Backlash by Lisa Jackson is one hell of a romantic suspense novel. There were hints by some of the main characters but there was also that not so sure feeling too. Two families are torn apart by a fire that destroyed everything. Hatred, blame, and anger on the rise the McLean men are unforgiving. One brother convinces that other that his love is guilty of the their family tragedy. Yet, something doesn't set right. Tessa is the daughter of the foreman of the ranch. She loves horses as much as Cassie. Both women love a McLean brother. Despite their past love, these couples are going to need a whole lot of trust, hope, and to band together if they're going to move forward. Themes of betrayal, trust, and love are found on every page. I found myself completely lost within the plot. Action packed and fast-paced, Backlash is a must read. It kept me on my toes guessing all the way to the end. Overall, I recommend it to all readers.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this



The ranch country of Montana is beautiful, unforgiving, and for Colton and Denver McLean, filled with a whole lot of bad memories. It’s been seven years since a fire claimed their parents’ lives and drove both brothers away. Now their uncle’s death has brought them back to a place where loyalty and love runs deep—but so do grudges.

I have been interested in reading Lisa Jackson for a while now. As a fan of the mystery/thriller genre, I'm always on the lookout for dependable writers. Backlash is a compilation of two novels Jackson wrote in the 1980's for the Silhouette imprint. Therefore, they focus was on the romantic relationships between the lead characters, not the mystery. The books followed the same formula that all the other books published under the Silhouette/Harlequin imprint. The first book, Aftermath, explores the second-chance romance between Denver and Tessa. Seven years earlier, they were driven apart by the aftermath of a ranch fire. The second book, Tender Trap, gives us the story of Denver's brother, Colton, and his love interest, This time the B-storyline deals with stolen horses.

Not being a fan of formula romance novels, I was a bit disappointed that this was not an out-and-out thriller, which is what I was expecting to get based on the cover, the book description, and the author's reputation. However, if series romances are something you enjoy, this compilation will probably satisfy you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Since I've read and thoroughly enjoyed many books by Lisa Jackson, I was eager to see this new book. However, this book is actually a reissue of two romance novellas that she wrote and published in the 1980's. One of things that really jumped out me while I was reading these books were how much we rely on cell phones today. Much of the drama in these two connected romances were caused by not being able to reach the other by phone! Readers today may not recognize this as contemporary romance as the characters discuss long distance phone calls, answering machines and fortunately even the violence in Northern Ireland that threatens the hero in the second novella. Perhaps it was the dated feel of these stories, but I struggled to maintain an interest in these characters and their story. Fortunately, I can definitely see how Lisa Jackson has certainly grown as an author since these two were published.

Two stories are in this book.
Arson 7 years destroyed more than just buildings, lives were changed. Now 7 years later two brothers that had been estranged come back. Not much on the land, back taxes needed to be paid. Neither can sell till both sign. Both left love there, the woman hurt,and losing a loved one. Two stories entwined made good reading. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and Kensington

I've never read this author, and i am pleased as pie that i was given an arc to read this one. I really enjoyed both the characters and writing. The plot was great and I will deferentially check out the other authors work.

Backlash is comprised of two stories, Aftermath and Tender Trap, written in the 1980s. Both are second chance romance stories involving two brothers who return home to Montana after 7 years. Each has an old flame with a broken heart. Will the brothers find love again, or is it too late? Both stories are engaging and entertaining. The characters are likeable and relatable. Overall a good read of some different type stories from the author. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

There are are few authors I buy without reading what the story is about, Lisa Jackson, is one of those authors. I did not realize this book had 2 stories in it, so I was thrilled. And it’s a reprint of two earlier books of hers, that I had not read yet. And the book was based in Montana, I live in Montana, unjust had to love the book!

There was a quote in the book said by Colton, “sometimes things don’t go as you plan.” This sums up both books perfectly. Both brothers never thought they would come back to the ranch that cost them their family or back to old loves. And they are both back and figuring out new plans.

Two full length books for the price of one. Two brothers left town amid betrayal & dishonesty. Two women were left behind broken & destroyed. Now they all have a second chance. Will they allow old grudges & new turmoil to keep them apart or will they find a way to forgive & move on?

These books are heavier on romance than on the mystery but it really enjoyed them. They are both second chance romance stories. The characters are well developed & three dimensional. The women were destroyed when they were left behind but they grew up to become strong successful women. The men were strong, sexy & arrogant but the women made them fight for the relationships. The supporting characters added depth, dimension & color to the stories. These were very enjoyable stories.

In March, Lisa Jackson releases Backlash. It gives us two 80s great books in one; Aftermath and the Tender Trap. The first is the story of Tessa Kramer and Denver McLean. Tessa is young and very much in love with Denver and although he is unsure, he does care about her. He is graduating from college and heading to LA for a job in engineering. Her dad would like her to head to college but she is determined to stay and train horses at the McLean ranch. After a brief encounter by the creek, they head back to the ranch on horseback. Smelling smoke and fearing results, they arrive to the ranch with a horse barn on fire. Denver and his brother Colton are panic stricken. Denver runs in just before the barn collapses. He is pulled out alive but burned and unconscious. The story continues 7 years later with Denver and Colton's uncle passing. The will states that the ranch is now owned by both men and that to sell it they must both be present . Tessa has hopes of purchasing at least Denver's part of the ranch if Colton does not return. With Denver returning for a short while from his firm in LA he discovers that the books are in arrears and wants to settle the state of the farm before selling and moving back to LA. He and Tessa work their way around each other trying their best to run the ranch as well as around her father who has become a drunk in the past 7 years and her brother Mitchell who remains on the ranch helping.
This first of the series solves some problems in its conclusion with Denver finding Colton in Ireland working his photo jobs undercover. In a journey to bring him back to the ranch to resolve the business, Colton is shot by IRA soldiers who feel he is giving away secrets. While recovering from surgery hiding back at the Montana ranch he is asked to oversee things while Denver goes back to California to settle business with his partner so he can open shop in Montana. While holding fort at the ranch. their most lucrative horse is stolen. In an effort to find him he pays a visit to the Aldridge Ranch to see if Ivan might know of Black Magic's where abouts. In the process he knew he would probably run into his old girlfriend from 8 years prior, Cassie Aldridge. The last time he had seen her she was 17 and very young. Now he knew she was living with her dad but was a local vet, still unmarried. This story continues with controversy over horses, business, and love.
I enjoyed reading them both. Jackson's Backlash gives a visit to an love story without the benefit of technology. It made them interesting a fun read. .
Backlash will be published in March of 2019, if you see it pick up a copy. It is a good storyline and gives two book serial in one. I would like to thank Kensington for once again giving me the opportunity to read and review one of their books.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. I have read other books by this author and liked them too.

I usually love reading Lisa Jackson books for the mystery and suspense and keeping me on the edge of my seat. This book was far from what I was expecting from such a talented author. It was a story full of romance and second chances not mystery/suspense. I actually skimmed 1/2 of the book because it was just plain slow and boring. Would definitely not recommend. Thank you netgalley for letting me give an honest review of this book.

This is a compilation of two books. It was wonderful to be able to read both books together. Aftermath and Tender Trap are second chance romances. Each of two brothers after experiencing devastating loss and heartbreak left behind young women to whom they treated unjustly and broke their hearts. There’s mystery in both books. Each man must look into their souls and decide which is more important, bitterness and revenge or if it’s love.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

This was an interesting read but a little slow. I liked some of the characters but Tessa wasn't one of my favorites. The author wrote the emotions of the characters quite well.

A great vacation read. In this book you get two books in one and it's a great bonuus.

When the McLean Brothers return home after years away it isn't with happy hearts and a sense of reunion. It's more of how fast can I get out of this place. That might change though once they meet up with their old flames. While there is still bad blood between each of the families no one will be able to resist seeing each other again the question is will they be able to leave again?

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2 1\2 stars
Lisa Jackson tells readers right away this was written back in the 1980's and readers will be able to see the amazing growth the author has come though.

The men in the stories are rough and demanding. They grab and take what they want even though the women are suffering the loss of their innocents youth. The story is a second chance romance. The romance comes off forced, demanding and lot most pushing to the women.



The mystery is second or third to the romance. The Colton Brothers are jerks and do not change has the stories develop.

The story lacks drive and focus other than punishing the woman they love. The stories are not what readers have come to know about Lisa Jackson now.



Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Lisa Jackson Backlash

Very well written book, but it wasn't really "in my wheelhouse". The book was listed as a mystery, but was much more of a romance novel as we looked back a the development of relationships.

This is a reissue of two books from 1980. I had read them when they were first published but reread them. Two brothers with a 7 year gap in their romance. Also has a mystery through out both books. I liked the story line and the characters

Two women. Two men. Stories that intertwine. Both women -Tessa and Cassie) -fell in love 7 years ago. So did both men - brothers- Denver & Colton. (The men, however, are less apt to show it).

The reader is invited to turn back the years of love - and not love - on these residents in a small town in Montana. Both couples separated for 7 years, did their love have a chance?

A heartwarming story of the battles and hardships some romances are put through. Lisa Jackson does it again in a thrilling and tension-filled romantic tale of families that are both intermingled, yet sometimes, far spread.

A must read!

Many Thanks to Kensington Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!