Gunpowder Tea

In the exquisitely intriguing finale to her Brides of Last Chance Ranch trilogy, Brownley blends faith and romance with a dash of mystery to serve up a cozy, fulfilling story set in the Arizona Territory of the 1890s. Miranda Hunt is a female Pinkerton continuing in her deceased father’s footsteps. Miranda is sent to investigate the biggest case of her life—she must determine the identity of a train robber known only as the Phantom. In her guise as Annie Beckman, auditioning to inherit a ranch owned by cantankerous and heirless rancher Eleanor Walker, she encounters myriad different personalities, but none as attractive as the mysterious ranch hand known as David Branch. Suspicion vies with attraction as the pair engage in a battle of wits as old as time, even with time running out to catch a thief. This enchanting account of the hardships and wonders of the Old West features many delightful characters. The story stands on its own merits, independent of the first two in the series, drawing readers into a world that is difficult to leave. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency. (Oct.)