Iron Will & Justice at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels is a good fit for readers who enjoy stories about uncovering family secrets, overcoming past traumas, and finding love in the face of danger.

Iron Will is the second installment in the Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy. This was an excellent read that I read in one sitting. It had everything that I love it had suspense and mystery. Hank and Frankie were going back to Hank’s hometown he was certain that his ex-girlfriend had been murdered. Frankie and Hank were undercover they were pretending to be in a relationship when in reality they were about to uncover a murder. Frankie was a recognized Private Investigator and pretty darn good in her field of expertise. Hank is going to be surprised with all the secrets that his dear Naomi was keeping from him. He really had no idea who she really was but all he knew that was they were not meant to be together. Now as for Frankie she had her own little problem that was going to be following her and make some trouble. Frankie and Hank were meant to be together but they needed to allow themselves to be free and not live in the past. Frankie had good reason to break her relationship with her ex and Hank knew that he didn’t want what Naomi wanted at that moment. Now Hank and Frankie can be happily ever after as soon as they are able to overcome their journey and come out in the end safe.

I can’t wait to read more of this series.

This is the second book in the series.

It's been three years and Hank still refuses to believe that his ex's death was a suicide. So he's hired a PI Frankie to look into things, see if there is more to be found. Frankie was a bit different than Hank expected. He never expected to Frankie to be a women and the closer they get to finding the secrets the more apparent it is that someone doesn't want them to be digging around.

If you love a good mystery book then this is for you. I was hooked from the beginning and it was an extremely quick read for me.

I've been a fan of B.J. Daniels' novels for some time, and have been enjoying her Cardwell Ranch series, and this latest entry, the second in her Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy series, Iron Will, again proves that she's excellent at writing mystery/romantic suspense novels, and this one gets 5 stars from this reader.

Hank Savage is the son of the town marshal, Hud Savage, but the two parted ways 3 years earlier after what Hank believed was the murder of his beloved girlfriend, Naomi, a death that his father and the coroner deemed a suicide. Naomi was a woman his family disapproved of, something Hank deeply resented, but while he loved Naomi there was a stumbling block in the way. Naomi wanted to marry Hank and start a family with him, but she also wanted to live in the city and not on his family ranch--one more reason his parents didn't think she was the right woman for him. After Hank said he wasn't quite ready to marry her, Naomi supposedly jumped off a high cliff to her death on the rocks below, but Hank knew that she was terrified of heights and that if she did commit suicide, this wasn't the manner of death she'd have chosen.

After Naomi's death, and his guilt over delaying their marriage, Hank moved to Boise, Idaho to try to escape from the memory of his lost love (it didn't work), and it was there that he eventually hired Francesca (Frankie) Brewster, a private investigator, and where he cooked up a reason for returning home to the ranch--Frankie is posing as his new love interest, a role she's uncomfortable with, and a relationship Hank's parents doubt as soon as they meet her--but Hank isn't leaving town until he and Frankie prove that Naomi was murdered.

Both Frankie and Hank are well-developed, fully realized characters, and their quickly building attraction to one another is deftly handled by the author, who has certainly created many memorable characters in her previous novels. To add even more depth to the story, Frankie is also ignoring the incessant phone calls and text messages from her former fiance, a cop who simply won't take no for an answer, and who has a violent streak when he doesn't get what he wants, information she keeps from Hank.

While the timing of this novel happens over a short period of time, the relationship between Frankie and Hank never felt rushed to this reader, and it certainly didn't feel like insta-love, for which I am extremely grateful. While Hank is still grieving over the loss of the love of his life, the leads they are uncovering and following in their investigation, and what Frankie manages to discover about Naomi are a revelation to Hank, and make him question everything he thought he knew about Naomi.

It doesn't take long before their low-key investigation leads to Hank and Frankie being run off the road by another vehicle, and ending up in the river, lucky to be alive--and that's just for starters. It's quite clear that by returning to town to delve deeper into Naomi's death, Hank and Frankie are rattling someone's cage, or is it Frankie's ex-fiance who was responsible for this attack? This suspenseful story builds to an amazing and unexpected crescendo in what I can only call a tour de force of edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense. All in all, I found this novel impossible to put down and I believe that you will too.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Iron Will by BJ Daniels was a fun, suspenseful read. Hank Cardwell left home after his fiance committed suicide. Despite the findings of the town law, Hank knew it could be true. He hired Frankie Brewster, PI, to come home with him pretending to be his girl to help investigate the matter. Hank’s father knew his relationship with Hank took a dive when he opposed Hank’s old girlfriend. What I liked about the story was the relentless searching Frankie did. I like how she questioned Hank’s assumptions. (It didn’t hurt that she was right!) and forced him to face the truths revealed. The romance didn’t hurt!

I enjoyed the characters and the plot line and as always her writing is solid. Iron Will by BJ Daniels was a good read.

As with the other books I've read by B.J. Daniels, this one is just as good. This author has a great talent for developing well rounded likable characters, a great plot, just the right amount of suspense and intrigue, and beautiful endings. Although a second in a series, Iron Will & Justice at Cardwell Ranch was definitely a standalone and I look forward to reading more of this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing me a copy to review. My opinions are my own.

Hank Savage has come home to find out the truth. Frankie Brewster is the woman who's going to help him find it. Feelings, letting go of the past. Secrets must be faced before the truth is revealed. Will the past keep him from moving on with his life? Will her ex-fiance come between them? Will their Iron Will solve the past and give them a future?

Hank Savage is lying to his family about his reason for coming home to Cardwell Ranch. Bringing Francesca “Frankie” Brewster with him, as his new girlfriend. He wants to find out the truth about his former girlfriend's death. He's always thought she was murdered but the authorities, including his father the sheriff ruled it a suicide. Determined to find out no matter what. He's hired Frankie, a private investigator to help out. His mother is happy he's moved on and his father hope's it's true. As they investigate the past Hank begins to realize he doesn't know the woman he loved. Frankie finds a different side of his ex-girlfriend. Hank and Frankie work together on finding the truth. His father's suspicions are kept to himself. Everyone but Hank saw how wrong the woman was for him. He fights the new information about the girlfriend, but soon learns to accept what he hears and realizes he never really knew her. Frankie's feelings for the ranch and Hank grow as they spend more time together. Frankie going on her own to investigate a lead at the local bar results in a murder. After a near fatal accident they begin to act on the feelings that they've begun to share. Hank has been an open book about his life but knows that Frankie is keeping something from him. Hank's father almost catches them kissing. The sheriff doesn't want to make the same mistake by running a background check on Frankie like he did the former girlfriend. As the two of them get closer to the truth, lives are put in danger. Frankie gets a visitor that has Hank getting protective. Her ex-fiance is determined to get her back. He stalks her and follows them when they're headed back to Idaho because they turn over the investigation to his father. An injured man has them stopping to help, only to be taken hostage by the drug dealer in charge. They're threatened with harm to reveal where his missing money is that the ex-girlfriend stole. Frankie's ex-fiance follows them and tries to use the situation to his advantage. A deal with the drug dealer leads to Frankie going looking for the one person who knows where the money is. Which has extenuating circumstances when a promise is broken. A trip to the Cardwell Ranch has Frankie getting help from Hank's dad. Decisions are made about the future and their lives.

A man determined to find the truth no matter what. A woman who has a secret that can put her in danger. A passion they can't deny. Danger from all sides. Iron Will is the second book in the suspenseful, heart stopping story of facing the truth no matter what it maybe. Finding love again when you thought you wouldn't and the person that is perfect for you. B.J. Daniels returns to the Cardwell Ranch series with the new miniseries of Montana Legacy, which follows the children of Hud and Dana Cardwell Savage as they find love and come home to Cardwell Ranch. I'll be sorry to see it end, but as always anxiously await the next book from this wonderful writer of intriguing and suspenseful books.

It's been three years and Hank still refuses to believe that his ex's death was a suicide. So he's hired a PI Frankie to look into things, see if there is more to then to what everyone else's believed. He never expected to Frankie to be a women for one (So you know attraction is brewin) and its becoming clear someone doesn't want them to look too close at what really happened.

I loved a good mystery book and I love following along as these two figure out what happened behind Hank's ex death. This was a pretty great book, I was pretty much hooked from the start and it finished way too quickly for me. I wanted more, but just because I wanted more doesn't mean it needed it. Overall great book highly recommend!

I really liked visiting with the Savage family again.
This book has strong characters like the others of BJ Daniels.
The story is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages to the end.
I felt that I was in the book as a character watching things unfold. I was truly sucked into the story the entire time.

Three years ago, Hank Savage left the family ranch in Big Sky, Montana after the apparent suicide of his long time girl friend, Naomi. He did not believe that she had killed herself and had a blow up with his father, the sheriff, who went along with the coroner's verdict. He moved to Idaho, but has not had any peace of mind, so hires PI Frankie Brewster, to find out the truth. Frankie is eager to get out of town, as she is being harassed by her ex, a cop. Since he knows his father would not go along with the investigation, they pose as sweethearts. While his mother immediately likes Frankie, and feels she is a much better match for Hank than Naomi ever was, she soon reached the conclusion, that something isn't quite kosher with their relationship. While Frankie learns things about Naomi that Hank doesn't want to hear, because they show she wasn't the girl he thought she was, he almost fires her, until someone tries to kill them. Between the investigation and their close proximity to each other, the relationship is soon not so fake.

I liked the strength of the characters and how they worked together. The read was quick and full of action. I received a free, advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Iron Will - B.J. Daniels (HI #1869 - Aug 2019)

Series: Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy (Book 2)

Are a dead woman’s secrets

enough to kill for…?

Hank Savage has always believed his old girlfriend was murdered. Now he’s come home to Cardwell Ranch and, with the help of PI Frankie Brewster, is determined to find the killer. Trying to keep their feelings at bay, Hank and Frankie quickly learn that every lead reveals a life steeped in secrets—and danger. And that someone from Hank’s past will do anything to keep the truth from being revealed.

Very good book. Hank Savage left his home in Big Sky after the death of his girlfriend and a blowup with his father. Hank was certain that his girlfriend was murdered, but his father, Marshal Hud Savage, agreed with the coroner that Naomi committed suicide. Haunted by the certainty that he was right, Hank enlists the help of PI Frankie Brewster to help him discover the truth. To disguise their intentions, Hank and Frankie pretend to be a couple.

I liked both Hank and Frankie. Hank is a good man, honorable and loyal. It was his love for and loyalty to Naomi that made him stand up to his father regarding her death. He is also stubborn, which is what kept him away from Big Sky for so long. He misses his home and his family and his life as a rancher. Frankie is an excellent PI with a talent for reading people and asking the right questions. She feels a bit guilty for deceiving Hank's parents about their relationship, but it is part of the job.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Hank and Frankie. There are sparks between them from the start that grow hotter with each passing day. The show that they put on for his parents becomes all too real as those sparks burst into flame. But Frankie isn't too sure that Hank has moved past his grief for Naomi enough to start living again. She is also a bit wary of the speed of their feelings, as her previous relationship also happened fast and did not end well. Hank is surprised by his feelings for Frankie, but he can't deny the strength of them. I liked his sensitivity to her fears, and his willingness to be patient as she works through them. I also liked his protectiveness when someone from her past made an unwelcome appearance.

The suspense of the story was excellent. For every question that they asked and got an answer to, more questions appeared. It quickly became evident that Naomi was not the girl that Hank thought she was. The closer they came to uncovering the truth, the more determined someone was to stop them. There was the added complication of someone from Frankie's past ending up in the middle of the investigation. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat as Frankie had to use every trick in her book to save herself and Hank. I loved the resolution and seeing Hud have to eat a little crow. I like him, but he should have had more trust in Hank's knowledge of Naomi.


Bonus book included:

Justice at Cardwell Ranch

Series: Cardwell Ranch (Book 2)
Montana Mystique (Book 4)

CARDWELL CHARM WAS ALL HE'D EVER NEEDED...UNTIL NOW

Six years ago, Dana Cardwell found her mother's will in a cookbook and became sole owner of the Cardwell Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Now happily married, Dana is surprised when her siblings, Stacy and Jordan, show up on the ranch...and trouble isn't too far behind. As danger draws closer to the ranch, deputy marshal Liza Turner quickly realizes that Jordan Cardwell isn't the man the town made him out to be.

Very good book. Jordan has come back to Big Sky to investigate the truth behind his best friend's suicide while they were in high school. The day he arrived one of his high school friends who might have known something was murdered. Liza Turner is tagged to investigate and soon finds that there are troublesome secrets coming to light. Even though he's a suspect, Liza is attracted to Jordan. Her instincts tell her that he is not the murderer but that he can be dangerous to her heart.

I really liked both Liza and Jordan. Liza is doing a great job as deputy. She remembers Jordan from the whole will problem six years earlier and not in a good way. Though she doesn't trust him at first, she quickly realizes that he has changed for the better. When he explains why he is in Big Sky and how it might impact her murder investigation they start working together to investigate. Liza also discovers that she is very attracted to Jordan, but doesn't expect him to stay around. I liked Liza's intelligence and the way she was able to put things together.

Jordan was great too. I loved the way that he had changed for the better. He had been devastated by his friend's suicide, and when he found out it may have been murder he had to come back and check into it. He was attracted to Liza right away and found himself looking for any excuse to be with her. Investigating how the suicide and then murder were connected gave them a lot of time together. I loved the way he accepted the fact that he was going to have to earn people's trust and how hard he worked to do so. I liked the way that he respected Liza's job as deputy but still wanted to protect her. The mystery of the suicide and murder was well done and had a tense ending.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Wonderful mystery plot. Great fast developing romance. B.J. Daniels has been hit or miss for me for the past few years. Her last book, Steel Resolve, was fantastic and this one is just a good. Having one of my favorite couples, Dana and Hud Savage, around again is also just great. Seeing the Savage kids get their own stories, I love it. I can't wait for the next one.

Hank Savage, oldest of the Savage children, had a falling out with his parents three years ago over Naomi, the woman Hank loved, but his parents had reservations about. After Hank and Naomi argue, she commits suicide, or so the coroner and Sheriff Hud Savage decide. Hank disagreed, insisting she was murdered. Hank leaves the Cardwell. Now he's back to find out what really happened.

Francesca "Frankie" Brewster is the PI Hank has hired to find out the truth and she is determined to find out what really happened to Naomi, for no other reason but that, maybe, it would give Hank closure and help him move on with his life. That Frankie finds herself drawn to the cowboy is something she just has to try and ignore. As they ask questions that someone doesn't like, it becomes apparent that Hank didn't know Naomi as well as he thought he did.

Another great read from B.J. Daniels! This is the second book in a series. Very nice contemporary romance with some suspense and drama thrown in. Very enjoyable!

Hank comes home to find peace and instead finds trouble. Frankie brings her own brand of trouble with her. B. J. Daniels tells a great small town cowboy story. She knows just the right amount of trouble and heat to stir up to keep you turning the pages. All the Caldwell siblings are now happily settled at home so the parents can look forward to enjoying the grand babies.

Book Info
Paperback, 448 pages
Expected publication: July 16th 2019 by Harlequin
ISBN 1335016708 (ISBN13: 9781335016706)
Edition Language English
Other Editions (2)
Source:Netgalley EARC
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BOOK BLURB

Another batch of Cardwells and Savages face no shortage of danger in the new Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy series by New York Times bestselling author B.J. Daniels—plus a bonus story!

Iron Will
For three years, cowboy Hank Cardwell has been haunted by his ex’s death. Now he’s returned to Cardwell Ranch with private investigator Frankie Brewster to find out what reallyhappened that terrible night. Every lead reveals a life steeped in secrets—and danger. But will the truth be enough to set Hank free?

Justice at Cardwell Ranch
Six years ago, Dana Cardwell found her mother’s will in a cookbook and became sole owner of the Cardwell Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. Now happily married, Dana is surprised when her siblings, Stacy and Jordan, show up on the ranch…and trouble isn’t too far behind. As danger draws closer to the ranch, deputy marshal Liza Turner quickly realizes that Jordan Cardwell isn’t the man the town made him out to be.
My Thoughts

While this is billed as a 2-in-1 read the Netgalley ARC was full length story Iron Will and the excerpt/teaser of Just His Luck.

Hank Savage left home with a cloud of guilt over his head because he felt somehow responsible for a death he could in no way have prevented 3 years ago.

One should really know a person well before committing fully to them and this holds true whether the relationship is real or that of make believe characters.

For Hank that lesson is brought home in spades the more he learns about Naomi and the more he learns just how much she kept from him while the two were involved.

I enjoyed from beginning to end the way things played out as Hank worked through his need to find out what happened 3 years before, enjoyed his conflicting feelings as he and Frankie became closer than employee and employer but most of all really was happy when as a result of their investigation there was a satisfactory ending for all concerned.

This was another wonderful Cardwell/Savage family tale and it was exactly what I wanted it to be in terms of the mystery, romance and suspense angles that all inter-connected in the story's plot and final execution.

[EArc from Netgalley]

This is book 2 in the series. It was very good. Held my interest from the first page to the last. She mixes intrigue with romance that makes for a very interesting combination. A great read.

The book can be a stand alone read or part of the series. The characters are interesting and readers know right away what is happening but not who is after them. The characters are well written and their background makes since as the story progresses. The romance is another insta love with of course a happy ending but it takes some times to get there.
Their is action, redemption and romance. Everything readers are looking for from B.J. Daniels.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin Suspense Romance for the advance copy of B.J. Daniels Iron Will and Justice at Cardwell Ranch.

Iron Will & Justice at Cardwell Ranch (Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy Book 2) by B.J. Daniels ... I would like to submit first that this book is only IRON WILL even if NetGalley listed as two books in one. Thank you to to publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview and review this book. Hank Savage (trying to deal with the death of his girlfriend three years ago..was she murdered or did she kill herself) Frankie Brewster (P.I. dealing with a abusive ex) Hank hires Frankie to help him solve the mystery. There are some laughs, tears, angst, violence, mystery and lots of other great characters and some bad ones that lead to a solution and a HEA.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read Great world building Romantic Action-packed Happily Ever After Entertaining Page-turner Wonderful characters Tragic Witty

My mistake with this one was thinking I could casually enter into this one getting bits and pieces here and there while chaos was going on around me. I was fooling myself because once I got started I hated putting it down thanks to Hank and Frankie. You quickly get caught up on why they are back at his home. You also know you will chuckle when they both get bit too. Anyways things quickly pull us to the edge thanks to the intrigue that will follow some events as it takes place. I really enjoyed Frankie whom has some spunk forming her into a likable character. But oh what is after her is a wowzer with a unexpected path on what happens there. Anyways as answers start rolling in you want the answers faster with finding out soon you are at the end. Oh my did I devour it quickly with that seeming to happen so often with her books.

Wonderful continuation in the Cardwell Ranch series. Hank comes home to try and find out what happened to his former girlfriend. He brings along Frankie, a PI, to help him figure it all out. Along the way some sparks fly. Loved the story, hope there's more books in this series!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.