Out of the Storm - BJ Daniels (HQN - Jan 2021)

Series: Buckhorn Montana (Book 1)

She can't lose him again…

One look at his warm brown eyes and Kate Jackson knows she's found her husband. It's been twenty years since Daniel was declared dead in a refinery explosion, but Kate never gave up hope, convinced he was somewhere out there, suffering from amnesia. Then, on a trip to Buckhorn, Montana, she sees him—working as a carpenter, scarred, but still her Danny. Yet Jon Harper, as he calls himself, insists he's a stranger.

Jon is certain he's not the man Kate's looking for. Though some of his memories are lost in shadow, how could he ever forget a woman like that? One thing Jon's instinct does tell him is that she's in danger from the very person she should trust most. Helping loyal, lovely Kate will mean exposing his own perilous past…but it's the only way to protect her and this new chance at forever…

Good start to the new series. It opens as Kate receives a proposal of marriage from the man she dated for the past six months. Although she accepts Collin's ring, she can't help having reservations. Twenty years earlier, Kate lost the love of her life, Danny, in a refinery explosion. His body was never identified, and she always believed that he was still alive, possibly suffering from amnesia. She still looks for his face wherever she goes, hoping that he's alive. Despite those reservations, she accepts Collin's proposal, prepared to finally move on with her life. When Collin springs a surprise engagement trip on her, she quickly loses her enthusiasm for the journey when they break down in the middle of a blizzard. Stranded in the tiny town of Buckhorn while they wait for parts, Kate is stunned when she spots Danny, even though he insists his name is Jon and he doesn't know her.

Kate's life suddenly becomes very complicated. On the one hand, she's sure that Jon is Danny; she just needs to convince him of the fact. On the other hand, she has a fiancé who is not at all happy about this blast from Kate's past. Kate doesn't know that Collin has ulterior motives, both for their engagement and this trip. He won't allow anything to interfere with his plans.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Kate and Jon develop. She is dead sure that Jon is Danny and spends every possible minute she can with him, telling him stories of their life together, of their two daughters, and their lives since his disappearance. Jon enjoys hearing the stories, and though he wishes otherwise, he is sure that he isn't Danny. He can't tell her the truth about why but he can't deny that he is drawn to her. After a couple of run-ins with Collin, Jon's instincts tell him that the man is dangerous.

This is where the suspense of the story picks up the pace. Kate wants to stay in Buckhorn and spend more time with Jon, but Collin's situation grows more perilous with each day. Desperate to get Kate away from Jon, Collin takes steps that could put a bulls-eye on Jon's back. Meanwhile, Kate's youngest daughter is taken hostage to ensure Kate's cooperation. I liked how Kate kept her head and managed to warn Jon about his danger. Jon gets some unexpected help from his friend, Earl Ray, as he prepares to go after Kate and Collin. I was glued to the pages through the multiple twists until it was all over. The only thing to figure out was how Kate and Jon could be together. I wasn't too surprised by the how, but the process was very complicated. I loved the ending.

I enjoyed the time spent in Buckhorn and look forward to future books in the series. I loved how the entire town got into the relationship between Jon and Kate. The scenes in the café with everyone crowded around the window were fun. My favorite character is Earl Ray, who initially appears to be just your run-of-the-mill mountain town resident. It doesn't take long to discover that there is much more to him, and I can't wait to learn more.

A Cowboy's Christmas Carol - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2803 - Dec 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? (Book 6)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 133)

This holiday... He'll come face-to-face with his past.

Bah, humbug!

It's the holiday season in Bronco, but for tour operator Evan Cruise, 'tis only the season for making money. Haunted by his past, he refuses to celebrate the festivities around him -- until he meets Daphne Taylor. As the owner of the local animal sanctuary challenges Evan's resistance to yuletide spirit, their attraction grows into something deeper. But when Daphne uncovers Evan's shocking family secret, it threatens to tear them apart. Will a little Christmas magic change everything?

Terrific conclusion to this year's Montana Mavericks series. In addition to the ongoing search for Beatrix, there is also a touch of the paranormal. The title is indicative, too, as there are some definite parallels to A Christmas Carol.

Evan is the owner/operator of Bronco Ghost Tours. He is very business-focused, working long hours to make it more successful. He has a reputation as a difficult boss and, combined with his lack of Christmas spirit, frequently leads to Scrooge-like comparisons. His newest idea for during the slow winter season is Yuletide Ghost Tours, a potential money-maker. When he hears that the local animal sanctuary is haunted, he is determined to add it to the tour.

Daphne is the out-of-step daughter of the area's most prominent rancher. She runs an animal sanctuary and is a vegetarian, both of which irritate her father to no end. Daphne and her animals are popular with the townspeople, and she has plenty of volunteers to help her. She's surprised when Evan contacts her about a "business proposition."

I loved the first meeting between Evan and Daphne. Evan is very focused, with a "time is money" attitude, where Daphne is more laid back - and sometimes a little forgetful. She forgot about her meeting with Evan and was mucking out stalls when he arrived. Evan was not impressed and thought that he could easily charm Daphne into doing what he wanted. He couldn't have been more wrong. I loved watching her bring up her concerns, make sure he addressed them, and then negotiate for a portion of the proceeds. I loved seeing him leave confused about how it happened.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Evan and Daphne. Neither one expected the attraction that arced between them. While Evan did his best to ignore it, Daphne was firmly convinced that she'd met "The One." Though Evan doesn't believe in romantic love, he can't deny that he's drawn to Daphne. I loved watching them spend time together over the next few weeks, slowly getting to know each other. Their connection was a little surprising because of their differences. Daphne believes in love at first sight; Evan doesn't. Evan is all about making money, while Daphne is happy having enough to keep the sanctuary going. Daphne loves everything to do with Christmas and is horrified by Evan's lack of Christmas spirit. I loved watching Daphne slowly chip away at that attitude. I also loved the scene where Evan discovered Daphne is a vegetarian. His reaction was great and very unexpected.

Things look very promising between them until Evan and Daphne face off about a secret he keeps from his grandmother. Evan believes he is protecting her, while Daphne thinks he denies her a possible connection she was unaware of. Some harsh words are exchanged. Fortunately, he quickly realized that he went too far (reinforced by comments by both his sister and his grandmother). But on his way to apologize, he wrecked his car in the snow. While unconscious, his experiences gave the book its title in a very amusing interlude. It did serve to bring Evan and Daphne back together, though their story was not finished.

One of the themes running through the book is the haunting of Happy Hearts Sanctuary. Though Evan claims he doesn't believe in ghosts, that wasn't always so. Though a traumatic event as a child caused him to deny his feelings, Evan is very sensitive to the spirit world. On his first visit to Happy Hearts, he heard Alice's ghost crying and was sure that Daphne heard it. Though she didn't admit it to him, Daphne has been conversing with Alice for six months. I loved the scenes between Daphne and Alice, who was full of all kinds of advice. Evan, too, began to experience some strange dreams that were tied to the sanctuary. I loved following this thread and how Daphne and Evan worked together to help Alice. The end of her story was sweet.

Then there was the story of the missing Beatrix, which was a thread throughout the entire series. In the previous book, Melanie (In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick) put a notice on social media with the information she's learned so far. I loved seeing that post bear fruit. The scene as the missing Beatrix was told of the past was fantastic. Her reunion with her mother was incredibly emotional, and I loved seeing the effects on them all.

His Christmas Cinderella - Christy Jeffries (HSE #2797 - Nov 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix (Book 5)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 132)

An enchanted evening with a stranger leaves him wanting more…

A gift money can't buy…

Super-rich rancher Jordan Taylor has it all -- except someone to share his life with. What he really wants for Christmas is to win the heart of Camilla Sanchez, the hardworking waitress he met at a charity ball. Camilla thinks they are too different to make it work, but Jordan is determined to prove her wrong. She grants him his wish: three weeks to convince her he is worthy of her love. Perhaps this will be the holiday that changes everything…

I loved this book so much! I loved Jordan in The Cowboy's Promise when he came through with a job for Erica. I hoped to see more of him, and this book delivered in a big way. Jordan is Bronco royalty, a member of one of the town's most prestigious families. One nickname is "The Crown Prince of Bronco Heights," while another, "He Who Will Not Be Tamed," alludes to his reputation as a ladies' man. His sister calls him a serial dater, but Jordan can't see sticking with someone who isn't right for him. All of that comes to an end the night of the family's charity ball.

Camilla is a hardworking waitress with big plans for her future. She's almost finished with her MBA and ready to move ahead with opening her own restaurant. She accompanies her employer, DJ Traub, and his wife to the charity ball intending to find investors. Though confident about her plans, she feels like a fish out of water at the grand event.

I loved the first meeting between Jordan and Camilla. As in any good Cinderella story, he spots her from across the room and is immediately intrigued. Thanks to his father's poor eyesight, Jordan thinks Camilla is someone else, but they never bother to exchange names. Instead, they spend the evening dancing and talking and enjoying each other's company. The evening comes to an abrupt end when one of the attendees (Erica) goes into labor, and Jordan takes control of the situation. Things get a little awkward when Jordan says goodbye to Camilla but calls her by the name he thought was hers. Stunned, Camilla makes her escape without setting him straight.

The next morning, Jordan wants to call her to ask for a date and is confused when he discovers that she wasn't who he thought she was. I loved seeing his determination to find her and the lengths he went to to do so. Camilla was shocked when he showed up at her workplace, and more so when she found out what he wanted. Though she also felt the connection between them, she is firmly convinced that they are too different to make a relationship work. Jordan isn't a successful businessman for nothing, and he negotiates a deal to get to know her - three weeks, six dates to make her believe.

I absolutely loved the development of the relationship between Jordan and Camilla. Jordan is a genius at coming up with dates that don't meet their criteria of a date but still allows him to spend time with her. There were Sunday dinners with her family, volunteering around the community, and the occasional real "date." It's easy to see that Jordan falls fast and hard for Camilla, but his reputation works against him. Though she enjoys their time together, Camilla is sure that he'll come to his senses soon. They manage to keep their relationship under the radar, but the reactions are brutal when they are outed. I ached for both Jordan and Camilla. He is ready to take on the world for her, but Camilla has reservations and asks for space. I hurt for Jordan, who wanted to DO something to convince her they belonged together. He got advice from multiple sources, all telling him the same thing. It was a rather eye-opening experience for him, and I loved that he learned from it. Meanwhile, Camilla has to face her fear of risking her heart. Her conversation with her dad was beautiful and gave her much to think about. I loved Jordan's big moment at the end, including his comments to his father.

The secondary characters are well done, with enough relevance to the story without taking it over. Jordan's assistant, Mac, was one of my favorites. She gives excellent advice, is a big influence on kids of all ages, and provides a fun twist at the end. I also loved Camilla's family and their noisy, exuberant love for each other. I liked how they accepted Jordan so readily, though Camilla tried to keep who he was quiet. The scene at Thanksgiving dinner was priceless. My least favorite character was Jordan's father. I don't like the way he treated Camilla and his daughter, Daphne.

There were a few mentions of the search for Beatrix and the difficulties of tracking her down. The epilogue is a terrific lead-in to the final book in the series and, hopefully, some answers.

The Cowboy's Promise - Teresa Southwick (HSE #2792 - Oct 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? (Book 4)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 131)

We all need somebody to trust

WHAT NOBODY EXPECTED

Flirty rancher Morgan Dalton is all about keeping things casual…until Erica Abernathy moves back to Bronco. She's sweet, sexy -- and about to have a baby all on her own. Morgan steps up to be a shoulder she can lean on, telling them both it won't lead to more. But when he offers to be Erica's labor coach, the charismatic cowboy finds it hard to be a man of his word…

Very good book. Erica came home to Bronco to regroup after ending a relationship, deciding to have a baby on her own, and losing her job. She left home twelve years ago for college and has only returned a few times for visits. Her return was a little rough as her parents were not as supportive as she had hoped. To escape the tension at home, Erica visited a local restaurant where she met Morgan Dalton.

Morgan and his family are relatively new arrivals in Bronco. He and his brothers agreed to work the ranch with their father to support their mother. There are hard feelings between father and sons because he cheated on their mother. They also feel like outsiders in Bronco because the local "old-timer" ranching families have not been particularly welcoming.

I liked the first meeting between Erica and Morgan. Morgan was drawn to Erica as soon as he saw her. I loved how easily they could talk to each other, even after he realized she was pregnant. After being away for so long, Erica also feels somewhat like an outsider, so it is easy for them to band together. I loved seeing how their relationship progressed from friendship to love. I especially enjoyed Morgan's support of Erica, from taking her to doctor's appointments to offering to be her labor coach. I loved so many of the scenes of them together. There are also sparks of attraction that both try to ignore, but they grow along with their deepening feelings for each other. I ached for them both when a moment of intimacy ended in a misunderstanding. I wanted to shake Erica for allowing her insecurities to send her running without letting Morgan explain. I hurt for Morgan, who realized the depth of his love for Erica and didn't know what to do. Thanks to advice from an unexpected source, his big moment at the end was fantastic. I loved the epilogue with their next steps into a future together.

A big theme of this book was family and expectations. Erica arrived home feeling that she was a disappointment to her parents. This was apparent to her in their reactions to her pregnancy. I ached for her and her reluctance to share the truth with them. I liked the eventual repair of those relationships, especially the one with her mother. Her brother, Gabe, irritated me at times with his attitude toward Morgan. I expected better of him, having read his story in In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick. Morgan had his own family issues. His problems with his father were a result of his love for his mother and anger at his father's actions. It was easy to see how Morgan held on to his anger and was hesitant to trust Neal again. I liked how Erica's influence helped Morgan work past his anger and alter his relationship with his father.

Also part of this book is the ongoing search for Josiah's daughter, Beatrix. At the end of the previous book, the investigation had stalled as they ran into dead-ends. However, hope returns thanks to an unusual clue. I look forward to seeing how it works out.

The Maverick's Baby Arrangement - Kathy Douglass (HSE #2785 - Sept 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? (Book 3)

            Montana Mavericks (Book 130)

He'll do anything for his child's sake…

THE COWBOY TAKES A (FAKE) WIFE

Wealthy workaholic rancher Daniel Dubois has everything money can buy, but it's not enough. If he can't convince authorities he's worthy, he will soon lose custody of his orphaned baby niece. Event planner Brittany Brandt rejects Daniel's marriage of convenience until little Hailey wins her over. Soon they are a cozy family of three -- and Daniel's biggest problem is guarding his heart against his make-believe bride…

Good book. Daniel is a wealthy rancher who plans to turn part of his horse ranch into a dude ranch. As a newcomer to Bronco, and a horse rancher in cattle country, he feels that he's looked at with suspicion by the locals. To get his neighbors on board with his plans, Daniel wants to hold a dinner where he can explain his goals. To do that, he needs a top-notch event planner. The ones he's hired so far haven't met his needs. He decides to try a local company and see if they can do better.

Brittany, who made appearances in the first two books of the series, In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick and The Cowboy's Comeback, wants this job very much. If she does well, she has a chance for a much larger event. She is focused on her career and her plans to have her own event-planning business in the future. She's excited when she has a chance to pitch her ideas to Daniel.

I loved their first meeting. Daniel is brusque and skeptical of her abilities, and Brittany is determined to show him what she can do. The way she stood up to him and didn't allow him to blow her off was terrific and got his attention. There were also sparks of attraction that neither could deny, though both tried to resist. Daniel has more than enough on his plate between his business and caring for the niece he inherited from his deceased sister. Brittany is focused on her career and wants neither husband nor child. As the oldest in her family, she spent a lot of time caring for her siblings and doesn't intend to do it again.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Daniel and Brittany. Brittany was surprised by Daniel's revelation of Hailey's existence and Daniel's vehement desire to keep her presence secret. Their confrontation over the matter was intense. Brittany was there filling Daniel in on his dinner event when he received news that Hailey's grandparents planned to sue for custody. Desperate not to lose her, Daniel proposed a marriage of convenience to Brittany to improve his chances of winning custody. Though resistant at first, Brittany quickly came to love the little girl and agreed to Daniel's proposal.

I loved watching Daniel and Brittany spend time together, with and without Hailey. It wasn't long before their fake marriage began to feel all too real. There were some sweet scenes of them as a family, and it was easy to see that the feelings between Daniel and Brittany grew. Neither realized what was happening between them until the visit from the social worker brought it into focus. I ached for them both as they avoided confessing their feelings and hid behind their agreement rather than risk rejection. Daniel and his friend's conversation gave him the push he needed to go after Brittany and tell her the truth. The ending was great as both Daniel and Brittany realized they could have the future they both wanted.

My only disappointment was that there wasn't much time devoted to the ongoing search for Beatrix. Hopefully, there will be more progress in the next book.

The Cowboy's Comeback - Melissa Senate (HSE #2779 - Aug 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? (Book 2)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 129)

He's the one who got away…

You never forget your first…

Anyone can see why Amanda Jenkins fell for Holt Dalton way back when; the hunky rancher and former bad boy is all kinds of adorable. So is his son, Robby, their dog, Bentley, and their cat, Oliver. When Holt asks her for a second chance, it is awfully tempting to imagine them as a happy family. First, however, the charming cowboy will have to convince her that he's playing for keeps…

Very good second chance story. Shy Amanda and handsome Holt fell in love ten years earlier when both worked at a summer camp. They spent a lot of time sharing hopes and dreams of the future. But Holt hadn't been entirely open with Amanda, avoiding the fact that he was there performing court-ordered community service. He made some poor decisions that landed him in trouble and didn't want her to see that side of him. When the end of the summer came, Holt broke things off with her rather than chance her rejection of him. Amanda was stunned and brokenhearted by the way he walked away from her.

Ten years later, they unexpectedly encounter each other. Amanda is a marketing professional specializing in social media and online marketing. It is a perfect job for her since she is still uncomfortable around a lot of people. Holt is a divorced father of a seven-year-old boy who works on the family ranch with his father and brothers. From the moment they met, it was clear that the sparks between them were still there. But both of them had been burned by past relationships. Holt's marriage broke up because his wife had no interest in being a mother, while Robby was the center of Holt's world. Amanda still hurt from Holt's actions years ago, plus she was recently left at the altar by her fiancé.

The development of their relationship was not an easy one. Holt never forgot his feelings for Amanda and wants a second chance with her. Amanda is very wary, remembering the pain from him walking away the first time. Holt's cause is helped by his son Robby, who needs the reading help Amanda can provide. I loved seeing how quickly Amanda and Robby bonded. There are some adorable scenes involving the two of them and the effect their relationship had on Holt. I liked Holt's determination and his patience with Amanda's fears. Things moved along quite nicely until an unexpected encounter with Holt's ex-wife brought his fears and insecurities back to the surface. I wanted to shake him for pushing Amanda away, and I hurt for Amanda, who had begun to trust again. Holt earned every bit of misery he felt. I loved how he finally came to understand how he sabotaged his relationship with her. I loved the unexpected events that showed him what he needed to do. I also liked that Amanda didn't sit around waiting for Holt to see the light and was ready to take things into her own hands. The ending was terrific as Holt finally put his fears to rest in an emotional scene with Amanda. 

I also liked the secondary characters. I loved the friendship between Amanda and Brittany. They are very different personalities, and I loved seeing the contrast between the two. Brittany is also observant and level-headed and gives Amanda good advice. Holt's father, Neal, is another important part of the book. He doesn't make a good impression at the beginning with his attitude and impatience with Robby. I hurt for both Holt and Robby when they had to deal with him. Neal surprised me at the end with some of the things he did. I have great hope for his relationships with his family.

Part of the book was also spent on the series question of "What Happened to Beatrix?" At the end of the previous book, In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick, Melanie asked Amanda's help to search for clues. At the end of the book, Amanda receives a response to one of her online queries that gives Melanie and her fiancé a possible answer. I look forward to the next book and seeing what comes of it.

Double Action Deputy - B.J. Daniels (HI #1935 - July 2020)

Series: Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy (Book 4)
             Cardwell Ranch (Book 13)

A relentless marshal. A rogue detective.

A bargain they may not live long enough to regret.

When Montana deputy marshal Brick Savage asks homicide detective Maureen Mortensen to help him find the person who destroyed her family, she quickly accepts his offer. But as the stakes rise and they get closer to the truth more horrible than they ever expected, can they find the murderer before they become targets?

Fast-paced book that sucked me in from the beginning and kept me hooked to the very end. It started with Brick nearly running over a young woman who suddenly appeared in front of his pickup truck. The terrified woman, dressed only in a sheet, turned out to be a suspect in the deaths of multiple children. Brick is intrigued by the woman and the case but is forbidden to get involved. He is still on light duty, recovering from being shot in the previous book (Ambush Before Sunrise). He still suffers from nightmares, and neither the doctor nor his father, the marshal, will clear him for duty yet. That doesn't stop him, especially when he discovers a fake nurse bending over the woman in the hospital.

Suspended homicide detective Mo is determined to bring Natalie to justice. She is sure that Natalie is responsible for her nephew's death, and her sister's subsequent suicide. She is shocked when Natalie claims that Trish didn't kill herself, but is interrupted by Brick before she can learn more. Mo escapes from Brick but later ends up in jail for her actions at the hospital. Brick shows up at the jail with a proposition: He'll get her out if she will share what she knows with him.

I enjoyed the combination of suspense and romance. Mo accepts Brick's offer but is wary of trusting him. The feeling is mutual, as Brick refuses to let her out of his sight. They have opposing views on Natalie's guilt. Mo is convinced the woman is a heartless killer, while Brick sees a woman who is terrified that someone is after her. Both of them may be proved right when Natalie makes her escape by subduing a nurse and stealing her uniform.

The action is nearly nonstop as Mo and Brick pursue Natalie. Brick ends up being impressed with Mo's instincts as they remain hot on her heels. They aren't the only ones looking for Natalie. Soon circumstances require them to decide whether to continue looking for Natalie or investigate new leads into Trish's death. I loved seeing their respect for each other grow as they worked together. I was just as intrigued as they were by the information they uncovered. An unexpected picture of Trish emerged, upending everything Mo believed about her sister. Several twists later, the truth about Trish's death came out as Mo faced the killer. I was glued to the pages as Mo fought for her life, and Brick showed up to deliver the final blow.

When it was all over, Brick and Mo finally had the time to see where the sparks between them would take them. I liked that they took the time to make sure it was right. A crisis at the Cardwell ranch opened up an unexpected job opportunity for Mo. I liked catching up with Brick's siblings and parents at the end. I am curious about what the story is with Ella and her mother, Stacy. Ella was a big part of the previous book, as was her worry about her mother. I liked her and would like to see what happens.

 

Renegade Father - RaeAnne Thayne (SIM #1062 - Feb 2001)

Series: Starting Over (Book 2)

HE WAS SEARCHING FOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME...

Joe Redhawk had a chance to start over, away from his reputation as an ex-con, away from the only woman he'd ever loved: his brother's ex-wife -- and his own boss. He'd been watching from the sidelines for too long, wishing she were his for too long....

BUT HE WAS ALREADY THERE

The hard-hewn Native American was much more than just the best foreman Annie's ranch had ever had. He was the love of her life...and the father of her little girl. But if she told him now, after all these years, could they be a family -- or would they lose him forever?

Good book. The story opens as Joe tells Annie that he accepted a job offer at a ranch in Wyoming. Annie is stunned because she had no idea that Joe wanted to leave. She is devastated by the news since she has come to depend on him.

Joe and Annie have a history together. They were friends while growing up, and though both were drawn to each other, they never said anything about it. That all changed the day of her father's funeral. At the age of eighteen, she was suddenly all alone in the world. Joe found her crying and tried to comfort her, but that comfort took an unexpected turn. He was so filled with guilt over what he saw as taking advantage of her that he left town immediately to work on another ranch. After three months, Joe realized that he shouldn't have run away and went back to make things right. But before he could see her, Joe was imprisoned for killing his father. He refused to see Annie, not wanting her to witness how far he had fallen.

Annie had been in love with Joe for as long as she could remember.  She had no regrets over giving herself to him. But his refusal to see her made it impossible for her to tell him she was pregnant. With nowhere else to turn, she married Joe's brother Charlie. She soon regretted doing so as Charlie was abusive, but she stayed with him for a long time. Joe was devastated when he heard and tried to put Annie out of his mind. When he got out of prison, he went to work for a neighboring rancher and avoided Annie whenever possible. When she finally kicked Charlie to the curb, she convinced Joe to become the foreman of her ranch. All along, she kept the secret of her daughter's birth.

The road to their happy ending was not an easy one. Joe kept himself under tight control around Annie because he believed she was too good for an ex-con. Annie thought that he regretted what they had done, so she tried to think of them only as friends. She didn't know that the only reason he is leaving is that it hurts to be that close to her and not have her be his. There were times when I wanted to shake them both because neither one would take the first step toward sharing their feelings for each other. Their views of themselves are so negative that they couldn't see that they deserved to find true love together. I liked the way that Annie could see Joe's insecurities and attempted to show him that he was wrong. She believed that he was an honorable and loving man. I also liked how Joe understood how Charlie's abuse destroyed Annie's confidence in herself and her abilities and tried to show her how strong she was.

Life got complicated for Annie when her ex showed up in secret and tried to blackmail her into giving him a lot of money. His methods of convincing her to cooperate were dangerous, but he had one card up his sleeve that succeeded in getting to her. I wondered how she was going to resolve her dilemma. An unexpected revelation negated Charlie's ammunition, so he went after something else instead. The confrontation between Annie and Charlie was intense, and I loved seeing his shock at the way she fought back. Joe's arrival was the icing on the cake. I loved the ending as Joe and Annie finally talked about everything that had happened, with both surprised at some of the things they learned. It was great to see them finally forgive each other and themselves for everything that had happened. Their love for each other was finally expressed and accepted in a very emotional scene.

I thoroughly enjoyed Annie's two kids. The siblings' relationship was realistically portrayed, from their arguments to their love for each other. Her son, CJ, had some stellar moments from his fury at Joe's plans to leave to his snowball fight with his sister. Leah was a typical teenager, especially with some of her mood swings. She had some issues that she had a hard time dealing with and made everyone's lives miserable because of it. We find out why near the end of the book, which makes her a little more sympathetic.

 

In Search of the Long-Lost Maverick - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2773 - July 2020)

Series: Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix (Book 1)
            Montana Mavericks (Book 128)

He could hold the keys to the past

“You know you're tempted.”

Men are trouble. And Melanie Driscoll has already had more than her share of trouble. She has come to Bronco seeking only a fresh start; what she finds instead is Gabe Abernathy. The blond, blue-eyed cowboy is temptation enough. The secrets he could be guarding are a whole 'nother level of irresistible. Peeling the covers back on both might be too much for sweet Mel to handle…

Terrific start to the new series, Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix? Melanie Driscoll had a plan for her life. She had a great job and a handsome fiancé that she loved. Everything turned upside down when she came home one day and found him in bed with another woman. Betrayed, hurt, and angry, she called off the engagement, packed her car and left. During a brief stopover in her hometown of Rust Creek Falls, Mel attends the wedding of a friend. She was blindsided by catching the bouquet, something that she doesn't want, being done with men. Instead, she gives it to the flower girl, who insists that she take an old diary in exchange. That diary is the beginning of a puzzle, involving the Abernathy family.

Mel heads for Bronco and her new job managing one of DJ Traub's restaurants. On the way she stops along the road for a picnic, not knowing that she is trespassing on the Abernathy ranch. There she meets Gabe Abernathy and the sparks fly between them. Gabe is immediately smitten and wants to get to know Mel better. Mel is resistant on two levels. One, she is done with men for the foreseeable future. Two, she will only be in Bronco until the first of the year, after which she is going to Austin for a new job and fresh start.

I loved Gabe. He is a nice guy. He has a loving relationship with his family, even though he and his dad butt heads frequently over their visions for the ranch's future. He is also very close to his great-grandfather who has dementia and visits him frequently.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Mel and Gabe. He knows that he has his work cut out for him if he wants a relationship with Mel. I enjoyed his persistence as he showed up at the restaurant night after night, sitting at the bar until convincing Mel to stop and talk to him. He wasn't creepy about it, he was just there until Mel finally gave him a chance. The more time they spent together, the closer they became, though Mel still insists she is leaving. There were times I wanted to shake Mel because she knew she was falling for Gabe but was too afraid to take a chance. Some good advice from her friends helps Mel face her fears and realize what she has to do. Her scene with Gabe at the creek was fantastic.

Mel also has that mysterious diary. Seventy years earlier, the writer of the diary, Josiah, and his girlfriend, "W", were torn apart after she gave birth to his baby. She was told the baby died, while his parents took the child and gave her to another family to raise. The question is, what happened to the baby? The only person who might know is the author of the diary. Is that Josiah Abernathy Gabe's great-grandfather? There are some heartwrenching scenes as Gabe has to face the idea that his beloved Gramps had a secret like that. It is also hard to watch his pain at Gramps' mental decline. There are quite a few twists and turns as Mel and Gabe try to find the truth, culminating with a surprise on the last page.

I loved seeing characters from earlier books. Winona plays an important part in this book, and I suspect will continue to do so in the rest of the series. I liked seeing Homer again and hearing Mel tell the story of Homer's moonshine in the wedding punch (Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding). I had to laugh at Mel naming her new kitten after him. Mel's job with DJ Traub was a great throwback to the Thunder Canyon books. I also liked that DJ knew Mel well enough to see that something was bothering her and give her some advice. He also provided a little extra incentive for sticking around!

Heartbreaker - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Mar 2020)

Series: Montana Justice (Book 2)

He'll risk everything to rescue her…

Ex-military man Thom Grayson has debts to pay. So when a plane crashes in the mountains near his cabin, he's hired to find the wreckage -- and the kidnapped woman believed to be the sole survivor. But when he locates Geneva, or “JJ” as she insists on being called, she's not at all what he expected.

JJ isn't sure she can trust the mysterious man who's come to her rescue. But she has secrets of her own -- secrets she'll do anything to keep. So she'll follow his instructions and keep her distance to get off this mountain alive without blowing her cover. As dangerous conditions force them together -- and the undeniable chemistry between them ignites -- he'll protect her at any cost. But when the morning light comes, will the truth tear them apart?

Very good book about mistaken identity, family, trust, and love. The story leans a little more on the side of suspense than romance, but there's enough of both to satisfy. It opens with a rush as a sleeping woman awakens to three men breaking into her bedroom, drugging her, and abducting her. She regains consciousness on a small plane just before it crashes and must find a way to escape her kidnappers.

Thorn is a former military man turned hermit as he tries to escape the memories of his past. He's awakened in the night by a call asking him to find the wreckage of a plane and rescue the woman believed to be on board. Thorn owes his life to the man asking, so he can't refuse.

 I was sucked into this book from the first pages, and it didn't let go until the end. The first meeting between JJ and Thorn is antagonistic, as she doesn't trust that he isn't working for the kidnappers. For Thorn, he isn't sure that JJ, who he believes is the missing Geneva, isn't working some kind of scam with the alleged kidnappers. Being greeted by a pistol-wielding woman doesn't make him any more inclined to trust her. I loved watching them face off in an intense battle of wills. However, I was in no doubt as to who would come out on top. Things got more complicated with JJ escaping from him once before catching up to her. I had to laugh when he made the same mistake, only to have her bolt again. Unfortunately for JJ, she was kidnapped once more, leaving Thorn determined to follow and rescue her.

JJ's circumstances become more precarious when these kidnappers quickly realize that she is not Geneva, leaving her afraid for her safety. A just-in-time rescue by Thorn sends them on the run, looking for a safe place to hide. I liked seeing JJ and Thorn accept that they will have to work together if they are going to find out what is really going on. JJ and Thorn are on opposite sides in their beliefs over whether Geneva is a victim or a participant in the kidnapping scheme. Working together brings about another complication - the growing attraction between them.

I liked seeing them learn to trust each other, both with the mystery that surrounds them and with the hurts of their pasts. That trust opens them up to stronger feelings. I ached for Thorn when JJ was taken again, and he realized just how deeply he had fallen for her. The final confrontation was intense, between Thorn's battle with the bad guy and his race against time to save JJ. The reunion of Geneva with her grandfather was well done and perfectly played. There was a slight hiccup in their relationship because neither of them knew how to deal with the speed and depth of their feelings. Both JJ and Thorn finally figured out what they wanted. I loved Thorn's big moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic. There was one unexpected twist left in the story that didn't play out until the very end. I had begun to suspect something else was involved but was surprised by the final revelation.

I also liked the secondary characters of Judge WT Landusky and Franklin Davenport. The judge made his first appearance in Restless Hearts, where we learned about his unorthodox way of helping teen boys who came through his courtroom. I loved the way he put them through his own "boot camp," giving them the tools to straighten out their lives. When those boys grew up, they didn't forget what they owed him and would come if he called. WT has a similar loyalty to his own friends, such as Franklin Davenport. So when Franklin learns of his granddaughter's kidnapping, WT is the one he calls, who in turn calls Thorn. I ached for Franklin. He is a very wealthy man who lost his daughter to drugs and alcohol. Determined to save his granddaughter from that life, he took her in to raise himself. Unfortunately, he spoiled Geneva rotten. In a desperate attempt to rein in her excesses, he cut off her credit cards and allowance. He was terrified for her when she was kidnapped. I loved the surprises he had for Thorn and JJ when everything was all over. I liked the parts of the book that showed the action from Franklin and WT's point of view. There was also a surprise for WT when Franklin's lawyer turned out to be an old girlfriend, and sparks reignited. Another background character was Franklin's financial officer, who was there to help with the ransom.

 

Restless Hearts - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Nov 2019)

Series: Montana Justice (Book 1)

He's fighting for a second chance with his first love…before it's too late.

The last time PI Blaze McClintock was on her family's ranch, she left in handcuffs. She vowed then to never go home again…until her estranged father is accused of murder. He's not a good man -- this entire Montana town knows that. But Blaze believes her father is innocent and she'll do anything to prove it, even ask the one man who broke her heart for help -- the only man in town who's on her side.

No matter how hard he tried, Jake Horn could never forget Blaze. As teenagers, their passion ignited, leaving destruction in their wake. Now, years later, it's obvious little has changed. But as they work together to unravel what really happened that night, a dangerous secret threatens to separate them for good. This time, though, Jake won't let Blaze go without a fight -- even if it means risking his own life.

Good book. Blaze has not been home in many years thanks to her estrangement from her father. But when she learns he was charged with murdering a neighboring rancher, she heads for home. When she first arrives, Blaze believes that Monte is guilty of the murder, but is determined that he have a fair trial. It isn't long before Blaze changes her mind about his guilt and turns her efforts to proving his innocence. Though it pains her to do so, she will even accept ex-boyfriend Jake's help.

Jake hasn't been able to forget Blaze. He's more than happy to help her with her investigation as it gives him the chance to spend time with her. He is determined to do everything he can to prove his love to her.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Blaze and Jake. Their previous relationship burned hot, disturbing both with the strength of their feelings. Blaze took advantage of an incident with Jake to break off the relationship. She's not happy at first to discover he was sent by a mutual friend to help her. Though she claims to be over him, there is no doubt about the sparks that still fly between them. But Blaze has trouble trusting Jake's professed feelings after witnessing the disintegration of her parents' marriage. She doesn't believe that love lasts. As they worked together, Blaze's feelings for Jake grew, but she was afraid to acknowledge them. I loved Jake's patience and persistence as he showed Blaze how he felt in many different ways. There were some sweet scenes as he took care of her, and some steamy ones as the sparks between them continued to grow. Jake refused to give in to those sparks without Blaze's admission of her feelings, creating some volatile moments. I liked the conversation between Blaze and Monte that helped put some of her fears to rest, but it was nearly losing each other forever that pushed Blaze past those fears. I liked Jake's big moment, even though it wasn't quite what he'd planned.

The suspense of the story was terrific. I was a little surprised that Blaze believed Monte was guilty when she first came back. But it didn't take long for her to pick up on the clues that Monte was likely protecting someone by pleading guilty. Blaze accepted Jake's help in investigating after realizing that it wasn't going to be easy to discover the truth. Monte was not a popular man, and many were more than willing to believe he was guilty. At the top of that list was the sheriff, who had a long-standing grudge against Monte. The deeper that Blaze and Jake delved into the past, the more suspects they found for Frank's murder. They also stirred up a veritable beehive of trouble, resulting in several attempts on their lives. The tension increased the closer they got to the truth. The final confrontation was intense, with a couple of unexpected revelations. There was also the secondary mystery of what had really happened to Blaze's mother, which drove the sheriff's vendetta against Monte. The resolution of that question was very well done.

I loved the depth of characterization of the people of Saddle Butte. It was interesting to see the number of secrets that were present in this small town and how pulling one thread unraveled so many of them.