FGMAMTC Blog Review

Dark Horse is the first book in Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping series. Each installment is about a McGraw brother finding romance. Dark Horse is Cull's account. He's the oldest and isn't looking for the attraction he feels for Nikki. For me, the romance is just a bit of side narrative. The main focus is the puzzle of the kidnapping and possible murder of the two youngest siblings which happened 25 years ago. Nikki is a true crime writer. She is known for helping to solve old mysteries while doing research to write her novels. I'm crazy about Nikki and really enjoyed following her investigation. She's very likeable, and there are some eerie and exciting occurrences along the way. This is an interesting whodunit, and it left me wanting to continue to find out what's next for the McGraw family.


***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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Good beginning to the new series. Nikki is a true crime writer who has picked a twenty-five-year-old kidnapping case as the subject of her next book. She has contacted Travers McGraw, patriarch of the family, and received his blessing and an invitation to stay at the ranch and interview anyone she wants. What she hasn't told anyone about is her personal connection to the case. Her father was one of the accused kidnappers, and she wants to find the information that will clear his name.

Cull is Travers McGraw's oldest son. He was a child when his infant brother and sister were kidnapped, but it still haunts him today. He is protective of his father and the rest of the family and resents the attention they still receive because of the disappearance. The upcoming twenty-fifth anniversary is expected to be even worse. He isn't happy about Nikki's presence, fearing that whatever she stirs up will be detrimental to Travers' already shaky health.

The suspense of the story is really good. Nikki has a good track record of being able to unearth previously unknown information about cases. I liked that she doesn't just depend on police and newspaper reports, instead going back to the sources. I loved seeing how she was able to pull unrealized memories from various people. I especially enjoyed her conversations with the brothers and her compassion and sensitivity as she questioned them. Nikki also has good instincts, and through her eyes, several people move up the suspect list. It's obvious that someone doesn't want Nikki digging into the past when she is attacked along a deserted road. There are several twists and turns leading to a couple of surprise revelations. One deserving person gets what is coming to them thanks to Nikki's work. Some new information about the kidnapping is uncovered, resolving some questions but leaving others unanswered. I'm looking forward to the other books and getting the rest of the story.

The development of the relationship between Nikki and Cull doesn't take up much of the story. Though Cull is initially antagonistic to her, he can't deny that he is also attracted. Though protective of his family, he can't help but admire her determination. I liked seeing him warm up to her as he sees how much she cares about finding the truth. Nikki is just as attracted to Cull. Though each suspect that their feelings are growing deeper than expected, neither is willing to take the risk of bringing them out into the open. I loved seeing Cull's two brothers gang up on him to get him to see the truth and do something about it. The ending was pretty sweet, and I'm looking forward to seeing them in later books. ( )

Nikki St. James, a successful true-crime writer, arrives in Whitehorse, Montana, to investigate the disappearance of baby twins 25 years ago. Unbeknown to the rest of his family, the twins' father, Travers McGraw, had invited Nikki to stay on the McGraw's horse ranch and have access to any information available and speak to anybody who was around at the time of the twins' kidnapping. Travers' oldest son, Cull, is less than impressed, fearing the renewed attention will have an adverse effect on his ailing father. Facing reluctant witnesses and resistant family members, can Nikki discover whether the twins are dead or alive?
This was my first book by B.J. Daniels, and I did enjoy it. I think I might have enjoyed it more had I been familiar with her other Whitehorse Montana series. I didn't think the inclusion of the sheriff's storyline added anything to this plot. But readers familiar with all the recurring Whitehorse characters might see that differently. The mystery itself was really interesting and the desire to find out what had happened to the babies and who was behind their kidnapping kept me reading eagerly. It wasn't completely predictable, which was nice. I didn't find it particularly suspenseful and some of the writing was repetitive, but there were also some really good creepy, atmospheric and tense moments. I believe this is classified as a romantic suspense story, but the romantic aspects didn't convince me at all. Those parts were very bland. I'm also kind of a bit bummed that I hadn't realized this was the first in a new series, so while the end provides the predicted HEA as far as the romance is concerned, the mystery isn't fully resolved. Guess Dead Ringer, book 2, will provide further answers.
Overall, a quick, clean, interesting read but nothing that will stay with me for very long.
I received an ARC via NetGalley. ( )

Received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book drew me in at the beginning with a very captivating, intriguing scene which is definitely an attention grabber. I'm a sucker for suspense, so sue me? (Actually don't, I'm broke as a joke.)

Nikki St. James is a character I can definitely appreciate, as she is tenacious as she is smart, and definitely doesn't know when to let go, even if it gets her in a touch of danger. She is a good character, with secrets of her own.

Cull McGraw is a tough guy. But not quite as tough as he thinks he is and I, for one, am perfectly okay with that. "Tough guys" appear in abundance. He also has some secrets, only his are far more tragic.

I was so disappointed that this book ended, and that I'd read it so quickly. The pace was quick moving, something I truly appreciate, and it was a nice, quick read. I will be looking for the next one and adding it to my to be read list.

This is recommended for anyone who likes mystery, and romance, with a touch of suspense. Don't let the Harlequin label scare you off like I almost did. ( )

The McGraw twins kidnapping has remained a mystery for 25 yrs. And every anniversary has continued to tear at the family's heart and soul. Nikki St James is a true crime reporter who has investigated unsolved crimes and on occasion found new evidence and solved them. She believes she has new information for the McGraw case, and the wrong people had been charged, Nikki intends to put the record straight and catch the correct evil doers. The children's father is convince the twins are still alive but Cull, his oldest son, is not so optimistic, and he's concerned for his father's health.
This was a very entertaining book, full of suspense and intrigue. The exciting conclusion is full of long awaited answers....and some unanswered questions. I'm looking forward to the next book. ( )