Review: Stripped Bare by Shannon Baker

Stripped Bare

by Shannon Baker

Publisher: Forge Books

Pages: 288

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Kate Fox is living the dream. She’s married to Grand County Sheriff Ted Conner, the heir to her beloved Nebraska Sandhills cattle ranch, where they live with Kate’s orphaned teenage niece, Carly. With the support of the well-connected Fox Clan, which includes Kate’s eight boisterous and interfering siblings, Ted’s reelection as Grand County Sheriff is virtually assured. That leaves Kate to the solitude and satisfaction of Frog Creek, her own slice of heaven.

One night Kate answers a shattering phone call from Roxy at the Bar J. Carly’s granddad Eldon, owner of the ranch, is dead and Ted has been shot and may never walk again. Kate vows to find the killer. She soon discovers Ted responded so quickly to the scene because he was already at the Bar J . . . in Roxy’s bed. And to add to her woes, Carly has gone missing.

Kate finds out that Eldon was considering selling his ranch to an obscenely rich environmentalist. Some in town hate the idea of an outsider buying up land, others are desperate to sell . . . and some might kill to get their way. As she becomes the victim of several “accidents,” Kate knows she must find the killer before it’s too late. . . . 

Kritters Thoughts:  Kate is a strong woman and in the first chapter of this story she is completely tested.  She is called to a home - her husband has been shot and the grandfather of her ward (girl living in her home) has been shot and killed.  She can't find her ward, Carly and suspicions are flying.  

First, the setting of this book made it for me.  The small town where gossip flew from afternoon to night and people are pointing fingers.  I love how when things happen in a small town everyone has an opinion and they all think they are experts!

I also loved Kate.  Kate was struggling with all of the things that were going on, but she wasn't whining or complaining she was just trying to work her way through the problem.  She felt real and honest and I loved how she was conflicted.  If you are a reader that enjoys the drama but not the whining main character, you will like Kate, her strength really shined through.  Dare I say on this PG blog - she was a badass lady!

I loved reading this book because it took me to a place I have never been - Nebraska, but in that small town I could picture everything.  And followed a character that was just so easy to follow through a journey.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2016 Challenge: 26 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Roger Charlie.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.