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Colt Brothers Investigation #3
Christmas Ransom
Could a second chance at forever become a ransom demand?
Former rodeo star Davy Colt traded his competition spurs for a PI license. But even after years away, he never stopped loving hometown sweetheart Carla Richmond. A robbery and hostage situation at the Lonesome bank leaves the loan officer injured and shattered. With the escaped culprit still at large, Davy will ransom his heart to the hilt to avert a deadly Christmas for Carla and their long-overdue reunion.
Former rodeo star Davy Colt traded his competition spurs for a PI license. But even after years away, he never stopped loving hometown sweetheart Carla Richmond. A robbery and hostage situation at the Lonesome bank leaves the loan officer injured and shattered. With the escaped culprit still at large, Davy will ransom his heart to the hilt to avert a deadly Christmas for Carla and their long-overdue reunion.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2022
About the author
B.J. Daniels
522 books1,277 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 79 reviews
December 1, 2022
Christmas Ransom by B.J. Daniels begins when a local low grade criminal amps it up and decides to rob a bank in his hometown of Lonesome, Montana during the Christmas season. In the process, he attempts to kidnap the executive loan officer and sets off a series of events that changes the lives of so many in Lonesome, Montana.
Davy Colt has been in love with Carla Richmond for over a decade, and their breakup devastated them both. Davy wanted Carla to ditch all responsibility and go on the rodeo circuit with him. Carla wanted to have a "normal" life with a real job, the house with the white picket fence and stability. Davy just couldn't do it. As much as he loved Carla, he felt his destiny was riding those broncs.
Now a decade later, Davy is back in town to spend the Christmas holidays with his brothers and loved ones, when he sees Carla assaulted by a robber in a Santa suit who attempted to take her as a hostage. The thief leaves her injured on the ground before making a getaway with his cohorts. Frantic to make sure that Carla is well, Davy spends his time by her bedside until she is released from the hospital, then attempts to keep her safe in one of the Colt family residences.
After Jud, the bank robber who left Carla injured, does away with his cohorts, he and his shady girlfriend, Jessie hide the stolen cash and devise a way to make Carla Richmond pay for making their lives difficult before and after the robbery. Jud and Jessie have no idea what lengths Davy and the Colt brothers will go through to keep Carla safe, but readers will find out.
The very first sentence in Christmas Ransom by B.J. Daniels had me biting my nails to the nubs. This author knows so well how to engage her readers with her well thought out storyline with its exciting twists and turns and the characters that make you want to know them better, become family even. This second chance romance made my heart sing while the heist and goings on around the crime, kept me on the edge on my seat. A typical B.J Daniels perfect read! I have been away from this genre for a bit, but I am so glad that I am back and full force into reading this amazing series from this stupendous author. B.J Daniels deserves accolades for keeping her books fresh and exciting in a world of average.
P.S. There is a FBI Agent named Robert Grover, who you will hate as much as the criminals in this. Go grab this book.
~KIMBERLY~
Davy Colt has been in love with Carla Richmond for over a decade, and their breakup devastated them both. Davy wanted Carla to ditch all responsibility and go on the rodeo circuit with him. Carla wanted to have a "normal" life with a real job, the house with the white picket fence and stability. Davy just couldn't do it. As much as he loved Carla, he felt his destiny was riding those broncs.
Now a decade later, Davy is back in town to spend the Christmas holidays with his brothers and loved ones, when he sees Carla assaulted by a robber in a Santa suit who attempted to take her as a hostage. The thief leaves her injured on the ground before making a getaway with his cohorts. Frantic to make sure that Carla is well, Davy spends his time by her bedside until she is released from the hospital, then attempts to keep her safe in one of the Colt family residences.
After Jud, the bank robber who left Carla injured, does away with his cohorts, he and his shady girlfriend, Jessie hide the stolen cash and devise a way to make Carla Richmond pay for making their lives difficult before and after the robbery. Jud and Jessie have no idea what lengths Davy and the Colt brothers will go through to keep Carla safe, but readers will find out.
The very first sentence in Christmas Ransom by B.J. Daniels had me biting my nails to the nubs. This author knows so well how to engage her readers with her well thought out storyline with its exciting twists and turns and the characters that make you want to know them better, become family even. This second chance romance made my heart sing while the heist and goings on around the crime, kept me on the edge on my seat. A typical B.J Daniels perfect read! I have been away from this genre for a bit, but I am so glad that I am back and full force into reading this amazing series from this stupendous author. B.J Daniels deserves accolades for keeping her books fresh and exciting in a world of average.
P.S. There is a FBI Agent named Robert Grover, who you will hate as much as the criminals in this. Go grab this book.
~KIMBERLY~
December 29, 2022
It was really good now I must go back and catch up with what went on with the brothers and their stories that I missed as it's bugging me...lol.
November 20, 2022
Good book, but let me start by correcting some things from the synopsis. Davy is NOT a former rodeo star. When the book opens, he has come home to spend the holidays with his brothers before returning to the rodeo circuit. Nor has he gotten a PI license. It is correct that he never stopped loving his high school sweetheart, Carla.
Ten years earlier, after graduation, Davy told Carla he was going on the rodeo circuit rather than going to college with her. He wanted her to marry him and come along. But Carla didn't want to give up her dreams either and gave Davy an ultimatum: her or the rodeo. Both were broken-hearted but went their separate ways. After college, Carla returned to Lonesome to take care of her mother and took a job at the local bank. After her mother's death, Carla stayed on, choosing her career and stability.
Fast forward to the present day. Carla has never forgotten Davy and her feelings for him. She sometimes wonders what would have happened if she'd gone with him. When she runs into one of his brothers, she asks about Davy, which gets back to him. This motivates him to pay her a visit at the bank, hoping they may try again. Unfortunately for Davy, the meeting doesn't go well, as Carla is still entrenched in place, and he is still a rodeo cowboy. It looks like history repeats itself, as neither one seems interested in compromising. That changes when Carla is injured during a bank robbery, and Davy is determined to protect her.
The story's suspense is a little different than usual, as we know who the bad guys are from the beginning. The villain's motivation is clear, as well as how desperation leads to stupid decisions. The villain's psychotic girlfriend complicates matters. Carla sees something during the bank robbery that puts a target on her back, and Davy is determined to keep her safe. Carla is at a disadvantage because the FBI agents investigating the case believe it was an inside job and fixate on Carla as their prime suspect. Despite the information she provides the agents, they seem uninterested in pursuing any other line of investigation.
While Davy's PI brothers go to work looking into the information Carla knows, Davy and Carla set out to do some investigating of their own. The villain's girlfriend is incredibly determined to stop Carla permanently, and the number and intensity of the attacks on Carla escalate throughout the book. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that kept me glued to the pages until it was over. I admit that I would like to have seen the FBI agents with egg on their faces over their incompetence, but they seem to get off easy.
I liked seeing the rekindling of Carla and Davy's relationship. Davy freely admits to his brothers that he never stopped loving Carla. Unfortunately, Carla fights her feelings from the start. She feels guilty about how she treated him back in the day but is still convinced there is no future for them. Davy won my heart with his tender and determined care for her, while I wanted to shake Carla for being so stubborn. But when it was time for Davy to return to the rodeo, Carla had a decision to make. Does she go with Davy or play it safe? For Davy, is it time to quit the rodeo or stick it out a few more years? Each battles pride and heart before realizing that love is the most important thing they have.
The series mystery involves getting to the truth behind their father's death. They suspect a cover-up by the former sheriff but have no proof. Very little was addressed in this book. The final brother, Willie, joins the sheriff's department at the end here, putting him in a position to investigate further.
#netgalley
Ten years earlier, after graduation, Davy told Carla he was going on the rodeo circuit rather than going to college with her. He wanted her to marry him and come along. But Carla didn't want to give up her dreams either and gave Davy an ultimatum: her or the rodeo. Both were broken-hearted but went their separate ways. After college, Carla returned to Lonesome to take care of her mother and took a job at the local bank. After her mother's death, Carla stayed on, choosing her career and stability.
Fast forward to the present day. Carla has never forgotten Davy and her feelings for him. She sometimes wonders what would have happened if she'd gone with him. When she runs into one of his brothers, she asks about Davy, which gets back to him. This motivates him to pay her a visit at the bank, hoping they may try again. Unfortunately for Davy, the meeting doesn't go well, as Carla is still entrenched in place, and he is still a rodeo cowboy. It looks like history repeats itself, as neither one seems interested in compromising. That changes when Carla is injured during a bank robbery, and Davy is determined to protect her.
The story's suspense is a little different than usual, as we know who the bad guys are from the beginning. The villain's motivation is clear, as well as how desperation leads to stupid decisions. The villain's psychotic girlfriend complicates matters. Carla sees something during the bank robbery that puts a target on her back, and Davy is determined to keep her safe. Carla is at a disadvantage because the FBI agents investigating the case believe it was an inside job and fixate on Carla as their prime suspect. Despite the information she provides the agents, they seem uninterested in pursuing any other line of investigation.
While Davy's PI brothers go to work looking into the information Carla knows, Davy and Carla set out to do some investigating of their own. The villain's girlfriend is incredibly determined to stop Carla permanently, and the number and intensity of the attacks on Carla escalate throughout the book. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that kept me glued to the pages until it was over. I admit that I would like to have seen the FBI agents with egg on their faces over their incompetence, but they seem to get off easy.
I liked seeing the rekindling of Carla and Davy's relationship. Davy freely admits to his brothers that he never stopped loving Carla. Unfortunately, Carla fights her feelings from the start. She feels guilty about how she treated him back in the day but is still convinced there is no future for them. Davy won my heart with his tender and determined care for her, while I wanted to shake Carla for being so stubborn. But when it was time for Davy to return to the rodeo, Carla had a decision to make. Does she go with Davy or play it safe? For Davy, is it time to quit the rodeo or stick it out a few more years? Each battles pride and heart before realizing that love is the most important thing they have.
The series mystery involves getting to the truth behind their father's death. They suspect a cover-up by the former sheriff but have no proof. Very little was addressed in this book. The final brother, Willie, joins the sheriff's department at the end here, putting him in a position to investigate further.
#netgalley
September 29, 2022
I am always a huge fan of B.J. Daniels and this time was no different. She is always able to write a novel that pulls me in from page one and doesn't let me go until the very last sentence. Whenever I see one of her books hit the shelves, I'm right there grabbing it up as quickly as I can. They are the kind of books that you can't wait to start but you're sad when they're done.
I think a lot of people can relate to meeting up with a high school sweetheart later on in life. And I also think a lot of people can relate to going in different directions as that high school sweetheart. Carla never meant to stay in her small town but she also never planned to run off with Davy. She knew that he was a rodeo cowboy at heart and even though she didn't expect him to make it his career, she wasn't really surprised either. But she also ended up staying in that small town after doing her best to take care of her mom after she got sick. And Davy was always in a different place riding and only stopping by to visit family here and there, never staying long.
This didn't play like typical romantic suspense and I liked it. The villain was pointed out right from the beginning. It had me understanding the motive behind their decision, though I of course didn't agree with it. But in the beginning, I could understand how their desperation and wanting to get themselves out of trouble led them to make stupid decisions. Jud was doing what he thought he had to in order to stay alive, keep Jesse alive, and get himself out of trouble. There were loan sharks after him and he had to do something. Jud also felt like he had tried every other avenue before resorting to robbery. But, as they do, things went from bad to worse very quickly. And messing with Carla was the biggest mistake Jud could have made. Especially with Davy back in town. Because he wasn't going to leave until he knew that Carla was no longer in danger.
I do have to say, the FBI agents in this one really had me agitated. I didn't like the way they treated Carla right off the bat. I understand their job was to find the ones responsible for the bank robbery, and that everyone is a suspect. But they didn't seem to take into consideration what happened to Carla and instead wanted to treat her like the perpetrator. Sure, the possibility is always going to be there that a bank robbery is an inside job. It's probably similar to generally suspecting the spouse when someone is murdered. But they weren't even giving Carla a chance to heal before they were peppering her with questions and making veiled accusations. I was not a fan of them at all. Davy and his brothers were the only ones handling the investigation the way it should have been handled and I respected them all the more because of it.
This book kept me hooked from start to finish. And it had me feeling all of the emotions along the way. I was rooting for Davy and Carla from chapter one and I never stopped. Davy was as determined as they come and I really felt his struggle when it came to doing his best to help Carla and going back to his dream career. Even though the villain was revealed early on, that didn't take anything away from the mystery that was presented. There was still more than enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat and wondering what was going to happen next. The romance and sense of family were both done extremely well, something not unusual with B.J. Daniels at the helm. I can't recommend this one enough!
I think a lot of people can relate to meeting up with a high school sweetheart later on in life. And I also think a lot of people can relate to going in different directions as that high school sweetheart. Carla never meant to stay in her small town but she also never planned to run off with Davy. She knew that he was a rodeo cowboy at heart and even though she didn't expect him to make it his career, she wasn't really surprised either. But she also ended up staying in that small town after doing her best to take care of her mom after she got sick. And Davy was always in a different place riding and only stopping by to visit family here and there, never staying long.
This didn't play like typical romantic suspense and I liked it. The villain was pointed out right from the beginning. It had me understanding the motive behind their decision, though I of course didn't agree with it. But in the beginning, I could understand how their desperation and wanting to get themselves out of trouble led them to make stupid decisions. Jud was doing what he thought he had to in order to stay alive, keep Jesse alive, and get himself out of trouble. There were loan sharks after him and he had to do something. Jud also felt like he had tried every other avenue before resorting to robbery. But, as they do, things went from bad to worse very quickly. And messing with Carla was the biggest mistake Jud could have made. Especially with Davy back in town. Because he wasn't going to leave until he knew that Carla was no longer in danger.
I do have to say, the FBI agents in this one really had me agitated. I didn't like the way they treated Carla right off the bat. I understand their job was to find the ones responsible for the bank robbery, and that everyone is a suspect. But they didn't seem to take into consideration what happened to Carla and instead wanted to treat her like the perpetrator. Sure, the possibility is always going to be there that a bank robbery is an inside job. It's probably similar to generally suspecting the spouse when someone is murdered. But they weren't even giving Carla a chance to heal before they were peppering her with questions and making veiled accusations. I was not a fan of them at all. Davy and his brothers were the only ones handling the investigation the way it should have been handled and I respected them all the more because of it.
This book kept me hooked from start to finish. And it had me feeling all of the emotions along the way. I was rooting for Davy and Carla from chapter one and I never stopped. Davy was as determined as they come and I really felt his struggle when it came to doing his best to help Carla and going back to his dream career. Even though the villain was revealed early on, that didn't take anything away from the mystery that was presented. There was still more than enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat and wondering what was going to happen next. The romance and sense of family were both done extremely well, something not unusual with B.J. Daniels at the helm. I can't recommend this one enough!
November 29, 2022
A totally passable category romance - not the best-written thing I’ve ever read, very weird communication between the hero and heroine, but it was a nice ride!
Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.
May 2, 2023
This was a such an intriguing read. I loved the multiple POV format. Not only are the 2 main characters' POV given but that of the murderer/bank robber. I enjoyed the pace of the plot and the intriguing spin that the author put on it.
Davy comes home for Christmas. He goes to the bank to see his old high school girlfriend, Carla. The two talked about getting married after high school but Davy wanted a career in the rodeo like his brothers and forefathers. Carla on the other hand, wanted a secure and stable life. Now 10 years later, is there a chance for them again?
Before you know it, Carla is at the bank (where she works as a loan officer), when it is robbed and one of the robbers wants to take Carla as a hostage. When another robber forces her release, the first robber violently kicks her and she hits her head in the fall.
Davy takes it upon himself to be her protector with some help from his brothers. Can he help Carla safe? Will the robber be caught before he has to leave for the rodeo after Christmas? Why is the FBI targeting Carla as a suspect and not the victim?
The one thing that disappointed me was there was a subplot from the first book involving the mystery surrounding the Colt's father death. Since the first book, only a mention of how he died has been in the subsequent two books.
Davy comes home for Christmas. He goes to the bank to see his old high school girlfriend, Carla. The two talked about getting married after high school but Davy wanted a career in the rodeo like his brothers and forefathers. Carla on the other hand, wanted a secure and stable life. Now 10 years later, is there a chance for them again?
Before you know it, Carla is at the bank (where she works as a loan officer), when it is robbed and one of the robbers wants to take Carla as a hostage. When another robber forces her release, the first robber violently kicks her and she hits her head in the fall.
Davy takes it upon himself to be her protector with some help from his brothers. Can he help Carla safe? Will the robber be caught before he has to leave for the rodeo after Christmas? Why is the FBI targeting Carla as a suspect and not the victim?
The one thing that disappointed me was there was a subplot from the first book involving the mystery surrounding the Colt's father death. Since the first book, only a mention of how he died has been in the subsequent two books.
November 9, 2022
B.J.Daniels
Christmas Ransom
Coming out November 29 2022
This is book number three and the colt Brothers investigation series. However, it can definitely be read as a standalone
It is nice to be back in Lonesome Montana.
This is a second chance romance story. It’s been 10 Years since Davy Colt and Carla Richmond have seen each other.
Davy is home for the holidays and Carla moved home to help her mother.
Carla is a loan officer at the local bank. Unfortunately the bank gets robbed, and Carla is able to possibly identify one of the robbers!
Davey steps in to protect Carla until the robbers are found.
This book captures you on the first page! I had a hard time putting it down. It is a must read! You definitely want to find out if Carla and Davy finally get that second chance romance.
Thank you B.J. Daniels for another great Colt brothers story.
I received this ARC and this is my honest review.
Christmas Ransom
Coming out November 29 2022
This is book number three and the colt Brothers investigation series. However, it can definitely be read as a standalone
It is nice to be back in Lonesome Montana.
This is a second chance romance story. It’s been 10 Years since Davy Colt and Carla Richmond have seen each other.
Davy is home for the holidays and Carla moved home to help her mother.
Carla is a loan officer at the local bank. Unfortunately the bank gets robbed, and Carla is able to possibly identify one of the robbers!
Davey steps in to protect Carla until the robbers are found.
This book captures you on the first page! I had a hard time putting it down. It is a must read! You definitely want to find out if Carla and Davy finally get that second chance romance.
Thank you B.J. Daniels for another great Colt brothers story.
I received this ARC and this is my honest review.
October 28, 2022
Christmas Ransom by BJ Daniels is the third book in the Colt Brothers series. This is brother Davy Colt's story, a second chance romance. Seems ten years ago Davy and Carla Richmond were a couple in love. Davy was a rodeo bronc rider and he chose that career over staying in Lonesome with Carla. On a trip home for the holidays they meet up again. Then the craziness begins - a bank robbery (where Carla works) and a target on Carla's back. This book has an interesting storyline. I liked most of the characters and enjoyed seeing the ones from the earlier books in the series, but I didn't connect with Davy and Carla as a couple. I'm glad they got their Happily Ever After though.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
November 12, 2022
Davy Colt is home for Christmas. Carla Richmond is Davy's high school sweetheart. Both are still in love with each other, but she chooses to stay and go to college, and he left for the rodeo.
The bank where Carla works has been robbed and she was ruffed up and the Feds think she is in on the theft. Davy believes she is an innocent victim and is set on protecting her and finding the robbers. One of the FBI agents thinks she knows more than she is telling and doesn't believe what she is telling him.
Meanwhile the bank robber and his girlfriend are out to get Carla.
I just love romantic suspense novels.
The bank where Carla works has been robbed and she was ruffed up and the Feds think she is in on the theft. Davy believes she is an innocent victim and is set on protecting her and finding the robbers. One of the FBI agents thinks she knows more than she is telling and doesn't believe what she is telling him.
Meanwhile the bank robber and his girlfriend are out to get Carla.
I just love romantic suspense novels.
November 29, 2022
Carla’s day, actually all her organized plans have been ruined. She is a loan officer, and her bank has been robbed, and she might know some details. This knowledge has put her in the crosshairs of those robbers.
Davy is home for the holidays, he is a bronc rider, the career that took him away from Lonesome and Carla. See, Carla and Davy have a history, will they get a second chance? In the meantime, Davy has stepped up to protect Carla until the bank robbers are caught.
I recommend this fast paced, second chance romance, with added suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance, Harlequin Intrigue for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Davy is home for the holidays, he is a bronc rider, the career that took him away from Lonesome and Carla. See, Carla and Davy have a history, will they get a second chance? In the meantime, Davy has stepped up to protect Carla until the bank robbers are caught.
I recommend this fast paced, second chance romance, with added suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance, Harlequin Intrigue for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
November 21, 2022
Another good story in the series. Carla and Davy were high school sweethearts. Although they planned a life together, when she headed off to College he left to join the rodeo.
She returns home when her mom is Ill and ends up working at the local bank, moving up through the ranks. Davy returns home between rodeo's for the holidays when there's a robbery and Carla is injured, ending up in the hospital.
From there, the race is on as the robbers are after Carla because she has incriminating evidence to identify one of them. Davy commits to protecting her until the robbery is solved. This proves to be tricky as the FBI thinks she's involved.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the ARC provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
She returns home when her mom is Ill and ends up working at the local bank, moving up through the ranks. Davy returns home between rodeo's for the holidays when there's a robbery and Carla is injured, ending up in the hospital.
From there, the race is on as the robbers are after Carla because she has incriminating evidence to identify one of them. Davy commits to protecting her until the robbery is solved. This proves to be tricky as the FBI thinks she's involved.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the ARC provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 6, 2022
I love these Colt brothers! Each one is a rogue but loveable! They have been rodeo wanders but want to return to their home and be together again and this time Davy has come home for the holidays. He wants to check in on his high school sweetheart, Carla. Who could guess that the bank where she works as a loan officer would get violently robbed the next day and she would almost get taken hostage! While in the hospital recovering, Davy is by her side. The danger isn't over yet. The robber will keep coming after her because Carla has info that could identify him. As usual, the author keeps the action tense and flowing. I can't put her books down! I love the characters and the settings! The winter snows make me long for a cozy fire to curl up and read! Another great story! I love that all the Colt brothers are in this book too!
October 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this new book by B.J. Daniels, once I started reading, it was hard to put down.
Jud would do anything for Jesse but would she do anything for him. Jesse wants him to apply for a loan. He asks Carla Richmond, the loan officer for a loan and she gives him a stack of papers to fill out, and instead of filling them out he throws them away. Jesse does not know that he did that. He tells her that he did not get the loan so she has him rob the bank. He has three other guys help him and he kills them.
While robbing the bank he realizes that Carla may be able to identify him. Check out the book I think you will enjoy it.
Jud would do anything for Jesse but would she do anything for him. Jesse wants him to apply for a loan. He asks Carla Richmond, the loan officer for a loan and she gives him a stack of papers to fill out, and instead of filling them out he throws them away. Jesse does not know that he did that. He tells her that he did not get the loan so she has him rob the bank. He has three other guys help him and he kills them.
While robbing the bank he realizes that Carla may be able to identify him. Check out the book I think you will enjoy it.
November 16, 2022
While I generally love B.J. Daniels' romantic suspense novels, for some reason this third book in her Colt Brothers series just didn't grab me and not let go, and I'll try to figure out why in this 3-star review.
First, while I understood Carla Richmond's need to further her education after high school and go to college rather than join Davy Colt, the love of her life, on the rodeo circuit, she ended up working as an executive loan officer in a small, local bank, and, while for her, getting to that position was fulfilling, it certainly wouldn't have been what I'd want to do with my life, especially after breaking up with Davy 10 years earlier because he wasn't ready to settle into her dream of children and a home--he had his own dream to fulfill. Yes, Carla was back in her small home town because she returned there to take care of her single mother who eventually died of cancer, but after her mom's death, she stayed there.
Ten years later, Davy is home for the holidays, and stops into the bank to see Carla, still in love with her too, but nothing has changed--it's clear that he won't compromise his dream to settle for hers. I found both of these characters stubborn and childish, and I would never, ever sacrifice the l0ve of my life for any job.
When three costumed and masked men hold up the bank shortly thereafter, Carla is injured, barely avoids being taken as a hostage, and ends up in the hospital, but not before she sees a tattoo on the neck of one of the thieves, and although warned not to talk about it in a note served to her with her dinner, by a nurse in that hospital, mentions it anyway, although the thick-headed FBI agent who is called into this case, believes, with zero evidence, that she was somehow involved in the robbery, and that she's making up her story about the tattooed man and her non-involvement, even after repeated attempts are made to kill her. At this point I was ready to explode in anger at the agent, who never believes a word Carla or Davy has to say.
While I won't give away the whodunit aspect of this novel, the culprits are identified early on by the author, and while Carla and Davy's attempts to do their own investigating led to some exciting and dangerous scenes, what I felt most strongly while reading Christmas Ransom was frustrated--by their relationship, the FBI's insistence that Carla was involved, the insane relationship between the thief and his psychotic girlfriend, and the fact that for 99% of this novel, Carla and Davy are totally unwilling to compromise. In short, B.J. Daniels is a far better writer than was evidenced in this novel. While I'm sure most her fans, and I'm one of them, will find nothing wrong with this novel, for me it was just an okay read.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
First, while I understood Carla Richmond's need to further her education after high school and go to college rather than join Davy Colt, the love of her life, on the rodeo circuit, she ended up working as an executive loan officer in a small, local bank, and, while for her, getting to that position was fulfilling, it certainly wouldn't have been what I'd want to do with my life, especially after breaking up with Davy 10 years earlier because he wasn't ready to settle into her dream of children and a home--he had his own dream to fulfill. Yes, Carla was back in her small home town because she returned there to take care of her single mother who eventually died of cancer, but after her mom's death, she stayed there.
Ten years later, Davy is home for the holidays, and stops into the bank to see Carla, still in love with her too, but nothing has changed--it's clear that he won't compromise his dream to settle for hers. I found both of these characters stubborn and childish, and I would never, ever sacrifice the l0ve of my life for any job.
When three costumed and masked men hold up the bank shortly thereafter, Carla is injured, barely avoids being taken as a hostage, and ends up in the hospital, but not before she sees a tattoo on the neck of one of the thieves, and although warned not to talk about it in a note served to her with her dinner, by a nurse in that hospital, mentions it anyway, although the thick-headed FBI agent who is called into this case, believes, with zero evidence, that she was somehow involved in the robbery, and that she's making up her story about the tattooed man and her non-involvement, even after repeated attempts are made to kill her. At this point I was ready to explode in anger at the agent, who never believes a word Carla or Davy has to say.
While I won't give away the whodunit aspect of this novel, the culprits are identified early on by the author, and while Carla and Davy's attempts to do their own investigating led to some exciting and dangerous scenes, what I felt most strongly while reading Christmas Ransom was frustrated--by their relationship, the FBI's insistence that Carla was involved, the insane relationship between the thief and his psychotic girlfriend, and the fact that for 99% of this novel, Carla and Davy are totally unwilling to compromise. In short, B.J. Daniels is a far better writer than was evidenced in this novel. While I'm sure most her fans, and I'm one of them, will find nothing wrong with this novel, for me it was just an okay read.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 20, 2022
This is a Second Chance Romantic Suspense, and this is the third book in A Colt Brothers Investigation series. I really loved the characters, and the chemistry they had between them. The mystery was really good, and I was living for the mystery in this book. There was so much action in this book. The Christmas in this book was not really there, but that did not bother me. I really did not like the police in this book because I felt they were not looking into everything, but everything came to light by the end of the book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Intrigue) or author (B.J. Daniels) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
February 22, 2023
The holidays don’t have to be over when you’re in ROMANCE! BOOK! CLUB! Hahahahhh
October 27, 2022
Small town Lonesome Montana is where the Colt brothers grew up on the ranch. All leaving the ranch for the life of a Rodeo cowboy and one by one have returned back to Lonesome except Davy Colt. Davy is home for Christmas soon leaving after New Year for the life of a Rodeo cowboy. Ten years has passed since he left the ranch and his girlfriend Carla Richmond. Carla said no to the on the road cowboy life and went off to college to seek her own dreams.
Carla’s dream takes a detour, and she returns to Lonesome to care for her mother and gets a job at the local bank as the loan officer. Meanwhile the Colt brothers James and Tommy become Private Investigators at Colt Brothers Investigations their father’s old business; and Willie Colt becomes a Sheriff’s Deputy.
Davy heard that Carla had been asking about him and wanted to surprise her at the bank with some flowers and a big smile. Carla was shocked to see the handsome Davy in her doorway with a bouquet of flowers. Both of them were surprised by the connection upon seeing one another, he didn’t know what to say and Carla’s heart was racing from the feelings she had been carrying ever since Davy left.
This relationship gets tested all through the book as Carla’s loan officer position becomes a detriment. The bank gets robbed and she is thought to be the inside connection by the FBI. She is thought to have seen something on one of the robbers and is now a threat to one of the robbers.
Carla isn’t safe anywhere until robbers are caught; her memory of that day is fragmented by the concussion she got when one of the robbers roughed her up. Davy wanting to be her hero is helpless unless Carla remembers and has faith in him. As Carla remembers bits and pieces of her ordeal, the FBI still think she is a part of the robbery.
All of the Colt brothers are trying to help Davy help Carla. Davy can’t watch Carla 24/7 to keep her safe from another attack. Not knowing who is behind these attacks, it could be anyone in Lonesome.
B.J. Daniels’ writings keep you on your toes and the edge of your seat. Unsuspected events or persons come into play creating twist and turns in every chapter. When you think you see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s a train heading towards you. The love from years past is poking its head into the very real possibility of a full bloom love if the conditions are right.
Carla’s dream takes a detour, and she returns to Lonesome to care for her mother and gets a job at the local bank as the loan officer. Meanwhile the Colt brothers James and Tommy become Private Investigators at Colt Brothers Investigations their father’s old business; and Willie Colt becomes a Sheriff’s Deputy.
Davy heard that Carla had been asking about him and wanted to surprise her at the bank with some flowers and a big smile. Carla was shocked to see the handsome Davy in her doorway with a bouquet of flowers. Both of them were surprised by the connection upon seeing one another, he didn’t know what to say and Carla’s heart was racing from the feelings she had been carrying ever since Davy left.
This relationship gets tested all through the book as Carla’s loan officer position becomes a detriment. The bank gets robbed and she is thought to be the inside connection by the FBI. She is thought to have seen something on one of the robbers and is now a threat to one of the robbers.
Carla isn’t safe anywhere until robbers are caught; her memory of that day is fragmented by the concussion she got when one of the robbers roughed her up. Davy wanting to be her hero is helpless unless Carla remembers and has faith in him. As Carla remembers bits and pieces of her ordeal, the FBI still think she is a part of the robbery.
All of the Colt brothers are trying to help Davy help Carla. Davy can’t watch Carla 24/7 to keep her safe from another attack. Not knowing who is behind these attacks, it could be anyone in Lonesome.
B.J. Daniels’ writings keep you on your toes and the edge of your seat. Unsuspected events or persons come into play creating twist and turns in every chapter. When you think you see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s a train heading towards you. The love from years past is poking its head into the very real possibility of a full bloom love if the conditions are right.
November 8, 2022
B.J. Daniels wrote another fabulous book. I love her writing . It was such a good book I read it in two days.
Carla Richmond Bank loan officer
Davy Colt Rodeo Cowboy
James and Tommy Colt at Colt Brothers investigation ready to help Davy in anyway possible
Willie Colt in training to be a Sheriff Deputy
Davy and Carla where dating until she gave him a choice ten years ago. But something brought them back together.
Judson Bruckner boyfriend to Jesse
Jesse Watney girlfriend to Judson.
Judson had got him self in trouble with a loan shark. Gambling turned his life upside down.
Jesse stole her twin sisters identity Debra Watney. To work at the hospital.
Carla Richmond had Judson come into the bank for a loan she gave him loan papers and as he walked out he threw them away. Davy Colt walked into her office holding an mistletoe.
She had the next day off when she was getting ready to leave when 3 men dressed in Santa Claus costumes. One the Santa's pulled her out of her office and made everyone get on the floor. While he took the til from each cashiers that had money and took it. The other two Santa's empty the vault.
Then Judson started itching and Carla saw his tattoo and was going to take her hostage but didn't work that way.
When Judson got rid of the other 3 men and burned the van & motorcycle & men he loaded the bags of money into an SUV to go to his truck to go home.
Carla ended up in the hospital with Davy by her side protecting her.
FBI was treating her like she was the inside helper for the robbery. She was threatened you talk you die.
She went and stayed with Davy above Colt Brothers Investigation.
So much had come between her and Davy they started doing things together.
These two was having fun until things started to happen.
What happened to this to lovers when they went sledding?
What happened at her house?
Why did she get treated like a criminal?
What happened at the end?
Did Carla and Davy get there happily ever after?
B. J. You put the characters together. They matched perfectly.
I cried in some spots and laughed in some spots.
I love B.J. Daniels writing if I could give her more than 5 stars I would give her 10 ⭐ and more.
I recommend this book it is and awesome book I loved it. This book release November 29th,2022.
Carla Richmond Bank loan officer
Davy Colt Rodeo Cowboy
James and Tommy Colt at Colt Brothers investigation ready to help Davy in anyway possible
Willie Colt in training to be a Sheriff Deputy
Davy and Carla where dating until she gave him a choice ten years ago. But something brought them back together.
Judson Bruckner boyfriend to Jesse
Jesse Watney girlfriend to Judson.
Judson had got him self in trouble with a loan shark. Gambling turned his life upside down.
Jesse stole her twin sisters identity Debra Watney. To work at the hospital.
Carla Richmond had Judson come into the bank for a loan she gave him loan papers and as he walked out he threw them away. Davy Colt walked into her office holding an mistletoe.
She had the next day off when she was getting ready to leave when 3 men dressed in Santa Claus costumes. One the Santa's pulled her out of her office and made everyone get on the floor. While he took the til from each cashiers that had money and took it. The other two Santa's empty the vault.
Then Judson started itching and Carla saw his tattoo and was going to take her hostage but didn't work that way.
When Judson got rid of the other 3 men and burned the van & motorcycle & men he loaded the bags of money into an SUV to go to his truck to go home.
Carla ended up in the hospital with Davy by her side protecting her.
FBI was treating her like she was the inside helper for the robbery. She was threatened you talk you die.
She went and stayed with Davy above Colt Brothers Investigation.
So much had come between her and Davy they started doing things together.
These two was having fun until things started to happen.
What happened to this to lovers when they went sledding?
What happened at her house?
Why did she get treated like a criminal?
What happened at the end?
Did Carla and Davy get there happily ever after?
B. J. You put the characters together. They matched perfectly.
I cried in some spots and laughed in some spots.
I love B.J. Daniels writing if I could give her more than 5 stars I would give her 10 ⭐ and more.
I recommend this book it is and awesome book I loved it. This book release November 29th,2022.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2026
Christmas Ransom by B.J. Daniels is another superb dual collection of two amazing novellas all in one. The first tale included in this. double story featured book was called Christmas Ransom. In this story, I met two characters who had a very deep relationship yet fell out with each other. It's Christmas time and the hero comes around her work and brings mistletoe. She regrets not taking him up on the offer but has other important meetings. Just as he left and talking to others, a man comes in already knowing the answer Carla will give him. Instead of really trying with the papers Carla gave him to fill, he instead is instantly filled with hatred and discord. Nothing will persuade the man to back down. Then, to make matters worse the villain is in a relationship with a woman who is worse than him...Carla is pulled into a worse situation when the bank is being robbed by someone she just met with earlier. Only she doesn't realize that but noticed that tattoos on the masked man. That brief moment puts her whole life up in jeopardy. It's up to the hero, Davy to come and save her. But will Carla ever be able to feel anything other than fear is up for readers to discover.
Next, the second tale, Cardwell Ranch Trespasser, which is also written by B.J. Daniels. Wow! This second one was very dark. Well, a little darker than the normal reads I usually get when reading about cowboys and romance. The woman that posed as a fake cousin was insane. The twists and turns, I was not even expecting were there. I was in shock. A very good shock. I love being surprised. I thought I could predict the outcome of the read and nope, that was not the case. Two friends of the couple with the fake cousin trusted their guts and tried helping to the best they could. The villain was very good at being deceptive and good at playing the victim card. Dana wanted to find her lost cousin whom she never met. She wants a big family connection...only she got way more than she or her husband ever planned. They along with their young children and friends got entangled into a web of deception, danger, and a deadly scenario. The plot escalated with an atmosphere that kept me glued to every page. Crime fans and romantic suspense fans this one is definitely a read for you!
Next, the second tale, Cardwell Ranch Trespasser, which is also written by B.J. Daniels. Wow! This second one was very dark. Well, a little darker than the normal reads I usually get when reading about cowboys and romance. The woman that posed as a fake cousin was insane. The twists and turns, I was not even expecting were there. I was in shock. A very good shock. I love being surprised. I thought I could predict the outcome of the read and nope, that was not the case. Two friends of the couple with the fake cousin trusted their guts and tried helping to the best they could. The villain was very good at being deceptive and good at playing the victim card. Dana wanted to find her lost cousin whom she never met. She wants a big family connection...only she got way more than she or her husband ever planned. They along with their young children and friends got entangled into a web of deception, danger, and a deadly scenario. The plot escalated with an atmosphere that kept me glued to every page. Crime fans and romantic suspense fans this one is definitely a read for you!
February 12, 2023
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The legendary B J Daniels hits it out of the ballpark yet again with her latest nail-biting romantic suspense novel, Christmas Ransom.
Davy Colt might have traveled all over as a rodeo star, but he has never managed to forget the small town of Lonesome – or the girl he had left behind. While Davy’s ambitions had compelled him to leave everything that was familiar to him behind to conquer the world, Carla Richmond had been perfectly happy to stay put and her hard work and dedication to her job had seen her climb the corporate ladder and enabled her to keep working in the town bank as a loan officer. Davy’s rodeo days might be behind him, but his job as a private investigator does have its fair share of excitement – as he discovers when there is a robbery at the bank and Carla is taken hostage!
Years might have passed since Davy and Carla had been in a relationship, but the former rodeo star would move heaven and earth to ensure that not a single hair on his ex’s head is hurt. When the kidnapper escapes with bagfuls of cash leaving a distressed and terrified Carla behind, Davy vows to protect her from the dangerous perpetrator who is still at large. As the two of them find themselves in close proximity after all these years, never forgotten feelings and barely repressed emotions quickly come rushing back to the surface and succumbing to desire soon proves inevitable. But will it be second time lucky for Carla and Davy? Or will their unexpected chance at happiness come at too high a price?
B J Daniels writes captivating romantic suspense novels that must be devoured in one heart-pounding sitting and she has done it again with Christmas Ransom. As always, B J Daniels expertly blends nerve-shredding tension with non-stop action, breath-taking suspense and emotional romance that will keep readers engrossed all through the night.
A writer who never lets her readers down, B J Daniels continues to prove to be one of the most gifted writers of romantic suspense with Christmas Ransom.
The legendary B J Daniels hits it out of the ballpark yet again with her latest nail-biting romantic suspense novel, Christmas Ransom.
Davy Colt might have traveled all over as a rodeo star, but he has never managed to forget the small town of Lonesome – or the girl he had left behind. While Davy’s ambitions had compelled him to leave everything that was familiar to him behind to conquer the world, Carla Richmond had been perfectly happy to stay put and her hard work and dedication to her job had seen her climb the corporate ladder and enabled her to keep working in the town bank as a loan officer. Davy’s rodeo days might be behind him, but his job as a private investigator does have its fair share of excitement – as he discovers when there is a robbery at the bank and Carla is taken hostage!
Years might have passed since Davy and Carla had been in a relationship, but the former rodeo star would move heaven and earth to ensure that not a single hair on his ex’s head is hurt. When the kidnapper escapes with bagfuls of cash leaving a distressed and terrified Carla behind, Davy vows to protect her from the dangerous perpetrator who is still at large. As the two of them find themselves in close proximity after all these years, never forgotten feelings and barely repressed emotions quickly come rushing back to the surface and succumbing to desire soon proves inevitable. But will it be second time lucky for Carla and Davy? Or will their unexpected chance at happiness come at too high a price?
B J Daniels writes captivating romantic suspense novels that must be devoured in one heart-pounding sitting and she has done it again with Christmas Ransom. As always, B J Daniels expertly blends nerve-shredding tension with non-stop action, breath-taking suspense and emotional romance that will keep readers engrossed all through the night.
A writer who never lets her readers down, B J Daniels continues to prove to be one of the most gifted writers of romantic suspense with Christmas Ransom.
December 20, 2022
Christmas Ransom by B.J. Daniels, book three in the Colt Brothers Investigation series, is a second chance romantic suspense. This romantic suspense is a bit unusual as the villain was pointed out from the beginning, along with motive, reasons, and desperation behind the robbery. Davy Colt and Carla Richmond were high school sweethearts who went in different directions after graduation; Davy to the rodeo and Carla to college. Despite wanting to leave their small town behind, Carla ended up returning to take care of her sick mom, and becoming a loan officer at the local bank; while Davy travel with rodeo, occasionally visiting his family in town. When Carla is accidently caught in a bank robbery, on her day off, recognizing one of the robbers became her almost death sentence; especially as he tried to take her hostage. Jud, one of the bank robbers, was doing what he thought he had to in order to stay alive, keep his girlfriend Jesse alive, and get himself out of trouble. As often happens, things only went from bad to worse for Jud. Threatening Carla was the biggest mistake Jud could have made; especially with Davy back in town. Davy was not going to leave town until he knew that Carla was no longer in danger. Davy believes she is an innocent victim and is set on protecting her and finding the robber. Meanwhile Jud, and Jesse are determined to kill Carla so she can’t identify them, and get away with the money.
I will say that the FBI agents sent to help with this case seem inept with few people skills. These agents believe Carla knows more than she is telling them, don’t believe what she does tell them, and suspect her involvement in the case. Davy knows better, and will go to the ends of the world to protect Carla. Watching them work together brought them closer together; reigniting the feeling they once had, which never left. I highly recommend Christmas Ransom to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I will say that the FBI agents sent to help with this case seem inept with few people skills. These agents believe Carla knows more than she is telling them, don’t believe what she does tell them, and suspect her involvement in the case. Davy knows better, and will go to the ends of the world to protect Carla. Watching them work together brought them closer together; reigniting the feeling they once had, which never left. I highly recommend Christmas Ransom to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
November 30, 2022
Christmas Ransom, Colt Brothers Investigations book 3 by B. J. Daniels, begins when youngest brother and rodeo star Davy Colt returns to Lonesome, Montana, to spend the holidays with his brothers and their families. Davy also stops off to see his former love, Carla Richmond, at the bank where she serves as chief loan officer. While not rekindling an old romance, the visit certainly brought buried feelings to the surface.
The following day, and Carla’s day off, she returns to her office to ascertain having secured certain files. Bad timing! While in the bank, there is a trio of Santa suit clad robbers who take over the bank. One comes through the offices and find Carla there, then pushes her to the lobby and roughly places her face down with the others. But then Carla sees what she shouldn’t have when she slightly raises her head as the one who had roughed her up scratches under the beard and mask, revealing an unusual neck tattoo. Because of this, next thing Carla knows she is being jerked up and edging backwards with her attacker to be taken hostage. However, the other robbers argue the fact, forcing him to drop her, but he doesn’t leave without brutalizing her with kicks and punches before they flee.
When Carla comes to in the hospital, she finds Davy snoozing in the uncomfortable visitor’s chair. He barely leaves her side while in the hospital, and then takes her home with him to protect her after threats have been made and from the FBI agent that thinks she was the inside man.
This is an intense mystery with twists and turns. It also serves as a character study for those involved as the story unfolds. I very much enjoyed this book and am happy to have found a new author to follow. I do recommend this book!
The following day, and Carla’s day off, she returns to her office to ascertain having secured certain files. Bad timing! While in the bank, there is a trio of Santa suit clad robbers who take over the bank. One comes through the offices and find Carla there, then pushes her to the lobby and roughly places her face down with the others. But then Carla sees what she shouldn’t have when she slightly raises her head as the one who had roughed her up scratches under the beard and mask, revealing an unusual neck tattoo. Because of this, next thing Carla knows she is being jerked up and edging backwards with her attacker to be taken hostage. However, the other robbers argue the fact, forcing him to drop her, but he doesn’t leave without brutalizing her with kicks and punches before they flee.
When Carla comes to in the hospital, she finds Davy snoozing in the uncomfortable visitor’s chair. He barely leaves her side while in the hospital, and then takes her home with him to protect her after threats have been made and from the FBI agent that thinks she was the inside man.
This is an intense mystery with twists and turns. It also serves as a character study for those involved as the story unfolds. I very much enjoyed this book and am happy to have found a new author to follow. I do recommend this book!
October 13, 2022
Christmas Ransom
By B.J. Daniels
Carla Richardson has her life planned out, moment to moment. So, when she stops into work on her day off and becomes a victim in a bank robbery, her ordered life begins to spin out of control. Davy Colt, rodeo bronc rider has loved Carla for over 10 years. Their break-up wasn’t his idea, and he would really like another chance to be with her. When Carla is injured during a bank robbery, he is there to help her. When she becomes a target, he will make sure she stays safe.
The author weaves a good second chance, romantic suspense, that kept me captivated. I would like to smack the FBI agent, he was a jerk to Carla, and not very objective. Carla and Davy want to be together, but neither can realize the need to compromise. This brought some angst along with the intimate moments. Throughout the danger and narrow escapes, they still hold to their own ideas of what life with the other should be like. I was glad they were able to be friends and talk about the past and work into the deeper more passionate relationship. And I liked how they worked together, along with Davy’s brothers, James, Willie, and Tommy to solve the mystery and defeat the criminals. They needed to understand themselves and each other to overcome their safe and comfortable lives. I was rooting for these two to work out their differences and have their HEA. I loved Davy and his fierce protectiveness of Carla, and I loved her independent spirit. Together they are an indomitable force! I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
By B.J. Daniels
Carla Richardson has her life planned out, moment to moment. So, when she stops into work on her day off and becomes a victim in a bank robbery, her ordered life begins to spin out of control. Davy Colt, rodeo bronc rider has loved Carla for over 10 years. Their break-up wasn’t his idea, and he would really like another chance to be with her. When Carla is injured during a bank robbery, he is there to help her. When she becomes a target, he will make sure she stays safe.
The author weaves a good second chance, romantic suspense, that kept me captivated. I would like to smack the FBI agent, he was a jerk to Carla, and not very objective. Carla and Davy want to be together, but neither can realize the need to compromise. This brought some angst along with the intimate moments. Throughout the danger and narrow escapes, they still hold to their own ideas of what life with the other should be like. I was glad they were able to be friends and talk about the past and work into the deeper more passionate relationship. And I liked how they worked together, along with Davy’s brothers, James, Willie, and Tommy to solve the mystery and defeat the criminals. They needed to understand themselves and each other to overcome their safe and comfortable lives. I was rooting for these two to work out their differences and have their HEA. I loved Davy and his fierce protectiveness of Carla, and I loved her independent spirit. Together they are an indomitable force! I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
November 29, 2022
3.5 stars
I love a good romantic suspense book, and I read a lot of them. B. J. Daniels was a new-to-me author, but this book won’t be the last one of hers I read. There were some significant frustrations with the main characters in this story as I felt Carla was a bit too stubborn for her own good many times. While I could understand her hesitation to rekindle her relationship with Davy based on his previous lack of desire to settle down, he grew up emotionally throughout the story. He became more willing to budge from his former stance on love and marriage and to compromise while she remained beyond stubborn to the point that she came across as selfish. I’m a characters girl, so this distracted me from what I thought was an otherwise intriguing plot. I just know that when I found my HEA, not even the strong desire to stay close to my family was enough for me to give up on the relationship.
Overall, the writing was solid, and I truly enjoyed having the villain’s POV because it showed the downward slide of his morality (which was barely there, to begin with). It was a nice change of pace, and I thought the author did a good job developing him into a genuinely evil character from a morally ambiguous one in the beginning. Sometimes I like to be surprised by who the villain is, but giving the reader omniscience isn’t a turnoff when it’s done well. And in this case, it was. All in all, I am looking forward to catching up with the previous books in the series and reading what’s to come from B. J. Daniels.
I love a good romantic suspense book, and I read a lot of them. B. J. Daniels was a new-to-me author, but this book won’t be the last one of hers I read. There were some significant frustrations with the main characters in this story as I felt Carla was a bit too stubborn for her own good many times. While I could understand her hesitation to rekindle her relationship with Davy based on his previous lack of desire to settle down, he grew up emotionally throughout the story. He became more willing to budge from his former stance on love and marriage and to compromise while she remained beyond stubborn to the point that she came across as selfish. I’m a characters girl, so this distracted me from what I thought was an otherwise intriguing plot. I just know that when I found my HEA, not even the strong desire to stay close to my family was enough for me to give up on the relationship.
Overall, the writing was solid, and I truly enjoyed having the villain’s POV because it showed the downward slide of his morality (which was barely there, to begin with). It was a nice change of pace, and I thought the author did a good job developing him into a genuinely evil character from a morally ambiguous one in the beginning. Sometimes I like to be surprised by who the villain is, but giving the reader omniscience isn’t a turnoff when it’s done well. And in this case, it was. All in all, I am looking forward to catching up with the previous books in the series and reading what’s to come from B. J. Daniels.
December 26, 2024
To start with, the title is Christmas Ransom. The book has nothing to do with a ransom. A ransom is issued for a kidnapping, this book was about a bank robbery. Therefore, nothing to do with a ransom.
The FBI agents were idiots. They had already decided who the main culprit was before even talking with anyone. When they were given clues, they ignored them. There were just too lazy and irresponsible to do anything about it. There were several attempts made on Carla's life. They chose to ignore that and stated it was just a falling among thieves. Even at the end, there really was no apology. I do not think a typical FBI agent is that incompetent.
Neither Carla nor Davy were willing to give on their lifestyles. Admittedly, 10 years ago they were just too young. Now, even though they still love each other, neither wants to give. Of course there is a HEA.
The book was okay, but not great. I read the 4th book and liked it. I haven't read the first 2 in the series and have no plans to. What I really hate is that there is a mystery that runs through the whole series before it is solved. I really don't want to read the last book in the series to find out how it ends. I wish authors would not do this. If the author writes well enough, people will read the books without being forced. I read parts of another series by the author and she did the same thing. Frankly, I believe I am through with the author. I don't like being forced to read several books in a series before a mystery is solved.
The FBI agents were idiots. They had already decided who the main culprit was before even talking with anyone. When they were given clues, they ignored them. There were just too lazy and irresponsible to do anything about it. There were several attempts made on Carla's life. They chose to ignore that and stated it was just a falling among thieves. Even at the end, there really was no apology. I do not think a typical FBI agent is that incompetent.
Neither Carla nor Davy were willing to give on their lifestyles. Admittedly, 10 years ago they were just too young. Now, even though they still love each other, neither wants to give. Of course there is a HEA.
The book was okay, but not great. I read the 4th book and liked it. I haven't read the first 2 in the series and have no plans to. What I really hate is that there is a mystery that runs through the whole series before it is solved. I really don't want to read the last book in the series to find out how it ends. I wish authors would not do this. If the author writes well enough, people will read the books without being forced. I read parts of another series by the author and she did the same thing. Frankly, I believe I am through with the author. I don't like being forced to read several books in a series before a mystery is solved.
December 6, 2022
Seriously stupid
This was hard to read. Not because of the writing; the syntax and grammar were fine, but the plot was riddled with idiotic desions and idiotic FBI agents. The crooks were perfectly fine in their horribleness. One was exceptionally chilling and psycopathic and the other more of a semi-pitiful guy whose soul gets ripped out entirely as the story progresses. The heroine, however, decides not to tell the FBI what she remembers as soon as she remembers it, nor does she tell them or show them a threat she receives in the hospital as she recovers from injuries she sustains when a bank robber tries to take her hostage. The agents decide almost immediately that she's in on the robbery, and refuse to investigate the information she eventually gives them. When someone tries to kill her twice and attacks someone connected to the clue she gives them, rather than taking her more seriously, the agents are more convinced that she's the "insider.". First of all, the FBI are not that criminally negligent. Deciding who the criminal is and ceasing to investigate is more a police maneuver than a FBI one. They have lawyers who will FORCE them to check out clues. And bank robberies are a plum assigment. They don't give those to idiots. These agents behave in ways that would get them sued, particularly at the end. The whole thing was hard to believe.
This was hard to read. Not because of the writing; the syntax and grammar were fine, but the plot was riddled with idiotic desions and idiotic FBI agents. The crooks were perfectly fine in their horribleness. One was exceptionally chilling and psycopathic and the other more of a semi-pitiful guy whose soul gets ripped out entirely as the story progresses. The heroine, however, decides not to tell the FBI what she remembers as soon as she remembers it, nor does she tell them or show them a threat she receives in the hospital as she recovers from injuries she sustains when a bank robber tries to take her hostage. The agents decide almost immediately that she's in on the robbery, and refuse to investigate the information she eventually gives them. When someone tries to kill her twice and attacks someone connected to the clue she gives them, rather than taking her more seriously, the agents are more convinced that she's the "insider.". First of all, the FBI are not that criminally negligent. Deciding who the criminal is and ceasing to investigate is more a police maneuver than a FBI one. They have lawyers who will FORCE them to check out clues. And bank robberies are a plum assigment. They don't give those to idiots. These agents behave in ways that would get them sued, particularly at the end. The whole thing was hard to believe.
November 3, 2022
It has been a while since I last read a story by this author, and though I didn’t get to read the previous ones in this series, I decided to give it a try.
This story belongs to rodeo star, Davy Colt and bank loan executive , Carla Richmond.
Ten years ago, Carla, Davy’s HS girlfriend , chose college and a career instead of following him in the circuit. Neither has forgotten the other, but neither did they stop to follow their dreams.
Colt is back in town for the holidays and hopes to reconnect with the girl he still loved.
Carla is happy with her accomplishments, but she too still has feelings for Colt.
When she ends up hurt during a bank robbery and being a person of interest as far as the FBI is concerned, Colt steps in to help .
But the real villain is determined to get rid of Carla. Can Colt keep her safe? Can they prove to the FBI that she is innocent? In the midst of the danger, will they get a second chance of finding their HEA or will their determination to continue their careers and the possible success of the person after Carla , keep them away?
It was an engaging story and a stand alone in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This story belongs to rodeo star, Davy Colt and bank loan executive , Carla Richmond.
Ten years ago, Carla, Davy’s HS girlfriend , chose college and a career instead of following him in the circuit. Neither has forgotten the other, but neither did they stop to follow their dreams.
Colt is back in town for the holidays and hopes to reconnect with the girl he still loved.
Carla is happy with her accomplishments, but she too still has feelings for Colt.
When she ends up hurt during a bank robbery and being a person of interest as far as the FBI is concerned, Colt steps in to help .
But the real villain is determined to get rid of Carla. Can Colt keep her safe? Can they prove to the FBI that she is innocent? In the midst of the danger, will they get a second chance of finding their HEA or will their determination to continue their careers and the possible success of the person after Carla , keep them away?
It was an engaging story and a stand alone in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
November 14, 2022
This is my first time reading a book by B.J. Daniels. I am a big fan of mystery, suspenseful romance. B.J. Daniels delivers in a big way with “Christmas Redemption”. I will most definitely be reading more books by this author. This is an easy quick read that is entertaining, suspenseful, mystery, drama filled, action packed, great characters with an awesome plot that kept me enthralled. Davy is home for Christmas, he is a former rodeo star and now he has his PI license. The bank that Carla works at is robbed and for some reason the Feds thinks that Carla has something to do with the theft. Davy and Carla were high school sweethearts and Davy never stopped loving Carla. Carla choose going to college rather than follow Davy in his rodeo career. Once Davy learns of Carla’s dilemma he knows that Carla is innocent and he decides he is going to find out who robbed the bank. Carla and Davy both realize that they both still love each other.
Who robbed the bank, why is Carla is a prime suspect, can Davy prove Carla’s innocence, will Carla and Davy have a second chance at romance?
I received an ARC via NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Intrigue I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Who robbed the bank, why is Carla is a prime suspect, can Davy prove Carla’s innocence, will Carla and Davy have a second chance at romance?
I received an ARC via NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Intrigue I am leaving my review voluntarily.
November 24, 2025
3.5 STARS - ROUNDED UP
This is the first book of the series I've read, and it is a standalone. In the beginning I felt sorry for Jud because everyone thought he was a joke and belittled him. Well, my feeling sorry for him ended pretty quickly.
Very little on Christmas, no ransom so titled is misleading. Story did have violence, and suspenseful moments, shades of The Three Stooges where a villain is concerned.
The FBI in this reminded me of Barney Fife, take the easy way out without getting all the facts. So many side stories in this, from Jud and his girlfriend, the MC, and Cora who added a nice levity to the story. Loved her in the ending.
Our H is injured and in the next week, he's going to ride the toughest bull in the rodeo circuit, talk about farfetched.
Lovemaking outside of marriage - heat level barely 3 out of 4. This is a story about second chances that may be missed again.
Story ended at the 93% on my e-reader. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, some romance and a tad of steam.
I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase or not. (ljb)
This is the first book of the series I've read, and it is a standalone. In the beginning I felt sorry for Jud because everyone thought he was a joke and belittled him. Well, my feeling sorry for him ended pretty quickly.
Very little on Christmas, no ransom so titled is misleading. Story did have violence, and suspenseful moments, shades of The Three Stooges where a villain is concerned.
The FBI in this reminded me of Barney Fife, take the easy way out without getting all the facts. So many side stories in this, from Jud and his girlfriend, the MC, and Cora who added a nice levity to the story. Loved her in the ending.
Our H is injured and in the next week, he's going to ride the toughest bull in the rodeo circuit, talk about farfetched.
Lovemaking outside of marriage - heat level barely 3 out of 4. This is a story about second chances that may be missed again.
Story ended at the 93% on my e-reader. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, some romance and a tad of steam.
I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase or not. (ljb)
December 20, 2022
Carla was at the wrong place and time when she showed up at her job for something she had forgotten the previous day and landed herself in a hostage situation left injured. Davy is a guy from her past who went from rodeo star to PI and he's going to do his best to make sure Carla is saved and figure out who is behind this before Carla losses her life.
I really enjoyed this book I pretty much devoured it just didn't stop reading till the very end. I loved getting to know the past of the two characters as well as their perspectives. But even more so the villain of the story and seeing what led to what happend and his side of the story which made this book all the more interesting. There was plenty of close calls and wondering when the villains would strike next and how. Then there was also the cops who were looking into the case believing that Carla might be involved so it made things even more complicated. There was just so much to enjoy about this book and if you love mystery suspense novels check this book out.
I really enjoyed this book I pretty much devoured it just didn't stop reading till the very end. I loved getting to know the past of the two characters as well as their perspectives. But even more so the villain of the story and seeing what led to what happend and his side of the story which made this book all the more interesting. There was plenty of close calls and wondering when the villains would strike next and how. Then there was also the cops who were looking into the case believing that Carla might be involved so it made things even more complicated. There was just so much to enjoy about this book and if you love mystery suspense novels check this book out.
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