Texas Bombshell: A Second-Chance Western Romance

by Cynthia D'Alba

When every step feels like it's a minefield...
Can they get a second chance on love or will their future blow up in their face?

After growing up in Maine and serving time in the military, Sheriff Marc Singer is content to be settled in Whispering Springs. He’s reconnected with his extended Montgomery family living in that area of Texas. He loves his job, his life, and his town, Sure, he’s almost forty with no wife or children, but he’s comfortable with his quiet life. He's had one marriage...and divorce...to the love of his life. That was traumatic enough for him that he isn’t looking to repeat the experience. When a teen girl shows up on his doorstep claiming to be his daughter, the bombshell announcement blows open doors he’d thought long shut.

Dr. Jennifer Winslow Singer Tate always regretted that her first marriage to her high school boyfriend ended in divorce, but they were young and impulsive. Emotions were explosive. Their fights were legendary. But the sex had been hot enough to burn the sheets. The next time she married, she chose a sedate, calm, rational man. Their life had no major highs and no major lows and she found her professional life fulfilling in ways her personal life wasn’t. Now a widow with a smart and gifted teenager daughter, she’s not looking for another ride on the merry-go-round of marriage. When her daughter flees to Texas to find the man she believes is her biological father, Jenn must face her ex-husband and some possible hard truths.

Thrown together sixteen years after their divorce, Marc and Jenn must face the possibility that one night of passion after their divorce might have produced a daughter. But as they present a united front to the runaway teen, will they find the desire they once had still burns inside? Can a divorced couple go home again?

Genres: Romance

322 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2023

About the author

Born and raised in Arkansas. After wandering the world for 17 years (okay, it was Memphis, but it felt like another world!), I've made it home again. I live in a small vine covered cottage on the shores of a 8,000 acre lake with 2 dogs, a bitchy parrot and my fisherman husband. Live is good.

Reviews

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed emotions about this book. On one hand these two made me a believer that there is such a thing as a second chance to be (properly) loved after spending 16 years apart. The part that annoys me was the fact that despite being a mature woman, Jenn was fighting her feelings and not coming to terms with them rationally, which left a little sour taste to be honest.

I absolutely adored Chloe. That girl was sassy, smart and funny. She was the glue that held them together while they figured out their lives. I loved Marc's protectiveness of them both. He understood that this was his shot and he went all in to get it. Jenn needed a minute but at the end she came to her senses and saw that if she wanted to be happy, she could be but she had to be brave and reach for it.

This story was entertaining and heartfelt (with a few bumps) and I found a new author to add to my list to read.

*** Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one has come to expect from this author, this novel grabbed my attention from the opening chapters, hooking me right into the lives of the residents of Whispering Springs and their Sherrif. Marc has an uncomfortable feeling about the cattle rustling taking place in his county but is not able to put his finger on the problem. With ranchers braying for justice, he is hard-pressed to find answers to the conundrum. He is also aware that a surprise party has been arranged for him by his extended family and trying to figure out where and when it will take place keeps him guessing. He is taken by surprise, but even more so when a teenage girl drops the bombshell of a lifetime at the party. Fifteen-year-old Chloe stands toe to toe with Marc, demanding that he stand up and take responsibility for the daughter he never knew he had. Years of experience prevent Marc from making rash decisions, but it does force him to make contact with his ex-wife, the only real love of his life, and the one he left behind when their divorce was made final. The appearance of Jenn on the scene, mainly to retrieve her recalcitrant daughter, stirs up old feelings. Chloe immediately connects with her biological father and family, finding more in common with them than the family she thought she had, forcing Jenn and Marc to face up to the past and the choices they made. With Jenn determined to resume life as she knows it, it takes a confrontation with the cattle thieves and a potential disaster to bring the couple back together again. There is an underlying thread of suspense running through the novel, and a couple of exes wanting to make their voices heard, but the novel does come to a lovely conclusion, bringing healing and resolution of family tensions. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Roberta (Always Behind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc Singer is Sheriff in the county that contains his hometown of Whispering Springs, Texas. It's his birthday so he knows there will be a surprise party. He's just not sure where it will be located. There is a big surprise at his party after all. A teenage girl has shown up looking specifically for him.
The girl is Chloe, the teenaged daughter of his ex-wife, who he never knew about. Right after their divorce, Jenny, his ex, married a nice man named David. David has passed away from a genetic disease. Chloe thinks Marc may be her father after doing some DNA testing. Chloe has driven all the way from Michigan on her own even though she is not quite old enough to be a licensed driver. Chloe's mother is far away, but makes the long trip to Texas to see about her daughter.
Jenny has not been back to the small town of Whispering Springs since she left all those years ago. She finally consents to doing paternity testing for Marc and Chloe to see if Marc can really be the father? If he is, what will the future hold for them all.
Even though this is the 11th book in a series it works quite well on its own. There are story lines involving other family members from both Marc's and Jenny's side. There is plenty of drama and suspense along the way. If you want a romance as hot as summer in Texas, this is definitely the book for you. Second chance romance is definitely one of my favorite tropes. The characters are usually a little bit older and have plenty of baggage from the past that makes for a compelling, entertaining reading experience. Author Cynthia D'Alba is lots of fun in person and adds that humor into her plots also.
Cynthia D'Alba has become one of my favorite authors in recent years. If you try her tales, I'm sure you'll become a huge fan, too.

[Storied Conversation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Marc Singer receives a surprise on his birthday, one in the form of an uninvited guest revealing herself to be his long-lost daughter. One complication he doesn’t need on top of all the others is that her mother is his ex-wife. When Jenny Tate discovers that her daughter has driven down from up north and declared Marc as her father, she returns from overseas to try and tackle this ongoing problem.

Being a widow with an intelligent child, she’s forced to face a multitude of emotions she wanted to avoid, including the paternity of her daughter and her lingering affections for Marc. Together, they traverse the path they started many moons ago, not sure if where it’ll take them.

The characters in this story were captivating–Marc and Jenny’s journeys across past and present made for splendid reading; Chloe brought plenty of teenager angst with humor; while the extended family added warmth and love as they assist these two ex-lovers reach their happy ending. It was a delightful read.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review was originally posted on Storied Conversation

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Bombshell is the first book I have read by Cynthia D'Alba. I thought this was a charming western second-chance romance with a few twists and turns along the way. This book is part of a bigger series called Whispering Springs, Texas, and I can't wait to read them all. I enjoyed the storyline; it was original, angsty, and had a good dose of drama. I would have liked to have read about what happened with certain characters in the book, and the ending did feel a little rushed. The characters were complex, witty, and had chemistry. I loved all the character's backstories and look forward to checking out the other books in this series.

I loved Marc and Jenny in this book. They were the perfect opposites attract couple. Jenny was independent, stubborn, and accomplished in her career. Marc was the knight in shining spurs in this book. He is loyal, successful, and just as stubborn as Jenny. I loved their chemistry and the push and pull they experienced throughout this book. Their spiciness in this book was through the roof. He was the law inside and outside the bedroom. Both characters had my heart breaking, saying noooooo, and fist-pumping for both of the main characters.

I can't wait to see what is up next in this little town of Whispering Springs, Texas.- Brooke

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherriff Marc Singer is surprised by more than a party for his birthday, but by a uninvited guest who made an announcement to the world that she was her long-lost daughter. This is one complication he doesn't need in a host of others. When he finds out that her mother is his ex-wife that is another complication, because he has never fallen out of love with Jenny.

When Jenny Tate finds out that her daughter has driven to Texas from up north and tells the world that Marc is her father. She comes in from an overseas trip and must get to the bottom of this problem. She is now a widow with this smarter-than-smart daughter, and she has to confront a lot of feelings she never wanted to have to deal with. One being the paternity of her daughter and the other those feelings for Marc.

Marc and Jenny will travel a path they started many years ago, but don’t know where that path will lead them.

I like the characters in this story. Marc and Jenny’s past and present made for some wonderful reading. And Chloe’ brought a lot of teenage angst and humor and all the extended family brought warmth and love of family and friends as they help to guide these two former lovers to a happy ever after. The story was a delightful read.

4 Stars

I was given an ARC of this book for my honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW Do I ever love this series, even though I started in the middle, I’ve already gone back and ordered the first few I missed. Yes, the series is just that good. Texas Bombshell is a 2nd chance small town romance with a few “bombshell” twists. Lost years, fear of losing another loved one, shock of finding out you might be the dad to a teenage girl and those are just the tip of the iceberg with this book. The author gave us an outstanding storyline that just kept getting more intense and exciting chapter after chapter. I found I read 80% of the book in just one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down. I would've finished it but I had to get at least a few hours of sleep - again, Yes, it’s just that good.

The synopsis above pretty much gives you the gist of the storyline but trust me there is so much more. I can’t recommend Texas Bombshell and the Whispering Springs Series enough. If you like small town romance with a close family vibe with a lot of fun and excitement thrown in - Grab this one up - You won’t regret it. As for this reader I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Whispering Springs Texas.

2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shocking revelation from a teenager during his not-so-secret surprise birthday party has Sheriff Marc Singer almost speechless. When that teenager claims he is her biological father, Marc has to call his ex-wife to ask her if she has something to tell him.

I thoroughly enjoyed the reunion of Marc and Jenny, and Marc’s introduction to fatherhood with a teenage genius. The story is told from both Marc and Jenny’s POV which helped me to understand why despite a tremendous amount of love for each other these two had ended up divorced 16 years prior.

The main characters are interesting and the appearances of several characters from previous books added to the enjoyment. The storyline is engaging and entertaining with just enough drama and angst to keep a reader’s attention, but not so much to be over the top. The story moves at a quick pace with an interesting couple of side stories to add extra flavor - secret rooms, cattle rustling and a teenage genius.

I received a free ARC from the author and 1852 Media; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[Curly Bibliophagist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Marc Singer is tired. He's in the middle of a big cattle rustling investigation and all he wants to do is go home. But its his birthday and he knows that his family has a surprise party planned for him because that's just how they are. But there was a family dinner the night before and he's sure it was just to throw him off the track. There is an elaborate set-up on his way home. But nothing can beat the surprise guest at his party. The one that he never knew existed... His 15 year old daughter.

Marc, his ex (don't be mad at her, she didn't know it was his baby) and his daughter spend together while Marc and his daughter get to know one another. There is a rehab of an old ranch house and the rustling case to solve too.

His daughter, Chloe, is a really cute kid and a great character as a child prodigy with a lot of normal teen behavior. There are plenty of characters from previous books but you absolutely do not have to have read those books to read this one. This was an easy read with a lot feels and excitement.

[Kelly Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checks a lot of my trope boxes! Can't go wrong with Texas Bombshell.

I absolutely love Marc, Jenn, Chloe,and all the extended family! Cynthia D'Alba wrote the story in such a way that I not only fell into the story, I felt like I was a part of the action. I read multiple genres and tropes so to find a book that checks a lot of my trope boxes and I love is a rare find. Texas Bombshell will be added to my reread list!

D'Alba was able to create a location and characters that you can not only vividly picture but fall in love with at the same time. I want every single one of the characters to have a storyline. That's how much I love the characters and invested in their futures. The antagonists were perfect for the story. They were the ones you really dislike when all is said and done. You have a little bit of a mystery involving some cattle wrestling which for me was mapped out and resolved within the plot well.

Don't pass up this gem of a story. I hope you love it as much as I do.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 11th book in this incredible series, and this is Marc, Jennifer, and Chloe’s story. Marc is ex-military and is the new sheriff in Whispering Springs, and he is content with his quiet life, and after his divorce from the love of his life, he is not looking for relationships. Jennifer is a doctor, with a teenage daughter, Chloe, but she is now a widow, and one of her biggest regrets was her divorce. When Chloe arrives on Marc’s doorstep looking for her biological father, he is shocked.
This is a well written story which is an emotional roller coaster, with undeniable chemistry, regrets, family, friendships, challenges, romance, second chances, and love, which leads to an entertaining, haunting, unpredictable, and heartfelt steamy page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader’s copy of the Texas Bombshell & loved it until the end. Cynthia needed to write a couple of more chapters to tell how we got to the end instead of one sentence in the final chapter to explain. We miss 4 months of this love story, & I would’ve loved to read more.
The Sheriff is thrown a surprise birthday party by his family & is really surprised to learn he may have a teenage daughter. She’s driven from Michigan to Texas to confront him only to learn he knew nothing about her. Next comes mom from a work trip in Amsterdam & they learn she suspected he was the father, but wasn’t sure. The conception happened after a final goodbye the day of their divorce 16 years earlier.
Will these two rekindle their love or just coparent their teenage daughter.
Cynthia D’Alba rights good cowboy romance stories, but I wish she had given us a little more on this book.

[Katherine Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texas Bombshell: WOW! It was full of excitement, surprises, heat and romance! The sheriff was enjoying his life in Whispering Springs. Marc loved being around family and make sure crime was kept under control. He was married very young but he felt like he was not smart enough compared to Jennifer the love of his life. He had a feeling that his family was going to do something big for his 40th. When ever something over the radio he thought that it was there way of planning the surprise. Then he realize that it wasn't so stop to get carry out and he would just spend it at home. It was a great story! I loved it was a second chance romance. Cynthia D'Alba never lets her readers down.

[Pamela Devereux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Marc Singer life has become staid and through the grapevine, a surprise birthday party is in the making. The biggest surprise is that he might have a 15 year old daughter, who crashed the party. Chloe is super smart and she has a great argument. Dr. Jennifer Singer Tate is upset that her daughter took off. For the first time since their divorce, they are going to have to talk about what drove them apart. Also, they are going to need to talk about co-parenting their amazing daughter. Old feelings surface but what are they going to do about it. When the cattle rustling case comes to a head, Marc is shot. Old fears arise and Jenn runs. How far can you run when your heart isn't in it?

[Missi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Marc Singer is busy investigating cattle rustlers and doesn't have time for his surprise party he knows his family is throwing for him. But even his keen investigator skills doesn't anticipate a fifteen-year old girl named Chloe. His fifteen-year old. Now he needs to question his ex Jenn and his old feelings for her.

I loved returning to Whispering Springs. Once again Cynthia's creation of the characters is wonderful as well as their interactions with one another. The teenage angst of Chloe is spot on. The warmth and love by the extended family adds that special touch. I was invested in the relationship of Marc and Jenn both in the past and present.

[Karen Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

TEXAS BOMBSHELL by Cynthia D’Alba, Whispering Springs, Texas Book 11

At Sheriff Marc Singer’s surprise birthday party, a teenage girl drops a bombshell announcement that she was his daughter. Dr. Jennifer Winslow Singer Tate always regretted that her first marriage to her high school boyfriend ended in divorce, but thrown together sixteen years after their divorce, Marc and Jenn must face the possibility that one night of passion after their divorce might have produced a daughter.

When every step feels like it’s a minefield, will they get a second chance at love, or will their future blow up in their face? Find out in TEXAS BOMBSHELL by Cynthia D’Alba!

[Deb Fernow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done! Such style and depth to this story and the author never, ever disappoints! Life never goes as planned and Marc Singer knows that well. But he never expected his birthday to have such a surprise! Past love lost and no interest in a relationship again, he has to face that maybe the love wasn’t lost but pushed aside. Jenn returns for the summer with her daughter in tow to see if Marc can connect with his daughter. I loved how Jenn didn’t just fall at his feet and make his life easy! The requisite HEA but so very fun to see how it got to that point!

[Mary Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Texas Bombshell WHISPERING SPRINGS, TEXAS BOOK ELEVEN CYNTHIA D'ALBA

Once again you are back in Whispering Springs, Texas with the Montgomery family. This time Sheriff Marc Singer is given a big surprise at his birthday party which throws him for a loop. Jenn finds herself drawn back to her ex-husband which brings a lot of memories back to the forefront. Throw in a cattle rustling crime to be solved and you have another romantic suspense in the series. Characters who draw you into their lives from the beginning to end.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprise baby and second chances add in modern day cattle rustling and you have Texas Bombshell in a nutshell. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Sheriff Marc Singer’s world get shaken up by finding out that he has a 15 going on 16 year old daughter that he never knew existed. The girl is smarter than he is and brings his ex back into his world.
I enjoyed watching Marc’s life getting shook up a bit and watching him repair his relationship with the only woman he’s ever truly loved.
This book is filled with family, friends and love.

[Cindy Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved Marc and Jennifer’s story! I haven’t read all the books in this series, but I’m going to go and read them all! Marc thought he was living his best live until a daughter he didn’t know existed showed up to his surprise birthday party. This brings his ex wife back into his life. Their feelings come back into his life. Can they rekindle their relationship or will past hurts never be healed? I really enjoyed the journey the couple took to building their family!

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Bombshell is book 11 in the Whispering Springs, Texas series by Cynthia D’Alba and a great addition to this series. 4.5 stars

What happens when you get a surprise 40th birthday party and also get the shock of your life? Thinking about the past, emotions, secrets, second chances, passions run deep, mystery and maybe rekindle a lost love into a HEA…only time will tell…

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc and Jennifer married right out of high school but her College and his lack of learning led them to divorce, little did he know until his Surprise daughter showed up at his Surprise Birthday party! What a great read of how second chances can bring people back together! I read a bookfunnel beta copy and freely leave my opinion!

[Eileen McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Marc Singer thought he was happy and satisfied with his life until a young girl arrives and announces that she is his daughter. Marc, his ex wife Jenn and the 15 year old genius Chloe work to find their way ahead. This story is well written and well paced. I enjoyed the character development throughout, with some mystery and intrigue thrown in! A good read!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

You already know that you’re going to love this book when you see that heroine, Jenn, a doctor has on fire chemistry and past with a steamy sheriff. Throw in the drama, romance and some danger and it’s perfect. I really fell for the story and was on team Chloe all the way. The characters and suspense of the story were great.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful second-chance romance. The bombshell wasn't what I expected, which made the story even more fun. I did skip over the intimate scenes. A tear or two may have been shed, but they were happy tears. Thanks to the author for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temptation has nothing on heart. Texas Bombshell is the perfect combination of both. D'Alba pushes the boundaries of emotions with great characters, sizzling attraction and surprises that seem to never end. Marc and Jenn are like a sweet memory. Not easily forgotten and impossible to resist.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book with lots of drama and suspense thrown into the mix. Loved the passion between the two main characters who clearly never forgot their love for one another. The author nailed the typical teen with Chloe but then gave her the gift of added intelligence. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

[Pauline Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. The title doesn't give away the surprise that Marc received and from there the story line gets very interesting. All the characters were well developed and had plenty of emotion. The chemistry between Marc and Jenny was great.

[Ginny Rodenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Marc and Jen's story. Great way to find out you have a child!!! This is a great second chance love story!

[Rebecca A. Bamford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Loved this second chance at love romance. Everything from this author is great!