🎯🚓 🐎 “Texas Ranch Target” (#Cowboy Protectors #2) (2023) 🐎 🚓 🎯 – Book Review

MY REVIEW

 

Series: Cowboy Protectors (Book #2)
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (April 25, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1335587713
ISBN-13: 978-1335587718
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“Somebody wants her dead…

But they'll have to go through him first.

 

After his client is murdered, security expert Brett Harmon plans to lie low at his family’s ranch—until he comes across an injured woman in the road. With only Brett’s business card in her pocket and no memory of her attack, Jaycee Richmond turns to her rescuer for answers. But when their search reveals a deadly connection, can Brett protect her from a killer she can’t remember?”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Virginia Vaughan, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

Some readers have “must-read” authors that they look forward to reading books by – back list and even new releases. And, yes, some of her backlist titles are still on my never-ending TBR list. Vaughan is definitely on my “must-read” list. And, when her stories take place in my home state of Texas – they definitely become “gotta definitely read them”. 

 

And, when a cover such as this – one that’s pretty intense – gets my attention, I will be reading the book.

 

This is the second book in her Cowboy Protectors series that follows the men of Harmon Ranch. 

 

As this book is part of a series, I suggest reading Kidnapped in Texas prior to this one. Not only does that book introduce the characters, but the plot from that book is referenced in this one. 

 

Returning from the first book: 

 

🚓 Luke Harmon (former FBI agent)

📺 Abby Mitchell-Harmon

🧒🏻 Kenzie

👦🏻 Dustin

🚓 Caleb (Chief of Police in Jessup)

🚨 Brett

 

Vaughan introduces readers to:

 

💻 Jaycee 

 

As of note, there will be a reference to sexual assault. 

 

Like most authors of the line, Vaughan jumps right into the main plot and drives off – figuratively and literally. 

 

Jaycee is trying to contact Brett about information regarding the death of a high-profile celebrity (Whitney) he was protecting. Jaycee knows something. But, as she’s waiting on Brett to get back to her – she’s attacked. She flees, but ends up in a ditch, and almost gets hits by Brett. 

 

Brett almost hits Jaycee who can’t remember her name or why she was on the road. She also doesn’t know why she wanted to talk to Brett either. 

 

But, that doesn’t stop the person who wants to silence Jaycee. Despite feeling like he failed Whitney, Brett wants to protect Jaycee. He also wants to figure out who wants to hurt, or rather kills Jaycee; and the why. Brett also wants to know why she had a card he ONLY gave to clients.

 

From checking out her hotel room to her apartment, Brett and authorities find nothing, but the attacks on Jaycee don’t stop. 

 

They soon learn Jaycee is in Cybersecurity, but there is evidence of her hacking into vulnerable systems, and one that might’ve lead to the death of someone, but as normal – things are NOT as they ever seem.

 

Just because Jaycee can’t remember, doesn’t mean the killer has amnesia. And, Brett knows Jaycee isn’t safe anywhere. But, each place he takes her, the killer finds them. And, Brett learns there might be a leak close to him. 

 

Despite the growing attraction on both their ends, Brett is racing against someone who knows their every move, which makes it difficult to keep Jaycee safe. And, he can’t afford to lose another woman under his protection – physically or emotionally.

 

As usual, Vaughan creates an exciting, fast-paced, suspenseful read that kept me guessing at every turn of the page with lots of surprises. It drew me right in and was definitely hard to put down. This does tend to be more on the suspense side than the romance. 

 

As with any book, there will be some typos. This did have a bit more repetition about Caleb being the Chief and Luke being former FBI. There was also a bit of a questionable reference to ammunition – clips instead of magazines. Sadly, this is a bit of a common occurrence in fiction novels as well as TV and movies. 

 

Since this is distributed by the faith themed Love Inspired line, there will be some references to faith, but it is not preachy in tone.

 

Fans of the author won’t want to miss this read!

 

I’m looking forward to Vaughan’s next release in this series. 

 

 

RATING: 

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads 

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub 

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)

 

 

DATES READ:  8/10-8/12 (2023)

 

 

Previous Book in the Series: 

 

Series: Cowboy Protectors (Book #1)

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 24, 2023)

Language: English

ISBN: 1335587535

ISBN-13: 978-1335587534

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“A kidnapping case

 

reveals a secret that changes everything…

 

After witnessing an abduction, FBI agent Luke Harmon vows to return the teenage victim safely to her aunt, his ex, Abby Mitchell. But Abby has a secret—the girl is their daughter. To rescue his child from a human trafficking ring, he’ll partner with the woman who deceived him. But can he forgive the past before Abby becomes the next target…and his family is lost forever?”

 

 

 

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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