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E.J. Kane Mystery #2
Draw a Hard Line
A racist killer uses the resources of his Aryan gang to falsify an innocence claim, intending to use fraudulent evidence to gain his release from prison. Only the original trial team, cowboy detective E.J. Kane and his former prosecutor ex-wife Rebecca Johnson, refuse to surrender to injustice. An unrelated suicide holds the key to unraveling a massive conundrum of DNA evidence.
Meanwhile, their daughter faces the stark consequences of drug addiction and continued victimization from sex trafficking. E.J. will have to battle a corrupt sheriff, an army of white supremacist, the legendary Big Thicket National Preserve, and a startling revelation about his past dishonor.
The fast-paced modern world of changing social norms forces E.J. Kane to question the traditional codes of his heritage. He must embrace truth and reject false values to draw the hard lines necessary to forge the future.
Meanwhile, their daughter faces the stark consequences of drug addiction and continued victimization from sex trafficking. E.J. will have to battle a corrupt sheriff, an army of white supremacist, the legendary Big Thicket National Preserve, and a startling revelation about his past dishonor.
The fast-paced modern world of changing social norms forces E.J. Kane to question the traditional codes of his heritage. He must embrace truth and reject false values to draw the hard lines necessary to forge the future.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2024
6 people are currently reading
1854 people want to read
About the author
Micheal E. Jimerson
4 books62 followersBiography
Micheal E. Jimerson lives with his wife, Mona, and son, David, on the family farm where he was raised in East Texas. Mona runs Simply Southern, a catering business. David keeps both his parents on the baseball field most of the year
Micheal graduated from the Baylor University School of Law in 1993. Thereafter, he entered private practice. He concentrated on personal injury, civil litigation, and criminal defense. Pro Bono work for the local women’s center led him to be elected office as County and District Attorney.
The privilege to serve as an elected prosecutor has led to many jury trials, accolades, and documentaries, but more important it has provided an opportunity to witness the timeless values, faith, and courage of ordinary people facing down exceptional evil every day.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 28, 2024
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.
DRAW A HARD LINE by author Michael E. Jimerson is a novel that follows the life of a former Texas Ranger named E.J. Kane who has the weight of the world on his shoulders; his wife will never forgive him for the death of his son and has blamed him unfairly for the choice his son made in joining the armed forces, his daughter is a drug addict hopelessly lost in her dependency and cannot be trusted to be truthful about anything and excels at manipulation to feed her need.
On top of all of that, he has had to live with the black mark on his reputation for a case that ended in tragedy with him getting sole blame for it.
E.J. not only has to deal with the struggles of his personal life, things get more difficult when he is reluctantly assigned to unofficially investigating a case involving white supremacy and human trafficking in addition to control of the drug trafficking in the area that goes hand in hand with human trafficking by keeping prostitutes dependent on them to supply their drug addiction.
Rebecca is not only E.J.’s ex-wife, but the prosecutor he has to work with on the case and while she is very good at her job and is professional her demeanor towards him as it relates to the case, she never misses an opportunity to blame him for their son’s death.
Someone that E.J. also has to deal with is a sheriff he grew up with who also never fails to insult and blame him for the tragedy that resulted in his removal as a U.S. marshal.
Author Jimerson has written a good novel that takes place in the Big Thicket in Texas that has spawned several good novels and adds to the story, and while I did enjoy this novel the constant abuse E.J. was subjected to grew tiresome, especially the irrational hatred of his ex-wife and the blame for his son’s death which along with his daughter and the sheriff in the story constantly insulting him just added to portions of the book strong emphasis on this.
4 stars.
DRAW A HARD LINE by author Michael E. Jimerson is a novel that follows the life of a former Texas Ranger named E.J. Kane who has the weight of the world on his shoulders; his wife will never forgive him for the death of his son and has blamed him unfairly for the choice his son made in joining the armed forces, his daughter is a drug addict hopelessly lost in her dependency and cannot be trusted to be truthful about anything and excels at manipulation to feed her need.
On top of all of that, he has had to live with the black mark on his reputation for a case that ended in tragedy with him getting sole blame for it.
E.J. not only has to deal with the struggles of his personal life, things get more difficult when he is reluctantly assigned to unofficially investigating a case involving white supremacy and human trafficking in addition to control of the drug trafficking in the area that goes hand in hand with human trafficking by keeping prostitutes dependent on them to supply their drug addiction.
Rebecca is not only E.J.’s ex-wife, but the prosecutor he has to work with on the case and while she is very good at her job and is professional her demeanor towards him as it relates to the case, she never misses an opportunity to blame him for their son’s death.
Someone that E.J. also has to deal with is a sheriff he grew up with who also never fails to insult and blame him for the tragedy that resulted in his removal as a U.S. marshal.
Author Jimerson has written a good novel that takes place in the Big Thicket in Texas that has spawned several good novels and adds to the story, and while I did enjoy this novel the constant abuse E.J. was subjected to grew tiresome, especially the irrational hatred of his ex-wife and the blame for his son’s death which along with his daughter and the sheriff in the story constantly insulting him just added to portions of the book strong emphasis on this.
4 stars.
May 12, 2024
This was another book that I had received from the author, his publishing company and the fine folks at Net Galley in return for an honest review.
The premise of this novel is that the protagonist, a former Texas Ranger by the name of E.J Kane is called into action and asked to reinvestigate one of his former cases when a racist killer uses the resources of his Aryan gang to falsify an innocence claim, intending to use fraudulent evidence to gain his release from prison. Only the original trial team, cowboy detective E.J. Kane and his former prosecutor ex-wife Rebecca Johnson, refuse to surrender to injustice. An unrelated suicide holds the key to unraveling a massive problem of DNA evidence.
Meanwhile, their daughter faces the stark consequences of drug addiction and continued victimization from sex trafficking. E.J. will have to battle a corrupt sheriff, an army of white supremacists, the legendary Big Thicket National Preserve, and a startling revelation about his past dishonor. This character-driven novel is just as much a tale of family troubles as it is a mystery. A familiar story of meth addiction affectingly spills across the pages, as does the pain of a divorce that one side doesn't want, in addition to the problems of aging.
Jimerson's protagonist is a multi-faceted, decorated hero with a complicated past and his own personal and professional demons as he works to outsmart a cunning enemy. Dealing with the trauma of his son's death and his daughter's drug addiction, Kane is movingly divided between his professional obligations and the impossible hope of righting the wrongs in his personal life. Jimerson seamlessly incorporates gritty violence, bursts of action, and an unsettling feeling of not being sure who to trust with compelling glimpses of Kane's home life and personal relationships.
I had initially expressed interest in the title based purely on the title and the cover (this fits the definition of "the raccoon principle"). This book would likely be a favourite for readers who enjoy investigative thrillers. However when I read this book, I found it to be a bit of a struggle to read (this may be due to not being previously familiar with this author or his protagonist) and would personally only be able to give this book three stars out of five.
As with all of my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents worth.
The premise of this novel is that the protagonist, a former Texas Ranger by the name of E.J Kane is called into action and asked to reinvestigate one of his former cases when a racist killer uses the resources of his Aryan gang to falsify an innocence claim, intending to use fraudulent evidence to gain his release from prison. Only the original trial team, cowboy detective E.J. Kane and his former prosecutor ex-wife Rebecca Johnson, refuse to surrender to injustice. An unrelated suicide holds the key to unraveling a massive problem of DNA evidence.
Meanwhile, their daughter faces the stark consequences of drug addiction and continued victimization from sex trafficking. E.J. will have to battle a corrupt sheriff, an army of white supremacists, the legendary Big Thicket National Preserve, and a startling revelation about his past dishonor. This character-driven novel is just as much a tale of family troubles as it is a mystery. A familiar story of meth addiction affectingly spills across the pages, as does the pain of a divorce that one side doesn't want, in addition to the problems of aging.
Jimerson's protagonist is a multi-faceted, decorated hero with a complicated past and his own personal and professional demons as he works to outsmart a cunning enemy. Dealing with the trauma of his son's death and his daughter's drug addiction, Kane is movingly divided between his professional obligations and the impossible hope of righting the wrongs in his personal life. Jimerson seamlessly incorporates gritty violence, bursts of action, and an unsettling feeling of not being sure who to trust with compelling glimpses of Kane's home life and personal relationships.
I had initially expressed interest in the title based purely on the title and the cover (this fits the definition of "the raccoon principle"). This book would likely be a favourite for readers who enjoy investigative thrillers. However when I read this book, I found it to be a bit of a struggle to read (this may be due to not being previously familiar with this author or his protagonist) and would personally only be able to give this book three stars out of five.
As with all of my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents worth.
April 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley as well as Author Michael Jimerson for an audio arc of this title.
I stumbled across this book when needing something to listen to whilst waiting approval of other titles as it was a “listen to now” title.
Overall I found the book enjoyable and the titular character likable.
My biggest challenge was with the narration. Not knowing anything about the author before starting this book I made mention to my husband that I felt like I was listening to a lawyer read my book to me as it didn’t sound like typical audio readers. His heavy drawl made some words hard to understand as well.
So I looked up the reader and realized it was the author as this was independently published and that he was indeed an attorney! Now for part of the book that back ground was well suited. The prose was very believable from a systematic standpoint. You could feel that the author had experience with criminals. So that was very much appreciated as it wasn’t cliched or even resorting to over used tropes.
But on the other hand the narration at times was flat and preachy where it made you disconnect from the book. I don’t want to dampen things too much as it’s a decent book from an independent author. It’s better than some others that had full backing of big publishing houses.
I just put my finger on it. The novel comes across like a true story that was fictionalized or a decent Lifetime Movie. The chapters don’t flow into one another. There is a disconnect.
Lastly, some parts didn’t sit well with me as they came off slightly offensively. Such as the use of Indian over Native American (which was character driven so it gets a pass) or the portrayal of Reacher (which was really where my uncomfortableness lies)
All in all it’s a decent story that has a targeted audience, especially those who thrive on Texas Crime stories.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea
⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was a decent read but nothing overly special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
I stumbled across this book when needing something to listen to whilst waiting approval of other titles as it was a “listen to now” title.
Overall I found the book enjoyable and the titular character likable.
My biggest challenge was with the narration. Not knowing anything about the author before starting this book I made mention to my husband that I felt like I was listening to a lawyer read my book to me as it didn’t sound like typical audio readers. His heavy drawl made some words hard to understand as well.
So I looked up the reader and realized it was the author as this was independently published and that he was indeed an attorney! Now for part of the book that back ground was well suited. The prose was very believable from a systematic standpoint. You could feel that the author had experience with criminals. So that was very much appreciated as it wasn’t cliched or even resorting to over used tropes.
But on the other hand the narration at times was flat and preachy where it made you disconnect from the book. I don’t want to dampen things too much as it’s a decent book from an independent author. It’s better than some others that had full backing of big publishing houses.
I just put my finger on it. The novel comes across like a true story that was fictionalized or a decent Lifetime Movie. The chapters don’t flow into one another. There is a disconnect.
Lastly, some parts didn’t sit well with me as they came off slightly offensively. Such as the use of Indian over Native American (which was character driven so it gets a pass) or the portrayal of Reacher (which was really where my uncomfortableness lies)
All in all it’s a decent story that has a targeted audience, especially those who thrive on Texas Crime stories.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea
⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was a decent read but nothing overly special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
November 10, 2025
I underestimated how much this book would stay with me. Firstly, this is book two in the series, and oh I want to read book one now. Secondly, it's not like any other books that I've read. This is classified western fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller.
I liked the characters and their relationships: they felt real. The story was solid and smart. It was an adult storyline and I was all in.
Prior commitments have me chomping at the bit to read White Gold (E.J. Kane Mystery #1) while simultaneously tapping my foot waiting on Jimerson to write and release book 3.
Goodreads Giveaway Kindle Win from March 2025.
I wholeheartedly recommend Draw A Hard Line, and will gift in a basket with cheese and a "bottle."
Read What I Own Challenge (x100).
I liked the characters and their relationships: they felt real. The story was solid and smart. It was an adult storyline and I was all in.
Prior commitments have me chomping at the bit to read White Gold (E.J. Kane Mystery #1) while simultaneously tapping my foot waiting on Jimerson to write and release book 3.
Goodreads Giveaway Kindle Win from March 2025.
I wholeheartedly recommend Draw A Hard Line, and will gift in a basket with cheese and a "bottle."
Read What I Own Challenge (x100).
April 29, 2024
Audio ARC received! Thank you, Micheal Jimerson!
September 9, 2024
This is a story that compares doing what’s right and legal versus doing what’s wrong and Illegal. What do you do when the sheriff is one of the bad guys? How do you react when a racist murderer gets out of prison by getting his gang to falsify evidence?
E.J. Kane carries a battered reputation as the Texas Ranger who failed to save his team. Disgraced and weary, he carries multiple burdens into this plot; health issues, a failed marriage, a son who died in battle, and a pregnant daughter fighting drug addiction. Now he comes face to face with an enormous dilemma. To do the right thing and find justice, he must fight the legal system and stay within the law.
As a former Ranger, he fights this battle with his former ex-wife and prosecutor, Rebecca Johnson, and a few friends who still believe in him. Together, they face up to an Aryan army and crooked lawmen to uncover the truth.
This story is framed by today's social and family struggles. It compels the reader to consider all aspects of societal and legal justice and compare them with the age-old standards of honor, truth, and fairness. It delicately blends the humor of everyday life with the horrors of murder, rape, and corruption. With multiple twists, turns, and surprises, the author merges numerous plotlines into a race for justice.
You feel the heat and humidity in the big thickets swamps of eastern Texas where E.J. draws a hard line in the sand and steps up to face the final battle with evil.
E.J. Kane carries a battered reputation as the Texas Ranger who failed to save his team. Disgraced and weary, he carries multiple burdens into this plot; health issues, a failed marriage, a son who died in battle, and a pregnant daughter fighting drug addiction. Now he comes face to face with an enormous dilemma. To do the right thing and find justice, he must fight the legal system and stay within the law.
As a former Ranger, he fights this battle with his former ex-wife and prosecutor, Rebecca Johnson, and a few friends who still believe in him. Together, they face up to an Aryan army and crooked lawmen to uncover the truth.
This story is framed by today's social and family struggles. It compels the reader to consider all aspects of societal and legal justice and compare them with the age-old standards of honor, truth, and fairness. It delicately blends the humor of everyday life with the horrors of murder, rape, and corruption. With multiple twists, turns, and surprises, the author merges numerous plotlines into a race for justice.
You feel the heat and humidity in the big thickets swamps of eastern Texas where E.J. draws a hard line in the sand and steps up to face the final battle with evil.
March 30, 2025
Draw a Hard Line won a Bronze Medallion in the 2025 Illumination Christian Book Awards for Christian Fiction
Use this link to Download White Gold for Free This is the 2024 version with bonus content from sequel.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/2u442e9wwg
Use this link to Download White Gold for Free This is the 2024 version with bonus content from sequel.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/2u442e9wwg
August 16, 2024
Micheal E. Jimerson writes his main character with a tough exterior, but as “Draw a Hard Line” quickly establishes, there’s more to E.J. than his hard outer shell. With feelings, love, and determination stuffed deep inside, E.J. faces some of his biggest challenges yet.
August 19, 2024
Ex-Ranger E.J. Kane returns in another explosive read by author Micheal E. Jimerson, “Draw a Hard Line,” An E.J. Kane Mystery. The very opening pages draw the reader in as E.J. reprises his role as head of security for Devekon Energy, overseeing the pipeline project that has our cowboy coming across a movie star chained to it. What this movie star didn’t account for was the bomb an extreme environmentalist also decided to protest with, a much more dangerous decision than that of her bolt cutter-proof chain missing the key she threw away in her moment of commitment to the cause.
After a quick, but dramatic rescue, E.J. is swept to the courtroom where his ex-wife Rebecca wiggles her way onto a DNA case, where a convicted murderer, Aryan leader, and masquerading as intellectually disabled D.H. Burton hopes to clear his name. Burton refers to the man who put him away as “dear friend,” but E.J. knows better. As E.J., Rebecca, and Cooper are dragged into the nefarious circumstances surrounding Burton’s trial, the corrupt Sheriff B.B. and the Aryan gang lure them into a trap.
Jimerson rips relationships wide open in this follow-up novel to the first in the E.J. Kane Mystery series. From the pregnancy of E.J.’s daughter to the chemistry and attraction of E.J. and his ex-wife, the relationships or lack thereof between family and friends drive this plot nearly as powerfully as the man set to be released on newly tested DNA evidence.
Once again using his background in law, Jimerson educates readers on the practice of DNA evidence in trials, as well as the intricacies and history of “gold standard” evidentiary proof. Winding around E.J.’s seemingly guilty antics, Rebecca’s high stakes trial, and the struggles of drug addiction their daughter continues to face while pregnant with her unborn child, “Draw a Hard Line” is anything but slow. Jimerson does such a great job capturing the heart and essence of Texas as E.J. Kane seeks to redeem himself and his loved ones, despite Sheriff B.B. and Burton’s escapades against him.
Micheal E. Jimerson writes his main character with a tough exterior, but as “Draw a Hard Line” quickly establishes, there’s more to E.J. than his hard outer shell. With feelings, love, and determination stuffed deep inside, E.J. faces some of his biggest challenges yet.
After a quick, but dramatic rescue, E.J. is swept to the courtroom where his ex-wife Rebecca wiggles her way onto a DNA case, where a convicted murderer, Aryan leader, and masquerading as intellectually disabled D.H. Burton hopes to clear his name. Burton refers to the man who put him away as “dear friend,” but E.J. knows better. As E.J., Rebecca, and Cooper are dragged into the nefarious circumstances surrounding Burton’s trial, the corrupt Sheriff B.B. and the Aryan gang lure them into a trap.
Jimerson rips relationships wide open in this follow-up novel to the first in the E.J. Kane Mystery series. From the pregnancy of E.J.’s daughter to the chemistry and attraction of E.J. and his ex-wife, the relationships or lack thereof between family and friends drive this plot nearly as powerfully as the man set to be released on newly tested DNA evidence.
Once again using his background in law, Jimerson educates readers on the practice of DNA evidence in trials, as well as the intricacies and history of “gold standard” evidentiary proof. Winding around E.J.’s seemingly guilty antics, Rebecca’s high stakes trial, and the struggles of drug addiction their daughter continues to face while pregnant with her unborn child, “Draw a Hard Line” is anything but slow. Jimerson does such a great job capturing the heart and essence of Texas as E.J. Kane seeks to redeem himself and his loved ones, despite Sheriff B.B. and Burton’s escapades against him.
Micheal E. Jimerson writes his main character with a tough exterior, but as “Draw a Hard Line” quickly establishes, there’s more to E.J. than his hard outer shell. With feelings, love, and determination stuffed deep inside, E.J. faces some of his biggest challenges yet.
May 9, 2024
This is an independently published series from Michael E. Jimerson which I listened to on audio, my first experience of former Texas Ranger EJ Kane. It is 8 hours and 30 minutes long and is narrated by the lawyer author, which like the story I found to be a mixed bag, as sometimes it was good, and other times not so able with an indifferent tone when it comes to the text. It opens with a harrowing scenario involving an actor engaged in a climate protest in which Kane bravely acquits himself well. GH Burton, a white supremacist killer, with the aid of his Aryan group fraudulently claims innocence, although Kane and his ex-prosecutor wife, Rebecca Johnson, are not hoodwinked, having every intention of fighting this.
Kane has a fractured and complex personal life, his son, Connor, ends up dead in his efforts to emulate his father, and his daughter, Charlotte, is a meth addict, sex trafficked and then rescued, and is pregnant, with all the challenging issues and consequences this raises. Kane has the parents of Melinda Blake asking for his help. He fails to comprehend the all too real threat that the corrupt Sheriff B. B. presents, endangering the life of a Texas Ranger, as well as his own, refusing to listen to warnings he is given. The unforgiving heat and hostile environment of the Big Thicket National Preserve is to test him to the limits as he fights for more than just his own life.
This is not a series I will be pursuing any further, and I wrestled internally with my star rating as I contemplated whether it should be 2 or 3 stars, I eventually settled on the latter, given that there were parts of the story and audio that I did enjoy. I would urge readers and listeners to read other reviews prior to making tthe decision to listen or read this. Many thanks to the author for an ALC.
.
Kane has a fractured and complex personal life, his son, Connor, ends up dead in his efforts to emulate his father, and his daughter, Charlotte, is a meth addict, sex trafficked and then rescued, and is pregnant, with all the challenging issues and consequences this raises. Kane has the parents of Melinda Blake asking for his help. He fails to comprehend the all too real threat that the corrupt Sheriff B. B. presents, endangering the life of a Texas Ranger, as well as his own, refusing to listen to warnings he is given. The unforgiving heat and hostile environment of the Big Thicket National Preserve is to test him to the limits as he fights for more than just his own life.
This is not a series I will be pursuing any further, and I wrestled internally with my star rating as I contemplated whether it should be 2 or 3 stars, I eventually settled on the latter, given that there were parts of the story and audio that I did enjoy. I would urge readers and listeners to read other reviews prior to making tthe decision to listen or read this. Many thanks to the author for an ALC.
.
July 21, 2025
Wow, this book was so much better than the first one. Maybe it’s because the characters were already established and I felt more connected to them, or maybe it’s because I listened to the audiobook version this time. The big difference? The author, Michael E. Jimerson, narrated it himself, and he absolutely nailed it. His delivery brought a real sense of authenticity and emotion to the story that an AI narrator just couldn’t match.
The plot is intense. A racist gang leader manipulates the system with a fake innocence claim, setting off a chain of events that pulls cowboy detective E.J. Kane and his ex-wife, prosecutor Rebecca Johnson, back into the line of fire. What I really appreciated is that while the case is gripping, with twists involving DNA, a suicide, and some truly dark turns, the story doesn’t shy away from deeper, emotional layers. Their daughter’s battle with addiction and trafficking adds a heartbreaking urgency that really grounds the story in reality.
E.J. has to face down a corrupt sheriff, white supremacists, and even the dense, mysterious Big Thicket wilderness. But the toughest battles are internal, grappling with guilt, honor, and shifting moral codes in a modern world that doesn’t play by the old rules.
It’s fast-paced, gritty, and filled with tension, but what stuck with me most was the growth. E.J. isn’t just chasing justice, he’s redefining what it means to live by a code in today’s world. A fantastic follow-up that proves this series has real staying power.
The plot is intense. A racist gang leader manipulates the system with a fake innocence claim, setting off a chain of events that pulls cowboy detective E.J. Kane and his ex-wife, prosecutor Rebecca Johnson, back into the line of fire. What I really appreciated is that while the case is gripping, with twists involving DNA, a suicide, and some truly dark turns, the story doesn’t shy away from deeper, emotional layers. Their daughter’s battle with addiction and trafficking adds a heartbreaking urgency that really grounds the story in reality.
E.J. has to face down a corrupt sheriff, white supremacists, and even the dense, mysterious Big Thicket wilderness. But the toughest battles are internal, grappling with guilt, honor, and shifting moral codes in a modern world that doesn’t play by the old rules.
It’s fast-paced, gritty, and filled with tension, but what stuck with me most was the growth. E.J. isn’t just chasing justice, he’s redefining what it means to live by a code in today’s world. A fantastic follow-up that proves this series has real staying power.
September 30, 2025
Draw a Hard Line is a gritty, fast-paced legal thriller that pulls no punches. Michael E. Jimerson takes readers deep into a world of corruption, racism, and personal reckoning, where cowboy detective E.J. Kane and his ex-wife, prosecutor Rebecca Johnson, are the last line of defense against a dangerous miscarriage of justice.
What makes this book stand out is how it weaves together so many urgent threads: a fraudulent innocence claim backed by an Aryan gang, a suicide that unravels DNA evidence, and the raw personal struggle of their daughter’s addiction and exploitation. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of East Texas and the legendary Big Thicket, where both nature and human darkness test Kane to his core.
This story is more than just a thriller; it’s a reflection on justice, heritage, and the choices we make when the lines between right and wrong blur. Intense, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down, Draw a Hard Line is a gripping ride for fans of crime and courtroom drama.
What makes this book stand out is how it weaves together so many urgent threads: a fraudulent innocence claim backed by an Aryan gang, a suicide that unravels DNA evidence, and the raw personal struggle of their daughter’s addiction and exploitation. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of East Texas and the legendary Big Thicket, where both nature and human darkness test Kane to his core.
This story is more than just a thriller; it’s a reflection on justice, heritage, and the choices we make when the lines between right and wrong blur. Intense, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down, Draw a Hard Line is a gripping ride for fans of crime and courtroom drama.
May 10, 2025
I was gifted an audio version of this book from the author through Story Origin. It is narrated by the author. He has a strong southern accent which works well for this story that takes place in Texas. He does not put alot of acting into the story, but he's a joy to listen to. I'm giving him 4 stars. More expression could have put more excitement into this tense at times book.
The story itself is definitely 5 stars. Complicated. Mysterious. Heartfelt. EJ is a real guy. Flaws. Problems. Heartache. Guilt. Doubt. A bad knee. Upstanding. Christian. Caring. An all around great character. His ex-wife, Rebecca and daughter. Shara and all the other characters make up a fantastic cast. I'd love to see the movie.
The story itself is definitely 5 stars. Complicated. Mysterious. Heartfelt. EJ is a real guy. Flaws. Problems. Heartache. Guilt. Doubt. A bad knee. Upstanding. Christian. Caring. An all around great character. His ex-wife, Rebecca and daughter. Shara and all the other characters make up a fantastic cast. I'd love to see the movie.
March 28, 2024
To this British reader, Draw A Hard Line was a first encounter with Texan law enforcement structures and culture (including the storied Texas Rangers) and the associated legal system and processes. For me, the book is at its strongest, and most interesting and entertaining, when concentrating on these elements of the story; less so when exploring the issues confronting the hero of the story, former Ranger EJ Kane, in his personal life. The plot is intricate and credible, with all the seemingly disparate strands brought together neatly at the end - except one, leaving the way open for another book in the series.
September 25, 2024
WHITE GOLD. #1 - A new author to me and I almost enjoyed this book immensely. Editing is needed, it is distracting. Otherwise, I found the story interesting with good characters and well thought out story lines. Hard to put down with intriguing twists and one character that stood out with his actions when push came to shove, which was great. Source: Bookfunnel. 4*
DRAW A HARD LINE, #2 - An interesting and intriguing continuation of White Gold. Things come to light from an unlikely source, and while some things ate solved, others bust open. Lack of editing is not as intrusive as with WG. Source: The author, ARC. 4*
Read in order for the best entertainment.
DRAW A HARD LINE, #2 - An interesting and intriguing continuation of White Gold. Things come to light from an unlikely source, and while some things ate solved, others bust open. Lack of editing is not as intrusive as with WG. Source: The author, ARC. 4*
Read in order for the best entertainment.
July 8, 2024
Legendary former Texas Ranger E.J. Kane returns in this exciting tale of revenge and betrayal.
Draw a Hard Line is the second exciting book in author Micheal E. Jimerson’s immersive, action-filled E.J. Kane Mystery series, which launched in 2022 with its stellar debut, White Gold. All its memorable characters return as E.J. and his ex-wife, attorney Rebecca Johnson, confront an old adversary when new evidence threatens to overturn the conviction of the murderous head of a dangerous white supremacist paramilitary group.
A little time has passed since the events of book one, and E.J. and Rebecca have both struggled with their efforts to help their daughter overcome her drug habit. Sharla has played her parents one against the other for years, and she now leans into her past successes with all the cunning of the addict she is. Readers learn so much more about the family: the death of the oldest child, son Konnor, in Afghanistan and its life-altering impact on E.J., Rebecca, and Sharla. While Rebecca blames E.J. for their son’s death, E.J. goes one further, blaming himself and God. He struggles with the erosion of his relationship with the Lord, obviously hurting and wanting to re-establish his former faith, just as he tries to understand and repair the uneasy and awkward relationship with Rebecca, whom he still loves.The author introduces a truly evil villain in the character of G.H. Burton, the incarcerated-for-life (they thought) former leader of the Aryan Triangle. Through the storyline’s court proceedings, I was surprised to learn that DNA is not the be-all or end-all that television, films, and crime fiction portray. Complicating the case is the shadow of E.J.’s tarnished reputation and the vitriol of his former Texas Rangers supervisor, Lt. Col Craig Fenton, and the machinations of treacherous Sheriff Benjamin Berryhill. B.B.’s storyline caused mixed emotions for E.J. and me. The man is a heinous individual, but his son and wife are wonderful people, and he holds the keys E.J. needs to reset his life.
The plot moves quickly, and the author deftly manages many moving parts. Not only are there E.J.’s personal family struggles and the Burton debacle and sideshow, but E.J.’s old friend, Rex Ashe, is slowly succumbing to the ravages of Alzheimer’s. In addition, E.J. is experiencing his own health worries. I could almost feel every misstep and jolt to his knee as he physically tried to do what needed doing. E.J.’s and Cooper’s terrifying flight through the Big Thicket and the eleventh-hour confrontation with Conrad Beams were as edge-of-your-seat as they come.I enjoyed the East Texas setting established in book one, especially the Big Thicket action sequences where you could almost feel the humidity, marshy mud, and mosquitoes. However, the story isn’t as location-specific as before, and readers new to the series may only get a general sense that the action is occurring somewhere in rural Texas. Admittedly, this is just a 'me' issue; the setting descriptions are absolutely vivid.
I recommend DRAW A HARD LINE to mystery readers who enjoy character-driven stories, courtroom drama, and heart-pounding thrills.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.
April 23, 2025
3/5 stars! This is the first book I have read by Michael E. Jimerson and I am conflicted about how I feel about it. I liked the crime aspect of trying to make sure a convicted felon stays behind bars (If only we'd managed to do this with a certain President; sigh). But I felt like the daughter subplot didn't fit well into the story. It almost felt like the book was trying to be two different things.
February 17, 2025
I enjoy a good murder mystery with story in a courtroom setting. This book has both! Every night I read. And, I could hardly wait for nightfall after starting to read this book. I greatly admire an author who can write without using curse words! That is the most unique part of the book! I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book! Please, write more E.J. Kane mysteries!
April 29, 2024
I just couldn't follow this story. I think part of the problem was it was the audio version seemed like the person was just reading the story. There was no attempt at making the voices different for the different characters.
March 12, 2025
A really good story line with a mixture of characters. Some you like and some you don't. Some good friends, family and then the politicians. Won this
May 23, 2024
This is the third or fourth book I have had the pleasure of reading from this author, and the plot did not disappoint. A disgraced lawman and his ex-wife, an attorney, attempt to disprove a dangerous prisoner's claim of innocence. All the while, both (ex) spouses are simultaneously dealing with the death of their son and the spiritual death of their drug-addicted daughter. There were a lot of moving parts within the story that kept me engaged.
The author's own background as an East Texan District Attorney lended credibility and knowledge that made the plot believable and fast-moving, despite some of the more cliche turns. It also offered some compelling and interesting arguments concerning DNA evidence. This may be slightly controversial for those who love a good Netflix wrongful-conviction documentary, but that is what makes it so interesting. A gritty but "fun" novel - I am looking forward to the sequel!
The author's own background as an East Texan District Attorney lended credibility and knowledge that made the plot believable and fast-moving, despite some of the more cliche turns. It also offered some compelling and interesting arguments concerning DNA evidence. This may be slightly controversial for those who love a good Netflix wrongful-conviction documentary, but that is what makes it so interesting. A gritty but "fun" novel - I am looking forward to the sequel!
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