Series:
Cowboys of Cider Creek (Book 4)
She needs help uncovering the truth…
And one reluctant cowboy is her only hope.
Finding a body on his property has unexpectedly
complicated Tiernan Hayes's life, and then he meets the woman being set up as
the murderer. The former rodeo rider's instincts scream that Melody Cantor has
been targeted because of her family connections. Melody has no one to protect
her, and Tiernan knows he shouldn't get involved. But this Texan never walks
away from a challenge, even one that could prove deadly.
Terrific, fast-paced story that hooked me from the first
page and kept me intrigued to the end. The book opens with Tiernan walking his
dog Loki (perfect name for the pup!) on his ranch and Loki finding a dead body.
A paper with a woman's name and address is found in the victim's pocket. Tiernan
rides along with the sheriff to see her.
Melody has just finished a job interview when she finds a
mysterious note on her windshield. She's unsure if it is meant for her, or a
mistake, or somehow related to her father's crimes. When she stops at home, she's
met by a sheriff's deputy and Tiernan and told that she's wanted for
questioning by the sheriff. She's confused and concerned but goes along with
them.
I already liked Tiernan at this point. His instincts tell
him that there is no way Melody could be the murderer. I also appreciated his
immediate protectiveness as he watched the sheriff do everything he could to
pin the murder on Melody. I loved how he told her to stop answering questions
while he made a phone call and got her a top-notch lawyer. He takes her back to
his house, where she meets Loki. Tiernan's sensitivity to her fear of dogs and
explanation of Loki's history were a good look at the kind and compassionate
man he is.
I ached for Melody as the truth of her trouble hit hard.
The meeting with the lawyer helps some, but hearing the sheriff is searching her
house adds to that feeling. Then, the twist of the victim's identity adds to
the situation's complexity. I liked how Tiernan offered to let Melody stay with
him when she didn't want to be alone.
Though the lawyer and the sheriff have people
investigating, Tiernan and Melody decide to do a little sleuthing themselves. I
loved Melody's determination to be fully involved and Tiernan's desire to help and
keep her safe. The twists and turns of their searches, combined with the
sheriff's determination to pin the murder on Melody, kept me as deeply invested
as they were. Even as the clues piled up, I was kept guessing about who was
behind the attempt to frame Melody. The final confrontation surprised me and had
me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Tiernan
and Melody. They were attracted to each other from the moment they met but
tried to resist because of their situation. Both also have trust issues from
previous relationships, which take a little while to overcome. I especially
liked Tiernan's protectiveness and the sweet way he cared for Melody. At the
same time, she felt protective of him and tried to keep from being too
disruptive to his life. I liked seeing the similarities in their attitudes
towards wealth and privilege. I loved the ending and seeing them admit their
feelings for each other. I wish there had been an epilogue because I would have
liked more about Tiernan and his family.
Loki was my favorite secondary character. I loved how Tiernan
told Melody Loki's story and its effect on her. Tiernan's love for the dog was
undeniable, and I loved seeing them together. I also liked Loki's
protectiveness toward Tiernan and Melody. I've had two labs, and the author
nailed the breed's personality.
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