Rawhide and Ransom: Small Town Secrets

by Jo Grafford

Lonestar Security’s toughest bodyguard discovers a half-starved runaway hiding in his workshop — a teen who insists the woman pretending to be her mother is an imposter, and her real mother is missing.

Few people would guess Hawk Chesney is a family man at heart. The only reason he’s still single is because he’s never met “the one.” The moment he discovers a spitfire eighteen-year-old trespassing on his property, however, his heart goes into father bear mode. He promises to help locate her missing single mom.

Annalee Gilbert has been in hiding since the hit-and-run accident that put her in a coma. By the time she awakes, a woman who closely resembles her has hijacked her identity. Her only link to her old life is a mysterious note stating her life has been taken as a ransom. She has no idea what it means, but she intends to find out and do whatever it takes to get her family back.

Genres: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2025

About the author

Jo is an Amazon bestselling author of heartwarming cowboy romantic suspense stories, with a few Texas-sized detours into humor.

Join Cuppa Jo Readers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cuppa.... Join her newsletter at https://www.JoGrafford.com.

Jo also writes clean western historical romance and cozy mysteries as Jovie Grace.

Reviews

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY SAFE PLACE. MY HEAVEN ON EARTH.

What an amazing addition to another intriguing story in the Cowboy Brand of Justice series by Ms. Jo Grafford. She is an author you always know will take her readers on an adventure, keeping the pages turning as the story unfolds. The story is about mystery, suspense, life and death danger, angst, love, and faith.

This story will focus on Hawk Chesney and the two women who come into his life, needing his help. First, there will be Miley, who just turned eighteen and is trying to get help to find her mother, and the second will be Annalee Gilbert. It is a fluke that both wind up with Hawk, who will become their protector.

When Annalee wakes up from a coma she has been in for weeks, she tries calling her daughter’s cell phone, only to have a stranger answer with a cryptic message. She knows of only one place to go—Heart Lake, to the Comanche Reservation, and to find Running Bear, uncle to her late husband, Chayton.

Annalee: Who are you?
Stranger: I’m you, of course. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, you no longer exist, my dear. Your life has been taken as a ransom.

Doing whatever it takes, escaping a hospital, hitching rides, Annalee needs to get help, to find Miley, and try to uncover what is happening to her, to them. It will be by happenstance that she is trying to get a job in a local diner, and Hawk comes in to pick up breakfast and finds her, taking her to Miley. When he learns more about what has happened to them, he knows this isn’t just a coincidence; this was all deliberately orchestrated, and they need his protection.

Annalee: Hawk. I want to believe you more than anything, but…
Hawk: You can’t run forever. Eventually, you’ll have to choose a hill to stand on and fight. And on this hill, you’ve at least got family at your side. And you’ve got me.
Annalee: I never said anything about running.
Hawk: You didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face.

Once again, Ms. Grafford has written another page-turning story that comes with surprises. It was fun seeing Hawk find a woman to love and gain more than just a wife. The story does have the good, the bad, and the ugly in people. How many lives have paid the price? How many individuals are involved?

The story doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but more of a segue into the next book, Steers and Stowaways, where Tucker Pratt will be featured.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rawhide and Ransom is a great book and it brings in a variety of characters that have been mentioned in other books and a lot of new people.  Annalee has lost her husband suddenly that helped her run the organic farm a few towns over from Heart Lake.  The farm was going into foreclosure and while Annalee is out driving she gets hurt in a hit and run accident and is at the hospital in a coma under the name of Jane Doe.   During this time a woman pretending to be her Mom and looked like an older version of Annalee locks Miley in her room and sets the home on fire.  Miley knew to get to Heart Lake anyway she could in hopes her Uncle Running Bear will take her in.  Miley finds a leather shop out back of a cabin on the rez and she hid there.  That is where Hawk finds her.  While Hawk is trying to let her get a much needed shower, two of the couples he knows show up.  They start discussing his new friend and looks her name up on their computer.  That is where they find out about her father, and losing the farm.  They just know they need to find her Mom sooner than later for her safety.  The next morning when Hawk goes to the restaurant in town for their breakfast a woman sitting there at the counter strikes up a conversation and that is when Hawk knew he had found Annalee!  They go back to his cabin and Miley and Annalee start telling each other what has happened over the last weeks.  They don’t know this woman pretending to be Annalee.  Running Bear is happy to know his nephew’s family has come home to the rez even though they are not Comanche.  And knowing they are in trouble the Tribal Council hires Hawk as their bodyguard.  Tucker is a big part in this story as one of  Lonestar Security’s P.I. working with the police department and the rez security teams in hopes of finding who is trying to kill Miley and Annalee before it is to late.

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book really enjoyed reading it and recommend it to everyone who loves to read a book that will grab your attention and keep you reading longer than you may have intended. The H lives on the reservation and works in security and is very good at his job. He actively helps the members of his tribe that live on the reservation. He finds a runaway in his work shop who is in bad shape and begs for his help to find her mother. She was searching for the Chief to ask for his help because her father was his son. The H is close to the chief and promised to find her mother. The H doesn’t need to search for the mother, he recognizes her in the cafe when he goes for food. She was making her way to the reservation looking for the chief for his help because she was married to his son. The H takes in the mother and daughter giving them his home and he purchased a trailer, moves it on his property by his work shop. The H proceeds to provide protection for the h and her daughter while searching for the person who is responsible for the death of her husband and pursuing the h and her daughter to kill them. In the end the guilty person is found and the H and h get their HEA and the daughter finds her place in life on the reservation. Received this book free as a member of the author’s ARC team. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Enjoy!

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to get better and better and Hawk’s story is a true gem! Hawk Chesney is employed at Lonestar Security as a bodyguard, has his own ranch and his leather goods business. It is in his workshop where he finds teenager Miley hiding, having run away to look for her mother, Annalee Gilbert. Since the connection may be the reservation, where Miley’s stepfather once lived, he hopes that they will find her. Annalise is recovering from a car accident and learns that her daughter is missing. She heads for the reservation hoping that someone will help her find Miley. With an amazing stoke of luck, Hawk comes upon Annalee while she is searching for her daughter. There soon develops an attraction between them, but it is too soon after her husband’s mysterious death and the loss of their farm. News about Annalee’s past as a foster child adds to the twists that just keep coming. Sinister elements are in play as someone wants Annalise out of the picture and they don’t care how that happens. As Annalee becomes involved in life on the reservation, Hawk hopes that he can convince her and Miley to stay – stay on the reservation and stay with him. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh I love this series and every time I start finish reading I say this is my favourite, then I start a new book and that becomes my new favourite, and this is definitely my favourite by a mile. Hawk doesn't do relationships he works as a bodyguard for Lonestar Security, part-time his friends dairy farm whilst helping our on the rez. His life is busy enough plus his leather work keeps him busy at night. That is until he funds a stow away hiding in his workshop. Injured, scared and only young he takes her in and helps especially when she searching for her missing mom. Annalee feels like her world is falling apart losing her husband was bad enough. Now she needs to find her daughter before her whole world implodes. A chance meeting in a coffee shop finally puts her on the right track. Can Hawk help these scarred women. Will Annalee find out what's really going on. This story has so many twists and turns that you just have to keep reading. Between a flee ridden cat named Rex and an uncle she has never met can they finally find a home and family where they belong. Jo has done it again with this superb story and I can't wait for the next gripping book.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The next chapter of your story is one you get to write"

We have met Hawk, the dark, brooding bodyguard a number of times in earlier books in the series but here we see a much softer side to him and it is lovely. Miley is first to break through his walls, her sassy comebacks attempting to cover the fear she is fighting. Hawk immediately sees through these, but he also sees her as the daughter he never had, he feels a need to protect her and provide for her. But that need goes into overdrive to second he meets Annalee, I love seeing his heart, his hopes for the future and his patient nature as he supports them both through one of the most difficult times of their life. Hawk has managed to straddle two worlds, the rez and town life, but he has combined them in a way that has earned respect from both and he continues that here as he and Annalee join their lives with assistance (or is that matchmaking?) from his amazing mentor Running Bear!
I really enjoy this series and look forward to Tucker's book later this year, I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawk finds Miley hiding in his workshop on his birthday. Turns out she shares the date, as it's her eighteenth birthday. She tells Hawk how someone has tried to take her mom's place, and she needs help finding out what really happened to her mom, Annalee. Hawk happens to find Annalee without really looking, and takes her to his home. Hawk's friend and mentor, Running Bear, is related to the two women by marriage. Hawk, Running Bear, and Hawk's co-workers and friends all rally around the two women to keep them safe and get to the bottom of what has been happening to them, and why. Of course, the more time they spend together, the more Annalee and Hawk fall for each other. The only thing is, can they figure everything out before Annalee's life is snuffed out for good? Love how Hawk and Annalee continue to rely on God to get them through!! And, what a great take on the story of Ruth!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, wasn't required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawk’s plans for a quiet birthday are interrupted by the discovery of a runaway girl in his workshop. Miley, 18 years old, has just escaped a terrifying experience. When Annalee, Miley’s mother, wakes up from a coma in the hospital, she finds someone has stolen her identity. She escapes from the hospital and runs to the only place she thinks she might find help – the Comanche reservation near Heart Lake. When she meets Hawk, he becomes embroiled in a mystery that only the Lord can help them solve.

Wonderfully suspenseful Christian romance with lots of unexpected twists. I really appreciate the Christian elements of the story such as prayer and trusting in the Lord. The characters are well-written, and the author makes you feel like you know them. This is part of a series, but the story is complete. It is fun to see some characters you remember from other books in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Heart Lakes series. This time to get to know more about loner Hawk who's life gets more complicated when he finds a teenage runaway in his work shed. The story she tells seems a little unbelievable . Hawk takes her in and vows to protect her and help her find her mother. Her mother accidentally ends up in the same town.
After reuniting with her daughter, she tells Hawk her side of the story and how someone is trying to kill her. He brings in Lonestar Security to help him find out what's going on.
I was looking forward to Hawk's story and it did not disappoint. It was great seeing him open up his heart not to just one but two people. Teenage Miley and her witty remarks are just what he needed to quit being so serious and her mother Annalee is getting over a lot of heartache and trauma but Hawk is willing to stand beside and wait for her.
I voluntarily read an arc and this is my honest opinion.

[Beverly Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I was really looking forward to Hawk’s story, and it certainly did not disappoint! Hawk was such a great guy! He started out a little bit grumpy, but it did not take long for him to show a sweet protective side with his house guests. He wanted to protect and provide for Annalee and her daughter Miley in any way that was needed. I just loved Miley’s teenage attitude and actions, as well as how she and Hawk related to each other. And, of course, the relationship between Hawk and Annalee was so very sweet. It did not take long for Annalee and Miley to become a well-loved part of the community on the reservation, and that was a great part of the story. I loved the way this book was written as it twisted and turned its way through suspenseful events and mysteries to a wonderful conclusion!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not start reading Rawhide and Ransom near bedtime as you will not be able to stop reading! Ms. Grafford has written another, edge of your seat, conspiracy romance with a lot of suspense. I love the characters. Miley and Annalee are living a real nightmare before they meet Hawk and move to the reservation. This well plotted book is a personal, not a global, conspiracy. Lonestar has do dig deep to uncover some of the misdeeds that fuel this vendetta. While I sometimes long for simpler times, thank goodness for computers and surveillance cameras! The suspense is great and,, while you may suspect who is the culprit, you will not understand the reach of hatred until you loose yourself in this absorbing tale. Fortunately, love, kindness, family and God will win in the end. Miley steals the show with her determination and saucy remarks. Looking forward to the next book!

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rawhide and Ransom

Such a wonderful story filled with mystery. There are twists and turns in the story line that bring a conclusion that could be unsuspecting to the reader. Hawk is the quiet man who works for Lonestar Security as well as Johnny Cuba’s dairy farm while also creating leather works when he has any free time. Until the night he finds an injured teenager in his shop claiming her mother is missing. He is determined to do whatever is necessary to help the young woman.
After Annalee’s husband suddenly dies, she is involved in a hit and run accident that sends her to a hospital in a coma. Annalee awakes after being in the coma to find someone has stolen her identity and her daughter is missing. She doesn’t know who she can trust so she runs. Will these two strangers be able to piece together the puzzle before anyone else in her family dies?

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawk is a security guard for Lone Star Security. He also helps on Johnny's dairy farm and makes leather saddles. He finds Miley ( young teenager) in his workshop one evening. She is hurt. He helps her and agrees to help her find her mom. Annalee was in a car accident. When she wakes up, she is told that she is Jane Doe. When she tells them her name, they don't believe her. She calls Miley's phone and is told that it is Annalee speaking. She runs from the hospital and happens upon Hawk. He reunites Miley and Annalee. They heal from their wounds and try to figure out who is trying to hurt them. Many twists and turns. Miley is hilarious. She has a sharp wit and banters with everyone.

[Rhondia Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many wonderful things to say about Rawhide and Ransom. The gospel is a prominent feature of this book (seemingly more than usual), the characters are engaging and entertaining, and if I ever need to escape from a hospital I’m calling Jo Grafford! This lady can come up with the most unique elements of a story that seem entirely plausible. I always enjoy her books for an uplifting piece of escapism. She has a way bringing a story to life, finishing it entirely, but leaving a small opening for the next story in the series featuring characters mentioned in the periphery of the current book. Don’t miss this one! I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is best if read in order. Characters overlap throughout the series and multiple storylines are going on in the background. Each book focuses mainly on one couple.
His plans for a quiet birthday at home by himself is destroyed when he finds a runaway hiding in his one outbuilding. Then his friends show up unannounced... Be ready to fall in love with multiple characters and watch as the biggest loaner falls fast and hard for two ladies. Only problem is they are running from a doppelganger. Who is after them and why? Will they solve the mystery before anyone else is harmed? How many decades will they have to dig through to get to the full truth?

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the sassy teenager in this one! Miley sets the tone in the story that grows to include her mother, Annalee who wakes up in a hospital after being in a coma not knowing what is going on until is all comes back to her! Her entire life has been stolen from her, and she's got to find her daughter! Miley, on the other hand, is found by Hawk, half starved, in his workshop on his birthday - that he was hoping to celebrate alone! Of course, being a bodyguard Hawk will definitely investigate! As things are set in motion, no one can believe all that has been going on for 30 years!
There is a lot of action, romance, tradition and inspiration. Such a good story and great characters!

[Gail Midgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! It begins with a missing mother (Annalee)and ends with a heartwarming HEA! It checks all the boxes and pulls you in from the start. Hawk, Annalee, and Miley take you on a rollercoaster ride where you experience a plethora of varying emotions. It was nice bringing back past characters from the series and it was fun to watch the transformation of Hawk upon getting involved with Annalee (it made me smile). Jo worked her magic as always making her characters come to life and adding in touches of faith making it even more special. Jo’s talent as an author continues to shine. WINNER 🥇🏆
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looks like another Lonestar Security employee was going to find his happiness in this book.  The characters were spellbinding as their tale unraveled, pulled me in, and didn't let me go.  It was quite an unusual tale that had me holding my breath at times and at other times this romantic suspense had me quickly turning the pages to see how it all would turn out.  I really liked the romance between Hawk and Annabelle and all of the surprises and connections between the many characters.  It was such fun reading the book!  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Roberta aka Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this exciting, clean, Christian, contemporary story. It has twists, turns and layer upon layers. Who wants to wipe out the Dakota/Gilbert family? And, more important than who is why?

Rawhide and Ransom is Hawk Chesney's story. He's a bodyguard for Lonestar Security so we've met him in prior books. It is great learning another side of him besides stoic and grumpy. I would definitely have a hard time choosing a favorite character. Besides Hawk there's sassy teen Miley, her spunky mom Annalee, their great-uncle Running Bear, all strong, interesting characters.

I was given an Advance Reader Copy but all thoughts and opinions are mine, given voluntarily.

[Adpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series just gets better and better! I don't know where Jo gets her inspirations and ideas, but she doesn't disappoint!
Although Hawk doesn't have a family of his own, he soon begins to "create" one by helping a trespasser on his property by trying to find her missing mother. Although he is a bodyguard by profession, this story gives him a soft heart of gold.
There are expected, and unexpected, twists to this story that keep pulling you in and make it hard to put the book down, and make you wish the story doesn't end. You will thoroughly enjoy this book!
I was provided with an ARC of the book, I give my review voluntarily.

[SELENE LAKE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

I really am enjoying this series and always look forward to the next installment.

Engaging, yet easy to put down and pick up when you have some free time...like sitting in a waiting room or waiting in the school pickup line.

Miley is a sassy but never disrespectful teenager.
Hawk finds Annalee when he'd resigned himself to being a bachelor.
With all the danger and drama in her life; Annalee finds more than a second love she discovers lost family and a connection to a culture she never imagined would accept her.

It's always refreshing to read a clean, contemporary, Christian book that isn't shoving religion down your throat.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story!

As always, I drop everything when I see a new book by Jo Grafford. I absolutely love this emotional and touching story as Miley and Annalee face major challenges. As Hawk and the Lonestar Security team steps in as their protectors, the story builds to a chilling recognition of family ties. Love, strength of character and friendship are beautifully tied together in this fantastic story!

I read this book as part of an advance reader team. I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to the Cowboy Brand of Justice series by Jo Grafford.
It’s Hawk’s birthday and he wants to be alone, but finds an eighteen year old girl, Miley, hiding in his workshop.
Running Bear is Hawk’s mentor and friend, he is also family to Annalee and Miley.
Annalee is Miley’s mom who arrives after escaping from the hospital after being in a coma for three weeks.
Annalee and Miley are running for their lives but find the perfect protector in Hawk.
Lots of twist and turns in this one!
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hawk is a Lonestar employee and lives on the rez. He finds a teenager hiding in his workshop who claims that she escaped from the person posing as her mother, and she is searching for her real mother. Hawk runs into a woman at the local coffee shop who is looking for her daughter. There are several twists and not everyone is who they seem, nor was the incident that left a toddler in a wheelchair really what claimed to have happened. Of course, there is also a hint to the next book in the series.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be 81, but Jo Gafford has me swoony over her description of Hawk or was it Annalee’s? It was good to be back in Heart Lake and the reservation. Lonestar Security’s staff just can’t seem to stop finding trouble, in this case, a trespasser named Miley. With Miley comes said Annalee, who comes with a boatload of problems, not that Hawk minds. This book has romance (s), humor, danger and more than a few twists and surprises. Loved this book and am now impatiently waiting for Steers and Stowaways.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Hawk got a real surprise on his birthday. He discovers Miley hiding in his workshop. His protective instincts kick into high gear when he hears her story. Annalee is as strong willed as her daughter. They have both been through some rough times. These characters are so well written that they draw you right into their lives and emotions. Lots of twists that I certainly didn’t expect. Loved it.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this action packed romance between Hawk and Annalee. The characters are wonderful especially Miley who Hawk found hiding in his leather workshop dirty, hungry, and bleeding from a bad cut to her arm. He later finds out she is the daughter of Annalee who has been missing for three weeks. When Hawk who works as a bodyguard for Lonestar Security gets his friends involved in finding who tried to kill Miley and to find her Mother, it is non-stop action. I highly recommend this book as a clean romantic suspense. This is my voluntary and honest review.

[Georgiann Suhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this small town romance that was filled with excellent characters, mystery, suspense and romance. Hawk Chesney makes an excellent protector and bodyguard for his young guest who claims that her mother's identity has been stolen while she was in a coma after a car accident. Annalee Gilbert sets out to find her missing daughter after waking up in a hospital. The action and story gets more complicated once the mother and daughter meet up at Hawk's cabin.
Such a great story, I loved all the twists and turns.

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting to read this one. Totally love Hawk and Miley. Add a few more outstanding characters, and I'm hooked. I love this series. it is chock-full of all that makes a thrilling read; evil nasties, mysteries, threats, danger, selflessly giving big hearted community and friends, losses, unexpected twists and revelations, plus great God-incidences. Loved every minute of it. Hope you do too.

[Tania Hubmayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Small Time Secrets has become my very favourite Jo Grafford series, and I am so pleased to recommend this one, as it introduces new characters that I would be delighted to see again, like Miley and Running Bear. I have read some Indigenous American romance novels, but one author died and the other moved on to other genres, so I was utterly delighted with the Heart Lake and this series.


This is an ARC Review and I do hope the author keeps sending them to me!