A witness in danger…
and a protector standing guard.

Pregnant widow Holly Myers just wants a fresh start for her and her unborn child, but when she witnesses a double murder, her quiet life is shattered.

On the run, she finds refuge with former Deputy Sheriff Clive Cantrell, who is determined to keep her safe. But with killers on their trail who’ll stop at nothing to silence Holly, staying alive might just be impossible.

Especially when clues link the murders to a drug trafficking operation hidden on Clive’s family’s ranch. And stopping the criminals could prove lethal for them both.

Titles in the Thunder Ridge Justice series include: Shielded by the Cowboy ~

This is a no-spice romance with either closed doors or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved 🙂

Title:  Shielded by the Cowboy
Series:  Thunder Ridge Justice #1
Author:  Connie Queen
Published:  December 30, 2025
Publisher:  Harlequin/Love Inspired Suspense
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Shielded by the Cowboy is an excellent beginning to the Thunder Ridge Justice series.  Holly merely wanted a fresh start after being widowed and soon expecting her first child… all on her own.  This small town seemed ideal until, while in the simple act of looking at a vehicle to purchase, she witnessed a double murder.  Fleeing the scene in terror, her mind only on protecting her baby, Holly is on the run from killers who will stop at nothing to silence the one witness to their crime.  Clive is a former deputy sheriff, now a rancher, and happens to be hauling horses when he sees a car on the side of the road and a woman in obvious distress.  His instinctive need to stop and help will change lives… and both his and Holly’s future.

Holly and Clive’s story is full of tensions and danger, and it easily kept me on edge throughout.  There were twists I didn’t see coming, as the threat increased alongside the attraction between this couple.  I enjoyed unraveling clues and meeting Clive’s brothers (who I’m hoping will have their own stories told as the series continues).  The author has created a believable world with a combination of danger and finally finding that person you were meant to be with.  If that sounds like your kind of romance, then you’d love Shielded by the Cowboy by Connie Queen.  I would not hesitate to recommend this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon