Welcome to book one in the Cowboys of Copper Creek by R.C. Ryan. THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK is an intriguing story with several intended twists to keep the reader on their toes. Of course the basic story line is that of a romance after all this is R.C. Ryan. But true to form Ryan has taken great liberties with that premise and developed a page turning crime drama -- a regular who-dun- it. Who can resist a romance crime novel complete with rough and tough cowboys, ex-marines and the requisite damsel in distress. THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK has all that and more.

Several years before Ash MacKenzie had run out of patience and endurance for the punishing comments made by his domineering larger than life father Bear. He had done anything asked but always found himself falling short of Bear's expectations. Having inherited his father's well known temper Ash did something totally unexpected. He left home. This was not an easy decision and perhaps if he had truly thought it through it wouldn't have come to fruition. But an angry discouraged nineteen year old doesn't always do his best thinking when mad.

Fast forward a decade of years and a lifetime of new experiences Ash is called home. This time to the news of his father's death -- actually a murder. The family naturally gathered around in this time of great sorrow. Even more pressing was the fact that there was a murderer still at large and everyone in Copper Creek Montana instantly became a suspect. Bear had certainly amassed a great deal of friends in his life but he also had an equally fair share of enemies. Men with power and wealth often did.

But Ash had other issues to face upon returning home. Somewhat immediate was his hasty departure from his best friend Willow. Ash had become a great source of comfort for Willow whose home life was a nightmare. Willow had enjoyed becoming a part of Ash's close family. Losing Ash also meant losing that connection to the only kind people she knew.

While Bear's killer remains at large there are a wide range of incidents that seem to be targeting both Ash and Willow or perhaps either one. Facts are that no one can determine who the real target is. It would seem that the likely candidate would be Ash -- no one is any wiser to who or why Bear was killed. Willow has no family left and her ranch is rapidly falling into disrepair. For all intents and purposes there isn't any reason for Willow to be on anyone's radar.

But someone is out there wreaking havoc and making the MacKenzie family anxious to get this all settled before anyone else is hurt or worse.

Suffice it to say THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK is a surprising delightful addition to the many stories I've read by R.C. Ryan. Since it is book one of this new series you can only expect this story to improve with age. All R.C. Ryan books are independent stories and stand on their own. But MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK will definitely leave you wanting more. This entire series will be an excellent addition to must reads.