#Review: Lucky Shot by B.J. Daniels - 4.5 Wine Glasses!

Title: LUCKY SHOT
Series: The Montana Hamiltons #3
Author: B.J. Daniels
Format: Kindle (368 pages)
Published:  HQN Books (November 24, 2015)
ISBN: ASIN:B00TXENIEO
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses!

He's determined to uncover the truth behind a decades-old disappearance—even if it kills him
When hotshot reporter Max Malone gets a rare shot of Buckmaster Hamilton with a blonde woman near Beartooth, Montana, he chases down one of the senator's daughters to verify that the woman is his supposedly long-dead first wife. But Kat Hamilton won't give him the time of day, let alone any information about her mother.

With his tousled blond hair, sexy stubble and an old straw cowboy hat topping off his long, lean frame, Kat can just tell Max isn't used to female sources denying him anything. But when her own life is put in jeopardy, it's Max who comes to her rescue. Seems someone is prepared to kill to keep the past in the past. Kat can't deny she needs Max to find out what happened to her mother, but will getting closer and closer to each other lead them to the truth…or to danger?

Linda's Thoughts
Max was fascinated by the woman and more than a little curious about what she might be up to. Sarah Johnson had come from a two-parent, affluent home with a squeaky-clean past. She'd been the golden girl, high school cheerleader, valedictorian and had apparently glided through college without making a ripple, coming out with a bachelor of arts degree in literature. She'd married well, had six children and then one winter night, for some unknown reason, she'd driven her car into the Yellowstone River. Her body was never found. Because there were no skid marks on the highway, it had looked like a suicide. Foul play had never been suspected.
That was twenty-two years ago. Now she was back - with no memory of those years or why she'd apparently tried to take her own life.
Max wanted this story more than he wanted a hot cup of coffee this morning.

LUCKY SHOT by B.J. Daniels is solid addition to the author's books set in picturesque Beartooth, Montana located at the foothills of the Crazy Mountains. As she has with each installment, the author adroitly weaves multiple storylines together in a masterful way. This story will keep the adrenaline climbing from start to finish with the perfect mix of mystery, danger, suspense and steamy romance.

LUCKY SHOT is primarily the story of reporter Max Malone and Kat Hamilton. Also included are many more disclosures concerning the ongoing plotline of Sarah Johnson Hamilton's re-appearance after missing for twenty-two years. In addition, the relationship of Senator Buckmaster Hamilton and his second wife, Angelina, continues its downward spiral.

The author's Montana Hamiltons' series is set to consist of six books, each focusing on one of the Hamilton daughters. The stories can be enjoyed as standalones, if that is the reader's preference, as the author fills in the minimum information needed so the reader is not lost. However, I'd recommend that the series be read in order as there are interconnected characters, relationships and evolving plotlines that carry forward to each book and, being acquainted with them in the proper time sequence, will exponentially increase the entertainment value of the stories.

I really liked both Max and Kat. Who would have ever thought that the man for her would end up being a reporter? Reporters have not been her family's friends. Max was one of the many reporters who have been camping outside the Senator's ranch hoping to catch a glimpse of his first wife who has returned from the dead. The story was a nail-biter and I loved their steamy scenes.

Previous favorite Beartooth residents figure prominently in the tale including the Sheriff and his busybody wife, Nettie. Their relationship continues to positively evolve. The Sheriff's crows, Kate, Livie, and more make appearances. I know it sounds crazy, but I look forward to updates on the Sheriff's crows in B.J.'s books.

I had so many favorite scenes! I'm only going to highlight one and only because it was off-the wall for me. It involves Kat's description of one of her parent's make-out sessions. LOL! Montanans sure have a different notion about what's romantic than I do!

"It beats where my parents first made out. They went to the West Yellowstone dump. They sat in the dark and waited for the bears to come out."
Max laughed, smiling over at her. "And then what?" 
"About the time the bars in town closed, the grizzlies would chase away the black bears. Everyone who was parked at the edge of the dump would turn on their headlights and watch the grizzlies dig in the garbage."
"You Montanans really are a romantic bunch."

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from this read.:

"You brought me to a sanitarium? Thinking of having me admitted?"
"Fortunately for you, it's closed."
---

The woman could get a confession faster than a priest.
---

A wave rocked her and he grabbed for her, pulling her against him. His warm, wet skin brushed against hers, and then his arms were around her, his mouth on hers as he tangled his legs with hers.
Kat lost herself in his kiss, in his mouth, in his touch, as the ocean waves gently rocked them and the sky paled into twilight. A rogue wave dropped over them, driving them underwater - and apart. Kat kicked her way to the surface, coughing on the salt water.
Max came up looking as surprised by the kiss as the wave that had almost drowned them. "I didn't mean for that to happen. But you looked so damned... kissable."

While Max's and Kat's story ends well, there's a major cliffhanger in LUCKY SHOT. I was contentedly reading the epilogue when it happened - AAAAGH! Because of the cruelty of the unexpected ending, I'm knocking my rating down a half wine glass as I know I will lose sleep over this until the next book comes out.

B.J. is one of my very favorite authors and her books are all must-reads for me. They never fail to grab and hold my attention. I highly recommend her books to anyone who enjoys expertly-told, fast-paced tales of western romantic suspense with realistic and captivating characterizations.

Suggested Reading Order:
Wild Horses (The Montana Hamiltons, #1) - Review | Purchase

Lone Rider (The Montana Hamiltons, #2) - Purchase | Review

Lucky Shot (The Montana Hamiltons, #3) - Purchase