Maggie Bennett has lived for the day she could face the man who gunned down her father. When she hears that outlaw Jedidiah Dawson has finally been sighted, she refuses to be left behind. She forces her way into the posse determined to see him hang. Nothing will keep her from delivering justice for her father.
But the journey back to Bluff City is two weeks across wild country, and every step is a fight to survive. Storms cut them off from help. Enemies close in with their own deadly scores to settle. And the man shackled to her side turns out not to be the monster she imagined. Jedidiah is dangerous, yes. But he is also sharp, unflinchingly honest, and far more human than she ever allowed herself to believe.
Somewhere between survival and pursuit, Maggie’s hatred fractures. The pull between them grows stronger than fear, and the truth about her father’s death threatens to upend everything she thought she knew.
She set out to make a killer pay. Now Maggie must decide if holding on to vengeance is worth losing the only man who might truly understand her heart.
Annie Atkin is an author with a flair for writing fast-paced stories about stubborn, fiery women taking on a man’s world. Her tales remind readers that mistakes are all part of the refining process in the journey of finding inner strength.
When not writing, Annie can be found reading, wrangling her goldendoodle, and raising her own little bookworm alongside her husband in Northern Virginia.
Devil in the Daylight completely swept me away. What begins as a vengeance-driven pursuit becomes a deeply human story about truth, forgiveness, and the complicated space between right and wrong. Maggie is fierce and hurting, and watching her assumptions unravel as she journeys beside Jedidiah was incredibly compelling. Their chemistry is slow, sharp, and beautifully done - never rushed, always earned.
Atkin’s writing made the wilderness feel alive, the tension feel real, and the emotional beats hit hard. By the end, I wasn’t sure who I wanted Maggie to save more - Jedidiah or herself. A captivating, heartfelt read that lingers long after the final page. A must read!!
I enjoyed every single page of this debut novel about a girl who isn’t cut out for the life that’s expected of her. Instead of marrying and raising a family, Maggie yearns for adventure. And she finds tons of it.
The language, characters, scenery, and shape of this story had me quickly turning pages, unable to put this book down. Loved all of the secrets and twists, as well. So intrigued about what’s next for Maggie.
Devil in the Daylight is an engaging and captivating start to the Gunpowder & Honeysuckle series. Annie Atkin delivers a blend of tension, emotional depth, and strong character development that draws readers into the story from the first page. The interplay of danger and romance creates a compelling dynamic that keeps the pacing steady and exciting throughout
An absolutely fantastic story of revenge, survival, and sweeping romance full of unforgettable characters and incredibly tight writing. Great for genre fans and anyone looking for an immersive, character-driven western.