This is another excellent book by Margaret Daley, and the perfect conclusion to the Men of the Texas Rangers series. As is the case with all her books, this story deals with some pretty serious topics, like prescription drug abuse, trust issues, and peer pressure to name a few. At times, the story had me gripping the edge of my seat. There were a couple plot lines running through the story, and the author did an excellent job of bringing everything together to a satisfactory close.

Margaret took a little bit different approach with this book. Instead of two main characters, this story was written in several different points of view, the main ones being Lexie, Kelly, Sadie, and Ethan. It made the story more interesting and helped me better connect with the characters. Each character had to deal with someone in their lives who abused or experimented with prescription drugs. Reading the story from Kelly and Lexie's perspective opens your eyes to what is going on with our youth today and drives home the importance of keeping an eye on any medications in your house. Sadie and Ethan provide a nice romantic relief in the, sometimes, heavy plot.

The message of forgiveness is clearly stated in Lexie and Sadie's stories. Each character has to deal with a wrong that has been done to them and how the respond to it. By staying angry and not forgiving that person, you are opening yourself up for bitterness and heartache. Holding a grudge doesn't hurt anyone but you. And God. God wants us to forgive people, like He does for us, over and over again.

Overall, this suspenseful story will have you hooked from beginning to end. I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading Severed Trust by Margaret Daley. I believe this to be a must read for all parents of young people. In the story popular kids were having pill parties and alcohol in private. Youth were dying, and it took a long time but the ones who were guilty were put behind bars and the city and schools could continue in safe living. Also, they were going to be more alert as to prescription drugs among the youth. It kept my attention constantly, even read through Wheel of Fortune, my favorite TV show. Read this it is worth it. Informative, shocking to me.

In this fourth book of the series Men of the Texas Rangers we are introduced to Ethan Stone, Texas Ranger. Ethan is called back home to Summerton, Texas by his childhood friend Police Chief Cord Thompson. Both men are investigating the death of a teen boy, the son of a prominent citizen. Where the investigation leads will be a path littered with the bodies of more dead teens.

Lexie Alexander and Kelly Winston have been friends since grade school so when Kelly asks Lexie to pick her up from a warehouse in a bad part of town Lexie does it. When Lexie finds out why Kelly was at that warehouse she is shocked. Never would she believe Kelly would stoop to drinking and taking pills, especially ones that she knows nothing about. Lexie knows she should tell her Uncle Ethan what's going on but when Kelly begs her not to tell she reluctantly agrees. Keeping this secret will be a huge mistake that could cost both of them their lives.

Once again Margaret has not been afraid to tackle a subject that is uncomfortable, no one likes to think about children using drugs much less ones they have taken from their parents. Though very disturbing this storyline had me from the very beginning and held me until the turn of the very last page. Thank you Ms. Daley for another awesome book.

***Thanks to NetGalley and Abingdon Press for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.***

Margaret Daley's Texas Ranger series is one of the best I have read in a very long time! She has tackled some of the toughest subject matter we face today and did a fabulous job with not only the story but of making me more aware of these issues along the way. Highly recommended!

Margaret Daley in her new book, "Severed Trust" Book Four in The Men of the Texas Rangers Series published by Abingdon Press takes us into the lives of Ethan Stone and Sadie Thompson.

From the back cover: Is it suicide – or murder?

When a popular high school student dies under mysterious circumstances, teacher Sadie Thompson is not only pulled into the growing problem of prescription drug abuse but also becomes involved with the Texas Ranger investigating the death. Through Ethan Stone Sadie discovers the drug ring reaches much further than just into her high school.

After Ethan's niece Lexie is drugged in an attempt to silence her, Sadie helps Lexie piece her life back together. They make progress until Lexie's best friend commits suicide—or so it looks to the authorities. When Lexie confides to Sadie about her suspicions concerning her friend's death, Sadie and Ethan find themselves in a desperate race to stop the abuse – and a murder.

I like stories that involve The Texas Rangers. It does not matter to me what time period the story takes place in just so that it involves them. There is a certain personality to this group that captures my attention. Let me say this right off, Margaret Daley does not disappoint! Drugs! Not the prescription kind, the kind that does terrible things to the body and turns it into an addict. A criminal group is targeting High schoolers with their evil pills and Ethan is trying to combat them. Sadie is just trying to teach but her "kids" are involved and they drag her into the investigation. Now the two of them with some help from Lexie are going to try to put an end to this epidemic. I think that "Severed Trust" is her best work yet. Ms. Daley knows how to ratchet up the tension so that your nerves are strung tight as you work with Ethan and Sadie to break the organized crime ring that has a death grip on their teenagers. "Severed Trust" is a thriller as the characters are in deadly danger practically from page one. On top of everything Ms. Daley manages to weave a romance into this story that just captivates you. This is also just plain fun and exciting as well. Don't start this book late at night because it will cost you sleep. I hope there is a next book in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."