What a roller-coaster of a story...I couldn't not stop until I finished! An extremely complicated mother and daughter story that speaks of the unbelievable love of a mother for her daughter and all of her efforts to protect her child.

Definitely a complicated roller coaster ride! Wasn't sure what to expect, but the surprises kept coming one after the other in a complicated story involving an interesting cast of characters and some unusual challenges. Emma Lee's particular challenges were well represented and gave a good view of mental illness as it develops making the story all the more addictive. The end was not really predictable, but satisfying. Worth the read.

I thoroughly enjoyed that and devoured it in one day! Katherine, the mother, has her own issues and secrets and she will do anything to protect her daughter Emma Lee.

Emma, her husband Joe and her mum Kate all live on the ranch in Calaveras, the ranch that Kate bought with her husband Will before he walked out 14 years ago to return to his home in Australia. Joe and Emma live in a jetstream until they can raise the money to build their home, a log cabin. But he needs to get a wiggle on as Emma is pregnant. Roper, his best friend and confidante is helping where he can.

Joe is on the range collecting stray steers and camping under the stars, when his horse returns covered in blood a search is set but Kate sees something in Emma that worries her.

But Emma Lee, in her time of need has found someone to confide in, someone her mother would not like, someone with an Aussie accent.

I enjoyed the unpredictability of this story. There were so many twists and turns that I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know more. This was truly an entertaining book.

Lisa Mechelle writes a tight, compelling tale that might just keep you up nights. Her protagonists are easily understood, be they good or bad, and all actions and reactions are within the realm of possibility. I enjoyed the location and the descriptive passages of this novel, and have added LM to my list of authors to follow.

we see the past through the eyes of Kate, wife of Will, and Em, the 28-year-old daughter of Will. Our location is a ranch in the central California foothills. Will disappeared 14 or 15 years ago, but Kate and Emma, and now Em's rodeo clown husband Joe, hang on to the ranch, mostly by just their fingernails. Double mortgaged last summer, Kate is not sure how she is going to save the place this year, but she will find a way... There is a new generation counting on her to do so.

But then the bodies start to drop. Either Kate or Em has the most to gain by these deaths, but there must be others as well who would benefit. And Em is pregnant - with twins. Kate will have to take the heat...

I received a free electronic ARC of this excellent novel on September 29, 2020, from Netgalley, Lisa Michelle, and BooksGoSocial. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

this was a really unique mystery, the characters were great and I enjoyed going through this journey with them and solving the case.

The story starts off with Joe Quick, who refers to himself as a bullfighter, not a clown, has conned his friend Roper to do some gambling. According to Joe, the priest in charge isn't one to mess around with, and despite that fact, Joe has an ace up his sleeve--literally. Things take a turn for the worst, and Joe and Roper make a run for it.

Then Joe returns to the church later, and the priest hands him his share. Roper has no idea that he's been conned again.

Joe is married to Emma Lee (Em), where they live on her mother's property in an Airstream. Em shares the news that she is pregnant, and Joe hands her the money telling her it's the down payment for their cabin. No sooner does Joe arrive, when he has to take off again, to round up missing cows.

Roper shows up making an allegation about Joe cheating with his sister, and that his father is filing a report and Joe's going to jail, unless he finds him first. An emotional Em makes a call to her father.

Joe's horse turns up with dried blood on his legs. Kate Dunningan, Em's mom, figures it was cowboy justice done to Joe for his sins. Kate calls her brother, Patrick for help. Then Roper's sister is attacked in her home, and the sheriff wants to haul Em in for questioning, after everyone saw Em arguing with Roper's sister. Kate, in trying to protect her daughter, and unborn grandchild, pleads guilty.

Once Kate pleaded guilty, there was twist after twist which had me start questioning everything, up until the point of a surprising reveal. This story has intrigue, mystery, heartbreak, surprising turns, the depth of a mother's love, and a little woo-woo thrown in.

I requested and received an ARC from NetGalley via BooksGoSocial and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.