Looking for a Cowboy (Heart of Texas #5)
By Donna Grant
Blurb:
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.
Themes: Contemporary
Rating: 4.25 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
The amazing stories of the Harper clan and
their extended family of dear friends continues with the tale of a slightly
misguided private investigator coming to town and stealing Cooper’s heart. The Heart
of Texas series has become one of my favorites by Donna Grant and I am thrilled
to see that she didn’t stop with the direct family, instead picking up with the
best friends so we can continue to visit with these wonderful characters. The series is one that began over a decade ago
in these characters lives and we have watched the boys grow into honorable and
sexy men and find their mates, living through some harrowing experiences and
dangerous dramas to find their HEAs. This story is one that reminds us that
sometimes there is much more to the truth that either side can see and it
requires a bit of digging to get the full story. I really enjoyed Marlee and
Cooper’s story, even though there were some moments when I was afraid they wouldn’t
find their way through the all the troubles to reach one another. I am dying to
read the next story where Jace will hopefully get his own love story and HEA,
then the series will continue with more and more of the sexy men in their little
town.
Private
Investigator Marlee Frampton has traveled to Clearview on a mission, she knows
that she won’t be making any friends in town, but she is determined to find the
kidnapped little boy that she is looking for, despite the chance of becoming
the most hated person in town. Cooper
Owens is in a bit of a rut in his life, finding himself at loose ends, when he
runs across the most beautiful and enchanting female he has ever seen in the
little town of Clearview. Immediately interested
in more than being just friends, Cooper tries to befriend Marlee, but it
becomes complicated when she admits that she has been following him and his
friends in order to prove that the baby that the Harper’s have just adopted is
really a kidnapped little boy she is there to find. Despite knowing that Marlee
is there to try to tear apart his friends’ family, Cooper feels an instant connection
to Marlee and to her mission. As Marlee
and Cooper spend more time together investigating the kidnapping ring and trying
to find the little boy, their connection only deepens and soon they are both so
far in that there is no way to deny that they are in love. But there is a dangerous criminal that is
stalking Marlee and if they are not careful they will never have a chance at
happiness and a life together.
Marlee
was an unexpected character and one that it took a little while to get to know
and like; In the beginning you just aren’t
sure if you are going to like her, mainly because she is there to destroy the
new little family that you just don’t want to see have any more bad news. Once
you truly understand that she is determined in her mission because of the past
that ripped her life apart, you decide to cut her a little slack and can begin
to like her and like her for Cooper. Marlee
is a woman that has devoted her life for over a decade to her mission, to the
detriment of all else in her life, and she won’t let anything stop her from
staying true to her mission, even finding the love of her life. It was fascinating seeing her brain in action as she puzzled through all of the clues in order to
break down the decades long, twisted, and twining mystery that cost her the
life of her sister and the future they could have shared. Her strength and
heart were undeniable and one of the best parts of her character, but I loved
it when she finally let down her walls and found a way to let Cooper into her
heart and life. Cooper is the best kind
of guy, one that is always there for his friends, no matter what they might
need, and that is always willing to lend a hand when needed, but he truly is at
a loss in his life at the moment. He is missing the purpose he needs to make
him truly happy. Once he gets drawn into
the mystery of Marlee’s job, we begin to see him finding that calling and it
becomes apparent quickly Marlee is the perfect completion to Cooper’s
life. He is a strong, brave, and trustworthy
man, without being annoyingly alpha about it.
I loved seeing him find his balance as he fell in love with Marlee and
it showed him that finding the perfect woman was the balance he always needed
in his life.
Marlee
came to town looking for kidnappers, definitely not for a cowboy to steal her
heart, but what she found was the future that she never knew she wanted and
needed. I loved this story every minute and the characters stole my attention
every moment of the time I was in their world. Marlee
is the type of woman that I imagine would make a perfect best friend, strong
and driven, intelligent and incredible at her job, but willing to admit when she
makes a mistake. Cooper is the perfect foil for Marlee’s driven and focused
personality, being so laid-back in life, but dependable and willing to do
whatever is needed to keep his friends and family happy. I loved seeing these two very different
characters find their HEA together, even when you were skeptical in the
beginning that they would get past their first introductions to one
another. The passion between them runs
high at all times and when they finally let their walls down and embrace one
another as lovers, the fire burns hot enough to start a prairie fire. I was elated to get the chance to see
Cooper, Marlee and their investigative team crack the case and bring down the
kidnapping ring, even if there were several heartbreaking moments when we
thought it might not end well at all. I am jonesing for the next story already
and cannot wait for the chance to read it, even if it turns out not to be Jace’s
story—though I REALLY hope it is.
Another Grant masterpiece, undeniably.
*eARC provided by Author for the
purpose of an honest and unbiased review.
No compensation was provided.
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