Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley, ©2013

The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch Series

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! It was fun to read and fast moving. Never knowing what was coming next, it was hard to put down. All of the side characters were important to the story and were like family you could count on. Well, most of them anyway. Two of these characters I liked were lively: the outspoken ranch owner, Miss Walker, and "Aunt" Bessie, the first "hello girl" trusty switchboard operator. She decided if someone talked too frequently, letting them know the telephone was for emergency purposes.

HEIRESS

WANTED

Looking for hardworking, professional woman of good character and pleasant disposition willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona Territory. Must be single and prepared to remain so now and forevermore.

Pinkerton National Detective Agency: We never sleep.

New Orleans, 1897

   Like all operatives of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, Miranda was an expert in disguises. Blending in was the key to nabbing an unsuspecting criminal and that took a certain amount of concentration, attention to detail, and, of course, acting ability.
   --Gunpowder Tea, 2

Miranda Hunt had a lot of disguising to do as Mrs. James Kinkaid the Third, friend of the deceased. How else would she be visiting from out of town and not known by respective inhabitants? And in sultry New Orleans, at that?

So far this week she had attended two weddings, three funerals, and a baptism without a sign of the man known as the Society Thief.
   --Ibid., 2-3

But wait. She gets her man, meriting a special assignment. She is sent to the middle of the desert in Arizona Territory to the Last Chance Ranch where no outside woman has stayed very long. An ad, "Heiress Wanted," is the answer to complete what previous operatives have left unsolved. Miranda fits the bill. As Miss Annie Beckman, she is on her way. How would you look in the mirror and remember who you are ~ this time? The Phantom won't forget who she is, once she finds him.

A gullible fool can locate a swindler faster than the smartest private eye in the world.

Arizona Territory

Intercepted on the train, Annie Beckman may already have met him ~ or some of the Phantom gang, being minus her Papa's watch. The train depot is a mile or so away from town and she is offered a ride. One of the ranch hands is leaving town and hearing she is the next heiress to be interviewed, offers her a ride out with him. Things are looking good.

Encountering the owner, Miss Walker, doesn't turn out too well. Annie is secured a position that she doesn't expect. She is sure she saw one of the ranch hands earlier on the train. Must she keep his secret too?

Each chapter begins with a wise saying that I enjoyed and chuckled at. Margaret Brownley is a wild-west author who has tamed many an idea. Especially when Annie discovers a  rival Wells Fargo agent is on the case. Will there be room for both of them?

***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for sending me this third book in the series, The Brides of the Last Chance Ranch ~ 1897. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

Stand-alone novels in this series:

   

Win a Kindle Fire from Margaret Brownley and RSVP for “Tea with Margaret” on 11/7!

Margaret Brownley's latest release, Gunpowder Tea, is receiving high praise, and she's celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway and a "Tea with Margaret" Facebook party!

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea with Margaret" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 7th. Connect with Margaret and friends for an evening of book chat, prizes, and get an exclusive look at Margaret's next book!

So grab your copy of Gunpowder Tea and join Margaret on the evening of November 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 11/7!