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Daniel Clark is the leader. The one who ensures everyone makes it out alive.

He took that responsibility seriously when he and his team served in the Navy SEALs together, and he takes it seriously now at the Resting Warrior Ranch.

When he and his men broke up the Riders—the vicious dogfighting gang who also kept some human captives—they got everyone to safety.

Except for the woman who’d been caged—Emma. She disappeared into the night.

So when she shows up in his tiny Montana town—in bad physical shape, begging not to be taken to the hospital—Daniel can’t believe it. He does the only thing he brings her home.

He’s a warrior, not a caregiver, but he’ll have to be both in this case. The people after her don’t just want to put her in a cage this time. They want her dead.

But if they want to get to Emma, they’re going to have to go through Daniel. And that’s not going to happen.

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First published March 14, 2023

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Josie Jade

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
July 4, 2023
I felt like this one read really fast. I liked that months after both Daniel and Emma still had the other on their mind and that when Daniel saw Emma again he did something to help her. Of course Emma needed the help desperately! While recovering at the ranch Daniel spent time with her and gave her space, both of which she needed. It was great to see how everyone else was with her. The time there let Emma see what she really wanted in life. That helped big time because Emma took the chance to help the FBI so that she could be free to live the life she wanted. Of course it couldn't be easy and there was drama at the end, but she did get there.
Profile Image for Read All About It.
2,041 reviews23 followers
March 14, 2023
Daniel Clark runs the Resting Warrior Ranch. Every night when he sleeps he dreams of the woman they rescued and then she disappeared. Then one day he sees her and she collapses in his arms. He feels he’s to old for her but will protect her with his life.

Emma Derine has been on the run since the rescue because she knows she has a death sentence hanging over her head. She evolved from a scared tragic mouse into a strong confident confident woman.

“Because I already know what’s under the tuxedo, and it doesn’t matter how many clothes you put on, nothing will ever compare to when you take them off.”

They both have secret that they don’t feel like they can share. Danger comes knocking and only brings them closer.

The truth was, I’d started loving him before we really met. My savior.

Another amazing edition to this series. I enjoy this series so much and look forward to many more.
1,673 reviews43 followers
May 10, 2024
Here's a question. In this story Emma is supposed to have very pale blonde hair. Yet on the book's cover the model has nearly jet black dark hair? Did whomever approved the cover design not read the story?
Montana Freedom the 6th book in the authors’ Resting Warriors Ranch series picks up where Montana Mystery, the series 4th book left off. In Montana Mystery Noah and the rest of the Resting Warriors (ex-Navy SEALS) enter an isolated building to rescue Kate who had fallen into the clutches of the evil crime boss Simon. When they arrive they find Kate in a cage and a young woman looking as though she’d been there a long time in the cage next to Kate. After heavy fighting Kate and the young woman are freed and taken to be checked out by paramedics. Like Simon the young woman manages to slip away before anyone can question her. Daniel the nominal leader of the Resting Warriors and the man who physically released the woman from her cage, hasn’t been able to forget her. She haunts his dreams at night wondering if she’s alright. The young woman’s name is Emma.
As this story opens six months after the raid that freed Kate and Emma, we find Emma stowed away in an isolated cabin on the side of a mountain not far from the town of Garnet Bend and even closer to Resting Warrior Ranch. Little by little more of Emma’s story is revealed. Emma has been holed up in this cabin living off the sparse provisions in it for all those months. We learn Emma has total recall. She is trying to use that gift and what she knows about Simon and his operation to locate where he is so she can turn that information over to the right law enforcement agency so they can capture Simon before he finds her and carry out his threat to kill her. Thus achieving the true freedom she seeks that is in this story's title. But Emma’s provisions are running out and she has no money with which to replenish them. She decides her best course of action is to sneak into Garnet Bend in the dark of night and rob a grocery store with the intention of paying for whatever she steals when her ordeal is over. Her plan goes awry when she cuts herself breaking into the small grocery store and the cut becomes infected. Now with a raging fever, a near delirious Emma knows she must again venture into Garnet Bend to try and get antibiotics and bandages or she’s going to die from the infection. While there she becomes so sick she begins to pass out in a drugstore parking lot. But before she can hit the ground a strong pair of arms go around her and she hears the familiar soothing voice of Daniel Clark her rescuer, the man she’d spent many nights dreaming about. Daniel tells her he has to get her to a hospital. Despite her declining physical and mental state she insists he not do that. Daniel suspecting she has good reason for not wanting to go to a hospital takes her back to Resting Warrior Ranch and summons Dr. Gold, the teams regular physician who has frequently treated them for injuries they received while rescuing the women who are now engaged or married to the Resting Warriors men. Emma is very slowly nursed back to health and even more slowly begins to trust Daniel and the rest of the men and women on the ranch to keep her secrets safe. But while she gives Daniel part of her story, she still holds back a key piece of information from him and Charlie, the town’s sheriff. Until one day two FBI agents show up at the ranch’s lodge and spill the beans about who Emma is to Simon. The two agents play a classic case of good cop, bad cop with Emma and Daniel. The agents first say they want to debrief Emma and learn what she knows about his operation. She agrees to allow this as long as Daniel can accompany her to their closest field office in Seattle. While there she and Daniel kiss for the first time. Later they tell her they want to use her as bait to lure Simon out into the open so they can capture him. After an attempt on her life at Grant’s and Evie’s wedding she agrees to act as bait hoping to help catch Simon before he kills her or someone else on the ranch as collateral damage.
Daniel like all the other Resting Warriors crew suffers from PTSD. And like several of them he suffers from carrying an unreasonable amount of guilt for what happened while he was serving overseas. He blames himself for the death of forty people who died at the hands of terrorists because he trusted an informant who led them into a trap. Since returning stateside Daniel has lived a spartan life denying himself even simple pleasures as self-punishment for his failure to save those people. Because of his guilt he feels he doesn’t deserve a happy life. So, despite his strong attraction to Emma, because of that guilt and the fact that she is 15 years younger than his 37 years and still struggling to overcome her own trauma Daniel refuses to act on his feelings. At this point in the series after seeing all the PTSD symptoms our band of heroes continues to deal with, I have to question just how effective the ranch therapist, Dr. Rayne is at her job? Despite years of therapy the biggest improvement in all of their psychological issues seems to occur after they fall in love and the women they love and the rest of the team help them overcome what’s holding them back from giving in to their feelings. Eventually Daniel with the encouragement of his fellow Resting Warriors, but especially the wise beyond her years Emma, decides to give in to his feelings for her and give a relationship with her a try. I will state right here that it was Daniel’s constant inability to let go of his guilt, allowing it to suck him under, that almost prevented him from saving Emma that caused me to give this story a lower grade than I otherwise would have. For this reader it just got to be a bit much, making Daniel appear emotionally weak to me. When he should have been leading the charge to save Emma his team has to pull him back from being sucked under and paralyzed by his guilt over his perceived previous failures.
Just as with all the stories in this series, despite their best efforts, Emma is eventually captured by Simon’s minions leading to her daring, life-threatening eleventh-hour rescue. And just like in all the other books their near death experiences forces our couple to finally say those three little words and begin to live their H.E.A. It never ceases to amaze me how in contemporary romances the protagonist can be so emotionally and physically intimate, even talking about forever in broad terms, but are afraid to say I love you until the very end of the story. I really liked the Emma character in this story. I liked her bravery in the face of death. I liked her surprising wisdom for one so young. I liked how when her anger overrode her fear she could really tell it like it is whether it was berating the FBI Agents or calling Daniel out on his shit. Daniel because of his guilt I found to be too wishy washy a hero for my liking. Heroes overcome their fears to rise to the occasion. I’m not certain that if it weren’t for the other Resting Warriors Daniel would have been able to do that?
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
March 14, 2023
From the moment this book opened, I was hooked. It picks up in the aftermath of the events of Noah and Kate’s story and carries forward to the final battle between Resting Warrior Ranch and the Riders. Daniel and Emma are a perfect match, like two interlocking puzzle pieces. Daniel makes a bit of fuss over their age difference, but what Emma has overcome has made her an old soul in a young woman’s body. To the point that I never actually felt the age difference he saw. Their chase to finally bring the Riders to justice kept me perched on the edge of my seat because I never knew what the authors were going to throw in their way next. Now, knowing who the leading couple will be, I’m more anxious than ever to get my hands on the next book.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the authors.
Profile Image for Sue.
4,358 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2023
Here's another book knocked out of the ballpark. We have more problems with Simon and the riders. Daniel has a lot of demons riding him and he doesn't want to taint Emma, but she has secret she hasn't shared either. She was in a cage along with Kate, but once they were rescued she took off. Daniel hasn't forgotten her. When he finds her again, she's really sick from an injury. This is an excellent read with plenty of action, suspense and Shadow Mountain characters make an appearance. HEA.
Profile Image for Shruti.
953 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2024
Despite not being a huge fan of age gaps, especially when they're mentioned all the time, I did find Daniel and Emma very cute and fun. The suspense felt earned given these characters and their backgrounds and I liked that we wrapped up a previous storyline. This has been a very easy read series which has been great since life is quite busy right now!
Profile Image for ella marie.
95 reviews4 followers
December 26, 2024
okay this was better than the other one but i wanted someone to come a little closer to dying or raise the stakes on something at the end lol. i liked daniel a lot - his past was interesting and shown much better throughout. emma’s past was p crazy but i feel like there was more opportunity for her to freak out towards the end versus just being magically more stable lol
Profile Image for Jessie.
260 reviews5 followers
March 19, 2023
Montana Freedom is the sixth book in the Resting Warrior Ranch series and is a standalone. But I highly encourage you to read the previous five books before this one if you can. Since there are character crossovers, reading the other books would help you understand what is going on in this book better. I know that it might be hard to do so if you had to read two books before this one, you should read Montana Sanctuary and Montana Mystery, which are the first and fourth book of the series. After you read them both as well as this one, you will understand why.

This book that takes you on an eventful rollercoaster ride of how Emma and Daniel find their happily ever after. Their journey is filled with suspense, betrayal, regret, painful memories, friendship, love, steamy scenes, spice, and a whole lot more. I am loving all the books Josie Jade and Janie Crouch have written together. This collaboration is brilliant and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series with Liam and Mara. I hope they continue to write more books in the future.

For those who have been reading the series in order, Montana Freedom picks up after Noah and Kate’s book, Montana Mystery, months after taking down The Riders. It was during that raid where Daniel Clark and Emma Devine meet. He rescued her from a cage that she was in alongside Kate and then vanished from sight, never heard of again.

It’s been six months since the raid and it’s no surprise that Daniel has dreams/nightmares about his last mission as a Navy SEAL, but lately they have a new ending and it involves her. The beautiful woman with bi colored eyes. He’s plagued with seeing her face everyday and wondering what happened to her. And as fate would have it, she falls into his arms one day and he instantly knows that something is wrong with her and she desperately needs of medical attention. With all the things that could go wrong, Daniel decides to trust his gut and takes her back to the ranch instead of the hospital and that’s where their story begins to unfold. Will Daniel allow himself to let Emma in, with the hopes of finding happiness and possibly love or will he let his past and his need to atone prevent him from the future he so desperately wants and craves?

Emma Devine has been in hiding from the one man that tormented and destroyed her life, Simon. She is terrified of him and his goons finding her and making good on the promise that he made her- that he would kill her and bury her where no one would find her. She has a hidden talent that was helpful in the past, but when it comes to Simon it is what got her into trouble and in a cage. When she is desperate to get supplies, she ventures out to town and ends up in the arms of the man, who has been in her dreams granting her freedom. She ends up in the last place she ever expected and has to decide if those around her can be trusted or will they do the same to her that Simon did. Will she leave RWR and try to face the man who wants kill her head on and alone or will she swallow down her pride and allow Daniel and the others to help her seek justice and stop the man from destroying more lives?

The way Emma and Daniel met was one of the most tragic of ways and as it may, it bonded them in a way that only the two of them will ever understand. They saw each other in their dreams and not exactly in the way you would expect, but it gave them the comfort the needed in a sense on how the other was. As the two of them spend more time together despite their close proximity, the thing between them builds as well as the tension. And when Emma bares all to Daniel one night, she decides to take the plunge and give into her desire hoping that what she feels would be reciprocated. Instead, she is met with Daniel’s list of reasons why the two of them wouldn’t work and why he isn’t worthy of her or her time- too old and weathered from someone like her. From there on out, she decides to embrace the time and the version of Daniel he gives her, but is determined to make sure he knows that he is worthy of love and more. There is steam and some spice in this story and I am not one to spill all the juicy details. But you won’t be disappointed to learn that Daniel is 100% alpha male and won’t let his girl be unsatisfied or unhappy in all aspects of her life. 😉 When danger and trouble catches up to them, Emma finds herself back in the place she fears most. And in it’s in their darkest hour that the two of them realize how they feel about each other knowing that they may never tell the other how they feel.

Chapter 13 was like the duo’s version of a good ole Oak Creek girls’ night welcome to the group type of get-together only without the Electric Smurfs. LOL! I love how all the Resting Warrior women have proven themselves to be warriors like Noah mentioned they are in the book, Montana Mystery. They know how to fight for their family and take care of their own just like the men do- only in their own ways. They all take care of their own, which is their family. And to them, family doesn’t mean the ones that are blood related. ❤️

I highly recommend this book as well as the Resting Warrior Ranch series to anyone who is in need of a small town romantic suspense to get lost in. And if you have read this series from the beginning and have loved what you have read and need more, make sure you check out Josie Jade’s backlist with her latest series set in Heartbreak Key and Janie Crouch’s backlist with Linear Tactical and Zodiac Tactical. I know that in my near future, I am going to read this series from start to finish and impatiently patiently waiting for the next book in the series to come out. July seems so close yet so far away!
Profile Image for Susan.
4,809 reviews126 followers
March 15, 2023
I've been waiting for Daniel's story, and it was worth the wait! The suspense is intense, the romance is sweet and sexy, and the people are realistic and relatable. It can be read as a standalone, as the essential background is provided, but the experience is richer if you start at the beginning. This book takes place six months after Montana Mystery, where Daniel and the others rescue Noah and Kate from a gang called The Riders. Another one of those rescued was Emma, who Daniel released from a cage, but she disappeared right after the rescue.

Daniel is the manager of Resting Warrior Ranch, the oldest, and the one the others look to for leadership. Daniel suffers from PTSD from his time as a SEAL and has added nightmares about Emma's fate after her disappearance. I ached for Daniel, whose innate sense of responsibility won't allow him to let go of things that were beyond his control. As a result, he built walls around himself and felt he was too broken to be good for anyone. He realizes he is lonely as he watches his friends pair off and find love. Then Fate brings Emma back into his life.

Emma is an IT specialist with an eidetic memory. After stumbling across incriminating information, she wound up in the crosshairs of The Riders' leader, Simon. He ensured she knew he planned to kill her, and she knew her lucky escape wouldn't stop him for long. She hides out in a cabin off the grid, trying to put the information she learned together while dreaming of the man who rescued her. Staying hidden is the only way to keep safe, but when a minor injury forces her out, she finds herself again saved by Daniel.

I loved seeing the relationship develop between Daniel and Emma. The connection between them was evident from the moment they locked eyes the night he freed her from the cage, and neither could forget the other in the six months since then. Daniel's care for her as she recovered from her injury was sweet, and the sparks between them are undeniable. But Daniel feels that he is too old for her (his 37 to her 22), and his issues make him too broken for her. Emma doesn't see a problem with their ages, but she does have trust issues that hold her back for a time.

With Emma and Daniel having traumatic pasts, it isn't surprising that they understand what the other has gone through, which draws them closer. I loved how Daniel used logic to show Emma that she wasn't responsible for the things she blamed herself for. It was lovely to see Daniel's shock when she turned the tables and used his own arguments to break through the guilt that tormented him. I loved seeing them overcome the real and imagined obstacles that kept them apart and realize they belonged together.

The suspense kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The men of RWR have been on edge for six months, waiting for the Riders to carry out their threat of retribution. Emma's appearance is one more thing that could add to the cards stacked against them. Matters become complicated when the FBI shows up looking for Emma and lets slip a shocking connection between Emma and the Riders. The FBI wants her help drawing Simon out and isn't afraid to use pressure to make it happen. I loved Daniel's determination to keep Emma safe and seeing the others unquestioningly step up to help. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with several twists that kept me glued to the pages. The resolution was well done with a perfect blend of recklessness and determination.

I loved the close relationships of the men of RWR. I like how they give each other the space needed to deal with their issues but are there when anyone needs to talk. Daniel is especially good at helping them see past whatever is giving them grief but not so good at applying it to himself. There are some great scenes between him and Liam. I also love the ladies who are warm and welcoming to Emma, quickly making her feel part of the ranch family. The epilogue was a nice wrap-up for this book and a lead-in for the next one. I can't wait to read Liam and Mara's story.
Profile Image for Nikki T.
286 reviews
September 24, 2024
Western Montana set romance
PTSD and retired military themes
3/5 romance
3/5 physical intimacy
3/5 suspense
3/5 storyline
HEA - yes
Possible triggers: Kidnapping, violence

ISTG if I have to sit here and listen to another set of characters tell me that they realized they fell in love and NEED to tell the other person, but they can't, because they're in a life threatening situation... I am GOING TO POP MY TOP.
Along those lines, at least this book didn't have the tweenager-style mystery and suspense - it was actually somewhat suspenseful. So far, this whole series is doing it like I said in my previous review: all good gritty books with danger and darkness are even numbered, and all the yawn worthy ones are odd. (I've read 2,3,4,5 and now 6 and they follow that to a T.)

The bad parts:

The usual eye-roll inducing insta-love (omg, ever since I let you out of that cage and you ran away, I've been dreaming about you, and totally want to sleep with you.) Yeahh, totally normal, right?
As mentioned above, the inability to come clean and commence with love confessions (outside of life and death situations) is getting old as well.

The unrealistic aspects that become more and more apparent with each and every book. Honestly. There are hardly any people with PTSD coming to Resting Warrior Ranch, so I can't be the only one wondering how TF they make all their money.

The "explosive conclusion" - which turned out pretty lame and not all that grounded in reality. Simon was touted as a genius, but there are things he couldn't have known which somehow he did (wtf?) and things he knew which made no sense and didn't add to the story at all. His actions were also comic book-esque and made me wonder when Daniel was going to come out as Batman.

The good parts:

I liked the romance tbh. It was pretty original compared to the other books in this series. It eventually morphed into how the author(s) write their usual romance and sex scenes, but it made it unique and I appreciated that. The ending surprise (which I admit I was curious about and hoped for) was also fan-fricking-tastic and different than the other books in a good way.

The other characters got a nice amount of "screen-time."

One other thing I have been really fascinated by as I've been working through this series is its ability to bring up little nuggets of food for thought. The PTSD and themes dealing with trauma and inner work and healing speak to personal matters that have been thoroughly buried, and I do appreciate the encouragement to unearth and take another look at them.

I really struggle with rating this book appropriately because I know that, at it's core, it's a western romance and should be rated accordingly (not as a thriller or a mystery/etc.).
I guess I'll give it a 2.5 rounded up to 3.
I only recommend this book lightly if you've read the other ones already. I mean, even if it's painful as hell, I'm pretty sure we're all going to finish reading this series now that we've started it.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,284 reviews207 followers
March 11, 2023
MONTANA FREEDOM is the sixth instalment in the contemporary, adult RESTING WARRIOR RANCH romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who own and work for Resting Warrior Ranch-a spin off from Janie Crouch’s Zodiac Tactical series. This is thirty-seven year old, former US Navy SEAL Daniel Clark, and twenty-two year old, IT specialist Emma Derine’s story line. MONTANA FREEDOM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Emma and Daniel) MONTANA FREEDOM follows in the wake of the rescue and escape of Emma Derine. Six months earlier Emma was one of the women ‘rescued’ from a gun running group known as the ‘Riders’ but fearing for her life, Emma ran, without looking back. Fast forward to present day, Daniel has never stopped thinking or looking for the woman he found trapped in a cage, the woman that kept him awake at night, ridden with guilt but finding a sick and injured Emma at the local grocery gave Daniel a second chance, a second chance to claim the woman with whom he would fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Emma and Daniel, and the fall-out as Emma’s past returns, in an effort to finish the job.

Daniel Clark suffers with issues of PTSD, not only from his time spent as a US Navy SEAL but in the wake of Emma Derine’s disappearance. Finding Emma gave Daniel some hope but Emma’s past wasn’t too far behind, and the FBI is determined to use Emma as bait to bring in the people who destroyed her life.

The relationship between Emma and Daniel begins as a rescue, not once but twice, and Daniel fears Emma will run again. Emma has an eidetic memory, and the FBI wants to know and use every bit of information including our story line heroine. Daniel continues to struggle with the age difference between himself and Emma but the heart wants something that head is unable to refuse. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line couples return including Lucas and Evelyn, Harlan and Grace, Grant and Cori, Noah and Kate, Lena and Jude, and the introduction of FBI Agents Jones, and Phillips. The requisite evil has many faces.

MONTANA FREEDOM is a story of search and rescue, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, acceptance and love, family and friendships. The fast paced premise is intriguing and suspenseful; the romance is seductive and desirable; the characters are charming and charismatic.


www.thereadingcafe.com
3,161 reviews
March 14, 2023
Daniel and Emma have not seen each other since he rescued her from a cage, now she is in his arms again?

Emma had never forgotten the night she and a group of other women had been rescued from the cages they were being held in prior to only god knows what was going to happen to them, however as the Riders were the group known to business in human trafficking it was obvious the outlook was not good.

Emma had been in the cage for over a month and had known that the information she found out had been the reason her father was going to kill her and bury her in a shallow unmarked grave as soon as he got the information he wanted out of her.

Simon was how she had known him since her mother had died and he had taken her in and helped her with her school and college and then had offered her a job working within her business. She had inadvertently come across some paper files and discovered what business he actually was involved in and all of it was bad and she knew that he was going to kill her.

Agent Phillips of the FBI had been asked to wat until the wedding was over in an effort to get Simon to show himself but had asked him to wait until the day was over but he had ignored her and it had nearly cost Daniel his life, they had been actually firing at her but missed fractionally.

Now that Daniel and Emma have started to build a relationship and she is staying on Resting Warrior Ranch it is the first time Emma has known how good it feels to have people in her corner, they had saved her life and had given her a safe place and an extended family that all care and look out for each other.

It is obvious that Simon is still looking for Emma and is going to do what ever they need to see her dead, the FBI are trying to use her to draw him out but she has an Agent that does not give a damn about her life, he simply wanted to gain the credit for closing a case and shelving a trafficker, killer, drug smuggler and whatever else illegal he was involved in.

I guarantee that you will enjoy meeting back up with old acquaintances and new, the story and the characters Daniel and Emma are simply wonderful and I guarantee that you will not put this book down until you reach the end and discover the outcome.

You’ll be left looking forward to the next book in this series and I guarantee that this book is written wonderfully and I guarantee that you will love every single moment of this book.

I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
56 reviews4 followers
March 19, 2023
Montana Freedom, the sixth installment of the Resting Warrior Ranch series, is Daniel Clark and Emma Derine's story. I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book since first being introduced to Emma in Montana Mystery. At the time we had no clue who Emma was, she was simply the mystery woman rescued from a cage alongside Kate. Daniel was the one who rescued Emma, then she simply disappeared. Daniel has spent the past six months thinking about this mystery woman wondering what happened to her and if she was okay after everything she had been through. He has not idea that she is actually staying a secluded cabin not far from the ranch. Emma has been trying to piece together clues to determine where her captor, aka Simone, is what is is doing and how she can take him down so she can come out of hiding. Emma is getting by on scrapes and decides she has no choice but to return to town to restock her supplies. During her trip into town she suffers and injury that later becomes infected, forcing her to return to town for medicine. During her second trip to town she almost passes out from the severity of the infection. Lucky for her someone is there to catch her before she can smash into the ground. Imagine Daniels surprise when he realizes the woman he just caught is the same woman he has been unable to get off his mind the past six months. He quickly realizes she is suffering from an infection and decides to take her to the hospital, but she protest going to any hospital forcing Daniel to take her to the ranch where he calls in Dr. Gold. Daniel is determined this woman will not die on his watch especially after just getting her back. He has no clue who Emma really is and how deep the connection is between her and Simone, an enemy these two have in common. He is determined to find out everything he can about the mystery woman. Emma has also had Daniel on her mind ever since he rescued her. He makes her feel safe, him and his friends also make her feel like a part of the family which is something she has longed for ever since her mother passed away. As she gets to know Daniel her romantic feelings for him grow, she can feel a connection between them and she knows he feels it too, but he refuses to admit to these feelings. Will Daniel ever admit how he truly feels for Emma? Will they be able to stop Simone before he causes more harm? You'll have to read to find out but I can honestly say it is well worth the read. This has been my favorite so far in the series, the stories get better and better with each book. I cannot wait to see what Josie and Janie have in store for us next.
552 reviews3 followers
March 13, 2023
Daniel runs the Resting Warrior ranch. He is a caretaker at heart, using his skills and strength to save and help others. Haunted by losses during his time in the military, Daniel has chosen to remain solitary since founding the ranch with his brothers. He doesn't feel that he's worthy or capable of being a good partner to anyone else. When he and his brothers stirred up the hornet's nest that was Simon's illegal enterprise, Daniel gained a new ghost that lives in his dreams - the woman he saved from a cage who disappeared in the chaos after the raid on Simon's operation. When he literally catches Emma as she collapses in a parking lot, he can't believe he's found the mysterious woman again. He has another chance to save her and make it right.

Emma has been hiding since her rescue from the cage. Having stumbled across some of the crimes Simon had committed, Emma knows that he will kill her to keep her quiet. Injured and alone, when she awakes in a strange place and sees the man who saved her from the cage and who has been visiting her dreams on a regular basis, she's not convinced that it's real. As she recovers, though, it becomes clear that they've reconnected and that Daniel is even more handsome and more protective than she remembered. Each is hindered by their past baggage, however, running hot and cold at times and inadvertently creating misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

I love Daniel's strength and protective nature. He doesn't realize just how capable and how much of a good man he really is. He has allowed his trauma to run his life for years. Emma is feisty and independent. She's an inspiring female lead - despite all of the trauma and loss she has faced in her short life, she continues to strive for what she wants in life. Her strength and determination will push Daniel to reexamine his insecurities. These two characters move through an engaging mystery while their connection develops. The 'watch and wait' tone of the story while the authorities try to track Simon down drive the suspense. The finale is action packed, moves at a rapid page and has a satisfying outcome.

Four stars for this suspenseful romance.

This is an honest, voluntary review of and ARC of the story.
Profile Image for Brandalyn Curry.
113 reviews3 followers
March 11, 2023
When fate brings your past back around are you strong enough to hold onto it? Daniel is a proud member of Resting Warrior Ranch and truly enjoys helping people and animals. However when your past has created not only walls but a moat around you will anything bring them down and allow people in? Daniel has helped all of his friends and their other half’s when they were in danger and doesn’t regret anything but it can be lonely. Especially when his dreams constantly remind him of the woman he saved from a cage when helping to rescue Kate and save Noah, but she disappeared as soon as she was set free. All he ever wanted to know was she safe? Emma has always just wanted to be loved and cared for and once her mom passed away she thought finding any family left would fill that wound. Fate though has an interesting way of show you that family isn’t always the people related by blood but the ones that are chosen. Fate also has a way of bringing you exactly what you have wanted, ever since Emma was rescued she’s hidden herself away to stay alive. However fate steps in and what she thought was a minor injury turns into a much more serious ordeal and she’s once again faced with the man who rescued her before. Emma has dreamt of Daniel just as he’s dreamt of her but will they be able to move beyond their pasts and find each other? Will Emma’s life be taken away if the men who wanted her dead find her again? The family at Resting Warrior Ranch love each other and always look out for one another but will they all make it out alive when the past comes back to haunt some of them? This story has kept me captivated from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. All of the characters are so beautifully written and so realistic that I can picture them in my mind. Janie Crouch and Josie Jade have such a wonderful way of drawing you into these stories and making you hold on for dear life. There is humor, terror, pain, sadness, fear, passion, steam, heat and heart stopping action all throughout this ride and I can’t wait to see where this series goes but also to revisit it OFTEN!!!!
Profile Image for Jane Royal.
202 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2023
Daniel Clark, former Navy SEAL, is the unofficial head of security at Resting Warriors Ranch outside Garnet Bend, Montana. Along with best friends and former SEALS, the men of the ranch created a safe place for PTSD therapy environment for non-military as well as military personnel. The men and their ladies, Books 1-5-really family. The bond they all share is unique to all of them. Daniel was there, when the team went to rescue Noah and Katie from a dog fighting/trafficking ring run by Simon and his Riders. Daniel found Emma locked in a cage. He set her free, thinking she was with the medical personnel getting treatment. Instead, she simply disappeared. It is on an early evening, that Emma literally collapses into Daniel’s arms. Where has she been? Why is she so severely injured with a fever of 104, a shaky PB, and before losing consciousness, she says NO HOSPITAL. And so the intrigue and adventure begins.
Daniel and Emma, unbeknownst to each other, have never forgotten the night she was rescued. Both have calming and threatening dreams about each other. The connection was instant but why? And who is Emma that she was locked in a cage for a month? What readers learn immediately is that Emma has an eidetic memory. She remembers everything she sees. And she has clues to the whereabouts of Simon and his organization. The Riders need to be eliminated permanently and Simon must be captured or killed before he carries out his threat to kill and bury Emma in a deep hole… somewhere no one will find her.
Josie Jade and Janie Crouch have continued their stories about the men and women of Garnet Bend and the ranch. Their characters are flawed and human and relatable. There is humor and wit and love and laughter and as is typical, twists and turns. They “permit” their characters to become real so that you are pulling for them to succeed and have a HEA. This is book 5 in the Montana series with more to come. Readers have found the characters as compelling as their story. Plus the authors paint a beautiful visual of Montana!! 5 Stars.
Profile Image for Nubia Souza.
514 reviews8 followers
January 23, 2025
I believe this book is great and thrilling if you are a member of the Willing Suspension of Disbelief Club. I understand that authors have their poetic license but boy... sometimes they stretch that too thin!

*** MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD ***

With so many books into the series now some things are starting to get a bit confusing. The timeline doesn't seem so right and there are glitches and holes in the story from the color of Daniel's hair changing from brown to sandy blonde along with the scene of Lucas and Evie's wedding being in a barn, then a church then a barn again. Seriously, who proofread this book??
Also, many lines are getting repetitive. The reaction of Emma seeing Daniel in a tuxedo was the same, using the exact same words of Cori seeing Grant in the occasion of Harlan and Grace's wedding. Are the authors running out of ideas that they need to steal the lines from previous books? That was just one example, there were many others.
Now, as it comes to this particular story, this plot was refreshing. Emma's true identity was definitely a shocker. I did not see that coming at all. However, I don't understand how Brandon, Kate's brother, wasn't questioned at all and how he was barely mentioned! After all, he was the one who brought all that mess to the ranch. Why wasn't he involved? I hate when a book ends and leaves me with unanswered questions. I wanted to learn about agent Phillips motives and why he was so invested in arresting Simon. I also wanted to read about the meeting the boys were going to have in the end to discuss their roles. And I want to know what happened to Brandon! I feel robbed of so much information that I couldn't appreciate the epilogue.
So, the next book will probably be the last I'll read in this series. I have zero interest in reading about Dr. Rayne or characters that we haven't even met. Specially with the repetitiveness and mistakes. But I want to be done with all the Warriors. So I can only hope that the next book will be much better.
936 reviews
March 18, 2023
This book has everything - suspense, intrigue, fast-paced action, even sex and romance,

Daniel Clark is the leader of the group of former SEALS who are in charge of the Resting Warrior Ranch. In the last book, the entire team rescued a team member who was being held captive by a vicious dog-fighting gang. When he released him, he also released Emma who was also a prisoner. Since she immediately ran away, Daniel has no idea what happened to her afterwards. However, Daniel has never forgotten her

For the last six months, Emma has been alone and laying low in an abandoned cabin. Unbeknownst to her, this cabin is very close to Daniel who she has also never forgotten. When she runs out of food, she breaks into a grocery store where she seriously injured herself. When Daniel accidentally runs into her, he takes her back to the ranch to heal.

Both Emma and Daniel are wounded souls who are not ready to become involved with anybody. But, they both already have a strong link with each other that overshadows everything else. Daniel needs to help Emma overcome her problems, and Emma, who is all alone, needs somebody to lean on while she attempts to recuperate from her injury and her captivity.

Emma and Daniel eventually fall in love with each other, and no one deserves it more than they do. Their romance is beautiful and heartwarming considering everything that both of them have been through. They are each loving, caring and generous people who are willing to place their partner’s needs first.

The reader will fall more in love with the entire community in this small town. We have met most of them before, and they all have had their own issues. They are all sympathetic, understanding people who always stand up and help each other. And, even though she is a stranger to Emma, they tenderly, warmly and unconditionally offer their friendship, love and support to her.

And readers will love the huge, electrifying, emotional conclusion!
Profile Image for Jane A.
335 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2023
Montana Freedom #6 in the Resting Warrior Ranch series is an excellent read. Daniel Clark manages the ranch and is the one the others look to for leadership, he is weighed down by the demons from his past and takes his roll very seriously absolutely determined to never lose anyone else. The dreams his PTSD bring him have been haunted by the beautiful woman he rescued from the Riders cage six months ago who simply disappears, he desperately wants to now she is alive and well.
Emma is desperate and alone, on the run from the Riders after she stumbled across their evil network and activities, trying to piece together all the information her eidetic memory has gifted her into enough to bring down their leader Simon. She trusts no one, staying hidden away is her only chance of survival knowing the Riders reach is far then fate drops her back at the feet of Daniel when badly injured she literally collapses in front of him. This time Daniel is determined to protect Emma and nurse her back to help.
Daniel and Emma's romance was sweet and sexy, both have trauma in their past but their slow awakening to the chance of a future together was perfect and moving. Daniel truly believes he doesn't deserve love in his life, that he's too old for Emma and she is far better of without him. Emma has a wise head on young shoulders and turns Daniel's logical explanation for why she isn't to blame for Simon and the Riders actions into the reason why he also shouldn't be shouldering all the guilt that tortures him about the past. Emma knows she won't be safe until Simon is caught and her presence is a threat to everybody at RWR especially as the Riders promised retribution, then the FBI get involved stirring things up even more, through it all Emma is determined to have a future with Daniel and he is equally determined to keep her safe.
There is plenty of suspense, nail biting at times, some twists and turns, lots of interaction with the rest of the men of RWR and their partners and I loved the action packed finale! A great read, I highly recommend and I can't wait for Liam and Mara's story.
I received an arc from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Miki.
1,037 reviews43 followers
March 13, 2023
The poor men " resting warrior" is not true to its name, so far, after saving Kate and Noah the group knows that the organisation they went against has put a target on their back , they try to live peacefully but Simon has other plans.

Daniel founded the resting warrior ranch but the guilt still plague him and he is not allowing himself to be happy...lately his nightmares are not about the men he lost but about the woman he freed from the cage but who disappeared after... people in cage is a trigger for him but this is even more. So when he cross path with her again his protective instinct goes overboard and he will do everything to protect Emma.

Emma was in a cage waiting to be killed until a man came and saved her....with her perfect memory she knows every detail of his face but not his name as she flew immediately once out of the cage. She knows Simon will do everything to have her killed so she is hoping to find him first without appearing on his radar but alone, without food, she gets careless and hurt and find her savior a second time.

Daniel is protective but he definitively needs Emma's point of view on his situation. I loved to see him open himself slowly with her help and the help of the other warriors. He sure is not thinking clearly and can be happy to have a trusting group on his side when FBI agents come pushing to get Emma in their reach.

Emma lived a lot already so trusting is difficult for her but she never expected to find a family at the ranch, people wanting to help her and caring even when she was still a stranger. She is a good match for Daniel.

There a lot of action, kidnapping etc but also a good dose of humour and even a bigger dose of romance to create an excellent romance suspense that can be read as stand alone but it so much better read in order to graps all teh nuance between the warrior exchanges.

To be recommanded
Profile Image for Melanie Marnell.
4,226 reviews34 followers
March 12, 2023
Montana Freedom is the latest addition to the Resting Warrior Ranch series and it's another winner. Suspense, drama, excitement, powerful emotions, secrets, recriminations, forgiveness, kidnapping and corrupt government officials all enhance a wonderful love story. Although there are definitely some intense white knuckle moments and some fast paced action, rest assured there are happy and fun filled times that come from being surrounded by and being part of a big family. But the tender romance between two people who've both dealt with so much turmoil in their lives underscores it all.

When Daniel Clark rescued Emma Derine from a cage six months ago she promptly disappeared. Since that time she's haunted his daily thoughts and nighttime freams. So when she almost falls in his lap literally he couldn't be more surprised. Emma has been in hiding all this time trying to unravel the puzzle of her kidnapper's business but is no closer to an answer than when she started. Now she's out of supplies and desparation makes her take a risk. In doing so she severely injures herself only to have the man who rescued her from the cage, save her once again. Daniel is drawn to Emma but feels he's unworthy to care about her. Slowly, as they get to know each other, he loosens the stranglehold on his feelings.The team along with the local police chief and the FBI work to locate the man responsible for Emma and Kate's kidnapping before he can come back and fulfill his promise to murder Emma. An unimaginable betrayal puts Emma in harm's way and Daniel just about loses his mind. Cooler heads prevail and emotions are locked down as the teams goes into warrior mode to rescue one of their own. Rest assured, there is an HEA.
3,559 reviews40 followers
March 14, 2023
We are back in Montana at the Resting Warrior Ranch. A ranch where a brotherhood of former Navy SEALs have created a place for those dealing with PTSD and the nightmares of war. Some of which they have experienced themselves.
Little by little they have found their soulmates and this time the story belongs to the ranch’s manager, Daniel Clark.
Daniel carries the guilt and nightmares of his last mission while enlisted. One from which he has never recovered, mentally and emotionally. A loner, he has not forgotten the woman they freed from a cage six months ago while searching for the girlfriend of one of the brothers. The same woman that disappeared that night.
Imagine his surprise when he finds her hurt and rescues her once again.
Emma Derine never expected that her father would torture and cage her. When Daniel got her out, she ran for her life and from her father. A man that is evil personified and one that wants her dead.
As Daniel and Emma spend time together , feelings develop. But her father is still out there. Will Daniel, her warrior and savior, be able to keep Emma safe?
Though this story follows the previous book it’s still a stand alone. That said, it would benefit the new readers to read the previous stories in order to enjoy the books even more.
I have to confess that some of the previous stories are still my favorites in the series, the characters in this one were well developed and the plot engaging.
I was entrusted a copy of this. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
2,555 reviews23 followers
March 15, 2023
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "MONTANA FREEDOM". This is one story your going to love reading your hooked from start to finish its full of emotional turmoil, suspense, intrigue, revenge, secrets, slow burn romance, mystery, action, twists that has you glued up your seat until finished.
Daniel Clark is one of the many retired Navy Seals that runs Resting Warriors Ranch outside Garnet Blend its a safe place for military & non-military a treatment center for PTSD & other healing purposes.
Daniel & the others went on rescue mission to get Kate & Noah back from the Riders a gang Simon is leader of there he finds a women in a cage next to Kate but after getting her out she disappears, he's been having nightly dreams about her, then when he's in town a woman collapses in his arms shocked to see its the woman he rescued.
Daniel takes a very sick Emma to the Ranch she refused to go the hospital but sure who to trust be because Simon if he finds her will kill her for what she knows about his business.
I definitely recommend to get this very interesting riviting story especially when the FBI shows up wanting to talk to Emma Derine about Simon Derine.
Daniel is with her every step of the way he's the only one she trusts to have her back when they want to use her as bait to draw out Simon, will they get their HEA when it's all over its a must read for sure.
I'm so looking forward to "MONTANA SILENCE" it's "Mara & Liam's"story can't come soon enough to see how these two get together.
PHENOMINAL HEARTWARMING ROMANCE 🖤 🖤
Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,210 reviews74 followers
March 10, 2023
Emma was rescued from a madman by Daniel and his friends from the Resting Warrior Ranch only to disappear in to thin air. It’s been months since the incident, but Daniel still dreams of her. Wondering where she’s at and if she’s okay, but he’s not holding his breath he’ll see her again. Besides, he’s messed up and not in the right head space for a relationship. So why wonder what could have been?

Emma remembers the man who set her free. However getting close to someone, even making a friend or two, is a recipe for disaster when she’s scared out of her mind and trying to stay off the grid so she can’t be found by the enemy. Finding help from another quarter is slim to nil. It wouldn’t hurt if her rescuer happened to reappear either, yet the likelihood of that happening? Well, a girl can hope.

I enjoyed Emma and Daniel’s journey. Age gap romance with a touch of slow burn, these two were meant to be from the moment they locked eyes on one another! At least Daniel doesn’t take three years to do something about it like Jude did with Lena… haha! The twists and turns of the plot added a nice element of suspense and seeing the crew helping /supporting one of their own was great, but when all was said and done, I was left super curious about Agent Phillips! He’s got a story there…

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Cathy Geha.
4,347 reviews119 followers
March 13, 2023
Montana Freedom by Janie Crouch
Resting Warrior Ranch #7

Adore this series and thoroughly enjoyed reading this addition that sees Daniel and Emma finding their happy ending on the ranch.

What I liked:
* Daniel: retired Navy SEAL, leader, responsible, serious, doing penance, has nightmares, dreams of Emma, caring, kind, conflicted, protective
* Emma: eidetic memory, kept in a cage for six months, released by Daniel and his team, disappeared, has dreams about Daniel, wants to take Simon down, young but knows what she wants
* The Resting Warrior men and their ladies…seeing and hearing about how they are doing was wonderful ~ great people creating a family of their own
* Wondering if perhaps Dr. Rayne, the psychologist and the good FBI guy might get together in a future book
* The plot, pacing, intensity, and writing
* That though Emma is young, she is quite capable of stating what she thinks and feels
* The comraderie of the men and women on the ranch and their supporters in the community
* Looking forward to Liam and Mara getting together in book 7

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how evil some people, like Simon, can be and wondering what makes them so amoral and horrible

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars
1,240 reviews10 followers
March 20, 2023
Montana Freedom is the sixth book set within the Resting Warrior Ranch series. It could read as a stand alone, but some events make more sense if you read the previous book. Daniel saved Emma once from an evil man, but after months of not being able to find her, Daniel is shocked when he saves Emma again. Facing their past, dealing with the FBI, and trying to work through some serious trauma on both sides does not make their connection any easier, but neither can they resist. But when they’re faced with danger, will he be able to keep her safe?

Oh wow, this book was incredible. I really enjoyed Daniel and Emma’s romance and their entire book from the beginning to the end. I think the authors did a fabulous job with making me feel like I was right there with the main characters, trying to figure out any of the secrets or mysteries that kept popping up. Daniel was willing to sacrifice himself for others, to atone for past mistakes, but once he went after something, he was completely focused. Emma was so smart, desperately wanted to live, and I loved that she was willing to fight not just for herself, but her future with Daniel, too! I loved their connection, all that stemmed from their dreams to their passion and love. I felt like there was so much that happened in this book, so at times it felt like a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but you also couldn’t help but cheer for their success! I really enjoyed reading this book and have loved this whole series so far!
105 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2023
Let me start by saying this book was ... well... just awesome. It is the epitimay of a great romantic suspense. I loved the dance Daniel and Emma did as they found each other and their attraction built day by day. And while they met due to a horrible situation and, while yes he was the savior to her damsel in distress, you really believe their relationship went well beyond that trope. The suspense of when the villain would show really kept you on your toes and I loved the dichotomy of that against the warmth of revisiting all the other couples.

Now I want to get at the heart of what I loved not only in this book but also in all the others in this series. It's the incredible inner dialog of the main characters. The prose used to articulate how they feel and think about themselves, their lover, their past and their present is just beautiful. You really understand the what, why, and how of their feelings and thoughts. Often in books I tend to skip over inner dialogs because they get repetitive or are too wordy or because I don't get a sense that it adds anything. Not true here. For me it's those moments that really pulled me deeper and deeper into the story.

Overall I just loved everything about this book and every book in this series. I highly recommend reading this. I can't wait to not only see what's next but also revisit everyone at Resting Warrior.
344 reviews7 followers
March 28, 2023
Ugh…this series. Excuse me while I ugly cry (in all the best ways). I love the world that Josie Jade and Janie Crouch have created. Everyone at Resting Warrior Ranch has a tragic past. That’s kind of the whole point. I have been waiting for Daniel’s story for a while. He’s been so quiet and a bit stand-offish throughout the series. I assumed it was him trying to keep a boundary since he is kind of the assumed leader. Boy was I wrong. And the real reason is heartbreaking. The thought that he felt so guilty he self-imposed this prison had me shedding tears.

And then! If that wasn’t enough, learning Emma’s story had me wrecked. The fact that she was in the cages with Kate to begin with is bad enough. But to learn why and the whole story behind it…I just can’t. I get that this is fiction but also, humans really can be this terrible. No spoilers so I won’t say more but suffice it to say that the fact that Emma is as strong, resilient, and kind is a miracle. Definitely met and even surpassed what I was hoping for Daniel and I’m glad we got some resolution about the girl he rescued. Anxiously awaiting what I hope is the next story for Mara and Liam. She’s not one to speak without a good reason and I just know that Liam’s goofball ways are masking a much deeper torment. July can’t come soon enough!
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