Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Review: The Texas Ranger by Diana Palmer


Book description

When Texas Ranger Marc Brannon returns to the line of duty, a high‐profile murder mystery pits him against a vibrant—and vulnerable—junior investigator from his past. Years ago, Josette Langley made no secret of the fact that she was desperately in love with the rugged lawman, and despite their differences, the rough‐hewn loner became drawn to the innocent young woman. Yet Marc and Josette parted on explosive terms when she made a shocking accusation that shattered both their lives.

Now they're back together again.... And this time, a lot more than just their hearts is at stake. The woman Marc once cherished is being targeted by a corrupt political figure who will stop at nothing to bury the truth. Can Marc and Josette set aside their stormy discord and see justice served—or will they both be caught in the crossfire?


My review


Before I get started on my review I wanted to let you know that the copy I'm reviewing is a copy I've had for years. It has a different cover than the one I found on Amazon and so I don't know if my edition and the newest edition are exactly the same. Anyway, I thought I might review some of the older books on my bookshelves that I've read years ago but really liked. I first read this book many years ago so a re-read was in order. This is one of my favorite authors for cowboy romance and I have a lot of her books. 

Sergeant Marc Brannon was working on a case and trying to tie a mob boss into a murder and finally get the guy in prison and lock him away. When he finds out he'll be working with Josette, he's not happy about it but deals with it. They parted on bad terms 2 years earlier but he's moved on, at least he thinks he has. 

Josette Langley just happens to get sent on the same murder case that Marc is working on. Their first meeting after a 2 year absence wasn't something she was looking forward to but she wasn't the soft spoken girl that Marc knew before. This Josette bites back and isn't about to let anyone walk all over her again. 

While these two used to be friends, they're little more than enemies right now. And even though Josette is still affected by Marc and he is as well by her, there's a lot of baggage between them. Marc hurt her emotionally and physically albeit accidentally because he didn't believe her. She has every right not to like or trust him and he kept trying to get a rise out of her or make her lose her cool. That part made me mad because Marc came off like a jackass sometimes. If he had just apologizes a lot sooner, I think I would have liked him a bit more than I did for the first half of the book. 

As they look into the murder and who could have motive to kill him, it becomes very apparent that someone doesn't like all the questions being asked. Josette and Marc become targets of someone who would rather this case be quietly pushed under a rug. But while they're working together trying to solve this murder, they start getting closer and the old feelings pop up for both of them...the good ones and the bad ones. 

I really liked seeing them move on from the past and start to get close again. The big reveal about who was targeting them and who was behind the murder was a great twist. I had a feeling that's who it would be but it was nice to see that I was right. If you're not paying close attention to the small details, you'll miss who it is until they figure it out and reveal it. 

This was a great murder mystery and a great romance. The pace of the story was great and kept me reading, wanting to know more and hoping they would find out some other juicy tidbit of information. 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

49 comments:

  1. I've heard of Diana Palmer and see she has a lot of books to her name. She's certainly a prolific writer though I've never read any of her books.

    I'm not a fan of second chance romances. Too much negative emotions from the past adding baggage to the story. A lot of people like the trope but it's not one for me. From the sounds of this one, I probably wouldn't enjoy Marc and Josette dealing with their past. Glad you enjoyed it though.

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    1. I really like second chance romance and enemies to lovers as well.

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  2. I would read this one :)
    Your cover is a bit dull

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  3. Great when a twist is had that one can enjoy.

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  4. You're right - Diana Palmer has been writing books for a long time, and I have a ton of her books, some on the shelf, and some in the pile. She's a really good writer, and I enjoy the way she tells a romance story, normally. But I'm not absolutely sure I would go for the second chance at love, so I'm a little on the fence with this one. Glad it was a winner for you though. Hugs...

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    1. She was the first romance author I ever read.

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  5. I love that you're revisiting books that you loved. I love to do that (and have been doing it a lot lately). I don't always review them when I revisit, but sometimes I do. I think it is great to bring attention to older books too. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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  6. Must be an intriguing one to read and the cover is nice. Greetings!

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  7. Palmer is right up there with authors like Linda Lael Miller for Queen Bees in Cowboy Romance. There's just something "real" about characters like this. Thanks for sharing a review of your re-read Mary.

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    1. I agree, she does cowboy romance really well.

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  8. I'm interested to try this one. Great review Mary :)

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  9. I need to add this to my TBR :)

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  10. I used to love reading her books but then one day I noticed my husband was around the age of the hero and my daughter was close to the age of the heroine and it was over for me. It was just to weird. Ha!

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  11. This sounds like a good, all around story. Glad you dusted this one off and reviewed it on the blog. :)

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  12. Oh neat! Love seeing you reviewing an older book from your shelf and that you still feel the same way about it. I still need to read a Diana Palmer book and don't know why I haven't yet since I like romantic murder mysteries.

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    1. I think you'd really like her books.

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  13. Gotta love those Texas Rangers!

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  14. oh a good romance as well as a good mystery? that's great!

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  15. It sounds like the kind of book I would read. Good review. .it sounds better than reading the Game Of Thrones. It's a real drag..

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    1. I tried watching game of thrones and didn't care for it.

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  16. Love a good mystery thriller with a dash of romance to boot. This sounds fun. :D

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    1. The two together make a great story.

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  17. I came across this book, but thanks for putting it on my radar again!

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  18. I love it when you find a good book on your own shelf. This sounds like a good mystery and I haven't read one in a while.

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    1. It was good but I love this author.

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  19. She's a very prolific author.

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  20. This sounds a good romantic suspense.

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  21. I remember when I worked in a bookstore 20 years ago, we sold a lot of Diana Palmer books. I haven't read her work since I gravitate more towards Stephen King type of writing, but sometimes a good romance/mystery is something a girl needs to read. I'll keep this one tucked away in my mind for a rainy day.

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  22. I recognized the author, but haven't tried her and I do love my cowboys. I added this to my list!

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  23. 4 out of 5 !
    Nice review.

    All the best Jan

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  24. Looks like a great read. Great review. I haven't read her before, but I know of her books. Love me some cowboys. :) ~Aleen

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