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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When Texas Ranger Samantha Goode, the heroine of Leslie Marshman’s Goode Over Evil, returns to her home town of Crystal Creek, she’s only expecting to stay a day or two for her grandmother’s funeral. She’s shed no tears for the old woman who made her childhood miserable, but her grandfather and her Uncle Joe deserve her support.
She knows there’s a risk of running into her old love, rancher Clayton Barnett—it’s a small town, after all. But she can deal with that. Clay doesn’t know why Sam left town without a word to him years ago, and she doesn’t intend to tell him now. Events around them make it hard to avoid one another, but will what they once had together ever return?
Sam’s plans to head back to El Paso as quickly as possibly change when there’s a death at her uncle’s marina. The local police chief calls it suicide, but Sam and the county sheriff know better. Whatever happened, Clay’s autistic brother, Jordan, may have witnessed it. When Sam realizes that dangers from the drug cartel she’s been fighting have followed her from El Paso to the Gulf Coast, her fears for the people she loves mount.
Goode Over Evil is a fast-paced roller coaster ride through small town secrets, drug smuggling, and murder, and well worth reading for fans of mystery and suspense.
What a great read! Sam, a Texas Ranger, returns to her small Texas hometown. She’s greeted by family turmoil, a brutal murder, and the man she left behind. Goode Over Evil has it all: memorable characters, a gripping mystery, lots of action, and a hold-your-breath ending. I can’t wait for the author’s next book.
The formula isn’t a new one – heroine returning home after being estranged from family/friends and stays to solve mystery/murder. But with a tough as nails Texas Ranger for the heroine and the baffling murder of her uncle the search for what really happened to him and what is going on in the small Texas town keeps the tension high as the story unfolds.
There is also the emotional conflict between the heroine and the hero whose childhood romance ended in heartbreak that is also a big part of story.
This is the debut novel from the author and the action of the story, the search for the killer, the hero and heroine working on the obstacles that tore them apart and the secondary characters all keep you engaged in the story. I look forward to what’s next from this author.
Sam Goode left twelve years ago to keep the man she loved safe. Now she’s a Texas Ranger and is going home to her estranged grandmothers funeral. While there, a murder occurs and Sam will do anything to find the killer. Clay Barnett works for his daddy until he can save the money for his own ranch and able to get custody of his brother. Clay and Sam were in love until his daddy gave her money and sent her away. Clay still loves her but is hurt because she left him without a goodbye. As they search for a killer, can they put the past behind and move together into the future?
First time reading this author and I couldn’t put it down. Action, suspense, and steamy sex ( not a lot ). You have a Sheriff who’s funny and serious, a Chief that is worthless, and two people who find each other again.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *