Sometimes you can go home again. It’s just not always safe…

Mary Cardwell Savage never meant to send that letter to her ex, Chase Steele.

How could she know her words would bring the gorgeous cowboy back to Big Sky, Montana—with an unstable and dangerous stalker following close behind?

Now Chase wants to prove that their love deserves a second chance.

And this time, nothing will keep him from his heart’s desire…not even a killer.

Titles in the Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy series include:  Steel Resolve ~ Iron Will* ~ Ambush Before Sunrise* ~ Double Action Deputy* ~ Trouble in Big Timber* ~ Cold Case at Cardwell Ranch* ~

This is a no-spice romance with either closed doors or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved 🙂

Title:  Steel Resolve
Series:  Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy #1
Author:  B.J. Daniels
Published:  June 18, 2019 (original)
Publisher:  Harlequin Intrigue
My Rating:  4 stars

Steel Resolve begins the Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy series with a story that could have been ripped from today’s headlines, not published in 2019… This is why I am determined to whittle away at my TBR pile.  The story might not be “just published,” yet the tale told is relevant to today’s world.

There was a time when Mary and Chase were a young couple with a bright future ahead of them—emphasis on the “young couple” part.  Mary was content in their small hometown, on the ranch she loved.  Chase, however, knew they were too young for marriage -yet- and wanted to experience a bit of the world before settling down in married life.  Since Mary would not go with him, he left town, always intending to return.  Unfortunately, he ran into a woman with delusional ideas and a deadly heart, who would do anything necessary to have “her man” in her life… including murder.

Steel Resolve is a gripping, suspenseful romance with two vile villains to deal with, one extremely stubborn and hurt woman, and a man who will do anything to win his love’s heart back again.  I’ll admit that the first part of Chase and Mary’s romance moved a bit slowly for me, but once the action began, it kept me glued to the pages and on edge throughout.  I don’t want to give much away, but I will say that our female villain is bat-crap emotionally disturbed, to say the least.  Their story is well-written, emotional on several levels, in a style I’ve become comfortable with when reading any B.J. Daniels’ book. (She’s one of my favorite authors)  If you enjoy a second-chance romance that is full of danger and intrigue, then you’d love Steel Resolve.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.  I own the rest of the series and had an ARC way back in 2019, but reread to get back in the feel of this series.

*Part of my participation in the “2026 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge.”  My Page for this Challenge (should you be curious) can be found HERE.

In January 2026, I decided to tackle my massive TBR pile.  We all have them, and mine was sitting there on my Kindle just staring forlornly at me… It’s way past time to get those books read and reviewed.  These stories might no longer be “hot off the presses,” but they’re new to me, and that’s all that matters.  Perhaps they’re new to you, too.

This title is available at Amazon