This was a solid story from Sharon Sala. It was easy to read and quite enjoyable. It was not one of her best though. She can write a more edge of your seat, tense, page turning sort of novel. She can also write a story with more intense characterization. Because I expected more from the writing of Ms. Sala, I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. This is apparently going to be another 3 book series where all the stories take place simultaneously. The last such series started off with the weakest story and then got better and better. I will definitely read the rest of the series to see if that is the case here. Even if the series doesn't, this is still well worth reading.

Bodie was a nice man. He was shown as a competent, caring cop. I liked that he was shown doing his job other than just with the heroine's case. Maria was not as well characterized. I believe because we are told she is a rancher and a horse trainer but are never actually able to see her do it. At least she goes to the police for help solving her mother's murder and doesn't spend her time doing stupid things that put herself and others in danger.

Things that I didn't like so well - we knew who the killer was right away. We were in his head too early and he wasn't different enough to make that particularly interesting. Also, the romance developed very quickly. Bodie was in love and wanted to marry her within a week. Sometimes that can work in a novel but here it just felt rushed.

Things I liked - Some people died, but kudos to the author, not the people you expected to die. I like it when an author takes a less obvious choice. ( )

This book is different in that we know who the killer is early on and it's just a matter of waiting for the story to play out to find out how/if he'll be caught. Bodie and Maria's relationship develops very quickly, which is typical of romance novels, but I didn't find it to be unbelievable. The book is part of a three-book series in which Maria's two "sisters" search for the truth about their biological parents. An overall good book. ( )

This is my second Sharon Sala novel and I like this one as much as the first one I read. It seems I've found a new author! Maria Slade's father has just died and has revealed a secret that has changed her life. She goes to Tulsa, Oklahoma to rediscover a past she never knew she had - great characters and a great story. ( )

After their father’s funeral they buried him near dear Momma’s grave. Maria,Savannah and Holly expected to inherit the ranch in Montana. What they did not expect was the video Andrew Slade left for the three of them. In it, the trio learned that not only were the parents they had known not their actual parents,but they had never officially been adopted and that they were not sisters
either!
What they just learned was made clearer by the diary their father kept for each of them detailing the reasons each child had been left with him and who their real parents had been. He had been a travelling preacher in a past life and accumulated the girls from parents who, for some reason or another, had fallen upon such difficult times that is was wiser to separate themselves from
their child than to put that child’s life in danger.
Maria’s mother had been a hooker who was murdered when the little girl was only four. The child witnessed the killing, but had been removed from the scene of the crime by do-gooder neighbors and blocked out all memory of that awful day. Now with her father’s death she took off to find out more about her mother only to discover that the murder had never been solved. After arriving in Tulsa, OK she began ferreting into her mother’s past and that past caught up with her sooner than she expected.
When her life is threatened and she ends up in hospital after a bomb planted under her car by a thug-for-hire explodes, the Tulsa police department takes what appeared to be an unsolved cold-case a little more seriously. What Maria did not count on was falling in love with Bodie Scott, the handsome cowboy homicide detective.
Sala treats us to romantic mystery al a Nora Roberts style as a challenge to be the headliner in her genre. “Blood Stains” evoked the right number of chuckles, tears and edge of your seat thrills to make this a major hit. ( )

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A great suspense and sweet romance.

Maria is an independent gal who doesn't need saving. But she is smart enough to accept the help of a good cop! She is just sassy enough to attract Bodie right away.

Bodie is one of those alpha protective types who jumps feet first into love. He is not hiding from his feeling no matter how quickly they come. And he is not looking to lat Marie back-down either.

The mystery angle is predictable but really interesting. Nicely paced story telling that keeps you on the edge most of the book.

This first book in the trilogy takes more time setting up the story arc that flows through all the books.

There is a slight religious tone because of the girls father having being a Preacher. But it isn't preachy or zealous.

The steam is light. Only one really hot and heavy scene that barely gets erotic. But that is mainstream for you! Still doesn't really distract from the great story.

I listened to the audiobook, Gail Hendricks is a terrific narrator. She does great voices and brings the story to life in an enchanting manner. Two happy ears here!!

Can't wait to read the next sister's story!! ( )