Ranch Ambush

by Barb Han

For a US marshal, going home means
protecting a woman from his past

Fourteen years after the girl Duke Remington loved disappeared, the US marshal comes home to discover that Audrey Newcastle is in mortal danger. Protecting Audrey, now a sheriff’s deputy, rekindles painful memories and unwelcome desire. But as secrets from Audrey’s mysterious past surface, Duke must find a way to earn her trust and stop a killer lying in wait to complete a final act of vengeance…

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published July 23, 2024

About the author

BARB HAN is a USA TODAY, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Bestselling Author. Reviewers have called her books "heartfelt" and "exciting."

She lives in Texas—her true north—with her adventurous family, and a spunky rescue who is often referred to as a hot mess. She is the proud owner of too many books (if there is such a thing). When not writing, she can be found exploring Manhattan, on a mountain either hiking or skiing depending on the season, or swimming in her own backyard.

Sign up to receive Barb's news and release announcements at www.BarbHan.com.

Reviews

[Robin Reynolds]

I've only read one other book by this author, an older one published about ten years before this one, and I did not like it. I one-starred it, something I rarely do. So I've been hesitant to pick her up again, even though I have around ten of her books in my TBR. But boy, am I glad I took that chance. Sometimes I read a book from a new to me author and love it so much I grab everything I can find by them, and then I'm disappointed when the next one or two I read aren't nearly as good as that first one. I guess that can work in reverse!

RANCH AMBUSH was well written, and I loved both the hero and heroine. In love for a summer at sixteen, then separated about as many years, there's lots of angst as they both internally hash out their feelings when they see each other again and spend some time together. Plus Duke's grandparents both being in the ICU after a car wreck (which I'm guessing will play out over the course of the series), and the mystery of who is out to hurt Audrey. Considering all the plot, the story is still more character over action, which I am always here for.

Now I'm off to look for Book Two!

[Kate Vale]

First in the Marshals of Mesa Point series, in which Deputy Sheriff Audrey Newcastle is being stalked and everyone thinks is the person who has been abducting and murdering deputies around the country. US Marshall Duke Remington is back in town to see to his grandparents, recently seriously injured in a car crash that has left both of them in comas. And now he is confronting the woman he fell in love with at age 16, even though she appears to have dumped him. But did she, really?

It's clear that Duke doesn't want to leave things as they were years earlier, but will Audrey allow him to really know her secrets and why she cut things off between them? It's really not what they are supposed to be focusing on, not with a killer on the loose who has already killed a local teen. What will they do now that it's clear both he and she are in danger?

[Marie]

"The people you loved shouldn't be the ones who hurt you"

True love cannot be denied, it may be separated for a time but they will always find their way back to each other and Duke and Audrey are proof of this.
It may not be an easy path, and they have a huge amount of baggage to work through but no amount of danger or threats will keep them apart....now.
A great start to the series, we do have a slight cliff hanger with Gran and Gramps, but I assume this will continue through the return of all six siblings/cousins. My only grumble is a Trey/Tray spelling hiccup.

[Karen Jones]

Good book with an action packed story. Good character development for the main characters, Duke and Audrey. There weren’t really any side characters so I’m looking forward to meeting more of the family in the next book. The ending was a bit abrupt.

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Western Romance
Miniseries
Marshals of Mesa Point (Book #1)

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Western Romance
Miniseries
Marshals of Mesa Point (Book #1)

[Devon Cunningham]

DNF

[Helen]

A great book

This was a page turner. You will have a hard time putting this book down. Loved the action and suspense.

[Sheri Jesse]

Very good! The only criticism I have is not finding out how the grandparents are. I hope this means the other family members will get their own books.