Margaret BrownleyGunpowder Tea (Brides of Last Chance Ranch 1897)

Pinkerton Operative, Miranda Hunt, needed an important assignment. One that would prove she is as good as any man on the job. When her boss sends her to Cactus Patch to The Last Chance Ranch to track down the Phantom, a local robber that is terrorizing the area, Miranda is determined to get her man. Once and for all this will give her the respect as an Operative she has always craved. Ranch owner, Eleanor Walker, is looking for a female heiress to take over her ranch but there is one condition. The woman wanting the position has to sign a contract stating she will never marry. So Miranda goes undercover as Eleanor's new potential heiress, Annie Beckman. When the new ranch hand Branch comes on the scene, Miranda sees him as a suspect but she also doesn't know how to handle the new feelings he awakens in her. She has always been content with the lonely life of being an Operative but after being in Branch's arms she isn't sure she can ever be content with that life again. When his true identity as Jeremy Taggert, a Wells Fargo Detective, is brought to light Miranda must deal with the issues of her past in order to move toward her future. Can her love for Jeremy and her love for her job come together or will her love of one push her away from the other?Jeremy Taggert had semi retired from his job as a Wells Fargo Detective but when his best friend is killed by the Phantom, Jeremy is determined to bring him to justice. Working undercover as a ranch hand at The Last a Chance Ranch gives him access to several suspects. It also puts him in close proximity to Annie Beckman and Jeremy soon realizes it's a dangerous position to be in. He might find the Phantom but, in the process, he might also lose his heart. When Annie finds out that Jeremy is the detective involved in the case that resulted in her father's death she wants nothing more to do with him. Can Jeremy break through her defenses and win her heart or will he continue on with the lonely life of a detective?This being the third book in The Brides of The Last Chance Ranch series, I was waiting anxiously to read this book. I was in no way disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the characters I had come to love so much. Mrs. Walker's sharp tongue and tough exterior hides the warm, caring person within. I like her toughness, strength and gumption. I love Ruckus' pension to always point others to God when the chips are down. I also love Miranda's determination and the fact that she kept a GTF (God The Father) file where she wrote down all of her questions and concerns that only God could answer. I also loved the quirky little quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I found myself chuckling at them quite often. The characters were lovable and the story was thoroughly enjoyable. A blend of romance, western culture and a dab of suspense all in one. Margaret Brownley is one of my favorite authors because she never disappoints. I highly recommend this book, this entire series, to fans of historical western romaces.**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review**

This is the third and final book in this series. The first book is called Dawn Comes Early and the second is Waiting for Morning."Annie" has finally received her first real assignment for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Trying to follow in her father's footsteps, she's come to Last Chance Ranch to discover the identity of the Phantom, a ruthless criminal who has been robbing banks and causing havoc.Annie is robbed on her way to the ranch and when the train robbers are caught, she's shocked to see one of them working at the ranch. Thinking he's part of the Phantom's gang, she allows him to think she's in the gang as well, hoping to get information from him. They're both attracted to one another, but Annie wouldn't fall for a criminal, would she?It's hard to write a complete review for this book because I don't want to give out spoilers. I just have to say that I was impressed with the layers in this book and I actually didn't have the crook figured out before the end. It's been a while since I've read a book and been stumped! This book was also fun, with interactions between many of the characters that made me smile. Aunt Bessie has to be one of the most likable characters in this series.I really did enjoy this book and would recommend it and the entire series. You don't necessarily have to read them in order, which is always a plus. We have a nice little wrap up to the series and Miss Walker finally makes a decision about what to do regarding her ranch.

This is the third in a series called The Brides of Last Chance Ranch so if you like to read books in order catch the other two first. I liked how this one didn't focus on the brides learning the ropes of the ranch as much since the first two did. I also liked the mystery part. Of the three I think this was my favorite. This one was the easiest to pay attention too. It's been awhile since I read the first one though.There was a twist near the end that I didn't see coming but the clues were all there I was just too busy with clues to other things. Recommended if you like clean romance. There are religious parts but I just skip those.Rating: PGMedium Re-ReadabilityEdit: I forgot to add this. The author mentions Peoria, IL and one of the characters says it's near the southern border. It is closer to the southern border than Chicago but it actually is in the heart of Illinois and not really near the southern border at all.

This book is just a delightful read with smiles, laughs, drama and western lore. I just loved it. This is book 3 in the series and each book got better and better. Now I'm sad the series is over; I would love to see more of the people on the ranch. Miranda Hunt aka Annie Beckman, is a Pinkerton Agent. In hunting the bad guy she heads to Last Chance Ranch to act as a person interested in inheriting a cattle ranch. One event after another leads her on the trail of the infamous Phantom gang. Along comes Branch who is actually Taggert of the Wells Fargo Detective Agency. This story has mystery and action all through the book. I loved it and I'm sure you will too.

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley is a fun read. Set on a cattle ranch in Arizona, this western historical romance is also part mystery, with subtle touches of humor. The H/H are perfect for each other as they learn to work together to deduce who is behind the recent train and local bank thefts. Branch is one hot, hunky cowboy and Annie is smart as a whip. Honestly, I stayed up way past my bedtime to get to the end, because I just had to know whodunit. Ms. Brownley's writing style is concise and moves the romance and plot along at a steady pace. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Quite an interesting story, I really liked it, and the mystery is just enough :)