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 … 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.
“Filled with passion, suspense, and strong characters.”–Rendezvous with Romance on My Favorite Cowboy (5 stars)
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Looking for a Cowboy is the 5th book in Donna Grant’s exciting Heart of Texas series. If you haven’t read the previous books you will still enjoy this volume, as the romance stands alone. However, you will get so much more from the story after reading about all the prior couples and friends in Clearview, Texas.
Private Investigator Marlee Frampton was a cop ten years ago, until her pregnant sister was murdered and her baby torn from her body. Since then she has made it her life’s mission to return kidnapped infants to their families and to bring those involved to justice. She arrives in Clearview, Texas to investigate the Harpers, believing they got their son from a shady adoption agency. She uses Cooper Owens, a good friend of the Harpers, to try to get information on them. Cooper is not happy when he finds that out, especially since he was immediately attracted to Marlee. However, he soon makes it his mission to help Marlee in her quest. Will they survive to make a life together?
This story started out with a bang, dealing with the horrid situation of pregnant women being killed and their babies stolen. Marlee’s entire life was focused on righting these wrongs, plus searching for her stolen niece. She was a strong, focused – and lonely – heroine. She didn’t think she could have a personal life, never mind romance. Enter handsome cowboy Cooper Owens, the man who was always there for his friends and family. Even though he was angry at Marlee for using him, he knew she was meant to be his and did everything in his power to assist Marlee with her quest. A lot of their burgeoning romance was very sweet, but steamy times also abounded. It was a lot of fun to catch up with characters from previous novels. I hope we’ll see more books in this excellent series…Jace definitely needs a HEA!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Wow, this was a hit you in the heart hard, read. Heavy on the drama with suspense and action relating to crimes so heinous, it’s unimaginable, until you’ve experienced loss from it, then it’s all too horribly real. Very impacting!
Marlee, a cop turned P.I. has been looking for her own sister’s murderer for ten years now, while working for the families who’ve suffered the same debilitating losses. Following leads lands her in Clearview, TX, where she meets Cooper and the rest of the crew. They all agree they need to help Marlee, but with Cooper, he knows there’s more to what he feels for the gorgeous redhead. Their romance was rushed and I would class this more of a murder mystery thriller with life and death situations. Nonetheless, they did get their HEA.
I liked this read a lot, but I didn’t love it. Parts of it kept me engrossed, other times I had to shake my head. This is a stand alone, but part of a series.
I got an early reader’s copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily giving my own honest thoughts and opinions
An edge of your seat, emotionally thrilling, action packed journey filled with witty and engaging charters, intriguing twists and heart racing turns. Was a highly entertaining and riveting adventure from beginning to end and so hard to put down.
Cooper and Marlee have no idea how they can manage what has happened in their world and how to try and fix/repair themselves from the horrible crimes committed! I read a netgalley copy and freely leave my review!
Looking for a Cowboy is the fifth book in Donna Grant’s Heart of Texas series. This series revolves around the East-Harper clan and their close circle of friends. In this edition, friend of the Harper boys, Cooper Owens, is at the forefront, but his friends, especially childhood friend Jace Wilder, have his back when trouble comes to town.
Former police officer and current PI Marlee Frampton has come to Broadview, Texas, following a lead to restore a kidnapped infant to his family. Since the murder of her twin sister, Macey, and the kidnapping of her niece, Marlee has devoted her life and created her business, to tracking down those that are involved with the murder of mothers and abduction of babies, sometimes cutting them from their mother”s womb, as happened to Macey.
Marlee’s lead shows that young, wealthy couple Brice and Naomi Harper may have just adopted an infant boy fitting the timeline of the missing child. As she always does, Marlee has researched the couple, their families, and their friends, but when Cooper Owens realizes this, Marlee comes forward and visits the couple who voluntarily test their new son to prove he is indeed theirs. Then the group, having learned the full story, band with Marlee to bring down this black market baby ring.
In a sometimes breath holding tale, the story follows Marlee, Cooper, and his best friend Jace as they pursue the villains. However, they each are putting their lives at risk as they do so and struggle to survive to capture the villains.
In a romantic thriller that is reminiscent of the fast paced thrillers by Colleen Coble, Donna Grant has spun another mystery that will draw the reader into a world of close family/friends willing to do whatever necessary to protect all in the group, and that now includes Marlee.
This is a well woven mystery with deeply developed relationships. Again, Ms. Grant has combined the two genres of romance and thriller to provide a multifaceted plot and well developed characters that will stick with the reader well after the book has been read. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!
Looking for a Cowboy was an amazing read with a suspenseful plot and an excellent romance.
Cooper Owens is intrigued by the beautiful stranger that comes to Clearview, but when she starts accusing his friends of being involved in an illegal adoption he’s determined to find out what really happened. P.I. Marlee Frampton has made it her life’s mission to find kidnapped children after her twin sister was murdered and her baby stolen. When her recent case points to the Harpers, she comes to Clearwater where she meets Cooper. Working together to find the persons behind the kidnapping ring, their attraction quickly grows.
Cooper and Marlee’s romance somewhat follows the love at first sight trope, particularly on Cooper’s end. It’s a trope I enjoy when done well which was the case here. The chemistry between the pair is fantastic and the steamy scenes are well done. Initially Marlee has a hard time accepting that their relationship could go anywhere as the nature of her work keeps her on the move. I liked how the two worked through that and the solution they ultimately came up with is a good one. The pair work well together on the baby kidnapping ring investigation and I liked that even though Marlee initially accused Cooper’s friends of being involved, no one held her doing her job against her. The plot was interesting and overall I liked the way it was resolved.
Looking for a Cowboy is the fifth book in the series, but it functions well as a standalone. The plot in the book is self contained although it does bring in characters from the first four books. So while you would have a better understanding of who everyone is if you’ve read the other books, it’s not required. I did really enjoy getting to see past couples again as that’s one reason I generally enjoy series like this that have recurring characters. I love getting to see characters get their happily ever afters and it’s even better when we get to see them after they’ve found it.
Overall Looking for a Cowboy was a great read and I’m looking forward to finally getting Jace’s romance in A Cowboy Kind of Love next year. I definitely recommend this series if you’re looking for contemporary romance with some suspense.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from NetGalley
Looking for a Cowboy is book 5 in the Heart of Texas series by Donna Grant involving suspense, murder, kidnapping,twists, turns, secrets and so much more! Can’t wait to read more of this series!!
LOOKING FOR A COWBOY, Donna Grant’s 5th book of the Heart Of Texas series, has a dizzying mix of one hot, sexy cowboy hero, one courageous heroine, suspense, and off-the-chart passion that keep you reading page after page. Donna Grant grabs a reader’s attention with a small-town romance packed with deception, suspense, and twists that will keep you on your toes.
Sweet romance as they take on serious trouble…
This series has had the best characters! Salt of the earth cowboys, family, friends – they’re all here and Marlee and Cooper fit right in. Taking on a serious subject, with Marlee’s pain the catalyst, this story was about determination and a refusal to give up…. It was a heart-wrenching investigation that made them cross paths but love would keep them together…
This story was all kinds of emotions for me. With murder and child kidnapping at its core there was a thread of sadness (rightly so) that I couldn’t shake. I thought this subject was well handled and given the seriousness it deserved. This was a romance though and Marlee and Cooper’s relationship lightened what could have been a too somber read.
Full of adventure and mystery, another great action-packed, cowboy-filled read!
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
This book clicks many genre boxes: Horror, thriller, PI, cowboy, romance all in a hard to put down,page turning story.
This is the first book that I have read from this author. There are so many characters, that I had to highlight and bookmark each person, to remember who they were, how they were connected to the other characters and what they did for a living. It would have been most helpful to have one of those Character Lists at the front of the book, not only for those reading it as a stand alone, but also for those who have read the previous books, but not recently. That is the only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5. Otherwise, I thought it was marvelous.
Ten years ago pregnant Macey Frampton, was taking a walk during the day, when she was grapped, her baby ripped from her body and then murdered. Broad daylight, but no one saw anything. And the horror here is that, this is not a figment of the author’s mind, but are real thing that is happening in the world. Her twin sister, Marlee, a policewoman at the time, devastated by the loss of her sister and niece and by the lack of progress on the case, left the force and became a PI. Now her life is chasing after kidnapped infants, sometimes finding the baby alive, sometimes not having survived, but too many times not finding them at all. She works alone with a few contacts, and is burned out, but a new case has brought her to Clearview Texas, where she meets Cooper Owens. Cooper is ex military, helps out his friends, but right now is rudderless, not knowing what he wants to do with his life, and hoping to find a woman that will be his other half. The first time he lays eyes on Marlee, he believes she is it. And while he wants to help her with her mission, which has her constantly on the move, Clearview is his home. While both are too cowardly to tell the other how they feel, danger lurks, to seperate them permanently.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
This is the first book by this author that I have read, but it won’t be the last. Ms. Grant has written a fast-paced story that kept me reading well into the night. It deals with a difficult subject and has some scenes that are hard to read, especially for a mother and grandmother.
Looking for a Cowboy is Book #5 in the Heart of Texas Series. It can be read as a standalone. I am looking forward to starting with Book #1 and reading the rest of the series and then rereading Looking for a Cowboy.
An incredibly intense book that makes you want to cheer for the good guys!
When her sister was killed and her baby stolen, Marlee Frampton went on a decade long search for the ring of those who trafficked in babies.
When her search brought her to Clearview, Texas and to Cooper Owens it changed her life.
This is a fantastic book in The Heart of Texas Series kudos to Donna Grant
Wow!!! I loved all of the action and suspense in this story. Marlee is a badass and I have a lot of respect for her for being so dedicated to her job and hunting the bad guys. Cooper is exactly the type of man that every woman wants and deserves. I absolutely love this series!!!
The male protagonist in a Donna Grant story is always caring and respectful but never overly forceful. They persevere through the strong ties created by family and friends and the love they feel for their heroine. Cooper is no different. He has a right-minded moral compass, and even though Marlee’s introduction in his life could have hindered their relationship, he saw the value of her goals, and his burgeoning feelings were too intense to ignore.
Marlee’s purpose is a righteous one that steams from a significant personal loss. She is determined and steadfast in her resolve. When she meets Cooper, he helps her realize a more effective way to attain her aspirations, both in her career and personal life. To her relief, Cooper’s assistance prompts a resolution she has been searching for for years.
I enjoyed experiencing the story unfold, both due to Cooper and Marlee’s relationship and for the desire to see justice served for the crimes they strive to solve. The thought of infant kidnapping, especially on the level here, is unsettling. Rooting for the good guys is effortlessly done.
Cooper and Marlee mesh well. Their relationship never feels forced, and their chemistry is apparent from the start. Cooper’s integrity is endearing. Marlee is intelligent and composed, which moves the plot well. If you enjoy a mystery/ suspense with a smart heroine and a noble cowboy, Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant is for you.
Cowboys, suspense, romance and a crime story all in one make for a compelling read. Tough subject matter includes murder, kidnapping, illegal adoption rings, pregnant women being killed for their unborn babies. Add in a very determined private investigator who will do anything to find out what happened to her sister, some wonderful cowboys and other friends and family and you’ve got a terrific read. More hard core than I’d have thought, but kept me glued to my kindle. I’ve only read one of the series and it wasn’t a problem, but I will be going to read the others immediately.
Looking for a Cowboy
Heart of Texas #5
Donna Grant
St. Martins Press, Oct 2020
368 pages
Contemporary Cowboy Romance
Provided by Pub and NetGalley
5 Stars
Triggers: Fetal abduction, Child trafficking for illegal adoptions
The cover is attractive. It’s a photograph rather than a painting or drawing. I’m not sure how I feel about these photographed covers. We see a lot of them lately and somehow they just seem so bleak. This one has great colors, though, so I certainly won’t take anything away from it for being a photo. We do have that issue of the size of the title vs the size of the author’s name, but I won’t quibble over it since it’s so nicely placed right there in the middle of the big blue sky.
This was a story that was rather hard to read at times. On one hand, you had a young couple and extended family happy because they were finally getting a baby to love. Everyone was so happy for the young couple, so invested in the whole event. On the other hand, you have a young woman who hunts child traffickers. She is convinced that this adoption is illegal and is determined to stop it. She is a former police officer whose sister was the victim of a fetal abduction. She has done her research and the evidence has led her to this couple and this child.
But something isn’t right. Somewhere something has gone wrong. And someone keeps watching her and making attempts on her life. Cooper and his friends decide to help Marlee stop these people. And Cooper is determined to keep Marlee safe. If he can stay alive himself.
The people Marlee and Cooper were dealing with had no scruples, no conscience. All they wanted was money and they were willing to kill anyone who got in their way in the slightest. It made it a rough story at times, but it was a satisfying one in the end. Recommended.
Thriller with a side of romance:
I found this book quite gut wrenching at times due to the difficult subject matter of babies being cut from their mothers and then the women being killed. Whilst there was a sweet romance what took prominence was a deeper, more sinister side surrounding the investigation. I did enjoy the suspense and there were plenty of twists to keep me guessing.
Marlee was a tough PI determined to get to the bottom of the case after it had hit close to home with her own sister being affected. She joined forces with Cooper and they worked well together. Their attraction was quite instant but a relationship was slower to develop.
I found the revealing of the plot got a little convoluted towards the end with multiple points of view being given with little indication that it was jumping and who the new “voice” was. This was book 5 in the series and I hadn’t read any of the previous ones. Whilst I was able to follow along, I felt I missed out a bit especially when references were made to some of the individuals and events from previous stories.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Donna was not kidding that this had more sensitive subject. This one definitely had more of an investigative romantic suspense aspect to it. Needless to say, I still enjoyed it. It worked very well. Marlee and Cooper worked very well as a couple and I look forward to Jace’s story. I have to say I’m really enjoying this series from Donna.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I’ve read the 5 books they have out. Now I’m waiting for #6, Jace’s story, coming out in April of 2021. I have really enjoyed this set of books.
This book can be read as a stand alone, but it is part of a series with references to previous events. This book is full of suspense, romance, angst and some humor. It starts with the murder of the main female’s twin sister and the kidnapping of her unborn infant. Marlee is a police officer who knows that something is wrong, but it isn’t until she gets home after her shift and discovers that her twin sister is missing that she realizes where the feeling came from. Macee’s body was found not far from their home with the baby having been removed from her. After that incident, Marlee decides to become a PI and starts looking for her sister’s killer and her niece’s whereabouts. Her recent search has lead her to Clearview, TX where she is investigating Brice and Naomi Harper and their recently adopted little boy. In the course of her investigation into them and their friends, Marlee is intrigued by Cooper and against her better judgement she decides to meet him and see what he has to say about his friends. Cooper happens to be one of the good guys and so he doesn’t take kindly to Marlee’s inference that his friends would illegally adopt their new little boy. Once the baby’s identity has been proven and Cooper and his friends learn just how big of an issue it is that Marlee is dealing with, they all decide to help Marlee in her investigation. Upon doing some more research, it looks like Marlee was sent to Clearview for a reason and that Clearview is at the center of murders and abductions taking place near Dallas and Houston. Before long, the entire group is on the hunt for the people responsible for Macee’s and other women’s deaths and it looks like they won’t stop until the guilty ones are found. This book will have you on the edge of your seat and I promise that there are events that you will not see coming. It was an awesome story that makes me want to go back and read the previous books while looking forward to the next one.
Thank you NetGalley, Donna Grant and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. This is my freely given opinion of the book and all thoughts expressed here are strictly my own.