Out of the Blue - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Jan 2022)

Series: Buckhorn, Montana (Book 4)

Second-chance cowboy…or first-time love story?
 
Buckhorn, Montana, tavern owner Dave Tanner never expected to see the girl of his dreams ever again—until she walks into his bar one night. Over the moon at seeing her, he’s convinced this is a second chance to win her affection. But Melissa Herbert, Dave’s best friend and best employee, suspects his high school sweetheart might have ulterior motives for the accidental run-in. But if Melissa’s right, exposing the truth to Dave might just destroy their friendship…and break her heart…
 
A good, quick read. Dave is the tavern owner in Buckhorn, Montana, and does some construction work on the side during the off-season. He's made a good life for himself in Buckhorn. The last person he expects to see walk into his bar is his high-school girlfriend, Tanya.
 
Tanya was driving to Las Vegas when her car broke down in Buckhorn. She grew up wealthy and spoiled, and her attitude towards the "wide spot in the road" is evident until she runs into Dave. Suddenly she's all sweetness and light - or is that sweetness and lies?
 
Melissa is a good friend of Dave's, as well as both his employer and employee. He is working on renovating a building she owns, and she works for him at the bar. Over the last few months, they've gotten into the habit of having lunch together. On this day, when she walks in, Dave doesn't even notice her. She leaves the lunches she brought with Ralph and Wilbur, two bar regulars, and departs.
 
From the start, Tanya obviously has ulterior motives for cuddling up to Dave. The things she does take advantage of his trust and memories of their past together. She's not as subtle as she believes, though, and Ralph and Wilbur, as well as Melissa, are soon wise to her game. However, none of them want to hurt Dave by telling him what is happening. Things go from bad to worse when Tanya, jealous of Dave's friendship with Melissa, takes stunning actions to get Melissa out of her way. I liked Melissa and how much she cared about Dave, willing to step back if he loved another. She was also protective of him and wanted to save him from being hurt.
 
The ending had me glued to the pages as Tanya takes desperate measures to get what she wants. In a surprising twist, Dave is not as gullible as she expected. I loved the ending and seeing Dave get the happiness he deserves.

At the Crossroads - B.J. Daniels (HQN - Nov 2021)

Series: Buckhorn Montana (Book 3)

They're running for their lives…and something even more precious…
 
Once, Alexis Brand and Culhane Travis were partners, both on and off the job. Now the former deputy turned bounty hunter is on her former lover's trail after he's charged with killing the ex-wife Alexis didn't even know he had. Burying the feelings that still tie her to him, Alexis tracks down Culhane easily enough. But deadly trouble has followed him to this small Montana town, forcing them to flee from the law together and Alexis to guard secrets she hoped she'd never have to reveal.
 
Culhane's desperate attempt to find out who's framing him is the reason he's returned to Buckhorn, Montana. Instead, he's unwittingly dragged the woman he loves into danger. Alexis offers Culhane forty-eight hours to clear his name before turning him in -- plenty of time to realize he never wants to be without her again. But will it be long enough to get the answers they need…before their enemies close in?
 
Terrific book. The suspense and action started immediately and rarely let up throughout the book. Culhane and Alexis were sheriff's deputies until six months earlier. When a new sheriff took over, he fired both of them. They made no secret of their suspicions about his honesty. Alexis went on to start a business as a bounty hunter. Culhane filed a wrongful termination suit against the sheriff and actively worked to find evidence against the sheriff. At the same time, Culhane and Alexis were romantically involved and have continued seeing each other whenever possible.
 
This brings us to the start of this book. Culhane and Alexis spent the previous night together, but he was gone when she awoke. Culhane had awakened earlier to the news that he was wanted for questioning in his wife's murder. As far as he knew, their marriage was annulled years ago, and he suspects a recent visit to her apartment was a setup. He knows one person who might have some answers and heads to the café in Buckhorn to talk to Leo, the cook. He leaves without waking Alexis and suspects she'll be hot on his heels. He's right, and after hearing the news, she's ready to take him in. But three newcomers to the café change their plans drastically.
 
A lot is going on in that café on that quiet Sunday morning, and we get to see it all. The tension is palpable as the three bank robbers have their demands and hair-trigger tempers. As the intensity builds, there may be a connection between why the robbers are there and Culhane's quest. I was on the edge of my seat as bullets flew, and an innocent woman was kidnapped. Culhane has a bit of a white knight complex and insists on attempting a rescue, with Alexis refusing to be left behind.
 
The rest of the book is a roller coaster of action as Culhane and Alexis look for his not-quite-ex-wife, Jana. He needs to find her alive to prove his innocence. In the meantime, his former employer is equally determined to stop Culhane. The further into the book, the more we learn how crooked the sheriff is and the lengths he'll go to protect himself. There are some not-so-surprising connections among various players and at least one that surprised me. But when Alexis ends up at the sheriff's mercy, Culhane knows it's time to make an end to it. I liked how he handled it and loved seeing how it went down. I thought he and Alexis were in the clear, but I should have known better. There was one loose end unaccounted for, and an unexpected twist put Alexis back in the crosshairs. Culhane's instincts and Alexis's cool head brought that to a satisfying ending.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Culhane and Alexis evolve. Culhane has made his anti-marriage, anti-kids opinion very clear. His treatment by his father after his mother's death, followed by his so-called marriage with Jana, left him determined to remain single. Unfortunately, Alexis needs more from him, and she knows she's unlikely to get it. I loved watching the two together. Culhane has a smart mouth on him, a rapid-fire wit, and a protective streak. He gets a great deal of enjoyment out of pushing Alexis's buttons. Alexis is intelligent, independent, and fearless, a perfect match for Culhane. She also has no trouble pushing back against his blarney. 

Because they worked together for so long as deputies, their teamwork here is smooth and barely requires discussion. As the danger to them grows stronger, Culhane discovers that his previously deep-seated convictions about relationships are undergoing unexpected changes. I loved his surprise at his growing feelings and his realization that convincing Alexis of his change of heart won't be easy. I loved his big moment at the end, aided and abetted by his late father's lawyer. The last chapter was terrific, and I loved seeing the changes they experienced.