Christmas at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels

Tag Caldwell is going home for Christmas.  He doesn't bother to warn his father he's coming.  He just wants to try to develop a relationship with him after all the years of separation.  However, he didn't expect to get turned away from the door or to see a woman's leather jacket laying on the back of the couch.  Dad has a girlfriend?

Harlequin Intrigue and Net Galley allowed me to download a copy of this ebook for review (thank you).  It will be published October 22nd, so look for a copy then.

This is a modern day western.  The men wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots, but they drive SUV's and pickups and live in houses.  The only horse they really use is a snowmobile.

Tag goes out with his cousin to get a Christmas tree and finds a dead body.  It's not the greatest way to start his holiday; it gets worse.  He sees his Dad hand off what looks like a pay off to the sheriff.  He knows both his Dad and his uncle were up in the hills on their snowmobiles and he recognizes the leather jacket.  Could his relatives and friends be involved in this murder?  After all, he saw that cocktail waitress flirting his Dad at the tavern.

While Tag is worrying about them, Lily is temporary help at the tavern her brother owns and she's worrying about the fact that one waitress is dead and the other one is missing.  She knows her brother isn't involved.  Will she be next?

There's an interesting little twist in this story that is related to the past books in the series.  I haven't read them and had no trouble understanding what was going on.  If you want more background, you can read the previous books.  Or you can read this one as a stand alone.  

I found the story entertaining, the romance wasn't overwhelming and I was worried about some of the characters.  It's amazing how much you can about them in such a short time.  Ms. Daniels is a good author and just draws you into the story.  If you want a little excitement for Christmas, read this book.

Happy reading.