She left town to save a life. Now she’s back to avenge a death.Years ago, Samantha Goode was driven away from love, her family, and her past. Now the Texas Ranger is back in Crystal Creek for her estranged grandmother’s funeral, even though it means coming face to face with everything, and everyone, she’d left behind. When a brutal murder shatters her world, Sam is determined to stay until she … stay until she solves it. Soon she’s knee-deep in suspects, including the family of the man she once loved but was forced to betray.
Rancher Clayton Barnett will do anything to keep his autistic younger brother out of an institution, including sidelining his life to work for their powerful, manipulative father. When tragedy brings Sam back into his life, instead of rekindling their romance, Clay finds himself embroiled in a dangerous murder investigation.
Will old secrets pull Sam and Clay apart once more, or can they rise above their past? And with a ruthless killer on the loose, will Sam’s hard-earned Ranger skills be enough to ensure that Goode triumphs over evil?
Praise for Goode Over Evil
“Meet the exciting new voice in action-packed romance. Leslie Marshman delivers a fast-paced, well-plotted story infused with intense family drama and chilling small town secrets.” – Jayne Ann Krentz, NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling Author
“Goode Over Evil has everything a reader could want: a tough-as-nails, thoroughly believable female Texas Ranger who refuses to be defined by the opinion of the small town that once shunned her, the son of her worst enemy, who’s never gotten over the poor girl who left him cold, and a murder mystery with a twist that left me gasping. With her fast pacing and characters who’ll make you laugh, cry, and fall in love, Leslie Marshman’s debut marks her as an author to watch!” – Colleen Thompson, Author of The Off Season, Montlake Romance
“A kickass Texas Ranger, an old flame, and a murder. You don’t want to miss Leslie Marshman’s debut novel, Goode Over Evil. Leslie Marshman is a new author on the rise to stardom. Her debut novel, Goode Over Evil is romantic, riveting, and wowing. Characters you’ll care about, and a plot that keeps you glued to the page. – Christie Craig, NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author of the Texas Justice series
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Loved this debut about a female Texas Ranger returning to her small town for her grandmother’s funeral and quickly getting mired in murder, betrayal, an international smuggling operation all while trying to ignore the pull of her heart for her childhood sweetheart, who’s at the center of it all. Lots of intrigue and the twists came early and often. STELLAR read!!
Goode Over Evil is by a brand new author Leslie Marshman. Suspense, romance, and family drama. This one will keeps you glued to the pages.
Sam is a female Texas Ranger making her way in a man’s world and it’s not easy. A trip home to her small Texas town brings back memories, most of them bad. A murder and an old lover make this a great read. Hang on for the big finish. A sequel is on the way.
Entertaining and well written– hard to find in the over saturated publishing world.
The characters really bring you in. You have cartel drug busts, family secrets, small town drama, multiple crimes to be solved and a kick-ass Texas Ranger heroine to solve it.
A must read!
Strong woman character with intelligence and warmth.
The best romantic suspense I’ve ever read. Leslie Marshman puts together a cast of likable, relatable characters– villains you love to hate and heroes to root for.
There’s interesting family dynamics, small town chaos and a kick-ass female Texas Ranger!
I will definitely be telling all my friends about this book.
Draws you in. Samantha is the strong willed Texas Ranger who had to leave everything behind. She has to return home due to a death in the family. Things took a twist and you’re left on the edge of your seat. This is very emotional and true to live story. A lot of action packed into this fast paced book and of course you can’t have all that without some Romance.
“SHE LEFT TOWN TO SAVE A LIFE. NOW SHES BACK TO AVENGE A DEATH.”
Samantha Goode was driven away from Crystal Creek years ago. She left behind love, her family, and her past. She has returned to the Texas town to attend the funeral of her grandmother. She will come face to face with everything and everyone she left behind. A brutal murder shatters her world, and Sam is determined to stay until she solves it. Before long, she is knee-deep in suspects, including the family of the one man she loved but was forced to betray.
Clayton Barnett is a rancher who will do anything to keep his autistic younger brother out of an institution. He has even sidelined his life to work for their powerful and manipulative father. Clay finds himself embroiled in a dangerous murder investigation when tragedy brings Sam back into his life. He would have rather rekindled their romance.
Old secrets may pull Sam and Clay apart once again. Can they rise above their shared past? There is a ruthless killer on the loose, and Sam will use her hard-earned Ranger skills to have Goode winning over evil.
As the mother of a adult autistic son this story had me cheering for Clay, and hoping for Quin to die. Sam is a great strong character that has also a soft side. Great book
A strong, female character that just happens to be a Texas Ranger. The story started out strong and kept it up. Near the end the language seemed to intensify, but it mostly fit the situations. This story has so much with drug smuggling, autism, strong family love and values, sacrifice, second-chance romance, great friendships, great partnerships, rogue agents, heartache, and is gripping. And did I mention Texas Rangers. One scene with the grandfather was written so poignantly that I started crying, and had to temporarily stop reading. I hardly knew mine, one because it was his choice and one because of being on a different continent, and have minimal experience with grandparents, but the scene was written so well that I could fully empathize. I kept trying to figure out who did it while cheering for Sam and Clay to work out their problems. I’ve started the second one in the series and can’t wait to see what happens.
Repost of my original review at Amazon.com.
Loved the story. Kept moving throughout the entire book.
A THRILLING BLEND OF SUSPENSE AND SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE. FIVE PERFECT STARS!
WOW! WHAT A TERRIFIC DEBUT NOVEL! Just when I’d almost given up hope of ever finding a flawless book, I discovered this amazing gem. I’m a very picky reader and reviewer, and I couldn’t find a single thing to complain about. Not even one! No long plot summary from me this time, because nothing should spoil your enjoyment of this exciting story. But here’s a “spoiler free” taste of the plot.
Samantha Goode is a Texas Ranger who left her small hometown and the man she loved (Clay Barnett) twelve years earlier. Returning for her grandmother’s funeral, she discovers the body of her beloved uncle in a lake, clearly the victim of a homicide. Who would kill Uncle Joe? And why? Evidence first points to Jordan, Clay’s autistic brother. But evil is afoot in Crystal Creek, and Ranger Sam is determined to uncover the killers. Stunning reveals and unexpected twists gripped me from the very first page to the last.
There’s plenty of romance in the mix as Sam and Clay rekindle their long-denied passion. I especially loved Clay’s selfless devotion to his autistic brother, and Sam’s growing bond with her grandfather. Clay’s father . . . well, enough said about him. Just read this remarkable book and discover likable characters (except the bad guys) in a compelling plot that will leave you smiling and craving more. Samantha Goode is SO GOOD!
This story isn’t a cliffhanger, but Sam’s adventures continue in The Goode Fight, Book 2 in the series. I’m starting it tonight. Kudos for flawless editing and proofreading, so rare in books these days. Thanks also for “closed door” sex and limited use of the f-word. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
It can feel like a crapshoot to try out a debut author, but gamble paid off big time! Author Leslie Marshman marries plot and character with such richness and intrigue that I couldn’t help but keep turning pages to see what happened next. I can’t wait for the next on in the series (and noticed you can preorder book 2!). With one fabulous novel, Marshman is already on my must-read-this-author list.
A kick ass female Texas Ranger, a man doing the best he can to support his autistic brother and a story with danger, suspense and romance. Samantha “Sam” Goode left Crystal Creek years ago…she had her reasons, but now she returns for her grandmother’s funeral. When someone close to Sam is murdered, but made to look like an accident, Sam will not leave until the killer is caught or killed. Clayton Barnett has done what his father demanded in order to keep his autistic brother home, but never counted on losing Sam, the woman he loved. Now that she is back, is there a chance for them? As Sam faces danger on all fronts, her enemies will soon learn that to underestimate her may shorten their lives. A wonderful first book in the Crystal Creek series and I can’t wait for the second book by this author. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
The best romantic suspense I’ve read this year. Debut writer Leslie Marshman has a way with words and Texas characters that few could beat.
As one of the few female Texas Rangers, Samantha Goode has learned to hold her own against deadly drug dealers, her dysfunctional family, even the condescension and sneers of her male law enforcement co-workers. But when a family funeral brings her back to Crystal Creek and the man she once loved—the man she was forced to betray—that control is tested. The most important person in Clay Barnett’s life right now is his autistic brother, Jordan. When Sam’s Uncle Joe is murdered and circumstances point to Jordan’s involvement, Clay has to find a way to prove his brother’s innocence. But that means every day he’ll be seeing and talking to the woman who once broke his heart… the woman he still loves. I love the way Marshman finds a way for the two to overcome their past missteps and find a new path together while making sure Goode triumphs over Evil.
Texas Ranger Samantha Goode is no stranger to the dark sides of life. Drug busts and danger are just part of her job, and she knows she can handle anything…except going back to her small hometown where the ghosts from her past are much more dangerous than the criminals she meets at work. When her grandmother dies, she has no choice but to go back to Crystal Creek and face her demons, and the man she left behind.
Clay Barnett wants a simple life on the ranch, where he can take care of his little brother and be free from his father’s control. But his life is nothing but simple and things only get worse when the woman who walked out on him more than a decade ago comes back to town and a body is found floating in the water.
For a debut novel, this book was beautifully done. Marshman created a realistic world where relatable characters struggle to solve a murder while figuring out their feelings. Everything was fleshed out really well without taking away from the fast paced storyline.
Sam was a killer leading lady. Sarcastic, strong, and focused, she gives us a fantastic heroine to root for. And although this book has romance and steam, Sam doesn’t need a man to save her, or propel the book. She’s enough all by herself.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Goode Over Evil and look forward to seeing what’s next for my new favorite crime fighter.
Goode Over Evil is about a tough as nails Texas Ranger, Samantha Goode, who returns home to Crystal Creek, Texas, for her grandmother’s funeral only to discover her uncle has been murdered.
There are a lot of factors that kept Sam from returning home and one in particular will do anything to make her to leave again. Returning home means Sam will have to face her high school love, Clayton Burnett, who she left without a word. While solving her uncle’s murder, Sam finds herself falling in love with Clay all over again. But, will it be enough to keep her from returning to the job she loves on the other side of the state?
This book had me hooked right away. It was packed full of excitement. The writer did a fantastic job with the characters and the storyline. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.
Goode Over Evil by Leslie Marshman
A Crystal Creek Mystery #1
Excellent! I was hooked from page one and engaged till the very end. Samantha “Sam” Goode, Texas Ranger, was resilient, tough and smart. She was someone I could admire and would like to have as a friend. When her uncle calls her to ask for help and tell her to come back to bury her grandmother she is tempted to decline but back she goes anyway. I was easily able to get a feel for Crystal Creek and understand why she had stayed away for twelve years.
When Sam left she did so without telling anyone. She had her reasons and they were good ones but even though she achieved an education and landed a good job she still regrets leaving Clay Barnett behind. It soon becomes evident that there might be a second chance for the couple…maybe. When Sam’s uncle is murdered she opts to assist in the investigation. Then she finds out that someone has it in for her. Surviving what happens won’t be easy and the second chance romance couple has to work to make it happen.
What I liked:
* Samantha: she is a great character and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
* Clay: Great book boyfriend and wonderful brother to his autistic brother, Jordan
* Sheriff Eddie Marshall: He is intriguing and truly deserves to find a woman of his own – do hope he gets a book in the series
* Nicolette: Sam’s friend is a sniper but home temporarily to help her widowed mother.
* Supporting characters…there were more than one that I found interesting and hope to see in future books in this series
What I did not like:
* Quinn Barnett: what a dirt bag he was….his treatment of family and others was despicable
* The men that I was meant not to like…the bad guys that killed and tortured and were evil incarnate.
Did I like this book? Definitely!
Would I like to read more by this author? Without a doubt!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Samantha Goode is a Texas Ranger. She came home to Crystal Creek for a funeral and ended up in the middle of a huge mystery. Clay never stopped loving Samantha but can they find there way back to each other with all the obstetrical in there way. Goode Over Evil is the debut book by Leslie Marshman I’m positive there will be many more to come. Fast paced suspense that keeps you turning the pages. Murder,drama and a great second chance love story. Hopefully we will get to know some of the secondary characters in future books.
Samantha Goode has had a lifetime of hard knocks and disappointments, but she’s proud of what she’s accomplished. After being forced out of her hometown when barely out of high school, she’s managed to educate herself, and has won a hard-earned position as a female Texas Ranger. When she gets word of her estranged grandmother’s death, she returns to Crystal Creek for the funeral, even though returning home brings back childhood insecurities and feelings of worthlessness. But her grandfather and uncle deserve her support, so she faces her checkered past, including strained family ties, the lover she betrayed for his own good, and the hateful man who forced her out of town.
Clayton Barnett never got over Sam walking out on him. She left town twelve years ago, and never even bothered to tell him why. Clay’s life now revolves around taking care of his autistic younger brother, and Clay will do anything to make sure the kid’s life is stable and secure, including running their family ranch for his domineering, unpleasant father. As soon as he’s able, Clay plans to gain custody of his brother and fulfill his dream of his own environmentally sound working ranch.
When a murder is discovered, Sam stays in town to investigate. Sam and Clay must put their differences aside and work together to protect their loved ones and deal with plot twists that bring old danger and new together in this intriguing suspense. There’s family drama, murder, drug trafficking and distribution, and plenty of action. With everything going on, you wonder if they’ll ever have a chance to deal with their own emotional issues.
In her debut novel, this author’s given us a kick-ass heroine, great characters, and an involved mystery. I’m looking forward to more from her, and hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.