Restless Hearts
by B.J. Daniels
Montana Justice - Book 1
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: November 26, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
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.
My thoughts:
I love a good mystery. Pair it with a second-chance romance and I'm all in. But set it on a Montana ranch, populate it with intriguing characters, and weave in a plethora of twists and turns that keep me eagerly turning the pages until 4:00 - freakin' - AM in the morning and, obviously, I'm going to give it a 5-star review.
Daniels drew me straight into Montana ranch life, the lives of these characters, and the mysteries that surround them. I quickly became invested in Blaze and Jake, their search for the truth, and their second chance at romance. My heart ached for Blaze, even as I admired her gutsy, take-charge personality. And Jake won my heart as surely as he won Blaze's. I mean, who doesn't love a guy who surprises you by cooking your favorite breakfast? Am I right? The secondary characters are complex and vividly drawn, adding depth and richness to the story, along with plenty of twists and turns.
I'm good at figuring out mysteries, usually by the middle of a book, but not this time. The mysteries in this book are so tightly, and expertly, woven that each time I was certain I had unraveled the threads Daniels would add a twist that sent me off in an entirely new direction. I was still trying to figure things out when the big reveals arrived. I love when an author does that!
If you enjoy high-stakes, western romance with edge-of-your-seat tension, mysteries that keep you guessing, family conflict, and sigh-worthy romance, don't miss B.J. Daniels' Restless Hearts.
Restless Hearts launches Daniels' new Montana Justice series for HQN. Book two, Heartbreaker, is set for release on March 24, 2020. I already have it on pre-order.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q&A with B.J. Daniels
Hello, B.J.! Thanks for visiting with me today. I just finished reading Restless Hearts, the book
that launches your Montana Justice series. What can readers expect from this
new series?
I love the idea of second chances - and not just at love. Some of the characters got into trouble with the law in their youths. Fortunately, Judge WT Landusky gave them a second chance. Now they will do anything for the judge who believe in paying it forward. So when the judge calls, my characters are ready to do whatever he asks.
Both
the heroines and heroes are strong so even though they find themselves in
danger and are risking their lives, the judge knows they will find their way
out and on the way, they’ll find love. J They also solve the mystery, of course!!
I love a woman who enjoys a hearty breakfast, especially
when that breakfast is cooked by the man in her life. π Blaze is a pushover for
pancakes and bacon. What’s your dream breakfast and which fictional character
would you most enjoy cooking it for you?
Shoot, I'd like Jake Horn to cook for me. But any time he asked, I'd make him what we call a Johnson Breakfast. This breakfast includes chicken fried venison, biscuits, and gravy, hash browns and eggs. And of course, homemade peach jam for any leftover biscuits.
Restless Hearts kept me eagerly turning the pages –
and trying to figure out the mystery – until almost 3:00 AM. What’s the last
book that kept you reading into the wee hours of the night?
Sorry
for keeping you up so late, but that is wonderful to hear!
I love page turners and am reading one right now! It is by Jane Corry titled MY HUSBAND'S WIFE. I have no idea how it is going to end, which is a treat for me.
The winter holidays are just around the corner. Please tell
us about your favorite holiday tradition?
Every year my husband and I and usually our three Springer Spaniels go up into the Little Rockies and get a Christmas tree. It's been a tradition for us now for more than twenty-five years. Then we come home and decorate it with ornaments that we have collected over those years, listening to Christmas music and recalling other holidays we've shared.
When can we expect the next book in the Montana Justice
series? Are you able to share any information about it?
HEARTBREAKER comes out March 24th. This one was particularly fun for me because of all the twists and turns. My characters always surprise me. This one is set between two of my favorites places of Montana, Gardiner near the Yellowstone Park entrance and Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana. Also, I love seeing two characters who are so different find out just how much they are alike - after they are nearly killed and have saved themselves, of course.
.
Thank you for answering my questions, B.J. Is there anything
you’d like to add? Would you like to ask my readers a question?
Thank you. Good questions. This has been fun. I would ask readers how they feel about second-chance romance novels and if they've been given a second chance in their lives they'd like to share?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 27, will receive a copy of Restless Hearts.
*Must be 18 or older.
*U.S. addresses only.
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 27, will receive a copy of Restless Hearts.
*Must be 18 or older.
*U.S. addresses only.
Second chance romance novels give me hope and great enjoyment. In life we deal with so many trials and tribulations which are serious and hopefully resolved without too much anguish and pain. My life threatening illnesses gave me a great deal to think about and approach life differently.
ReplyDeleteI love second chance romances! My second chance wasn't with an ex but the opportunity to take a temporary job in another state. I met my husband of almost 28 years and never looked back!
ReplyDeleteSecond chance romance novels are inspiring, uplifting and true. Where there is a chance to change our lives for our future second chances are our opportunity. Moving to another country made this happen for our family.
ReplyDeleteI believe in second chances. I love a puzzle which makes me think hard to solve it. You have made this sound like a terrific book. Thanks for the review as well as the interview.
ReplyDeleteFrom a longtime fan--congrats on the new series & BIG CONGRATS on recently celebrating your 100th published book!!! I love small town second-chance romances--but sadly, I never got my second chance.
ReplyDeleteI love 2nd chance romances! I adore your books and can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI love second chance romances and thank you for introducing me to another new to me author!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!!π
I like second chance romances stories. Thanks for introducing me to another new-to-me author too! Happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe and warm with this monster storm bearing down on us.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy second chance romances and mysteries but I'm not sure I've read them together in one book. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteB. J. Daniels is one of my absolute favorites. Her books are so real both the settings and the characters. We traveled to Montana several years ago. It felt like I had been there before and I had, in her books. In one book in particular that I read after we got home, it took place in an area we visited and several places we visited were in the book. The descriptions were spot on and it was obvious she had been there also. That familiarity on both our parts makes a book even better.
ReplyDeleteI did have the pleasure of meeting her briefly at an event, but spent most of the time visiting with her husband, a very nice man.
I do enjoy second chance romances. The characters don't have to go through the meet and greet thing. They already know so much about each other, or think they do. They are learning how each other have changed, secrets, and often that what they thought they knew about the other is not necessarily true. They are building a new relationship.
I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I do like to read about second chance romances. One of my better friends lost her first husband to bone cancer at the age of 38. She remarried on her 60th birthday. She's so happy and her 2 girls love her second husband.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is divorced and he too found his soul mate. He is 72 and she is 59.
johns lake at usa dot com
I love second chance romance and B.J. Daniels books. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI like to read about them even though I have never experienced it myself! lindaherold999@gmail.com
ReplyDelete