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This book is a brilliant beginning to the Montana Marshalls and a pleasant visit with some old friends.

Full review: https://rebeccasreadingcorner.blog/review-susan-may-warren-knox/ ( )

This is the first book in a new series. I thought this one was okay, though I’m looking forward to the later books in the series. I enjoyed getting back in touch with some characters from previous novels, but the story seemed to lag a bit in the middle. ( )

I usually like Susan May Warren's books, but the beginning of this one read like a Love Inspired book and I worried that it would take a different turn than it did. I did like that we got multiple romances within the same book--we also got to see a few characters from one of Warren's other series.

When I saw "The Montana Marshalls" I thought it might be a series about US Marshalls working in Montana. Instead, it has the Marshall family as central characters. This book mostly focuses on Knox who is currently a ranch owner and breeder of bulls used in professional rodeo. Knox rode bulls in the past.

The Marshall family seems large. Orrin, the patriarch, has passed away, but Mrs. Marshall is still alive and living on the ranch. Knox is the only child living at home at the start of the book.

His brother Reuben is a smokejumper (who works with some of the characters from Warren's other series) and who is involved with a pilot. Tate (a brother who features heavily in this story) is now working in security (but has a military past). Another brother, Ford, is a SEAL. Ford's fraternal twin, Ruby Jane, is a travel agent/analyst. There's also a foster child Katya (called Coco) who is mentioned but not seen. Wyatt is another brother.

WARNING: POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD (READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION)

It's interesting sometimes how different people can view the same set of events in different ways.

Knox feels he's stuck running the ranch. Knox's dad died while out checking fences alone. Knox was at a bull riding event at the time. Knox's mom couldn't run the ranch alone, so Knox gave up his dreams of bull riding to help his mom with the ranch while his other siblings went out and pursued their dreams.

Tate feels Knox had it easy and had everything handed to him.

Reuben blamed Knox for many years because he found his one-time-girlfriend getting cozy with Knox. Reuben's father encouraged him to go into firefighting and even arranged for his training, but Reuben also feels responsible for his father's death since he also wasn't home to ride the fence with is father (something Knox also blames himself for).

Knox meets Kelsey at an NBR event (this is the part that had me thinking cheesy romance). Kelsey has a history that makes her wary of men, and Knox spooks her at first but then makes her feel safe and protected. Will that be enough to overcome her fears?

After Kelsey's performance, the arena explodes, trapping Knox, Kelsey, and the daughter of an NBR bigwig in the rubble. After that, Tate gets hired on as the bodyguard for Kelsey and her two bandmates while Knox gets left behind--until Tate, Kelsey, and Gloria show up at the ranch.

Knox and Tate decide to track down part of Kelsey's history. While they're doing that, the girls are invited to sing at a small event, but while they are performing, their tour bus blows up. Knox and Tate rush back to their sides.

Later, the ranch barn is set on fire and Gloria is shot. Only then does Gloria's mother (a Senator) reveal pertinent information.

It turns out that there are a couple different plots going on in this book--one about Kelsey and her past and another that involves Gloria and her mother.

What I liked: it was a fairly clean romance (some kissing, a bit of passion hinted at but kept under control). I liked the idea that good songs come from the heart or from a personal standpoint. I thought there were some good undertones as Kelsey works through the aftermath of her personal tragedies to come to love and trust again.

What I didn't like: the seesaw between Gloria and Tate (they'd seem to start deciding to like each other, then one or the other would pull back and the buildup would start anew. We all know the "I'm the bodyguard, she's the client" isn't going to hold up. I got tired of Kelsey running (not changing anything in her life or how she dealt with it)--I truly hope she's changed or Knox shouldn't get involved with her. ( )

Knox is the first installment in Susan May Warren's Montana Marshalls series. Having read other novels by Susan May Warren, I had some expectations – romance, danger, suspense, and a good story. I'm happy to say that Knox did not disappoint. The plot pace was perfect. Thanks to the action, mystery, romance, and suspense, the story held my attention and never dragged.

I really liked how Knox was part of Kelsey finding healing from her past. He wasn't the full solution to Kelsey's issues, but he provided a safe space for healing to begin and pointed her to God, the ultimate Healer. The Marshall family responded to Kelsey and her pain in a healthy, supportive way that I admired. There was plenty of good character development. As Kelsey and Knox grew individually and as a couple, they drew each other out of where they were and into better, though perhaps less predictable, places.

I recommend Knox by Susan May Warren to readers looking for story with romance and suspense. If you read and liked the author's Montana Rescue series, I think you'll find Knox to be a very enjoyable read. 4.5 Stars!

Lastly, I have to give a warning that Kelsey is the victim of a physical and sexual assault. I thought the author handled it with sensitivity. However, I recognize that this book has enough content (because a lot of it is about Kelsey's journey to healing) that it might be a trigger for some victims.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )