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Ms. Demeanor

(Mystery Christmas #4)

Danica Winters (Goodreads Author)

3.93 · Rating details · 45 ratings · 20 reviews

A cold-case Christmas in Mystery, Montana

Yearning to be known as something other than Mystery's ultimate bad boy, rancher Rainier Fitzgerald isn't pleased when he stumbles upon the remains of a dead body. Especially when Officer Laura Blade catches him with a gun in his hand.

Spending Christmas chasing down a cold case with a man she's not supposed to fraternize with is ...more

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Paperback, 288 pages

Published November 21st 2017 by Harlequin Intrigue Larger Print

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Sep 14, 2018 Paula Brandon rated it it was ok

Rainier Fitzgerald gets released from prison and immediately starts to get jiggy with it with his parole officer, Laura Blade. Threatening their happiness is a mighty tax bill generated against them by family enemy William Poe, who is still inexplicably walking around a free man despite evidence that he was getting his half-brother to commit crimes for him. There's also the matter of a dead body discovered on the ranch, opening up a cold case!

I think this gets 2 stars simply because it's better Rainier Fitzgerald gets released from prison and immediately starts to get jiggy with it with his parole officer, Laura Blade. Threatening their happiness is a mighty tax bill generated against them by family enemy William Poe, who is still inexplicably walking around a free man despite evidence that he was getting his half-brother to commit crimes for him. There's also the matter of a dead body discovered on the ranch, opening up a cold case!

I think this gets 2 stars simply because it's better than the previous three books. Motivations of the "bad" guys are predictably obscure and flimsy, but at the least the romance works reasonably well. It's totally a case of insta-love, but unlike the heroines of the previous three books, Laura Blade actually seems to have her shit together, and isn't constantly blowing hot and cold towards Rainier. Rainier has a troubled past, including that stint in prison, but the book at least attempts to follow his journey from ex-con to a man who can take his place back in society. Their relationship certainly progresses much more believably than the all-over-the-map emotions of the previous books.

The plot is no great shakes. Even a little dull, really! I certainly wasn't on the edge of my seat. There was no real urgency to the 25-year-old dead body they find, and the save-the-ranch stuff belongs in a different category altogether! And what the hell was up with William's motive? He set all this in motion because he believes the Fitzgeralds stole the ranch from under his family? He's a tax accountant! Why would he want to run a ranch? On top of that, by all accounts, he's a rich man! He doesn't need a ranch! As you can see, Danica Winters' hasn't quite mastered the art of credible motivations over the course of the mini-series!

However, as I said, it's better than the previous three. You could read it as a standalone. Most of these books haven't been big on continuity anyway. This one doesn't elaborate much on the motives for murder of Alli Fitzgerald, Lisa Chase and Daryl Bucket from the previous books. Nor was I expecting it to, really. I've figured that's beyond this author's capabilities! But at least the series goes out on a (minor) higher note, with a well-maintained romance between the h and H. ...more

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Dec 19, 2020 Jo-Anne rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, christmas

Ms. Demeanor is the fourth book in the Mystery Christmas series and there continues to be trouble at the ranch.

Laura Blade picked Rainier Fitzgerald up from prison. She was his parole officer and used the drive to go over all the rules he had to follow now that he was out. He sure didn't want to go back to prison so he was not going to break any of her rules.

Rainier was the black sheep of the family but quite a charmer. He seemed to be his mother's favourite of all the adopted boys. He was a kin ...more

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Nov 20, 2017 Books and Spoons rated it it was amazing

Shelves: earc

This series, Mystery Christmas, has won me over from the book one. The dark and tense atmosphere at the ranch with the drama and trouble surrounding it is a great setting for the riveting series. The complex yet charming characters, the pained past of the adopted brothers, the odd and peculiar attacks and crimes against them - it all makes fascinating entertainment that kept me on the edge.
Ms. Demeanor is a story that can be read as a standalone novel yet having the information and being on the This series, Mystery Christmas, has won me over from the book one. The dark and tense atmosphere at the ranch with the drama and trouble surrounding it is a great setting for the riveting series. The complex yet charming characters, the pained past of the adopted brothers, the odd and peculiar attacks and crimes against them - it all makes fascinating entertainment that kept me on the edge.
Ms. Demeanor is a story that can be read as a standalone novel yet having the information and being on the knowledge of the events from the previous stories in the series will give more foundation for the crimes and characters of this story.
The connection between Laura Blade and Rainier Fitzgerald is so natural that it does not surprise me that they bonded immediately, with sparks flying, and ready to swoon from the first accidental touch. Laura was part of the Fitzgerald family as soon as she arrived at the ranch, there was nothing awkward about it or pretentious, they embraced her like she belonged, accepting her as she is.
Rainier is the charmer of the brothers, his smile lights up the room, he is the sunshine for his adopted mother. But there is more to his story than that, of course. He is an ex-convict, on a parole with Laura as his parole officer. Rainier has a good, kind heart. He is protective and fierce, he has no ill intentions but he does fight for justice and what is right. He has humbleness and honesty that I admired, the reasons for his imprisonment understandable as the full story is disclosed.
Rainier's feelings, the instant attraction towards Laura, had a touch of sweetness and bundle of sincerity. Yes, it all developed fast, but it was believable, it was tangible, and it was adorable. But inappropriate? Umm... A bit of a tabu, even a problem when it came to Rainier breaking the law again...
Laura was a hoot. Her love for everything Christmas had me giggling. She might have chosen a career her powerful father pushed her into, she might be the black sheep of her family, but she was capable, tough, and firm when needed. Her heart is bigger than Montana sky, her kindness, consideration towards others, her generous spirit made it so easy for Rainier to fall for her, it was no wonder it took only one look.
It's not only that the ranch seems to be in financial trouble, the skeleton of an old murder victim is found on the property, and the problems Mr. Poe is causing to the Fitzgeralds are escalating, there is tension in the family because of Rainier's homecoming, and it all ignite into an explosive and intense Christmas Eve week.
If you are looking for an enthralling and compelling romantic suspense series with the rough and tough Montana cowboys who fight for justice and protect their own, Mystery Christmas miniseries will provide you just that with the addition of tight family bonds, steaming romance, and intense scenes with horrid crimes. An arresting and alluring conclusion to the fantastic series!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side ...more

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Nov 27, 2017 Amber Daulton rated it it was amazing

In the fourth Mystery Christmas book, parole officer Laura Blade goes to pick up her newest recently released parolee from prison as a favor for her deputy friend, Wyatt. The parolee also happens to be Wyatt’s younger brother. When she meets Rainier, she never expected to actually like the man or fall into his family’s trouble.
After three years in prison for assault, Rainier Fitzgerald is finally free, but he’s worried about returning home. He’s always been the black sheep in the family, and he ...more

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Jan 29, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-books-read, category-romance, romance, romantic-suspense

Good conclusion to the series. In this book, we finally get to meet Ranier, the brother who has been "away." As it happens, he has been in prison for assaulting his biological father. The story opens as he is released, expecting that one of his brothers will pick him up. Instead, he is met by Laura, his parole officer, who is picking him up as a favor to his brother Wyatt. There are sparks between the two from the beginning, but a relationship between an ex-con and his parole officer?

Laura seems Good conclusion to the series. In this book, we finally get to meet Ranier, the brother who has been "away." As it happens, he has been in prison for assaulting his biological father. The story opens as he is released, expecting that one of his brothers will pick him up. Instead, he is met by Laura, his parole officer, who is picking him up as a favor to his brother Wyatt. There are sparks between the two from the beginning, but a relationship between an ex-con and his parole officer?

Laura seems pretty uptight at the beginning. She hammers at him about all the rules he has to follow without appearing to care much about his feelings about going home. Meanwhile, Rainier is unsure about what his reception will be when he arrives back at Dunrovin. I ached for him because he had missed his family so badly. I was so happy to see his mom's and Colter's joy at his return, and his father's matter-of-fact, put Rainier to work attitude. But Rainier hadn't been home an hour when trouble found him, as he unearthed a gun and a human bone while helping his dad. What I didn't understand was how Laura immediately found that to be cause to send him back to prison. It wasn't like he had pulled a gun and shot someone. I was glad to see her back off since I thought she had overreacted. However, the incident did bring Rainier's lawman brother to the ranch and showcased the tension between the two men. I lost a little respect for Wyatt here because of his negative attitude.

While all this was going on, there was also a surprise visit from neighbor and nemesis William Poe. He shows up just to deliver a "misdelivered" tax bill from the county, showing that the Fitzgeralds owe thousands in back taxes on their ranch, with only a few days to come up with the money. The family is devastated at the thought of losing their home and livelihood. Laura is a bit suspicious and offers to ask her father, a high-priced attorney, to look into the matter. Laura has a stressful relationship with her father, who doesn't approve of her work, but she believes that he will do the right thing.

Meanwhile, the sparks and connection between Rainier and Laura continue to grow. Neither of them could deny what was between them. For people who seemed to be so different on the outside, there was quite a bit that they had in common. Both of them are protective, looking out/standing up for people who need help. Each finds the other incredibly attractive and want to believe the best of each other. I loved seeing them work together to discover the truth behind the taxes and the dead body. The more time they spent together, the closer they got. I especially enjoyed the way that the whole family made Laura feel welcome, even teasing her about her Christmas addiction. I liked how they came together at the end, realizing that their love and being true to themselves was more important than anything else.

The suspense of the story was very good, wrapping up the story arc that had carried through the series. From the beginning, we know that William Poe has it in for the Fitzgeralds, though we don't know why until the end of this book. There is definitely the sense that he has used underhanded methods to cause problems for the family, an idea borne out by the investigation conducted by Laura's father. The identity of the body on the ranch property comes as a huge shock, as does why it is there. The final confrontation with Poe is intense and answers a lot of questions that have come up during the books. The resolution was a relief to everyone. ...more

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Nov 21, 2017 Jennifer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Rainier Fitzgerald has spent the last 3+ years in prison for punching his biological father, and he is finally being released from prison. He is expecting his brother Wyatt to pick him up, however he is surprised when Laura Blade appears instead, and she turns out to be his parole agent. Of course there is an instant attraction between them, but it is almost immediately strained when shortly after she returns him to Dunrovin, he finds a bone and a gun buried in the pasture. When Wyatt shows up t ...more

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Dec 20, 2017 Kym Grime rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I found Ms. Demeanor, Danica Winters’ fourth book in the Harlequin Intrigue Mystery Christmas series, the most fun to read so far in the series, capturing my interest from the first page and never losing it. It launches right into hot bad boy Ranier, one of the Fitzgerald brothers, and the tantalizing, sassy and sophisticated Laura Blade whose cool attitude may not be enough to douse the spark that ignites between them immediately. She has sworn off relationships, and has a professional duty to ...more

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Nov 16, 2017 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Reading this series from the beginning, I grew attached to the Fitzgerald family. Their values are strong and family loyalty is high. When son Rainier is sentenced to time in prison it takes a toll on everyone. As this book opens it is nearing Christmas and Rainier is coming home. What should be a joyous event is overshadowed by tension from many directions. What this family does not need is to discover a body on the property, especially with Rainier's parole officer present.
Laura Blade has her ...more

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Nov 21, 2017 Kathy Wideman rated it really liked it

Shelves: danger, cowboy, emotional, military-police-government, mystery, romance, series

This is the forth book in this series and they need to be read in order. Rainier Fitzgerald has been released from prison on parole. He is picked up by his parole officer Laura. Rainier is happy to be out of jail but he is not sure how he will be received at home. He is given all the rules he must follow by Laura on his way home to the ranch. However he isn't home for very long before he finds himself in trouble. Or at least what looks like trouble. He finds a buried body and gun while helping d ...more

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Nov 21, 2017 Lynn Brooks rated it really liked it

Christmas comes to Mystery, Montana! When bad boy Rainier returns home, it seems trouble is brewing before he even gets to say hello to everyone! With the last brother’s story, we get a few answers uncovered in the ongoing mysteries of Dunrovin Ranch. This family has been a pleasure to read about and get to know.

Rancher Rainier Fitzgerald just wants to live in peace and enjoy his freedom when he returns to his family ranch, but his pleasure is short lived when he stumbles upon the remains of a d ...more

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Dec 18, 2017 John rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Ms. Demeanor 4.5/5 Stars!

This was an excellent wrap up to the Mystery Christmas series! While I wasn't that big of a fan of the romance between Laura and Rainier, I loved how the author wrapped the over all storyline of the series up. Going into this one, you knew the big bad and the whole nine yards. But it still kept you on the edge of your seat.

The Mystery Christmas series was my first ever Danica Winters books, and I'm happy to say that I'll be reading more books from her in the future! I h ...more

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Nov 20, 2017 Marissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Kindle Copy for Review

He was a bad boy even spending time in jail.

She was his parole officer.

But first meetings are sometimes are the most important.

Returning home after serving his time in jail, Rainier Fitzgerald soon finds himself in trouble when he finds a gun on his adoptive parent’s ranch. The gun leads to a dead body on the ranch while leads to more family trouble.

Along the way, the two of them find themselves falling for each other despite knowing they should stay away. It is Christmas s ...more

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Nov 25, 2017 Angel rated it liked it

Love this series, it can be read as a standalone but makes more sense if read in order because then you know the stories of the secondary characters. Rainier's story is full of inst love and lots of suspense.
Rainier is fresh home from a prison stay and has the hots for his parole office. The ranch has more problems and the bad guy in closing in. What will happen, will Rainier get his happy ending or?

I was given an advance copy for an honest review. ...more

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Nov 15, 2017 Peggy Clayton rated it it was amazing

I went heads over tails for this book. If you read any of my reviews from Danica's previous books I love the way she writes. Her characters,storyline, time the book is set and many more things. I know that when I pick up one of her books it is a winner and I will be happy. Danica hit a grand slam with this book! ...more

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Feb 02, 2018 Linda McMullin rated it it was ok

Totally forgot I read the first one in this series. It's not that it's horrible, I just think there are much better series out there if you are into this kind of stuff like Kat Martin's series for example. ...more

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Nov 26, 2017 Sarah rated it it was amazing

This continues to be a great series, and I hope there are more books to come. This was an unlikely romance between Rainier who had just been released from jail and his parole officer. This also had a mystery running through the book.

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Tabitha rated it it was amazing
Mar 01, 2019

Nov 05, 2018 PWRL marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-new

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Linda Straub rated it really liked it
Feb 07, 2018

Dec 01, 2017 Harlequin Books added it · review of another edition

Shelves: harlequin_intrigue, 2014-17

Miniseries: Mystery Christmas ...more

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Carl H Spitzer rated it liked it
Dec 07, 2019

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Aug 30, 2018

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Dec 16, 2019

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Jan 22, 2019

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Mar 11, 2018

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About Danica Winters

Danica Winters

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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 Must ...more