Jackson: A Texas Ranger Romance with Dangerous Desire

by LaQuette

A curvy, fearless woman. A sexy, guarded Texas Ranger. And a ranch where danger and desire collide.

Aja Everett has a heart too big for her own good. All she wants is to turn her family’s Texas ranch into a wellness retreat where anyone can find peace—and maybe a little redemption. But someone in town is determined to drive her out. When an explosion nearly kills her, Aja realizes she’s not just fighting for her dream—she’s fighting for her life.

Enter Texas Ranger Jackson Dean—gritty, gorgeous, surly, and oh so sexy. Babysitting a VIP’s niece isn’t exactly his idea of a career-making case, but one look at Aja Everett, and he knows he’s in trouble. She’s straight out of his scorching fantasies and twice as stubborn. She doesn’t listen, doesn’t back down, and drives him wild in every possible way.

As danger circles the ranch and tempers flare hotter than a Texas heatwave, Jackson’s protective instincts war with a desire that refuses to be contained. Because keeping Aja safe is his mission. Wanting her? That’s becoming his undoing.

Perfect for readers who
Protective heroes with a code of honor
Forced proximity on a Texas ranch
Curvy, strong heroines who fight back
Enemies-to-lovers slow burn
High-stakes romantic suspense

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2026

About the author

LaQuette writes sexy, stylish, and sensational romance—the kind of sentimental-and-steamy stories that feel like Hallmark movies… if Hallmark suddenly ramped up the sexy and gave us the hawt love scenes we deserve. Expect big emotions, bold choices, and characters who strut through the pages like the book is their own personal runway. 

A proud Brooklyn native, she crafts unapologetically bold, character-driven Black and interracial romances where Black women are joy-filled, desired, and absolutely treasured. These women know they belong on the page—and dare you to try telling them otherwise.

When this current Ph.D. student isn’t writing, reading, or studying, she’s probably trying on (or hunting down) her next must-have makeup find. And honestly? No one would be surprised if it’s yet another shade of red or pink lipstick. At this point, it’s basically a personality trait. Contact her at https://dot.cards/laquette.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson is the first book in LaQuette’s new series, Restoration Ranch. LaQuette is a new author to me and I found the book to be enjoyable with lots of steamy romance and suspense. The book is set on Restoration Ranch in Texas where main character Aja Everett has begun a business setting up a wellness retreat. She has hired two women who are paroled felons that are in a special program that requires check in with their parole officer and other rules. As the book opens, there have been a couple of attempts on Aja’s life: an explosion in her barn and scaffolding that almost fell on her. Her uncle, a judge, calls for the Texas Rangers to come and investigate and protect her. Jackson Dean and his team show up. Aja isn’t happy listening to what Jackson proposes to do. He believes it is possibly the two women she hired that are doing this. The sheriff is worthless and doesn’t seem to believe what happened and doesn’t care to solve the case.

Jackson and Aja notice chemistry between them but initially don’t believe it is appropriate to act on. Also both have issues in their pasts that make them hesitant to have a relationship. Jackson suggests a one night stand and then they act as if there’s nothing between them. As threats continue against Aja and he thinks other men are interested in her, he starts to question his decision for only one night of sex. It was exciting to guess who was causing the attacks on Aja. After it seemed the problem was solved, it happened again and the book ended with unanswered questions.

The characters were well developed and the storyline was interesting and full of surprises, lots of steamy romance and suspenseful moments. Both Jackson and Aja had a lot of tragedy with family members in their past which caused them to be cautious and protective of each other. This was a great book that I give 5 stars and highly recommend. I look forward to reading the next book where this story continues.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing Company in exchange for my honest review.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aja has gone back to her family ranch to set it up to help others, her aunt called her back, she was a lawyer for celebrities but needed to find some redemption for herself. Then while trying to get the ranch up and running weird things start happening. Her uncle contacts the Rangers and asks for help, Jackson is sent with his team to find out what is going on, they go undercover as ranch hands!
Aja and Jackson have chemistry, she's really independent and doesn't think that she needs anyone to help her, she's the one who helps everyone else! Jackson tries really hard to support her but also needs to make sure that she's safe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A good romantic suspense from LaQuette, looking forward to the next one in the hope that all the questions are answered!

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson (Restoration Ranch #1) by LaQuette

As a new author to me and the start of a new series, this book was a great introduction! Jackson (Restoration Ranch #1) follows Texas Ranger Jackson Dean and Aja Everett, the daughter of an important VIP he has been tasked with protecting. What could possibly go wrong?

This 2026 edited version is well written, and the characters have great chemistry. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Jackson and Aja, and their interactions felt natural and engaging.

The storyline felt realistic and believable, which made it easy to stay invested in the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and a strong start to the series.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy romantic suspense.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson (Restoration Ranch Book 1) by LaQuette is a cowboy romance that has a woman who is comfortable in her own skin along with a Texas Rancher who can appreciate that fact. While they don’t see eye-to-eye at the beginning they do come to an understanding and that leads to more as the story progresses. Bold personalities in a suspenseful romance that has emotional strengths in character development, a high intensity plot with danger and ending that concludes happily. What more could one want?

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh goodness. If I could give this one 10 stars I absolutely would. So much emotional baggage in this one. Positively amazing. That ending oh gosh I can’t wait for book two for the rest of the story. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[booksandnina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I'm a simple gal. Give me a brooding ranger, forced proximity, and a strong female lead, with heaps of tension and a bit of mystery, and I'm absolutely sold! No notes!