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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I absolutely loved this book! It’s definitely not for the faint of heart as it deals with some heavy issues that plague society today like kidnapping, stealing babies, illegal adoptions, and murder. The statistics and research presented in the story were heart-breaking.
This book was extremely fast-paced with an engaging storyline that will keep you on your toes and completely invested in the characters and the outcome. It was full of suspense, twists and turns, and surprises I did not see coming.
There are layers upon layers to unravel in this book and Grant did a great job telling an absorbing story that grabs your attention from the start. The characters were fantastic; I loved catching up with everyone from the previous stories. And there’s a decent balance between the crime-solving and romance and interaction with family and friends. It also contains plenty of lighthearted fun and banter to help balance out the heavier details of the book. It’s a wonderful mix and a compelling read from beginning to end.
I received an ARC from the publisher, through NetGalley, and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant
Heart of Texas #5
Fetal abduction/kidnapping is an evil crime that is not often talked about. I have heard of it and seen it in a TV series, but it is not a crime that is talked about often. I did look it up online and found that reported cases of this crime are not nearly as prolific as the reader of this book might believe but it is bad enough to have it happen even one time. That this book tackled the topic and provided romance within such a dark setting was an interesting story to read.
What I liked:
* Marlee: strong, knowledgeable, dedicated to her job, professional, loving, tired, tense, ripe for love with the right man. She is committed to finding her niece – the fetus abducted from her sister’s body.
* Cooper: strong, warm, caring, capable, there for friends, warrior, smitten by Marlee and pnerfect for her
* The men of Clearview, TX – intriguing men that are there for one another. I am hoping that Jace will get his HEA next
* Wondering about the woman probably in WITSEC briefly met in this story – perhaps she will get her HEA with one of the Clearview men.
* Getting to briefly see and hear about some of the couples from previous books in the series.
* That the crimes were not explicitly gone into
* That it was so easy to dislike the baddies
* The romance between Cooper and Marlee
* Wondering if future cases Marlee’s PI company takes on might become a series offshoot
* All of it really except…
What I did not like:
* The criminals – evil incarnate – deserved to be put down like rabid dogs
* Knowing that the crimes mentioned in this book do happen
* Having to wait for Jace’s story
Did I enjoy this book? I did, though the topic was dark
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Definitely!
Thank you to NetGgalley and St. Martin’s Paperbacks for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I haven’t read Donna Grant previously, but I will go out and look for some of her other books. The story pulled me in from the first moment. There was plenty of suspense to keep me going. The pace was good so I kept reading from page one to the end. I really liked the characters, both the main and the supporting ones. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. I would recommend the book whole heartedly. I liked Cooper and Marlee and they seemed destined to be together!
LOOKING FOR A COWBOY is the fifth instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult HEART OF TEXAS romantic suspense series. This is former US Air Force airman Cooper Owens, and former Shell Ridge, California police officer turned PI Marlee Frampton’s story line. LOOKING FOR A COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from several third person perspectives including Marlee and Cooper LOOKING FOR A COWBOY follows former Shell Ridge, California police officer turned PI Marlee Frampton as she investigates a potential serial killer who kills pregnant women then selling their babies for profit. Ten years earlier Marlee’s pregnant twin Macey was murdered, and her unborn child went missing without a trace. Fast forward to present day, wherein Marlee Frampton, now a PI, continues the search for her sister’s killer, reuniting other families along the way. Marlee’s latest clues take our heroine to Clearview, Texas where she will begin an investigation into a local couple, Clayton and Abby East, who recently adopted a new born baby boy. Enter Cooper Owens, Clayton’s friend, and the man with whom Marlee would fall in love. What ensues is the ongoing investigation into the murders and new born abductions, and the potential fall-out as both Marlee and Cooper find themselves caught in a trap meant to destroy them both.
Marlee Frampton was never going to stop searching for her sister’s killer, and the now ten year old niece she has never met but Marlee’s obsession brings her to Clearview, Texas, and with the possibility of her own happily ever after. To Marlee’s surprise, all of Cooper’s friends including Navy SEAL Clayton East and Abby Harper (The Christmas Cowboy Hero #1), Brice Harper (Cowboy Cross My Heart #2), former Green Beret Caleb Harper and veterinarian Audrey Martinez (My Favorite Cowboy #3); PI Cash, and Jace Wilder pull themselves together in an effort to take down a child abduction ring. Cooper Owens’ attraction to Marlee Frampton was immediate but within hours of meeting our story line heroine Cooper struggled with Marlee’s secrets about why she was searching in Clearview, Texas. When Marlee finally revealed the truth about her investigation, Cooper was the first to volunteer to help Marlee in her need for justice and revenge.
The relationship between Marlee and Cooper is one of immediate attraction but reality of Marlee’s appearance in Clearview Texas pushed all of Cooper’s buttons until the truth is revealed. Cooper knew immediately that he wanted Marlee Frampton for himself but there was definite competition, in only for the short term, for Marlee’s attention. Marlee Frampton never had time to settle down in the wake of her obsession with finding her sister’s killer(s). Meeting Cooper Owens stirred something deep within our story line heroine but her investigation is about to place Cooper in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
As mentioned earlier, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have me in previous instalments. We are also introduced to Cooper’s widowed mother Betty Owens, and the requisite evil may of may not have a familiar face.
LOOKING FOR A COWBOY is a story of murder, desperation, power and control. A story of friendships, relationships, family and love that follows a sickening business of baby brokering and killing, for the right price. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are energetic, wonderful and spirited.
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book. This well written, romantic suspense read delivers a solid one-two punch of consuming storyline and captivating characters. A powerful blend of drama, desire, emotion, mystery, intensity, suspense, sweetness and grittiness. I feel that this is a book that maybe won’t click with every reader because some of the content has a pretty sharp edge. The subjects of murder, kidnapping and illegal adoption could be too raw or unpleasant for some readers. I myself found this a very compelling and engaging read. This is my independent, impartial review.
A whirlwind romance with an unforgettably dark storyline that makes my stomach ache for my children and the ones they one day may find themselves having. Marlee has had her life turned upside-down by an unthinkable tragedy that sets her on a new course. That path leads her to Clearview and straight into Cooper Owens path. She did not expect him and is totally unprepared for what she is feeling. In the middle of trying to bring down the murder / kidnapping ring can they find time for a romance that will bring them insurmountable happiness? A beautiful story with strong characters and an evil that they will fight tooth and nail to destroy!
Marlee is searching for missing children!
Private investigator Marlee Frampton has dedicated her life to find missing children after the murder of her twin sister and the kidnapping of her niece. Her investigation takes her to Clearview TX and the Harper family after they adopt an infant boy from a possibly shady adoption agency.
Cooper Owens had served his country and knows he wants to do more with his life but after meeting Marlee during her investigation of his friends maybe he has found his calling helping her with her search for missing children with the help of his friends.
Looking for a Cowboy is the fifth book in the Heart of Texas series. It is a good romantic suspense because you want to keep reading to find out who did it. Now you’ll need to read the book to find out more especially after the statistics about the numbers of missing children.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant is not the ideal title for this book, although she does, indeed, end up with a cowboy. The reality is that Marlee is looking for a gang that kidnaps babies, sometimes right out of their dead mothers’ wombs, and sell them to people willing to pay. She has been tracking them for 10 years, since her twin, Macey, became on of the murdered woman, and her unborn niece was kidnapped. She had been a police officer; now she was a private investigator with one type of client. Too often she had to deliver bad news or no news at all. She was on the track of a baby she believed had been adopted right here in Clearview, Texas, just a day or two ago. To that end, she put herself in a situation to meet one of the adoptive parents’ best friends: Cooper Owens. She did something she never did: she asked him straight out if he thought his friends would buy a baby. He told her no and suggested she ask them for herself. So she did. They were sympathetic and frightened and agreed to a DNA test to ascertain the truth. Meanwhile, Cooper and his friend, Jace, looked into the situation, put it on a map, and were aghast to learn the Clearview was right in the geographic middle of all the recent kidnappings. They vowed to help. They did, and almost got killed trying.
This is a little bit romance, a good deal more mystery, and mostly a thriller. Marlee getting involved with Cooper brought a whole lot more people into the situation, including both the local sheriff and police chief. They people were friends, and they worked together. Cooper had a mom who had invested wisely and had taught him to do the same, so he didn’t really need a job. He could live just fine and help out his friends and others as he saw fit. Plus he’s good-looking and responsible. An all around great guy. . .The perps were always one step ahead, and had not qualms about killing. It all got even more complicated and dangerous. Marlee was tired and wary. She was not used to working with others. It had never worked out in the past. Her parents were old and sick and she just wanted to go home, but she couldn’t. She had to figure this out. What a terrific book! I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Looking for a Cowboy by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #lookingforacowboy
I was not expecting what I got in this book. It is a romantic suspense with some really heavy stuff in it. Marlee is investigating missing babies that are being taken to be put up for adoption. The manor in which they are obtained is really disturbing. I really thought this book was more suspense/mystery/crime drama than romance. That was what kept me turning the pages and able to block out the TV and just read.
Cooper was really stricken with Marlee from the start, but she blew their first “date”. It took awhile, but he was soon in her corner and I loved how he would do anything for her. The development of feelings between them was pretty sweet for two such tough people.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
More action than romance, this story will keep you up well past your bedtime.
After a very strong yet heartbreaking opening, our story starts ten years later with Marlee, a former cop turned PI investigating black market baby kidnappings, and Cooper, an easy-going cowboy with a solid group of lifelong friends. We got to know a bit about Cooper in the earlier books, and he’s as charming and down-to-earth as any girl can hope for. Marlee is haunted by the one case she can’t solve, which motivates her to keep pushing against the odds to solve the few she can.
These two have chemistry for days and their romance has nary a hitch, as far as their feelings for each other go. The main snag is keeping at least one step ahead of the killer on her trail, which leads to enough action and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the book. (Content warning: you will learn enough about black market baby selling to make you lose a few nights sleep pondering how much was fiction and how much is probably true.)
I loved seeing all the familiar faces pulling together to help out a friend in need, and I especially loved getting updates on the HEAs of the couples from earlier books in this series. This book crashes into a heart-pounding HEA of its own, though it does leave a couple unsolved cases in its wake that I wish had been resolved. The writing was superb throughout, making this book truly unputdownable. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Looking for a Cowboy is a action packed romantic thriller, which is one of my favorite genres. This was my first book by this author and I found this book to be very well written. She had the ability to pull me in and had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I found the subject a little hard to deal with, but I do know the world we live in is a evil place at times. I would certainly recommend this book to others.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and was under no obligation to leave aa favorable review, all opinions expressed here are my own.
This is the story of Marlee and Cooper.
She’s travelled from CA to the small town of Clearwater, TX in search of a missing baby. Not just a missing baby but something more sinister and disturbing.
Cooper is falling for the beautiful stranger from the moment he sets his eyes on her. His friends see it too. But something is up with Marlee, and his gut tells him she is in deep and needs help.
Can they put to rest the ghosts she’s been chasing for 10 years? Can they make sure the bad guys pay for their crimes?
I don’t want to give away too much but I feel the need to give a warning. While no children are harmed in this story, there are a couple whose welfare is questionable.
A tragic and heartbreaking subject to read and write about, but handled in an extremely sensitive manner by the author. Former police officer Marlee Frampton continues to search for the person who murdered her twin, Macey, and stole her baby. It has been ten years and Marlee is now a private investigator on the trail of an adoption agency that may be obtaining babies in an unlawful manner and selling them to desperate, childless couples. Arriving in Clearview and in search of a possible missing baby, she meets Cooper Owens. Cooper’s friends have recently adopted a baby from an agency. Will they agree to a DNA test to make sure that this is not the missing baby? The attraction between Cooper and Marlee grows stronger as she realizes that she may be getting close to the possible ring leaders. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Looking for a Cowboy is the fifth book in Donna Grant’s Heart of Texas series, and it’s the fourth book in the series I’ve read. While I commend the author for tackling such a dark yet all too real subject, and while I found it a very readable romantic suspense novel with characters I very much liked, it fell somewhat short on the romance side of romantic suspense, which is why I’m giving it a 4-star rating.
Marlee, the heroine, was born with a twin sister, with whom she shared a small house, worked as a police officer and enjoyed her job–until one night when she came home to discover that her sister, Macey, who was 8 months pregnant, was missing. It didn’t take long for her to learn that her sister went out for a walk, someone cut the fetus from her body, abducted it, and slit her sister’s throat. Marlee changes career paths, becomes a private investigator, and her mission in life becomes not only trying to find her sister’s stolen child and stop these all too frequent murders and child abductions from happening but to return these children to their families and to put those responsible for these horrible crimes in prison. Additionally, I found the title of this novel misleading, as it’s missing children the heroine is after–she’s looking for them, not a cowboy.
When her leads take her to a small town in Texas she meets Cooper, a tall, handsome cowboy who is as taken by Marlee’s beauty as she is with his handsomeness. She doesn’t announce her reason for being there, ten years of trailing kidnappers and murderers have taught her to be cautious, but the attraction is undeniable and when Cooper and his lifelong friends offer their assistance in Marlee’s search, she reluctantly agrees to let them help her. While I found the lust at first sight and the insta-love far too rushed in too short a time, I was pleased that the main focus of the novel returned to the hunt for the bad guys, following false leads, trying to discover why they kept happening and why Marlee got so close to finding the culprits only to have them evade capture by minutes, and finally Marlee’s admirable dedication to her mission, and her willingness to put her feelings for Cooper on the back burner because of her dedication, made for a very good, very suspenseful read, and I’m happy to recommend it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.
I had two minds about this whole book. It definitely touches on a very real, very horrifying subject. On one hand, I wanted Marlee to succeed so badly. But on the other hand, if she does, it could mean so much more heartache. So, with that in mind, Cooper and Marlee’s story was so well written that I couldn’t put it down!
Worthy of the 5 stars I’m giving it!!!
This book and just like the others in this series has me sitting on the edge of my seat, the suspense and action is just …wow.. I could not put this book down.I didnt want to know what happens next, but I really wanted to know.. truly this book is astounding and shocking.. I can’t believe bad guys like these are out in the world, but I know there are…
Marlee is a private investigator .. the moment she hears Coopers voice she feels the pull towards him, once she shakes his hand she feels a instant spark zap through her.. and cooper felt the same.
Marlee and Cooper work work together as a team to track down child trafficking.. while working together the attraction grows stronger and stronger.
I really loved this book, it was filled with action and suspense.. all my favorite characters from the past books in this series were also included in. That once again they all work together as a team..
Oh I can’t wait for Jace’s book.. I just want to hug him
This was a great book and a Must Read… this whole series is a MUST READ
Looking For A Cowboy by Donna Grant is a continuation of the Heart of Texas series. This tale features Cooper, the shockingly handsome cowboy who is going through life, looking for a purpose. Circumstances have left him in a position of independent wealth, so he has time for friends, family and leisure. His circle of friend are his bedrock and he enjoys being a part of his community. One day, Marlee, an interloper appears. While this woman is pleasing on the eye, she brings chaos to Cooper’s community. The plot thickens with murders, kidnappings and testosterone laden Texan men who just don’t quit. While you may fall for Cooper and his cowboy ways, you can’t help but fall in love with Jace, his best bud. The two of them make for page turning pleasure!
This story was a very good addition to this engaging series. That said, it’s not a sweet romance but rather one filled with babies being kidnapped , women being killed and families left devastated.
Cooper Owens, whom we have met in previous stories, is always helping his friends. When a stranger comes to his town, Clearview, TX, at first he’s intrigued by this beauty. A woman that is asking questions about him and his friends.
Marlee Frampton is a former LA cop and now a PI . Her life changed 10 years ago when her sister was murdered and her unborn baby taken by the murdere . Since then, she’s dedicated her life in finding the babies, and returning the ones she can to their parents. But the mastermind has been elusive.
After a rocky start, Cooper and Marlee develop a relationship and Cooper begins to help Marlee in her quest. A quest that becomes more dangerous by the minute.
The story has an engaging plot, filled with whodunit, suspense, bad guys some good ones , and of course romance. In the end , will Marlee and Cooper survive to find their HEA?
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and St. Martin Press. The story opinions expressed are solely my own.
PI Marlee Frampton would have never said that she was looking for a cowboy but indeed she is and just doesn’t know that is exactly what she needs. What she is looking for is in Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant is an inroad to shutting down evil that preys on the innocent. Alone she is unable to do so but with Texas help ,,,
Friends, family, loyalty are major themes in the Heart of Texas Series. So it came as no surprise that it is in this fifth book too. Cooper Owens is attracted to Marlee but also filliwth disbelief at some of her suggestions on crimes in the area. She knows firsthand. The others in this tightly close community agreed with Marlee so the hunt begins. Along the way these two fall for each other. While Cooper is a dreamboat, Malee runs hot and cold in the relationship. She definitely has some struggles to work though which is hard with her focus on catching the vile criminals.
Often in book the crimes seem far away or personal to only the characters but the ones in this story are close to any parent or family. The heinous crimes are not graphic in description but are ones that you could see actually happening which makes them all the more scary. Several questions remain concerning these so hopefully more will come in the next book to tie it all up with Marlee finding the one she has been seeking for ten years. As for the romantic relationship all is well by the end. Looking for a Cowboy read very well as a stand-alone which is not always the case for a Donna Grant series book.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wish I could give this book even more stars. This is the fifth book in this series but I didn’t have any trouble following the story line. This is my second book in the series.
This book maybe too graphic for some, but it is a story that needs to be told. The first part of the story is gut wrenching heart breaking. But it is what start Marlee Frampton on the quest for justice for her sister. All Marlee wanted was a quiet life working with her home town police dept. Helping her twin sister raise her new baby. All her dreams and life were ended in one day when her sister is murdered and her niece is kidnapped. She has been looking for the killer for ten years while helping other families that has had their babies taken. Her new leads take her Clearview, Texas. Little does she know this trip will change her life forever. Her lead is for a couple who has just adopted a baby boy. Marlee thinks they may be part of a shady adoption ring.
Cooper Owens has lived in town his whole life and has made life time friends with guys from school and the service. He helps his friends when every they need it but has not found his place in life.
When he runs into Marlee at the service station he is blindsided by his reaction to her . Never has a woman left him speechless. She is beautiful and his attraction is off the charts. Poor Marlee she has taken pictures of Cooper and did a background check on him for her case. But meeting the tall handsome cowboy face to face takes her breath away. She has never felt so drawn to a man before.
The cover for this book does not do the story justice it makes it seem like just other cowboy romance. This story is so much more, it is a suspense, crime story with some off the charts love scenes. They are well written into the story and the people involved. There so much going on with the killings, the lost babies, betrayed by would be friends, and while all that is going on the wonderful romance of two very special people . Marlee and Cooper.
I hope you get a copy and be ready to nothing else cause you will not be able to put it down.
I plan on going back and reading the first three books that I missed. I just know they will be great too.
I received and ARC from the author and want to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am voluntarily giving it.