What’s the name of the book and author you are recommending?
“One in a Million” by Janet Dailey, the first in her new “Rivalries” series, released in January 2024
What made you want to pick up this book in the first place?
I have been reading Janet Dailey books since the late 1970s when they put some Harlequin Romance books in the Immanuel Lutheran School library collection. She was Harlequin’s first American author and one of the authors I’ve been trying to catch up reading over the past six years. I used to have a copy of all 50 of the Americana state series books in my personal collection.
Once you got into the book, what made you want to keep reading it?
The chapters aren’t too long, and there is both romance and mystery in the storyline.I wanted to learn more about the characters and see who did it!
Once you finished the book, what did you like about it?
That it’s number one in a series of books. I like reading about familiar characters. Book two, “Lie for a Million,” comes out in January 2025, and I’m now wishing I had waited to read this one later in the year. After this one, I read No. 8 in her New Americana series, “Lone Oaks Crossing”, set in Kentucky. It was published in December 2023. Other new series are “Frosted Firs Ranch”, with Evergreen Christmas published in May 2024, and “Calder Brand”, with Calder Country just published July 23. None of the series are related.
What is the book about?
A wealthy Texas horse owner is found dead in his horse barn, and the FBI is investigating his death. There are multiple suspects including his younger wife who just found out he was cheating on her, his son who wants control of the ranch, his daughter who is a washed up Hollywood starlet, and his trainer/neighbor whose family members are rodeo stars. More than one couple start romantic relationships in the book.
Why would you recommend this book to others?
There won’t be many more new Janet Dailey books to read. She passed away in 2013, and other authors are writing stories from her outlines. Jimmy Dean Dailey and Mary Sue Dailey created a revocable trust in December 2016.