Restless
Hearts by
B. J. Daniels is the first in a new series, and it starts
with a home run. This story has a great murder mystery, some
western romance, and family conflict.
The plot begins with the heroine, private investigator Blaze
McClintock, returning home. She is asked by the Judge who
set her on the right path to help her estranged father, who
is accused of murdering a neighboring rancher. As the investigation
takes hold, she realizes something is amiss and that her father
might actually be innocent. The judge also asks investigator
Jake Horn to help Blaze, which reunites them.
The author noted, “Prickly, gun shy, stubborn, had abandonment
issues, and a wild spirit. After she lost her mother, she
blamed her father and became estranged from him. Because of
her background, she built walls. I contrast her with her friend;
both are in an abusive relationship Blaze gets out of it and
does not look back, while her friend made excuses.”
Jake and Blaze are in conflict against many in the town who
hate her father for raising buffalo (bison) instead of cattle.
This will remind readers of the tension between the farmers
and cattle ranchers or sheep ranchers versus cattle ranchers.
Because her dad has plenty of enemies, the suspect list grows
larger and larger. To make matters worse, whoever is the killer
wants to put an end to the investigation by killing Blaze
and Jake.
In addition to having to deal with her father being accused
of murder, Blaze realizes there is still chemistry between
herself and her ex, Jake. But they both have to overcome the
wall that Blaze has built around her. Unlike most romances,
this one has Jake wanting a total commitment that includes
marriage, while Blaze wants just to feel the passion again.
This novel has a suspenseful plot with a mystery and a tightly-woven
edge of your seat tension. Daniels will keep readers guessing
until the very last pages. She expertly weaves into the mystery
the romance.
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