Series:
Powder River (Book 3)
When you look for the truth, there's no telling what
you'll find…
Brand Stafford has long felt he didn't quite fit in with
his siblings. Now he has the DNA evidence to prove his real father is the
Staffords' ranching rival, Holden McKenna. That secret does more than
complicate his family -- it's also made him the prime suspect in a kidnapping.
His unlikely ally in clearing his name is Birdie Malone, newly arrived in
Powder Crossing in search of answers of her own.
Impetuous and stubborn, Birdie has a knack for pulling
Brand out of his comfort zone. Suddenly this rule-following cowboy is
determined to do what he knows is right, whether that's tracking down a
kidnapper or finally giving away his heart. Even if he has to put everything on
the line to do it…
Terrific book, as the saga of the Staffords and McKennas
continues. Brand Stafford has always felt a little disconnected from his siblings
and wondered why. When his sister Oakley does a DNA test, he does one and gets
the shock of his life. His father is Holden McKenna, his family's nemesis. He's
unsure how to deal with the information but drops a copy of the results in
Holden's mailbox, which lands him in unexpected trouble. The following day, he
catches a strange woman lurking around the ranch.
Birdie Malone came to Powder River looking for answers
about her father's disappearance and death. She's convinced that Brand's
mother, Charlotte, killed him to get rid of the second husband she regretted
marrying. Birdie is determined to find proof of Charlotte's guilt.
Birdie and Brand's meeting was amusing and not what
either of them expected. Seeing the usually quiet, attention-avoiding Brand
lose his cool around Birdie was fun. There are sparks of attraction between
them, but they try to ignore them. Birdie talks him into helping her
investigate, but before they can get started, Brand is accused of kidnapping Holden's
teenage ward, Holly Jo.
Meanwhile, we witness Holly Jo's kidnapping and the
terror she faces as she's held for ransom. Holden is beside himself with worry,
and others are determined to help find the girl. We learn that the kidnapper
has a grudge against Holden and is bent on revenge. Holden must figure out who
it is before it's too late.
A lot is going on in this book. The search for Holly Jo
and trying to identify the kidnapper is the most critical. The sheriff is frustrated
with Holden's uncooperative attitude and the shortage of leads. That
frustration increases when Birdie and Brandon get involved, putting themselves
in danger. Birdie is one determined woman, and her impulsive actions do not
endear her to the sheriff. There are plenty of tense moments and twists as the
search continues. The final confrontation with the kidnapper was terrifying and
had me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved.
Throughout the story, Birdie searches for answers about
her father's death. I liked her determination and her faith in her father. The
progress of her investigation was intriguing, and the conclusion was much more
convoluted than I expected.
I ached for Brand as he dealt with the results of his DNA
test. He's unsure if he's happy to know the truth or wishes he'd never done it.
Should he be angry at his parents, who were married to other people at the
time? I also hurt for Holden, who was blindsided and shocked by the news. The
backstory between Holden and Charlotte is heartbreaking, as is what started the
feud and their lives since then. I'm interested to see what else plays out
between them.
The relationship between Brand and Birdie happens fast.
The sparks are there from the moment they meet. I enjoyed seeing Birdie's
influence on Brand as he took chances and allowed himself to risk his heart. I
laughed at Brand's disbelief that he goes along with her schemes. I look
forward to seeing more of them in the future.
The book finishes with a scene between Bailey McKenna and
the sheriff. Something has been happening with her, but Stuart can't get her to
confide in him. I suspect that they will be the focus of the next book.
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