Homicide at Whiskey Gulch

This enjoyable read was well written, engaging and offered up an enticing blend of romance and suspense. I really liked Trace. He was a genuine good guy and it was very easy to feel and fall for him. If I'm honest my feelings about Lily were more ambivalent. It wasn't that I didn't find her likable and I loved the pairing with Trace but I just didn't agree with all her choices and actions. The storyline grabs and hold your focus with its skillfully crafted combination of danger, action, tension, emotion and drama. all together a very good read. I'm electing to post a forthright review.

Eleven years ago, Trace Travis left behind Texas, Lily Davidson, the girl he believed had cheated on him, and his father’s Texas ranch where he felt he didn’t have a place. He joined the Army and became an elite Delta Force soldier. When his father is murdered on the ranch, he is called back from deployment for the funeral and to help his mother. Trace never expecting to find Lily working at the ranch. Just seeing her has him both wanting her and being mad at her for what she had done to him. Now not only do they have to deal with feelings , but also with the fact that someone wants Trace dead. The who and the why is a big unknown. The story if filled with mystery, family dynamics, romance and second chances. Will they be able to not only figure out who is the murderer before someone else gets hurt? This was a good introduction to the series and the characters whom I suspect will have a story of their own. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Trace, the only child of a wealthy Texas rancher, knows that he’s expected to take over the family business. When his dad decides his high school sweetheart, Lily, isn’t good enough for him...that’s it! He enlists in the Army with plans to eventually take Lily with him. Wanting the best for Trace, Lily lies to Trace and tells him she been cheating on him with Matt—the town bad boy. Enraged, he leaves and pushes himself in the Army to eventually become a member of the Delta Force. Trace only returns when he receives word that his father has been murdered. He’s shocked to learn that all the ranch hands have left and his mom and Lily have been left with more than they can handle. Lily, Trace’s high school sweetheart, has lived a life trying to make up for the sins of her parents. Feeling that her family’s criminal record would hinder Trace in reaching his dreams, she makes the ultimate sacrifice for him...she lets him go. Although her heart was in the right place, her lies will eventually come back to bite her in the butt! But working side by side to keep the ranch going after Trace’s dad’s murder, is almost more than she can handle. The series is off to a great start. I enjoyed the storyline, characters, mystery, and surprises. While I thought Lily was a strong woman, I thought she was also a bit of a hypocrite. She went on and on about deserving a man who would “fight” for her, but then goes on to say she did the right thing by lying to Trace. Otherwise, I loved them as a couple. I can’t wait to see if any of his other Delta buddies show up on the ranch. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.