To solve the case…

He’ll steal her heart

Special Ranger Bodie Hopson arrives in Three Springs, Texas, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a bison herd belonging to the strong-willed farmer Sarah Rickelle. Posing as a new ranch hand, Bodie suspects she’s an insurance fraudster, but then quickly realizes she’s more of an ally than a criminal. As they join forces to track down the thief, their growing attraction makes it difficult to stay professional. But when the case takes a dangerous turn, Bodie faces a life-changing decision: follow his law enforcement career or fight for the woman who’s stolen his heart.

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My Review and Reflections

This book has a sweet premise. Exactly what I’d expect from something about a Texas Ranger and a farmer. The bison thefts put a cozy mystery vibe into the book, making it that much cuter.

Bodie Hopson comes to Three Springs under the guise of a ranch hand, but his real purpose is to uncover the truth behind Sarah Rickelle’s missing bison. Um, yeah, he’d already decided it was her from the paperwork. After he made his way onto the farm by pretending to be a farmhand in need of work, he soon found out he was wrong. Or at least the idea of her stealing the bison as part of insurance fraud didn’t fit anything else he was seeing and hearing from her.

Grandma Rose was a highlight, warm, wise, and memorable. She put the cozy into the cozy mystery part of the book. I also appreciated how Bodie’s career as a Texas Ranger was portrayed differently than I expected. It made me more curious about what the job is really like. I also adored Bodie’s family. Their generosity and willingness to help without strings attached showcased the small-town vibe. And the missing bison plot surprised me. It wasn’t what I thought it would be, since the book has a rather homey feel, so I was happily surprised when this was shaping up to be a real crime and not some sort of fun, happy-go-lucky plot.

I did think that the repeated use of “his farmer” and “her cowboy” was distracting. It felt overused and sometimes pulled me out of the story. From a storyline perspective, I didn’t like Sarah’s neighbor, Sawyer, from the get-go. He meant well with all the rescue animals, but he didn’t seem to understand her situation and came across as pushy instead of supportive.

While this wasn’t a book that kept me up all night reading, it was entertaining enough to keep my interest throughout. The mix of mystery, romance, and family ties made it a good read. Those who like clean secular cowboy romances will enjoy this a lot.

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About the Author

Cari Lynn Webb lives in Florida with her husband. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70 year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.

Connect with Cari Lynn Webb by visiting carilynnwebb.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.