Cardwell Ranch Trespasser by BJ Daniels

The Cardwell clan has a new, mysterious member. Dana Cardwell warmly welcomed her Justice cousin into the family fold and to the ranch for a reunion. But this cunning kin has other plans for Dana...and designs on her husband, Hud.

Hilde Jacobson has known Dana too long to let her best friend get conned-or worse, killed. Unfortunately Hilde is no match for a skilled impostor who's duped everyone in the canyon. Only Deputy Marshal Colt Dawson believes Hilde's claims about the phony relation; only his strong arms have saved her from "accidents" intended to get her out of the way. Together can they convince the Cardwells that a predator lurks in their happy home?

Type: Western/Romance
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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So I'm just gonna say this right from the start. For future reference. If we've been friends for years and you suddenly let a stranger into your life and weird things start happening and I'm worried and tell you that something's just not right but you side with said stranger? I am not nice like Hildie, the heroine, and am gonna let your ass get taken out. Just so you know.

Now that said. I really enjoyed Cardwell Ranch Trespasser. It's not a steamy story but it's a fun, easy read with a psychological twist that moves quickly and keeps you curious about what will happen next. You may know what's happening right from the start but watching it all unfold and seeing people's reactions is just fascinating.

There's a bit of a creep you out factor with the storyline as Hildie tries to warn her friends that something just isn't right with their new "family member" and ends up having the tables turned on her. Is it 100% realistic that this could happen? Maybe. Maybe not.There are a lot of twisted up and manipulative people out there that will really do anything they have to to get what they want so, yeah, I could see what happened to Hildie happening in real life.

I really liked both Hildie and Colt. The romance played a very minor part to the story but I enjoyed the relationship between the two and just them in general. Hildie's strong and determined to save her friends. Even though no one believes her she keeps trying. And then there's Colt. A sexy Deputy Marshal that's been smitten with her for weeks (how freaking cute is that?) while she's put him off over and over again. Something about him being smitten and finally winning her over totally did it for me. He's just a sweet guy that's totally rocking the sexy and was actually there for Hildie when she needed him. And I loved him for that.

The sexy bits...are unfortunately pretty much closed door ones and fade to black. So not much in the steamy department. But really that's not what I go to Daniels for. I go for the light suspense and mystery and she does both very well. There were a couple little blips storyline wise like characters suddenly being in a scene and not being introduced to said scene. But other than a bump or two the story was great and very entertaining. If you're looking for an interesting and quick read you might give this one a go. I've really been enjoying the series :)

Have you read Daniels before? What did you think?

Do you ever just want to let the secondary characters get taken out because they're being so. darn. frustrating?