Mr. Serious

Mystery Christmas #2

by Danica Winters

Duty and danger bring an alpha hero to Mystery, Montana

Waylon Fitzgerald had a life of adventure all planned out--one that did not include returning to his family's ranch to bring his missing ex-wife into custody for murder. With so much bad blood between them, the sexy military police officer understands why his ex's sister, Christina Bell, hates him. And yet he and Christina spark a sizzling attraction.

What changes everything for Waylon is Winnie, Christina's adorable ward...and the startling revelation that he's her father. When she goes missing--her mother a killer at large--Waylon's world is upended. Will he redeploy to follow his passions around the world...or stay where his heart has found an unexpected Christmas present?

Mystery Christmas

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Westerns, Suspense, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 19, 2017

About the author

Danica Winters is an Amazon bestselling author who has won multiple awards for writing books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and occasionally a touch of magic. Most recently, Danica was the winner of the Paranormal Romance Guild’s Paranormal Romantic Suspense Book of the Year Award and Chanticleer Media’s Paranormal Book of the Year for her novel Montana Mustangs.
When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery is a town in Montana, a town which is living up to its name in this romantic suspense which begins with Waylon Fitzgerald returning from duty as a military police officer to help with the search for his ex-wife, Alli, who is wanted for murder! He’s managed to hitch a lift in a helicopter and his arrival certainly leaves a somewhat negative impression on Christina Bell, the sister of his missing ex-wife, as the down draught results in Winnie, her niece she is guardian of, being accidentally injured. Winnie is an adorable, somewhat precocious toddler and definitely a star character in the story! As the Christina and Waylon work together to endeavour to discover just what has happened to All, there first opinions of each other are quickly revised. However, Alli and his family had kept another major secret from him and with all the dramatic discoveries as their investigations into Alli’s disappearance continue Mystery proves to harbour even more secrets!

Despite their inauspicious introduction, the attraction between Christina and Waylon is explosive but with murder, burglary, kidnapping, mayhem and secrets abounding, this is going to be a very bumpy ride in this action packed, enthralling read! It is a brilliant page turner that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who, like me, enjoys well written, romantic suspense with plenty of intrigue!

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

[Paula Brandon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Following on from the events in Ms Calculation, in which Alli Fitzgerlad has taken off for parts unknown after committing a couple of murders, her ex-husband Waylon Fitzgerald returns to the family ranch to look for her. He immediately butts heads with Christine Bell, Alli's sister. She hates him because he never cared about her sister. Or something. He also doesn't show immediate fawning adoration for his daughter, 2-year old Winnie.

But that could have something to do with the fact that HE DOESN'T KNOW WINNIE IS HIS DAUGHTER.

Good grief. This was just as bad as Ms Calculation, with the same problems that plagued that book cropping up again in this one, with the added insult of the secret child trope. In this case, Waylon's ENTIRE FAMILY has been in on the ruse in keeping his paternity a secret. His entire family, and Christine as well. Their reasoning? For shits and giggles, one can only assume! We're not given any sort of proper explanation as to why all these people felt they should not tell Waylon he had a daughter, other than that they promised Alli they wouldn't.

That's right. Waylon's family KEEP A PROMISE TO A MURDERER OVER THEIR OWN SON. It made my head spin. Who the fuck are these people?!?

Just like the previous book, Waylon and Christine are continually back and forth over their feelings. Well, Christine mainly. They both have Traumatic Pasts that affect their ability to love, but once again, WE GET NO DETAIL. If their barrier to a HEA is what happened to them when they were young, I need more than just, "Oh, Christine's parents argued a lot," or, "Oh, Waylon got taken into foster care." Because that's about as much as we get. If their pasts are informing their current decisions to such an extensive degree as is the case here, I really need to have that detail to understand why they're being so namby-pamby!

Christine's ties to the ranch, and Waylon's desire to serve his country were believable enough hurdles on their own that I didn't need the Traumatic Pasts heaped on top of that. Especially when those pasts are so frustratingly vague. It left me with little idea of why they were acting like such children. Well, Christine mainly. It was a case of telling not showing that their pasts were making them run away from a future. It also served to simply make them look like they couldn't make up their minds. Well, Christine mainly.

There's very, very little plot. The information about Winnie's kidnapping in the book's own blurb could be considered a spoiler because it comes very, very late in the proceedings. The bulk of the proceedings is concerned with Waylon and Christine's relationship. Like Gwen in the first book, Christine's emotions are just all over the map. I'm surprised Waylon didn't get whiplash trying to keep up with her mood swings. Normally, I would like it when an Intrigue book takes a breather to explore the romance, but I wasn't invested here. As I said earlier, I didn't have any grasp of their pasts to understand fully what kept them from seeking love. Well, Christine mainly.

The pace picks up a teensy bit in the final stretch, but the book shoots itself in the foot with another blah, doesn't-explain-anything ending. Alli has actually been dead all along, killed by Lisa Chase, one of William Poe's flings, who has a grudge against the Fitzgerald family. Or the Bell family. Not too sure. So why does the killer have a grudge? NEVER EXPLAINED. What's the killer's motive? Well, they have a grudge apparently, but otherwise NEVER EXPLAINED. But oh well, happy ever after, right?

Let me make one thing clear: if you're going to incorporate a murder mystery into your book, PLEASE LET US KNOW WHY THE KILLER FUCKING DID IT, OTHERWISE WHAT'S THE FUCKING POINT?!?

Seriously, this was really the pits. The lack of any explanation behind any of the characters' decisions and motives made me feel like my time had been wasted and worse, my intelligence insulted.

[Books and Spoons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Serious takes us back to Mystery, Montana where the murder investigations take a new turn, as Waylon Fitzgerald come home to help his brother to find his ex-wife who is the suspect in the murders of two women.
I liked Waylon, he made it easy to relate to him and admire him with his sensible look of life, his kindness and humbleness were outstanding. He is a take-charge kind of man, yet he can follow the rules and take direction. He's flexible and protective, he has a good sense of humor and a soft spot in his heart for Winnie from the first time he laid his eyes on her. He is a talented investigator, knows what he is doing, and gets results fast. His tangible love and respect for his family are admirable, the banter between the brothers is entertaining and fun.
Christina Bell has made a home on her sister's ex-husband's parent's ranch. She is the caretaker of little Winnie after Winnie's mother, who is also Christina's sister, goes missing. Even though Christina knows about the instability of her sister, she has taken her sister's stories about Waylon as the truth and judged him by those words before meeting him. Christina seems to leap before looking when it comes to most matters. She has a quick temper, and with the stress and fear in the air, it flairs. She keeps people at the arm's length, a lesson she learned well in her childhood home. And maybe that's the reason why I had such a hard time connecting with her.
Christina jumps right in to help Waylon and Wyatt with the investigation and while working together the sparks ignite between Christina and Waylon. Yes, it is like a daytime show with all the family relations getting mixed in, but the characters were aware of the drama as well. The secret the whole family has been keeping from Waylon is unacceptable, yet he seems to get over it fast. I don't understand the reasoning behind keeping the information from him, but I was in the minority since Waylon found the understanding and forgiveness in his heart rapidly.
The investigation has its intriguing twists, the tension escalating through the story keeping the suspense high.
The relationship between Christina and Waylon moves swiftly from dislike to admiration to attraction as the deeper feelings take root. But the road ahead of them will not be an easy one, and Christina is not convinced there could be a chance of future together for them.
I would recommend reading the book one in the series, Ms. Calculation, first. This story continues the suspense around the murder and mayhem happening in Mystery, Montana even though the couple trying to find their way to each other and a future together is a new one.
Adrent yet sweet love story on the side of tension riddled family secrets, murders, kidnappings, and burglaries moves the plot forward with a rapid space while the tension escalates, and loyalties are tested. A fascinating small town crime spree that takes unexpected turns and leaves the reader anticipating for more to come in the series
~ Four Spoons

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Waylon has taken some time off his job as an army MP to return to Mystery, Montana. He is on a mission to help find and apprehend his ex-wife, who is wanted for murder. Then he will go back to his regular life, away from the monotony of ranch life. The first people he sees when he arrives are the adorable toddler, Winnie, and her guardian, his ex's sister Christina. Christina seems to despise him, but there's also an undercurrent of attraction.

Alli made Christina Winnie's guardian before she disappeared, after allegedly killing two people. Alli has always had her problems, but Christina finds it hard to believe that her sister is capable of murder. Now that Waylon is back at the ranch, Christina begins to question the terrible things that Alli said about him. She also feels guilty about keeping the secret that Waylon is Winnie's father.

I liked the development of the relationship between Waylon and Christina. I was really impressed by Waylon's understanding of Christina's anger with him. He admired her loyalty to Alli and accepted that he was not completely innocent in the breakdown of his marriage. He was surprised by his attraction to her and tried to resist. He would not be staying at the ranch, and he knew Christina had no plans to leave it. As they spent time together trying to find Alli, Christina realized that the things Alli had told her were far from the truth. She was especially surprised by the way that Waylon connected with Winnie, the sight of him playing princess with her melted Christina's heart. Over the next few days their attraction grew, and so did the feelings beneath it. I liked that Christina came to trust Waylon enough to tell him the truth and that once he got over the shock, Waylon realized that no harm had been meant in the keeping of the secret. It gives Waylon and Christina one more tie to bind them closer together. Each of them has to come to terms with their fears and expectations before they can consider a future together. I liked Waylon's big moment at the end as he takes a chance on having it all.

The suspense of the story was good. Even though I haven't read the first book yet, there was enough information provided that I didn't feel lost. The problem at hand is finding Alli, and so far there haven't been any useful leads. Waylon turns up one that leads to local resident William Poe, but it doesn't seem to pan out. I did not get a good feeling about Poe, who seems to have a problem with Waylon and his family. I have a feeling there is more going on with him that we see in this book. An encounter with a truck driver and a robbery at the ranch bring up some frightening possibilities and fear for Winnie. Things get intense really fast when Winnie disappears. An unexpected twist brings a resolution that I did not expect. I'm looking forward to reading the first book for more background, and future books to see what comes next.

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waylon returns home to a mess. His ex-wife Alli is wanted for murder, yet nobody can locate her. To add to matters, Alli’s sister Christina is giving him the stink eye, his family is hiding something from him, and strange things are happening around the ranch that are pointing to danger for Christina’s niece Winnie.

I didn’t realize there was a book before this one when I picked it up. While I didn’t have a problem following the dynamics in general, if I had read book one, I may have had a couple of answers to some questions sooner. I liked Waylon and his family, and Winnie was an adorable kiddo, however, I never warmed up to Christina. Her hot and cold attitude to Waylon affected the believability of their romance and her blindness to her sister’s crimes were annoying and unreasonable. She eventually came around but it was further in the book than I was expecting. The villain was a bit of a surprise and the potential pool of characters was well done. It kept me guessing until the reveal. Overall, the plot was good, the romance okay, and the suspense was decently written.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Serious picks up after Ms. Calculation, and introduces Waylon Fitzgerald. His ex-wife Alli escaped after committing several murders, and he has come to see if he can help. As a military MP, he has the background to help out his brother Wyatt with the investigation. When he returns home to Dunrovin Ranch, he meets Alli’s sister Christina and her ward (and his secret daughter), Winnie. Waylon does not understand why Christina dislikes him, but they agree to work together to try and find Alli before she kills again…or returns for Winnie. Christina is afraid that if he finds out Winnie is his daughter, he will take her away with him and leave Christina alone.

They soon realize that Alli did not escape to Canada, and a disturbing series of incidents convinces them that she is after Winnie…and then Winnie disappears. The rest I will leave for you to find out but it’s safe to say that I was glued to the last few chapters because I wanted to see how it ended…I did NOT see that coming!

I received an ARC of the novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story!! Enjoyed Christina's & Waylons relationship as it grew, and how it becomes one of understanding and needing to protect Winnie.

[Millie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waylon and Christina don't seem to match much. I loved the story but I did not like Christina. I could not understand her or relate to her. I liked Waylon though. I loved the writing style.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF Gave up at 68.
Actually skimmed the whole thing 2/2020.
1.5 stars. No Christmas that i could find.

[Kym Grime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning, this review contains spoilers about Ms. Calculation, book one of the Mystery Christmas Series by Danica Winters.

Mr. Serious, book two in the Harlequin Intrigue Mystery Christmas Series by Danica Winters, continues where Ms. Calculation left off, on the search for Alli Fitzgerald, wanted for the murder of Bianca and Monica. In the small town of Mystery, Montana, everyone seems to pretty well know everyone else’s business, except the fairly well concealed infidelities of the shady William Poe. That is, until Bianca showed up dead at the Dunrovin Ranch and pictures of William’s lovers were found in his wife Monica’s store, who also turned up brutally murdered. Revealing pictures of Alli, posing for William, in the sole attire of red boots, were a “dead” give away, implicating her as the jealous other woman. Detective Fitzgerald corroborated his suspicions with a sober Carla, Gwen’s mom, who had been detoxing in the hospital after almost being collateral damage when Alli tried poisoning her to cover her tracks before skipping town. Now it was up to Detective Fitzgerald and his brother Waylon, to track down Alli, Waylon’s ex-wife, before someone else gets hurt, or worse. Alli leaves her daughter Winnie in her sister, Christina’s, care, who along with Waylon’s mother and brother, had promised to keep the father’s identity a secret. When Waylon, the sexy military police officer that is Detective Fitzgerald’s foster brother, and Winnie’s father, lands back at the ranch, Christina has nothing but animosity for him for leaving her sister in the lurch with a kid, or so that was the story Alli had given her. She would just have to ignore the sizzling attraction she feels brewing between them, they could never work out. As Christina and Waylon team up to help Detective Wyatt Fitzgerald on his search gone cold, things begin to heat up, and not just on Alli’s trail. That is until the big secret is revealed and threatens to destroy the passion that had been building. Will they find Alli, and her now missing daughter? Will Waylon return to his life in the Army, or start a new one as a new dad? To find out, read Ms. Winter’s second book, which delivers edge of your seat suspense and a well-spun mystery with the steamy building of a relationship Harlequin Intrigue romance fans live for.

[Amber Daulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second book in the Mystery Christmas series, Waylon Fitzgerald comes home to Montana to search for missing ex-wife, Alli. As a military policeman at Fort Bragg, he knows a thing or two about investigations but the first thing he does when he arrives at his family’s ranch is anger Christina Bell, Alli’s sister and a woman’s he’s never met.
Christina is hurt, angry, and confused over her sister’s actions. Alli killed two people in the previous book and now she’s on the run from the police. Before Alli left, she entrusted Winnie, her adorable two-year-old daughter, to Christina. When she and Waylon team up to look for Alli, Christina knows she needs to tell him the truth that Winnie is Waylon’s daughter. The entire Fitzgerald family knows it, but the sexy MP has no idea. As the clues lead to answers they didn’t expect, the most important person in Christina’s world—and Waylon’s—goes missing in the wilds of a snowy Montana ranch.
I really liked Waylon. He’s protective, goal-oriented, and he knows what he wants. I liked Christina for the most part, but her protectiveness toward her lying, murderous sister annoyed me a little. Though tension and false assumptions threatened to wedge between Christina and Waylon, they have great chemistry and the love that built between them was quick but believable.
I didn’t expect the twist at the end, and I absolutely loved it, but I don’t understand how Alli and Lisa knew each other. I wish there would’ve been a scene with Waylon telling Winnie he’s her dad. It would’ve been totally sweet and heartwarming.
Anyway, I liked this story a lot and I’d love to read the third book in the series. Colter is introduced, and he definitely seems like a sexy man I would like to get to know better.
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. Thank you, Danica Winters, for sending me a print copy. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.

[Kathy Wideman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and they should be read in order. Waylon Fitzgerald is a military police officer and his life is the military. Now he finds himself on the way to his family’s ranch to help find his ex-wife and bring her to justice. Christina Bell is Waylon’s ex-sister-in-law and she and his family has a huge secret. Christina is the guardian on Winnie, her sister’s daughter. Waylon doesn’t know that Winnie is his daughter and when he finds out things could go from bad to worse. Waylon and Christina meet for the first time when he arrives back home to help look for her sister and his ex. Christina immediately doesn’t like him. Some of it has to do with things her sister told her about him but she can’t help to zing he sends through her body or how attracted she is to him. Waylon is only going to be home for a small time and he needs to be looking for his ex. Things change when he learns that he has a daughter and the more he gets to know Christina. Then Winnie goes missing. Now he will do anything to find his daughter and protect the woman he loves. Will they be able to find his daughter and find his ex? Will they find the person behind everything or just more questions? This book had me hooked as well. Now I am even more in love with this series. This whole family and community pull together when needed. The town has its fair share of secrets and gossip but they are there for each other. Waylon and Christina find that they are attracted to each other when maybe they shouldn’t be. She is his ex-wife’s sister and he is a man who didn’t know he even had a daughter. They face their face share of issues while coming together. What they do have in common is Winnie. Will they find a way to be together or is there too much to overcome? I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Danica congrats on another fantastic book.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.

[Sapphyria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waylon Fitzgerald’s life plans did not include returning to his family’s ranch to help search for Allie, his ex-wife. Yet, here he is doing just that. Her murder spree and disappearance has shaken the town and his family to the core. Allie’s sister, Christina, adds to Waylon’s tension but not necessarily in a bad way. Then he finds out he has a daughter, a secret everyone in his family kept from him. Nothing about his visit appears to include any positivity, except his daughter, Winnie.

As Waylon begins to unravel the last few days before Allie’s disappearance, oddities present themselves. He and Christina work to figure out what really went on with Allie. As he and Christina begin to put pieces together, the ranch is robbed and Winnie is kidnapped. The race is now on to find out where Winnie is before it’s too late.

Mr. Serious has some awkwardness that detracted from my enjoyment of the book. When Waylon returns home, he has no clue to the identity of Christina. How does he not know that Christina is his former sister-in-law? Also, the interactions between Christina and Waylon gave me whiplash. She was cold and emotionless one minute and had feeling of lust the next. Waylon wants her but isn’t sure he’s willing to stay in Mystery. Both characters have qualities and interactions that remind me of episodes of Jerry Springer. Once Christina and Waylon get on the same page, things smooth out a little more and they begin to work together. The romance moved too quickly for me, especially with everything else that was going on.

I must say that despite the awkward character interactions, I enjoyed the novel. Trying to figure out where Allie went and what her motives were kept me interested and engaged in the story. Winnie’s kidnapping kept me on the edge of my seat. The twist at the end was shocking and heartbreaking but the author concealed the twist well.

I was given a paperback to read.

[Virginia Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has great description and flow to the story, and building suspense that keeps you guessing as to who besides the usual suspect is involved with the murders that happen. I also like the style of writing and pace. The two main characters are Waylon and Christina. Waylon is on military leave to investigate his ex-wife's disappearance. Christina is his ex-wife's sister, and does not like him because he left her sister. Sparks fly anyway, and they begin to fall for each other, though the odds are against them. Waylon discovers he has a daughter and that causes more tension.

However, I found that falling for your ex-wife's sister a bit messy and too close for comfort. I did not find believable the reason not to tell Waylon, that he had fathered a child. I felt no closure as to the reason why the villain did what was done, and if Winnie, the child was ok after almost being killed..there is no mention of her at the end. My other unbelievable development was that there was no mourning period after discovering Christina's sister was killed. I felt it was not really explained what made her, Alli, go off the deep end. It seemed the ending was rushed.
And the engagement between Christina and Waylon happened too quickly, I feel there should have been another chapter tying up the loose ends.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunting a killer! With the second book in her Mystery Christmas series, Danica Winters brings us Waylon Fitzgerald’s story. He left home years ago to lead an exciting life of danger in the military, but current circumstances have him heading home to find some answers. We pick up with the mystery of the murders on or around Dunrovin Ranch, and trying to catch the murderer. Looking forward to more from this family!

Military police officer Waylon Fitzgerald left Mystery, Montana and his family behind when he finalized his divorce from his ex-wife Alli and needed a change. He enjoys the excitement that life brings his way now, but when he receives word that Alli is being accused of murder and is missing, he heads home to see if he can help track her down and bring her to justice.

Christina Bell isn’t happy to see her sister’s ex show up at all. Her sister left her the guardian of the niece she dearly loves … the daughter Waylon doesn’t even know he has. After all she’s heard about him, she can’t help but dislike him on sight … not to mention be afraid he’ll take Winnie away from her … but the more time she spends with him, the more she actually starts to like him … and the sparks between them? Smoking hot!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved ths book free as an advance reader. I really enyoyed the the book. It set a fast pace and the action just kept growing. This is the second book in the Mystery Montana series. The Fizgerald family have a Dude Rance called dunroven run by their mother Eloise. Alot of the action takes place in and around it. Son Waylon is in the Military police and has no desire to return to the ranch. But a phone call asking him to come home and help find his exwife who is missing and accused of murder he gets leave and heads home. to help his beother Wyatt who is a Sheriff's Deputy .When he returnds he finds that Christine,his wife's sister works on the ranch and is raising her neice, Winnie___who happens to be Waylons daughter. Christina hates Waylon because of the lies her sister told her. Sparks fly when they meet . Winnie is loved by everyone on the ranch and soon steals Waylons heart too. Then she dissapears and everyone is in a panic as they search for her . The romace between Christina and Waylon also starts to bloom. A very good book with lots of action and heart. If you like your romances clean you will love this one.Alice Boni

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparks fly as an Army MP meets his ex-sister-in-law.

The military had everything Waylon wanted, or thought he wanted. When he returns home to help his brother investigate the disappearance of Waylon's ex-wife, he has no idea he'll meet Christina, the ex-sister-in-law who will turn his life upside down and Winnie, her adorable niece.

This is a great book for readers who don't want a story heavy on the suspense and mystery. The characterizations are excellent, well developed and very believable. There's plenty of back story for both Waylon and Christina to set up the romance and give us plenty of information on who they are. The plot was plausible, with plenty of suspects, but I couldn't guess the outcome until nearly the end of the book. That's a mystery I can get behind.

There's plenty of action in and out of bed, so there's something for everyone. It's completely worth your time.

Rating: 4.5 stars

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working for the military police, Waylon Fitzgerald was experienced with investigations and keeping the peace, so he took a week off to help in the search for his ex-wife, Alli, who was wanted for murder. He made quite an entrance, arriving by helicopter on his family's ranch. Unfortunately, that caused an accident for little Winnie. Her aunt and guardian, Christina, already didn't think much of Waylon, but that just made her dislike him even more. As Waylon and Christina worked together searching for Alli, Christina got to know him better. She realized he wasn't the terrible man her sister had led her to believe. She started to actually like him. As their attraction grew, Christina worried about what would happen when Waylon learned about the secret being kept from him.

This suspense was full of surprises and secrets. There was murder, kidnapping, burglary and steamy romance. If you like great characters, never-ending drama, with a sweet HEA, you've picked the right book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tension continues along with the manhunt (or woman hunt, in this case) with Waylon returning home to Runrovin Ranch to assist his brother Wyatt. Waylon is a tough guy, a dedicated military lawman. He is fiercely protective of his adoptive parents and brothers but loves his independence.
He also has appreciation for a beautiful woman and, as it turns out, a soft spot for a certain child.

You may appreciate this book more if you read the series from the beginning but it can be read as a stand alone. The tension is high, the secrets dark and the attraction undeniable.
The biggest secret is kept from Waylon by his entire family and you'd think that he would feel betrayed when it is revealed. He does go through emotional backlash but time is of the essence and a little girl's life is on the line.

This is a quick read dealing with some tough topics.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christina Bell’s first impression of Waylon Fitzgerald lies on the negative scale. She isn’t impressed with him at all in the opening scenes. Yet that doesn’t stop her from noticing the man’s solid, masculine physique. Waylon is back home in Mystery, Montana, to help find his ex-wife who has disappeared after allegedly murdering a woman. Clues turn up which provides Christina, Waylon and Wyatt vital information. Somewhere along the lines of finding her sister, things between Waylon and Christina heats up and the secret she carries either make or break her relationship with him. Mr. Serious by Danica Winters follows the complicated lives of a few interesting people. The storyline is good and the suspense keeps you hooked. Overall, it’s a well-written book that suspense fans would love.

Recommended
4 Stars

[Linda Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! This a quick moving story that has Waylon returning home to the ranch for a visit after his ex-wife was implicated in murder, when he realizes that everyone is keeping a secret from him....that he has a daughter that he never knew about. His ex had made her sister, Christina, his daughter's guardian.

While searing for his ex-wife, other secrets are revealed and the possibility of a new romance tantalizes him, without knowing if Christina reciprocates his attraction. Add in the sexual proclivities of some of the community members and you have all the components for an engaging romantic suspense novel.

Fans of the genre will love this book and want to put it at the top of their TBR list.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Serious 4/5 Stars

That's not much I can really openly say about this book, since it is a direct continuation from book 1. But I really did enjoy the story. The only thing that I wasn't so hooked on was the main selling point of the plot. One of the biggest things on the back of the book that made me want to read was the fact that little Winnie went missing. And here's the thing... she didn't go missing till like 4 chapters till the end, and she was found a chapter after going missing. I thought it was going to be this big mystery about who took her, but really it was just an added element to wrap the book up and find the Who/What/Why.

I'm still looking forward to Book 3, Mr. Taken, though.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting mysteries mixed with formula romance writing makes most of these intrigues 5 stars. While not high literature, they help us relax and think about others' problems knowing the ending will be happy.

Waylon is a military policeman who loves the adventure afforded with the military but when his ex disappears after a killing spree, he returns home determined to find her and bring her to justice. But her sister is already there and her disdain for him is obvious, especially considering he ignores his daughter. But his excuse is valid; he has never been told he has one. Now there is yet another reason to to find his ex. Then, his daughter goes missing. Has his ex decided to use her as a hostage? Or is something darker going on?

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, especially since it's a signed gift from the author, but it just didn't click with me. The plot and the romance seemed to be running in different directions.

Nobody comes out likable; the Hero's mom doesn't bother to tell him about his kid for almost three years. The brother is an incompetent cop. I find it a bit creepy to moon at your ex-wife's sister, but our couple gets it on within days and are engaged within the week.

The big test of a romance for me is that I should be rooting for the couple to get together, and at least hopeful that they'll stay together. In this case, I found them both so unlikable that they probably deserve each other; I didn't care about them enough to have an opinion.

[Reckless Readers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Serious picks up following Ms. Calculation and the crazy chaotic search continues and leaves us with more questions than answers.

Waylon Fitzgerald is this take charge army guy who doesn't know how to not be the hero. Christina Bell is this sweet strong girl whose main priority is her niece Winnie. Their chemistry is hot and cold and at times you have no idea if they love or hate each other. I was shocked that when Waylon found out what everyone was hiding that he wasn't more upset/angry.

But, I am still interested/invested enough to see what happens next at Dunrovin Ranch!

**Reviewed by Christiann**

[Michelle Fidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, the second in the series. Mystery, Montana, is the setting. Interesting name! When they talked about the killer, the phrase "psycho killer" came to mind. Having a kid in the book, Winnie, made it stand out from other books of this type. I liked Winnie. Since it's a romance, there is some conflict between Waylon and Christina, especially since she thinks he doesn't want to stick around; he's used to a more exciting life as a military policeman. Would ranch life offer him anything? Lots of suspense in the book, especially near the end, where it got exciting. I will look for more books by this author.

[Toth Jo-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story you get a few surprises. You meet Waylon. Another one of the Fitzgerald children. As in the previous story we had briefly met Christine Bell who had a secret from Waylon and it was a humdinger. As in the 1st book we are find out more things that have been secrets in the town that will keep the pages turning plus there are other secrets that will be revealed. Talked keeping those pages turning this series will definitely do that. There is a few more to come after this book and they are each worth reading by themselves. But there are more secrets to be revealed. Hmmm. J

[Marsha Whitfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the series keeps you going with the mystery that starts in book 1. Very good follow-up but also keeps you wanting more. Can't wait to read book 3 in the series.

Waylon comes home to help with family mysteries, not knowing what he is walking into. Lots of drama and love along the way as well.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Outstanding holiday romance! This one is loaded with romance and intrigue:)

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Linda Romer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Serious was a good read. Winnie is a doll and I enjoyed Waylon and Christina. A solid plot with an exciting ending. I'm looking forward to reading more from this Author.

I give Mr. Serious 4 stars for its exciting story.
I would recommend this book to Adults.