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Sterling's Montana #1
Stroke of Luck
He’s hoping to bury the past. She’s ready to settle the score.
The Sterling Ranch’s season opening isn’t going so smoothly. With the ranch’s lodge full of guests and a Montana blizzard threatening, Will Sterling needs help—and he needs it fast. So when his childhood friend Poppy Carmichael agrees to lend a hand, he’s grateful for a second chance…and more enticed by the woman she’s become than he cares to admit.
For Poppy, it was supposed to be a retreat full of horse rides and hoedowns—with a side of showing Will what he’s been missing all these years. But as the snow deepens outside, the guests’ suspicion and mistrust turn sinister inside, catching Will and Poppy in the crosshairs.
Weathering the storm in each other’s arms is all too easy for Will and Poppy, but will a confrontation with a killer mean their reunion is short-lived?
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author B.J. Daniels starts her Sterling’s Ranch series off with a bang in this suspenseful story of romance and revenge.
The Sterling Ranch’s season opening isn’t going so smoothly. With the ranch’s lodge full of guests and a Montana blizzard threatening, Will Sterling needs help—and he needs it fast. So when his childhood friend Poppy Carmichael agrees to lend a hand, he’s grateful for a second chance…and more enticed by the woman she’s become than he cares to admit.
For Poppy, it was supposed to be a retreat full of horse rides and hoedowns—with a side of showing Will what he’s been missing all these years. But as the snow deepens outside, the guests’ suspicion and mistrust turn sinister inside, catching Will and Poppy in the crosshairs.
Weathering the storm in each other’s arms is all too easy for Will and Poppy, but will a confrontation with a killer mean their reunion is short-lived?
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author B.J. Daniels starts her Sterling’s Ranch series off with a bang in this suspenseful story of romance and revenge.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2019
450 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
B.J. Daniels
512 books1,257 followersB.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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
February 25, 2019
Mixed thoughts- Parts were good but parts got plenty of eye rolls.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first thing that struck me and frustrated me a lot was the amount of repetitive thoughts and conversations that occurred with in the first third of the book. I wanted to love this book and love the characters but this made it very difficult.
It got so annoying and frustrating that I almost stopped reading the story. After all, a 12-year-old was done wrong and 20 years later you still hold a grudge and want to get back at someone? I don’t think so. However, I am glad I hung in there because it did get better as the story developed.
The second thing that got me was this turned into a murder mystery with a romantic twist. That part of the book was great. I really enjoyed the mystery and who dun it portion. A couple of things were a little obvious but for the most part it enhanced the story quite a bit and the author added a load of great detail and twists to the story.
Overall, the book was a good read. There were several parts that came off a bit immature and cheesy where I found myself rolling my eyes multiple times throughout, especially regarding the romance portions.
However, I loved Will and his strength during the stressful times; his patience and protective nature were spot on. Poppy got on my nerves here and there. But Stroke of Luck was definitely entertaining and if you can make it through the first quarter or so of the book, you're golden.
Bonus- The recipes from the book are in the back and sound amazing. I am grabbing every one to try!!!!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/stroke-of-lu...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first thing that struck me and frustrated me a lot was the amount of repetitive thoughts and conversations that occurred with in the first third of the book. I wanted to love this book and love the characters but this made it very difficult.
It got so annoying and frustrating that I almost stopped reading the story. After all, a 12-year-old was done wrong and 20 years later you still hold a grudge and want to get back at someone? I don’t think so. However, I am glad I hung in there because it did get better as the story developed.
The second thing that got me was this turned into a murder mystery with a romantic twist. That part of the book was great. I really enjoyed the mystery and who dun it portion. A couple of things were a little obvious but for the most part it enhanced the story quite a bit and the author added a load of great detail and twists to the story.
Overall, the book was a good read. There were several parts that came off a bit immature and cheesy where I found myself rolling my eyes multiple times throughout, especially regarding the romance portions.
However, I loved Will and his strength during the stressful times; his patience and protective nature were spot on. Poppy got on my nerves here and there. But Stroke of Luck was definitely entertaining and if you can make it through the first quarter or so of the book, you're golden.
Bonus- The recipes from the book are in the back and sound amazing. I am grabbing every one to try!!!!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/stroke-of-lu...
February 18, 2019
Gripping, menacing, and taut!
Stroke of Luck is a seductive, riveting whodunit that takes us to Glacier Park, Montana where the strong, confident Poppy is determined to show her unrequited teen crush precisely what he missed out on, and the easy-going, rugged Will is struggling to keep his visitors and those he loves safe with a killer on the prowl.
The writing is sharp and crisp. The characters are complex, secretive, and intriguing. And the plot is a passionate tale filled with twists, turns, familial drama, red herrings, secrets, lies, danger, sexual attraction, mayhem, delicious food, and steamy romance.
Overall, Stroke of Luck is an action-packed, sultry, satisfying start for the new Sterling’s Montana series by Daniels that keeps you on your toes, warms the heart, and leaves you eager for me.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Stroke of Luck is a seductive, riveting whodunit that takes us to Glacier Park, Montana where the strong, confident Poppy is determined to show her unrequited teen crush precisely what he missed out on, and the easy-going, rugged Will is struggling to keep his visitors and those he loves safe with a killer on the prowl.
The writing is sharp and crisp. The characters are complex, secretive, and intriguing. And the plot is a passionate tale filled with twists, turns, familial drama, red herrings, secrets, lies, danger, sexual attraction, mayhem, delicious food, and steamy romance.
Overall, Stroke of Luck is an action-packed, sultry, satisfying start for the new Sterling’s Montana series by Daniels that keeps you on your toes, warms the heart, and leaves you eager for me.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2019
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Fair and honest review. Well, I didn't really like this one, which is really tough to say because B.J. Daniels is an author I've read and loved for years. "Stroke of Luck" just wasn't up to her usual high standard. It has a great plot but the characters are stilted and one dimensional. I just wasn't feeling the happy childhood summer or the young teen angst that was the foundation of this couple or that Will is a confirmed bachelor that no woman has been able to lasso. The mystery/suspense was a great element. If the first 80% of the book was as good as the last 20% it would have been fantastic.
Poppy Montgomery is back in Whitefish, MT after 20 years. She loved this area when she was a child and has decided to start her catering business here. The area isn't the only thing she loved and left. 12 year old Poppy left the love of her young life and the parting wasn't pretty. Is she now back to exercise a ghost or rekindle a past love? Or exact a little revenge?
Will Sterling is now the sole operator of the Sterling Guest Ranch after the death of his father. He is looking forward to making much needed improvements to the rustic ranch experience that his father ran. When he is requested to open the ranch early to accommodate a corporate retreat by an old family friend and for a substantial amount of money, he goes against his gut feeling and opens the ranch in March even though the weather can be unpredictable. When his cook breaks his leg, Dorothea, the housekeeper, is sure nothing good is going to come from this event.
Poppy agrees to cook for Will's retreat guests, the money he is offering is very good and it also gives her the opportunity to implement her plan for Will to fall for her and then to break his heart. But, apparently, it isn't true about the way to a man's heart being through his stomach, because although Will is enjoying the food, he hasn't succumbed to anything more than her culinary seduction.
Big Jack's company retreat was off to a bad start. His employees didn't want to be there and they didn't even like each other. With a Montana blizzard bearing down on them, suspicion and mistrust turn deadly catching Will and Poppy in the middle.
Fair and honest review. Well, I didn't really like this one, which is really tough to say because B.J. Daniels is an author I've read and loved for years. "Stroke of Luck" just wasn't up to her usual high standard. It has a great plot but the characters are stilted and one dimensional. I just wasn't feeling the happy childhood summer or the young teen angst that was the foundation of this couple or that Will is a confirmed bachelor that no woman has been able to lasso. The mystery/suspense was a great element. If the first 80% of the book was as good as the last 20% it would have been fantastic.
Poppy Montgomery is back in Whitefish, MT after 20 years. She loved this area when she was a child and has decided to start her catering business here. The area isn't the only thing she loved and left. 12 year old Poppy left the love of her young life and the parting wasn't pretty. Is she now back to exercise a ghost or rekindle a past love? Or exact a little revenge?
Will Sterling is now the sole operator of the Sterling Guest Ranch after the death of his father. He is looking forward to making much needed improvements to the rustic ranch experience that his father ran. When he is requested to open the ranch early to accommodate a corporate retreat by an old family friend and for a substantial amount of money, he goes against his gut feeling and opens the ranch in March even though the weather can be unpredictable. When his cook breaks his leg, Dorothea, the housekeeper, is sure nothing good is going to come from this event.
Poppy agrees to cook for Will's retreat guests, the money he is offering is very good and it also gives her the opportunity to implement her plan for Will to fall for her and then to break his heart. But, apparently, it isn't true about the way to a man's heart being through his stomach, because although Will is enjoying the food, he hasn't succumbed to anything more than her culinary seduction.
Big Jack's company retreat was off to a bad start. His employees didn't want to be there and they didn't even like each other. With a Montana blizzard bearing down on them, suspicion and mistrust turn deadly catching Will and Poppy in the middle.
May 9, 2020
B. J. Daniels has always been a "go-to read" for me and once again delivers on a romantic suspense with a white-out blizzard setting in Montana on a large vacation Ranch Retreat that has isolated the guests and staff at the Sterling Ranch and one of them is a killer ... or is there several killers?
The chemistry between Will Sterling, the ranch owner, and Poppy Carmichael, his once childhood friend/love now hired to cater the event, was strong; the romance was well worth the wait; and the ending had me concerned for everyone's safety from the killer, but finally had me loving how things work out for Poppy and Will. Family drama, red herrings, deception, danger, steamy romance, and second-chance love in an action packed thriller, with plenty of twists and turns as well as surprises to keep you guessing. Daniels’ writing is always satisfying and sharp along with her characters complex and intriguing.
The chemistry between Will Sterling, the ranch owner, and Poppy Carmichael, his once childhood friend/love now hired to cater the event, was strong; the romance was well worth the wait; and the ending had me concerned for everyone's safety from the killer, but finally had me loving how things work out for Poppy and Will. Family drama, red herrings, deception, danger, steamy romance, and second-chance love in an action packed thriller, with plenty of twists and turns as well as surprises to keep you guessing. Daniels’ writing is always satisfying and sharp along with her characters complex and intriguing.
April 3, 2025
Stroke of Luck by BJ Daniels
Sterling’s Montana series #1. Romantic suspense.
Will Sterling has agreed to open the guest ranch early even though weather in Montana can be a problem. He hires Poppy Carmichael to cook for the guests. Poppy agrees to cook hoping to make him realize what he’s been missing all the years since he broke her heart at the tender age of 12. Will thought of her as a child all those years ago but he sees her now.
A blizzard at the ranch and a dead guest has everyone looking for answers. No wifi, internet or cell phone services has the guests on edge and now a murder. It’s not the usual company retreat.
Recipes included at the end of the book.
The suspense was good and the story moved quickly. I didn’t care for the premise of a 12 year old thinking an adult left her and not caring what else may have been going on. But they are both adults now in the story and the murders take the focus of the story.
Large cast and twists lead the reader down many paths of “who is the killer”.
Sterling’s Montana series #1. Romantic suspense.
Will Sterling has agreed to open the guest ranch early even though weather in Montana can be a problem. He hires Poppy Carmichael to cook for the guests. Poppy agrees to cook hoping to make him realize what he’s been missing all the years since he broke her heart at the tender age of 12. Will thought of her as a child all those years ago but he sees her now.
A blizzard at the ranch and a dead guest has everyone looking for answers. No wifi, internet or cell phone services has the guests on edge and now a murder. It’s not the usual company retreat.
Recipes included at the end of the book.
The suspense was good and the story moved quickly. I didn’t care for the premise of a 12 year old thinking an adult left her and not caring what else may have been going on. But they are both adults now in the story and the murders take the focus of the story.
Large cast and twists lead the reader down many paths of “who is the killer”.
February 22, 2019
3.5 Stars
Will is opening his guest ranch earlier than he’d like as a special request for a long-time customer, Big Jack, the owner of a fly-fishing gear company. He wants to take a few select employees for this trip, and it was clear from the beginning this group was going to be trouble. Normally Will wouldn’t open in March since Montana weather can still be pretty brutal, and snowstorms are not uncommon. His ranch is off the beaten path so a storm could potentially strand everyone up there, so yeah, you know where this story is going.
Also, Will is minus a cook, since his regular one broke his leg, so he needs someone on short notice. This is where Poppy comes into the story. Will wouldn’t normally ask her since they didn’t part ways in such as nice way, but she was twelve and he was fifteen, would she really hold a grudge? The answer to that is yes!
Poppy does hold a grudge, because Will broke her twelve-year-old heart, but the job cooking for the lodge gives her the perfect opportunity to show Will what he’s missing now. So, this was sort of a revenge plot, but nothing I ever took very seriously. It seemed a bit juvenile, IMO, because, hello, she was twelve and he was fifteen, and what did you expect at that age?!! Also, Poppy is in her 30s now(!!), but I let it slide since she never seemed all that serious about her revenge plot.
Stroke of Luck is my first experience with B.J. Daniels, but I’ve been wanting to try her books for some time since I love romantic suspense. I enjoyed the story for the most part, but I will say the romance fell a little short, because I felt the history between Poppy and Will was glossed over. Had I got a memory from the past that showed a bond between the two, that was then crushed when Will rejected Poppy, I would’ve felt a deeper connection. While Poppy said her heart was crushed and Will knew he treated Poppy badly, I didn’t witness it. It was more of a telling instead of showing which didn’t really stir my emotions. I’ve since read in a few other reviews, stating that the character development here wasn’t quite up to Ms. Daniels’ usual quality, so maybe this is a fluke. At any rate, I hope for more in the next story. Still, I had fun with this Stroke of Luck, and I was rooting for Poppy and Will to solidify their attraction into a HEA.
Plus, the romance wasn’t the only thing happening here. The guests at the lodge are quite the hot mess, and one of them ends up murdered. And that isn’t the end of all the danger that just keeps coming! Getting to the bottom of the mystery while staying alive must be the center of our hero and heroine’s focus.
I read the excerpt for the next story, Luck of the Draw, centering on Garrett Sterling, Will’s brother, and it sounded good! I’m in!
A copy was kindly provided by HQN via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Will is opening his guest ranch earlier than he’d like as a special request for a long-time customer, Big Jack, the owner of a fly-fishing gear company. He wants to take a few select employees for this trip, and it was clear from the beginning this group was going to be trouble. Normally Will wouldn’t open in March since Montana weather can still be pretty brutal, and snowstorms are not uncommon. His ranch is off the beaten path so a storm could potentially strand everyone up there, so yeah, you know where this story is going.
Also, Will is minus a cook, since his regular one broke his leg, so he needs someone on short notice. This is where Poppy comes into the story. Will wouldn’t normally ask her since they didn’t part ways in such as nice way, but she was twelve and he was fifteen, would she really hold a grudge? The answer to that is yes!
Poppy does hold a grudge, because Will broke her twelve-year-old heart, but the job cooking for the lodge gives her the perfect opportunity to show Will what he’s missing now. So, this was sort of a revenge plot, but nothing I ever took very seriously. It seemed a bit juvenile, IMO, because, hello, she was twelve and he was fifteen, and what did you expect at that age?!! Also, Poppy is in her 30s now(!!), but I let it slide since she never seemed all that serious about her revenge plot.
Stroke of Luck is my first experience with B.J. Daniels, but I’ve been wanting to try her books for some time since I love romantic suspense. I enjoyed the story for the most part, but I will say the romance fell a little short, because I felt the history between Poppy and Will was glossed over. Had I got a memory from the past that showed a bond between the two, that was then crushed when Will rejected Poppy, I would’ve felt a deeper connection. While Poppy said her heart was crushed and Will knew he treated Poppy badly, I didn’t witness it. It was more of a telling instead of showing which didn’t really stir my emotions. I’ve since read in a few other reviews, stating that the character development here wasn’t quite up to Ms. Daniels’ usual quality, so maybe this is a fluke. At any rate, I hope for more in the next story. Still, I had fun with this Stroke of Luck, and I was rooting for Poppy and Will to solidify their attraction into a HEA.
Plus, the romance wasn’t the only thing happening here. The guests at the lodge are quite the hot mess, and one of them ends up murdered. And that isn’t the end of all the danger that just keeps coming! Getting to the bottom of the mystery while staying alive must be the center of our hero and heroine’s focus.
I read the excerpt for the next story, Luck of the Draw, centering on Garrett Sterling, Will’s brother, and it sounded good! I’m in!
A copy was kindly provided by HQN via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2019
I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.
This is a romantic suspense with a blizzard isolating the guests and staff at the Sterling Ranch with a killer amongst them . . . . and a temporary chef who may be vengeful after being scorned by the ranch owner when she was twelve and he was fifteen!
Will Sterling endeavours to ensure his first set of guests have a stay they'll never forget. However, he hadn't anticipated his cook being replaced by Poppy Carmichael, the girl whose heart he'd broken when only a teenager, or that the guests all seem to have problems relating to each other, secrets, antagonisms and more despite all being present on the orders of their mutual boss. When a blizzard traps them all together and someone is murdered, there's no escape, no help and danger all around. Add into all of that the attraction building between Will and Poppy and you've got a great read. Can they survive? Can they discover the motivation for the murder and identify the perpetrator before anyone else is killed? Will Poppy forgive Will and give them both a second chance at romance?
The plot has family drama, red herrings, deception, danger and steamy romance in an action packed thriller, with plenty of twists and turns as well as surprises to keep you guessing. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more in this series in future!
This is a romantic suspense with a blizzard isolating the guests and staff at the Sterling Ranch with a killer amongst them . . . . and a temporary chef who may be vengeful after being scorned by the ranch owner when she was twelve and he was fifteen!
Will Sterling endeavours to ensure his first set of guests have a stay they'll never forget. However, he hadn't anticipated his cook being replaced by Poppy Carmichael, the girl whose heart he'd broken when only a teenager, or that the guests all seem to have problems relating to each other, secrets, antagonisms and more despite all being present on the orders of their mutual boss. When a blizzard traps them all together and someone is murdered, there's no escape, no help and danger all around. Add into all of that the attraction building between Will and Poppy and you've got a great read. Can they survive? Can they discover the motivation for the murder and identify the perpetrator before anyone else is killed? Will Poppy forgive Will and give them both a second chance at romance?
The plot has family drama, red herrings, deception, danger and steamy romance in an action packed thriller, with plenty of twists and turns as well as surprises to keep you guessing. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more in this series in future!
March 17, 2019
A 2nd chance at romance teeming with suspense, danger and exciting, action-packed scenes...
If he’d forgotten that shy twelve-year-old whose heart he’d broken, well, she’d be happy to remind him.
Stroke of Luck heralds the opening salvo in B.J. Daniels’ new Sterling’s Montana series. Teeming with suspense, danger, and exciting, action-packed scenes, this first installment features Will Sterling and Poppy Carmichael. They were childhood friends, but their parting twenty years ago was not pretty. Now, Poppy is out for a reckoning.
Most of this story takes place at the Sterling Montana Guest Ranch located just outside Glacier Park in Whitefish, Montana. This is Will’s first year running the Ranch without his father. Will, Garrett and Shade Sterling are the owners now since their father died last year. Against Will’s best judgment, the ranch is opening early for four days to accommodate an insistent request by Big Jack Hanson who was a good friend of Will’s father. Opening early means that the ranch is short-staffed and the unpredictable weather can turn brutal quickly. Since the ranch is off the beaten path, a storm could strand guests, but Big Jack accepts the risks of holding a retreat for some of his employees at the Ranch now.
As the tale opens, Dorothea Brand, the Ranch’s housekeeper, sets the tone by insisting that “bad luck always comes in threes.” In her mind, two have already occurred. The Ranch’s cook has been laid up with a broken leg and Will has hired his old childhood friend with a probable grudge against Will to cook. Whatever could be the third? Regardless, the retreat is off to a bad start from the get-go as the unhappy employees are tense, don’t want to be there and don’t like each other.
Poppy was a successful, talented businesswoman with stunning green eyes and an assuredness about her. The last time she’d seen Will, she was twelve and he was fifteen. Now he was all man, all cowboy and a confirmed bachelor. This time around, she wants him to want her while she leaves him in her dust and breaks his heart. Will he succumb to her culinary seduction and will it play out as she’s planned?
I liked both primary characters, but while I often wish that B.J.’s books would include slightly more romance, the relationship angst herein was repetitive at times and, unfortunately, a tad too much. Also, it seemed incongruous to have a fifty-year-old housekeeper who thought she was a witch and always threatening to put curses on guests smack dab in a western guest Ranch. That said, I still enjoyed the tale.
The food in this entry had me salivating. The author even includes some delicious-sounding recipes in the back of the book. If Will brings back his old cook after experiencing Poppy’s cooking, he’s insane.
Following please find a few of my favorite lines from Stroke of Luck:
“What are old friends for?”
---
“That woman is here to destroy you,” she whispered.
---
“The two of you can’t really be thinking about… not at a time like this.“
Poppy had to laugh. “Is there a better time?”
---
“I have a killer loose on the ranch and all I can think about is kissing you again.”
Solving the mystery and keeping everyone alive with a killer or killers on the prowl must be the primary focus even as their second chance at romance stews. As always, Daniels’ writing is sharp and her characters are complex and intriguing. Even though this didn’t end up being one of my favorite B.J. Daniels’ books, it’s still a good story that kept me readily turning the pages. The edition I read included a preview of the next book, Luck of the Draw, which will feature Garrett Sterling’s story. It sounds great and I can’t wait to read it.
If he’d forgotten that shy twelve-year-old whose heart he’d broken, well, she’d be happy to remind him.
Stroke of Luck heralds the opening salvo in B.J. Daniels’ new Sterling’s Montana series. Teeming with suspense, danger, and exciting, action-packed scenes, this first installment features Will Sterling and Poppy Carmichael. They were childhood friends, but their parting twenty years ago was not pretty. Now, Poppy is out for a reckoning.
Most of this story takes place at the Sterling Montana Guest Ranch located just outside Glacier Park in Whitefish, Montana. This is Will’s first year running the Ranch without his father. Will, Garrett and Shade Sterling are the owners now since their father died last year. Against Will’s best judgment, the ranch is opening early for four days to accommodate an insistent request by Big Jack Hanson who was a good friend of Will’s father. Opening early means that the ranch is short-staffed and the unpredictable weather can turn brutal quickly. Since the ranch is off the beaten path, a storm could strand guests, but Big Jack accepts the risks of holding a retreat for some of his employees at the Ranch now.
As the tale opens, Dorothea Brand, the Ranch’s housekeeper, sets the tone by insisting that “bad luck always comes in threes.” In her mind, two have already occurred. The Ranch’s cook has been laid up with a broken leg and Will has hired his old childhood friend with a probable grudge against Will to cook. Whatever could be the third? Regardless, the retreat is off to a bad start from the get-go as the unhappy employees are tense, don’t want to be there and don’t like each other.
Poppy was a successful, talented businesswoman with stunning green eyes and an assuredness about her. The last time she’d seen Will, she was twelve and he was fifteen. Now he was all man, all cowboy and a confirmed bachelor. This time around, she wants him to want her while she leaves him in her dust and breaks his heart. Will he succumb to her culinary seduction and will it play out as she’s planned?
I liked both primary characters, but while I often wish that B.J.’s books would include slightly more romance, the relationship angst herein was repetitive at times and, unfortunately, a tad too much. Also, it seemed incongruous to have a fifty-year-old housekeeper who thought she was a witch and always threatening to put curses on guests smack dab in a western guest Ranch. That said, I still enjoyed the tale.
The food in this entry had me salivating. The author even includes some delicious-sounding recipes in the back of the book. If Will brings back his old cook after experiencing Poppy’s cooking, he’s insane.
Following please find a few of my favorite lines from Stroke of Luck:
“What are old friends for?”
---
“That woman is here to destroy you,” she whispered.
---
“The two of you can’t really be thinking about… not at a time like this.“
Poppy had to laugh. “Is there a better time?”
---
“I have a killer loose on the ranch and all I can think about is kissing you again.”
Solving the mystery and keeping everyone alive with a killer or killers on the prowl must be the primary focus even as their second chance at romance stews. As always, Daniels’ writing is sharp and her characters are complex and intriguing. Even though this didn’t end up being one of my favorite B.J. Daniels’ books, it’s still a good story that kept me readily turning the pages. The edition I read included a preview of the next book, Luck of the Draw, which will feature Garrett Sterling’s story. It sounds great and I can’t wait to read it.
November 30, 2018
**Stroke of Luck generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
3 "...like a book she hadn't read yet." Stars
Having read a couple of cowboy romance books from this author before I was excited to start a new series of the same ilk. Except what I got was a lot more than just romance. This was a crime drama and mystery moreso than a romance. The story engaged me and the characters were all well-rounded.
The author writes from the third person with a multitude of characters. It's hard to determine who the main characters are in the story throughout the middle because the romance is a bit lost by all the action happening.
Crime fiction isn't usually my go-to sub genre and I was expecting something a bit different but I found the suspense exciting and enjoyed this story. The setting was great and I loved the story of the Sterling ranch and all it's unique parts. The history provided for the main characters with a budding romance was great too. B.J. Daniels' writing gives you so much while reading it's hard not to fall into the pages.
3 "...like a book she hadn't read yet." Stars
Having read a couple of cowboy romance books from this author before I was excited to start a new series of the same ilk. Except what I got was a lot more than just romance. This was a crime drama and mystery moreso than a romance. The story engaged me and the characters were all well-rounded.
The author writes from the third person with a multitude of characters. It's hard to determine who the main characters are in the story throughout the middle because the romance is a bit lost by all the action happening.
Crime fiction isn't usually my go-to sub genre and I was expecting something a bit different but I found the suspense exciting and enjoyed this story. The setting was great and I loved the story of the Sterling ranch and all it's unique parts. The history provided for the main characters with a budding romance was great too. B.J. Daniels' writing gives you so much while reading it's hard not to fall into the pages.
February 21, 2019
Will Sterling and Poppy Carmichael have a history. Poppy had a massive crush on fifteen year old Will when she was a young girl. Like most fifteen year olds, he was only interested in the younger Poppy as a friend. Flash forward twenty years. Will runs his father’s vacation ranch and Poppy has started her own catering business. When Big Jack Hanson, a friend of Will’s father, requests that Will open the ranch before the season begins for a company retreat, he is hesitant, but caves in to the request. With his cook out with a broken leg, Will’s brother Garrett recommends Poppy. She is more than willing to take the job. This will give her the opportunity to get “revenge” on Will as he broke her heart. As the people from On The Fly arrive, Will gets a bad feeling. Soon things begin to happen. There was a reason that Big Jack had these workers, including his two sons, come up for this retreat, Big Jack is determined to find out who is trying to use his company for their own purposes.
Once again, BJ Daniels has spun a suspenseful story with many twists and turns. There’s murders, explosions, deceit, and subterfuge. Just when I thought I knew who committed the murders, a wrench was thrown into the works. Along the way, Poppy and Will discover their feelings for each other. There are many interesting characters in this book including Dorothea who constantly complains about all of the bad vibes from this group. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to other books in this series.
Once again, BJ Daniels has spun a suspenseful story with many twists and turns. There’s murders, explosions, deceit, and subterfuge. Just when I thought I knew who committed the murders, a wrench was thrown into the works. Along the way, Poppy and Will discover their feelings for each other. There are many interesting characters in this book including Dorothea who constantly complains about all of the bad vibes from this group. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to other books in this series.
June 5, 2019
Wonderful beginning to a new series! It's more suspense than romance, which is fine with me. Will and Poppy have been childhood friends so they already have some history. When a murder occurs on the ranch, there's no telling who can be trusted. This is sure to be a great series with Ms. Daniels' trademark ranchers.
February 4, 2019
3.5 from me
Cute romance but absolutely nuts plot.
Full review available on the blog: www.glimpsesofmybooks.blogspot.com
Cute romance but absolutely nuts plot.
Full review available on the blog: www.glimpsesofmybooks.blogspot.com
March 6, 2019
I would honestly hesitate to call this book a romance novel. It was more like a classic “whodunit” mystery with a second chance romance subplot. I like mysteries and some thrillers. But when I pick up a romantic suspense novel, I always expect the romance to come before the suspense, or at least be intertwined in an exciting way. STROKE OF LUCK’s plot revolves around a group of employees going to a remote ranch for a retreat. While there, company mysteries start surfacing and the group realizes there is a murderer in their mix. Also, Poppy, a caterer, is filling in as a cook at at the ranch, which happens to be owned by her old crush.
Part of the reason I had a hard time connecting with the storyline was the lack of correlation between Poppy and Will and the mystery/murder plot. The employees had their own dramas between them and Poppy and Will were on the peripheries thinking about each other at weird times. The two stars were the murder plot, which is the only thing that kept me from DNFing this book. I wanted to know what crazy things were happening with the company employees.
Besides being annoyed about the lack of romance, to be honest, I wasn’t too impressed with what little romance there was. Poppy is holding a 20+ YEAR grudge. Yes. A supposedly mature woman in her thirties is still mad about a crush she had when was 12 and the hero was 15. Please, spare me. I am going to need something more than that to rationalize why a woman would risk her burgeoning catering company for revenge.
The reasons behind the romantic plot were absurd and the actual romance was ridiculous. Poppy thinks about “seducing” Will with her supposed cooking magic all the time, and it got weird. It seemed like Poppy was using her cooking to make up for a lack of personality, and I was not impressed.
Overall, this book had a strong mystery plot which didn’t make up for a shoddy romance.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
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Part of the reason I had a hard time connecting with the storyline was the lack of correlation between Poppy and Will and the mystery/murder plot. The employees had their own dramas between them and Poppy and Will were on the peripheries thinking about each other at weird times. The two stars were the murder plot, which is the only thing that kept me from DNFing this book. I wanted to know what crazy things were happening with the company employees.
Besides being annoyed about the lack of romance, to be honest, I wasn’t too impressed with what little romance there was. Poppy is holding a 20+ YEAR grudge. Yes. A supposedly mature woman in her thirties is still mad about a crush she had when was 12 and the hero was 15. Please, spare me. I am going to need something more than that to rationalize why a woman would risk her burgeoning catering company for revenge.
The reasons behind the romantic plot were absurd and the actual romance was ridiculous. Poppy thinks about “seducing” Will with her supposed cooking magic all the time, and it got weird. It seemed like Poppy was using her cooking to make up for a lack of personality, and I was not impressed.
Overall, this book had a strong mystery plot which didn’t make up for a shoddy romance.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Find/Follow me on Twitter Instagram and my blog !!
June 4, 2019
Good combination of second chance romance and romantic suspense. Will is the oldest of the Sterling brothers and the one who has taken on the running of the family guest ranch since their father's death. He has been waiting for his chance, as he and his father used to butt heads over the differences in their visions. When an old family friends contacts Will and asks him to open the ranch early for a business retreat, Will is reluctant but agrees to do so. Family housekeeper Dorothea predicts trouble and is soon proved right. When the ranch cook breaks his leg, Will reluctantly asks childhood friend, Poppy, to lend a hand. Though friends as kids, they didn't part well twenty years earlier, and Will still feels the bite of guilt because of it.
Poppy had a massive crush on Will when she was twelve and he was fifteen. Being a typical teenage boy, Will was fine with hanging out with Poppy when there weren't girls his own age around but ignored her when there were. Will's attitude when Poppy and her dad moved away broke her heart, and she often dreamed of finding a way to avenge the girl she'd been. The call to help at the ranch gave her that chance. Poppy arrived at the ranch with one primary goal - seduce Will with her cooking, make him fall for her, and then leave him in the dust.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Poppy. Will was bowled over by Poppy's beauty, so different from the freckled faced tomboy he remembered. He's drawn to her more than he's been to any other woman, but he doesn't do commitments. Will believes that he's not capable of long-lasting relationships, and the last thing he wants to do is hurt her again. Poppy is just as surprised by the changes in Will. He's no longer the cocky, too good-looking for his own good cowboy she remembered. Instead, he's an incredibly handsome, kind, and thoughtful man, and one that she can see herself falling for all over again. Both Will and Poppy try to resist their attraction at first, but it's a losing battle. I loved the horseback riding scene when Will makes his heartfelt apology to Poppy, which put a crimp her desire for revenge. As the book progressed, it became harder for both of them to deny their growing feelings for each other. With everything that was going on, Will began to question everything he believed about himself and his future, and wonder if there was a chance for him and Poppy. It took some advice from an unexpected source for him to take action. I loved his big moment at the end. He was adorably awkward but determined. I liked that Poppy didn't make him suffer too long.
The suspense of the story was terrific. Big Jack had arranged the retreat for his two sons and several employees. It was clear from the beginning that none of them wanted to be there. I ached for the oldest son, Lamar, who was trying to save the company from his father's poor business decisions and instead had to contend with Jack's intransigence. The other son, Mick, spent more time flirting with the women than doing anything to help. Each of the other employees had secrets, fears, and generally bad attitudes about being there. Will was stuck trying to keep everything on an even keel, something that became much more difficult when one of the guests was murdered. Complicating matters, a blizzard trapped everyone on the ranch and cut off communications with the outside world. The tension increased as everyone looked at each other with suspicion. There were multiple twists and turns as first one guest then another would move to the top of my suspect list. Though some of my suspicions were confirmed, there were still a couple of things that came as a surprise. The final confrontations were intense and had me on the edge of my seat until they were all over. Will and Poppy were great, but the one who really surprised me was Dorothea.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Fortunately, I already have them, so I can dive right in!
Poppy had a massive crush on Will when she was twelve and he was fifteen. Being a typical teenage boy, Will was fine with hanging out with Poppy when there weren't girls his own age around but ignored her when there were. Will's attitude when Poppy and her dad moved away broke her heart, and she often dreamed of finding a way to avenge the girl she'd been. The call to help at the ranch gave her that chance. Poppy arrived at the ranch with one primary goal - seduce Will with her cooking, make him fall for her, and then leave him in the dust.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Poppy. Will was bowled over by Poppy's beauty, so different from the freckled faced tomboy he remembered. He's drawn to her more than he's been to any other woman, but he doesn't do commitments. Will believes that he's not capable of long-lasting relationships, and the last thing he wants to do is hurt her again. Poppy is just as surprised by the changes in Will. He's no longer the cocky, too good-looking for his own good cowboy she remembered. Instead, he's an incredibly handsome, kind, and thoughtful man, and one that she can see herself falling for all over again. Both Will and Poppy try to resist their attraction at first, but it's a losing battle. I loved the horseback riding scene when Will makes his heartfelt apology to Poppy, which put a crimp her desire for revenge. As the book progressed, it became harder for both of them to deny their growing feelings for each other. With everything that was going on, Will began to question everything he believed about himself and his future, and wonder if there was a chance for him and Poppy. It took some advice from an unexpected source for him to take action. I loved his big moment at the end. He was adorably awkward but determined. I liked that Poppy didn't make him suffer too long.
The suspense of the story was terrific. Big Jack had arranged the retreat for his two sons and several employees. It was clear from the beginning that none of them wanted to be there. I ached for the oldest son, Lamar, who was trying to save the company from his father's poor business decisions and instead had to contend with Jack's intransigence. The other son, Mick, spent more time flirting with the women than doing anything to help. Each of the other employees had secrets, fears, and generally bad attitudes about being there. Will was stuck trying to keep everything on an even keel, something that became much more difficult when one of the guests was murdered. Complicating matters, a blizzard trapped everyone on the ranch and cut off communications with the outside world. The tension increased as everyone looked at each other with suspicion. There were multiple twists and turns as first one guest then another would move to the top of my suspect list. Though some of my suspicions were confirmed, there were still a couple of things that came as a surprise. The final confrontations were intense and had me on the edge of my seat until they were all over. Will and Poppy were great, but the one who really surprised me was Dorothea.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Fortunately, I already have them, so I can dive right in!
February 14, 2019
Will Sterling was asked by Big Jack Hanson, a friend of Will's late father's, to let him use the Sterling Montana Guest Ranch for a retreat in the off-season. Will was reluctant, fearing an unexpected snow storm, and with his cook sidelined with a broken leg, it was less than ideal. Will's brother Garrett suggests he ask Poppy Carmichael, who owns a catering business. Given what had happened when they last saw each other, Will is not exactly enthused but he needs a cook. It's only four days after all. From the moment the guests arrive, the tension that surrounds Big Jack Hanson and his entourage could be cut with a knife. Dorothea, the Ranch's superstitious housekeeper, has a feeling that something bad is going to happen.
The first chapter gave me the impression of stepping into a cowboy Agatha Christie mystery; unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The slow pace, the repetitions, exposition, and stating the obvious failed to capture my attention. I felt indifferent as to what happened to whom, because I didn't feel invested in what was going on. The suspense part improved somewhat after the 75% mark, for a little while. My biggest issue though was with the romance, which might not bother most readers. Will and Poppy hadn't seen each other in twenty years. At twelve years old, Poppy was wildly in love with the then fifteen year-old Will. She had planned to use those four days to exact revenge on Will, for a peccadillo. Why would someone carry a torch for twenty years over a childhood crush? Had Poppy pined after Will for twenty years? I felt the timeline was all wrong: if only ten years had passed, it would have been more believable, particularly since Poppy has no backstory to speak of. So after twenty years, he saw her, he fell in lust with her looks then her cooking. She crushed even more on the thirty five year-old Will; for the little that was mentioned, their youthful friendship didn't come across as anything special. I thought she seemed rather pathetic, and he didn't fare much better. Dorothea, however, is marvellous, as are Lamar and Mick Hanson - Big Jack's sons - those are well-defined characters. Because of all the food and the three recipes at the end, STROKE OF LUCK reminded me more of a cozy mystery than what I expect from a B.J. Daniels romantic suspense. I'm not sure what happened with this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The first chapter gave me the impression of stepping into a cowboy Agatha Christie mystery; unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The slow pace, the repetitions, exposition, and stating the obvious failed to capture my attention. I felt indifferent as to what happened to whom, because I didn't feel invested in what was going on. The suspense part improved somewhat after the 75% mark, for a little while. My biggest issue though was with the romance, which might not bother most readers. Will and Poppy hadn't seen each other in twenty years. At twelve years old, Poppy was wildly in love with the then fifteen year-old Will. She had planned to use those four days to exact revenge on Will, for a peccadillo. Why would someone carry a torch for twenty years over a childhood crush? Had Poppy pined after Will for twenty years? I felt the timeline was all wrong: if only ten years had passed, it would have been more believable, particularly since Poppy has no backstory to speak of. So after twenty years, he saw her, he fell in lust with her looks then her cooking. She crushed even more on the thirty five year-old Will; for the little that was mentioned, their youthful friendship didn't come across as anything special. I thought she seemed rather pathetic, and he didn't fare much better. Dorothea, however, is marvellous, as are Lamar and Mick Hanson - Big Jack's sons - those are well-defined characters. Because of all the food and the three recipes at the end, STROKE OF LUCK reminded me more of a cozy mystery than what I expect from a B.J. Daniels romantic suspense. I'm not sure what happened with this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 13, 2019
I have an affection for cowboys that knows no boundaries, so when I saw this book available for request at Netgalley, I jumped on it. If you could look at my Netgalley shelf (and well, honestly, my physical bookshelf at home), you'd see exactly how much this appeals to me. Also, I've heard a ton of good things about B. J. Daniels over the years and I thought that I should finally check her out for myself.
Anyway, I'm not sure where to start this review. So much happened in this book! I went in expecting a straight forward romance, had no idea there was a mystery angle to it. Somehow, I must have completely missed 'killer' in the blurb. Note to self: read the whole description, please and thank you! However, this is a good thing because romantic suspense has become a favorite genre of mine.
The author does an excellent job of keeping the tension tight and keeping the reader from figuring out exactly who the bad guy is. I went back and forth between suspecting two or three people the entire book. Admittedly, I was not expecting it to be who it was in the end, either.
On the romantic side, the tension was high as well. Loved the back and forth between Poppy and Will. Poppy is such an upbeat and fun woman, exactly the kind of person I'd want to hang out with. Especially with the way she cooks! Will is a total cowboy, through and through, but he's not completely immune to Poppy's charms either. They are definitely meant for each other.
Okay, and I have a confession: I love a good cover and this one is gorgeous. All dark and broody with a handsome cowboy, can't get any better, right? But is it just me or does the cowboy look like Zachary Quinto in a Stetson? Not that I'm complaining, but I was curious to see if anyone else thought the same. Now, on to the next in the series because I can't wait to see what else the Sterling brothers got up to while I was away.
*Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Anyway, I'm not sure where to start this review. So much happened in this book! I went in expecting a straight forward romance, had no idea there was a mystery angle to it. Somehow, I must have completely missed 'killer' in the blurb. Note to self: read the whole description, please and thank you! However, this is a good thing because romantic suspense has become a favorite genre of mine.
The author does an excellent job of keeping the tension tight and keeping the reader from figuring out exactly who the bad guy is. I went back and forth between suspecting two or three people the entire book. Admittedly, I was not expecting it to be who it was in the end, either.
On the romantic side, the tension was high as well. Loved the back and forth between Poppy and Will. Poppy is such an upbeat and fun woman, exactly the kind of person I'd want to hang out with. Especially with the way she cooks! Will is a total cowboy, through and through, but he's not completely immune to Poppy's charms either. They are definitely meant for each other.
Okay, and I have a confession: I love a good cover and this one is gorgeous. All dark and broody with a handsome cowboy, can't get any better, right? But is it just me or does the cowboy look like Zachary Quinto in a Stetson? Not that I'm complaining, but I was curious to see if anyone else thought the same. Now, on to the next in the series because I can't wait to see what else the Sterling brothers got up to while I was away.
*Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 11, 2019
I can always count on BJ Daniels to give me a great romantic suspense novel and that's just what I got with this book! A great way to start out the new year! It's also the beginning of a new series. Will is the oldest brother who has taken over running the family guest ranch. He has been looking forward to running the guest ranch by himself since his father passed on because he wants to make some changes. However, when an old friend of his father's wants to bring his company's employees up to the ranch for a retreat too early in the season, he feels obligated to let them come. He's not ready but he lets them come anyway. His employee, Dorthea, whom I loved!!!, predicts doom and gloom will happen....and she's right! Things begin to happen from the get go! I wont give away any spoilers but one thing after another happens form the moment the guests arrive - even before they arrive! Will's "love interest" is Poppy. She's someone Will used to know when they were both young. Will hires her to be the ranch cook. I don't want to give away what their connection is but I did have kind of a hard time understanding her "mission" as to why she took the job. It seemed petty but I did like her character other than that. Lots of action and twists in the story, plus interesting characters. A great story!
February 17, 2019
Reviewed on http://bookaddict.live,
This is the first book I have read of B.J.Daniels and didn’t know what to expect, I admit I fell in love with cover and the blurb. So I was expecting a cowboy romance, but this was so much more. We have Poppy who has come back to Whitefish Montana to start her catering business.
Will runs the Guest Ranch Retreat, and its his first year and they have opened early for a special client. A four day work retreat, what could go wrong. The cook has broken his leg, and Will’s brother Garrett recommends Poppy Carmichael. Poppy and Will know each other from when they kids and hadn’t parted well.
So we have employees who don’t won’t to be there, Poppy is determined to get back at Will. Then there Dorothea who has lived on the Sterling Ranch as a housekeeper walking around saying there is something bad going to happen.
That’s just the beginning, and this book kept me gripped until the end I did not want to miss anything. It was well worth the read and I want to go back to Sterling Ranch for another adventure. This had it all, a handsome cowboy, love, murder and mayhem and right up my street. It is told in multiple povs so you get a real feel for whats going on. I’m hooked on B.J.Daniels, so go and read it yourself.
This is the first book I have read of B.J.Daniels and didn’t know what to expect, I admit I fell in love with cover and the blurb. So I was expecting a cowboy romance, but this was so much more. We have Poppy who has come back to Whitefish Montana to start her catering business.
Will runs the Guest Ranch Retreat, and its his first year and they have opened early for a special client. A four day work retreat, what could go wrong. The cook has broken his leg, and Will’s brother Garrett recommends Poppy Carmichael. Poppy and Will know each other from when they kids and hadn’t parted well.
So we have employees who don’t won’t to be there, Poppy is determined to get back at Will. Then there Dorothea who has lived on the Sterling Ranch as a housekeeper walking around saying there is something bad going to happen.
That’s just the beginning, and this book kept me gripped until the end I did not want to miss anything. It was well worth the read and I want to go back to Sterling Ranch for another adventure. This had it all, a handsome cowboy, love, murder and mayhem and right up my street. It is told in multiple povs so you get a real feel for whats going on. I’m hooked on B.J.Daniels, so go and read it yourself.
March 24, 2019
In B.J. Daniels's Stroke of Luck, another installment in the Sterling's Montana romantic suspense series, this would have you at the edge of your seat and buckle up for a thrill ride. When Poppy Carmichael received a call from Will Sterling to help temporary cater and cook at his guest ranch, she accepted and gave up with a plan. As a little girl, she had a big time crush on Will, who later broke her heart. Now years later, she runs a successful catering company and plans to put a spell over him to win his heart with his cooking. As for Will, he runs his late father's ranch and had a group of guests to join this retreat during the winter. And for the next couple of days, it stirred up nothing but trouble. While Poppy caters at Will's ranch some delicious delightful food, she wowed everyone with her meals and put her plan into motion. Will always had feelings for Poppy and thought he had everything under control... except for his own feelings. But during a storm when they're trapped in the ranch, two of the guests were murdered by one of their own people. And it's up to Poppy and Will to figure it out who the culprit or culprits were and stopped them in the tracks while they put their feelings for each other on hold. After the storm calmed down, they can focus on each other and plan a future.
February 10, 2019
3 1/2 stars
B.J. Daniels is known for her line of romantic suspense with Harlequin, and I have enjoyed past books of hers. Stroke of Luck, which begins her new Sterling's Montana series, misses the mark in two respects for me.
First off, the characterization frequently felt "off." When I read a rugged cowboy thinking that a meatball is "divine," I figure that someone in the publication of this book wasn't paying attention. I don't know anyone in my life who would say "divine" about anything without it being mockingly said, women as well as men. Also, there's some confusion as to how he felt about 12-year old Poppy when he was 15. He makes comments that seemed a little out of character, which made me scratch my head.
read more: https://saschadarlington.me/2019/02/1...
B.J. Daniels is known for her line of romantic suspense with Harlequin, and I have enjoyed past books of hers. Stroke of Luck, which begins her new Sterling's Montana series, misses the mark in two respects for me.
First off, the characterization frequently felt "off." When I read a rugged cowboy thinking that a meatball is "divine," I figure that someone in the publication of this book wasn't paying attention. I don't know anyone in my life who would say "divine" about anything without it being mockingly said, women as well as men. Also, there's some confusion as to how he felt about 12-year old Poppy when he was 15. He makes comments that seemed a little out of character, which made me scratch my head.
read more: https://saschadarlington.me/2019/02/1...
February 7, 2019
Wil and Poppy had a young love years ago and it ended on a bad note, Wil broke Poppys heart and she was determined not to let him do it again. However things do not always go as planned. Wil is having as a bit of bad luck he is running his families ranch and his cook gets hurt so he needs Poppy I mean he could handle four days with her, and so he thinks. As these do spend time together things start heating up but do they really have time to devote to it because they are surrounded by danger and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy!
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
January 30, 2019
Never read the synopsis. Saw that it had a cowboy on the cover and knew I wanted to read it. Shallow, I know. But I’m not disappointed one little bit.
This was an enjoyable suspenseful book with a smidgen of romance sprinkled on top. Did I wish it had more than a sprinkle? You bet. But with the amount of action and intrigue happening, I probably would’ve rolled my eyes if there was. This story had no time for romance.
I am glad I read it and I look forward to reading to the next one in the series. Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this early.
This was an enjoyable suspenseful book with a smidgen of romance sprinkled on top. Did I wish it had more than a sprinkle? You bet. But with the amount of action and intrigue happening, I probably would’ve rolled my eyes if there was. This story had no time for romance.
I am glad I read it and I look forward to reading to the next one in the series. Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this early.
February 13, 2019
I love a good cowboy/ranching story! And this is definitely one of those! And the start of a new series, what could be better? That didn't sell you? Add in that it's a second chance romance - kinda. Now you're in? Good, go get it! February 19th - mark your calendar!
If you like mystery and intrigue in your romance, this is the one for you. Especially because Will, Poppy and the other guests of the ranch are forced together while there's a blizzard coming. And add in that Poppy wants to avemge her unrequited crush on Will from when she was a teenager.
I think B.J. Daniels, I immediately think of romantic suspense and this book is definitely that!
If you like mystery and intrigue in your romance, this is the one for you. Especially because Will, Poppy and the other guests of the ranch are forced together while there's a blizzard coming. And add in that Poppy wants to avemge her unrequited crush on Will from when she was a teenager.
I think B.J. Daniels, I immediately think of romantic suspense and this book is definitely that!
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March 6, 2019I have no idea how I feel about this book.
March 18, 2019
The story centers around a getaway for a company during the snowy season in Montana. As a snowstorm hits the ranch, the guests are stuck with each other. They fight and complain a lot. Soon they are killed, one by one. The author throws us a few clues along the way. It's a simple romance and a simple mystery.
At the same time, the two main characters fight and fall in love. He loves the way she cooks. So the book provides recipes at the end. The romance is weak. No passion at all.
At the same time, the two main characters fight and fall in love. He loves the way she cooks. So the book provides recipes at the end. The romance is weak. No passion at all.
August 24, 2018
The book wasn't what I was expecting. I thought I was getting a western contemporary cowboy romance, but the book turned out to be more crime drama than romance. There is a little romance at the beginning of the book, and there is a little romance at the end of the book.
The middle of the book was occupied with murders that happen at the ranch while they are all snowed in together. Reminds me of an old Agatha Christie novel. Anyhow, there ends up being three people murdered in total; and there turns out to be three people who are in on the murders. And there's not that many guests who came up there.
To say that I was disappointed in the book is putting it mildly. The violence and the murder aspect just did not appeal to me at all. A lot of the book was focused on who did it, who is involved, stuff like that. It was not the book I expected.
One part of the book that I particularly remember, that I did not like, that I thought was very stupid writing, was one point where the guy and the girl were up in his apartment alone and were starting to get sexually involved. Then there's an explosion outside and he looks out the window and his barn is on fire. Now this is a ranch, and he keeps horses in his barn, and barns are important on a ranch. Yet, he stands there with her in his arms, debating on whether he wants to go outside and check on his burning barn or whether he wants to continue to pursue having sex with her. Now that was about the stupidest piece of writing I've ever read in a book, and it sort of ruins the rest of the book for me. I mean, what kind of cowboy, rancher, is he if he debates about going out to check on the burning barn!
I'm giving the book 3 stars, and I feel like I'm being generous there in giving it three stars. This is a book that had great potential but did not live up to it, and that is the writer's fault. She failed to bring out of the book all the story that was there to get.
The middle of the book was occupied with murders that happen at the ranch while they are all snowed in together. Reminds me of an old Agatha Christie novel. Anyhow, there ends up being three people murdered in total; and there turns out to be three people who are in on the murders. And there's not that many guests who came up there.
To say that I was disappointed in the book is putting it mildly. The violence and the murder aspect just did not appeal to me at all. A lot of the book was focused on who did it, who is involved, stuff like that. It was not the book I expected.
One part of the book that I particularly remember, that I did not like, that I thought was very stupid writing, was one point where the guy and the girl were up in his apartment alone and were starting to get sexually involved. Then there's an explosion outside and he looks out the window and his barn is on fire. Now this is a ranch, and he keeps horses in his barn, and barns are important on a ranch. Yet, he stands there with her in his arms, debating on whether he wants to go outside and check on his burning barn or whether he wants to continue to pursue having sex with her. Now that was about the stupidest piece of writing I've ever read in a book, and it sort of ruins the rest of the book for me. I mean, what kind of cowboy, rancher, is he if he debates about going out to check on the burning barn!
I'm giving the book 3 stars, and I feel like I'm being generous there in giving it three stars. This is a book that had great potential but did not live up to it, and that is the writer's fault. She failed to bring out of the book all the story that was there to get.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2018
When I’m ready for romantic suspense, BJ Daniels is my go to author. Her books are addicting. I can always count on lots of twists, turns, and surprises. She has such a gift for telling heart pounding and adrenaline rushing stories that you just can’t put down. And the evolving romance taking place in the midst of all the danger just makes the whole reading experience more thrilling.
Will Sterling was having a stroke of bad luck. This was his first time running the family guest ranch alone since the death of his father. Opening early for an old family friend to host a business retreat added extra stress. And when the ranch cook breaks his leg, Will is left with one option. Poppy Carmichael. His childhood friend from 20 years ago. A girl he had a history with that didn’t end well. Still, circumstances didn’t leave much choice. Besides, it was only for four days. What could possibly happen?
Poppy Carmichael recently returned to town to open her own catering business. When Will Sterling called asking her to fill in at the family ranch she’d loved as a child, she knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity for her growing business. No matter what memories it brought back. Twenty years was a long time ago but it was still hard to forget her first love. Especially when it was unrequited. Will Sterling had broken her young heart all those years ago. This was the chance she’d waited for. The retribution she’d dreamed of as a girl. She’d seduce Will with her culinary skills, show him what he’d missed out on with her, and walk away. Will Sterling was due for a reckoning and this was the perfect chance to give him a taste of his own medicine.
When Will sees Poppy again, she’s no longer the little girl with freckles, braces, and pigtails that had been smitten with him as a child. This was a woman. A slim, poised, confident, graceful woman. She was beautiful. And her cooking was amazing. Will reminded himself he wasn’t the long term kind. Best to keep her at arm’s length. He didn’t want to hurt her again. Will was no longer that impossibly good looking 15 year old cowboy who’d made Poppy’s younger self swoon. He’d grown into a gorgeous man. He was still all cowboy. And he still had the same effect on her. If she weren’t careful, she could walk away hurt all over again.
Regardless of the smoldering attraction Will felt for Poppy and the guilt he still carried for hurting her years ago, he was glad to have Poppy helping at the ranch. This was a strange assortment of guests at the ranch. Lots of sullen faces and bickering among the co-workers. Poppy was a ray of sunshine the group needed. The only time the guests didn’t fight was when Poppy amazed them with her food. She amazed him too. The best part of his day was seeing her. No one had ever made him feel like this and it terrified him. He was used to being sure footed with women. He wasn’t with her. Poppy was special. He couldn’t trust himself not to hurt her again. He had enough trouble with the guests without getting in any deeper with Poppy.
But if Will thought he had troubles now, he was in for a big surprise. As a winter storm moves in, guests start winding up dead. And with roads closed and all communication down, Will, Poppy, and the rest of the ranch find themselves trapped with a killer and trying to narrow down the suspects before anyone else gets hurt.
BJ Daniels writes the most amazing, complex characters. Even the secondary characters make the story come alive. Poppy and Will made a fabulous team. Though both strong people, they were completely unsure of what they wanted. Poppy had thought making Will hurt as much as she’d been hurt would ease her pain. But Will wasn’t 15 anymore. He was a man. A man who regretted that he’d hurt her and had apologized for his actions. That hurt was getting weaker each day she spent with him and it was making her lose focus. He had grown into a man she could love. Every day Will spent with Poppy made it harder to hide his feelings. And with the danger they were in, he felt helpless and out of control. He knew how he was with women. He got bored. No one ever made him think long term. He didn’t know what he wanted anymore. He just knew he wanted more time with Poppy to figure it out. But as the danger comes right to their door, more time is the one thing Will doesn’t have.
The secondary characters were fabulous too. Dorothea was hilarious. A regular Columbo. She added a lot of humor to the story. I loved slowly getting into the secrets of all the guests on the ranch. It seemed everyone was hiding something. Just when I’d think I had figured out whodunit, another guest would start to act suspiciously. It was like watching an Agatha Christie story play out right before my eyes. I was guessing right up until the end.
I loved the tension in this story. The tension of the escalating romance with the backdrop of the danger of a killer closing in was exhilarating. No one blends romance, mystery, and danger like BJ Daniels. And. as if the story weren’t enough to get excited about, we also get a sneak peek at brother Garrets story and some of Poppy’s mouthwatering recipes. Fans of BJ Daniels will be thrilled with this newest book. And if you are new to this author, prepare to be delighted.
Will Sterling was having a stroke of bad luck. This was his first time running the family guest ranch alone since the death of his father. Opening early for an old family friend to host a business retreat added extra stress. And when the ranch cook breaks his leg, Will is left with one option. Poppy Carmichael. His childhood friend from 20 years ago. A girl he had a history with that didn’t end well. Still, circumstances didn’t leave much choice. Besides, it was only for four days. What could possibly happen?
Poppy Carmichael recently returned to town to open her own catering business. When Will Sterling called asking her to fill in at the family ranch she’d loved as a child, she knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity for her growing business. No matter what memories it brought back. Twenty years was a long time ago but it was still hard to forget her first love. Especially when it was unrequited. Will Sterling had broken her young heart all those years ago. This was the chance she’d waited for. The retribution she’d dreamed of as a girl. She’d seduce Will with her culinary skills, show him what he’d missed out on with her, and walk away. Will Sterling was due for a reckoning and this was the perfect chance to give him a taste of his own medicine.
When Will sees Poppy again, she’s no longer the little girl with freckles, braces, and pigtails that had been smitten with him as a child. This was a woman. A slim, poised, confident, graceful woman. She was beautiful. And her cooking was amazing. Will reminded himself he wasn’t the long term kind. Best to keep her at arm’s length. He didn’t want to hurt her again. Will was no longer that impossibly good looking 15 year old cowboy who’d made Poppy’s younger self swoon. He’d grown into a gorgeous man. He was still all cowboy. And he still had the same effect on her. If she weren’t careful, she could walk away hurt all over again.
Regardless of the smoldering attraction Will felt for Poppy and the guilt he still carried for hurting her years ago, he was glad to have Poppy helping at the ranch. This was a strange assortment of guests at the ranch. Lots of sullen faces and bickering among the co-workers. Poppy was a ray of sunshine the group needed. The only time the guests didn’t fight was when Poppy amazed them with her food. She amazed him too. The best part of his day was seeing her. No one had ever made him feel like this and it terrified him. He was used to being sure footed with women. He wasn’t with her. Poppy was special. He couldn’t trust himself not to hurt her again. He had enough trouble with the guests without getting in any deeper with Poppy.
But if Will thought he had troubles now, he was in for a big surprise. As a winter storm moves in, guests start winding up dead. And with roads closed and all communication down, Will, Poppy, and the rest of the ranch find themselves trapped with a killer and trying to narrow down the suspects before anyone else gets hurt.
BJ Daniels writes the most amazing, complex characters. Even the secondary characters make the story come alive. Poppy and Will made a fabulous team. Though both strong people, they were completely unsure of what they wanted. Poppy had thought making Will hurt as much as she’d been hurt would ease her pain. But Will wasn’t 15 anymore. He was a man. A man who regretted that he’d hurt her and had apologized for his actions. That hurt was getting weaker each day she spent with him and it was making her lose focus. He had grown into a man she could love. Every day Will spent with Poppy made it harder to hide his feelings. And with the danger they were in, he felt helpless and out of control. He knew how he was with women. He got bored. No one ever made him think long term. He didn’t know what he wanted anymore. He just knew he wanted more time with Poppy to figure it out. But as the danger comes right to their door, more time is the one thing Will doesn’t have.
The secondary characters were fabulous too. Dorothea was hilarious. A regular Columbo. She added a lot of humor to the story. I loved slowly getting into the secrets of all the guests on the ranch. It seemed everyone was hiding something. Just when I’d think I had figured out whodunit, another guest would start to act suspiciously. It was like watching an Agatha Christie story play out right before my eyes. I was guessing right up until the end.
I loved the tension in this story. The tension of the escalating romance with the backdrop of the danger of a killer closing in was exhilarating. No one blends romance, mystery, and danger like BJ Daniels. And. as if the story weren’t enough to get excited about, we also get a sneak peek at brother Garrets story and some of Poppy’s mouthwatering recipes. Fans of BJ Daniels will be thrilled with this newest book. And if you are new to this author, prepare to be delighted.
April 13, 2019
Stroke of Luck is the first title in B.J. Daniels' new Sterling's Montana series, and since I've enjoyed so many of her novels, I was eager to get in at the start of a new series, but while there were parts of this novel that I really enjoyed, there were also parts that just didn't feel right to me, and for reasons I'll explain, I can only give this novel 3 stars.
Sterling's Montana centers around a remote Montana guest ranch high in the mountains, currently run by Will Sterling and a very small crew, while his brothers live and work in the cattle ranch in the valley below. The guest ranch usually doesn't open for business until May because of the weather, but Will agrees to open it in March because he's had a special request from a long-time customer, Big Jack, who owns a company which makes fly fishing vests. He wants to bring some of his employees to the ranch as a reward from the daily grind, and finally manages to talk Will into opening early for him and his staff for a 4-day retreat. But the staff is currently missing its cook, who is laid up with a broken leg, and Will scrambles to find a replacement cook to feed his guests. There is now a highly regarded catering company in the area, getting rave reviews, and he calls the owner of that business, Poppy, who, at age 12, fell in love with Will, who was 15, and Will didn't appreciate being trailed after by a 12-year-old girl with a major crush on him. On the day her family moved away, Will broke Poppy's heart, although we never learn exactly what he said to her that day, something that should have been explained in greater detail.
Poppy is surprised to hear from Will, she's been back in town for about 6 months getting her catering business off the ground, but when she accept his job offer to cook for the four day retreat, she does so in order to put her plan in motion--to win Will's heart with her cooking, make him fall in love with her, and then break his heart the way he broke hers, 20 years earlier. I found her revenge plot rather silly, childish, and rather petty for a woman of 32. Carrying a grudge for 20 years because something a 15-year-old boy said to a 12-year-old girl seemed utterly ridiculous to this reader.
When Big Jack and his employees, including Jack's two sons arrive at the ranch, none of them seem particularly happy to be there. They are rude, unpleasant, disgruntled, and put out by the fact that there is no cell phone service, no wifi, and no television at the ranch. We also don't get enough background on any of them to let us in on why they can't seem to get along with each for more than 5 minutes. Big Jack's sons question his motives and both think he's running the company into bankruptcy. While the guests all love Poppy's cooking, they can't seem to maintain any sort of civility towards one another, and you know that trouble is brewing, especially with words of doom coming from the quirky ranch housekeeper, Dorothea, who's busy casting spells, and smudging with sage, to ward off evil, and it's Dorothea who instinctively knew what Poppy planned to do to Will. It also doesn't help that there are some rather strange interactions among the guests.
What was unexpected in this novel was the murder of Big Jack. Dorothea found his dead body in the barn--and there are certainly more than enough suspects at the ranch. To make matters worse, a sudden blizzard hits the area, stranding the staff and guests, the land line phone at the ranch goes dead, and there is no way to call the sheriff or get help, and things get even worse when there's a second murder. At this point the plot reminded me of Agatha Christie's novel, Murder on the Orient Express, and as murder mysteries go, this was a good one, and it kept me guessing until Ms. Daniels finally gave us the solution to this whodunit.
While I liked Will Sterling a great deal, I never really warmed up to Poppy. I thought her revenge plot was silly, and all Will seemed to care or talk about was her cooking skills and how pretty she was--not much to build a romance around. So, this novel worked far better for me as a mystery/suspense novel than it did as a romance. Most of what romance there is in this novel happens in the epilogue with the expected HEA ending, which was too little, too late, in this reader's opinion.
This isn't a bad read, all in all, it does contain a very puzzling and well written mystery, but having read a number of Ms. Daniels other novels, this is simply not as cohesive or believable as the others I've read by her. I liked it, it kept me entertained, but it certainly wasn't as emotionally satisfying as some of her earlier novels.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Sterling's Montana centers around a remote Montana guest ranch high in the mountains, currently run by Will Sterling and a very small crew, while his brothers live and work in the cattle ranch in the valley below. The guest ranch usually doesn't open for business until May because of the weather, but Will agrees to open it in March because he's had a special request from a long-time customer, Big Jack, who owns a company which makes fly fishing vests. He wants to bring some of his employees to the ranch as a reward from the daily grind, and finally manages to talk Will into opening early for him and his staff for a 4-day retreat. But the staff is currently missing its cook, who is laid up with a broken leg, and Will scrambles to find a replacement cook to feed his guests. There is now a highly regarded catering company in the area, getting rave reviews, and he calls the owner of that business, Poppy, who, at age 12, fell in love with Will, who was 15, and Will didn't appreciate being trailed after by a 12-year-old girl with a major crush on him. On the day her family moved away, Will broke Poppy's heart, although we never learn exactly what he said to her that day, something that should have been explained in greater detail.
Poppy is surprised to hear from Will, she's been back in town for about 6 months getting her catering business off the ground, but when she accept his job offer to cook for the four day retreat, she does so in order to put her plan in motion--to win Will's heart with her cooking, make him fall in love with her, and then break his heart the way he broke hers, 20 years earlier. I found her revenge plot rather silly, childish, and rather petty for a woman of 32. Carrying a grudge for 20 years because something a 15-year-old boy said to a 12-year-old girl seemed utterly ridiculous to this reader.
When Big Jack and his employees, including Jack's two sons arrive at the ranch, none of them seem particularly happy to be there. They are rude, unpleasant, disgruntled, and put out by the fact that there is no cell phone service, no wifi, and no television at the ranch. We also don't get enough background on any of them to let us in on why they can't seem to get along with each for more than 5 minutes. Big Jack's sons question his motives and both think he's running the company into bankruptcy. While the guests all love Poppy's cooking, they can't seem to maintain any sort of civility towards one another, and you know that trouble is brewing, especially with words of doom coming from the quirky ranch housekeeper, Dorothea, who's busy casting spells, and smudging with sage, to ward off evil, and it's Dorothea who instinctively knew what Poppy planned to do to Will. It also doesn't help that there are some rather strange interactions among the guests.
What was unexpected in this novel was the murder of Big Jack. Dorothea found his dead body in the barn--and there are certainly more than enough suspects at the ranch. To make matters worse, a sudden blizzard hits the area, stranding the staff and guests, the land line phone at the ranch goes dead, and there is no way to call the sheriff or get help, and things get even worse when there's a second murder. At this point the plot reminded me of Agatha Christie's novel, Murder on the Orient Express, and as murder mysteries go, this was a good one, and it kept me guessing until Ms. Daniels finally gave us the solution to this whodunit.
While I liked Will Sterling a great deal, I never really warmed up to Poppy. I thought her revenge plot was silly, and all Will seemed to care or talk about was her cooking skills and how pretty she was--not much to build a romance around. So, this novel worked far better for me as a mystery/suspense novel than it did as a romance. Most of what romance there is in this novel happens in the epilogue with the expected HEA ending, which was too little, too late, in this reader's opinion.
This isn't a bad read, all in all, it does contain a very puzzling and well written mystery, but having read a number of Ms. Daniels other novels, this is simply not as cohesive or believable as the others I've read by her. I liked it, it kept me entertained, but it certainly wasn't as emotionally satisfying as some of her earlier novels.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
February 17, 2019
Welcome to the Sterling family guest ranch. Where third generation owners Will, Garrett and Shade Sterling are the owners, after the recent death of their father. Will runs the guest ranch while his brothers run the family cattle ranch. Poppy Carmichael has returned to the area and has started her catering business. A call from will brings her to the guest ranch. Will they become friends again like in their childhood or will her revenge work? Can they survive the early in the year guests that have brought them? Who will survive when a late winter storm arrives and there is a murderer on the loose?
Will Sterling's housekeeper is superstitious and proclaims doom. When his cook's broken leg leaves him needing some one to cook for the guests arriving that day. His brother recommends their old friend who recently returned to the area and opened a catering business, Poppy Carmichael. Will has felt guilty since he was 15 for the way he treated her when she moved away. Poppy was madly in love with him at age 12, so when he calls desperate for her help she plots the revenge she's been wanting for years. Poppy's plan seems to be working by Will's reactions to her food. Will tries to keep his distance because of the guilt and they way he's been in the past with other women. His feelings for Poppy are very strong. Poppy & Will are warned by the housekeeper about the situation. They are very strongly attracted to each other. Will is dealing with his guests who are squabbling among themselves because they don't want to be there. He senses that more is going on than is said. Poppy and Will go on a horse back ride together. Will keeps telling Poppy things he doesn't want to. A kiss and an almost chance of making love makes their situation more complicated. The predicted winter storm comes in and knocks out the only means of communication with the outside world. A guest tries to leave during the storm. Will sends a ranch hand for help. He ends up bringing back the guest who left. A murder occurs and since help can't come Will tries to keep everyone protected and get information for when the sheriff can arrive. Poppy finds a clue that disappears. Everyone is on edge but more so when there is another murder. Will has everyone write down where they were at the time of the murders. A guest asks for help and gives Will some information. Attempts are made to get rid of the dead bodies. A suspect is detained. Some one helps him escape. Two guests show up injured. A guest reveals her true identity and others reveal themselves as the murders. There is a confrontation and Poppy is taken hostage. Will tries to figure a way to him and Poppy to escape a murderer. Help arrives. Will is injured and tries to figure out his future. Poppy is heartbroken and goes back to her catering business and seeks help for her trauma. Will doesn't know what to do about his future and finally goes back to the guest ranch. A talk with his housekeeper reveals his true feelings for Poppy. Poppy receives a visitor and a proposal. Will and Poppy make love and he sees their future . They move into the cabin Poppy lived in when she was 12. Poppy has a vision of their future.
B.J. Daniels brings suspense, intrigue, and passion together in her newest series about the Sterlings in the Whitefish mountains of Montana. She starts her series with the story of the oldest brother Will Sterling and the woman he's felt guilty about how he treated her when they were teenagers. Poppy Carmichael has been in love with him since she was twelve years old. Twenty years later when she moves back to the area she gets her chance. Only things don't go as they should when murder and a winter storm and their passion and love for each other get in the way. B. J. Daniels delivers a must read with her Luck of the Draw book the first in the Sterling's Montana series. I can't wait to see what happens next when Garrett Sterling gets his chance to save the day in the next book in the series Luck of the Draw.
Will Sterling's housekeeper is superstitious and proclaims doom. When his cook's broken leg leaves him needing some one to cook for the guests arriving that day. His brother recommends their old friend who recently returned to the area and opened a catering business, Poppy Carmichael. Will has felt guilty since he was 15 for the way he treated her when she moved away. Poppy was madly in love with him at age 12, so when he calls desperate for her help she plots the revenge she's been wanting for years. Poppy's plan seems to be working by Will's reactions to her food. Will tries to keep his distance because of the guilt and they way he's been in the past with other women. His feelings for Poppy are very strong. Poppy & Will are warned by the housekeeper about the situation. They are very strongly attracted to each other. Will is dealing with his guests who are squabbling among themselves because they don't want to be there. He senses that more is going on than is said. Poppy and Will go on a horse back ride together. Will keeps telling Poppy things he doesn't want to. A kiss and an almost chance of making love makes their situation more complicated. The predicted winter storm comes in and knocks out the only means of communication with the outside world. A guest tries to leave during the storm. Will sends a ranch hand for help. He ends up bringing back the guest who left. A murder occurs and since help can't come Will tries to keep everyone protected and get information for when the sheriff can arrive. Poppy finds a clue that disappears. Everyone is on edge but more so when there is another murder. Will has everyone write down where they were at the time of the murders. A guest asks for help and gives Will some information. Attempts are made to get rid of the dead bodies. A suspect is detained. Some one helps him escape. Two guests show up injured. A guest reveals her true identity and others reveal themselves as the murders. There is a confrontation and Poppy is taken hostage. Will tries to figure a way to him and Poppy to escape a murderer. Help arrives. Will is injured and tries to figure out his future. Poppy is heartbroken and goes back to her catering business and seeks help for her trauma. Will doesn't know what to do about his future and finally goes back to the guest ranch. A talk with his housekeeper reveals his true feelings for Poppy. Poppy receives a visitor and a proposal. Will and Poppy make love and he sees their future . They move into the cabin Poppy lived in when she was 12. Poppy has a vision of their future.
B.J. Daniels brings suspense, intrigue, and passion together in her newest series about the Sterlings in the Whitefish mountains of Montana. She starts her series with the story of the oldest brother Will Sterling and the woman he's felt guilty about how he treated her when they were teenagers. Poppy Carmichael has been in love with him since she was twelve years old. Twenty years later when she moves back to the area she gets her chance. Only things don't go as they should when murder and a winter storm and their passion and love for each other get in the way. B. J. Daniels delivers a must read with her Luck of the Draw book the first in the Sterling's Montana series. I can't wait to see what happens next when Garrett Sterling gets his chance to save the day in the next book in the series Luck of the Draw.
February 26, 2019
Will Sterling should be worried that things aren't running smoothly on the ranch since it's said that bad luck comes in threes. So, when the ranch cook breaks a leg, Will has to hire someone and that person is Poppy Carmichael; his childhood friend whose heart he broke. However, when things go from bad to dangerous, can Will keep Poppy safe or will he lose her to a killer that will do anything to prevent being arrested?
Although I felt the POV of one of the secondary characters, Lamar, was in the story a tad too much and took away a little of the spotlight off the hero and heroine and their growing relationship, I really enjoyed this story. It was absolutely engaging because of the main characters and the history that is between them; and fast-paced because of the everything that's happening on the ranch when it comes to someone determined to stop anyone that could reveal their crimes. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where this story really gets interesting, as the heroine is determined to shake things up for the hero. Will the plan she has succeed?
As for the dialogue, it was intense and entertaining due to the main characters back stories and the danger the hero, heroine and the secondary characters face. Will the hero be able to keep everyone he cares about safe? Moreover, I really liked both the main characters. They're relatable, likeable and have a wonderful growing relationship that had me hoping that everything would work out for the best for the pair, even though the heroine had plans to do exactly what the hero did to her in the past that left her heartbroken.
With the heroine, she's sassy and I loved how determined she is in her plan to get back at Will for hurting her years ago, but finds herself falling in love with him all over again. I also liked how resilient and courageous she is when it comes to the danger she faces. Will she and Will be all right if they happen to come face-to-face with a killer determined to stop anyone that could derail everything they've done? While the hero, he's determined to make things on the ranch work but it doesn't seem possible with everything that is happening with first his cook being injured, then hiring Poppy who is getting under his skin, and then with the danger to his, Poppy and the ranch guests lives. Will it be possible for Will to be able to get to the bottom of who is killing the ranch guests?
Overall, BJ Daniels has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance was well worth the wait; and the ending had me worried for everyone's safety, but finally had me loving how things work out for Poppy and Will. No way can he let her get away this time. I would recommend Stroke of Luck by BJ Daniels, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the second chance romance trope or books by authors Lara Adrian, Laura Griffin, Cristin Harber and Vicki Tharp.
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