Sometimes the characters in a book series can become your friends, and they feel so familiar and comfortable like your own family. And when a new installments come out in a series like that, it feels like you are going, if not home, then visit with dear friends. So let me tell you about the visit I had in the Mustang Creek and about the friends who lives there...
The Carson family is a delight to be around. The brothers with their quick wit and constant banter are fun and entertaining. They might rip each other as often as possible, but they also look out for each other and would do absolutely anything to help the others if needed. They love and respect their mom fiercely, and Harry, the cook is like a beloved aunt, Red the foreman of the ranch, like a father figure to all of them since their lost their own father years ago. There is love in the air that is palpable, and their unconventional family opens their hearts, minds, and arms to any of its members to embrace them and share their lives with them. Yes, there's such warm and fuzzy feelings around the ranch, mixed with family values, honesty, dignity, and respect. Who doesn't enjoy to hang around folks like that?!
Mace Carson, the youngest son, the wine expert who seems to take nothing seriously, who has a big caring, protective heart, is sexy as all get out, and a kind and sweet man. There's absolutely nothing to dislike him about. He can take charge, yet is considerate to others. He jokes around to keep things light but has big shoulders to cry on if needed and willing to talk seriously when called for. He doesn't like to be seen as a hero, but would rather meet you as an equal, face to face, on the same level. A man to swoon after!
Kelly Wright is a workaholic, who has passion and drive, loves to make deals, and goes after what she wants. The drama from a decade ago shadows her mind, the role Mace had in it, saving her, still makes her look at him with awe. Her marriage left her skeptical about lasting love and kept promises, doubting herself as a partner in a relationship. The feelings between her and Mace are so easy to come by, so comfortable, so intimate she wonders if they are to be trusted.
The attraction between Kelly and Mace is palpable. They have the chemistry, they have the connection, it is beautiful and filled with fire from the passion they have for each other. The doubts and fears in Kelly's mind giving their relationship the waves, the pull and push go on maybe a bit too long.
I loved the slow pace of the story, it really gave me the time and an opportunity to enjoy each moment with the characters, and get a good look of their lives. The family connection, the friends in town, the romance, even the bit of a danger that arises from the tale, it all wrapped itself around my mind and played the scenes like on a movie screen. There's so much adoration, admiration, and all the good things still left in this world present and counted for in the tale, it left me smiling and sighing with a hopeful mind. A lovely, delightful tale with smooth, flowing writing set in a gorgeous scenery that might make you want to cork a bottle of wine and take a moment to enjoy the life. Cheers to the Carson family, I have enjoyed getting to know y'all!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

I really enjoyed the 2 previous books about the Carson brothers and was really looking forward to seeing Mace's story. The blurb had me a little worried though. While I'm all for a good knight in shining armor story I'm very picky when it comes to balance of power and if there's a sense of obligation or heavy gratitude between Mace and Kelly I knew I was going to struggle with it. Luckily this isn't an issue as Mace takes care of that pretty early on and makes it clear that he is not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship where gratitude is a key part. I liked Mace. He's intelligent and a hard worker. He knows what he wants and has very little self-doubt.
While I liked Mace I connected with Kelly more. She's also intelligent and a hard worker but is having some doubt about what she wants to do and whether her original plan is really what she still wants.
The Carson family is a strong presence in the story and I especially enjoyed catching up with the 2 couples from the previous books. All of the characters have some leanings towards perfection and as I've found in other LLM books there is a bit of a race to commitment that seems a little quick. However, that doesn't stop this from being a fun read that pulled me in almost immediately.

This is the last book in this series and what an ending. This book is full of romance, humour with some added suspense. This story will keep you reading long into the night, I just couldn't put it down till I'd finished it. This author has a fantastic ability of making you part of the story. The characters were fantastic with lots of snappy dialogue. You are always on to a winner with this author. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

The cowboy queen returns with another great story. Linda Lael Miller is the queen when it comes to cowboy stories. She returns with another story of the Carson brothers. This time Mace is reunited with a woman he rescued back when they were attending college. Time repeats itself when he rescues Kelly once again, making him her Forever Hero.

reviewed for publication - courtesy RT Book Reviews-https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/forever-hero

I love the Mustang Creek series. Linda never disappoints with her stories she's just the right amount of suspense and steaminess. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

A great addition to the series. Mace was an interesting character. Tough when need be and gentle when needed. I enjoyed this book very much.

Mace and Kelly met 10 years ago when he interrupted her being assaulted on their college campus. Now she is in town for a meeting with the owner of Mountain Winery that happens to be Mace. When her car slips off the road she is rescued once again. At first Mace doesn't recognize her. He is intrigued by who she has become and finds himself interested in her, but not in selling his winery. She is just as determined to make the sale that will go far towards getting her the promotion she wants. Kelly has to work just as hard to keep their relationship professional when she really wants it to me so much more. Mace is ready and willing for it to be more. It was great to revisit Bliss County and this family for the final book in this series. Liked it from start to finish.

"Forever a Hero" is Linda Lael Miller's third Carsons of Mustang Creek novel, and, once again, she proves she is a master storyteller. Her characters in this novel are slightly older and more wary than her usual protagonists. Kelly is sales agent for an international marketing firm that specializes in promoting small wine businesses. Divorced from a man who betrayed his earlier promises to her, Kelly has no desire to marry again anytime soon. Mace Carson is the owner of a family wine business in Mustang Creek, Wyoming, and he has no desire to hand over control of his business to Kelly's company. Mace is also the man that saved Kelly from a violent would-be rapist ten years earlier when both were college students in California. As Kelly and Mace butt heads and fall in love, we meet the wonderful, slightly eccentric members of the Carson family, and the very eccentric citizens of Mustang Creek. Love is the operative word in this delightful novel. Love of family including the four legged variety and those related by friendship, not blood, and love of fellow humans. As Mace says to Kelly while trying to convince her to take a leap of faith and love again:

“Seems to me if there’s one hope of pulling this world out of the soup, well, that hope is love. Wide-open, hell-bent-for-election, take-no-prisoners love. Sure, it’s risky, putting your heart out there, but if we don’t take the chance, you and me and everybody else who gives a damn, then that’s it. Game over, lights out. The dark side wins and everything gets a hell of a lot worse.”

I give this novel five stars, plus, and I hope we meet the citizens of Mustang Creek again.

Mace Carson wouldn’t ever call himself a hero – he was a man – a good steady one that happened to be at the right place at the right time. In Kelly’s case that coincidence happened twice in her life and in each case this man was her savior – her hero.

FOREVER A HERO is filled to the rafters with old friends from this series. Here’s the thing – the Linda Lael Miller magical talent. When Linda Lael Miller includes an old friend she craftily inserts some background in the form of reminiscence. Then the reader’s memory is lovingly jogged and an instant smile appears. It’s ordained – you can’t avoid that Linda Lael Miller grin. So even if you’ve – heaven forbid – missed a book or so in the Carson’s of Mustang Creek series the author makes sure you are still connected.

FOREVER A HERO is Mace and Kelly’s story which is very unique. Mace was her hero on their college campus when he took action and prevented what certainly would have been a rape. Not only did Mace pull the rapist off Kelly but he got the guy arrested and acted as a witness in the trial. Case closed. Well maybe.

But here we are ten years later and Kelly is on a mission. The company she works for wants Mace’s wine company. This could be the deal that gets Kelly that promotion she covets. From Mace’s point of view – no way. However that is his business head talking. He loves his wine making business – it totally suits him and he has no intention of selling Mountain Winery. But he isn’t averse to keeping Kelly around a little longer. Perhaps give him a chance to get to know her better. Mace and Kelly have never had time or opportunity to know anything about each other – and Mace is really interested in finding out why he is so attracted to this woman who is basically a stranger.

The Carson family is only too happy to include Kelly as soon as they realize that she has definitely caught Mace’s eye. That in itself is an interesting event. Mace has been reluctant to put his heart on the line. His brothers have settled down. Mace would like what they have but he isn’t willing to settle for less than the real thing. So that is why keeping Kelly in Mustang Creek is important. Sure she thinks she is hopefully getting through to Mace and ultimately bring home the contract to her company. Mace has no intention of that happening. My bet is on Mace. This is one tall strong kind cowboy and Kelly would be foolish to walk away from this deal – the one with her heart on the line.

I have totally enjoyed each story in this series. The characters practically jumped off the page. Each one unique and totally charismatic. Just wait till you meet them all. That’s why this is a bittersweet moment. Knowing this is the last of the Carson family series. Linda Lael Miller once again regales her readers with a heartwarming adventure replete with a bit of mystique, lots of family fun, love, romance and humor. All rolled into one lovely series that culminates with FOREVER A HERO.

I will be writing a longer review closer to publishing
This had it all.... past family inter-action and the heighten draw between these two characters.All of it worked and was a wonderful ending to a full formed series.

Kelly has come to Mustang Creek on behalf of her company to purchase or partner with Mace Carson's winery. Mace is somewhat of a Mad Scientist when it comes to wine and he only works in small batches. He only makes wine varieties that he likes. Mace has money and doesn't need to expand.

Mace has literally saved Kelly's life twice. First, years ago, from a rapist and now from falling over a cliff in her rental car. How can they know their feelings are true and not leftover emotions from those high adrenaline experiences? Kelly has some big decisions to make and Mace isn't helping. Should they take a chance on a relationship or hope the fire burns itself out?

A lot of story in only a few hundred pages. We go from driving fast to riding horses. Dressing in Armani to cowboy boots. Eating takeout to the goodness of home-cooked comfort food. This feel-good book will restore your sense of balance in the world.

Mace and Kelly met years ago on a college campus when Mace stopped a mugger from attacking Kelly.

Fast forward 10 years, Kelly now works for a successful wine company that wants to buy Mace's vineyard. Until Kelly reminds him, Mace doesn't remember her. Once Mace remembers, he sets out to win Kelly over all the while not selling his vineyard to her company.

The book is well written has a few twists and turns that will please fans that want a good western contemporary romance with some suspense thrown into the mix. It is the 3rd book in the Carsons Of Mustang Creek series but could be read on its own.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an early copy of this book.

The last book in the Carsons of Mustang Creek series is so full of western romance, quick humor, and snappy dialog, with suspense thrown in for good measure, that you can't help but be mesmerized by Mace and Kelly's story. Each story in the series has been a delight to read...the returning characters from the previous books in the series were a joy to revisit.

The author has done a wonderful job of creating a family where you feel a part of...containing the antics of three brothers anyone having grown up in a family with brothers can completely identify with...the deep devotion to each other is the mainstay of the story and keeps the reader emotionally tied from beginning, way past the end. I'm saddened to leave the Carson family behind with this last book, but look forward to what Ms Miller has in store for the future.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.