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Deadly Texas Summer
Someone murdered her coworker…
Is she the next target?
When her assistant’s death is ruled a suicide, wildlife biologist Emma Copley knows the authorities got it wrong. The killer is still out there, threatening Emma’s work and her life. Launching her own investigation, Emma turns to Beau Kingston, who’ll do anything to protect her—even resist their growing attraction. But the handsome rancher has secrets of his own, secrets that could cost them everything…
Is she the next target?
When her assistant’s death is ruled a suicide, wildlife biologist Emma Copley knows the authorities got it wrong. The killer is still out there, threatening Emma’s work and her life. Launching her own investigation, Emma turns to Beau Kingston, who’ll do anything to protect her—even resist their growing attraction. But the handsome rancher has secrets of his own, secrets that could cost them everything…
283 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 6, 2020
16 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Thompson
85 books171 followersColleen Thompson began writing the contemporary romantic suspense novels she loves in 2004. Since then, her work has been honored with the Texas Gold Award, nominations for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, multiple reviewers' choice honors, along with starred reviews from Romantic Times and Publisher's Weekly. A former teacher living with her family and their latest rescue dog in the Houston area, Colleen can be found on the web at www.colleen-thompson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 1, 2020
A wildlife biologist, with an abusive ex stalking here, runs into many problems with her work. A mysterious death, sabotage of wind tunnels, a family feud and a handsome local land owner lead Emma into many dangerous situations and a relationship she wasn’t looking for. Colleen Thompson dies an excellent job of bringing each person into the story and developing an intriguing and suspenseful book. I would definitely recommend this book.
May 22, 2020
This was a fast-paced suspense novel that I really enjoyed. The book opens with Emma Copley, a professor and wildlife biologist, looking for her student and partner in her research project. When she finds him, she doesn't expect him to be dead. The sheriff in the town has a beef with his cousin who owns the land that the wind turbines are on, and the murder of Russel opens up a can of worms for Emma and Beau, the landowner.
Emma wants to work together with the sheriff to find Russell's killer, but the sheriff just wants her out of his town so he can focus on stealing the ranch from Beau, who he's convinced isn't a real Kingston. Unfortunately, he doesn't know Emma well enough and has no idea the lengths she will go to in order to avenge her students death and prove that it was her ex-husband who did the killing.
Beau is a single widowed dad who's busy raising two boys while trying to keep his ranch alive. He's been faced with the lawsuit brought on by his cousin, the new wind turbine contract he signed to keep his ranch alive, and now a murder on his land. What really has him confused are his feeling for Emma Copley. The beautiful, but obviously broken, woman needs help and Beau plans to be the one to offer it. Only to the extent that gets the murder solved and her off his land before he does something he'll regret.
The romance part of this romantic suspense was a bit of a stretch until about 60%, which I'm finding more and more common in a genre that starts out with the word 'romantic.' I wish the relationship between Emma and Beau had been better explored. They got in their own way all the time rather than fight through their demons in a constructive way. The author didn't tell us how several things happened at the end, but the HEA for Emma and Beau was worth it!
The proofing errors in this book were off the charts. I know that's not the author's fault, but Harlequin needs to take another look at this one because it was distracting how many simple proofing errors there were.
With all of that said, would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes! I loved the mystery/suspense of the story, the characters, especially Aunt Alicia, Cort, and Leland. Two sweet puppers who make the story fun, and a bunch of bad guys that you can't help but want them to find their way into a jail cell. If you're looking for a strong suspense novel with a vein of romance running through it, you'll love Deadly Texas Summer.
Emma wants to work together with the sheriff to find Russell's killer, but the sheriff just wants her out of his town so he can focus on stealing the ranch from Beau, who he's convinced isn't a real Kingston. Unfortunately, he doesn't know Emma well enough and has no idea the lengths she will go to in order to avenge her students death and prove that it was her ex-husband who did the killing.
Beau is a single widowed dad who's busy raising two boys while trying to keep his ranch alive. He's been faced with the lawsuit brought on by his cousin, the new wind turbine contract he signed to keep his ranch alive, and now a murder on his land. What really has him confused are his feeling for Emma Copley. The beautiful, but obviously broken, woman needs help and Beau plans to be the one to offer it. Only to the extent that gets the murder solved and her off his land before he does something he'll regret.
The romance part of this romantic suspense was a bit of a stretch until about 60%, which I'm finding more and more common in a genre that starts out with the word 'romantic.' I wish the relationship between Emma and Beau had been better explored. They got in their own way all the time rather than fight through their demons in a constructive way. The author didn't tell us how several things happened at the end, but the HEA for Emma and Beau was worth it!
The proofing errors in this book were off the charts. I know that's not the author's fault, but Harlequin needs to take another look at this one because it was distracting how many simple proofing errors there were.
With all of that said, would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes! I loved the mystery/suspense of the story, the characters, especially Aunt Alicia, Cort, and Leland. Two sweet puppers who make the story fun, and a bunch of bad guys that you can't help but want them to find their way into a jail cell. If you're looking for a strong suspense novel with a vein of romance running through it, you'll love Deadly Texas Summer.
March 7, 2020
Emma Copley, wildlife biologist, tragically finds the body of her young research assistant hanging high from a ladder at one of the wind turbine sites they’re researching. Although it’s quickly ruled a suicide by the county sheriff, Emma suspects foul play. She knows her student would never take his own life, nor would he disregard the strict safety rules that no one climb alone unless forced to do so. But does it have to do with the device they’ve been testing, one meant to reduce birds of prey killed by the towering green energy producers? Or is it something more personal? Just a few hours before, her tech-savvy ex-husband spoofed her mom’s number to threaten and harass her yet again. He’s a man obsessed with his jealousy, still stalking her, even after their divorce and with a no-contact order in force against him.
Beau Kingston owns the ranch land on which the green company leases land for the wind turbines. It’s obviously in his best interest to see the energy source successful. But when he meets Emma, distraught from her student’s death and being badgered by his bullying cousin, the sheriff, Beau finds he’ll do anything to protect the woman, a woman he finds is only after the truth. But Beau has his own issues, including two young sons to raise and secrets from his past that add to the complexity of this inventive story.
When Emma refuses to leave the small tight-knit community until a thorough investigation ensues, threats against her escalate. And the path to who’s behind them will surprise you. The action is non-stop in this smart and tense suspense.
I think there’s a second book coming in this series, and I can’t wait to meet some of these characters again. This one is a winner. Enjoy.
Beau Kingston owns the ranch land on which the green company leases land for the wind turbines. It’s obviously in his best interest to see the energy source successful. But when he meets Emma, distraught from her student’s death and being badgered by his bullying cousin, the sheriff, Beau finds he’ll do anything to protect the woman, a woman he finds is only after the truth. But Beau has his own issues, including two young sons to raise and secrets from his past that add to the complexity of this inventive story.
When Emma refuses to leave the small tight-knit community until a thorough investigation ensues, threats against her escalate. And the path to who’s behind them will surprise you. The action is non-stop in this smart and tense suspense.
I think there’s a second book coming in this series, and I can’t wait to meet some of these characters again. This one is a winner. Enjoy.
September 2, 2020
Colleen Thompson’s Deadly Texas Summer is a tense and fast-paced tale of romantic suspense. Wildlife biologist Emma Copley is studying the effect of wind turbines on endangered birds, but her project begins to unravel as she gets more and more threatening calls from her unbalanced ex-husband. When her research assistant is killed, Emma is sure her ex is somehow responsible, but the local sheriff pronounces the death an accident.
Beau Kingston, owner of the ranch who’s future may depend on the success of the wind turbines, doesn’t want to believe the researcher was murdered—he has a whole pile of other problems to worry about, including the sheriff, who is his cousin and rival for control of the ranch. But he finds it harder and harder to ignore Emma’s concerns—or Emma herself.
With the sheriff playing them against each other for his own reasons, Emma and Beau don’t know who to trust, but it’s so hard to resist their growing attraction to each other. With suspects mounting amid contradictory alibis, will Emma survive to discover the truth? Well, it’s a romance, folks. You can count on a happy ending. But getting there will be quite a struggle, with layers of suspense and mystery—and two irresistible little boys.
Beau Kingston, owner of the ranch who’s future may depend on the success of the wind turbines, doesn’t want to believe the researcher was murdered—he has a whole pile of other problems to worry about, including the sheriff, who is his cousin and rival for control of the ranch. But he finds it harder and harder to ignore Emma’s concerns—or Emma herself.
With the sheriff playing them against each other for his own reasons, Emma and Beau don’t know who to trust, but it’s so hard to resist their growing attraction to each other. With suspects mounting amid contradictory alibis, will Emma survive to discover the truth? Well, it’s a romance, folks. You can count on a happy ending. But getting there will be quite a struggle, with layers of suspense and mystery—and two irresistible little boys.
March 23, 2020
Emma Copley is a wildlife biologist studying the effect of wind farms on raptors. That said, who has killed her grad student and why? Is it her abusive ex-husband? She thinks so, but she's unable to convince the local sheriff to look into her suspicions.
Then there's Beau Kingston, owner of the big ranch on which the wind farm is located. He wants the wind farm to succeed and thus help get the ranch out of debt, but his attraction to Emma makes him also want to trust that he will help her. But trust is something she has difficulty with.
Further complications relate to the sheriff's relationship with Beau and his plan to assume ownership of the ranch. But does he have more than a family reason for wanting to take over?
So many questions, not nearly enough answers. Oh, and lots of snakes, rattlers, in fact--even though they don't rattle when they are slithering around, only when coiled.
Then there's Beau Kingston, owner of the big ranch on which the wind farm is located. He wants the wind farm to succeed and thus help get the ranch out of debt, but his attraction to Emma makes him also want to trust that he will help her. But trust is something she has difficulty with.
Further complications relate to the sheriff's relationship with Beau and his plan to assume ownership of the ranch. But does he have more than a family reason for wanting to take over?
So many questions, not nearly enough answers. Oh, and lots of snakes, rattlers, in fact--even though they don't rattle when they are slithering around, only when coiled.
August 7, 2021
First Harlequin Romance ever and love it. She has me hooked. Amazing author. This book keeping me on edge wondering how things where going to turn out and who was all involved. It's definitely a thriller and suspenseful. I have read it more than once. It is one of my favorite books.
March 9, 2020
A fun quick read with all the requirements of a Harlequin RS- drama, a family feud, a hot single dad, and a heroine who needs the hero but is also a bit kick ass herself.
November 24, 2020
Pretty good story with a few twists I didn't expect. 2.5 stars rounded up.
March 2, 2020
Mysteries abound in this very riveting story from Colleen Thompson, where facts that are thought to be known may not be as accurate as believed. I was immediately pulled into the lives of the two main characters, as several personal issues haunt them both. Emma is really trying to move past any concerns, while Beau also wants to work through his own share of troubles. When he becomes caught up in her dilemmas, their lives become even more complicated. I certainly never knew what direction any situation would go, as the author just kept creating more and more hurdles for this couple to overcome.
Her dedication to protecting birds that are being killed by wind turbines has Emma Copley working on a Texas ranch and trying out a new piece of equipment which might keep them safe. Upon finding her assistant dead at one of the turbines, the wildlife biologist feels certain he was murdered, yet the local county sheriff says it was suicide so there will be no further investigation. Emma is not willing to let a potential killer go unpunished, and despite what it might cost her, she keeps looking for any key information. Luckily, the ranch owner where the turbines are located is more inclined to help her, so she and Beau Kingston begin searching for any confirmation that will prove her theory.
There were numerous times when I did not know for sure what was actually a fact or if something was a falsehood, as the truth is concealed about a huge number of circumstances in this story. Whether an incident is related to the murder or if it has to do with what is happening in either Beau and Emma’s lives, one secret after another eventually comes to light about these matters, and many of their disclosures definitely came as quite a shock.
What Emma is having to live through is frequently frightening, as peril can occur at any time. I admired her for how she perseveres and does not give up regardless of what she faces. Beau has some tough decisions to make about his life, too, because of problems not of his making. As this couple attempts to work through the multitude of obstacles that keep plaguing their lives, having any type of relationship is also filled with lots of challenges. DEADLY TEXAS SUMMER is grippingly suspenseful plus emotionally engaging.
Her dedication to protecting birds that are being killed by wind turbines has Emma Copley working on a Texas ranch and trying out a new piece of equipment which might keep them safe. Upon finding her assistant dead at one of the turbines, the wildlife biologist feels certain he was murdered, yet the local county sheriff says it was suicide so there will be no further investigation. Emma is not willing to let a potential killer go unpunished, and despite what it might cost her, she keeps looking for any key information. Luckily, the ranch owner where the turbines are located is more inclined to help her, so she and Beau Kingston begin searching for any confirmation that will prove her theory.
There were numerous times when I did not know for sure what was actually a fact or if something was a falsehood, as the truth is concealed about a huge number of circumstances in this story. Whether an incident is related to the murder or if it has to do with what is happening in either Beau and Emma’s lives, one secret after another eventually comes to light about these matters, and many of their disclosures definitely came as quite a shock.
What Emma is having to live through is frequently frightening, as peril can occur at any time. I admired her for how she perseveres and does not give up regardless of what she faces. Beau has some tough decisions to make about his life, too, because of problems not of his making. As this couple attempts to work through the multitude of obstacles that keep plaguing their lives, having any type of relationship is also filled with lots of challenges. DEADLY TEXAS SUMMER is grippingly suspenseful plus emotionally engaging.
February 10, 2020
Spinning with suspense as hotly lethal as the wind turbines that forest the west Texas ranchland where the novel takes place, DEADLY TEXAS SUMMER begins with a woman already on the edge, one on the run from a past she’d just as soon forget. But other forces of the killing kind are at work and murder is not out of the question. Who can she trust when law enforcement seems indifferent, when the handsome rancher who appears as her rescuer turns out to have an agenda that is the polar opposite of her own? In this fast-paced story, riddled with secrets, where nothing is at it seems, matters of love, family honor and loyalty are tested to the maximum degree through a cast of characters who are as layered and deeply human as their flaws.
February 20, 2020
Spinning with suspense as hotly lethal as the wind turbines that forest the west Texas ranchland where the novel takes place, DEADLY TEXAS SUMMER begins with a woman already on the edge, one on the run from a past she’d just as soon forget. But other forces of the killing kind are at work and murder is not out of the question. Who can she trust when law enforcement seems indifferent, when the handsome rancher who appears as her rescuer turns out to have an agenda that is the polar opposite of her own? In this fast-paced story, riddled with secrets, where nothing is at it seems, matters of love, family honor and loyalty are tested to the maximum degree through a cast of characters who are as layered and deeply human as their flaws.
March 8, 2020
One of my favorite things about romantic suspense is that the hero and heroine work together to solve the problem. Beau and Emma both have too much past experience aka baggage to make that transition smooth or easy. Just about the time you think they have it figured out, one of them does something stupid. Thompson captured typical human behavior on the nose. Most of us are not quick to trust or work together either. I really enjoyed this book, largely because it doesn’t fit the traditional mold.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews