Jessa Wells, Assistant District Attorney, is determined to close an old case, a murder in which the prime suspect is the estranged mother of the local sheriff, Cooper McKinnon. But when her two-year-old adopted son, Liam, is badly injured in a hit-and-run accident that forces her car off the road, he needs a blood donation from the only person locally that shares his rare blood type--Cooper McKinnon.

Cooper McKinnon's wife and six-week-old son were killed in a flood two years ago, and while his wife's body was found, their baby's body never was. Could Liam be his lost son Cameron?

Jessa and Cooper are at war with each other over her prosecution of his mother--not because he's worried about the mother that abandoned him, his brothers, and their father, but because his mother will fight and his father is the next most likely suspect in the murder of of her lover. Now they have a new source of conflict in the possibility that Liam might be Cameron, illegally adopted to her. But then someone tries to kidnap or kill Liam from the hospital, and Jessa and Cooper have to work together to protect the child that means everything to both of them.

There are a number of logic failures in the plot, including Jessa and Cooper's belief that the Bad Guys, who have already tried to kill Liam, won't shoot at the car they're in if they believe Liam is in it. That's not the worst one, but the worst one would be a spoiler.

Nevertheless, the characters are solid, and the pacing is excellent. Despite the logic failures in the plot, Cooper and Jessa mostly avoid being stupid for the sake of the plot or dramatic conflict. They both feel strongly that this little boy is their own, but they also both have respect for the other's commitment to him, and are adult enough to rationally work together for his safety.

I forgive the plot logic failures. This is an enjoyable read.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

I truly enjoyed this book and the beginning of a great series!

Written about an love that seemed like it could never be.

The McKinnon family's lives are about to be turned upside down. Cooper McKinnon's estranged mom, sisters and adopted brother show up all because of one woman! Jessa Wells. She is the ADA that is prosecuting his mother for a murder from over 25 years ago. The McKinnon brothers vow to not like Jessa, but once a call to the hospital reveals there might be more to her adopted son. Cooper has Jessa and Liam stay at the ranch since their three lives are now in danger.

It several side stories and (those seem to be continuing throughout the rest of the series.)
( )

In Fossen’s romantic suspense novel, Texas Sheriff Cooper McKinnon lost his son years ago and now saving another boy’s life just reopens those painful wounds he thought were gone. The truth is that this child could be his son and standing in his way is the adoptive mother, DA Jessa Wells. While Jessa would do anything to keep her son, she has no choice but to team with the attractive sheriff to keep the boy safe. But in keeping her son safe, she may also be ensuring a life without him.

A Texas lawman, a sexy DA, and a child they’ll both risk everything to save—what a wonderful kick-off to the Sweetwater Ranch series. ( )

Good book and excellent setup for the series. It starts out with Cooper rushing to the hospital to be a blood donor for a little boy with the same rare blood type he has. It doesn't matter that the boy's mother is his adversary in their professional lives. Jessa is the new ADA who is reopening an unsolved murder case in which his estranged mother is the prime suspect. Cooper doesn't care so much about the effect on his mother, but he does care about what it might do to his father and two brothers.

Getting a good look at Jessa's son Liam has Cooper seeing ghosts. The little boy could be the son he lost in a flood two years ago, whose body was never found. Before they can deal with that possibility they need to find out who keeps trying to kidnap or kill Liam and why they are doing it. The deeper they dig the more questions they have. They also discover that the sparks of their professional lives have kindled sparks of a different kind in their personal lives.

Cooper is still grieving for his lost family, but the thought that Liam could be his provides a light in the darkness. The attraction he's feeling for Jessa is an unwelcome development, given their positions on the prosecution of his mother. As much as he tries to resist, the intensity of their situation has their emotions running high and he starts to see her as more than just his adversary. When Jessa is put in a dangerous situation Cooper realizes he wants more than just to protect his son's new mother.

Jessa is wary of getting involved with the forceful sheriff. She survived an abusive marriage that has her cautious about getting too close to another man. Discovering that her son may also be Cooper's missing son has her terrified that she could lose him. That fear is always at the back of her mind as she and Cooper race to discover who is behind the attempts on their lives. She shows an incredible amount of strength and determination as she refuses to be left behind in the investigation. Spending all that time with Cooper shows her that he's a man she can trust her life and her heart to.

There are several storylines going in this book. The one that it seems will run the course of the series is the accusation of murder against Cooper's mother. She has come back to Sweetwater Springs to face those charges. Cooper, his two brothers and their father are not happy to see her. She abandoned them many years earlier, taking her twin daughters with her. With her return she has brought those daughters and her stepson, who are determined to prove her innocent. The twin daughters of Rosalie have been kidnapped and she suspects ties to the adoption ring.

The main one is that of Liam's identity and who is behind the attempts on his life. That mystery is solved by the end of the book, with plenty of twists and turns to keep us guessing as to who was really behind it. It all ties in to what appears to be a ring involving illegal adoptions.

There is an underlying theme of the importance of family. Cooper and his brothers and father are all united in their determination to protect their family. Jewel's return threatens their peace. I liked the obvious love and respect among the brothers and their father and how they are ready to back up Cooper when he needs it. The two sisters are very different personalities and definitely have a negative attitude toward the guys. Their stepbrother is still something of an enigma, but I'm sure we'll get to know him more. I did like the way that they stepped up in support during the trouble. I'll be interested in learning more about them. ( )