ARC for honest review with no compensation Hideout at Whiskey Gulch is book 2 in the Outriders series by Elle James and what a great addition to this series! Matt Hennessey, ex Marine special forces, mechanics and now part owner of the Whiskey Gulch ranch rescues a woman and a baby from kidnappers. He discovers there is more to Aubrey Blanchard’s story and it may be connected to his mother’s murder four years ago... What happens next is edge of your seat suspense, painful pasts, starting over, abductions, human trafficking and so much more...

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it. While this is the second in the series, you don’t have to read the prior story to enjoy this one. Which I haven’t but that will be the next one that I read. The author did a wonderful job of telling the reader the history between the two male protagonists from the first book and this one. I am intrigued with that history so it will be a must read. Matt Hennessey is a former Marine who is back home in Whiskey Gulch. His mother was murdered 4 years ago in a field near her home. He is trying to find some answers as to whom killed her. He recently inherited half of Whiskey Gulch Ranch. Apparently his father was James Travis the now deceased owner of the ranch. Even James didn’t know that Matt was his son. Matt’s mother kept the secret from everyone until her death. Aubrey Blanchard is a home care provider nurse. She is new to the area. Several years ago her young daughter was kidnapped from the family’s front yard. Aubrey had only turned her back for one minute for her child to vanish. Her husband blamed her and the marriage fell apart. One night, Aubrey is interrupted by a young Mexican woman crying for help at her back door. Aubrey races into a field to help realizing that it is just the same field where the previous owner of her cottage died. It is there that they locate the young baby, Marianna, but not the little girl, Isabella. Before locating the Isabella, they are set upon by men with guns willing to kill. The young mother is shot and Aubrey manages to escape with the baby Marianna. She runs out into the road where she comes across a motorcycle. The rider is Matt Hennessey. The adventure begins for these two. They need to discover who took Isabella and where they are keeping her. Time is wasting away and Aubrey is more tortured remembering her young child. Can they find little Isabella in time to keep her out of the hands of men that deal in evil? These two have much to go through in a short amount of time. But it is the intense situations that these two go through that will bring them together. There is a sexy scene but it was not overly graphic in nature. That being said though, I would only recommend this to someone over the age of 18. If you love a griping, suspenseful romance, then look no further than here.

It's been a while since I've read a romantic suspense and I truly enjoyed this one. I did not read Book 1 in the series, but you don't need to. This is completely standalone. I enjoyed the mystery/suspense of the story and that the primary goal was to find the missing girl. The romance was very nice and I think they are a good couple, but it was secondary to the search.

I loved Hideout at Whiskey Gulch! Elle James has another awesome book! Matt Hennessey is back from the Marine Force Recon after an injury, dealing with his mother’s death 4 years prior, trying to figure out who killed her, dealing with finding out who his father is and that he has a brother and a stepmother. Aubrey Blanchard is renting a house in town, it just so happens to be Matt’s mother’s house. She’s home when a lady comes knocking to ask for her help for her kids, and she helps save a baby being kidnapped, ending up literally running into Matt. Now they have to locate the baby’s sister while keeping the baby safe from the cartel. Not only that, while they are both recovering from emotional blows in theirs lives they find they are wildly attracted to each other. Ms. James wrote this book masterfully; it’s suspenseful not only with the search for the baby and dealing with the cartel, but the with their relationship. This book is wonderful, I want to reread it already!!