I really enjoyed this glimpse into rodeo life. Cowboys, mystery, danger and a little romance? What's not to love.

Actual Rating is 3.5 Stars

"Brice Harper reminded her of all the things she loved about Texas and cowboys."

"Danger. It hung in the air like an invisible menace."

Cowboy, Cross My Heart is the second book in the Heart of Texas Series and it follows the story of Brice and Naomi. When Naomi returns home to photograph her best friend, she can't help but be swept away in the life she used to have. Finding that special someone may not have been on the menu for Naomi, but when she meets Brice, all bets are off...Brice is the total cowboy. He's full of heart, totally sweet, charming and can't resist helping someone in need. So, when he discovers someone is harassing Naomi, he'll stop at nothing to keep her safe...

Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable read. This is my first book by this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to her writing style. But, I have to say, I thought this book was written well. This story pulls you in instantly and will keep you on your toes the entire time. I loved all the suspenseful moments, the danger lurking around every corner. I enjoyed Brice and Naomi together. Their sparks were instant and their romance was definitely a case of insta-love, but I think it worked really well with these two. I enjoyed seeing Brice come back to life and open his heart to another woman. I liked seeing the possessiveness he had for Naomi and how he'd stop at nothing to protect her. I thought Naomi was a great character. She was super protective of those she lets get close and is a really great friend. Together, these two had some great tension and it was fun watching the two of them try to figure things out.

Cowboy, Cross My Heart was a quick and easy read for me. I definitely think you could finish this book in a single sitting. I loved the suspense and mystery of the story. I think the addition of the villain's point of view really added to the story and had me turning the pages faster to see how the story was going to play out. My only complaint is that I feel like the ending of the book was a bit rushed. I feel like after the great build of mystery and suspense, that the resolution came too quickly. I would have liked to have seen it more paced with the rest of the story. Other than that, I think the story was great. Cowboy, Cross My Heart is a quick read that will grab you from the first page and will keep you on your toes. This story has just the right amount of steam, action, suspense and of course romance. This is my first book by this author and it most certainly won't be my last. I look forward to discovering more from this author in the future.

I became a fan through Donna Grant's Dark King series, so I was somewhat surprised this contemporary story didn't click with me. I liked it but the writing style was so different that I actually checked to see if there were two authors by the same name. I didn't form the same connection with this contemporary but I know other people will.

For what is worth Cowboy, Cross My Heart, written by Donna Grant published under the St. Martin’s Paperbacks brand, was an okay book. When Naomi Pierce returns to her Texas hometown it wasn’t what she expected. She, sure enough, didn’t expect to come home to find that her best friend, Whitney was being. When Brice helps saves Naomi & Whitney from an attacked. Naomi and Brice are now on someones hit list.

The plot was intriguing and intense. It kept my interest until the turning of the last page. The romance was mild compared to some of Donna Grant's other books. If you love contemporary romance with suspense then Donna Grant’s Cowboy, Cross My Heart should be added to your list of books to read.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet cowboy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Years ago Naomi Pierce was a champion barrel rider, until a drunk driver killed one of her best friends. Now she's a photographer living in Washington DC but she's come back to Texas to visit her mother and see her remaining best friend Whitney, who is now doing well on the Rodeo Queen pageant circuit. But all isn't well with Whitney, a strange man seems to be following her and when Naomi tries to take some pictures surreptitiously the man barges past and breaks her camera.

Brice Harper and his brother Caleb (the two teenagers from the first book all grown up) are champion cowboys. Brice is intrigued by the woman with the silvery laugh and the camera he sees at the rodeo. When her life appears to be in danger he feels compelled to help.

As Naomi and Brice try to uncover what Whitney is too scared to tell they are attacked and are in danger.

I liked this but I didn't love it. There was a good build up of suspense, which then dissipated with the obligatory 'let's stop to have sex right in the middle of an investigation interlude' and didn't really recover for me. The plot seemed a little far-fetched and was then resolved bish-bash-bosh in a matter of moments. Overall, I think this book doesn't quite know where it wants to sit in the romance genre: is it romantic suspense? Is it a cowboy romance? Is it about rodeo or a ranch? Is it a small-town cutesy romance? It didn't really commit and as a reader I felt confused.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A wonderful western romantic tale....with intrigue and a bit of steam.
Naomi, a photographer, returns to visit her friend Whitney, a rodeo princess, and the pair are attacked. The ladies are rescued by Brice Harper but Whitney is afraid and won't tell them why.
When Naomi snoops around both she and Brice are viciously attacked, but the pair continue to investigate and grow very close.
With the help of Brice's family and close friends, they find out why, but there are more attacks and deaths before the final arrest.
Many emotions come out during this tale, anger, joy, concern...are all evoked in reading this well written tale. This is the second Harper family story and is just as intriguing as the first.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC for my honest opinion.

Other then the title of the story which doesn’t really have anything to do with the story itself, this captured my attention early on and maintained it throughout. There was chemistry, tension, suspense, action, and an underlying mystery that’ll keep you turning the pages. Overall, this was an entertaining story which had a captivating premise.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest.

How did Suellen die?

Why doesn't she barrel race anymore?

I had no idea rodeo queens were so structured.

Holy hormones, Abby.

Ms. Biermann is definitely fishy.

Motherfluffers. And that woman is a twat.

Coffee is gross.

The man is supposed to ask the woman out. What kind of pussies has she been dating?

Brice and Caleb need therapy.

I hope Shane gets his own book.

Hubris, Larry.

I received an arc from Netgalley. This book was intriguing, mysterious and captivating. I loved the love story between Brice and Naomi and the conspiracy Whitney was caught up in kept you on the edge of your seat.

Powerful men in the rodeo community were behind sexual assaults that were happening to the women of the rodeo. Whitney won’t speak of them as they have a powerful hold over their victims. Naomi returns for a visit and finds out Whitney’s secret. With the help of Brice she will do all she can to find out who is behind this evil. Even to the point of risking their lives.

Great read!