Monday, May 21, 2012

Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels

After Hudson Savage betrayed her, Dana Cardwell hoped never to lay eyes on the seductive cowboy again. Until a bunch of old bones showed up on her family ranch. Suddenly her former lover was back in her life in a big way-to investigate a decades-old crime.


Five years ago, Hud left town with a heart load of regrets. But now, as acting interim marshal, he had a job to do. And this time he wasn't walking away. Because now Dana's life was on the line-as the unsuspecting target of a killer who still walked the canyon. Hud would do whatever it took to keep Dana close. Even if it meant risking his own heart for a second chance for both of them....

Type: Romance
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

Might not be the catchiest title but it's a pretty good book! I picked up Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch not too long ago when I needed a book with a cowboy hat on the cover. I hadn't read Daniels before so didn't know what to expect and gotta say I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. The story was very light in the romance department and not steamy at all but the mystery and crime were very well done and kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed Daniels writing style which moved along nicely, easily held my interest, wasn't too fussy or difficult to follow. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of her books. 



Multiple murders over more than a decade, strange evidence found at the scene. Add in the weird affair between Dana's sister and Hud that broke them up years earlier, anonymous notes that brought Hud back into town, break ins, overall suspicious activity and attacks against Dana. There was just a lot going on with the case and I loved how it all intertwined. 

Dana and Hud are both decent characters but I didn't feel too invested in them as individuals. I had nothing against them but found myself focusing more on the crime, instead of how things would turn out for them as a couple. I love a book that keeps me guessing and Daniels did a great job with that. There were so many possible suspects for all of the crimes that it wasn't until very close to the end that I finally decided who was behind everything. 

I liked the ending and the way things played out. How things changed for some of the charactes/families after the murderer was revealed and the truth came out. I did wish there had been just one more scene at the end between the hero/heroine but it was still a nice ending that left the potential for a wonderful future for the couple. 

***Added little note***
Oooh! Looks like there's a sequel coming out later this year!! So gonna have to pick that one up! 

Get your copy:     Amazon    Barnes & Noble 

Do you like your hero/heroine to be the main focus of the story? Do you mind them being a side story to the mystery?

2 comments:

  1. This book looks great, and everything, but I must admit to being quite distracted by the name "Hud". I have never seen anyone with that name before.

    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha. I was a little distracted too. His real name was Hudson but everyone called him Hud. I don't think I'd seen that before either. I love all the different names/nicknames authors come up with :)

      Delete

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