As much as I love cowboy books, this one seemed to be a propaganda piece about kidnapping babies. I liked the characters, but it got bogged down in the details of cases of babies being stolen and mothers murdered and I missed hearing about the romance. It just seemed like it was not a romance as much as a public service announcemnet.

This is the next story in Donna Grant’s Heart of Texas series. This one was just as good as the rest. I really liked Marlee right from the beginning. I kept rooting for her the entire time. Anyone who's read the other books is familiar with Cooper. I was happy to see him get his book. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. It sounded pretty good, and I suppose the concept was good, but it quickly turned didactic and preachy. I persevered. Still, when the narrative turned toward statistics on child abduction and kidnapping, I hesitated, not because I don’t think it’s important, but because it was too cumbersome a topic to cover in a romance. In one part, characters were talking about babies being cut from the bellies of pregnant women to be sold on the black market. In the next breath, characters were lusting after one another.

Many characters were introduced in an obvious attempt to build a community about which other love stories could be written. Perhaps some already have been, but I don’t have sufficient interest to check.

Foreshadowing was heavy-handed. Marlee repeatedly feels like someone is watching her, almost as if she has ESP. We are introduced to the character of Stella, the villain, who knows Marlee's mom Diane somehow and has been advised to kill off Marlee to avoid being caught. She chooses not to do so, not wanting to cause additional pain to Diane, but it’s clear that decision will be revisited later in the story.

In addition to a story about a police officer turned private investigator searching for lost children, the plot revolves around a love story between Marlee and Cooper. Terms used to describe their initial reactions to one another are predictable and over-used (a jolt when they first touch, and similar tropes). The occasional introduction of a bodily reaction during a particular interaction, when the two characters have not yet been intimate, are jarring. I won’t include examples because they are icky. Unfortunately, the love scenes follow the expected course and are extremely uncomfortable. In fact, after the first time they went to bed together, I tapped out. I grimaced through most of it, and finally gave up. I could see too clearly where the plot was going, and the writing wasn’t good enough, the characters not engaging enough, to maintain my interest.

Suspense, murder, power, family, and love. The fifth book in Heart of Texas, Looking for a Cowboy delivers this and so much more. The characters are spirited and engaging, and the story is compelling and well delivered. Ms. Grant delivers once again in this book and I highly recommend you grab your copy.

Another suspenseful cowboy love story!

Cooper and Marlee meet when she’s investigating his best friend as part of her quest to bring down a child abduction ring. Their chemistry is immediate and the fact that they are the perfect partners in every way is obvious to everyone.

I really love this series as it is the perfect blend of hot cowboy heroes, strong kick ass heroines, steamy sexy times, and pulse pounding suspense.

I can’t wait for Jace’s story!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Wow! This novel really hit home. Instantly, the danger, fear, and loss could be felt from the first few pages. I was captivated by the story. A twin woman comes home, only to find her pregnant twin missing. However, her gut is telling her something bad has happened. Panicking, she makes some calls. That's when she gets the news. Ever since her twin was found murdered and the baby missing, Marlee makes it her mission to find the bad guys and stop them. Heartbreaking, engaging, and action-packed this was a powerful romantic suspense novel. Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant is a must read for all. There's even some sexy romantic scenes along with the dark intrigue of the story. Overall, this book was a winner.

I am voluntarily posting an hones review after reading an advance copy of this story.

Looking For A Cowboy is book #5 in the Heart Of Texas seires. I'm sorry to say that this story didn't resonate with me. I found the inner dialog to be too long and too much. The main female character was, to me, unlikable. The main male was ok but their relationship just didn't work for me. This was such a shame as the subject matter was interesting and realistic.

#DonnaGrant #LookingForACowboy #Netgalley #StMartin'sPress #HeartOfTexas

Oh jeez. Poor women.

He's a good son.

What crawled up Jace's butt?

Wake up to the real world, Cooper. He really should be a cop, though.

So Stella has a conscience?

Jace is great.

Dayum.

I was actually liking Chuck for a second.

Hooray for Cash.

I hope she finds her sister.

I loved every minute of this suspenseful western romance that immediately grabbed me and kept me totally mesmerized until I read the last word with characters you want to know and a fast-paced story that pulled on the heart-strings while keeping me on the edge of my seat. I really liked Cooper Owens and his friends and family in Clearview, Texas and enjoyed his immediate attraction and undeniable chemistry with PI Marlee Frampton who comes to town to investigate the Harpers who may be linked to a shady adoption agency. Ms. Grant blew me away with "Looking for a Cowboy," book five in her must-read Heart of Texas series. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Donna Grant writes another amazing book!
I've loved Copper's character from the first time we met him in this series. This book had some difficult story lines but was so worth the read. I cannot wait for Jace's book. Thank you Donna for another amazing book.

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 via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

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.

It will post soon at Romance Reviews Today: http://romrevtoday.com/index.htm

LOOKING FOR A COWBOY – Donna Grant
Heart of Texas, Book 5
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
ISBN: 9781250250063
October 27, 2020
Contemporary Romance

Clearview, Texas – Present Day

Private Investigator Marlee Frampton has come to Clearview in search of a baby she suspects was stolen from its murdered mother. The Harpers look like any ordinary couple wanting to adopt, but is the baby they recently received from the adoption agency the baby Marlee is looking for? She must lay low to some extent, because if she reveals her hand too soon, the couple might bolt. Even as she gets to know the people in Clearview, she soon becomes the focus of them.

Cowboy Cooper Owens is curious about the stranger in town. Marlee is a beautiful and sassy redhead and he wouldn’t mind getting to know her better. But he senses she’s in town on a mission—and one that might put his friends, Brice and Naomi Harper, into her crosshairs. With the help of his law enforcement friend, Cooper learns that Marlee is a PI who specializes in baby abductions. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure how who she is zeroing in on. He confronts her, and offers to help her, if only to prove to her that she’s looking at the wrong baby. Will Marlee and Cooper work together to solve the baby abduction case?

Meanwhile, Marlee wonders if she is being misled by her sources, and if so, why? Also, why does Clearview seem to be in the middle of where all the recent baby abductions and murders occurred? Are the perpetrators in the area?

LOOKING FOR A COWBOY is billed as a contemporary romance, but it has a fairly heavy dose of romantic suspense. This tale is less about “cowboys” and more about “finding kidnappers and murderers.” Not to give anything away, but readers learn about halfway through who the “bad guys” are—and how Clearview is connected. The moment Marlee and Cooper meet, there is a pleasant zing of attraction between them. Yet, she feels she doesn’t have time to get involved with him, especially since he’s good friends with her targets. Can she convince him that she means no harm and only wants to get the DNA on the infant to make sure it isn’t the missing baby?

Marlee senses someone is watching her, and readers will wonder that too. After she and Cooper finally begin to trust one another, things move pretty fast between them. He also enlists the help of his friends, specifically his best friend, Jace, to assist. Tracking down cold-blooded murderers who kidnap a baby and leave the dead mother behind are people who need to be brought to justice. But as soon as they start to investigate, a couple of people in the Clearview area become nervous. Will our investigators end up walking into an ambush?

LOOKING FOR A COWBOY is an engrossing tale that will have you unable to put it down. Marlee has spent ten years investigating infant snatchings, solely because her sister was murdered, and her baby taken from her womb. The ultimate goal is finding her missing niece. Will Marlee find her in LOOKING FOR A COWBOY? Will the murderers be brought to justice? Once it’s all over, can there be a future for Marlee and Cooper? Find out in this riveting tale.

Patti Fischer

Marlee is on a ten plus year mission not only to find justice for her sister, but to help countless families not suffer the heartache her family has suffered. Her latest case has her entering Cooper’s world and she fights to stay professional in his presence.

Cooper is instantly attracted to Marlee but knows she is hiding something. When she lets him in on her big secret, he feels blindsided and bolts. When calmer heads prevail though, he knows what he must do.

Will Marlee accept Cooper’s help or will she continue on her own? While this novel did not start off in the typical fashion, it does touch on a real important subject matter. The author is a recent find of mine and I have really enjoyed her novels. Looking for a cowboy is no exception. Cooper and Marlee have instant chemistry which sizzles the page. Catching up with favorite characters from the previous novels was a great time too. I always like when characters age though the books. 4 ½ stars for this latest release. Now the bigger question is: Who isn’t looking for a cowboy?

I have some of the others from this series so in I went for this one. Cooper is one smart cowboy whom can tell when something is up. Marlee is there for more than she is letting on and he knows it. Already a mystery and you have not gotten into it too much yet. We know why she is there but the sad thing is we want answers too. So thanks to loyalty he decides to help her with her quest for the truth. As we see things come together one by one we are drawn into this one good. At first to think I almost passed this one up until I looked further into what it contained. I adore a good mystery and this one gives it to you with romance to fuel it along. It really should of had a different cover and title though it misrepresents what awaits inside with all the wonderful reading.

Wow, what an incredible romance with a fantastic mystery! Marlee devotes her life to finding babies stolen from mothers in the most awful way after losing her sister in the same situation. This leads her to Clearview where she meets Cooper, former military, all around amazing guy that always steps up to help his friends. These two form a bound that Marlee isn't expecting and hasn't allowed herself to believe is even possible. As they close in on the kidnappers, will they find love? Or do the kidnappers have other plans for them? Love the family and friends in Clearview. This is a wonderful community and together they show Marlee that she doesn't have to carry her burden alone. I love being part of this community even for a short time through their beautiful journeys. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

It’s been a decade since Marlee endured not only the tragic loss of her sister but her niece as well. She has spent the intervening years trying to ensure that other people don’t have to suffer from the same devastation she felt so when an opportunity comes to the find out the truth about what happened she isn’t about to let anyone or anything stand in her way and that includes the sexy cowboy who may have access to the answers she needs.

Cooper may be attracted to Marlee but he is also cautious as he believes it is more than coincidence that has brought her to town. Once he realizes the truth he and those he cares about are more than willing to help her with her investigation but as the chemistry and feelings between them escalate so does the danger they find themselves in.

Suspense, surprises and romance all combine into an intriguing storyline that draws you and keeps you entertained.

Don't be fooled by the title, this is not your regular cowboy story. Some of the subjects can be offensive to some people. Marlee is an ex-cop trying to find her sister's murderer and black market babies cut out of murdered mothers. She follows a lead that brings in Texas to a couple who might be behind the scheme. while there she befriends Cooper to try and get closer to the family. The story is dramatic, with some suspense and brings some intense emotions. I volunteered to review this story.

Another great story by Donna Grant and a great addition to the Heart of Texas series. Dealing with adoptions and some of the pros and cons, this is a great weekend/get away from everything book.

Reading the prologue I knew this was going to be a gut wrenching story because I didn't make it past the second page without crying. Yes I am at times an emotional reader and that has a lot to do with the way a story is written and this one had my heart stopping a few times.

Marlee was a Police Officer when her twin sister was murdered and her baby was taken, after seeing that this wasn't a random act Marlee left the force and became a Private Investigator that works with families to get back the children that were taken from them so heinously. Her latest case has taken her to the small town of Clearview, Texas.

Cooper Owens, former Air Force Combat Controller now lives to help his friends. Cooper knows the horrors in the world and can scope out trouble a mile away so when he meets Marlee he knows she's hiding something and he's determined to find out what it is and make sure everyone he loves is safe.

Although this is the fifth book in the series, this is the first book I have read. In fact it's the first book by this author that I have read. I know I'm late to the party, but better late than never. This book was fast paced with lots of action, it can definitely be read as a standalone if that is the way you choose to read it. I enjoyed the secondary characters so much I have added their books to my never-ending TBR shelf. I am looking forward to Jace's story, he's been through a LOT and this guy needs his HEA like now!

If you enjoy cowboys that have a panache for helping others grab a copy of this book now, you wont be disappointed!

Happy Reading!!!

**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**