This is a soap opera. Stalker, old love back in the picture, new love, missing diary...it’s a book that has everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. The romance didn’t work for me because I didn’t care for Chance or Mary, either one.

This was my first book by BJ Daniels and I wasn’t too impressed. It’s supposed to be a romantic suspense novel, but there’s not a lot of romance and the suspense was laid out for us instead of letting it blossom into a finale. We knew what was going to happen in the beginning of the story and it was extremely predictable.
There were a few big issues in this book that could’ve been handled better. Fiona/Lucy was a seriously sick individual. She needed major help, and no one seemed involved enough in her life to truly see her as she was. Let me take that back, there was one person. Chase’s boss’ wife Patti. She grew up with Fiona and knew a lot of what had happened to her, knew how unstable she was, that she had a history when it came to men in her life, yet she still set Fiona and Chase up? Then there was the Deputy. Hud, Mary’s father, and town marshal, hired the deputy without a background check or process. This is 2019, not the 1950’s. No one is hired for that type of position based on a request of someone you know in passing. Mary and Chase’s relationship is boring. He left once because he needed to figure out his life. He comes back because he’s still in love with her, just like she’s still in love with him but I couldn’t find the love and romance between the two, it felt forced because it was supposed to be history repeating itself. We find out in the story (many times) that Mary’s father left Mary’s mother when they were both young to find himself, eventually coming back, marrying her, and settling down.
There were too many subplots for this book. We’ve got Chase getting a package from a friend of his mom after his mom passes, revealing that his father’s initials are J.M. Chase immediately assumes that his father’s not named because he was married and cheating on his wife with Chase’s mother and dumping her when she tells him she’s pregnant, Chase coming back because he’s still in love with Mary, Fiona/Lucy seeking revenge for her imagined slighted heart, and cattle rustling. With so many subplots, the story feels overall weak and pulled in too many directions.

Steel Resolve by B.J. Daniels is the first book in a new series about the Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy. What a great start to a series! There is nothing like a psychotic woman chasing a hot cowboy to liven up a story. Chase Steel left Montana when he was 24. He was young and didn’t always show Mary how much he loved her. Mary was heartbroken. Chase went went on to find his way, but realized he still loved Mary. Mary worked hard to start over again and find her way, except for that one night she wrote a letter that found Chase. Too bad Fiona (psychotic woman) also found it.

I enjoyed reading Steel Resolve by B.J. Daniels. I liked the story line and the characters, even Fiona. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series called Hank’s Story. Steel Resolve was a quick fun read.

B.J. Daniels’ names is synonymous with contemporary Western romantic suspense and she is back with an exceptional read that is absolutely impossible to put down: Steel Resolve.

Mary Cardwell Savage and Chase Steele had once been head over heels in love with another. The bond that united them had been strong and nothing and nobody was ever going to tear them apart – until a cruel twist of fate had ended up destroying everything and rupturing the ties that united them. Chase had been unable to stand living in the same town as Mary and despite the fact that he still loved her with every bone in his body, he had moved away from the woman he had wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Despite of the distance he had put between them, Chase has never quite managed to forget Mary and his feelings for her are as strong as ever. Chase has tried to move on with his life, but in the process he has ended up being the object of a dangerous woman’s affections…a woman who will do anything to be Chase’s one and only – even murder…

Sending a letter to her ex had been a huge mistake, but Mary’s moment of weakness has resulted in Chase coming back to Big Sky, Montana. Mary knows that she should confine her feelings for the gorgeous cowboy to the past, however, that soon proves to be easier said than done. On his return, Mary finds herself as drawn to her ex as ever, but dare she give into temptation and give their love another chance? Or is she still haunted by old wounds and scars which simply refuse to heal?

Chase will stop at nothing to have Mary back in his life, but with a deranged stalker intent on causing maximum damage and ready to eliminate all the obstacles standing between him and Mary, does their love stand any chance of surviving? Or is their relationship doomed?

B.J. Daniels writes romantic suspense of the highest quality and Steel Resolve is certainly no exception! A high stakes white knuckle ride peppered with plenty of heat, passion and emotion, Steel Resolve is a fantastic read that will keep readers absolutely glued to its pages. Romantic suspense does not get any better than this and with Steel Resolve, B.J. Daniels continues to cement her standing as one of the genre’s brightest stars!

Who are Chase and Mary? How do they know one another? Right after meeting Fiona in the book, I didn't like her. Who is Dillon Ramsey? What does he do for a living? What happens when Mary is out at the ranch? Who calls her? What does Rick tell Chase about Fiona? Who is Grady? What are he and Dllon up to? Who is Lucy and what do we learn about her? What happens with Grady, Dillon, and Lucy had me shaking my head. Who is Jim Hunt? What do we learn about him? Read and see if we get an HEA out of this story!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.

OH MY GOODNESS.
I wanted to climb in that book and slap that woman senseless. How dare she do that to Chase!!!
I loved the story and the characters. I was sucked into the story from the beginning.
The drama that Ms Daniels writes into a book is amazing.
I wont give away the plot or story line but you just must read it.

Chase Steele has left the woman he's loved since they were teenagers to find himself. Mary Cardwell Savage can't move on from the only man she's ever loved. They haven't stopped loving each other for the last four years. A letter that she she regrets writing in a sentimental moment is mailed. A return to Montana to find the father he's never known. Can they move on? Or will danger to them both come between them?

Chase Steele has been regretting the one night stand he had at a weak moment. Mary Cardwell Savage is ready to move on from the love of her life with her father's new deputy. Chase believes he's left the obsessive woman behind when he leaves Arizona. Mary's letter sends him back to Montana along with the promise to spread his mom's ashes in her favorite spot. He never knew who his father was and a package in Mary's possession may have the answers. Meanwhile, Mary has become some what attracted to the new deputy that works for her father. Her dad doesn't trust his new deputy. No one can measure up to Chase in Mary's mind and heart. Chase gets some calls from his old boss about the obsessed woman. Finally thinking the whole incident is over with he arrives in Montana determined to get Mary back. Only she doesn't know if she can trust him with her heart again. A new friend enters Mary's life and becomes a tenant in her apartments and inserts herself into her life. Mary confides in her new friend. Mary is torn between the deputy and Chase. The deputy has an agenda when it comes to dating Mary, but when he pushes too hard she gets a look at the type of man he really is. Chase and the deputy have an altercation. Mary begins to help Chase look for information about who his father may be, which brings them back together. When the deputy decides to make Mary jealous, it doesn't work. Mary gets very sick one day. Chase meets the new tenant and doesn't trust her. Mary doesn't believe Chase when he says there's something about her new tenant, but she just thinks its from his former experience with the obsessed woman. Mary finds her new tenant going through her things and starts to get suspicious. Clues to Chase's father leads to a man and they follow him to Chase's father. Mary and Chase spend an emotional night together. Someone doesn't like how close the two have become and makes plans. A plan to go horseback riding leads to putting Mary in danger. Chase rushes to the rescue. Plans for the future are made. A member of the Savage family is returning to Cardwell Ranch.

B.J. Daniels brings you back to her Cardwell Ranch series with the next generation of Cardwells. The stories continue the love of the ranch and family. She brings together long lost lovers who haven't forgotten or gotten over each other. They must battle an obsessed woman and a cattle rustler along with the emotionally charged search for a father he's never known. The three Savage children are given stories starting with the daughter's story. There were surprising events that you don't see coming in this suspenseful romance. I'm looking forward to Hank Savage's story in the next installment of the Montana Legacy trilogy in the Cardwell Ranch series.

Fast paced and exciting. The danger is apparent to the reader but not to the characters. This follows the themes that Daniels does such a good job writing.

Oh I liked it! Fiona was one messed up gal. She created her own chaos. She felt more of the main character than Mary. Mary is the all round good girl. What do these girls have in common? One hunky guy! What a good suspense story.

While reading this book, I could see it play out in my head so vividly, in color like a movie. To say that some of the characters might be a little not right in the head is putting it mildly. But they definitely made for an interesting and anticipating read. And these were just supporting characters in the story for Mary and Chase! Mary and Chase were young first lovers who had such a strong connection, but certain situations caused them to separate. However, both still loved and pined for the other. I loved their way back to each other. It wasn't forced. It was patient, but inevitable. I loved how she was forgiving and supportive in his quest to find his dad. I loved how he was protective of Mary and up front in his feelings for her. They were a great team and had to go through a lot for their reunion.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

As a native Montanan I could connect to the descriptions of the place and could picture how everything took place. Good romantic suspense that will heat up beaches all summer.

A quick read and entertaining.
I liked watching Chase and Mary get a second chance together. They didn't spend time going back and forth over any tedious old arguments or hurts. They were both ready to get back together and that made for refreshing reading.
There were some interesting side characters that provided menace and suspense.
I prefer when I don't know who the villain is as it adds more mystery and suspense but in this book we know the villain's name from the beginning and see parts of the story from that person's point of view. The well developed background made this character's motivations more believable but at the same time made the story very predictable.
I read this book quite quickly as it was a good enough read and exciting in places.

WOW! I absolutely loved this book. It was a fun read that started right in on the story with no buildup but executed it well. Chase and Mary were obviously meant for each other, not that it means anything to Fiona. Fiona is a more complicated character than I expected, and I felt like by the end Chase and Mary were old friends of mine. Can't wait to read Hank's story.

I have been reading Harlequin for many years, so when I had a chance to try a Harlequin Intrigue with a hot cowboy on the cover, I couldn’t pass it up.

"Oh, he didn’t know sorry, but he would soon enough. He would rue this day. And if he thought he’d seen the last of her, he was in for a surprise. That Montana hayseed would have Chase over her dead body."

Chase’s drunken one-night stand with Fiona was a big mistake and he tried to let her down easily; however, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. When she finds out he is going back home to the woman he loved, she isn’t going to let him forget her that easily. How far would she go to get him back?

The story is told in many points of view. Chase and Mary are the main romantic characters. Fiona is the jilted and crazy lover, who has an evil agenda, and Dillon is the unlikeable deputy sheriff with a secret.

The tone is romantic with darkness and suspense slowly building to the finale. A great start to the Cardwell Ranch series.

Thank you to Ms. Daniels, Harlequin and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.

This is an action packed, suspense filled small town story with several different threads skilfully interwoven to create a superb tapestry of events, characters and story.


Chase Steele is returning to Big Sky, Montana but is unaware that he's closely followed by someone who is stalking him. He's had enough of big city living and is returning soon after receiving a letter from the woman he loved but left behind, Mary Cardwell Savage. He broke her heart and his own when he left but now she has written to say she has something that his recently deceased Mum has left for him. Is this a second chance for this High School sweethearts or will fate force them apart again?


The second chance romance is only part of this story which is packed with intrigue, deceit and double crossing danger. There's murderers, rustlers, secrets and so much more in this well paced page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and have no hesitation in highly recommending it.


I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

A good read.
Well written, captivating, good storyline, strong likable characters, not boring!
Beautiful cover.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

An easy read, “Steel Resolve” follows Chase Steele who left his hometown and childhood sweetheart Mary Cardwell Savage to experience the world, though to Mary’s point of view, it was to “sow his wild oats.”

That point of view is a little bit old fashioned. (Do Gen Z think in terms of “sowing wild oats?). But, with the setting of a small town in Montana, it is easy to take into consideration that people tend to cling to old ways.

While in Arizona, Chase received an old fashion letter (yes, a hard copy handwritten letter written on very feminine stationery). This made up Chase’s mind to go back home. And as he was making his plans, he found out that he accidentally became the object of a fatal attraction. Unfortunately, without his knowledge, his stalker followed him all the way home.

A little bit of mystery plus a little bit of romance equals a good read. This is the first book by B.J. Daniels that I have read, and I totally enjoyed.

“Steel Resolve” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance strongly advised due to violence.

When Chase and Mary were teenagers they fell in love however they had different dreams for their futures which caused them to separate and left both of them with a broken heart. They have both moved forward with their lives however they have never forgotten each other.

When Chase receives a love letter from Mary that she never meant to send he realizes that she is all he ever wanted so he heads back to Caldwell Ranch for a second chance. Complication arise when his past follows him and that isn’t the only thing that is trying to keep them apart.

Suspense, danger and a mystery from the past all combine as Chase and Mary search for their second chance now that they are older and know what is truly important.

Excellent psychological thriller! It was a mix of all my favorite genres...cowboys, HEA romance and thrilling, scary killers. It had it all. This is a solid best seller. A new author to add to my favorites list.

This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.

This story had my heart racing and on the edge of my seat. What a ride this was. Although I was more into the suspense of the story, the romance wasn't too bad neither. Chase and Mary were high school and college sweethearts until Chase left to go back home to his dying mother in Arizona. Well actually Mary's father told her that they were too young to be so serious and their relationship ended. Fast forward 4 years, Chase is in Arizona when he receives a letter from Mary professing her love for him. Ready to rekindle their love, Chase decides to return to Big Sky, Montana to pick up where they left off, but Chase has an obsessed stalker on his tail. Will Chase and Mary rekindle their love before the stalker executes her plans.?

Okay…let me say that this is a suspense romance with no sex. Let's start off with the main premise of the story. Chase had a one night stand and the lady turned out to be psychotic and a real stalker. She was sneaking in his home while he was gone and while doing so she discovered the letter from Mary in his sock drawer. This lady is bat crap crazy and the author did a wonderful emitting the character on the page. Fiona, the stalker, was unpredictable, cold, and unstable. I had absolutely no idea what she was going to do next and she went to such extreme to have Chase to herself.

As I said before, I enjoyed the suspense with the unpredictability and interesting characters, but the romance was meh. It really pains me to say this, but Mary and Chase had no personality and little chemistry. I understand that they were young lovers and their relationship was already established, but I needed the author to try a little harder with selling their relationship. The "I love you"'s were thrown around like crazy and it had to weight to it. Another thing that blew my mind was Mary and her naivety when it came to Fiona. Mary was so clueless to be a 28 year old and it was so easy for Fiona to infiltrate her life. I liked the Caldwell family and the ranch life was barely mentioned, even though this takes place in Montana and their livelihood.

Based on the suspense alone, this book would have been a 5 star, but I was there for the romance and it fell short. This book really held my attention and I don't think that a book has ever had my heart race the way this book has. I recommend this book and I will rate this book 3.5 stars.