Chrissie used to love Christmas in her Swiss childhood home… until she lost her husband eight years ago. Add in a prolonged conflict with her sister Meg, and the holidays in the snowy Alps are just too hard to face. Now she’s in quiet Oxfordshire, focused on her daughter Sarah’s wedding.
But when Sarah runs away to her grandparents’ chalet just weeks before the big day, Chrissie heads to the mountains to help – and finds her estranged sister Meg there too. Usually in London at the helm of a thriving chocolate shop, Meg’s hiding the troubles of a tough year.
Trapped by snow in Winterbruck, the sisters must face old tensions, support Chrissie’s daughter, and discover that family –and a little chocolate – can make even the coldest Christmas cosy.
Frank Culhane’s murder remains unsolved while his widow, Lila, is still battling to keep her beloved ranch from the grasp of his embittered first wife and grown children. As for arresting Frank’s killer, time is running out for Detective Sam Rafferty to prove himself and save his career, and for his number one suspect—and Lila’s lover—Culhane ranch manager Roper McKenna, to prove his innocence. Both men are staking their fates on the outcome of the imminent reining event of the year: the Run for a Million.
Roper’s dream of riding in Run for a Million is finally coming true. And for his struggling family, the million-dollar prize will mean everything. He’ll be competing on borrowed stallion Fire Dance, with Lila’s legendary stallion, One in a Million, as one of his backups. For now, only winning matters. But suddenly, even that is in jeopardy . . .
On the road, a huge semi almost sideswipes Roper’s truck and horse trailer. He just manages to save the rig from rolling, but the horses are severely shaken. Was it an accident, or an attempt to sabotage Roper—or to kill Lila, who was supposed to have accompanied him?
Meanwhile, others are in turmoil of their own. There’s Sam’s clandestine affair with Lila’s pampered stepdaughter—and murder suspect—Jasmine; dangerous information Jasmine has about her mother; and a long-buried secret Roper’s sister harbors that could explode the Culhane dynasty. Then there is the sole witness to Frank’s murder—a witness who can’t speak, but may have a one in a million chance at revealing the truth . . .
About The Author
My Review
This book is about high-stakes competition, family loyalty, and a gripping search for justice. In the third instalment of the Rivalries series, the Culhane family reunites as lingering questions from earlier books finally come to the forefront especially the mystery surrounding Frank Culhane’s murder. At the same time, the prestigious Run for a Million competition raises the tension, blending ambition, danger, and romance into a fast-paced story.
Janet Dailey skillfully balances suspense and heartfelt relationships, creating a narrative that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The mystery unfolds alongside emotional character arcs, giving the story both urgency and warmth. Fans of the series will appreciate how the plot threads from previous books come together, while new readers can still enjoy the novel as a standalone.
The western setting, with its rodeos, horses, and cowboy lifestyle, adds excitement and authenticity, making the stakes feel vivid and real. Romance weaves naturally through the suspense, offering tender moments amid the drama. Compelling, entertaining, and difficult to put down, this novel delivers a satisfying blend of mystery and western romance.
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