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In a remote cabin somewhere in the mountains of Colorado, author Lucy Hanson lives without running water, electricity, or an indoor bathroom. She gets so involved in writing her romance novels that she doesn’t even notice that she hasn’t joined the 21st century. Sometimes she even forgets to eat. And that works just fine for her. But then her publisher sends in Steve Mikos, a marketing specialist, to learn all about Lucy in order to help her sell even more books.
Steve Mikos, an ex-Navy SEAL, can’t believe that he’s being sent to the back of the beyond on an assignment. He wonders what’s wrong with Lucy Hanson, since she’s basically hiding from the world. When he arrives in Colorado, though, he finds that she’s one hell of a pretty woman. So why is she hiding from the world?
As Steve falls into the routine of cooking and cleaning and making sure that Lucy and her cat eat, he becomes concerned about a couple of guys on snowmobiles who have no reason to be on Lucy’s property. He also falls madly in love with Lucy, who seems nonchalant about their relationship. She seems to be happy to keep things the way they are. But Steve can’t understand how she can live the way she does, and he sets out to change her—which might turn out to be a very bad move.
What do you get when you combine an attractive male and female with an isolated cabin that’s surrounded by snow? Lots and lots of sex, just for the fun of it. Although there is an underlying threat against Lucy, it stays mostly in the background as her relationship with Steve plays out. Their problems are realistic, and they could plague any new romance—though I don’t know anyone who actually lives without electricity and running water these days.
I liked Steve from the beginning. He sees obstacles, questions them, then gets to work figuring out how to handle them. He never tries to change Lucy’s life, but he sees a need for her to become a bit more modern. And you really can’t blame him for wanting that change in her life—especially since she wants him to share her life.
Lucy is likable as an absentminded writer, but then she suddenly turns into a vixen. Though plausible (the old saying, “it’s always the quiet ones you have to look out for,” applies here), it still seemed too out-of-character for me. She also becomes a bit immature, insisting that Steve accept her lifestyle, offering absolutely no compromises of any kind. Later, though, she loses all credibility when she does something totally stupid, even though she knows that her life is in danger.
Still, I found myself laughing at some of Steve and Lucy’s arguments because I’ve had them myself with a significant other. And a hint of danger adds a bit of suspense to the love story. So, even in spite of Lucy’s irritating faults, Lonely Hearts Mountain is still a well-written and entertaining read.
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