#Review: Hard Rain by B.J. Daniels - 5 Wine Glasses

Title: HARD RAIN
Series: The Montana Hamiltons #4
Author: B.J. Daniels
Format: Kindle, 384 Pages
Published: HQN Books (March 22, 2016)
ISBN-10:0373789130
ISBN-13:978-0373789139
Links:  Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author, NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Sooner or later, every family secret comes to light… 

When Brody McTavish sees Harper Hamilton's runaway horse galloping across the pastures, he does what any good cowboy would do—gives chase and rescues her. Unfortunately for him, the woman he's secretly loved for years didn't need saving, and she's just reached her limit with people treating her as hopeless. But they soon have bigger problems when they make a gruesome discovery—human remains revealed by a recent rainstorm. Remains that will dredge up old Hamilton family mysteries…and bring about a scandal that could threaten all Harper's loved ones.

With her father running for president, every move Harper makes is under scrutiny. But despite the risks, she's determined to uncover the truth about her family's role in a long-ago murder. If she can trust him enough, Brody will be more than an ally. He could be the only thing standing between Harper and an enemy intent on keeping the past buried forever.

Linda's Thoughts:
"I thought you would at least help me retrieve my horse."
He stopped and mumbled under his breath, "If your horse has any sense he'll keep going."

HARD RAIN by B.J. Daniels is the fourth installment in the author's spectacular The Montana Hamilton's series set against the magnificently beautiful, but dangerous, wilds of Montana. Each installment features one of the six beautiful, headstrong Hamilton women. Their father is Senator Hamilton who is running for president. Their mother has recently returned from the grave. Love does not come easy for them as it takes special men to get these wild Hamilton fillies to the altar.

HARD RAIN is the story of Harper Hamilton and her neighbor, Brody McTavish. It begins with an action-packed scene in which Brody rescues Harper from her runaway horse, or so he thinks. The pace doesn't let up until the last sentence has been read with a plethora of angst, high-stakes action, thrilling suspense and emotional romance.

While searching for Harper's wayward horse, Harper and Brody come upon a mummified body belonging to Maggie, Brody's cousin who has been missing since before Brody was born. Finding her body reignites a scandal related to a forbidden love that ended badly and that involves the Hamiltons - not welcome news to Senator Hamilton's campaign. It also adds fuel to the simmering family feud between the Hamiltons and the McTavish's with Harper's and Brody's attraction caught in the middle akin to that of Romeo's and Juliet's.

Favorite characters from the series make appearances. The interactions and bantering between the Sheriff and his snooping wife never fails to amuse and I always look forward to catching up with the Sheriff's crows. Before I started reading B.J.'s books, I never noticed the black birds... now I see them everywhere and watch them just like they watch us. The Sheriff's office has been part of the rumor mill throughout all the books and I laughed out loud when he said this: "We seem to have more leaks in my office than an old wooden rowboat." You think?

Following please find a few more of my favorite quotes from this wonderfully captivating read:

"What's for dinner?"
"Roast beef. I heard it was a woman's body buried on Hamilton Ranch and that her body had been mummified."
"Roast beef and mummified should never be used in the same sentence," he joked as he headed toward the refrigerator for a beer.
---

He met her challenging gaze. "You really have no idea what is good for you," he said as he caged her against the side of the pickup with a hand on each side of her.
I used to think you would be good for me," she said quietly, her voice rough with emotion.
---

"I don't want to rush this," he whispered against her temple.
"Brody," she pleaded again. "Don't rush it the second time."

As with other books in this series, there are multiple plots that the author smoothly interweaves. The romance and the primary mystery are fully contained within this book so HARD RAIN can be fully enjoyed as a standalone, if that is your preference. However, there's also an underlying current of political intrigue related to the re-appearance of Senator Hamilton's wife who had been thought long-dead, which has flowed throughout this series. The author seamlessly fills in any previous history that the reader would need to know. I'm betting that once you read one book in the series, you'll be hooked. I know I can't wait for the next book which will be Cassidy Hamilton's story!

I discovered B.J. Daniels a few years ago and have inhaled each of her new releases as they are published, while slowly catching up with ones I'd missed. When I pick up one of her books, I can rest assured that I'm in for sexy cowboys, edge of my seat multi-layered suspense, magnificent western settings and subtle romance that will leave me swooning and hankering for more. I highly recommend HARD RAIN to anyone who enjoys romantic thrillers set in the gorgeous, rugged west at the foot of the Crazies, i.e., the Crazy Mountains!



Suggested Reading Order: 
WILD HORSES (Book #1)
LONE RIDER (Book #2)
LUCKY SHOT (Book #3)
HARD RAIN (Book #4)
INTO DUST (Book #5)
HONOR BOUND (Book #6)