Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
Historical fiction involving moonshiners in Texas during prohibition.
A little long and draggy but most an interesting read with likeable, well developed characters.

A little different from what this reader is used to from Sandra Brown, but is still a good read. The historic aspect was intriguing. Sandra Brown paints a nuanced picture of a woman's reluctant foray into Prohibition Era moonshining in East Texas, and a cowboy slash military veteran's fight against being framed for the vicious murder of a pregnant woman. One part mystery, one part historical fiction, and one part romantic suspense, it's sure to please. Standalone read, recommend.

This story is set in the 1920’s in the middle of prohibition. Laurel is a widow and needs to support herself. She gets drawn into making moonshine as a source of income. The author has done a good job researching the era of the 20’s. You get a realistic view of what it was like to live during the time of prohibition. There is some suspense but there is also a romance and lots of interesting characters. I have been reading Sandra Brown for years but I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book because it was set in the past. It didn’t take long for the story to grab me. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

As a long-time reader of Sandra Brown, I was thrilled to receive this ARC for Blind Tiger. This story is steeped in rich historical fact, based in 1920 during the notorious time of prohibition. Laurel Plummer, a young wife and mother, has been left by her husband in the most horrific and final way, at his father’s home in Foley, Texas. A stranger to the area and to her new father-in-law, Irv Plummer, she is welcomed along with her infant daughter. Unfortunately, Irv lives in an old shack without any conveniences miles from town, but Laurel accepts her lot and makes the best of things.

Former cowboy, Thatcher Hutton, is returning from World War I to is former ranching life when he comes across Laurel after jumping from a freight train. He is immediately smitten with her. She gives him directions to Foley, the nearest town where after finding lodging he is immediately arrested for the disappearance of the wife of a local doctor.

While Thatcher is fighting for his freedom, Laurel is fighting to make a life for herself and her daughter. When an opportunity presents itself, she jumps right in, but soon clashes with local corrupt politicians, and ruthless competitors. To make matters worse, Thatcher has been released from jail and has now been deputized. He inserts himself into her life at every opportunity letting her know his intentions toward her.

Brown has written a powerful story based on historical fact with fascinating characters. Her in-depth research gives the reader great insight on how it might have been to live during the times of prohibition, speakeasies, and illegal moonshining. While this was not my favorite Sandra Brown book, it is still a solid contender. I thank NetGalley and the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. I gave this book three and one-half stars rounded up to four.

Blind Tiger – Sandra Brown

As a preface to this review, I have to say I read my first Sandra Brown novel while I was in nursing school and she quickly became a favorite. I am now a 29-year veteran of my nursing career, and she is still at the top of my “must read” list. I don’t need to read the back of the book to see if I’m going to like it…when Sandra Brown releases a new book, I already know I’m going to LOVE it!

The year is 1920 and Prohibition has just gone into effect, shortly after the war’s end. Laurel Plummer and her husband Derby, an Army soldier, have gathered up all of their meager belongings, along with their infant daughter and packed them into their used Model T for a journey to Derby’s fathers homestead in southwest Texas. Upon their arrival to a home that’s little more than a shack, Laurel realizes that Irv, Derby’s father, didn’t know about her and Pearl. That evening, an unexpected event brings sudden change to the fledgling family…

Thatcher Hutton is riding a train as a boxcar hobo along with three other men, whom he knows are prepared to jump him during the night. Biding his time, with darkness as a cover, he leaps off the train, and finds himself in the middle of nowhere. After a nap, he starts walking hoping to find a town nearby. Soon he stumbles onto the property where Laurel is staying, and she gives him some water and directions into town. Thatcher barely settles into town and finds some work when Doc Driscoll’s pregnant wife goes missing, and Thatcher is accused of involvement in the disappearance.

Laurel quickly catches on to her father-in-law’s moonshine distillery and sales, hidden by his ‘local handyman’ status and decides to help him expand the business. Under the guise of selling homemade pies to area families and establishments, Laurel & Irv rapidly expand their clientele, much to the displeasure of other bootlegging families in town. Soon, the unrest spills over into violence as each family scrambles to destroy those who threaten their success. And Laurel must fight her ongoing attraction to Thatcher, a man now on the opposite side of the law…

I couldn’t put it down! Sandra Brown weaves her magic into every page of this novel and has created rich, in-depth characters and vivid, colorful prose that brings a long gone era back to life as each page is turned – I would love to see this become a screenplay. Give it a read, you will NOT be disappointed…promise!!

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from #Netgalley & Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an objective review. Blog will publish on 7/30 in the AM.

With historical accuracy, Sandra Brown paints a nuanced picture of a woman's reluctant foray into Prohibition Era moonshining in East Texas, and a cowboy/military veteran's fight against being framed for the vicious murder of a pregnant woman. One part mystery, one part historical fiction, and one part romantic suspense, it's sure to please, and leaves readers like me hoping BLIND TIGER is the beginning of a series. (Please?)