Restless Hearts: A Montana Western Mystery

B.J. Daniels

Nov 2019 · Montana Justice Book 1 · Sold by HQN Books

About this ebook

He’s fighting for a second chance with his first love…before it’s too late.

The last time PI Blaze McClintock was on her family’s ranch, she left in handcuffs. She vowed then to never go home again…until her estranged father is accused of murder. He’s not a good man—this entire Montana town knows that. But Blaze believes her father is innocent and she’ll do anything to prove it, even ask the one man who broke her heart for help—the only man in town who’s on her side.

No matter how hard he tried, Jake Horn could never forget Blaze. As teenagers, their passion ignited, leaving destruction in their wake. Now, years later, it’s obvious little has changed. But as they work together to unravel what really happened that night, a dangerous secret threatens to separate them for good. This time, though, Jake won’t let Blaze go without a fight—even if it means risking his own life.

Ratings and reviews

Amazing story, sweet second-chance romance! If you've never lived in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business, then this book will feel like a visit to a foreign country. However, I grew up in such a town, and could easily identify with every little bit of this intricately-layered small town mystery. Blaze is called back to her hometown to help her father, who stands accused of murder. Already suspected in the decades-old disappearance of his wife, Monte is believed by all to be guilty this time too and when he pleads guilty in court, it looks like an open and shut case. Until Blaze insists on hiring a lawyer, who insists on actual evidence being presented. Blaze's ex-boyfriend, Jake, was also asked back to help Blaze, and he's not going to let this chance go by without doing everything he can to prove his love to Blaze. Their romance is almost a back-seat story to the murder investigation, but the emotional depth of their interactions affects their every move as their investigation uncovers many long-buried secrets one by one. Told in multiple third person POV, we're treated to insights from not just Blaze and Jake, but also from Sheriff Bud, Allie, and others involved in this case. This is one of the most invigorating, complex romantic suspense books I've read in a very long time, and the eventual unveiling of all the secrets and unmasking the killers is shocking yet provides all the necessary closure. The HEA was sweetly triumphant and very satisfying. This book kept me guessing, kept me thoroughly captivated, and kept me glued to my kindle from the first page to the last. I highly recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

When BJ Daniels begins a new series, I am super excited! This one looks like it'll be another fantastic series that will drawn you in from the beginning because this story did from the first page for me! You think the murder is solved right away because the culprit is standing over the body with the murder weapon right? Ah, not so fast! We have the whole book to find out what really happened and how we get there is so intriguing! Blaze is estranged from her father but she certain isn't going to let him be put away for murder! She is certain he wouldn't commit a crime like that and although she said she'd never set foot in Saddle Butte again, she'll make an exception for this! She's only surprised when Jake Horn shows up too - her boyfriend that broke her heart. He's going to set things right and help Blaze exonerate her father. However, they have to deal with a "small town mentality" that has so many secrets, they don't know where to start! Small towns can be great or they can be.... very difficult to live in! Saddle Butte is the latter! I highly recommend this book but make sure you know that you wont be able to put it down!

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author B.J. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and two springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and always has a book or two to read. Contact her at www.bjdaniels.com, on Facebook at B.J. Daniels or through her reader group the B.J. Daniels' Big Sky Darlings, and on twitter at bjdanielsauthor.