Cowboy's Secret Son

Widowed rancher Jared King had never quite recovered from the tragedy that happened five years before. And he is shocked to see Courtney Jamison show up on his doorstep of his Texas ranch with a baby in tow, Dylan; the son Jared never knew he had. Courtney had left her New York apartment right after making a grisly discovery, and a note demanding an obscene amount of money or else her son would die. She cannot go the police, the FBI, and even her father is in no condition to help her; there’s only one person left who can help her. She knows Jared will protect his son. While COWBOY’S SECRET SON is the ninth instalment in the Carder Texas Connections, it stands perfectly on its own. We’re in the thick of things right from the start, and the relentless pace never lets up. Robin Perini’s writing is as eloquent and sharp as ever, and she is as comfortable conveying the urgency of the suspenseful situation; I felt Courtney’s panic and distress, as well as the loving moments between mother and child. Poor Jared! What a dreadful thing it is for him, yet he doesn’t hesitate a second to help Courtney, even while it resurrects so much grief, on top of problems he’s having with his neighbours. I loved how Jared slowly bonded with Dylan, those were precious moments indeed. I’m not a fan of “surprise babies” or children in romances, but I think what worked here is that Courtney behaved like a mother; Dylan was not just a prop. COWBOY’S SECRET SON is a terrific suspense novel, but what surprised me is that I learned some interesting facts, especially pertaining to cattle! The suspense is intense, and the romance beautifully realistic; nothing was rushed, and the attraction and affection between Jared and Courtney is palpable. I hope Robin Perini as something planned for Léon at some point in time, because he’s a fascinating dude! I give 4 ½ stars