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Cooper Justice #2
Chickasaw County Captive
When someone tries to kidnap his daughter, Jefferson County D.A. Sam Cooper sees red. He wants little Maddy protected, at any cost. Even if that cost includes working with a distractingly attractive detective, Kristen Tandy. He knows Kristen wants to solve the case…so why does she try so hard to stay distant from him and his little girl? Remaining professional is something he fully understands, but the emotional—and physical—scars Kristen tries to hide make Sam deeply interested in turning things personal. And the more protection Kristen offers his daughter, the more her closely guarded vulnerability draws him in. Before long, as the truth of her past is slowly revealed, Sam realizes just how desperate someone is for her to remain silent….
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2010
18 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Paula Graves
153 books136 followersI was raised in Alabama, so I know we Southerners don't hide our crazy people—we showcase them. Eccentric people make for the best stories, and we Southerners do love our stories. The need to tell stories has been a driving force in my life from childhood.
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
As a girl, my favorite books were mysteries and romances. When I realized there were books that featured both romance and mystery, I knew I'd found my calling. Now I get to play both matchmaker and murderer and get paid for it. Could there be a better job anywhere?
I love to hear from readers, so don't be shy! You can email me through my website, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page and interact with me there: http://on.fb.me/MS3ldp And of course, you can always talk to me here on Goodreads!
Are you interested in subscribing to my newsletter? Go here and I tell you what to do: http://bit.ly/LYi4Ry
I look forward to chatting with you!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 21, 2010
A traumatic childhood experience left Detective Kristen Tandy "allergic" to children and vowing never to be a mother. Yet she has to put her self-doubts and fears aside to protect four-year-old Maddy Cooper from being kidnapped, all the while keeping her heart guarded against the little girl’s father.
This was the second book by Paula Graves I’ve read (and the second in her Cooper Justice series), and I believe this one was even better than its predecessor, with loads of tension thanks to the heroine’s childhood (and notoriety because of it), and the constant threat hanging over Maddy’s head.
The suspense was subtle, but all the more gripping because of it, the romance was sweet and slow-growing, and the story flowed easily and progressed at an even and constant pace.
Great characterization, I loved little Maddy, great suspense, gripping tension, and wonderful pacing and writing.
5 stars
This was the second book by Paula Graves I’ve read (and the second in her Cooper Justice series), and I believe this one was even better than its predecessor, with loads of tension thanks to the heroine’s childhood (and notoriety because of it), and the constant threat hanging over Maddy’s head.
The suspense was subtle, but all the more gripping because of it, the romance was sweet and slow-growing, and the story flowed easily and progressed at an even and constant pace.
Great characterization, I loved little Maddy, great suspense, gripping tension, and wonderful pacing and writing.
5 stars
October 8, 2011
Very good book. I love the Cooper family and how they are always there for each other. In this one, Sam's daughter is nearly kidnapped at the beginning of the book. In order to protect her while they are trying to find out who is behind it, Kristen is assigned as bodyguard. This is hard for her, as she has a terrible tragedy in her past that makes it hard for her to be around children. But over the course of the days, little Maddy is able to help Kristen overcome those issues. By the time everything goes down at the end, Kristen believes she might have a chance at her own happy ending.
November 18, 2018
A read that will have you on the edge literly. From a house invasion toa hurt niece to a Detective that is trying to run from a horrible past to falling in love with the handsome as hell Lawyer, this book will leave you pulling an all nighter to finish.
February 24, 2013
Some spoilers
This is the second book I’ve read from Paula Graves Cooper series and I’ve enjoyed both of them. Sam’s niece and daughter, Maddy, are attacked alone at home. Kristen is investigating the case with her partner. She is assigned as a bodyguard to Maddy and that’s how their interaction and involvement begins.
Maddy has a very difficult time being around children, or at least believes that she will not be able to relate to them and take care of them in any way. This irritates Sam a great deal especially since his ex-wife, Nora, did not take any interest in their daughter. But these feelings stem from a very tragic event in Kristen’s past. Despite that, Sam is still at times not sure whether he should further the attraction Kristen and him share. He doesn’t want Maddy to suffer. Nonetheless, it was a good romance where we get to see their feelings grow quickly. Overall, I might have given it a 5, but there were too many negative occurrences that were too common sense for characters to make.
Good points:
- The ex-wife, Nora, is engaged and not looking to get Maddy and Sam back.
- When one of the two main lead characters was crying from a nightmare, the other lead didn’t come into sooth the person, it was someone else. Which is great because a very large number of the Harlequin Intrigue books include a nightmare where one of the two lead characters comforts the other.
- A nice epilogue with a very cute gift given to Kristen from Sam.
Bad Points:
- TSTL moment. After the whole thing about keeping Maddy safe, and not even more than two days after the attack, they let her be taken to dinner with someone that does not have any skills in providing protection. Even though what happened at the Inn wasn’t an attack, the fact that Maddy was allowed to leave despite the danger, is very careless. I wish authors wouldn’t include these scenes where characters belittle the danger which they themselves made a big deal about.
- Also, nothing was confirmed about the first man that was caught, and yet Maddy was allowed to go back to school, without the bodyguard. There was security there, but then what about the role of the bodyguard?
- It didn’t really seem like Kristen was a bodyguard for Maddy. She was away from her several times. Even though she has a room at their house, there’s no point since she didn’t really hang out with her after the first couple of days. Most of the story focused on her doing investigating.
- There was another unidentified man that went to see Kristen’s mother with a picture of Maddy. Even though the guy went to the mother, Kristen didn't connect it to Maddy’s case…seriously. It would have made sense if even the slightest explanation or justification was given for why the connection didn’t get made, but we just see the characters not even thinking of the slightest reason one case could be connected to the other when it is so obvious it might be. Another very common bad point in Harlequin Intrigue books.
This is the second book I’ve read from Paula Graves Cooper series and I’ve enjoyed both of them. Sam’s niece and daughter, Maddy, are attacked alone at home. Kristen is investigating the case with her partner. She is assigned as a bodyguard to Maddy and that’s how their interaction and involvement begins.
Maddy has a very difficult time being around children, or at least believes that she will not be able to relate to them and take care of them in any way. This irritates Sam a great deal especially since his ex-wife, Nora, did not take any interest in their daughter. But these feelings stem from a very tragic event in Kristen’s past. Despite that, Sam is still at times not sure whether he should further the attraction Kristen and him share. He doesn’t want Maddy to suffer. Nonetheless, it was a good romance where we get to see their feelings grow quickly. Overall, I might have given it a 5, but there were too many negative occurrences that were too common sense for characters to make.
Good points:
- The ex-wife, Nora, is engaged and not looking to get Maddy and Sam back.
- When one of the two main lead characters was crying from a nightmare, the other lead didn’t come into sooth the person, it was someone else. Which is great because a very large number of the Harlequin Intrigue books include a nightmare where one of the two lead characters comforts the other.
- A nice epilogue with a very cute gift given to Kristen from Sam.
Bad Points:
- TSTL moment. After the whole thing about keeping Maddy safe, and not even more than two days after the attack, they let her be taken to dinner with someone that does not have any skills in providing protection. Even though what happened at the Inn wasn’t an attack, the fact that Maddy was allowed to leave despite the danger, is very careless. I wish authors wouldn’t include these scenes where characters belittle the danger which they themselves made a big deal about.
- Also, nothing was confirmed about the first man that was caught, and yet Maddy was allowed to go back to school, without the bodyguard. There was security there, but then what about the role of the bodyguard?
- It didn’t really seem like Kristen was a bodyguard for Maddy. She was away from her several times. Even though she has a room at their house, there’s no point since she didn’t really hang out with her after the first couple of days. Most of the story focused on her doing investigating.
- There was another unidentified man that went to see Kristen’s mother with a picture of Maddy. Even though the guy went to the mother, Kristen didn't connect it to Maddy’s case…seriously. It would have made sense if even the slightest explanation or justification was given for why the connection didn’t get made, but we just see the characters not even thinking of the slightest reason one case could be connected to the other when it is so obvious it might be. Another very common bad point in Harlequin Intrigue books.
August 19, 2017
Reread.
May 7, 2011
This was a terrific story! I generally have a difficult time with stories that fall into the Live to Tell category because they are so gut-wrenching. Kristen's story is horrific, too, and I live in awe of how she could live a relatively normal life with so many gory memories.
Her encounter with her mother was the worst (read best) part of the story.. if you like watching train wrecks. My heart went out to the detective during those moments. I thought Sam and Maddy were going to be good influences on her life but having Kristen leave their case so soon was predictably going to be a problem.
Paula Graves always gives us some of the best villains, this guy was smart and nasty, too, and the well-built romance leaves you with a satisfying and you-know-they-will-work-through-their-problems feeling at the end. CCC gives you a lot to think about and I'm looking forward to reading the next story in the Cooper Justice series.
Her encounter with her mother was the worst (read best) part of the story.. if you like watching train wrecks. My heart went out to the detective during those moments. I thought Sam and Maddy were going to be good influences on her life but having Kristen leave their case so soon was predictably going to be a problem.
Paula Graves always gives us some of the best villains, this guy was smart and nasty, too, and the well-built romance leaves you with a satisfying and you-know-they-will-work-through-their-problems feeling at the end. CCC gives you a lot to think about and I'm looking forward to reading the next story in the Cooper Justice series.
July 13, 2016
Always a delight to read.
I've read this book so many times it's like second nature. This story comes to life flawlessly and I love every second. Sam and Kristen's story will take hold and never let go.
I've read this book so many times it's like second nature. This story comes to life flawlessly and I love every second. Sam and Kristen's story will take hold and never let go.
October 30, 2010
Not bad.
July 11, 2011
Another book with that the book jacket summary makes sound interesting but just falls flat. The characters were not interesting and the premise was kind of ridiculous.
December 31, 2015
Kept my interest throughout
Was a good book. I would recommend it to everyone who likes romance and suspense. When I can borrow the next one for free I will
Was a good book. I would recommend it to everyone who likes romance and suspense. When I can borrow the next one for free I will
January 21, 2017
reading her books today in her memory RIP
April 21, 2019
Chickasaw County Captive review
Chickasaw County Captive is the second fast-paced romantic suspense book in the Cooper Justice series written by author Paula Graves.
Chickasaw County Captive is the second fast-paced romantic suspense book in the Cooper Justice series written by author Paula Graves.
July 18, 2013
I like this series!
February 21, 2015
Quick steamy sweet read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews