Christmas at Cardwell Ranch (Cardwell Ranch #4) by B.J. Daniels
Published October 22nd 2013 by Harlequin first published January 1st 2013)
Paperback, 224 pages
Series: Cardwell Ranch
Genre: Adult Contemporary RomanceHeat Rating: Kissing
Amazon | The Book Depository | Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads
AT CARDWELL RANCH, THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE BRUTAL
It had been years since Tanner "Tag" Cardwell's boots touched Montana soil. This Christmas he was determined to change that. Until a run-in with local Lily McCabe revealed dark secrets from his past and deep trouble for his future.
Cowboys came and went in these parts. But Tag Cardwell caught Lily off guard in more ways than one when the two became entwined in a murder mystery. What was it about Tag? The dreamy eyes… The rugged physique… The protection she felt in his strong arms…
But before they could lose themselves in each other they had to trace a killer. Or risk finding a crime scene under the Christmas tree.
It had been years since Tanner "Tag" Cardwell's boots touched Montana soil. This Christmas he was determined to change that. Until a run-in with local Lily McCabe revealed dark secrets from his past and deep trouble for his future.
Cowboys came and went in these parts. But Tag Cardwell caught Lily off guard in more ways than one when the two became entwined in a murder mystery. What was it about Tag? The dreamy eyes… The rugged physique… The protection she felt in his strong arms…
But before they could lose themselves in each other they had to trace a killer. Or risk finding a crime scene under the Christmas tree.
When I first fell in love with reading romances, B.J Daniels was one of the very first authors I have read and enjoyed during my beginnings. So it pains me a little to write a less then stellar review for Christmas at Cardwell Ranch.
I really wanted to like it. I had a hard time after the first few chaptesr. It read okay at the beginning and then it felt out of control. With holidays on the horizon Tag Cardwell has not been back home in years and he is hoping to change that. Until he meets Lily McCabe revealing dark secrets from his past and trouble for his future.
Okay the trouble part is right. Someone is kidnapping women and they are turning up dead, so when Lily get's kidnapped, Tag will stop at nothing to find her even if he is way over his head. The dark secrets part, I didn't see it. If it was the dark secret about his father, I didn't think it was that dark of a secret. But that's not what turned me off from this book. The fact that it felt rushed and that there was just sooo many things going on, is what did it for me. Ugh, there was so many different killers in this and so many different bad guys coming into light that it was starting to hurt my head.
Lily wasn't doing herself any favors either. I really wanted to like her, but oh my goodness the girl is a moron. She is a mathematician so when her ex-fiance shows up on her doorsteps on a lone road after Tag got ran off the same road not a few minutes ago (why couldn't they put the two together?) and tried to apologize, she almost fell for it! There was nothing in the way the author was describing the man's apology that hinted that he was sincere so I found Lily's reaction less then desirable. He was snappy with her, irritated and gave a lame excuse and she swallowed it up with a humble pie. Then, lied to Tag that the night her and Tag slept together never happened cause he was woozy from the pain killers and couldn't remember... like what? oh and what's with the whole thing about not wanting to get close to cowboys? Cause really Tag was one of the sweetest man she had met. Honestly, he was nicer to her then her ex from a five minute conversation.
Of course the ending was rushed as well, more killers revealed did not stop at 2 man but escalated to 2 other characters. Lot's of people dying, lots of shots and me realizing this just wasn't my cup of tea. I wanted to like it, but it seemed too much. First book I liked. Hud I still like. Everything else was just one big pile of mess.
I really wanted to like it. I had a hard time after the first few chaptesr. It read okay at the beginning and then it felt out of control. With holidays on the horizon Tag Cardwell has not been back home in years and he is hoping to change that. Until he meets Lily McCabe revealing dark secrets from his past and trouble for his future.
Okay the trouble part is right. Someone is kidnapping women and they are turning up dead, so when Lily get's kidnapped, Tag will stop at nothing to find her even if he is way over his head. The dark secrets part, I didn't see it. If it was the dark secret about his father, I didn't think it was that dark of a secret. But that's not what turned me off from this book. The fact that it felt rushed and that there was just sooo many things going on, is what did it for me. Ugh, there was so many different killers in this and so many different bad guys coming into light that it was starting to hurt my head.
Lily wasn't doing herself any favors either. I really wanted to like her, but oh my goodness the girl is a moron. She is a mathematician so when her ex-fiance shows up on her doorsteps on a lone road after Tag got ran off the same road not a few minutes ago (why couldn't they put the two together?) and tried to apologize, she almost fell for it! There was nothing in the way the author was describing the man's apology that hinted that he was sincere so I found Lily's reaction less then desirable. He was snappy with her, irritated and gave a lame excuse and she swallowed it up with a humble pie. Then, lied to Tag that the night her and Tag slept together never happened cause he was woozy from the pain killers and couldn't remember... like what? oh and what's with the whole thing about not wanting to get close to cowboys? Cause really Tag was one of the sweetest man she had met. Honestly, he was nicer to her then her ex from a five minute conversation.
Of course the ending was rushed as well, more killers revealed did not stop at 2 man but escalated to 2 other characters. Lot's of people dying, lots of shots and me realizing this just wasn't my cup of tea. I wanted to like it, but it seemed too much. First book I liked. Hud I still like. Everything else was just one big pile of mess.
I see you're still going strong with holiday reads! :))
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry this was a disappointment. The story seems to have a lot of potential, but rushing these heavy subjects can never work. I understand why you disliked it.
Great review.
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear you didn't love this, especially since I know how much you love the author. I have a mystery writer that I adore but lately, her writing has been less than stellar and I have had to stop buying her books. :(
ReplyDeleteBummer because the synopsis sounds fantastic. I like the intrigue aspect but it sounds like there are too many elements that you didn't like :(
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this, but I totally know how you feel. I felt the same once upon a time with Nora Roberts books. I must say that this sounds fantastic but well I'll pass. Great review, Lily :)
ReplyDeletelol - what? Too many killers? There's no such thing. Kidding! :) That sucks that this was a disappointment. Hopefully the next one will be better.
ReplyDeleteIt stinks when you want to love a story, but it falls short in so many ways. Based on your review, it's no wonder you didn't enjoy CaCR.
ReplyDeleteNice review.