This was a captivating book that I really enjoyed.

It gave a nice balance of suspense and romance with a lot of open space to bring us more with these characters which I am really looking forward to!

Goode Over Evil by Leslie Marshman is the first book of the Crystal Creek Mystery series. With this book being the first of the series I’m not sure if it will continue with the same characters or change since the genre bends a bit from straight mystery to almost a romantic suspense. The main characters do have a back ground do it’s not a case of insta love but they do have some steamier moments for those that may not enjoy.

Samantha Goode fled her hometown years ago without telling anyone, including Clayton Barnett whom she had been in a relationship with. The time away had been good for Samantha though having become a Texas Ranger. When she gets a call asking her back for a funeral she almost resistes but the decides to go.

After returning to Crystal Creek Samantha soon finds herself back on the job where she is most comfortable when a murder shakes the small town. Working to solve the murder Sam finds herself also being drawn back into Clayton’s life.

Goode Over Evil was a solid, quick read with one of those tough as nails female leads. The romantic side of the story is one that I don’t mind since there was a huge history however combining the romance into a mystery as the short length made everything a bit rushed and could have perhaps gone deeper. In the end I’d give this first book of the series 3 1/2 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Had i known this book was going to be really focused on the romance aspect I would not have read it. I read it thinking it a mystery whichh turned out to be secondary to the romance. If romantic mysteries are your thing than I would recommend the book. The main character is every cliche of the tortured by their past detective which also plays into the romantic cliches of the woman hurt who protects herself from love. that being said it was a fine beach read.

Goode Over Evil is the first Leslie Marshman book I’ve read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. This romantic suspense nicely switches traditional roles and introduces heroine Sam Goode as Texas ranger.
Sam is tough and exceptionally good at her job, but she’s got a soft side too — she really doesn’t do well in small, dark places. She’s also not great at relationships and aside from her Uncle Joe she’s had no contact with family or the town she left as a teenager.
Clay Barnett is the man she left behind and he still loves her, despite her leaving with no explanation all those years ago. He’s another character to admire - he’s taken over the care of his autistic brother Jordan and he has a plan to get them both out from under the thumb of his controlling and overbearing father.
This story is a page-turner. There’s a murder to investigate, the drug smuggling case that Sam was working on still bubbling in the background and plenty of relationship building. I was engrossed from the first page to the last.

Goode Over Evil is the first book I have read by Leslie Marshman. It is an impressive first read for me. The suspense and danger are up front from the very beginning. I really liked seeing Samantha Goode in Texas Ranger mode right at the start. One tough resilient woman, can I please, be her when I grow up.

Coming home to attend a funeral does not diminish Sam’s presence or air of authority that is so much a part of her character. It only shows how much she outshines the small town that she left many years ago. She ends up staying to find answers, solve a murder close to home for her along with an ex-love reunion.

What a gripping captivating read. A second chance romance in the mist of a fast pace, challenging mystery that has more than one twist. A powerfully well-written story with characters that are flawed, complex, human and admirable. I want to read more of Sam by this rising author of romantic suspense.

Goode Over Evil is about a tough as nails Texas Ranger, Samantha Goode, who returns home to Crystal Creek, Texas, for her grandmother’s funeral only to discover her uncle has been murdered.

There are a lot of factors that kept Sam from returning home and one in particular will do anything to make her to leave again. Returning home means Sam will have to face her high school love, Clayton Burnett, who she left without a word. While solving her uncle’s murder, Sam finds herself falling in love with Clay all over again. But, will it be enough to keep her from returning to the job she loves on the other side of the state?

This book had me hooked right away. It was packed full of excitement. The writer did a fantastic job with the characters and the storyline. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.

Goode Over Evil by Leslie Marshman
A Crystal Creek Mystery #1

Excellent! I was hooked from page one and engaged till the very end. Samantha “Sam” Goode, Texas Ranger, was resilient, tough and smart. She was someone I could admire and would like to have as a friend. When her uncle calls her to ask for help and tell her to come back to bury her grandmother she is tempted to decline but back she goes anyway. I was easily able to get a feel for Crystal Creek and understand why she had stayed away for twelve years.

When Sam left she did so without telling anyone. She had her reasons and they were good ones but even though she achieved an education and landed a good job she still regrets leaving Clay Barnett behind. It soon becomes evident that there might be a second chance for the couple...maybe. When Sam’s uncle is murdered she opts to assist in the investigation. Then she finds out that someone has it in for her. Surviving what happens won’t be easy and the second chance romance couple has to work to make it happen.

What I liked:
* Samantha: she is a great character and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
* Clay: Great book boyfriend and wonderful brother to his autistic brother, Jordan
* Sheriff Eddie Marshall: He is intriguing and truly deserves to find a woman of his own – do hope he gets a book in the series
* Nicolette: Sam’s friend is a sniper but home temporarily to help her widowed mother.
* Supporting characters...there were more than one that I found interesting and hope to see in future books in this series

What I did not like:
* Quinn Barnett: what a dirt bag he was….his treatment of family and others was despicable
* The men that I was meant not to like...the bad guys that killed and tortured and were evil incarnate.

Did I like this book? Definitely!
Would I like to read more by this author? Without a doubt!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

"Life ain't fair, it's like poker. You don't always get the cards you want, but you play the hand you're dealt."

Firstly I would like to thank net galley for this ARC. in return for an honest review.

this novel is a brilliant introduction to Samantha Goode, Texas ranger and troubled heroine. Returning to her hometown after an absence of 12 years in what she hopes is a flying visit but she is soon forced to confront the feelings she has tried to bury.

i'm torn on wether to give a 5 star for this book however its nearer a 4.5 ]. it's a well written story with a good balance of action and romance, the romance is not over the top corny, the action is a page turner and the violence not over stated and needlessly graphic.

A kick ass female Texas Ranger, a man doing the best he can to support his autistic brother and a story with danger, suspense and romance. Samantha “Sam” Goode left Crystal Creek years ago…she had her reasons, but now she returns for her grandmother’s funeral. When someone close to Sam is murdered, but made to look like an accident, Sam will not leave until the killer is caught or killed. Clayton Barnett has done what his father demanded in order to keep his autistic brother home, but never counted on losing Sam, the woman he loved. Now that she is back, is there a chance for them? As Sam faces danger on all fronts, her enemies will soon learn that to underestimate her may shorten their lives. A wonderful first book in the Crystal Creek series and I can’t wait for the second book by this author. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

A new to me author. A romantic mystery Goode Over Evil by Leslie Marshman. First book in the Crystal Creek series. Enjoyable storyline, likable characters and great character development. Look forward to reading more in series and by this author.

The formula isnt a new one – heroine returning home after being estranged from family/friends and stays to solve mystery/murder. But with a tough as nails Texas Ranger for the heroine and the baffling murder of her uncle the search for what really happened to him and what is going on in the small Texas town keeps the tension high as the story unfolds.

There is also the emotional conflict between the heroine and the hero whose childhood romance ended in heartbreak that is also a big part of story.

This is the debut novel from the author and the action of the story, the search for the killer, the hero and heroine working on the obstacles that tore them apart and the secondary characters all keep you engaged in the story. I look forward to what's next from this author.

This is an excellent start to a new series. The characters are complex and interesting. The mystery is full of action and twists. There is just the right amount of romance. Sam's character develops at just the right pace. And while I want more of her and Clay, I really look forward to seeing more of the rest of the characters.

Sam Goode left twelve years ago to keep the man she loved safe. Now she’s a Texas Ranger and is going home to her estranged grandmothers funeral. While there, a murder occurs and Sam will do anything to find the killer. Clay Barnett works for his daddy until he can save the money for his own ranch and able to get custody of his brother. Clay and Sam were in love until his daddy gave her money and sent her away. Clay still loves her but is hurt because she left him without a goodbye. As they search for a killer, can they put the past behind and move together into the future?
First time reading this author and I couldn’t put it down. Action, suspense, and steamy sex ( not a lot ). You have a Sheriff who’s funny and serious, a Chief that is worthless, and two people who find each other again.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

Samantha Goode is a Texas Ranger. She came home to Crystal Creek for a funeral and ended up in the middle of a huge mystery. Clay never stopped loving Samantha but can they find there way back to each other with all the obstetrical in there way. Goode Over Evil is the debut book by Leslie Marshman I'm positive there will be many more to come. Fast paced suspense that keeps you turning the pages. Murder,drama and a great second chance love story. Hopefully we will get to know some of the secondary characters in future books.