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Winterkill
A beautiful reporter and a charming rancher are caught in a web of mayhem, murder. . .and lust. Reporter Sawyer Cahill returns home to Cheyenne, Texas to report for the local television station. But leaving behind the coverage of San Antonio's gangland murders only lands her in the middle of a wave of ritualistic animal mutilations. Harassed and threatened by Hunter Kane, the freak behind the bizarre mutilations, Sawyer plunges into her investigation. A former attorney turned rancher, Jake Spooner lost his wife to the man he believes is now tormenting Sawyer. Torn between his desire for Sawyer and his need to keep her safe, Jake's mission is to bring Hunter down before the murderer strikes again.70,280 Words
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
68 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
P.H. Turner
7 books199 followersP.H. Turner writes mystery and crime fiction set in the mountains and canyons of the West where she grew up and spent most of her working life. Pat worked in broadcast journalism on both coasts, the Midwest, and the Rocky Mountains. With roots to a Texas farm homesteaded in the 1850s, she's returned to live within miles of the old farm.
Pat is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.
Find Pat at https://www.phturner.com/
Pat is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.
Find Pat at https://www.phturner.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 20, 2021
This review is of “Winterkill” by P.H. Turner. (Kensington, April 2014).
The book starts with the heroine of the book, Sawyer Cahill, a television news reporter, having her interview subject killed in San Antonio, Texas. After this, Sawyer quits her job and moves back home to Cheyenne, Wyoming. There, she gets a new job and meets Jake Spooner, the hero of the book. Jake is a rancher who has a home near Sawyer’s new one.
Sawyer soon finds herself in both a mystery and between Jake and another man, Hunter Kane, who has a long history of animosity with Jake.
In the end, the mystery is revealed after multiple attempts on Sawyer’s life, and she and Jake marry and have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: I learned a lot about the state of Wyoming’s economy, bison, cattle and animal diseases.
Downside:”Winterkill” is Ms. Turner’s first book, and it feels like it. There is almost no depth and no character development. There is no effort to make Sawyer or Jake anything other than characters in a book. There is very little heat to their “romance” and the scenes that are supposed to be exciting and suspenseful barely register in that regard. It very much feels like a direct-to-video movie or one of those cheaply produced television shows that used to air on late-night television.
Sex: Several love scenes between Sawyer and Jake, which generate almost no heat at all.
Violence: Most of the violence is “off-screen”, but there are some on-screen scenes of animals being killed that are not graphic.
Bottom Line: “Winterkill” is a story idea, poorly executed. 0.83 stars.
Heroine: Sawyer Cahill. Red hair, blue eyes. Television news reporter.
Hero: Jake Spooner. Dark hair, gray eyes. Rancher. Former assistant D.A., Denver, Colorado.
Tropes: Contemporary romantic suspense. Wyoming.
Locations: San Antonio, Texas (Sawyer only). Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The book starts with the heroine of the book, Sawyer Cahill, a television news reporter, having her interview subject killed in San Antonio, Texas. After this, Sawyer quits her job and moves back home to Cheyenne, Wyoming. There, she gets a new job and meets Jake Spooner, the hero of the book. Jake is a rancher who has a home near Sawyer’s new one.
Sawyer soon finds herself in both a mystery and between Jake and another man, Hunter Kane, who has a long history of animosity with Jake.
In the end, the mystery is revealed after multiple attempts on Sawyer’s life, and she and Jake marry and have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: I learned a lot about the state of Wyoming’s economy, bison, cattle and animal diseases.
Downside:”Winterkill” is Ms. Turner’s first book, and it feels like it. There is almost no depth and no character development. There is no effort to make Sawyer or Jake anything other than characters in a book. There is very little heat to their “romance” and the scenes that are supposed to be exciting and suspenseful barely register in that regard. It very much feels like a direct-to-video movie or one of those cheaply produced television shows that used to air on late-night television.
Sex: Several love scenes between Sawyer and Jake, which generate almost no heat at all.
Violence: Most of the violence is “off-screen”, but there are some on-screen scenes of animals being killed that are not graphic.
Bottom Line: “Winterkill” is a story idea, poorly executed. 0.83 stars.
Heroine: Sawyer Cahill. Red hair, blue eyes. Television news reporter.
Hero: Jake Spooner. Dark hair, gray eyes. Rancher. Former assistant D.A., Denver, Colorado.
Tropes: Contemporary romantic suspense. Wyoming.
Locations: San Antonio, Texas (Sawyer only). Cheyenne, Wyoming.
September 1, 2018
2.5 Stars
This one just didn't do it for me. It is very obvious who the bad guy is very early on, so there is no real mystery or suspense. The H/h relationship is insta-lovish with no real angst beyond her history of failure to commit. It was ok...just not recommending.
This one just didn't do it for me. It is very obvious who the bad guy is very early on, so there is no real mystery or suspense. The H/h relationship is insta-lovish with no real angst beyond her history of failure to commit. It was ok...just not recommending.
April 13, 2015
knowing from the start who the killer is made it a drag ...Not for me
April 2, 2017
I received a free copy of this book at the RT convention.
I'm surprised at the description of this book. It kind of gives a lot away.
The writing is very good. For example:
I met him for happy hour at the Yella Feather bar over on the south side about 5:30 on a hot August evening. He was dead by 6:15. Ours was a short relationship.
Sawyer Cahill is a TV reporter who moves to Cheyenne for a new job. She investigates some buffalo mutilations and becomes involved in the local buffalo/cattle politics. Sawyer meets Jake, who at the outset appears to be involved with someone else and Hunter, who is suave and attentive. They're all good characters and Sawyer is funny, intelligent, and never TSTL.
Winterkill was a little light on the romance for me. You get a lot more of Sawyer's thoughts about the mystery than about her feelings for Hunter and Jake (there is no love triangle). Mostly you find out how she feels by what she does. How you feel about that is a personal preference.
I'm surprised at the description of this book. It kind of gives a lot away.
The writing is very good. For example:
I met him for happy hour at the Yella Feather bar over on the south side about 5:30 on a hot August evening. He was dead by 6:15. Ours was a short relationship.
Sawyer Cahill is a TV reporter who moves to Cheyenne for a new job. She investigates some buffalo mutilations and becomes involved in the local buffalo/cattle politics. Sawyer meets Jake, who at the outset appears to be involved with someone else and Hunter, who is suave and attentive. They're all good characters and Sawyer is funny, intelligent, and never TSTL.
Winterkill was a little light on the romance for me. You get a lot more of Sawyer's thoughts about the mystery than about her feelings for Hunter and Jake (there is no love triangle). Mostly you find out how she feels by what she does. How you feel about that is a personal preference.
April 16, 2015
Sawyer was a news reporter working in San Antonio Texas. She had been working on a story about gang members. Sawyer was interviewing a teenager, when he was shot and killed right in front of her. He was just a kid. After that happened she packed up and moved back to her home town.
She was not home long when she got her first story at her new job. A animal had been mutilated. Her home town was ranch country. There was a war going on between buffalo, and cow ranchers. The cow ranchers claimed that the buffalo was giving the cows a deadly virus called brucellosis. Some ranchers wanted laws to be passed making it illegal to raise bison. When one cow came down with the deadly virus, the government would show up to the ranch, and take the whole herd off to be slaughtered. Leaving the rancher broke. The ranchers who raised Bison, said the virus could be prevented if the cows were vaccinated.
There were times I felt like I was in the middle of a scary movie, yelling at my tv, not to trust that guy. As a reader we knew who the villain was early on. He was one creepy dude. Sawyer being the reporter she was, researched Hunter and was shocked to see a picture of his wife that had died a suspicious death. Emily looked just like Sawyer, the two could have passed as twins.
I loved the way Jake protected Sawyer the best he could, and the relationship that turned into love between the couple. This was a great book. The suspense, and mystery was intense in places. The reason I'm only giving this book 4 stars, is the person that edited this book, missed a few places, that threw me off for a moment when I was reading. The mistakes didn't really take away from the plot, the book was still really good, but if the mistakes was fixed, this book would be excellent.
December 5, 2014
Book Review originally published here: www.iheartreading.net/book-tour/book-...
In Winterkill, Sawyer Cahill, a reporter, has returned home to report about ritualistic animal mutilations that have happened all over her hometown in Cheyenne, Wyoming. While Sawyer focuses on reporting the mutilations, her investigations brings her to local rancher, Jake Spooner. In the style of a murder mystery – although it involves cattle, rather than people – the reader follows Sawyer and Jake as they try to find out who is behind the cattle mutilation, and why this freak seems interested in Sawyer.
The murder mystery is the background story for the romantic plot, and it serves it well. Both the mystery and romance are intriguing. I definitely rooted for Jake and Sawyer. The romance was light though, and it didn’t take long for both characters to fall in love. It wasn’t too fast, but they didn’t really take their time either.
Overall, an enjoyable, well-written story ideal for fans of mysteries with a dash of romance (or romance stories with a dash of mystery, whatever you prefer).
In Winterkill, Sawyer Cahill, a reporter, has returned home to report about ritualistic animal mutilations that have happened all over her hometown in Cheyenne, Wyoming. While Sawyer focuses on reporting the mutilations, her investigations brings her to local rancher, Jake Spooner. In the style of a murder mystery – although it involves cattle, rather than people – the reader follows Sawyer and Jake as they try to find out who is behind the cattle mutilation, and why this freak seems interested in Sawyer.
The murder mystery is the background story for the romantic plot, and it serves it well. Both the mystery and romance are intriguing. I definitely rooted for Jake and Sawyer. The romance was light though, and it didn’t take long for both characters to fall in love. It wasn’t too fast, but they didn’t really take their time either.
Overall, an enjoyable, well-written story ideal for fans of mysteries with a dash of romance (or romance stories with a dash of mystery, whatever you prefer).
April 28, 2015
I'd hide this review for spoilers EXCEPT THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION GIVES EVERYTHING AWAY. Knowing everything from the beginning kind of defeats the purpose.
That, and, the romance was a little forced for me. Sawyer was all "Oh I have a problem with trust" and then like 2 pages later Jake tells her he loves her (after hanging out like 3 times) and she is like "What? Oh okay, I love you too." ......... You can't have trust issues and then have insta-love. But whatever.
2 stars is almost pushing it. The story just fell flat.
That, and, the romance was a little forced for me. Sawyer was all "Oh I have a problem with trust" and then like 2 pages later Jake tells her he loves her (after hanging out like 3 times) and she is like "What? Oh okay, I love you too." ......... You can't have trust issues and then have insta-love. But whatever.
2 stars is almost pushing it. The story just fell flat.
July 6, 2021
Returning to Cheyenne
She was going back home. She had lived in Cheyenne until she was 12. She cried for weeks when they moved. She had been thinking about it but her news director's lack of caring when her 17 yr old informant was kill in front of her face made up her mind.
When she found out her landlord's herd was killed because of brucellosis and it was causing a rift between cattle and buffalo ranchers it felt like it was a good first story.
The story starts slowly then after you have met the characters it really speeds up. By the end you are hanging on for dead life
She was going back home. She had lived in Cheyenne until she was 12. She cried for weeks when they moved. She had been thinking about it but her news director's lack of caring when her 17 yr old informant was kill in front of her face made up her mind.
When she found out her landlord's herd was killed because of brucellosis and it was causing a rift between cattle and buffalo ranchers it felt like it was a good first story.
The story starts slowly then after you have met the characters it really speeds up. By the end you are hanging on for dead life
July 12, 2017
I didn't think this was a very suspensful mystery/romance. There were no twists or anything exciting. It was pretty slow to read and kind of boring.
October 6, 2014
Review for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
4 Fangs
Sawyer is a news reporter who moves back to her childhood town. She is on a story when she meets Hunter Kane. She goes on a couple dates with Hunter. She also has meet her neighbor Jake Spooner. She has interviewed both of them on a story she is working. Sawyers news report is on brucellosis which is infecting the cows. Then someone starts killing and mutilating the bison. Sawyer is trying to find out how the cows get brucellosis and who is killing the bison and why.
It's pretty apparent from the beginning who is behind the bison killing. The character is creepy from the get go. The only thing that you keep hoping is that they can get the person to slip up and incriminate themselves. The romance could have been a little deeper and was predictable. The relationship seemed to develop extremely fast. It was not a bad book just very predictable.
I would recommend this book to any one who likes a little mystery and thriller.
4 Fangs
Sawyer is a news reporter who moves back to her childhood town. She is on a story when she meets Hunter Kane. She goes on a couple dates with Hunter. She also has meet her neighbor Jake Spooner. She has interviewed both of them on a story she is working. Sawyers news report is on brucellosis which is infecting the cows. Then someone starts killing and mutilating the bison. Sawyer is trying to find out how the cows get brucellosis and who is killing the bison and why.
It's pretty apparent from the beginning who is behind the bison killing. The character is creepy from the get go. The only thing that you keep hoping is that they can get the person to slip up and incriminate themselves. The romance could have been a little deeper and was predictable. The relationship seemed to develop extremely fast. It was not a bad book just very predictable.
I would recommend this book to any one who likes a little mystery and thriller.
May 1, 2014
So, I liked Winterkill's interesting and engaging story line. I always say it's a good sign when I want to know what happens, even threw the flaws!
I think the author was on to something and even thou, I started figuring out who the crazy was, I still liked the story building to its climax, minus some zoning out of more... beef talk?
My two complaints it needs to read with more fluidity, transitions were choppy and abrupt from one scene to the next. Also, less cattle history and more building up the foundation of the H/h romance. It was like it fell from the sky with no lead up. Don't rush the love scenes, it's why we read these books!
It seems some authors, use this type publishing for their political views and that would be fine but it's a romance novel not an article in Beef vs. Buffalo magazine!
I think the author was on to something and even thou, I started figuring out who the crazy was, I still liked the story building to its climax, minus some zoning out of more... beef talk?
My two complaints it needs to read with more fluidity, transitions were choppy and abrupt from one scene to the next. Also, less cattle history and more building up the foundation of the H/h romance. It was like it fell from the sky with no lead up. Don't rush the love scenes, it's why we read these books!
It seems some authors, use this type publishing for their political views and that would be fine but it's a romance novel not an article in Beef vs. Buffalo magazine!
September 18, 2014
P.H. Turner's Winterkill is an interesting dynamic of a romance/suspense novel as the main character Sawyer Cahill is deep in an investigation of ritualist animal mutilations and a torrid love affair. Turner uses the backstory of the animal mutilations for the plot line of the novel and if you enjoy a who-done-it style of mystery/suspense, I think you would quite enjoy Winterkill as it has the splash of romance in the novel.
You will find a lot of backstory on the Cattle Industry in the novel, which at times can seem a bit tedious and long, however, it is a novel about ranching/farming. It is a good who done it, romantic suspense novel, and if you enjoy these type of novels, Winterkill, definitely should be added to your To-Be-Read Shelf.
You will find a lot of backstory on the Cattle Industry in the novel, which at times can seem a bit tedious and long, however, it is a novel about ranching/farming. It is a good who done it, romantic suspense novel, and if you enjoy these type of novels, Winterkill, definitely should be added to your To-Be-Read Shelf.
April 19, 2015
This could have been so much better.
I was totally confused by the book blurb,(A former attorney turned rancher, Jake Spooner lost his wife to the man he believes is now tormenting Sawyer.) at first it seemed Jake lost his wife to the same person who is now stalking Sawyer. That was not the case. Jake was never married. It was Hunter Kane who lost his wife.
Secondly, the book was all over the place. One second they are one place and without any warning it is a whole new conversation. A little warning would have made the flow better.
Thirdly, the author was very thorough in her research I just would have liked to see more of a romance. It just seemed to come out of the blue. It didn't even feel like insta love. Just convenient love.
I was totally confused by the book blurb,(A former attorney turned rancher, Jake Spooner lost his wife to the man he believes is now tormenting Sawyer.) at first it seemed Jake lost his wife to the same person who is now stalking Sawyer. That was not the case. Jake was never married. It was Hunter Kane who lost his wife.
Secondly, the book was all over the place. One second they are one place and without any warning it is a whole new conversation. A little warning would have made the flow better.
Thirdly, the author was very thorough in her research I just would have liked to see more of a romance. It just seemed to come out of the blue. It didn't even feel like insta love. Just convenient love.
September 20, 2015
This was an interesting story, set in a local I've always wanted to visit. I feel as if Turner's story gave me a good glimpse into the world of ranching, buffalo, cowboys and intrepid televisions reporting. The mystery did keep me guessing throughout the book, and I was quite surprised to find that the villain wasn't actually who I thought it would be. Turner did a fine job detailing the lives of her characters and developing the love story between the 2 main characters.
The pace was great, the writing thought provoking. I never dreamed I'd learn about the American buffalo, bison, and a disease that can decimate a herd and destroy a rancher's livelihood. Well done and I would recommend this book to anyone.
The pace was great, the writing thought provoking. I never dreamed I'd learn about the American buffalo, bison, and a disease that can decimate a herd and destroy a rancher's livelihood. Well done and I would recommend this book to anyone.
October 20, 2015
Buffalo vs Cattle? What do you support? I felt like 50% of this book was trying to educate me on the two sides of this question. In this book it is important to understand some elements of this, but there were too many times when it felt like I was reading an editorial from a ranching magazine. It slowed the plot and the suspense.
And the plot had a lot of potential. The characters had a lot of potential. The romance had a lot of potential... or at least when she wasn't telling him she wanted him in her NOW! Yeah, definitely could have skipped the sex in this book...oh yeah, I did pretty well skip it.
And the plot had a lot of potential. The characters had a lot of potential. The romance had a lot of potential... or at least when she wasn't telling him she wanted him in her NOW! Yeah, definitely could have skipped the sex in this book...oh yeah, I did pretty well skip it.
April 15, 2015
READING THIS MADE ME WONDER WILL WE EVER GET ANYTHING (as a people) RIGHT. WE CONTINUE TO GO FROM ONE FIGHT ON TO ANOTHER, ISSUE AFTER ISSUE IT SEEMS TO BE THE AMERICAN WAY (makes me sick). WE HAVE CLUCKED-UP SO MANY THINGS AND WE KEEP DOING IT. MAYBE WHEN THIS BIG BLUE MARBLE STOPS SUPPORTING HUMAN LIFE WE’LL QUIT. THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS IS SHOT-TO-HELL; WE ARE IN BIG FREAKIN TROUBLE. I LIKE THE STORY LIN INFORMATIVE WITHOUT A SOAP BOX FEEL THE ROMANCE BACK STORY WITH THE SUSPENCE MYSTERY WAS A GOOD MIX. ;D
April 14, 2015
Very exciting and intense
As I read this story the more involved I became. The story had me staying up late to read., way passed my bed time. The interaction between the characters was strong and very believable. Especially the distrust of reporters. I would have like to know what the connection between Walker and Hunter was. But that can be another story.
Dear Author, thanks for a great read.
As I read this story the more involved I became. The story had me staying up late to read., way passed my bed time. The interaction between the characters was strong and very believable. Especially the distrust of reporters. I would have like to know what the connection between Walker and Hunter was. But that can be another story.
Dear Author, thanks for a great read.
August 9, 2015
If you want to know about cattle and buffalo diseases this is the perfect book for you. It felt like I was back in Ag class for at least a third of this book. It was also very obvious who the villain of the story was early on. An editor wouldn't hurt either. Sawyer and Jake's story wasn't bad, but it was overshadowed by everything else.
April 23, 2015
Interesting reading
As I read through this story I became more intrigued with the storyline. I had never heard of ranching using buffalo, but it made sense the more I read.
The destruction of the herds was very graphic, and as it continued I realized I would like to read more from this author.
As I read through this story I became more intrigued with the storyline. I had never heard of ranching using buffalo, but it made sense the more I read.
The destruction of the herds was very graphic, and as it continued I realized I would like to read more from this author.
April 30, 2015
This was my first P.H. Turner book. Winterkill is a great read for fans of romantic suspense. I enjoyed reading P.H. Turner's book Winterkill and look forward to reading more from this author. The book is well written, has a sassy, kickass heroine and is loaded with drama. There is a little heat in this book, I'd put it at about 2-3 flames.
March 14, 2016
I had a bit of trouble reading this one. It was slow and a bit stilted. Too much backstory and not enough intrigue. You always knew who done it, so that was no mystery. I am not a fan of part time first person reads and it seemed to keep the story from flowing. For me there was no connection between any of the characters in the book. I hate giving bad reviews, but I can't recommend this one.
April 7, 2015
Action romance
Good action book. Too much sex. Almost a range war with cattlemen and owners of buffalo. Sawyer is getting threatening emails, packages, letters warning her to stay out of it, but she's an investigating reporter and won't back down.
Good action book. Too much sex. Almost a range war with cattlemen and owners of buffalo. Sawyer is getting threatening emails, packages, letters warning her to stay out of it, but she's an investigating reporter and won't back down.
February 13, 2016
A Good Novel
Winter Kill is an exciting novel. It is fairly well written.. If it didn't have so many typographical errors and misused grammar I would have given it a higher rating. I repeat again; people please use proof readers.
Winter Kill is an exciting novel. It is fairly well written.. If it didn't have so many typographical errors and misused grammar I would have given it a higher rating. I repeat again; people please use proof readers.
October 5, 2016
First book I've read my this author. I enjoyed it. Romantic suspense. The story of a tv reporter returning home and a lawyer turned rancher. There are no big surprises but the story flows nicely. It's easy reading and the characters are interesting enough to keep the pages turning.
April 11, 2015
Excellent story. Kept my interest throughout. The characters were outstanding. It followed the modern Western formula beautifully.
April 18, 2015
Very good book
Even though the bad guy was pretty obvious, it was still an exciting read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romantic suspense.
Even though the bad guy was pretty obvious, it was still an exciting read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romantic suspense.
May 5, 2015
Is a great book to read
February 23, 2016
Another great book from P. H. Turner. Again, right from page one, you are hooked. A great who done it and love story all in one.
April 23, 2015
Great story
Gripping story,,couldn't it down. Hard to believe something could really happen, but it does with modern day rustle. Great rea
Gripping story,,couldn't it down. Hard to believe something could really happen, but it does with modern day rustle. Great rea
August 27, 2015
Not great. The writing was weak - obvious plot, simple characters, bad dialogue, about 100 pages longer than it needed to be, rushed ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews