In Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant, a tip has led P.I. Marlee Frampton to Texas, where she believes a baby, stolen 
from its mother’s womb, has been taken for an illegal adoption. After her sister had been murdered and the baby stolen ten years earlier, her mission in life has been to solve these crimes.
She suspects Brice and Naomi Harper to the be recipients of the latest stolen infant, which leads her to Clearview. Cooper Owens can’t believe his friends, who are more like family to him, would be involved in something illegal. When it becomes clear that there have been a rash of murdered mothers and stolen babies in nearby towns, Cooper and his friends join up with Marlee to get to the bottom of it. When Marlee gets a little too close to comfort for the criminals, she finds her own life in danger. Will Cooper and his friends be able to piece together the clues in time to save her?
I felt the romance aspect of the story was a bit lacking, but the suspense aspect of the book more than makes up for it. It’s never really a mystery to readers who is behind the murders and kidnappings, and the culprits are always one step ahead of Marlee, much to her frustration. I liked how Cooper and his friends didn’t hesitate to jump in and help Marlee with her investigation, even Brice and Naomi, who could have been angry about her suspicions about them.
This is the fifth book in the series, but it works as a standalone. Readers who have read the previous books will be happy to characters from those books make appearances and take part in the investigation. We get to learn a little more about Jace in this book, and I’m looking forward to his book.
Looking for a Cowboy is fast-paced with a gripping storyline, wonderful characters, and excellently executed suspense. I recommend this for readers who enjoy romantic suspense that is heavier on the suspense than the romance.
Book Info:
Publication: October 27, 2020 | St. Martin’s Press | Heart of Texas #5
A beautiful stranger has come to Clearview, asking questions that are nobody’s business. Cooper Owens also wasn’t born yesterday. He knows that this out-of-towner is hiding a dark secret of her own. Much as he knows he should head in the other direction, he can’t make himself turn away. . .
P.I. Marlee Frampton always wanted to lead a nice quiet life, working as a cop in her local police department. But that dream came to an end when her sister was murdered―and her baby kidnapped. Now Marlee’s come to Texas to investigate the Harpers, who may be linked to shady adoption agencies. Cooper can’t believe that his friends could be involved in anything so sinister…and soon he makes it his mission to help Marlee discover the truth―and keep her safe in his arms.
