The New Deputy in Town

Whitehorse Montana #2

by B.J. Daniels

Deputy Sheriff Nick Rogers found out small-town life meant adjusting to two things--gossips and Laney Cavanaugh. And neither was much help in solving a bridal shower murder.

Some days it appeared like everyone in Whitehorse had a secret--including their new lawman. And falling for Laney wasn't a good way to maintain a low profile. Nick might have been new to Whitehorse, but he wasn't above getting his hands dirty. Even if everybody in Laney's family had it in for the victim, and they were fixing for a fight. Wedding bells were always trouble, and, unfortunately, trouble always had a way of hunting Nick down.

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

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the second book in the Whitehorse Montana series. I have not read the other books in this series before picking up this series. I read this book by listening to the audiobook for this book, and I really enjoyed this audiobook. I really got pulled into this story, and I enjoyed all the action/suspense/drama in this book. This is a fast paced book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[AG Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started off slow and so much was going on that the romance got pushed to the background. The book did pick up toward the last half, but I never really felt the connection between the couple. I think the book was over-plotted, if such a thing makes sense. Too many side stories, secondary characters, and a scattered primary plot made this a cumbersome read. It wasn't a terrible book, but I have read much better from this author.

[Suzie O'Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, for me, is an okay book. Not bad, not great. The characters are a little underdeveloped and I never really felt much for any of them. There are too many subplots to keep track of, some of which were tied up too quickly and too neatly, and much of the suspense felt heavy-handed. There are also several issues I had with the book, such as Nick's fear of water being suddenly introduced as a major factor only in the final chapters of the book. This can be attributed to the lack of character development. Another issue: Laney and Laci's mother's disappearance is mentioned enough times that I felt like I would find out eventually what really happened to her... but that isn't cleared up.

One reason I absolutely love this book and this author: BJ Daniels gets Montana. I live in and love Montana and it is difficult to find contemporary romance authors who understand and write this wonderful place. Most of this state is rural and many towns are isolated, forcing people to rely on one another, just as they do in NEW DEPUTY. I know the setting of this book and have been to many of the locations mentioned, which made this a fun read for me.

All in all, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast read to kill some time or anyone looking for a taste of Montana.

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book that relies more on quantity than quality. There are so many plots and sub-plots happening that you may forget what this book is actually supposed to be about. Mainly it is about why is Deputy Sheriff Nick Rogers, hiding out in this small town? And I do mean small -- somewhere in the vicinity of 50 people - why are men being attacked nearly every Saturday night, and why did someone poison a guest at an engagement party?

If you like somewhat logical plots like I do, stories that make sense (why would this town allow a Deputy Sheriff to be left alone in the town when he may have to run at any given moment leaving the town unprotected?), then I would say that this is not going to be the book for you. There is nearly no character development, the romance doesn't quite ring true nor is it passionate except in a rote way.

The solving of all the crime in this town is cut and dried and comes from out of the blue and you don't believe a word of it.

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

I don't like any of the characters in this book. Their lives are all full of conflicts. I mean, Life is full of conflicts, but seriously. The story too has several conflicts, though they are all connected in some ways, still it's quite plenty for such a short novel.

The romance was dull and boring. The plot is overall boring actually, like the author just added those many conflicts and fucked up characters to make the story longer.

I read Harlequin Romances whenever I want to read but doesn't want a very deep plots.

And B.J. Daniels is not really my favorite Harlequin author. I've read one other book of hers, (BRANDED), and I don't like it too. I don't know why but I find her works well-written but I can't like it. Maybe I just don't like Cowboys and Crimes anymore. Or maybe I just don't like the way she handle her characters. Too many conflicts!!!!.

I'm Sorry, maybe the genre is not just for me. :(

[Talina Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has me hooked on this author! I loved all the surprises and events all in this book. I am amazed how this author compiled the different situations into one huge story that just rocked! I was shocked at the intensity of each event as it was played out. I started reading this book and I could not stop. I sat for a couple of hours reading because I did not want to stop reading. I had to find out what was going to happen. This author ROCKS! I lOVE this book! I can't wait to read more from this author, because if the other books from this author or anything like this one .... They will be amazing!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!

[Donna Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this book, because when it started I thought this was just a book about a murderer. I read the first 3 chapters and then I really got interested in the story line. I am so glad I continued on. It is a great story and it is very well written. I plan on reading a few more of B J Daniels books. thank you so much for a great story. I highly recommend it as a great read

[Caffenero · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a freebe. And that's the good part. Because boiled fish is tastier.

[Rachel-RN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nick Rogers takes the Deputy Sheriff position in Whitehorse, MT. He has something to hide. And is that his real name? Laney is an accountant in town for her annual summer trip back home to see her family.
So, first off, I liked both Nick and Laney. This was good and held my attention. However, there was too many things going on. There's the murder, attempted murder on someone else, bar assaults, theft, and let's not forget Nick's Secret.
This also had characters that I adored (Prince and his owner Chaz!) and hated (Arlene). Arlene certainly lived in a different century.

for #rippedbodicebingo: person in uniform on cover

[Marcella · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is what they call a train wreck. I hardly know where to begin.
First of all, this is not a romance, but a whodunnit which is solved by a man and a woman. The first 3/4 of the book is devoted to a mystery.
Laney and Nick are busy solving it and I feel no sparks between them. Worse, all characters in this book, including the protagonists, are very cardboardy and seem to have one character trait at the most, almost making them caricatures.
The second plot line in the book consists of Nick moaning that he has to stay undercover 'otherwise he's dead'. He does so every few pages, so that soon gets irritating and you wish for him to get caught so you'll finally hear what it's all about. Only at the end of the book do we get the explanation why he's on the run. This plot line is implausible and riddled with holes.
Also, they seemed to have forgotten to edit this book: parts of sentences have gone missing so they don't make sense.
Lastly it's full of weird and illogical things and reasonings. E.g. a stranger turns up and Laney instantly think he's ‘surprisingly good looking’. Why is this surprising? Because he's a villain? Not only doesn't she know that yet, even if she would have known it's still a ridiculous thought.
All in all, it's a terrible book. And even worse: this was a free ebook (I'm very happy about that) because Harlequin wanted to promote this line... Well, if this is a good example of that line, count me out.

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many traumas and awful situations to deal with in this backwater town, that the writing qualities cannot make up for those and were not sufficient to make me enjoy the book.
I liked the personalities of both lead characters, the way several characters contributed to the investigations. All of that sounded quite realistic.
However all situations dealing with the villains, their motivation and traumas all coming from a past of child abuse were too much for me.
I'll not look forward another book from this author, though might give a chance to another freebie.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good mystery with interesting characters. I am reading this series out of order so knew the happily ever after was coming, but it was fun to read just how the couple managed to meet and what peril was thrown into their pathway to get them together.

I think the author really gives a wonderful sense of place in these books and I look forward to reading the next one.

[Crystal _ Reading Between the Wines Book Club]

D.N.F.
This was a Kindle freebie and I am glad for it because I just couldn't finish the book. The writing was too disjointed; there were too many things going on and too many transitions between characters in a short period of time to get a feel for the main characters of the story. It read as a jumbled mess to me.

[Lou Grantt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for something light in the romance/mystery area and found it here. A few holes in the plot but I'm not going to over analyze a book that I picked up just to pass the time.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

B. J. Daniels threw in a poisoning, attempted murder, assaults on men and love in this book about Whitehorse, Montana. You will find yourself reading as fast as you can to see how the book ends. Laney Cavanaugh and Deputy Sheriff Nick Rogers find themselves attracted to each other even though Laney is trying to investigate the poisoning on her own since her cousin is a suspect.

This is a well written book with great character development. Please find a copy and find out for yourself.

[PATRICIA KUNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was really good. A lot of twists and turns. Nick was solving mysteries but the biggest one is a murder. Laney is the woman he is looking at and interested in. They are not sure that they want to get involved but the attraction is to strong.

They overcome all the obstacles and find that love that they were meant to have.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little different, the new deputy wasn't from Whitehorse, in fact nobody knew him. He was actually a substitute law man, who tries to find the many quirks of small town living, and he falls for a girl, but there is a twist, he's being sot out by a gangster trying to kill him.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love B.J. Daniels! The cover is a little misleading because you think it's just a cowboy romance. It's much more than that. Ms. Daniels combines cowboys and suspense perfectly. There's always edge-of-your-seat action.

[Jennifer Cannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would make a decent Hallmark mystery movie. I was given the books by my mother who loved them. I personally found it a quick read and a little lacking. Each has his personal taste and again my mother loved this series so much she purchased them all.

[Diana McVicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspenseful book!

[Connie S. Koog · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Deputy!

This was a exciting read and I was impressed with the writing. You did a good job. I will be reading more of your work.

[Meera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and heartbreaking

Felt sorry for Violet when her whole family accused her of the crimes. Keller's motive for murdering Nick was a little lame.

[Danielle Mintzlaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a harlequin romance, It was pretty deep and plot-heavy.

[Lee Smeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging read

As a short work of fiction it kept drawing me back to it. A nice book to read on a lazy day.

[Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing new concept.

[Cathie McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. Real excitement happens near the end.

[Becky Griffus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick light read. Good storyline, enjoyed it.

[Kendra Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book!

[Aaron Polish · Rating 4 out of 5]

just a little more action for me, too much cooking but a 4 will do