This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Western Romance
Published by St. Martin's Press
Released on October 27, 2020
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The Delight
A lone woman pursues evil down a dark path and her latest evidence seems to lead her to a small Texas town where a helpful cowboy and his crowd of friends are ready to back her investigation and keep the danger off her back as she draws closer. This series drew me in from the beginning and I eagerly await each new installment. This one broke my heart and put it back together.
review
Looking for a Cowboy is the fifth of the Heart of Texas series that can be read out of order in a pinch, but they tie together through the enlarged cast of characters and the new reader really does want to start from the beginning.
Former police officer turned private investigator, Marlee Frampton, specializes in shutting down shady adoption agencies and child traffickers in her quest to find her murdered twin’s missing baby. She’s tough and ready to take on anyone. She gets word that an illegal adoption just happened in Clearview, TX and it will further her niece’s case. When she arrives, she tries to play a lone hand, but she’s a stranger in a small town and a helpful cowboy that has her distracted from her pursuit for once hears her out, after she angers him with accusations against his friends, and stuns her with his help.
Cooper Owens finds red-headed Marlee, one attractive woman even if she just accused his friends of illegally adopting their baby. She shares the reason for her investigation and the horror and pain these special brand of evil are causing and he is all in. Marlee has deadly danger nipping at her heels, but she won’t give up and he and his friends are ready to back her all the way.
Looking for a Cowboy introduces a heinous crime. Murder is always a terrible thing, but killing a mother and taking her unborn baby for child trafficking and selling to desperate people wanting a baby just guts me. I think I was struck by this to the point I was distracted from the suspense and the romance, both. That is to say, it was another solid, engaging romantic suspense in a fabulous series. I am so glad to get Cooper’s story and to pair him with a tough investigator like Marlee was even better. I love how they handled their conflict like adults and they talked straight. So refreshing. They were instantly into each other and the attraction was sizzling, but they were in the middle of something big so the romance sort of marched along at the side of the suspense.
The story can standalone, but I was supremely happy to see all the guys and the Harper’s extended clan get in on this one. Marlee had some great backup as she took on the baddies. It was exciting and I was flipping pages fast especially through the climax and ending.
I’m still shell-shocked by this book and there are definitely trigger warnings for those who are sensitive to such crimes against children and adoption, but this was a gem of a romantic suspense that exceeded my pre-reading excitement. Those who love the idea of combining sizzling cowboy romance with a strong suspense element need to give this series a go.
My thanks to St. Martin’s for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #201
About the Book
LOOKING FOR A COWBOY BY DONNA GRANT
A cowboy finds love in the most unlikely place in New York Times bestseller Donna Grant’s newest Heart of Texas novel, Looking for a Cowboy.
A beautiful stranger has come to Clearview, asking questions that are nobody’s business. Cooper Owens also wasn’t born yesterday. He knows that this out-of-towner is hiding a dark secret of her own. Much as he knows he should head in the other direction, he can’t make himself turn away. . .
P.I. Marlee Frampton always wanted to lead a nice quiet life, working as a cop in her local police department. But that dream came to an end when her sister was murdered—and her baby kidnapped. Now Marlee’s come to Texas to investigate the Harpers, who may be linked to shady adoption agencies. Cooper can’t believe that his friends could be involved in anything so sinister…and soon he makes it his mission to help Marlee discover the truth—and keep her safe in his arms.
Preview
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I think I would love these! I should read more of them. I’ve only read the first one. I met her at Apollycon so I think I have her autograph on something. But I enjoy cowboys and romantic suspense so I need to continue the series. Excellent review Sophia!
I think so, too. Each one has a different focus for the people and the romance with a strong action suspense.
I’ve only read her paranormal romance but this sounds good.
I keep saying that I need to read her dragon books. Both her contemporary series, including this one, that I’ve read are pretty sensational.
I just love this author, and thank you for sharing that this has trigger warnings. There are some readers that really need them. I really love the suspense elements that this author writes her in her stories. Happy to see you enjoyed it.
I was so gobsmacked by the situation that I thought it was best to give others a heads up. This was a really intense and riveting book.
I need another cowboy story soon 🙂
I nominate this one. 🙂