This book is second in the series but can be read as a individual boo but you will be wanting more after reading this one. Whiplash is second book in The Champions series by Janet Dailey. Val Champion has come home after being away for many years. She travels with her sisters to Las Vegas because they have two bulls that will be in the competition. She hesitated in making the trip because she had some bad memories of previous years in Vegas, and she did not want to see Casey Bozeman. Casey, the boy she left behind, is a man now and he is a bullfighter for the PBR event. . Neither one of them has forgotten the other but there has been a lot of water under the bridge. When some of Val's past life catches up with her in Vegas, she and Casey and Val's family are all in danger. The author drops hints throughout the book as to what her secret is, but until it all comes out, the reader is left to wonder what it is that keeps this beautiful woman so conflicted. For those who love a good series get into this one now because it will leave you wanting more. This book contains a love story, some suspense, a lot of action and a peek into the world of bull riding. I recommend this to anyone who just wants to read a good book. This book was well written and an easy read with lots of drama between the outstanding characters. I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #Whiplash #JanetDailey

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This book is the 2nd in a series. I think it reads ok as a stand alone, but for more background maybe read them in order. This is about the world of bull riding and rodeos. Totally not my thing. I like the author so thought I would give it a try. I really really did not like Val-so that was not a good thing. She had so many secrets, and seemed to be very manipulative. I liked Casey and Tess and Lexie. So I was not into the romance either. I liked Whiplash though. Overall just an ok read for me. If the next was about Tess and Shane I will try again. Western romances are not really my favorites anyway. 3 stars

Bad girl Val Champion returns home to the ranch. At 17 years old the hellion ran away to Hollywood to find her dreams on the big screen. That didn’t happen and after several life changing events, she is trying to find herself while hiding out from the Las Vegas mafia. Promising her sisters that she will go to the rodeo finals in Las Vegas, it’s has been 2 years so she should be safe. There she meets family friend, her brother’s best friend and her 1st love who is a bullfighter, Casey.
Casey has never forgotten the fiery Val and still wonders why she left him with no reason why. There are so many secrets that Val has hidden from Casey and her family. Can she put they in danger for her past mistakes? The characters are all back from the first book, so best to read it first. More of a insight behind the scenes of bull raising and competing, which I found interesting. A real page turner.
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

I love this author and am so glad that the books keep coming even years after her death. Whiplash has strong female characters making it in a male dominated world.

Whiplash is a riveting, fast-paced read. It has complex twists and turns full of hope and mystery. A family saga chasing the dreams of raising bull-riding champions to Hollywood movie stars meets mayhem during championship bull-riding events held in Las Vegas. This family of sisters has faced many losses but a second chance at life and love overcomes the myriad of obstacles laced with murder and threat of foreclosure on the family ranch. Beauty from ashes!

Whiplash by Janet Dailey is a very well written story. It was so full of suspense, love, drama, and danger. It sure was a “Whiplash” of a reading ride! I love Janet’s books and this was book two from the Champions Series. This is Val and Casey’s story. Val is scared and hiding from a murderer. Casey loved Val but she broke his heart. Whiplash is actually a bull that Val’s family owns. The characters were well developed as well as the storyline. Such an interesting story that will grab your interest and take you along for the ride. Great story that I highly recommend!
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced copy of this wonderful story.

Whiplash, is full of suspense and drama. Every chapter was something new. The main storyline is about Val trying to stay safe against a murderer. Secondary is Val and Casey's romance, along with the family business at the rodeo. I really enjoyed reading, Whiplash.

This story revolves around the Champion family, specifically Val. Val is home after making many bad choices, she is also keeping a secret. This book is part of a series but could be read as a stand alone. It is an entertaining read with a predictable ending but still good enuf to hold the readers interest. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This is book #2 in the Champions Series and I can't wait to read book #3 in the series. The book is centered around Val Champion, her family ranch and their bucking bull Whiplash- as mean as the name sounds. They need Whiplash to do well at the Professional Bull-Riders competition. The prize money will go a long way toward saving the family ranch from foreclosure. Val came home to escape the mob life she was previously caught up in but a hired killer is out to find her. You can never walk away from the mob. Casey has always loved Val but she broke his heart. Can he put his pride aside to keep her safe? Val loves her family and Casey. She is willing to sacrifice herself to keep them safe. Her family thinks differently. Janet Dailey uses her signature style to create characters that come to life on page one. The plot is emotional, full of mystery and clean romance with just a touch of sizzle. Did I mention I can't wait to read book #3!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This novel will stir some exciting new perceptions about modern romance. With changing times, the definition of love also seems to be transforming. This novel explores the fears and insecurities people associate with being committed.

Dramatic and captivating women's fiction, second chance romance. Complex family dynamics, a traumatic past, and a rekindled love interest make Whiplash a fast, easy read.

Prior to reading this book, I quickly read the first book in the series, Whirlwind. I loved the first book so much and was very excited to dive right into Whiplash. However, it fell short in some ways.

I still love the Champion family and loved revisiting them in this book. Just the story of Val's past was just too much. She had too many secrets and it stopped me from connecting to her. However, I did love Casey as a love interest!

That being said, I am totally waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book. I feel like that one will be a great storyline!

I would recommend this series regardless. The books are great easy reads!

I picked up this book because I've enjoyed others by Janet Dailey. But there is something different about this book. Janet Dailey passed away in 2013, so I am assuming Whiplash was written by a ghostwriter. I was never able to conjure up any empathy for the heroine, Val. She never seemed to able to move past her sordid past and terrible mistakes to embrace the present opportunities. That gave me no reason to root for her.
Whiplash is set in the world of the National PBR (Professional Bullriding) Finals rodeo event in Las Vegas, Nevada. I loved the way the author set the scene and took me inside the rodeo arena to see the action close-up. When a man climbs on the back of a 1,800-pound bull and the chute is opened, anything can happen - and does.
Casey Bozeman is the hero in this story and I immediately fell in love with him. He is one of those people we all know, who will step up to help anyone in need. His job is to protect the cowboys that ride the bulls. And more times than one, he had to collide with the angry bull to save another man's life.
Casey and Val fell in love when they were teenagers. But that was years ago. And after Val left with no explanation and dropped off the face of the earth, he was left with a broken heart and life. But he put himself back together and even tried marriage, which failed. He finally came to grips with the notion he could never love anyone the way he loved Val, but she was gone. That is until she turns up with her family at the PBR. But Val is in trouble. The kind of trouble that threatens lives. You don't cross the mafia and live. And yet Casey is determined to help her and to get her back into his bed.
There were parts of this book that I loved. The older sister, Tess, the younger sister, Lexie, and her husband Shane were all great characters. They are united with one goal and that is to save their ranch and produce some stock bulls to ride into the big money in the rodeo arena. Each character has flaws, but they form a united front. Val is the outsider, even though she's come back home after leaving a drug and alcohol rehab treatment. The troubles Val brings to their door, are monumental and can end it all. She repetitiously has thoughts of remorse, but her actions don't back up those thoughts. She has deep dark secrets that she keeps hidden along with the scars on her body.
The author drops hints throughout the book as to what her secret is, but until it all comes out, the reader is left to wonder what it is that keeps this beautiful woman so conflicted. I commend the author for that.
While I loved the rodeo setting and enjoyed the plot, I would like to have seen Val be more genuine instead of trying to manipulate everyone, including the men who were determined to kill her. She is playing a deadly game with innocent lives.
The star of the show was a bull named Whiplash. Even though he's been bred to be bucking stock for the rodeo, he's young and easily traumatized. But it took his fury to bring down the antagonist.
The story comes to a satisfactory conclusion with an overall happy ending.
With less repetitious thoughts and scenes, this could be a stronger story.

Val has come with her two sisters and her brother-in-law to the Bull Riding Championships in Las Vegas to support the family's ranch. They have two bulls in the competition. Val has been away for the family for a number of years trying to pursue an acting career but she has given up on that dream and just wants to be part of the family business. Casey, the boy she left behind, is a man now and he has gone from bull riding to being a rodeo clown. Neither one of them has forgotten the other but there has been a lot of water under the bridge. When some of Val's past life catches up with her in Vegas, she and Casey and Val's family are all in danger. This book contains a love story, some suspense, a lot of action and a peek into the world of bull riding. I recommend this to anyone who just wants to read a good book.



I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

This was a fast paced book! It’s book two in the series about the Champion family. It’s centered more around Val and things from her past coming back to haunt her.
It was an enjoyable book but somewhat predictable. It has a bit of a mystery and sweet romance. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I received Whiplast as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

On the run from a dark past in California, Val Champion finds herself in Las Vegas for the PBR Championships, assisting her family with the bulls they breed. She also finds herself face-to-face with Casey Bozeman, her first love and the man she left behind. As the pair reconnect, Val's history comes back to haunt her in the form of a very real threat to her life and the lives of those around her, and Casey must help her navigate the dangers. But when Casey learns the extent of Val's life in California, he discovers that he may not know her at all, and must reconcile the girl he knew with the woman she's become.

I didn't love the staunch conservatism of the book; there was a line at one point about how all the bullriding fans loved God, family, and country, which is jingoistic and simplistic at best. The native traditions also would have been best left out, as it's clear the author is just going with a noble savage trope and it came off as insincere. The entire book felt a bit crowded with the crime plot, the navigating and rebuilding of a once-failed romance, and significant side story that will serve as the plot line of the next book in the series. This one wasn't for me.

I love all of Janet Dailey's books, and this one was no exception.
Valerie and her family have owned the family ranch for generations, only problem is Val hasn't been back in years. After her brother and father passed, Val returned home. On a trip to Vegas for the bull riding competition of which her family had two bulls entered, Val's elusive past catches up with her. Not only does she come face to face with Casey, her one true love she left behind all those years ago, she also has to deal with the dangers that caused her to run back home to begin with. Vegas can be fun and glitzy, but the underworld is a dangerous place of guns, terror and the mob. Val knows her life is in serious danger, but she refuses to allow those she loves to die with her. How far will she go to protect the ones she loves, and when all the dust settles will there be a place for her in the family and with Casey?
Love the characters, story was great, even had some action mixed in.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The latest book in the Champion family series is another great read. Val had returned home after her failure in Hollywood. She returns with many secrets but finds refuge with her family and the ranch. The family is going to Las Vegas to compete in the rodeo bull riding competitions with their bulls Whirlwind and Whiplash. Val sees her old love from her youth and tries to fight the attraction and protect the secret she carries. Also she comes face to face with her past when she lived in Vegas and finds a threat to her and her family! The family is still struggling with the ranch and are faced with losing it. Val and her family are forced to deal with Val’s past and the threat to the ranch.


Thanks to Janel Dailey and Kensington publishers for the book

This is the 2nd book in this series The Champions, about 3 sisters. This book is Val's story and includes characters from the first story about Lexie & Shane. I do like the characters but grew tired of Val to the point I was hoping he'd connect with Tess. Good story but I am looking forward to Tess's book next. I'd like to thank the publishers Kensington Books for the advance copy. This is worth the read.

I enjoyed the book. A lot of different people involved and all of them busy. Val Champion had a difficult life made from so many bad choices and also from a difficult parent and the meeting again of her former boyfriend Casey. Tess, Val’s sister, had a difficult time trying to make a go of their family ranch and also breeding and raising bulls for the rodeo. Lots of activities even murders from before and during the reading of the book. Keeps you interested and not wanting to put the book down.