Avid fans of western romance drama may really end up enjoying this one. It certainly was sweet to see these two destined love birds to finally get to ride off into the sunset. As an equally avid true romantic at heart, I must confess though there were some things about this story that stuck in my craw. Sorry for the western euphemism, folks, but it just seemed to fit.

Shane, the upstanding sheriff hero, was a little too much on his high horse at times for my taste. Yeah, I get the reasons that were prompting him to prove to the world he was definitely a better man than his no account, deceased, Daddy Dearest. But living in denial about his feelings for Silver for so l-o-n-g ended up basically shooting himself in the foot, caused her unnecessary heartache, and another decent OW tears, as well. In fact, if he had manned up early on, chances were Silver would have shared her “stopped him dead in his tracks to the point he pushed her away” dirty secret long before it caused him to question her character. Yes, there lies another problem. I’m sorry to say this guy didn’t stand by his woman. After the blood and bullets start to fly though, he does come to his senses and sets to make things right.

Silver, the heroine, was basically pretty cool in my eyes. Well, except for the explanation she finally owned up to regarding her past. Honestly, I’m conflicted how I felt about that. I lean towards shaking my finger and head at her to let her know she shouldn’t have done what she did in the first place. I liked the fact she ran a saloon and not a brothel though. You see, this blonde beauty ran a respectful watering hole, even if others assumed wrongly she didn’t. She peddled booze, not hanky panky. If I could high five her for that classy choice, I honestly would.

Mitch, the black sheep brother, played his role perfectly. But between you and me, I’m thinking he needs more of a rebel of a woman than the one I highly suspect he’s going to wind up with. That missy there, just cries too often and at the drop of a hat, IMHO.

With a tad too much drama in Silver’s past and stereotypical outlaw bandit predictability, I now find myself wringing my hands wondering how to fairly rate this book. My heart is still a little sore at Shane for being such a yellow belly about choosing what he wanted over what people might think. He also said some mighty hurtful things to her, as well. Silver seemed awfully quick to up and forgive him, too.

So I’ll just leave my final comment stating if standard western romance is your thing, you’ll likely want to check into book 3 of this series. Since I haven’t read the first two books, I’m not sure about them. I’m just thinking those storylines didn’t appeal to me or catch my attention the way this one did.

Western romance is not my usual genre. I dabble in it from time to time. So maybe that makes me more objective or harder to please. I’m not sure which. Well, now I’m just confusing myself, so it is definitely time to end this review. Here’s to hoping I’ve somehow helped you decide if this book is a good fit for you.

Title: A Sheriff’s Passion, Series: Frontier Montana (Book 3), Author: Michelle Beattie, stand-alone but part of a series, saloon owner heroine, upstanding sheriff, hiding a secret, a couple passionate kisses that much later lead to some very steamy scenes, virgin heroine, some minor OW/OM drama, hero’s brother takes an interest in her, kisses the brother once, western violence.

Book 1 - A Rancher’s Surrender (Jillian & Wade), 10/3/16, Pages: 256
Book 2 - A Cowboy’s Temptation (Katie & Scott), 2/16/17, Pages: 277
Book 3 - A Sheriff’s Passion (Shane & Silver), 4/24/17

(This review is based on an advanced reader copy distributed via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley.)

A Sheriff's Passion is the third book in Michelle Beattie's Frontier Montana series, which is set at the close of the nineteenth century. It works equally well as part of the series or as a stand-alone, though I've read snd enjoyed the first two books as well and recommend that option.
This story takes us back to the early days of the tiny town of Marietta and pits saloon owner Silver Adams against Sheriff Sean McCall. Both had unbelievably difficult circumstances in their past which made them into the people they are in this story, though each took a different path and Silver is not proud of the route she took. The secret eats away at her, making her fearful that when Shane discovers he'll loathe her.
This story is fast paced, mostly light and with some nice plot twists along the way. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to. Well worth picking up particularly if your passion is historical western romance.

Another stand out read from author Michelle Beattie.
Review copy received from Tule Publishing via Netgalley

The reader is returned to Marietta, Montana of the 1800's with sheriff Shane and Saloon owner , Silver. Enjoyed the scenery and tale while revisiting Marietta of old. Looking forward to the next book.
Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

A Sheriff's Passion by Michelle Beattie is book three in a series that just keeps getting better as it goes along. This book definitely had me remembering Gunsmoke from my childhood with Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty. Michelle Beattie verses has more of the conflicted community over the relationship developing between Silver Adams and Shane McCall

Besides the community drama that has become part of this Historic Marietta series there, the past is catching up to Silver in her present life. It makes for an emotional read that is as moving as it is well-written.

There’s a reason why it’s called “the past”. The events that once happened, the choices made, the decisions acted upon are not who we are today. Yet that past can harm the present and threaten the future.

Silver has a life that she’s quite proud of now in Montana. She has her saloon, a close knit group of people she can call friends and an interesting man to see what the future might hold in store for them both. Until the past that she’d believed she had left far behind comes back with the intention of destroying all she now holds dear. Can the love that is growing between Silver and Shane survive the truth that Silver must tell him about?

Shane and Silver’s story is going to be an emotional ride. They both have things in their pasts that they’d rather keep hidden, forgotten and ignored. Yet that’s not always possible. I enjoyed A Sheriff’s Passion very much. I believe this series is best read in order for it builds somewhat on the people and friendships we’ve met before. Besides, they’re great stories.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This is a nice western romance with some characters who fit the stock image of a western town. There is the sheriff who is worried about looking respectable and the saloon owner who is treated as not respectable because she owns a saloon. That is the main cause of the tension between the two main characters. Enjoyable but not that different.

The angst some go through, and mostly unnecessarily so, is brought to life in this story of Shane and Silver. Great storyline and great characters. Look forward to reading more books by this author!

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. Enjoyed the book. It is well written and the developing love story between Silver and Shane is full of ups and downs as Shane battles with his desire for Silver but can't quite give in to it simply because she owns a saloon. Love finally wins out but a lot happens in a short period of time. It is a great western and I would recommend it.

Another good book in the series. I was hoping for Shane and Silver to get together, and this is their story. May have had more hopes for more, but thought their romance was a little sluggish at times. I liked the story, but the others in the series were better. Still, I highly recommend this book and author and series. Hoping Shane's brothers get romances now too.

A good read.