaky about the drink. And like in the previous series, Carson and Tessa wake up in bed the next morning with no idea how they got there, or memory of what they did (though the evidence is pretty clear). Tessa completely freaks out at how fast things moved and pushes away from Carson as hard as she can. Carson on the other hand, wants to spend as much time with her as he can.

I loved the development of their relationship. Carson is determined to pursue what he sees as the potential for the future. He goes to great lengths to get closer to her. I loved his conversation with his friend Ryan, as he looks for advice on how to do it. It was great to see him settle on moving into the boarding house where Tessa is living also. Tessa is still freaked out, but finally agrees to spend time with him. They discover that not only is there attraction, they actually like each other. Carson tries to convince Tessa to come to California with him, even going so far as to line up a job interview for her. But thanks to that past relationship, Tessa has some big trust issues. She doesn't trust her own judgment, since she fell hard and fast the last time also. And she doesn't trust that something that has happened so fast will last.

Then Tessa gets some news that turns both their lives upside down. Carson's pursuit of her becomes even more determined, and Tessa digs in her heels about not being rushed. I loved Carson's realization that pushing harder isn't going to help, and how he backs off a little. However, he hasn't given up, and I enjoyed seeing all the things he did to show her that he believed in them. It's starting to work, but Tessa just can't get past that last obstacle. Then a picnic by the falls provides an exciting twist that changes everything. I loved the follow on scene.

The epilogue was great. I wasn't too surprised by the second result that came of their moonshine experience. Both of them had made comments during the latter part of the book that made me think it would be perfect if they both were right, and it was. I also liked how they worked out the balance between their professional needs and personal wants. ( )

A Memorial Day parade, a Stork holding a baby draws Carson's attention. Especially the stork. He cannot take his eyes off her eyes. He's a billionaire come to town to get secret of Homer's moonshine. Because of the moonshine people do things they wouldn't and don't remember.

Carson and Tess meet through a friend of Carson's. BBQ, picnic and so much more like our festivals in a small town.
There are things happen will frighten you but accomplish the love Tess and Carson find together.
One of Christine's best books yet! ( )

Marriage, Maverick Style! By Christine Rimmer is a 2016 Harlequin Special Edition publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute, whimsical story, quite unlike the other books in this series.

Carson Drake, the CEO of Drake Distilleries, has arrived at Rust Creek Falls, in order to buy the recipe of a specially made moonshine from a homeless man, which could make them both a lot of money. But, as it so happens, his arrival coincides with a ‘Baby Bonanza' parade. It would seem the town has had something of a baby boom recently, the result of a night of celebrations, and a few too many nips of that famous moonshine.

Carson’s eyes home in on a beautiful woman riding on one of the floats, holding a baby, and wearing a stork costume. He is instantly smitten and decides he must wrangle an introduction.

Tessa, is single, with no children, but was roped into participating in the parade, mainly because she fit into the costume.

She has returned home to Rust Creek Falls after making a muck of her career, in order to regroup. But, she is starting to feel a little restless, wondering if she could somehow find a job she really enjoys.

But, when she meets Carson, her plans could become reality, with his encouragement, but a surprise twist could put her dreams on hold.

I’ll wager there are not too many people out there who can honestly say they have never made a boneheaded decision or did something incredibly dumb, in the name of hormones. Tessa is guilty of that colossal error, but has come down pretty hard on herself.

After ruining her promising career, she is not ready to get involved with a man, not trusting herself and terrified of getting hurt.

Although Carson is very determined to change her mind and win her heart, an unexpected turn of events, catches him totally off guard, throwing him into a tailspin.

As it so happens, I just came away from reading a very heavy book, and needed something to offset that a little. This book was next in my TBR pile, so it came along at just the right moment.

The fun part of the story is the whimsy regarding the baby bonanza and its direct relationship to the infamous moonshine. Carter is a terrific hero, even though he confesses to having been a bit of a womanizer, and even when he’s thrown off balance. I liked the way he refused to give up on Tessa, despite her many doubts and self-recriminations.

Tessa was a hard nut to crack, and her current predicament really had her reeling. I felt bad for her, but it was also kind of funny, especially the way it all turned out in the end.

One other little difference here, is a spot of tense action, although it’s just a wee bit too imaginative, it serves its purpose in solidifying Carson and Tessa’s relationship, which just put the cherry on the cake.

Overall, this book would make a fun beach or poolside read this summer!

4 stars ( )