DELIVERANCE AT CARDWELL RANCH by B.J. Daniels

Publisher:    Harlequin Intrigue

Published:   November 18, 2014

ISBN:     978-0373698004

Genre:   Romantic Suspense

Format:  Print

Obtained via:  Publisher  

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Gina@loveromancesandmorereviews.com

FIVE HEARTS

Finally making his way to Montana after putting it off for, well just about years, Austin Cardwell finds himself in the middle of a virulent snow storm—one that borders on an outright blizzard.  Not that Austin intended to miss his brother’s wedding last summer.  He did not intend to get involved in saving a young woman’s life in his job as a deputy sheriff in Texas.  Now, healed and with Christmas days away he’s on his way to Montana.  Following the holidays he and his brothers plan to open their latest Texas Brothers Barbeque on New Year’s day.  They’ve pretty much let him know it won’t be met very favourably if he misses it.  So Austin is on his way—that is until he almost runs into an overturned car in the middle of the road.

               

Gillian is on the run, but she doesn’t know from who or what.  All she knows is when the handsome deputy sheriff turns up by her overturned vehicle she needs to find answers and find them quickly. As Gillian begins to remember what happened she realizes she needs to trust Austin, at least until her sister and nephew are safe.  The question is, can they solve the secret of Rebecca, Gillian’s sister’s, disappearance before they are all killed.

Of all the Cardwell Ranch books I really think DELIVERANCE AT CARDWELL RANCH is the absolute best.  I’ve enjoyed all of B.J. Daniels’ books in this series, but this one is a topper.  Very little occurs at the Cardwell homestead but it still involves the Cardwell brothers and extended family.  Austin has been the mystery brother, always on the outside, unavailable and definitely untouchable.  As his story is told readers learn just why he had become the family loner and what has driven him to not mind if he misses a family event or ten.

Gillian’s growth and development in the story is nicely done.  From a frightened woman with no memory to one determined to save her family at any cost is a marvellous transition.  By the end of the story, despite falling in love with Austin, she has the strength to say goodbye to him if that is what she must do.

The suspense is classic B.J. Daniels – only she’s gotten better at it.  I started this book on a Friday night and quickly fell into one of those “one more chapter, one more chapter” modes until I finished it basically in one sitting.  I just had to know what happened to Rebecca and her son and just what Rebecca’s husband was willing to kill his own wife and child over.

You do not have to read any of the earlier books to thoroughly enjoy this one.  Aside from meeting the brothers there is very little reason to do so unless you are looking for some really terrific reads.  Translation:  you don’t want to miss any of them.

This is an objective review and an endorsement of this book.