Expected publication date: August 22, 2017
Cover blurb:
Welcome to Mystery, Montana, a small town with dark secrets…
The body found in the Dunrovin Ranch stables isn’t just a crisis for Wyatt Fitzgerald’s family or his top priority as sheriff—Gwen Johansen is both the victim’s sister…and Wyatt’s ex. And in a small town like Mystery, events of the past don’t seem to fade. Maybe she’d misjudged his potential when they were younger, but now he could be her greatest ally—and not just in the investigation. That is, if he can work his way around a broken heart. With the killer circling, the clock is counting down on more than Christmas, a time when family means everything and forgiveness is the best gift of all.
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What’s this? Did I actually read a romantic suspense novel WITHOUT a hot guy on the cover?! I did! And I quite enjoyed it, too! But first, I need to be honest and upfront-Danica and I are buds. What? You don’t believe me?
Proof enough?? I thought so! I first got to meet Danica at RT16, and then I Twitter-stalked her to meet her again at RWA in San Diego that same year. I continue to bribe her with homemade cookies (raspberry almond shortbread, just in case you were wondering) and she gifts me with ARCs of her HQN Intrigue books! One day she’s even promised to kill me off in a book…at least I hope it’s just in a book. (That would suck otherwise!) Okay, enough about RL, but I wanted to make sure I disclosed the fact in case you care.
Deputy Wyatt Fitzgerald has the unenviable task of notifying his former high school girlfriend Gwen Johansen that her sister Bianca has died…on his family’s guest ranch. Bianca was the local vet, there to treat a horse for a leg injury. The circumstances are mysterious, and at first it’s not clear to them if it was an accident or something more sinister. To make matters worse, the Ranch was the site of Gwen’s father’s death, and her mom Carla has never forgiven the Fitzgeralds.
After they find that Bianca’s cabin has been ransacked, Gwen accompanies Wyatt to Dunrovin where they find an important clue that proves her sister’s death was no accident. They start to follow a trail of clues that exposes her sister’s secret tryst with a married man, and then more trouble strikes when Gwen’s mom is poisoned and another woman is brutally murdered. While danger stalks them, the investigation allows Wyatt and Gwen to grow closer, but will they solve the murders in time?
I enjoyed this first outing into the Fitzgerald family and Dunrovin, even though the complete story is not wrapped up in this novel. The culprit is identified but manages to get away-and once again I didn’t manage to figure out who it was! I look forward to the next outing with the Fitzgeralds…and lucky for me I don’t have to wait to find out what happens!!