🐎 🚓 “Dangerous Texas Hideout” (Cowboy Protectors #3) (2024) 🚓 🐎 – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Series: Cowboy Protectors (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages 
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 23, 2024)  
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1335597875
ISBN-13: 978-1335597878
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information   

 

“Seeking refuge from danger…

 

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 quiet—permanently. 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 survival…”

 

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. 

 

I’ve been a fan of the author for over four (4) years, so, I’ve read a LOT of her books. She’s definitely at the top of the “must-read” authors of romantic-suspense. 

 

And, since a lot of her stories take place in Texas – it’s 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 …

 

I also have quite a few of her backlist titles on my TBR. 

 

But … getting back to this book … 

 

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: 

 

🚓 Luke Harmon (former FBI agent)

📺 Abby Mitchell-Harmon

🧒🏻 Kenzie 

👦🏻 Dustin

🚓 Caleb (Chief of Police in Jessup) 

 

This time this is Caleb’s story. 

 

Vaughan also introduces: 

 

👩🏻 Penny

👧🏻 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 Penny’s 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 they’re almost injured by a reckless driver. It is there she meets police chief Caleb Harmon. She explains Missy’s actions by claiming the girl is shy. 

 

Caleb is concerned that rather than be angry at the careless driver, she’s seemingly scared. He then learns that Penny is wanted by the FBI for questioning in connection with a string of bank robberies. That doesn’t make much sense to Caleb. Of course, given the woman’s behavior, he can’t 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. She’s worried “they” 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 – 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 Missy’s testimony, as opposed to the girl’s mental (and physical) well-being.

 

Caleb lets her go home, even though he suspects she’s 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 Marshal’s Office and the state prosecutor isn’t on the table unless Missy testifies. Reluctantly, Penny agrees. 

 

However, they’re 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 Missy’s future being elsewhere, especially if Missy is to testify, Caleb doesn’t 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 isn’t any reflection on the author. As usual, per the author’s style and the line – this was fast-paced and unpredictable. It was also intense and emotional. 

 

It was definitely more on the suspenseful side than the romantic. I’d say the “romance” didn’t come into it until about the final third of the book.

 

The emotional part was more on my end. 

 

Many don’t 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 “case”, 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. I’ve often felt victimized and traumatized by that event. 

 

While it wasn’t on the scale of what Penny and Missy went through (bank robbery and witnessing a murder) – it is jarring at best. Penny’s 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 author’s previous work. As a result, I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, which will be Tucker’s story. That will be available at the end of June which I’ve added to my TBR list. 

 

I’m also hoping a minor unresolved issue in this book is resolved in the next one. I can’t 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 won’t feel like they’re being preached to. 

 

 

Fans of the author will want to add this to their list.

 

 

 

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: 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

⬅️ 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?”

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?”

 

  

Next Book in Series:

 

Series: Cowboy Protectors (Book #4)

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (June 25, 2024)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335598170

ISBN-13: 978-1335598172

Click Photo for Purchase Information ⬆️

 

“Solving a decades-old crime

 

will leave no place safe…

 

Twenty years after her mother vanished, Ally Fulton returns to Harmon Ranch—the last place she was seen—and barely makes it out alive. Someone doesn’t want Ally digging up the truth. With a target on her back, she reluctantly accepts protection from Officer Tucker Harmon. Can he keep Ally alive—and right his family’s wrongs—before she’s silenced for good?”

 

 

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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