Unforgiven

Beartooth, Montana #1

by B.J. Daniels

In Beartooth, Montana, land and family are everything. So when Destry Grant's brother is accused of killing Rylan West's sister, high school sweethearts Destry and Rylan leave their relationship behind in order to help their families recover from tragedy.

Years later, Destry is dedicated to her ranch and making plans for the future. Plans that just might include reuniting with the love of her life…until her brother returns to clear his name and the secrets of the past threaten her one chance at happiness.

Rylan is done denying his feelings for Destry. But when clues begin to link her brush with death to his sister's murder, will discovering the truth finally grant them their chance at love or turn them against one another for good?

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

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 20, 2012

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

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylan West returns home after an 11-year absence following the murder of his sister. Destry Grant was the love of his life until her brother, Carson, was suspected to be the murderer. Now he's returned, too, and all the questions and suspicions resurface.

This reads more like mystery/suspense with romantic elements as the romance didn't develop until near the end. I had zero investment in Rylan and Destry's relationship because it was too far in the background. However, I enjoyed the story for the mystery aspect as it kept me intrigued even though there weren't many redeemable characters to hang my hat on.

I do plan to read the next book in the series. 3.5 stars.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Eleven years after his sister's murder and the end of his romance with Destry, Rylan has returned to Beartooth. He's tired of living on the road. When Destry's brother Carson, who was suspected of Ginny's murder, returns, Rylan is determined to find the proof to put him behind bars. This puts him in conflict with Destry yet again, as she is still certain of Carson's innocence. I liked both Rylan and Destry. Rylan had some real tunnel vision when it came to Carson, he was so sure that he was responsible. When he saw Destry again, he realized that he still loved her, but was just as convinced that there was no future for them. I liked the way that he actually started to listen to her when she told him that maybe he hadn't looked at all the facts. It didn't take long before he and Destry started working together to try to find out the truth. I liked the way that Destry was so comfortable in her role on the ranch. She knew that she was happy there. She also had a very rocky relationship with her father, the reason for which comes out later in the book. When her brother returns she is determined to prove him innocent. She also has to find a way to help him deal with his other problems. As she and Rylan work together she admits that she has never stopped loving him. They have to decide if their love can overcome all the obstacles. I liked the longer length of this book. It allowed for more characters and more depth of character. There were quite a few twists and turns that had me guessing as to the identity of the murderer. I'm really looking forward to the next book.

[Cherise · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the short story, Fallen, that introduces us to the characters and storyline I was very anxious to read this book and to find out what happened to poor Ginny. I also was eager to know what was happening with those she left behind.

Reading more like a mystery/suspense novel than a romantic suspense book I was a little disappointed with how the author chose to play things out. She pretty much casts everyone, with the exceptions of Rylan and Gentry, in an unflattering light and added suspicion where it didn't need to be. It was too much. This book had the potential to be so much more.

A few questions remain unanswered for me and a few scenerios and people were introduced to no purpose at the end of this tale. Will they prove purposeful in the next book? I will have to wait and see.

Rylan and Destry get their happily ever after but it came too late for me. There wasn't any relationship building in between all their amateur sleuthing. There weren't enough sparks for two people who have spent the last 11+ years longing for one another.

I hope now that the big mystery has been solved Redemption will prove to be more well rounded and less sinister.

Cherise Everhard, January 2013
Book provided by and reviewed for the Amazon Vine program

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading B.J. Daniels! She combines suspense and romance perfectly. This book was such a treat to read. I'm ready for the next one.

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Daniels brings her world and her characters to life in a way that dares you to try and ignore them. I was emotionally engaged from the first page, but not overwhelmingly so. The multiple mysteries that wind their way through the novel add to the overarching who-dun-it plot. The suspense was riveting and the rekindled romance was so genuine that I couldn’t help but wish for the same for myself.

The characters in this novel really made my day. Daniels took everyday individuals and placed them in situations that made them so much more. The well-developed main characters not only had a history between them, but situations to overcome that seemed so very daunting. Daniels’ diverse character development doesn’t stop there. I enjoyed getting to know various members of the town as if they were my own neighbours. I love the fact that some of the characters are the type of people that you instinctively want to get to know better, while others get on your nerves from the get-go. It makes it so much more real. Personally I found Nettie to be an irksome busybody. She does add a great deal to the story, but her personality grates on me.

I love Daniels' writing, and so far, this series is no exception. She had me hooked from the first page.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted love story set in contemporary Montana and which tells the story of lovers who have been separated by tragedy and distance and time -- 11 years of time that has failed to dim the fire of their passion or their promise of a forever-kind of love. It is filled with the highs and lows of human emotion and also includes the web of friendship as well as the tenterhooks that bind people together--their human weaknesses, their foibles, their urges that take them in directions that can only mean personal disaster and relational destruction. The reader also comes away from the story with a deep awareness of the vast plains of Montana, the sense that calling it Big Sky Country is more than accurate and lots of reasons that those who have roots there can never really go anywhere else. A terrific book from a writer who has wowwed her readers with multiple fine pieces of romance literature. Not heavily erotic and the love scenes are very lightweight, but there is heavy emotion all through this book and it is one that will keep the reader on the tips of one's toes throughout.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

kind of disappointed in this - it focused so much more on the mystery rather than the romance between the main couple and was just blah...(I had the mystery figured out about 1/3 of the way through)

[Sylvia Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a cowboy fan AT ALL!!! I started it so had to finish … it was hard to get into but the end had me interested to figure out who had murdered Ginny … I will not be reading any more in this series

[Ngarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense with some added romance.
Enough red herrings to make the plot interesting.
Ranch life in Montana.
Engaging writing.

[Dorine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Blue Ribbon Review courtesy of Romance Junkies. Full review also available at my blog, TBR Mountain Range. The Wests and the Grants have been at odds with one another since the murder of Ginny West and the suspicion that Carson Grant was the killer, eleven years ago. Will Destry Grant and Rylan West ever have another chance at love when the murder is solved? Or will the murders continue, endangering them all?

Ginny West's murder has hung over the town of Beartooth, Montana like a cloud, overshadowing hopes and dreams for eleven years. Rylan West had joined the rodeo to get away from the love he knew would never be his, when his sister's murder hadn't been solved, and his girlfriend's brother was the likely suspect. Carson Grant had been sent away by his father who feared he'd be arrested for the murder. Destry Grant had lost her first love, Rylan, and her older brother, Carson, at the same time, yet she stayed in Beartooth, making a life for herself on her family's ranch.

After eleven years, the young men have returned at the same time. One has tired of his wanderlust ‒ the other has been summoned by his father. When the murder case is reopened by the sheriff due to new evidence, none of them will rest well until the case is solved. Can they trust one another enough to work together to solve the mystery surrounding Ginny West's death? Or will the strain of distrust drive a permanent wedge between them all?

The multiple romantic entanglements within UNFORGIVEN suit the suspenseful plot perfectly, giving the reader time to develop suspicions and feel invested in the town's plight. There are quite a few very interesting secondary characters who kept me guessing as to who was lying and who was not. In truth, UNFORGIVEN read more like a thriller than a romantic suspense because it was edgier and more fast-paced, allowing the romance between Destry and Rylan to slowly progress. I was intrigued by the intertwining storylines that kept me from guessing “who done it”. I also felt that a faster pacing of the romance between Destry and Rylan would have been unrealistic, considering the circumstances of their previous relationship, in addition to the conflict happening eleven years later. This gives the reader a chance to get to know multiple characters within the town of Beartooth and hopefully, those secondary characters will make an appearance in future books. Also, there was at least one loose end that wasn't resolved that has me very curious for the next book, REDEMPTION.

I especially enjoyed the rapid-fire suspense toward the end of UNFORGIVEN. The mystery had been layered from the beginning, and although I had my suspicions of who the killer was, I was very surprised by the turn of events. The last one-third of the book was gripping, which made me race to the finish.

This is the first book by B.J. Daniels that I've read, but I'm sure I'll be adding a few more. Tightly woven, author B.J. Daniels' storytelling is the perfect pace for a modern western adventure. Readers who love stories about the rugged Montana landscape will surely enjoy the start of this series and look forward to what's next.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shey's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4 Stars

I am not a big reader of Harlequin books but I am of suspense and this book caught my eye right away. I don’t really know what the draw was but I think it had to do with the town being called Beartooth, Montana and set around the Crazy Mountains, but whatever it was I am glad that I read it. Also, I might add that I did read the first novella in the series FALLEN, it is very short and it does give you Ginny West’s point of view.

There were so many twist and turns that I had to almost keep notes as to where this book was going. You don’t only have the main story of who killed Ginny West but also stories of others in the town that somehow B.J. Daniels made work into the final outcome and when you think you have finally figured out who had done it, it changes.

Rylan West and Destry Grant were childhood sweethearts, when Rylans sister Ginny was killed eleven years ago and Carson Grant, Destrys brother is the number one suspect and they are torn apart. The grief and betrayal sends Rylan off to the Pro-Rodeo Circuit breaking his promise to always love Destry.

Destry is devastated not only does she lose Rylan but her father sends Carson away, since there is no evidence to actually convict him of the crime he isn’t charged.

Eleven years later Rylan and Carson both come home of course for very different reasons. Rylan misses his family and Montana. Carson is being summoned by his father to take over the ranch and new evidence has shown up in Ginny’s investigation. Everyone in Beartooth wants to see him pay for Ginny Wests murder, including Rylan. Things start to heat up when the town wants their own form of justice.

Still not convinced that her brother is guilty, even though she finds out he has lied to her about that night. However, when the same thing starts happening to another women in town, Destry and Rylan both know it’s more than just a coincidence and together they set out to find answers to what really happened.

This time it didn’t matter what the outcome is because Rylan had never stopped loving Destry and he wasn’t giving up on them. She felt the same Destry was tired of trying to save everybody. For eleven years she had done her best and now she wanted the man she had always loved and she was going to have him no matter the cost.

I really liked that you didn’t see one person’s point of view but you saw many. I felt it worked well that way. Although there was a little more description into the Montana landscape than I cared for and a storyline about Sherriff Curry and Nettie the general store owner that I wasn’t sure where it was going. I hope along the way to find out, Nettie is a busy body and gossip so she’s a lot of fun.

Overall, there was a lot of great suspense in this book and in trying to figure out who had killed Ginny. I didn’t stop reading this till the end and I tell you this I never expected it to be who it was.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weak 3 stars. Reminds me of a TV soap opera. Mostly a mystery with red herrings.

It sounds like a colorful cast of characters in a small town with a lot of secrets, but nothing grabbed me. The characters reminded me of those in other books. Wealthy father wants to give ranch to no good son who would sell it and gamble away the money. Father won’t give his ranch or love to his daughter Destry who is competent and loves working the ranch. The son’s girlfriend Ginny was murdered. Destry and her estranged lover Rylan investigate the murder and uncover some things. A number of people lied or did not come forward with what they knew. There are several red herrings. It was ok as a mystery, but nothing special. It was easy to put down. The best I can say is I didn’t skim parts or wish it would be over. It was a way to pass time.

There is a romance (Destry and Rylan) but we don’t see them meet or develop a relationship. That happened years ago. They broke up and Rylan left town. He just now returned eleven years later. There is no romantic development. It’s more of I’m sorry I was bad, I still love you, lets have sex. The one sex scene felt flat. I would have liked some interesting emotions or passion.

The worst part was the way the author jumped around and interrupted scenes. Instead of logical endings to scenes, many were cut in the middle of an action or conversation. Two examples follow.

A has just discovered that B is having an affair with a man who may be a murderer. A is driving to B’s house to talk to B. The scene stops and jumps to another character and place for 3 ½ pages and then goes back to A talking to B.

CAUTION SEMI SPOILER:
A asks a man if he is her biological father. He says no. Her next logical question should be who might he suspect, since he was close to her mother. But the scene stopped. I was annoyed.

DISCLOSURE:
This book was provided to me free of charge through the Amazon Vine Program in return for my writing a review.

DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 336 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one. Setting: current day Montana. Copyright: 2012. Genre: mystery suspense with romance.

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylan hasn’t seen Destry since he left after her brother was accused of killing his sister. They haven’t seen each other in years and when he sees her for the first time since he came back it brought up all sorts of emotions. He is convinced that Carson killed his only sister ad Destry swears he is innocent. Until they can figure things out it will always tear them apart.

Now Carson has come back, and new evidence has been found, but will it free Carson or get him arrested. Destry is determined to find out the truth and Rylan is right there with her. Someone has been spying on Destry and it has Rylan on edge. No matter the circumstances that surround them Rylan knows the only woman he will love is Destry, so hopefully they can figure out how to make it work.

Unforgiven was a great romantic suspense and the author gives you a few characters that look like they could be good suspects while just sort of giving a little nudge to who the real killer is. I kept changing my mind as I thought it was this one, but then wasn’t sure, then I was sure..lol. I love it when I have to keep guessing and can’t get it right off the bat even if I do guess right.

I really loved both Rylan and Destry and their story. How hard would it be to love the sister of the man accused of killing your own sister. Rylan is a sexy cowboy with a huge weight on his shoulders and though he thinks Carson killed his sister he was willing to trust Destry. Destry, is spunky and all around cowgirl and loves ranching. She is loyal and never believes her brother a murderer even when sometimes that small doubt would creep in.

Overall I really enjoyed my first look into the town of Beartooth, Montana and can’t wait to try the next one in the series when I get a chance! If you love romantic suspense then you will like this one!

[Vickie Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

A great book by a great author. Keeps you guessing to the very end. Can’t wait to read the next book.

[Lori Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new series is going to be another hit for B.J. Daniels. The towns, the townsfolk, the twists the turns... all keep you reading and wanting to head to Montana to see the sights, if not stumble into a town that could be one of her models.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Beartooth, Montana

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destry Grant and Rylan West were high school sweethearts until a tragedy occurred that blew them apart. Rylan’s sister Ginny was murdered and Destry’s brother Carson was accused of the crime. His father got him out of town. Now eleven years have passed and Destry is back home after tiring of the rodeo circuit. Carson is also back home and tempers around town are high. He vows he loved Ginny and did not kill her. Rylan sees someone sneaking around Destry’s cabin and they think the man is the killer but the killer is still at large and Destry is in danger.

Destry finds a silver heart necklace in her mother's things and was identical to the one Rylan found hidden in Ginny's jewelry box. Another woman in town has also received a necklace.

Destry has worked the ranch because she loves it but fears her father will leave it to Carson, who has no desire to settle down on the ranch. When Destry learns that DNA proves she is not her father's biological daughter, she is afraid she will be forced off the land. It is all she has wanted to do with the exception of marrying Rylan.

Lots of potential killers but I thought I knew who the killer was. Jealousy can lead a person to do terrible things and it did in this case.

[Book Wyvern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with this book, I also read the short story prequel, Fallen. Apparently I didn’t think that that needed it’s own review, so I just have this little mention of it in my journal. Then, before these two, I had read the second book first. Backwards.

I gotta say, this author can hook even a reader that is mainly in the supernatural/paranormal genres. I have to give the author credit for everything she puts into her stories.

Now, while I was hooked, I did have a little problem with how all over the place the POV’s were. I would get a little thrown off when it shifted to someone else for just a brief time and then go to the main story, only to go back to one of the…three? side stories?

Maybe a little back tracking here, but while the writing was engaging enough to keep me reading…I couldn’t really feel too much emotion. I wasn’t getting emotionally connected with the characters. That’s the reason for the four stars instead of 5, the POV thing I could have dealt with, but that coupled with little emotional connection? I had to take a star off.

I would recommend this to any adults who like a good romance out there with a good story.

Thank you for reading my review.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this book is in Romantic Suspense genre, but the emphasis is on the mystery of who really murdered a young woman eleven years before, near a Montana ranching small town. When the Number One suspect returns, he is assumed by almost everyone to be guilty. Red herrings abound, and I was fooled, as is usually the case.

I might try to find the second book in the series and see whether I like it enough to continue with the series.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgiven by B.J. Daniels

Although the mystery/murder was pretty easy to solve, the ride on this one was totally worth it. I love these characters and cannot wait to see what trouble they get into next. Well written and well plotted, this is the beginning of another gripping series from Daniels.

[Linda C Lettau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner:

I just love reading this first book of this series. I have rated it a five Star. It was extremely exciting not knowing who killed her brothers girl friend. The twists and turns the who done it and why. Old flames all the towns people had their own secrets to bare. It was a great read for sure.

[charmaine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

There were so many twists and turns in this story,that I never did figure out who the villain was.Mystery,thrills and suspense,with plenty of action.B.J.Daniels never disappoints.

[Diane Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

An unsolved murder with several possible suspects, lots of hidden secrets, and a couple who need answers.. A terrific story that grabs the reader's attention and imagination.

[Denise Schenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destry and Rylan were high school sweathearts. Destry's brother is accused of killings Rylan's sister; her dad sends her brother away.

Destry has been running the ranch for a number of years and Rylan has just returned from the rodeo circuit.

There is new evidence in the case and Carson returns to the ranch with a fiancé that his dad hates.

Lots of plots twist to who actually killed Rylan's sister.

[Inger Cierniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star crossed

Starts out like a slow soap opera and then becomes a mystery with everyone as a suspect. I had picked the killer but the clues kept on incriminating everyone else. Very interesting read. It did leave one uncounted for person.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was a good mystery, I found that the story dragged for me. I kept leaving the book and not particularly caring if I went back or not. This is the second book by this author I have read. I enjoyed the first but I'm not sure I'm willing to take a chance on another.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn't draw me in. It felt very predictable and booky. It is a book, I get it... but I never lost myself in it. I only finished it because I don't give up.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow. I am still tired from reading this book. Even though I figured out the killer early on, it was a thrill ride to the finish!

[Sarah Englebert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much drama for me

[Carl Hunter]

Rating

I have been reading some of bjdaniel books that I have read before. And again I enjoy them just as much or more than I did before. All her books is a joy to read.