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Mystery Christmas #3
Mr. Taken
In Mystery, Montana, a white-hot hunk fights fire with passion…
Though he’s ridiculously handsome and notoriously funny, it’s Colter Fitzgerald’s firefighting skills that are most needed by Whitney Barstow—at first. She’s been traumatized by fire and terrified that the arsonist sabotaging Dunrovin Ranch is a madman from her past. She’s also fearful that harm will come to any man she loves, so denies her attraction to Colter. Then why is she jealous of another woman’s hands all over him?
On the eve of the ranch’s Christmas festival, Colter wants no one but Whitney, body, soul and darkest secrets. But there’s still an arsonist to stop…before what makes the season bright is Dunrovin in flames.
Though he’s ridiculously handsome and notoriously funny, it’s Colter Fitzgerald’s firefighting skills that are most needed by Whitney Barstow—at first. She’s been traumatized by fire and terrified that the arsonist sabotaging Dunrovin Ranch is a madman from her past. She’s also fearful that harm will come to any man she loves, so denies her attraction to Colter. Then why is she jealous of another woman’s hands all over him?
On the eve of the ranch’s Christmas festival, Colter wants no one but Whitney, body, soul and darkest secrets. But there’s still an arsonist to stop…before what makes the season bright is Dunrovin in flames.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 17, 2017
33 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Danica Winters
169 books510 followersDanica Winters is an Amazon bestselling author who has won multiple awards for writing books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and occasionally a touch of magic. Most recently, Danica was the winner of the Paranormal Romance Guild’s Paranormal Romantic Suspense Book of the Year Award and Chanticleer Media’s Paranormal Book of the Year for her novel Montana Mustangs.
When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.
When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 13, 2018
He was the king of gaslighting. So good, in fact, that his lawyer had ultimately taken his side and believed his lies and tried hard to prove that his client wasn't guilty.
Read that sentence. Bask in the sheer stupidity of it. Of course a lawyer is going to try their hardest to prove their client isn't guilty! THAT'S THEIR BLOODY JOB!!!! This sentence is indicative of the sheer stupidity you will encounter through every page of this astonishingly inept pile of crap.
Whitney Barstow has gotten a job at Dunrovin Ranch to escape her frightening past, in which her husband/partner (I'm not quite sure) set fire to a stable, killing her horses. He got off with a slap on the wrist, so she has had to take off for parts unknown and live off the grid in the hope that he won't track her down and try to kill her with fire again. At Dunrovin, she catches the attention of Colter Fitzgerald, a firefighter. Wouldn't you know! Whitney fights her attraction to him, because having a psychotic ex-husband/boyfriend on her tail means that falling in love will put others in danger. It seems a pyromaniac is targeting the ranch, so she obviously fears it's her ex, back for vengeance.
I just don't know where to start with this. It was awful. Maybe I should start with the positives. I liked Colter. He liked Whitney and was up for a relationship with her. He was amazingly patient with her! While she dilly-dallied, he remained steadfast in his support. I also liked the fact that this didn't rely as heavily on ill-defined tortured pasts. We get a clear idea of the fact Whitney is tormented by her experience of nearly dying in a fire - and Colter is a firefighter. Colter is a foster child, but this hasn't defined him. The conflict, if it had ever been explored properly, would have been interesting.
However, this book just doesn't get anything right. In fact, the utter incompetence of this book quite literally stunned me. The character of Whitney is very inconsistent. We know that she has an ex, Frank, in her past, who tried to kill her with fire, and ended up killing her dearly loved horses. However, we are treated to a flashback which reveals that even in high school, she knew he was a creepy stalker. Yet she went on to get married to him? Or, at least, move in with him and start a relationship? She uses Frank's continued stalking of her as the reason she can never love again, as she must protect the ranch and those within it. However, she then says that Frank has no interest in hurting the people she knows, only her. So what is it? Nothing made sense.
There's a lot of bizarre woman-on-woman-hating at play as well. Whitney is convinced that Colter still digs Sarah Rizzo, a girl he went on one date with. At times she's trying to push the two of them together, but at other times she's seething with jealousy at the idea of them together. She seems to continue the tradition of Danica Winter heroines who don't seem to know what they actually want. She even insists that Sarah is a suspect because she had motive and opportunity, but without actually elaborating on what that motive could actually be.
Whitney is haunted by her ex, Frank, but won't divulge to Colter why this stops her from engaging with him. Then she'll raise the topic of Frank, then shut down when Colter actually dares to ask more questions about it, saying she doesn't want to talk about it. So why bring it up, Whitney? And despite avoiding social media in case Frank can track her down, Whitney is suddenly happy to hook up with Colter whilst parked out the front of a convenience store, where a video camera could possibly record their every move! I mean, what the fuck is going on with this woman???
Then we have the mystery plot. As you can probably guess, it's a bust! The pyromaniac of course isn't Whitney's ex-husband/boyfriend. It's some minor character, Daryl Bucket, from the previous book, who is actually the half-brother of William Poe (a recurring sort-of villain of all books so far), acting on his behalf. They also have a grudge against the ranch and the family, but this is of course never properly elaborated upon. And here I am, wondering what the motive of Lisa Chase, from the previous book, actually was! Danica Winters isn't big on explanations!
After all of that, Whitney and Colter can live happily ever after. Never mind the fact that her ex, Frank, wasn't the pyromaniac threatening the ranch, and who is still out there! I guess that doesn't actually matter anymore! Whitney can conveniently forget all the fears that had previously dogged her throughout all the previous pages of the book! Even though they're not resolved!
When books are this bad, I start to get angry. I've provided a very long review to outline all the reasons I didn't like it, because I do actually feel bad when I leave a 1 star review. I want to make it clear why the book didn't work for me. But this was awful. Truly, truly awful! One of the worst I've read! If I didn't have a subscription to Intrigue and paid money for it, I wouldn't read anything else from this author. She's completely out of her depth. At least there's only 1 book left to go.
Read that sentence. Bask in the sheer stupidity of it. Of course a lawyer is going to try their hardest to prove their client isn't guilty! THAT'S THEIR BLOODY JOB!!!! This sentence is indicative of the sheer stupidity you will encounter through every page of this astonishingly inept pile of crap.
Whitney Barstow has gotten a job at Dunrovin Ranch to escape her frightening past, in which her husband/partner (I'm not quite sure) set fire to a stable, killing her horses. He got off with a slap on the wrist, so she has had to take off for parts unknown and live off the grid in the hope that he won't track her down and try to kill her with fire again. At Dunrovin, she catches the attention of Colter Fitzgerald, a firefighter. Wouldn't you know! Whitney fights her attraction to him, because having a psychotic ex-husband/boyfriend on her tail means that falling in love will put others in danger. It seems a pyromaniac is targeting the ranch, so she obviously fears it's her ex, back for vengeance.
I just don't know where to start with this. It was awful. Maybe I should start with the positives. I liked Colter. He liked Whitney and was up for a relationship with her. He was amazingly patient with her! While she dilly-dallied, he remained steadfast in his support. I also liked the fact that this didn't rely as heavily on ill-defined tortured pasts. We get a clear idea of the fact Whitney is tormented by her experience of nearly dying in a fire - and Colter is a firefighter. Colter is a foster child, but this hasn't defined him. The conflict, if it had ever been explored properly, would have been interesting.
However, this book just doesn't get anything right. In fact, the utter incompetence of this book quite literally stunned me. The character of Whitney is very inconsistent. We know that she has an ex, Frank, in her past, who tried to kill her with fire, and ended up killing her dearly loved horses. However, we are treated to a flashback which reveals that even in high school, she knew he was a creepy stalker. Yet she went on to get married to him? Or, at least, move in with him and start a relationship? She uses Frank's continued stalking of her as the reason she can never love again, as she must protect the ranch and those within it. However, she then says that Frank has no interest in hurting the people she knows, only her. So what is it? Nothing made sense.
There's a lot of bizarre woman-on-woman-hating at play as well. Whitney is convinced that Colter still digs Sarah Rizzo, a girl he went on one date with. At times she's trying to push the two of them together, but at other times she's seething with jealousy at the idea of them together. She seems to continue the tradition of Danica Winter heroines who don't seem to know what they actually want. She even insists that Sarah is a suspect because she had motive and opportunity, but without actually elaborating on what that motive could actually be.
Whitney is haunted by her ex, Frank, but won't divulge to Colter why this stops her from engaging with him. Then she'll raise the topic of Frank, then shut down when Colter actually dares to ask more questions about it, saying she doesn't want to talk about it. So why bring it up, Whitney? And despite avoiding social media in case Frank can track her down, Whitney is suddenly happy to hook up with Colter whilst parked out the front of a convenience store, where a video camera could possibly record their every move! I mean, what the fuck is going on with this woman???
Then we have the mystery plot. As you can probably guess, it's a bust! The pyromaniac of course isn't Whitney's ex-husband/boyfriend. It's some minor character, Daryl Bucket, from the previous book, who is actually the half-brother of William Poe (a recurring sort-of villain of all books so far), acting on his behalf. They also have a grudge against the ranch and the family, but this is of course never properly elaborated upon. And here I am, wondering what the motive of Lisa Chase, from the previous book, actually was! Danica Winters isn't big on explanations!
After all of that, Whitney and Colter can live happily ever after. Never mind the fact that her ex, Frank, wasn't the pyromaniac threatening the ranch, and who is still out there! I guess that doesn't actually matter anymore! Whitney can conveniently forget all the fears that had previously dogged her throughout all the previous pages of the book! Even though they're not resolved!
When books are this bad, I start to get angry. I've provided a very long review to outline all the reasons I didn't like it, because I do actually feel bad when I leave a 1 star review. I want to make it clear why the book didn't work for me. But this was awful. Truly, truly awful! One of the worst I've read! If I didn't have a subscription to Intrigue and paid money for it, I wouldn't read anything else from this author. She's completely out of her depth. At least there's only 1 book left to go.
January 9, 2018
Colter is a playboy, or so it seems. But he only has eyes for Whitney and is definitely taken by the attraction they have together. A one time date he had that didn't lead anywhere has Whitney not sure if Colter is truly the playboy he seems or if he's really wanting a relationship, and even despite that, because of how things happened before, she has to stay away for his own safety. Once the ranch starts to be compromised, Colter knows Whitney is hiding something and finds her in a couple of weird instances, but he believes her no matter what, especially after a long trek down the road walking the horses, rather than riding them.
There's a lot going against them as a couple and I think that's it endearing that he wouldn't give up on her! It's awesome that he wouldn't let the girl that wants him or his captain interfere! And when the chips are down, not only does Wyatt come thru and help but so does the entire community.
There's a lot going against them as a couple and I think that's it endearing that he wouldn't give up on her! It's awesome that he wouldn't let the girl that wants him or his captain interfere! And when the chips are down, not only does Wyatt come thru and help but so does the entire community.
October 20, 2017
Loving all the books in this series!!! Another story hit out of the park by Ms. Winters.
A wounded/scared heroine and a take charge gonna save her hero. Can't wait to see what is next.
A wounded/scared heroine and a take charge gonna save her hero. Can't wait to see what is next.
October 19, 2017
In the third Mystery Christmas book, Whitney Barstow works at a popular guest ranch in the wilds of Montana. Though she loves animals, she does her best to avoid the horses and the barn at Dunrovin Ranch. A while back, she nearly died in a barn fire and the memories still color her life, her choices, and her everyday thoughts.
Colter Fitzgerald is a fireman but he’s spending a lot of time at his family’s ranch to help prepare for Yule Night, an annual party his parents always throw for the community. He’s attracted to Whitney, but she can’t stand him. She has secrets, and he’s determined to uncover them. Once they finally become friends and start opening up to each other, little accidents start happening around the ranch. Some of the clues point to Whitney, and given her mysterious past, Colter wonders if he’s fallen in love with an arsonist.
This is a really good book. Whitney has been through a lot in her life and it’s made her a strong, careful person. Colter is a ladies’ man, but he’s seriously interested in Whitney. Sparks sizzle every time they’re around one another, but her fear of trusting someone and falling in love kept pushing them apart. After all, her ex is looking for her, and she may have to start running again.
Whitney’s past wasn’t fully explained. She’s on the run from her ex-husband who tried to kill her, but I don’t understand why she married him in the first place since he was already stalking and scaring her when she was a teenager. I was just confused with her backstory.
Anyway, I liked Whitney and sympathized with what she’s gone through. Colter is great and very family oriented. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
4 Stars
Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. Thank you, Danica Winters for sending me a print copy. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
Colter Fitzgerald is a fireman but he’s spending a lot of time at his family’s ranch to help prepare for Yule Night, an annual party his parents always throw for the community. He’s attracted to Whitney, but she can’t stand him. She has secrets, and he’s determined to uncover them. Once they finally become friends and start opening up to each other, little accidents start happening around the ranch. Some of the clues point to Whitney, and given her mysterious past, Colter wonders if he’s fallen in love with an arsonist.
This is a really good book. Whitney has been through a lot in her life and it’s made her a strong, careful person. Colter is a ladies’ man, but he’s seriously interested in Whitney. Sparks sizzle every time they’re around one another, but her fear of trusting someone and falling in love kept pushing them apart. After all, her ex is looking for her, and she may have to start running again.
Whitney’s past wasn’t fully explained. She’s on the run from her ex-husband who tried to kill her, but I don’t understand why she married him in the first place since he was already stalking and scaring her when she was a teenager. I was just confused with her backstory.
Anyway, I liked Whitney and sympathized with what she’s gone through. Colter is great and very family oriented. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
4 Stars
Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. Thank you, Danica Winters for sending me a print copy. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
January 29, 2018
Good addition to the series, as trouble continues to affect Dunrovin ranch and its residents. Whitney is the ranch's newest employee. She came to Montana to escape the memories of the fire that changed her life and the man who caused it. Those memories also cause her to avoid getting close to anyone and even stay away from the horses that used to be such a big part of her life.
Colter is the Fitzgerald son who has gone his own way. He loves his adopted family, but the ranch life isn't for him. He is a firefighter to the bone, which suits his protective nature. He is fun-loving and has a bit of a reputation as a ladies man. But for the last several months his focus has been on his growing feelings for Whitney.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Whitney and Colter. Because of her past and her fear of bringing trouble to them, Whitney has tried to deny her attraction to Colter. She does her best to discourage his interest in her, but Colter refuses to give up. I loved his persistence and how he finally breaks through her reserve. Whitney is still hesitant about getting involved with Colter, especially when strange things begin to happen around the ranch. She is afraid that her ex is behind them and doesn't want those she cares about to be put in danger because of her. I loved Colter's protectiveness toward her and his belief in her when others think she might be behind the latest ranch troubles. It was fun to see her try to deny her feelings for Colter at the same time she was so obviously jealous of the woman who was blatantly pursuing him. In the end, it was the depth of Colter's feelings that won her over.
The suspense of the story was very good. Just when the people of Dunrovin thought that life would get back to normal, more trouble reared its ugly head. From sabotaged barn flooring to Molotov cocktails, it's obvious that someone has it in for the ranch. Whitney is afraid that her ex has found her and is determined to finish what he started. But there is also the suspicion that it is someone who wants the ranch to fail, as the constant troubles have affected the ranch's bottom line. Colter, Whitney, and Wyatt work together to try to find the truth. A devastating fire at a local business jeopardized the ranch's community Yule celebration, putting the ranch's survival at risk. I loved the surprise that the Fitzgerald's received. But the excitement wasn't over, as the person behind the trouble made another attempt. The final confrontation was frightening, as Whitney relived the terror of her past. The culprit was a surprise twist in the story, which provides a hint of what is to come in the next book.
Colter is the Fitzgerald son who has gone his own way. He loves his adopted family, but the ranch life isn't for him. He is a firefighter to the bone, which suits his protective nature. He is fun-loving and has a bit of a reputation as a ladies man. But for the last several months his focus has been on his growing feelings for Whitney.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Whitney and Colter. Because of her past and her fear of bringing trouble to them, Whitney has tried to deny her attraction to Colter. She does her best to discourage his interest in her, but Colter refuses to give up. I loved his persistence and how he finally breaks through her reserve. Whitney is still hesitant about getting involved with Colter, especially when strange things begin to happen around the ranch. She is afraid that her ex is behind them and doesn't want those she cares about to be put in danger because of her. I loved Colter's protectiveness toward her and his belief in her when others think she might be behind the latest ranch troubles. It was fun to see her try to deny her feelings for Colter at the same time she was so obviously jealous of the woman who was blatantly pursuing him. In the end, it was the depth of Colter's feelings that won her over.
The suspense of the story was very good. Just when the people of Dunrovin thought that life would get back to normal, more trouble reared its ugly head. From sabotaged barn flooring to Molotov cocktails, it's obvious that someone has it in for the ranch. Whitney is afraid that her ex has found her and is determined to finish what he started. But there is also the suspicion that it is someone who wants the ranch to fail, as the constant troubles have affected the ranch's bottom line. Colter, Whitney, and Wyatt work together to try to find the truth. A devastating fire at a local business jeopardized the ranch's community Yule celebration, putting the ranch's survival at risk. I loved the surprise that the Fitzgerald's received. But the excitement wasn't over, as the person behind the trouble made another attempt. The final confrontation was frightening, as Whitney relived the terror of her past. The culprit was a surprise twist in the story, which provides a hint of what is to come in the next book.
October 23, 2017
The Fitzgeralds have spent their lives giving everything to the Dunrovin Ranch, their guests, and the foster kids they’ve raised. With all of the deaths and tragedy on and around Dunrovin Ranch, fewer guests are arriving and it is starting to take its toll financially and emotionally on Merle and Eloise, as they face the reality that they may lose the ranch. Maybe with a good turnout at the Yule Tide celebration, they can keep the ranch afloat, but someone seems determined to sabotage the night and the ranch’s success.
Whitney came to Dunrovin Ranch to escape the memories and trauma of her life in Kentucky. Eloise, the kind matriarch and savior of the many broken souls that have passed through the ranch, hires Whitney to help run the office and take care of the guests. Eloise knows Whitney has some skeletons in her closet and is running from something, but what she doesn’t know is that something could cost her the ranch and the lives of the people and animals on it, if her ex has finally found where she is hiding.
Whitney greets some new out of town guests to the ranch and finds herself the babysitter of the couple’s Chihuahua, who, within minutes of her new assignment, has run off and gotten himself in need of rescuing. She isn’t able to rescue the puppy alone, and has to take assistance from Colter, one of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s foster kids, and a handsome firefighter too. Too bad she has sworn off men after what her ex-husband did to her. She was determined to stay strong, independent and she was sure she didn’t need rescuing, he could save that for his day job.
True to the Mystery Christmas series by Danica Winters, it is no surprise that the Dunrovin Ranch is once again under attack by a mysterious do-no-good-er. Could it be Whitney’s ex-husband, or someone else with a vendetta against the ranch and its occupants? Colter and Whitney end up working together to try to save the ranch. Though she makes it clear she is not interested in a romantic relationship, she finds herself quite jealous of the blonde hanging all over Colter.
Danica does a great job weaving together the tension of the mystery with the tension of the characters. This was a fast read and fun to read the banter and sexual jousting of the two main characters while they work through some traumatic experiences of Whitney’s past and some even more traumatic current events. I enjoyed reading Mr. Taken and can’t wait for Danica’s next book in the Harlequin Intrigue Mystery Christmas series, Ms. Demeanor, to come out.
Whitney came to Dunrovin Ranch to escape the memories and trauma of her life in Kentucky. Eloise, the kind matriarch and savior of the many broken souls that have passed through the ranch, hires Whitney to help run the office and take care of the guests. Eloise knows Whitney has some skeletons in her closet and is running from something, but what she doesn’t know is that something could cost her the ranch and the lives of the people and animals on it, if her ex has finally found where she is hiding.
Whitney greets some new out of town guests to the ranch and finds herself the babysitter of the couple’s Chihuahua, who, within minutes of her new assignment, has run off and gotten himself in need of rescuing. She isn’t able to rescue the puppy alone, and has to take assistance from Colter, one of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s foster kids, and a handsome firefighter too. Too bad she has sworn off men after what her ex-husband did to her. She was determined to stay strong, independent and she was sure she didn’t need rescuing, he could save that for his day job.
True to the Mystery Christmas series by Danica Winters, it is no surprise that the Dunrovin Ranch is once again under attack by a mysterious do-no-good-er. Could it be Whitney’s ex-husband, or someone else with a vendetta against the ranch and its occupants? Colter and Whitney end up working together to try to save the ranch. Though she makes it clear she is not interested in a romantic relationship, she finds herself quite jealous of the blonde hanging all over Colter.
Danica does a great job weaving together the tension of the mystery with the tension of the characters. This was a fast read and fun to read the banter and sexual jousting of the two main characters while they work through some traumatic experiences of Whitney’s past and some even more traumatic current events. I enjoyed reading Mr. Taken and can’t wait for Danica’s next book in the Harlequin Intrigue Mystery Christmas series, Ms. Demeanor, to come out.
October 22, 2017
With mystery, threats, humor, and passion the story pulled me in, and I was enthralled until the early morning hours and 'the end'.
Mr. Taken has a new, different kind of tone to it compared to the previous stories, obviously colored by the hero and heroine's personalities and sizzling chemistry between them. The sarcastic, yet well-meant banter between them had me chuckling, the fervor of their feelings fanning my face. Colter Fitzgerald and Whitney Barstow have a definite spark between them, and they have much more in common than one would think at the first glance.
Colter has a great sense of humor, he is a caretaker and protector. He is not shy about his attraction and growing feeling towards Whitney, he just wishes he knew if he can truly trust her with her skittish behavior regarding the recent events at the farm. Because it is obvious Whitney is holding secrets that could put all of them in danger.
Whitney ran away from Kentucky to hide from her abusive, stalking ex who tried to kill her. She is secretive and avoiding close relationships with everyone. The lose of her family connection and beloved horses keep her away from the barn and people, yet her whole being is craving for healing and peace of mind.
She does her best to deny her attraction to Colter, yet the repeated moments of jealousy and envy tells another tale.
The story fits well into the ongoing series, and there was a natural flow to it that made it easy to follow and enjoy. The catty behavior between Sarah and Whitney was a surprise, in that hilarious, "I can't look away oh my goodness what is going on" - way.
The mystery with the attempts to sabotage the farm builds up the suspense and tension. The investigation is churning a lot of feelings, bringing strain and stress to the relationships all around.
A touch of Christmas spirit and sort of a community miracle is witnessed in the attempt to save the farm, as all come together to celebrate the Yule. Little did they know this would give an ample opportunity to anyone wanting to harm the town or the Fitzgeralds.
A delightfully intense story filled with engaging romance and gripping mystery
~ Four Spoons
Mr. Taken has a new, different kind of tone to it compared to the previous stories, obviously colored by the hero and heroine's personalities and sizzling chemistry between them. The sarcastic, yet well-meant banter between them had me chuckling, the fervor of their feelings fanning my face. Colter Fitzgerald and Whitney Barstow have a definite spark between them, and they have much more in common than one would think at the first glance.
Colter has a great sense of humor, he is a caretaker and protector. He is not shy about his attraction and growing feeling towards Whitney, he just wishes he knew if he can truly trust her with her skittish behavior regarding the recent events at the farm. Because it is obvious Whitney is holding secrets that could put all of them in danger.
Whitney ran away from Kentucky to hide from her abusive, stalking ex who tried to kill her. She is secretive and avoiding close relationships with everyone. The lose of her family connection and beloved horses keep her away from the barn and people, yet her whole being is craving for healing and peace of mind.
She does her best to deny her attraction to Colter, yet the repeated moments of jealousy and envy tells another tale.
The story fits well into the ongoing series, and there was a natural flow to it that made it easy to follow and enjoy. The catty behavior between Sarah and Whitney was a surprise, in that hilarious, "I can't look away oh my goodness what is going on" - way.
The mystery with the attempts to sabotage the farm builds up the suspense and tension. The investigation is churning a lot of feelings, bringing strain and stress to the relationships all around.
A touch of Christmas spirit and sort of a community miracle is witnessed in the attempt to save the farm, as all come together to celebrate the Yule. Little did they know this would give an ample opportunity to anyone wanting to harm the town or the Fitzgeralds.
A delightfully intense story filled with engaging romance and gripping mystery
~ Four Spoons
October 17, 2017
Whitney has evaded intimacy for almost a decade after being trapped in a barn fire by her crazy ex. Not only did he take her sense of safety but her beloved horse Rudy who died in the conflagration, and she is afraid to open herself up to anyone and risk losing them as well. She works for the Fitzgerald family on Dunrovin Ranch in the office, avoiding the horses and personal ties. But when a series of strange incidents begins to occur she is afraid that once again she is the cause.
Colter has been attracted to Whitney from the start, and can’t understand why she always seems so irritated with him. He persists however, and begins to break through her walls, just as the seriousness of the attacks on his family begin to escalate. Things come to a head during the annual Yule Night celebration on the ranch and Colter must save Whitney and his family’s livelihood before it is too late.
I really enjoyed this foray into the Mystery saga, and I think Colter may well have taken the lead as my favorite Fitzgerald brother. For me there was a difference between his and Whitney’s romance because they didn’t have ‘baggage’ between them as opposed to Wyatt/Gwen and Waylon/Christina. Both of their relationships were affected by prior history between them or in the case of Christina, her sister Alli and Wyatt. Colter and Whitney’s relationship was new, and they were really able to grow into it and it just seemed…sweeter, I guess? That’s not to say that their previous relationships didn’t affect their journey, but it wasn’t the same.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Read the full review at:
http://www.ineedtoreadthat.com/mr-tak...
Colter has been attracted to Whitney from the start, and can’t understand why she always seems so irritated with him. He persists however, and begins to break through her walls, just as the seriousness of the attacks on his family begin to escalate. Things come to a head during the annual Yule Night celebration on the ranch and Colter must save Whitney and his family’s livelihood before it is too late.
I really enjoyed this foray into the Mystery saga, and I think Colter may well have taken the lead as my favorite Fitzgerald brother. For me there was a difference between his and Whitney’s romance because they didn’t have ‘baggage’ between them as opposed to Wyatt/Gwen and Waylon/Christina. Both of their relationships were affected by prior history between them or in the case of Christina, her sister Alli and Wyatt. Colter and Whitney’s relationship was new, and they were really able to grow into it and it just seemed…sweeter, I guess? That’s not to say that their previous relationships didn’t affect their journey, but it wasn’t the same.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Read the full review at:
http://www.ineedtoreadthat.com/mr-tak...
October 20, 2017
This is the third book in this series and they need to be read in order. Colter Fitzgerald is firefighter and known as the funny brother. He has wanted the new girl at his parent’s ranch since he first saw her but she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Whitney worries that the things that have been happening at the ranch maybe because of her. She worries that a man from her past may have found her. He set her parent’s barn on fire with her in it. She worries that the people she cares about may be hurt because of her. She is tired of running and not living. She keeps pushing Colter away even though she wants her so badly. Things begin to change when Colter helps her save a dog that belongs to one of the guests. And oddly enough a woman from Colter’s past helps give them the push to move forward. Whitney can’t understand the jealousy she feels when she sees a woman with her hands all of Colter. Colter, Whitney, and Wyatt need to investigate the new things that have been happening at the ranch. Someone wants to hurt the Fitzgerald family and they need to find out who. Colter wants Whitney so badly but he knows there are things from her past and that he needs her to get to open up to him if they ever have a chance at something. He needs to prove that he is dependable and that he will protect and care for her. Whitney fears her past coming back and hurting Colter. But she is learning that she hasn’t been living and that Colter makes her want to live and be with him. Will they find out who is trying to hurt their family before it’s too late? I love all these characters so much. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens to them next. Congrats Danica on another fantastic book.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2017
With the next story in the Mystery Christmas series, Danica Winters brings us Colter Fitzgerald’s story. We’ve met different members of his family throughout the previous books and see several of them again in this one. The intrigue keeps our attention as we race against the clock to try to figure out who’s causing the problems surrounding Whitney. The romance was light and could have been built on more, but the characters were enjoyable to get to know.
Whitney Barstow has finally found a place that she enjoys and wants to stick around for with her job at Dunrovin Ranch, but when things start happening around her, she’s scared that her hidden past has caught up with her and is endangering the family around her!
Colter Fitzgerald has been crushing on Whitney since the first time he crossed paths with her on his parent’s ranch, but she’s been playing hard to get. When he finally gets her to notice him and they start to flirt with the idea of seeing each other romantically, all kinds of things start happening around the farm to make him suspicious and sends them out to figure out who’s out to harm the festival coming up at the ranch.
Whitney Barstow has finally found a place that she enjoys and wants to stick around for with her job at Dunrovin Ranch, but when things start happening around her, she’s scared that her hidden past has caught up with her and is endangering the family around her!
Colter Fitzgerald has been crushing on Whitney since the first time he crossed paths with her on his parent’s ranch, but she’s been playing hard to get. When he finally gets her to notice him and they start to flirt with the idea of seeing each other romantically, all kinds of things start happening around the farm to make him suspicious and sends them out to figure out who’s out to harm the festival coming up at the ranch.
October 21, 2017
Around Mystery, Montana everyone loves the Fitzgeralds. They are a family who go out of their way to help others. Son Colter is a firefighter. While he Is never starved for women to pay attention to him, the woman he sets his eyes and heart on is a new hire at Dunrovin Ranch.
Whitney is nice enough and goes out of her way to be polite to everyone and make the ranch guests happy. That is not always an easy task. However, her past is something of a mystery.
When dangerous things start to happen around Dunrovin, which is already having financial troubles as well as PR difficulties, everyone gets nervous about their future.
They thought that when recent murders were solved and criminals sent away things could get back to normal.
Can these two star crossed loners frind true love and some Christmas miracles?
The mystery holds and sweet romance takes its time to play out in this installment of the series.
Whitney is nice enough and goes out of her way to be polite to everyone and make the ranch guests happy. That is not always an easy task. However, her past is something of a mystery.
When dangerous things start to happen around Dunrovin, which is already having financial troubles as well as PR difficulties, everyone gets nervous about their future.
They thought that when recent murders were solved and criminals sent away things could get back to normal.
Can these two star crossed loners frind true love and some Christmas miracles?
The mystery holds and sweet romance takes its time to play out in this installment of the series.
October 17, 2017
Are you looking for an intriguing mystery that leaves you wanting more? Then Mr. Taken is the book for you.
While Mr. Taken is part of the Mystery Christmas series by Danica Winters it can absolutely be read as a stand alone book. Though it does leave you wanting to read the rest of the books in the series.
When things go from bad to worse at Dunrovin ranch Whitney Barstow begins to think that the past that she is running away from may have caught up with her.
But will the relationship that Colter Fitzgerald hopes to have with her go up in flames or will the firefighter help her fight the flames of that nightmare that keep haunting her?
I received a copy of Mr. Take by Danica Winter in exchange for an honest review.
While Mr. Taken is part of the Mystery Christmas series by Danica Winters it can absolutely be read as a stand alone book. Though it does leave you wanting to read the rest of the books in the series.
When things go from bad to worse at Dunrovin ranch Whitney Barstow begins to think that the past that she is running away from may have caught up with her.
But will the relationship that Colter Fitzgerald hopes to have with her go up in flames or will the firefighter help her fight the flames of that nightmare that keep haunting her?
I received a copy of Mr. Take by Danica Winter in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2017
Another great mystery romance set on the Dude Ranch called Dunroven, in Mystery ,Montana owned by the Fitzgerald family. A new employee , Whitney Barstow comes to work and youngest son Colton is attracted to her as soon as he meets her. Whitney tries to not be interested in the good looking fire fighter because he has a reputation with the ladies and she is trying to keep a low profile as she hides from an abusive exhusband. Someone is stirring up trouble for the ranch again. A molotove cocktail left by the gate, a board cut in the barn loft, horses left out of the barn during a blizzard,trees across access road and more serious things untill the final showdown at the Yule party that the ranch has each year. it moves at a fast pace . Can't wait to read the next one.
May 24, 2018
Danica Winters takes us back to Mystery, Montana where we meet a diverse cast, each intricately woven to make the fast-paced plot sing with layers, upon layers of edge-of-your seat intrigue. I instantly fell in love with sexy fire-fighter, Colter Fitzgerald. He is a super sexy funny guy but Whitney Barstow isn't impressed at first. What she really wants is to find the madman arsonist targeting Dunrovin Ranch before the ranch's Christmas festival. With a hectic rush of nerves, and a dash of charm, Colter is determined to find the culprit behind the fiery sabotage but what he doesn't expect is craving the irresistibly tough Whitney! Slow-burning passion and whodunit danger create a potent mix of entertainment overdrive.
Highly Recommended
4.5 Stars
October 16, 2017
Kindle Copy for Review
Colter Fitzgerald is the handsome firefighter in the family. When he meets Whitney Barstow while fighting a fire on his family ranch both are attracted to each other. But she fears to fall for any man as she believes her ex had set the fire.
It does not help that she is jealous when another women touched him. Will they get a chance to fall in love or will someone get hurt? Another fascinating story by the author in the series.
Colter Fitzgerald is the handsome firefighter in the family. When he meets Whitney Barstow while fighting a fire on his family ranch both are attracted to each other. But she fears to fall for any man as she believes her ex had set the fire.
It does not help that she is jealous when another women touched him. Will they get a chance to fall in love or will someone get hurt? Another fascinating story by the author in the series.
December 14, 2017
Mr. Taken 4.5/5 Stars!
Book 3 in the Mystery Christmas series really stepped up the game. Once again the author, Danica Winters, has made the Who/What/Why something that you couldn't see coming. You have your mind thinking the entire time that maybe it was said person, but you don't really know.
I'm loving the whole family that is present during the entire series, and I'm really sad that I only have one more book with them!
Book 3 in the Mystery Christmas series really stepped up the game. Once again the author, Danica Winters, has made the Who/What/Why something that you couldn't see coming. You have your mind thinking the entire time that maybe it was said person, but you don't really know.
I'm loving the whole family that is present during the entire series, and I'm really sad that I only have one more book with them!
January 30, 2023
This book is part of a series and has been fun to read. Each new book continues on the original storyline of someone trying to destroy a family, their home and their reputation. Each new book ties in perfectly, introducing new people to continue the saga but still keeping you in touch with the original characters. Keeps it suspenseful as well since you still don't know who or why this family is being targeted.
October 17, 2017
Mr. Taken was great! I loved it. This Authors books just keep getting better. Mr. Taken (Mystery Christmas #3) is by far my favorite. I loved Colter and Whitney's story. A great read with an exciting ending. Looking forward to Mystery Christmas #4.
I give Mr. Taken 5 stars for its great characters and intriguing read.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
I give Mr. Taken 5 stars for its great characters and intriguing read.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
October 18, 2017
This is my favorite so far in the mystery christmas series! This book has a little bit of everything: small town romance, a mystery, and a sexy hero. The hero is a firefighter and a cowboy, a great combination. The heroine has a past that she hasn't dealt with. I read it in one sitting so I could find out who the villain was. Definitely recommend!
November 1, 2017
Whitney is hiding and healing and working on the ranch in Montana, not looking for love, but trying to move forward from a tragedy in her past. Colter decides that Whitney is the girl for him and wants no other. As Colter tries to win Whitney's heart danger comes to the ranch and puts her in danger can they find the bad guy and a happily ever after. I received an early copy for an honest review.
December 11, 2017
This book is about paitence and love. For Whitney was terribly hurt in a accident sort of. Then the hero Colter is a fire fighter. Hmmm. This part of a series that keeps you hoping as to what is going to happen with this family. I have been turning the pages to see what was going to happen next because there is always something new around the corner. I'm really enjoying the whole series. J
February 5, 2018
I again missed that this was not the first book in a series and it was not a stand alone novel.
However I didn't find this out until much later and feel that it did just fine as a stand alone.
It quickly moved along and didn't leave much to chance, you sort of know certain books are going to lead us down certain paths. Yet we still open them up and devour them.
However I didn't find this out until much later and feel that it did just fine as a stand alone.
It quickly moved along and didn't leave much to chance, you sort of know certain books are going to lead us down certain paths. Yet we still open them up and devour them.
October 28, 2017
I don't know if I can find the first two books in the series but this one I loved. I will find the next book MS. DEMEANOR.
November 1, 2017
This was a wonderful book, I love the way Danica writes! It was a page turner and loved the little romance thrown in. Danica hit a home run with this book!
November 2, 2017
Nice Read
Action,action and more action.A fast moving read,that has you sitting on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Action,action and more action.A fast moving read,that has you sitting on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
November 24, 2017
Enjoyable, short read. Packs a lot of information into a relatively short book.
February 24, 2018
I just couldn't get into this one. Read a few chapters and put it down without finishing it. Didn't care for the characters at all.
November 14, 2021
Mister Taken? More like Missus Crap Writer. Full of plot holes, unlikable characters and crummy point of views bad all around
Read
December 30, 2017Received 4 1/2 stars @ harlequin.com (as of 12/30/17). To view reviews, go HERE> https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/...
Miniseries: Mystery Christmas
Miniseries: Mystery Christmas
October 21, 2017
We are back in Mystery, Montana for the 3rd installment in the series.
Colter Fitzgerald, firefighter & resident jokester can get Whitney off his mind. Whitney ran from a dark past. This book is all about letting your walls down and trusting the person you love. We finally get more questions as to who wants to taken down Dunrovin Ranch.
Mr. Taken has great character development with suspense and sweet love story. I love how passionately everyone in the Fitzgerald family loves and protects each other.
**Review by Christiann**
Colter Fitzgerald, firefighter & resident jokester can get Whitney off his mind. Whitney ran from a dark past. This book is all about letting your walls down and trusting the person you love. We finally get more questions as to who wants to taken down Dunrovin Ranch.
Mr. Taken has great character development with suspense and sweet love story. I love how passionately everyone in the Fitzgerald family loves and protects each other.
**Review by Christiann**
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