4 Wine Glass #Review of Hard Rustler by B.J. Daniels

 

Title: Hard Rustler
Series: Whitehorse, Montana: The Clementine Sisters #1
Author: B.J. Daniels
Format: Kindle, 256 pages
Published: September 1st 2018 by Harlequin Intrigue
ISBN: ASIN B079JZK7XT
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

A cowboy must face his past 

Before he loses his heart…again 

Supermodel Annabelle “Annie” Clementine is back in Whitehorse, Montana. And there’s nothing cowboy Dawson Rogers wants more than to see his ex-lover’s backside…on the road out. He’ll even risk his heart again and help sell her late grandmother’s house so Annie can leave ASAP. Except along with the house, Annie inherited a mystery. And if they don’t solve it soon, someone’s willing to kill for the answer.

Linda's Thoughts:
He’d never been able to say no to her – even when he should have known that a girl like her wanted something better than a cowboy like him.

B.J. Daniels’ Hard Rustler is a suspenseful second-chance-at-love romance. It heralds the debut of the author’s Whitehorse, Montana: The Clementine Sisters trilogy. B.J. is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always awesome reads. That’s why I never hesitate to pick them up as soon as I see a new one is available.

As this story opens, we learn that thirteen years ago Annabelle “Annie” Clementine left the small town of Whitehorse, Montana and Dawson Rogers, the man she thought she’d marry, to pursue a modeling career. Now, her Grandma Frannie has passed away and left her the home Annie grew up in. Annie has reluctantly returned to her childhood home to ready it for sale. She wants to get in, sell the house quickly, and get out without seeing too many people she knows. That’s not going to happen….

There’s a multitude of reasons for Annie’s inability to meet her self-imposed deadline. First of all, the house isn’t cluttered; it is packed wall-to-wall making for an overwhelming task. Secondly, she’s flat broke and running on empty as her modeling career has gone belly up. Thirdly, her childhood sweetheart keeps turning up. Finally, as Annie’is going through Frannie’s belongings, she discovers skeletal hints of a secret life that her grandmother had hidden – mysteries that now put Annie’s life in jeopardy.

Dawson is an awesome hero. He stole my heart from the get-go. He’s a good man: endearing, strong, caring, protective and capable. He’s never gotten over Annabelle. Fate decrees that he’s the first person she runs into on her return to Whitehorse when she runs out of gas. He helps her out while resolving to do everything he can to make her sojourn in Whitehorse a short one. His heart can’t handle more.

Annabelle took a bit longer for me to warm up to. However, as the plot line progressed, I started seeing the humor and the payback that she deserved in her sorry situation. From there, I began pulling for her to listen to her heart and get it right this time.

The rekindling of their sweet and clean romance was a perfect slow burn. As a mother, I loved Dawson’s relationship with his mother and brother. The townsfolk of Whitehorse were the neighbors we all want – kind, generous and there when we need them.

Following please find a few of my favorite lines from Hard Rustler:

“Ever seen the play Arsenic and Old Lace?”
--- 

“There was a spider…”
--- 

“A gentleman would leave.” 
He chuckled at that, his gaze locking with hers. “You and I are way past that, Annie.”

I thoroughly enjoyed Hard Rustler. The pacing was just right, the characters were well-written, the suspense was riveting and the western setting was beautiful. There were plenty of scenes to tickle your funny bone too. Now, I can’t wait to read the stories of the other Clementine sisters as this series continues with Rogue Gunslinger and Rugged Defender. If you enjoy cowboys and romantic suspense, I’d encourage you to check out Hard Rustler!



Suggested Reading Order: 
Hard Rustler (Book #1)
Rogue Gunslinger (Book #2)
Rugged Defender (Book #3)