🧸🚨 "Texas Baby Cover-Up" 🚨🧸 (Cowboy Lawmen #4) (2021) - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Cowboy Lawmen (Book #4)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (June 29, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335405283
ISBN-13: 978-1335405289
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“A mother’s secret got her killed.
Now they must protect her baby…
After the shock of finding her best friend murdered, Kellyanne Avery’s focused on caring for her friend’s sweet baby—until the killer returns, determined to kidnap the child. Now Kellyanne needs the one man she trusts with her life: her ex-flame, Deputy Sheriff Zeke Tyler. But as they hide on her family’s ranch, can Zeke unravel deadly secrets and shield them from harm?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Virginia Vaughan, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required or requested, all words are my own.
This is the fourth (4th) book in the Cowboy Lawman series and features the younger sister – Kellyanne.
While this could function as a standalone read, it would be better to read the first three books in the series to meet all of the characters (so far). It isn’t required though.
Since I am already a fan this series (and the author), I was already looking forward to this book as soon as I saw the cover reveal back in February. While online the book can look spooky and intense, the physical copy looks even more so. And, it definitely fit the tone of the novel.
Brothers Miles, Colby, and Josh return for this installment. Lawson is mentioned as well. There were times I really didn’t Kellyanne. I found her obsession on being independent a bit annoying. While I understood it, it was annoying.
There was a “trigger” moment that I felt was heartbreaking, yet at times, annoying – Kellyanne’s ideas about her miscarriage making her an unfit mother was tragic, and my heart went out to her. I don’t want to seem unsympathetic, but at times I felt she read far too much into it. I do believe she should’ve talked to someone about it since it was really preying on her. Even, if she only told her mom about it.
There is still no mention of Bree’s twin Ashlee from the first book, Texas Twin Abduction. I would really like to find out what happened to or happens to her since she is Bree’s twin and Lawson’s sister-in-law.
Anyway …
As with the three previous books, Vaughan crafts a story that is right off intense. Right off, this grabbed my attention, and didn’t really let go.
Vaughan really engaged me as a reader and didn’t let up in this intense, exciting, and non-stop read.
This book barely gets started before there’s a murder. Kellyanne’s friend Lisa is murdered, leaving behind a cute baby boy – Brady in Kellyanne’s care. That brings Kellyanne and Zeke together, and there is a HISTORY between the two. Zeke is her first, only, and off/on again love. Though, more off than on.
It’s clear that Lisa’s argument with a guy the night before is a major issue in her murder and it appears it is about Brady.
However, the killer isn’t stopping there – an abduction attempt on Kellyanne and Brady is made in a grocery store. And, Kellyanne gets away. Another attempt to get at Brady is made at the baby’s daycare, only it is under the ruse of being the baby’s father – the mother didn’t list a father.
That isn’t the only surprise – Lisa left behind papers for Kellyanne and evidence. And, that isn’t all – Kellyanne is trying to tell Zeke something important. But, that gets placed on hold.
After more threats, it becomes clear that Kellyanne would be safer at home. It isn’t something she wants to do, but something she needs to do. And, when she arrives home she learns that Zeke has turned to God, where she cannot stand someone in control of her life or future; and definitely not to make decisions for her without her input.
She isn’t in Courtland long until not only does her family start trying to make decisions to keep her safe (isn’t that way she was there), but who ever tried to grab her – is there in Courtland. It’s evidenced when she takes Brady to the hospital and there is yet another abduction attempt.
I’ll say this – the action doesn’t stop and neither does this person who is very determined. But, it very clear whoever is behind this has some serious money to pull this off – but who?
After a fire, attempted kidnapping, and assault on her mother, it is clear that Kellyanne can no longer stay at the ranch. But, it is when an innocent toy is damaged that the truth comes to light regarding Brady’s father.
And, it is as they figured – someone with money wants Brady out of the way.
While Zeke is helping protect Kellyanne and Brady, he too is grappling with his own past and wondering if that isn’t fueling Kellyanne’s feelings.
Both of them make startling confessions that will end up changing how they feel about each other.
Vaughan draws the riveting suspense out to nearly the end with a few twists I didn’t see coming. And, there were people I was honestly wrong about.
I did have to laugh about her brothers getting someone to confess to something on camera.
The ending was beautiful and didn’t as much of a surprise given that this is a romance book, albeit with a romantic suspense twist. And, overall, I REALLY enjoyed it.
One beautiful lesson from this book – God doesn’t want to control us, but to protect us. And, it is very apparent that he sends people to us (like her brothers) to work on his behalf. Kellyanne, like some of us, learn that when we don’t trust him and try to do things on our own – we end up making mistakes.
Fans of the genre, the author, as well as those who’ve read the previous three books will definitely want to get this one! I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
This is distributed by Harlequin’s Love Inspired line so there will be references to God and faith with a few prayers. These are not overly “preachy”, nor an essential component to the story.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other Books in the Series:
Series: Cowboy Lawmen (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (June 2, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133540287X
ISBN-13: 978-1335402875
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“This twin’s past is a blank…And she might not have a future.
Waking up in a bullet-ridden car with a bag of cash and a deputy insisting she’s his ex-fiancée, Ashlee Taylor has no memory of what happened—or of Lawson Avery. But with her twin missing and someone hunting her down, she must trust him with her life. Can Lawson save her and her sister—even as Ashlee’s forgotten secrets become an inescapable trap.
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (October 13, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335403124
ISBN-13: 978-1335403124
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“When her identity’s exposed,
hiding on a lawman’s family ranch is her last hope.
After her mother is killed, Melissa Morgan’s shocked to learn she’s spent her life in witness protection. Now it’s US marshal Miles Avery’s job to keep her and her little boy safe. And with a mole in his agency, the only way to evade the killer is to hide Melissa on Miles’s family ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.”
Series: Cowboy Lawmen (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (March 9, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335405100
ISBN-13: 978-1335405104
⬅️ Click Picture for Pre-Purchase Information
“A sniper lurks closer…
and only a navy SEAL can save her.
When psychologist Shelby Warren suddenly becomes a sniper’s target, navy SEAL Paul Avery springs into action to protect her. He needs her evaluation to get back to his team…and rescuing her might finally give him the redemption he’s been searching for. But when danger follows them to his family’s Texas ranch, keeping Shelby safe could be his most difficult assignment yet.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Virginia Vaughan is a born and raised Mississippi girl. She is blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted around the dinner table. She was a lover of books from a young age, devouring tales of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. Connect with Virginia through her website www.virginiavaughanonline.com or through the publisher.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginvaughanbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiavaughanauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gin_vaughan
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