What do you think?
Rate this book
Cold Case #4
Cold Case in Cherokee Crossing
A decades-old cold case is testing everything one Texas Ranger thought he knew about obtaining justice…
A lot of men on death row profess their innocence. Those men are mostly just scared of dying. Jaxon Ward understands that, but as a Texas Ranger he needs to uphold the law. Yet the story Avery Tierney tells him… He's convinced her brother is awaiting execution while the real killer remains at large.
Searching for the murderer opens old wounds for Avery, and now she has to face a past so traumatic she blocked it out. A past not so dissimilar to Jax's. Before long, the only comfort they find is in each other's arms. Avery's lost everything once before. And now, if she loses Jaxon, she fears she'll never recover.
A lot of men on death row profess their innocence. Those men are mostly just scared of dying. Jaxon Ward understands that, but as a Texas Ranger he needs to uphold the law. Yet the story Avery Tierney tells him… He's convinced her brother is awaiting execution while the real killer remains at large.
Searching for the murderer opens old wounds for Avery, and now she has to face a past so traumatic she blocked it out. A past not so dissimilar to Jax's. Before long, the only comfort they find is in each other's arms. Avery's lost everything once before. And now, if she loses Jaxon, she fears she'll never recover.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 18, 2014
55 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Rita Herron
317 books933 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 26, 2015
I find it hard to get into a romance when it is alongside a mystery about a man who is a pedophile. And it's even more difficult when the main female character, Avery, is a survivor of said pedophile. She and the hero, Jaxon, team up to solve the mystery of who murdered the pedophile all those years ago when Avery was nine and living in the pedophile's house as a foster child. This is NOT a good backdrop for a romance.
And then there's my problems with Jaxon. Now, he's a great guy - sweet, caring, a good lawman. But his approach with Avery leaves something to be desired.
For one thing, if you are working on a case and a survivor of pedophilia is working with you, it is not honorable to put the moves on her. Secondly, Avery is going through a lot of trauma and re-experiencing a lot of painful memories and flashbacks due to all this investigating. It is not even remotely romantic or sexy to be kissing her or going to bed with her when she's dealing with all this. Thirdly, if a woman who was raped repeatedly as a little child by a man who bust down her door at night in a drunken rage and climbed on top of her in bed, perhaps you should think twice about entering her room by busting the door down when you hear her having a nightmare. I shouldn't have to tell you that this could be very traumatic for her and also would not be the best way to wake her up.
I don't think you need a psych degree to reach these conclusions. And Jaxon goes to bed with her WAY too fast. How about some dates first? How about moving through sexual stages slowly, and bit by bit? How about showing some consideration? Instead it's like: "I kissed you yesterday, and now we're having sex." Not like he's pushy about it - he isn't - but I would have appreciated a lot more caution and a much more gradual introduction to sex and sexual play for her. For God's sakes, she hasn't so much as been kissed a man in twenty years.
...
So. Those were my problems with the book. I feel bad about it - I realize that Harlequin needs these books to be about 150 pages and this was a story that needed about 300 or more to be done right. The bones of the mystery and the romance concept in itself is okay, but the execution didn't work for me.
It's also fair to mention that I hate reading about pedophiles. So it's doubly hard to get me on board with a book in which children are being raped.
ONE REAL STAR, ONE ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Intrigue December 2014
And then there's my problems with Jaxon. Now, he's a great guy - sweet, caring, a good lawman. But his approach with Avery leaves something to be desired.
For one thing, if you are working on a case and a survivor of pedophilia is working with you, it is not honorable to put the moves on her. Secondly, Avery is going through a lot of trauma and re-experiencing a lot of painful memories and flashbacks due to all this investigating. It is not even remotely romantic or sexy to be kissing her or going to bed with her when she's dealing with all this. Thirdly, if a woman who was raped repeatedly as a little child by a man who bust down her door at night in a drunken rage and climbed on top of her in bed, perhaps you should think twice about entering her room by busting the door down when you hear her having a nightmare. I shouldn't have to tell you that this could be very traumatic for her and also would not be the best way to wake her up.
I don't think you need a psych degree to reach these conclusions. And Jaxon goes to bed with her WAY too fast. How about some dates first? How about moving through sexual stages slowly, and bit by bit? How about showing some consideration? Instead it's like: "I kissed you yesterday, and now we're having sex." Not like he's pushy about it - he isn't - but I would have appreciated a lot more caution and a much more gradual introduction to sex and sexual play for her. For God's sakes, she hasn't so much as been kissed a man in twenty years.
...
So. Those were my problems with the book. I feel bad about it - I realize that Harlequin needs these books to be about 150 pages and this was a story that needed about 300 or more to be done right. The bones of the mystery and the romance concept in itself is okay, but the execution didn't work for me.
It's also fair to mention that I hate reading about pedophiles. So it's doubly hard to get me on board with a book in which children are being raped.
ONE REAL STAR, ONE ROMANCE STAR
Harlequin Intrigue December 2014
December 22, 2014
Good story of a man on death row for murder and the efforts made by his sister to find the truth. A week before he's scheduled to die, Avery visited her brother in prison and discovered that he had confessed to killing their foster father because he thought she had done it. Jaxon has been assigned to the case to make sure nothing comes up that will stop it. When he hears her story and talks to her brother he suspects that she may be right.
Avery had suffered terrible abuse by her foster father. Her brother had tried to protect her, but was regularly beaten and tied up. The night of the murder she had come out of a blackout to see her brother holding a knife and stabbing the man. Her statement had helped send Hank to prison, but now she wants to help set him free. As she and Jaxon begin asking questions, Avery begins receiving threats, warning her to give up her quest.
Jaxon had also spent time in foster care and knew that bad things happen all too often. He is amazed by Avery's strength and determination. Though he had been told by his boss to make sure the execution went on as scheduled, his own honor as a Ranger wouldn't allow him to ignore the possibility that the wrong person had been convicted. The more people he questions, the more obvious it becomes that the authorities had taken the easy way out. Jaxon becomes more determined to uncover the truth.
There were many layers to the mystery here, and multiple people with motive to kill Wade. I loved following each step and trying to figure out where it was leading. Some of the stories that were uncovered were heartbreaking. As the day of execution got closer, the intensity of the search increased. There was a surprise appearance by someone who claimed knowledge of the murder. When the final confrontation came, I was surprised by who had actually done it, and even more surprised by who had covered it up.
The romance between Jaxon and Avery was pretty quick. There was an immediate attraction between them, but they did try to resist at first. Jaxon felt it was inappropriate to get involved with Avery while he was investigating, but he found it very hard to resist. I loved his protectiveness toward her from the very beginning. He was horrified by the things that had happened to her and so sweet with her when she was having nightmares and flashbacks. Avery had her own issues obviously, because of the abuse she had suffered. Besides her problems having any kind of relationships, she had serious trust issues with men. From the very start she trusted Jaxon, which enabled her to allow herself to feel more. There was a brief break in that trust, but reason overcame it, and they were able to look forward together. I especially loved seeing what Jaxon did for Avery's brother and father.
Avery had suffered terrible abuse by her foster father. Her brother had tried to protect her, but was regularly beaten and tied up. The night of the murder she had come out of a blackout to see her brother holding a knife and stabbing the man. Her statement had helped send Hank to prison, but now she wants to help set him free. As she and Jaxon begin asking questions, Avery begins receiving threats, warning her to give up her quest.
Jaxon had also spent time in foster care and knew that bad things happen all too often. He is amazed by Avery's strength and determination. Though he had been told by his boss to make sure the execution went on as scheduled, his own honor as a Ranger wouldn't allow him to ignore the possibility that the wrong person had been convicted. The more people he questions, the more obvious it becomes that the authorities had taken the easy way out. Jaxon becomes more determined to uncover the truth.
There were many layers to the mystery here, and multiple people with motive to kill Wade. I loved following each step and trying to figure out where it was leading. Some of the stories that were uncovered were heartbreaking. As the day of execution got closer, the intensity of the search increased. There was a surprise appearance by someone who claimed knowledge of the murder. When the final confrontation came, I was surprised by who had actually done it, and even more surprised by who had covered it up.
The romance between Jaxon and Avery was pretty quick. There was an immediate attraction between them, but they did try to resist at first. Jaxon felt it was inappropriate to get involved with Avery while he was investigating, but he found it very hard to resist. I loved his protectiveness toward her from the very beginning. He was horrified by the things that had happened to her and so sweet with her when she was having nightmares and flashbacks. Avery had her own issues obviously, because of the abuse she had suffered. Besides her problems having any kind of relationships, she had serious trust issues with men. From the very start she trusted Jaxon, which enabled her to allow herself to feel more. There was a brief break in that trust, but reason overcame it, and they were able to look forward together. I especially loved seeing what Jaxon did for Avery's brother and father.
June 28, 2015
Herron’s vivid descriptions present scenes in a way that you can’t help but picture. I thoroughly appreciated how Herron made this story so suspenseful. When one pictures a cold case, one pictures long tedious hours going over old facts, but Herron turned this into something that I could barely put down. This novel is also emotional on many levels. Readers can’t help but be engaged by the story.
The complexity of both of the main characters was astounding. Although on the surface they appear to be at completely opposite ends of the spectrum you can also see the similarities in their situations. They were also just plain likeable individuals. Even if you can’t identify with their situations you can easily understand it. Hearing the thoughts of the person behind the scene without knowing who it is adds to the mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed this added layer. Herron presented it in such a manner that you knew you’d met the person but couldn’t quite pinpoint it. It put me in the same boat as the characters.
As a whole, this was a fantastic novel. Although I had expected to enjoy it based on the blurb, Herron blew me out of the water. I absolutely loved this one.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
The complexity of both of the main characters was astounding. Although on the surface they appear to be at completely opposite ends of the spectrum you can also see the similarities in their situations. They were also just plain likeable individuals. Even if you can’t identify with their situations you can easily understand it. Hearing the thoughts of the person behind the scene without knowing who it is adds to the mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed this added layer. Herron presented it in such a manner that you knew you’d met the person but couldn’t quite pinpoint it. It put me in the same boat as the characters.
As a whole, this was a fantastic novel. Although I had expected to enjoy it based on the blurb, Herron blew me out of the water. I absolutely loved this one.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Read
June 14, 2016There was not a single redeeming feature in either of these two stories. The plots were predictable. The characters were dull and one-dimensional. The dialogue was so cheesy it made you laugh out loud. The writing was awful.
But I literally had the greatest time.
This is trash in its purest form. Unapologetic trash. I'm so glad that I've had the opportunity to experience a Mills & Boon novel at last.
But I literally had the greatest time.
This is trash in its purest form. Unapologetic trash. I'm so glad that I've had the opportunity to experience a Mills & Boon novel at last.
November 18, 2014
4 STARS
Cold Case in Cherokee Crossing deals with some tough issues. Like, sex abuse to minors, physical abuse, verbal abuse, problems in foster care, drug abuse, death row. Is is full of drama, mystery danger and a countdown to death.
Avery Tierney has kept quiet about what happened to her when she was 9 years old. She was repeatedly abused by her foster father. Her big brother tried to protect her. She is the daughter of a murder. Her brother killed her foster father in front of her, but most of night is blocked out.
Avery goes to visit her brother for the first time a week before he is to die on death row. Avery finds out he confessed because he thought she committed the murder. Avery is going to try and save him.
Jaxon Ward is a Texas ranger. He is supposed to make sure nothing goes wrong with the case.
Avery and Jaxon meet in the prison and the more Jaxon learns the more he thinks things look fishy. So he starts to investigate because he also believes Hanks story.
Hank at 14 kept trying to save his sister from rape. He kept getting beat up and tied up for it.
He picked up a knife and stabbed and stabbed his foster father and showed no remorse for it.
Someone wants Avery to let the case go and threatens her if she keeps asking questions. Avery won't stop. She feels guilty because she testified against her brother. She never told anyone about the abuse except therapist. She feels she should have kept in touch with her brother before this time.
Jaxon risks a lot to find out the truth and be able to prove it before Hank runs out of time.
Good story keeps you into the story. See what one evil man can do to ruin lots of kids lives.
The setting is Texas small town.
I was given this ebook to read from Net galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest opinion.
Cold Case in Cherokee Crossing deals with some tough issues. Like, sex abuse to minors, physical abuse, verbal abuse, problems in foster care, drug abuse, death row. Is is full of drama, mystery danger and a countdown to death.
Avery Tierney has kept quiet about what happened to her when she was 9 years old. She was repeatedly abused by her foster father. Her big brother tried to protect her. She is the daughter of a murder. Her brother killed her foster father in front of her, but most of night is blocked out.
Avery goes to visit her brother for the first time a week before he is to die on death row. Avery finds out he confessed because he thought she committed the murder. Avery is going to try and save him.
Jaxon Ward is a Texas ranger. He is supposed to make sure nothing goes wrong with the case.
Avery and Jaxon meet in the prison and the more Jaxon learns the more he thinks things look fishy. So he starts to investigate because he also believes Hanks story.
Hank at 14 kept trying to save his sister from rape. He kept getting beat up and tied up for it.
He picked up a knife and stabbed and stabbed his foster father and showed no remorse for it.
Someone wants Avery to let the case go and threatens her if she keeps asking questions. Avery won't stop. She feels guilty because she testified against her brother. She never told anyone about the abuse except therapist. She feels she should have kept in touch with her brother before this time.
Jaxon risks a lot to find out the truth and be able to prove it before Hank runs out of time.
Good story keeps you into the story. See what one evil man can do to ruin lots of kids lives.
The setting is Texas small town.
I was given this ebook to read from Net galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give honest opinion.
October 25, 2014
It was a great book--kept me glued til I finished last nite.
August 11, 2019
My first read wirh this author
What an awesome story. Suspense and who did it from the first page. The story progress very quickly and takes place within a weeks time.
What an awesome story. Suspense and who did it from the first page. The story progress very quickly and takes place within a weeks time.
March 31, 2022
The author did the best with the word limit she had.
If I am not wrong, Harlequin gives their authors a word limit on their stories. To put this plainly, she did the best with the word limit she got. I believe that if she had found a different publisher who gave her freedom on the book's length, it could've been amazing.
Let's talk about the main male lead. How is it possible that he can't read the room? This guy is supposed to be helping a traumatized, formal victim of several types of abuse. He knows this, and he also how much the main character is relying on him. So, why in the world would he ever try to hit on her? Why would he ever sleep with her? This girl is reliving traumatic events, going through a whole other process. She is suffering. Can he please sit down, do his job, and hit on her when it is more appropriate. This dynamic only makes the sex scene seem weird.
About the mystery, at first, I never would've guessed the killer was who it turned out to be. However, one specific clue is all you need to know who it is.
The main female lead confused me. Why would she try to get the case reinvestigated if she truly had a feeling that her brother was the killer? A lot of her trauma wasn't really addressed, which is weird considering that seems to be the only thing her character thinks about in this story.
A the end of the day, Rita Herron did the best she could with what she was given.
If I am not wrong, Harlequin gives their authors a word limit on their stories. To put this plainly, she did the best with the word limit she got. I believe that if she had found a different publisher who gave her freedom on the book's length, it could've been amazing.
Let's talk about the main male lead. How is it possible that he can't read the room? This guy is supposed to be helping a traumatized, formal victim of several types of abuse. He knows this, and he also how much the main character is relying on him. So, why in the world would he ever try to hit on her? Why would he ever sleep with her? This girl is reliving traumatic events, going through a whole other process. She is suffering. Can he please sit down, do his job, and hit on her when it is more appropriate. This dynamic only makes the sex scene seem weird.
About the mystery, at first, I never would've guessed the killer was who it turned out to be. However, one specific clue is all you need to know who it is.
The main female lead confused me. Why would she try to get the case reinvestigated if she truly had a feeling that her brother was the killer? A lot of her trauma wasn't really addressed, which is weird considering that seems to be the only thing her character thinks about in this story.
A the end of the day, Rita Herron did the best she could with what she was given.
January 30, 2015
I found the plot on this book to be really gripping. I hadn't figured out the real murderer until it was revealed, and was fascinated at all the other little details and people that were ultimately involved in what happened to Avery's foster father.
Avery - she survived the most horrific possible early childhood and despite a general wariness, she's not let it destroy her life. I was glad to see her get her happy ending.
Jaxon - Ahhh, Jaxon. So happy he did the right thing and listened to his instincts. Of course, that's part of what makes a hero a hero, in my mind. He resists an enormous amount of pressure from his supervisors and sincerely digs in to find out the truth when it appears something may have been covered up.
Loved the book!
Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Avery - she survived the most horrific possible early childhood and despite a general wariness, she's not let it destroy her life. I was glad to see her get her happy ending.
Jaxon - Ahhh, Jaxon. So happy he did the right thing and listened to his instincts. Of course, that's part of what makes a hero a hero, in my mind. He resists an enormous amount of pressure from his supervisors and sincerely digs in to find out the truth when it appears something may have been covered up.
Loved the book!
Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2015
Ms. Herron offers an outstanding who done it and I challenge the reader to figure it out before the author is ready to reveal it. The storyline is so complex it is difficult to wade through the growing mountain of evidence and point the finger at one character. Cold Case in Cherokee Crossing is wonderful love story, but the love story takes a back seat to the mystery and investigation. I recommend the writing of Ms. Herron to mystery fans who appreciate a little romance and complex characters.
Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More.
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More.
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
March 31, 2015
In Herron’s romantic intrigue novel, Texas Ranger Jaxon Ward understands that it’s normal for criminals on death row to profess their innocence out of fear of dying. But when Avery Tierney approaches him with a story regarding her brother, he’s convinced the state may be about to execute the wrong man.
Teaming together to find a killer, both Avery and Jaxon find old wounds opening as they trail the real killer to a crossroads where a decade old murder touched both their lives. As passion fires between them, they fight to find the truth and put the real killer where he belongs.
A fast-paced story of a decades-old cold case that tests the strength of one Texas Ranger and his belief in justice.
Teaming together to find a killer, both Avery and Jaxon find old wounds opening as they trail the real killer to a crossroads where a decade old murder touched both their lives. As passion fires between them, they fight to find the truth and put the real killer where he belongs.
A fast-paced story of a decades-old cold case that tests the strength of one Texas Ranger and his belief in justice.
June 24, 2016
A hold your breath story that will tare your heart out from what these two Adults went through in their younger life's and what Avery the sister is trying to do to get her brother Hank off of Death Row. All the while losing her hart to sexy Texas Ranger Wade Jaxon and vise-vs-a as he is losing his hart to Avery all the while trying to figure out who really killed the monster of a foster father Mulligan.
March 4, 2015
I saw quite a few negative reviews about this book due to it's sensitive subject matter (child abuse) but I thought that it was very tastefully handled and well written by the author not going into too much detail but giving enough to give the back story. The book was suspenseful and kept you guessing at the murderer.
March 2, 2016
I loved this book until the end... The end completely ruined it! I hate when the authors rush to wrap up a story and questions all of a sudden have answers. Really?? After keeping a secret for 25 years you spill just simply spill because someone asks? -_-
Read
January 12, 2016"With plenty of suspense, a hero and heroine who readers will root for and a touching romance to top it all off, Herron pens a can’t-put-down story" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Read
January 12, 2016received 4 1/2 stars @ RT Book Reviews
February 7, 2015
This was a moving tale. The heroine had a horrific childhood, her brother was incarcerated for allegedly killing the man who abused her. Thankfully there is a happy ending!
January 9, 2015
couldn't put it down ready for another cold case book
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews