Friday, May 9, 2014

RESCUE AT CARDWELL RANCH by B.J. Daniels


Publisher:  Harlequin
Published:   May 20, 2014
ISBN:  978-0373697649
Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Format:  Paperback
Obtained via:  Publisher - ARC
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Gina@loveromancesandmorereviews.com


 

FOUR HEARTS

 

 

McKenzie Sheldon has built a successful real estate career for herself.  No time for a man but it’s okay because her life is full with her job.  There is one bump in her world—Gus Thompson.  Gus is not just one of her employees.  He is the former owner, now deceased’s son and he’s McKenzie’s top sales person.  He has also engaged in some creepy behaviors like parking out in front of McKenzie’s house at night, watching.  Lately, however, he’s taken to paying unwanted attention to another of her employees.  Not one to take no for an answer, Gus is, in a word persistent.  While out picking up some late night groceries McKenzie gets a call that Gus has once again, been bothering that employee.  Distracted by the call about Gus she isn’t aware of a menacing stranger hovering near her car until it is too late—almost.

 

Texas P.I. Hayes Cardwell is on his way to the family homestead for his brother’s wedding.  Stopping at the market for a few things he is stunned to see a stranger attacking a woman in the parking lot.  Hayes wastes no time going after the stalker and rescuing McKenzie.  While she has no clear memory of her attacker, she does remember a voice telling her she was safe. 

 

Hayes initially tells the police he’d rather remain anonymous.  After all, he’s only passing through.  But when he once again meets up with McKenzie he rethinks that plan.  He finds himself more than just attracted to her and when the stalker strikes again he is determined to be there to protect her.  But the attacker remains elusive…always a step ahead of McKenzie and Hayes.  Can he truly keep her safe? 

 

I’ve enjoyed B. J. Daniels’ Cardwell Ranch series from the very beginning and I have to say the most recent addition, RESCUE AT CARDWELL RANCH is the best yet of the series.  I really liked McKenzie—she’s not your fragile wilting damsel in distress but a no-nonsense heroine. Yes, she has her vulnerabilities and she has her moments of weakness, but they are part of what make her such an interesting character.  She’s got spunk and comes across like someone you’d like to know.

 

Hayes is the kind of guy you like to have in your corner too.  Yeah, he’s a cutie, but he’s also smart and determined to do the right thing.  He’s loyal to his brothers and has a nice balance with the different aspects of his life.

 

What I really liked was the way Ms. Daniels handled the stalker issue.  There was definitely a good “creep” factor to who was behind it.  There was one point where it looked like she ran out of words, met her word count and did a rush to the end…keep reading.  Seriously, keep reading.  It was a jaw dropper for me not too many pages after that scene.  Well done!

 

Hayes has a few brothers, each with different and often interesting jobs.  Some of them are still in Texas while the rest are in Montana.  Their characters lend themselves to some potentially good stories in the future.

 

Each story in this series is definitely a standalone and they do not have to be read in order.  If you only pick up one RESCUE AT CARDWELL RANCH is really the best of all of them. 

 

 

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.


 

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