Dani Collins’ second installment in her Quail’s Creek series, THE SALOON GIRL’S ONLY SHOT features Temperance Goodrich, an aspiring teacher forced to work as a saloon girl in order to make enough money to go back home, and Owen Stames, part owner of a mining company who just wants to open his own saloon. Both are willing to do nearly anything to get what they want, but does that include falling in love?

While there are familiar characters throughout this title, it can be read as a standalone. Speaking of familiar characters, Owen is back after the events in the first title to get his own happily ever after. His story, however, is set in Denver City rather than at the mining camp from the previous book. This makes for a nice change from the mining camp and allows for new characters to be introduced.

I loved Owen in the first book and I was excited to see he was getting his tale. He does not disappoint in this either as he struggles to prove he can be a serious man and does not need Virgil to take care of him. I love how protective he is of Temperance even while he doesn’t quite trust her. Dani Collins is so great at writing heroines in this setting (and the other women, really). Temperance is stuck in Denver City until she can earn enough to go back home to Chicago. She endures a lot throughout this novel, and she holds her head high and keeps her wits about her no matter what is thrown at her.

Temperance has a lot thrown at her in this, and I am here for it! There are no slow spots in this tale because so much happens and I love it! Temperance and Owen face some very real obstacles on their way to falling in love and it is so much fun. There is some but not much angst in their story, which I personally prefer.

THE SALOON GIRL’S ONLY SHOT is a fantastic Western romance and a great second story for this series. I greatly look forward to the next!!