Jennie Hansen’s new romantic suspense, Don’t Say a Word, has a decidedly western feel and more twists and turns than a rattlesnake headed down a mountain trail! After a broken engagement, Cassie James comes home to her family’s Montana ranch to regroup and make plans for a fresh start. While on a camping trip in the mountains near her home, she finds a small boy all alone in a remote area. She takes him home and, with the help of Deputy Parker Grafton, attempts to unravel the mystery of where this boy came from and who his parents are. Before they get too far into the investigation, however, strange accidents start happening and then shots are fired. But is the killer after Cassie or the little boy? Or both?

Don’t Say a Word is mostly set in Montana’s Bitterroot mountains and it is obvious the author has a familiarity and love for the location. Readers will feel like they are right there with the characters as they search the mountains and meet the ranchers and townsfolk nearby. The setting provides the perfect backdrop for Cassie and Parker as they try to find the identity of the little boy in Cassie’s care. Cassie is a determined heroine who is put in an impossible position. Her actions and reactions are relatable and realistic as she works to protect herself and the people around her. Parker is a sigh-worthy hero as he is drawn to both Cassie’s vulnerabilities and strengths. Their growing personal feelings, combined with professional obligations, add another layer to an already complicated situation as they finally find love just as it could be cruelly snatched away.

The story is full of tension that ratchets up with every chapter as the stakes grow higher and higher. Readers will be anxiously turning pages to solve the mystery along with the characters and see who makes it out alive—and who doesn’t. Don’t Say a Word is a compelling romantic suspense with an ending that may surprise you!

Julie Coulter Bellon is the author of over two dozen romantic suspense books. Julie loves to travel and her favorite cities she’s visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. In her free time she loves to read, write, teach, watch Hawaii Five-O reruns, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.