Branded

Whitehorse, MT: Chisholm Cattle Co. #1

by B.J. Daniels

Responding to a 911 call, Whitehorse Deputy Halley Robinson is stunned to find herself face-to-face with her teenage crush, Colton Chisholm. The schoolboy who had teased her is now a strong and sexy man—and he's on a mission to solve a case! But if he plans on unmasking a killer, he's going to need her help.

Colton can no longer run from the truth…someone in his small town has gotten away with murder. Now it's up to him to bring the killer to justice—with the help of local authorities, which, to his surprise, include Halley. The girl who had once idolized him is now a woman he must fight to resist. But as they work on the case, the attraction between them only grows stronger. Their rocky past may lead to a future together…unless the killer parts them forever.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Westerns, Harlequin, Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Mystery

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

B.J. Daniels started her life in Houston, Texas, before her family moved to Montana at age five. She grew up in a cabin in the Gallatin Canyon near Big Sky and later on Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone. Because of her love for Montana, most of her books are set there.
Born into a storytelling family, all she'd ever wanted to do was write stories. After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book, ODD MAN OUT. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award for romantic suspense.
She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, two Springer Spaniels. When she isn't writing, she quilts, boats and. makes rope/fabric baskets. She always reads, loving to lose herself in a good book.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars
Thought I'd dig into some old paperbacks I have. lol
This was an ok read but it felt like the romance was on the back burner:( Not sure I want to continue with the other brothers.

[Page Grey (Editor) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahm. Ahm.. This one's okay but there's just too many things going..This supposed to be Romance..
the suspense and solving-crime thing is okay but why?
I only read Harlequin when I want a good Romance but B.J. Daniels is more focused on solving crimes than Love..
I can't blame her if it's her way of writing. But still....:(

[Paula Legate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of moving parts going on, and several main characters. This would be a good book to actually read, but if you’re like me and have your kindle read to you, it can get a bit confusing at times. Hey don’t judge, I love multitasking. Cleaning house, while having my kindle read to me, lol. Anyways getting back to the book – The suspense was awesome. It had a creepy feel to it, in a few parts of the story. There was some twist that just left me blown away. The action was in the last chapter, and it was intense. One part of the book I thought wasn’t cleared up before the book ended. I hate cliff hangers. The romance was sweet at the end, but was put on the back burner through most of the book.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whitehorse Deputy Halley Robinson responds to a 911 call and unexpectantly finds herself face-to-face with her teenage crush, Colton Chisholm. This strong, sexy man was once the schoolboy who teased her with frogs. But now he's on a mission to solve a case--the murder of someone from his past. The girl he once teased is now a woman he must resist if they are to work together to solve this mystery. Fast-paced, action packed, I couldn't put it down.

[Brianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the double mystery, one of which I think is going to continue over the arc of the 6 books. I would have liked a little more to the romance part, it seemed they relied a little too much on the fact that they knew each other back in grade school, but I wasn't surprised as I find that often in the Intrigues. The mystery was satisfying, so that made me happy! :) i was guessing til the end.

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of colton and his girlfriend who disappeared 14 years ago.He gets a letter that was lost for 14 years to discover that she was murdered the night she was going to run away.Coltons father hoyt comes home with a new wife emma and changes all their lives.A really interesting book 1st in a 5 book series.

[Shental · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling read!! 📚

This is Colton's and Hailey's story.

This series is about 6 brothers and the lives they find. But it's also about their dad. There is an underlying backstory that spans the whole book series. Each book can stand on its own, but this backstory doesn't get solved until the end.

So there are two stories going on. The first is about Colton and Hailey. He's a member of the Chisholm family. Part owner of a Uber successful ranch. Hailey is a constable. And when Colton gets a letter, his life is turned upside down. It's a letter from his high school girlfriend whom he thought was long gone. But he doesn't think so. What follows is an interesting tale about young love and deception. And Hailey has to keep Colton from doing his own investigation.

So I would call it a close proximity romance as they're thrown together to solve this murder.

This is not a clean romance. There are a couple of scenes.

This is a cowboy romance as these men are genuine cowboys.

I'd call it about family as this series is also about Emma and Holt. Holt is the man that brought in these 6 boys that needed a home. Emma is the lady he brought home. And she has to solve a decades old crime And keep Holt from going to jail.

So I did enjoy this story. Found that it jumped from one storyline to the other too often. And then spent more time on one than the other. Enjoyed it tho!!! 👍

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a lost letter is delivered, Colton Chisholm relives the heartbreak he suffered when Jessica Granger ran away without a word. Her parents blamed him for her disappearance Jessica’s letter explained she wanted Colt to run with her and to share a secret. Jessica set a time at their secret spot but Colton didn’t show because he didn’t know.

Tomboy Halley Robinson had a crush on Colton Chisholm through junior high when her family moved away but didn’t know he had one on her, too until he fell for Jessica. Now Halley’s back in down as the deputy sheriff and just happened to be on duty in the area when Colton called and said he’d found Jessica Granger’s purse!

When Jessica’s remains are discovered, Colton and Jessica’s father suspect each other of the deed. Halley’s not certain which, if either is responsible. Heartbreaking news makes Colton reevaluate Jessica’s actions. Meanwhile, Colton’s father is acting strange and his new stepmother receives calls warning her of trouble ahead.
Rating: 4.25stars

[Helen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whitehorse Deputy Halley Robinson responds to a 911 call and comes face to face with her teenage crush, Colton Chisolm. The schoolboy who teased her endlessly has grown into a strong, sexy man. Colton's call will take them on a harrowing 15-year old murder case with one surprise after the other.

Colton will learn some shocking truths about the girl he thought he knew. When the truth about the murder is revealed they will all be in shock. While Colton and Halley work the case the feelings from long ago are finally acknowledged.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard enough being the only female police officer in little Whitehorse, Montana. But when Halley Robinson finds herself confronted by Colton Chisholm (a blast from her middle school past), she is conflicted. Did he kill his girlfriend or was he just the one who found evidence that she'd been killed?

Colton is determined to find out what happened to Jessica and in doing so, he becomes enmeshed in all manner of bad events, including accusations against his father.

How this all plays out resembles the unraveling of a mess of a ball of yarn, one with surprises aplenty.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this novel because it was a good mystery, cleverly planned. The action is fast-paced which makes putting the book down hard. I did, however, think that there should have been more character development because the quick romance between the two main characters was a little hard to believe.

[Judith Sherrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Branded

Colton was stunned when he read the letter that was supposed to have been delivered fourteen years ago. When he found Jessica's purse he somehow knew that she was dead. When he called the sheriff, he was not prepared to see another woman from his past.

[Moira · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have stated in their review, it woukd have gotten a higher rating with a bit more romance. I figured out the mother was a lot more involved and nit as innocent as she appears, quite early in the story.

[Linda Zelinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love BJ Daniels books. She gets her readers hooked from the first chapter and provides plenty of mystery and suspense to her novels. You can’t help but want to keep reading. Looking forward to the next book.

[Linda Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

B K Daniels is one of my most favorite authors. Every time I read one of her books I am so into it and thrilled. There isn’t anything about this book I did not like. The twist interns were awesome. Thank you BJ Daniels

[Marie Lapointe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a great book. It quickly became a page turner. Who you think the murderer is along the way probably won’t be. It takes a wild turn. There is still the mystery of Agatha Wells and Hoyt Chisholm, and his previous wives. I hope it gets solved along the way and not at the end of the series.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from B.J. Daniels

[Sandra Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book!

Not much on sharing the plot and all that but I loved it

[Benita Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read

The author was the reason why I chose the novel... The plot is bad boy turns good boy. Character were we
developed.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colton finds his old girlfriend's purse when he trips over it. His call sends Deputy Halley to him. Twists, turns & lies run rampant.

[Elaine Schmersahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a good read

The story captured some twisted turns leaving me with doubts about "who done it". What a great read. Definitely will follow this author.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good murder mystery. Cold case 14 year old murder. Romance to make you smile.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected but good!

This was a good book, lots of mystery and yet had romance added in. Great ending and can't wait to read the next one in this series!

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love B.J. Daniels! This was a great book! The first in the Chisholm Cattle Company series. Colton Chisholm finds out fourteen years later, his high school sweetheart really didn't leave him, she had actually been murdered. With the help of the new deputy in town, who also happens to be a girl he had a crush on in grade school, they set out to find out who the killer is. This book was full of suspense, many twists and turns and a complete surprise ending. This story had me hooked early on and it was hard to put down!

[Mombo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Branded was a terrific book in itself but it's hard not to draw comparisons to Gun-Shy Bride (Whitehorse, Montana: Winchester Ranch #1), the Whitehorse series opener from BJD in 2010.

The big two comparisons that stick out at you are: we have the heroine who is in law-enforcement and we have a family with a ton of buried secrets. Literally, buried secrets as in past girlfriends and wives who've met horrible, unexplained demises.

As for the romance, that was new. Colton's love for Jessica and dislike of Hailey reversed itself so subtlely you barely noticed it. Don't you just hate it when the guy is the last one to figure out his gal is/was a tramp?

Btw, how had Hailey not thrown herself at Colton earlier is hard to imagine since Whitehorse is a small Montana town. I know the jurisdiction is enormous but, still, he's pretty smokin' hot on the cover. I guess if he's always out ropin' cattle he must be pretty busy and never makes it into town. lol

I only gave Branded 4-stars versus 5 because I think I liked Emma, Colton's step-mom, a whole lot better than Hailey as a heroine. Her back story was as intriguing as the main plot and her love affair with Colton's dad, Hoyt, overshadowed Colton's and Hailey's. I'm looking forward to reading more about the Chisholms. This series should be fun.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, Daniels is still writing about the town of Whitehorse. I think I missed the last 2 of the "Winchester Ranch" series. This is the first (there are 6 brothers so I assume 6 stories) of the Chisholm Cattle Company - also based in the town. Unless they were mentioned in the 2 Winchester books I missed this family was never mentioned in previous Whitehorse books. Again, killers abound in the town. The new deputy and the Chisholm son team up to catch his old girlfriend's murderer (14 years later when her body is discovered). It was the usual good read from Daniels but, if I lived there, I'd have moved out long ago.

[Ishabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is a repost.

I liked that this book had enough suspense and intrigue as well as interesting characters to make you want to read the succeeding books in the series.

A lot was happening in such a short novel. Would have liked to have a few more pages which would have given the book a clearer character build-up, imagery, and mystery. However, it turned out great, anyway, so I'm not really complaining.

This is the first 5 Stars that I gave to a B. J. Daniels book. Hopefully, the other books I have yet to read won't disappoint.

[Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first B.J. Daniels romantic suspense. I thought it was good. I'm not used to a romantic suspense without a least one good sex scene (Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown), but it didn't really seem to matter. I just didn't feel the hotness between the two main characters although I understood their attraction. I wish they had been a little more dramatic with each other. I has a good flow and the "bad guy" was a good surprise. Good writing for the genre.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 really. This is book one in this series. Which I did not read first, and I hate. However, it was a really strong starter, (I've read 2 of the later books with out figuring out they were a series until I found this one) Colton is ok, Love Emma, and Hallie is fine. Good, strong way to start a series!

[C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. Just a really "icky" book, about the hero being a total fool for an habitual lying- slutty "B", whose body is found 14 years after she supposedly left town, at their secret meeting place, that he is led to return there, after a 14 year old letter from her to him is supposedly found in the PO.
Pretty much all are detestable characters including both of her parents and his father!