"Maddie had no idea how many laws she'd broken in the last week. They all paled next to kidnapping. Since she'd been advised not to leave the state, she was pretty sure having temporary custody wouldn't get her anywhere in court. Not that it mattered. She'd never get to court. She'd die before she gave Jesse up."

Maddie and her baby nephew, Jesse, are on the run from his father and the man who murdered her sister and her boyfriend. She heads to her boyfriend's home in Galveston only to run into a charming cowboy named Zach who she shoots over a misunderstanding. To Maddie's joy and distress, the attraction is instant and the passion is hot and heavy, but the murderer could find her any time and, unfortunately, she has to leave Zach and this town soon.

"People were killed every day because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Zach has fallen head over heels for Maddie and her nephew, but is she "one of the damaged strays" that his sister says he likes to rescue? He can protect her from the dangers that she fears, but how can he get her to stay with him?

I became a fan of Suzie Quint this year after reading Liar, Liar: The Omnibus which was a very fun and entertaining romantic mystery. So when I found out she had written a sexy cowboy romance series, I had to give the first one a try and it didn't disappoint. It is enjoyable to see Zach gradually melt Maddie's defenses to the point where she wants to protect him as much as he wants to protect her. Of course, one cannot forget the delightful McKnight clan who I'm sure will appear in #2 of the series. If you like romance series with hot, sexy, heart-melting cowboys, delicious innuendos and quips, and a mystery thrown in, check this one out.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided free through AXP.

See more eclectic reviews on my blog at https://eclecticreview.wordpress.com/. ( )

All Zach was looking for was a good time on his first night off of the oil rig. But what he got was a bullet through his arm. Now the only thing he can think of is the next time he can see gun toting, Maddie. After his first encounter with her, she's all he can think about . But he knows that she's keeping secrets and that she's on the run. He already found about one of her secrets. Will he be able to convince her to tell him everything?

Maddie was only looking for a job when she meets Zach. He sweeps her off her feet. Maddie has far too many secrets to prevent her from getting involved with anyone. But will she let her guard down enough to let Zach in?

This is my first time reading anything by this author and I loved it. I could not put the book down once I started it. I loved the way the story just flowed so smoothly. And the way the truth about everything that she was hiding just came out so perfectly. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I recommend this book to others.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. ( )

All Zach was looking for was a good time on his first night off of the oil rig. But what he got was a bullet through his arm. Now the only thing he can think of is the next time he can see gun toting, Maddie. After his first encounter with her, she's all he can think about . But he knows that she's keeping secrets and that she's on the run. He already found about one of her secrets. Will he be able to convince her to tell him everything?

Maddie was only looking for a job when she meets Zach. He sweeps her off her feet. Maddie has far too many secrets to prevent her from getting involved with anyone. But will she let her guard down enough to let Zach in?

This is my first time reading anything by this author and I loved it. I could not put the book down once I started it. I loved the way the story just flowed so smoothly. And the way the truth about everything that she was hiding just came out so perfectly. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I recommend this book to others.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley. ( )

Meh, it was ok. I enjoyed the story, but not the dialogue so much. The Texas slang-or bad grammar-kind of threw me since I'm not used to seeing it in print. But it didn't bother me so much that I couldn't finish the book. I don't know that I'll read another one by this author though. ( )

I have to hand it to Susie Quint. She took a situation that other writers might ruin with a series of unworkable coincidences and wove a story that really works. Maddie and Zach are connected in a way neither realized but Ms. Quint made it all realistic and plausible. That’s a sign of a good writer. To keep her nephew away from his murdering father, Maddie changes her name and runs. Maddie’s character is often just a hair’s breath away from danger and she’s a strong enough character to hold her own and do whatever necessary to protect an innocent child. Zach quickly realizes Maddie is in trouble, and since he already has a history of picking up injured strays, you know he’s going to push his way into her life to help her. You have to love his good intentions, even if it doesn’t always work out as he’d planned. I mean, what’s not to love about a strong, good looking cowboy?

This is a fast paced book with two strong main characters, a well-rounded supporting cast, and a plot that was extremely well crafted. I am looking forward to reading much more from Susie Quint. I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

~ TRS for AReCafe ( )