Cowboy in the Crosshairs

Dreamspun Desires, Book 53

By: BA Tortuga

Narrated by: Dorian Bane

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A Turquoise, New Mexico, story.

Once upon a time, a prince lived in a magical kingdom called Turquoise, New Mexico.

Well, really, TJ is a small-town police chief. Every Friday, he holds court in the diner with the local holy roller, the art colonists, and the horsey people. But the Benes, who own the rodeo company, keep to themselves. TJ knows because he was once hot and heavy with the oldest Bene son.

When Wacey Bene gets trampled by a remuda and comes home to heal, he’s none too happy to run into TJ or his two little boys and their momma. The story might end there - if it wasn’t for some pesky bastard trying to kill Wacey.

The law steps in, and the townsfolk are cross about somebody messing with one of their own.

But once the bad guy is put away, can TJ and Wacey make their place in this wild and eccentric town a permanent one?

©2018 BA Tortuga (P)2018 Dreamspinner Press

3.5 Stars

The Benes are cowboy rodeo royalty (Hold on - I need a moment to wonder at the kind of person who would actually name their children Wacey, Lacey, Macey, and Kacey. Okay, moment over.) who usually handle their own problems without involving local police, but when it becomes apparent that oldest son Wacey is the target of increasingly more dangerous attacks the chief of police gets involved.

Thing is, Wacey and police chief TJ Cook are already well acquainted. Ten or so years ago, Wacey and TJ were hot and heavy, but TJ, being young and dumb, ruined the best thing in his life because he was afraid of coming out and he wanted a family and thought being with Wacey meant he couldn't have that. Wacey, heartbroken, left town and they haven't seen or spoken to each other since. TJ eventually married, had two kids, then came out, and divorced but he and his ex, Monica, are still close and have an easy time co-parenting.

Cowboy in the Crosshairs begins with TJ getting the news of an accident that nearly killed Wacey and that he is returning home to recuperate. The two are still mad at each other, even after all these years (hello pent up sexual frustration!), and sparks fly the first time they're in the same space together.

You see, TJ never got over the love of his life, and is mad at Wacey for leaving and staying away so long. Wacey never got over TJ, and is mad because TJ ruined their relationship. But after more things happen to Wacey that keep bringing them together, it's not long before their relationship reignites and progresses quickly back to love.

The plots of the story (the romance and the mystery) are not really explored deeply, which on the bright side means there's not a lot of unnecessary angst, but on the other hand, it means we really don't get to delve into their original relationship, or really even their new relationship, or the mystery/suspense focusing on who is after Wacey and why. I would have liked a little more background and depth to all the moving parts and people because it felt like this only skimmed the surface. I personally felt like the mystery and suspense of waiting to see who was behind it all was well paced, but the how and why was a bit of a weak point.

Dorian Bane does a good job with the narration, his performance includes easily discernible character voices and an easy pace. Bane conveys the frustration of TJ and Wacey not being able to figure out who's behind the attacks on Wacey well, and I loved his narration voice and the female character voices. My only complaint about the audio is I wish Bane had given Wacey a deeper voice, but that's a personal preference because I love Dorian Bane's deeper character voices.

Cowboy in the Crosshairs is a second chance romance, that's surprisingly low angst considering the subject matter, with a dual POV, some suspense, light steam, a happy ending, and good narration. If you're looking for a light, fun, second chance romance, with some mystery, and you love cowboys and men with those fabulous drawls - check it out!

Cowboy, Sheriffs, mystery and romance!

I love Dorian Bane. He did an awesome job with both a cowboy voice and a softer voice for Wacey. Though I admit at first I thought the deep cowboy voice was Wacey and the other was TJ. But once I figured it out and got the descriptions it worked for me.

Wacey has gotten hurt and has to come home from the rodeo to heal from an accident where he was nearly trampled to death by the horses after a sound like a car backfiring.

TJ Is the sheriff and is angry at Wacey from running away when they were teens, though back then he didn't know what he wanted besides a normal life with kids and a home.

Ten years later TJ is divorced with two boys he loves but seeing Wacy brings back feelings only Wacey could give him. Now it's apparent someone is trying to kill Wacey, but who and why?

I liked this story but I love me some sexy cowboys, lawmen and second chances and I got it here. Toss in a couple of cute kids and it's even better. This book is in the Dreamspun Desires line so you know you will get a good story on a trope and not a lot of sex. So if you are looking for a lot of on-page sex this may not be for you.

My only issue was the mystery which I didn't figure it out kinda ended suddenly and I had some questions left unanswered. other than that I loved the book and can't wait for more in this series.

If you like a touch of mystery, hot cowboys, sexy sheriff, second chances and cute kids this is a lot of fun to read.