đ đ âDangerous Texas Hideoutâ (Cowboy Protectors #3) (2024) đ đ â Book Review
Series: Cowboy Protectors (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 23, 2024)
Language:âŻEnglish
ISBN-10: 1335597875
ISBN-13: 978-1335597878
âŹ
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âSeeking refuge from dangerâŚ
with threats at every turn
When her daughter is the only witness able to identify a group of bank robbers, single mom Penny Jackson knows their lives are in danger. These men will do anything to keep Missy quietâpermanently. Escaping to a small Texas town was supposed to be safe, but when the criminals track them down, police chief Caleb Harmon becomes their only hope for survivalâŚâ
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.
Iâve been a fan of the author for over four (4) years, so, Iâve read a LOT of her books. Sheâs definitely at the top of the âmust-readâ authors of romantic-suspense.
And, since a lot of her stories take place in Texas â itâs like a trip home for me. I was moved away when I was quite young, and only went back once in all that time. What prevented more visits was time and money. So, this is an affordable way to visit.
That said âŚ
I also have quite a few of her backlist titles on my TBR.
But ⌠getting back to this book âŚ
This is the third book in the Cowboy Protectors series. In addition to the same characters (and places) returning, some storylines are referred to in this one. As a result, it is best to read the books in order.
Returning in this book:
đ Luke Harmon (former FBI agent)
đş Abby Mitchell-Harmon
đ§đť Kenzie
đŚđť Dustin
đ Caleb (Chief of Police in Jessup)
This time this is Calebâs story.
Vaughan also introduces:
đŠđť Penny
đ§đť Missy
Given the nature of romantic-suspense, there will be some themes or incidents that might be triggering for some readers. The main incident involves bank robbery, also Pennyâs husband being killed in a bar fight. There is also mention of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and a gambling addiction. A child is also traumatized resulting in becoming temporarily non-verbal. Any storyline that places children in jeopardy or peril can be triggering for certain readers.
Like most authors in the genre, and especially the LIS line, Vaughan wastes no time in dumping readers right into the action and story.
As the story begins, Penny and her daughter are grocery shopping when theyâre almost injured by a reckless driver. It is there she meets police chief Caleb Harmon. She explains Missyâs actions by claiming the girl is shy.
Caleb is concerned that rather than be angry at the careless driver, sheâs seemingly scared. He then learns that Penny is wanted by the FBI for questioning in connection with a string of bank robberies. That doesnât make much sense to Caleb. Of course, given the womanâs behavior, he canât see her as a bank robber, maybe the girlfriend of one. Before he acts on the BOLO (be on the look-out), he wants to know more and decides to check on her.
Penny barely gets her daughter settled when someone tries to break in. Sheâs worried âtheyâ have found her. In trying to escape, she and her daughter are run off the road. Caleb is there to rescue them again. This time he confronts her about the BOLO. In her frustration, she ends up telling Caleb what happened â the bank robbery and subsequent murder of an FBI agent. Penny is upset that the FBI and prosecutor only care about their agenda (prosecution) which hinges solely on Missyâs testimony, as opposed to the girlâs mental (and physical) well-being.
Caleb lets her go home, even though he suspects sheâs going to flee. And, that is exactly what Penny wants to do.
Caleb consults with Luke who offers to help out.
Penny once again tries to leave but not only does Caleb find her, but the bad guys as well.
A protection offer from the United States Marshalâs Office and the state prosecutor isnât on the table unless Missy testifies. Reluctantly, Penny agrees.
However, theyâre found again, and Caleb decides to protect them himself.
Despite their best intentions, both Penny and Caleb get close together, and Missy is drawn to Caleb which helps her, and the two try to decipher what she is saying in her artwork.
With Penny and Missyâs future being elsewhere, especially if Missy is to testify, Caleb doesnât want to risk his heart. Yet, he cares too much for Penny and Missy to stay away.
In order to help the mother and daughter, Caleb has to find the bad guys and find out how they bad guys are tracking Penny and Missy.
Vaughan takes readers on a wild chase through the woods in this suspenseful read full of twists and turns with every page
This was one of those books I kept picking up to read, even though there were other things that NEEDED to get done. Then again, this is my favorite genre, and the story was far too compelling to walk away from for ANY length of time. Normally, books like this are a 1-2 day read for me, so when I do take longer to read one, it usually isnât any reflection on the author. As usual, per the authorâs style and the line â this was fast-paced and unpredictable. It was also intense and emotional.
It was definitely more on the suspenseful side than the romantic. Iâd say the âromanceâ didnât come into it until about the final third of the book.
The emotional part was more on my end.
Many donât know this, but when I was a child (ages 8/9), something happened to me, and I needed to testify in a court case. I was literally scared and wanted it all to be over. As a result, when Penny is talking about the agenda of the prosecutor and the FBI concerned with only getting what they wanted, it was too close to home for me. I related all too well to that. My mother took my safety and mental well-being as a priority in my âcaseâ, same as what Penny does for her daughter. As someone who went through testifying in a case, it definitely feels as though one is only being used for an agenda, and experienced it even at my young age. Iâve often felt victimized and traumatized by that event.
While it wasnât on the scale of what Penny and Missy went through (bank robbery and witnessing a murder) â it is jarring at best. Pennyâs actions were not that extreme in wanting to protect her daughter and the child some help.
Despite that reality, I absolutely enjoyed the book! It was definitely on par with the authorâs previous work. As a result, Iâm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, which will be Tuckerâs story. That will be available at the end of June which Iâve added to my TBR list.
Iâm also hoping a minor unresolved issue in this book is resolved in the next one. I canât really mention it without spoiling the story.
Even though this is released by the Christian themed line of Harlequin, there were only subtle notes to faith. These were not overwhelming, so readers wonât feel like theyâre being preached to.
Fans of the author will want to add this to their list.
RATING:
4 ââââ/5 âââââ â Goodreads
4 ââââ/5 âââââ â Bookbub
4 ââââ/5 âââââ â 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: 4/8/2024 to 4/12/2024
Previous Books in Series:
Series: Cowboy Protectors (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 24, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335587535
ISBN-13: 978-1335587534
âŹ ď¸ Click Photo for Purchase Information
âA kidnapping case
reveals a secret that changes everythingâŚ
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 secretâthe girl is their daughter. To rescue his child from a human trafficking ring, heâll partner with the woman who deceived him. But can he forgive the past before Abby becomes the next targetâŚand his family is lost forever?â
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 âĄď¸
âSomebody wants her deadâŚ
But they'll have to go through him first.
After his client is murdered, security expert Brett Harmon plans to lie low at his familyâs ranchâuntil he comes across an injured woman in the road. With only Brettâs 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 canât remember?â
Next Book in Series:
Series: Cowboy Protectors (Book #4)
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (June 25, 2024)
Language:âŻEnglish
ISBN-10: 1335598170
ISBN-13: 978-1335598172
Click Photo for Purchase Information âŹď¸
âSolving a decades-old crime
will leave no place safeâŚ
Twenty years after her mother vanished, Ally Fulton returns to Harmon Ranchâthe last place she was seenâand barely makes it out alive. Someone doesnât want Ally digging up the truth. With a target on her back, she reluctantly accepts protection from Officer Tucker Harmon. Can he keep Ally aliveâand right his familyâs wrongsâbefore sheâs silenced for good?â
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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