Back to Her Cowboy

The Cowboys of the Diamond O Ranch #6

by Janalyn Knight

The only thing more dangerous than her past… is falling for him again.

Levi Riker was the first man to touch Clara Monroe’s body—and the only one who ever touched her soul.
And she broke him.

Years ago, she left Alpine chasing a life that glittered—one that turned out to be built on lies and control. Mason Calder promised her love. What he gave her was fear. Bags of hidden cash. Men who followed orders without question. A warning whispered in her ear that no one leaves him.

So she did the only thing she could.
She ran.

Now Clara’s back in West Texas with her six-year-old daughter and nowhere else to go.

Levi’s still there—broad shoulders, rough hands, that steady, quiet strength that once made her feel safe. He doesn’t ask why she left. He just pulls her close when the nightmares hit.

He swears he’ll protect her. That no one will hurt her again. But when his mouth finds hers, every wall she’s built crumbles, and she remembers exactly how dangerous it feels to love him.

Because Mason isn’t done. He’s coming for her. And he won’t stop until he destroys them both.

Now there’s no safe place left to hide—except in the arms of the cowboy she should have never let go.

Get your copy now and find out if Mason succeeds in destroying them or if Levi proves more deadly than the hardened criminal on their trail.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2025

About the author

Nobody knows sexy Texas cowboys like Janalyn. She rodeoed in roping and other speed events and worked as a cowhand on a ten-thousand-acre cattle ranch. These experiences lend an authenticity to her characters and stories. Janalyn is an avid supporter of the Hill Country Horse Refuge and totally owns the title of wine drinker extraordinaire. When she’s not writing spicy cowboy romances, she’s living her dream—sharing her twenty-acres of Texas Hill Country with her daughters and their families.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story about a single mom having to move back to her hometown. Leaving her home 7 yrs. ago now coming back feels like a failure after a worrisome relationship with someone she is running away from. This story will keep you guessing that who will be safe, can you return home again, people forgive you for your past? Beautifully written story ❤️.

[Linda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost clean romance with a few explicit scenes; 3.75 stars, showing 4
I truly have enjoyed this series but on this one I feel like the author missed the mark in some way. She vacillates from having steamy scenes and within a few pages the characters are praying or asking for God’s intervention. I know to be religious does not mean to preclude intimacy but it just seems strange in this romance. I suggest choose a side and go with it.
Clara Monroe is escaping Mason her criminal boyfriend in Dallas where she moved for the glitz and glamour of a big town, away from Alpine in West Texas seven years before. She is bringing her 6yo daughter to make a new life. Almost immediately she meets her best friend and former one-time lover Levi Riker. He is furious with her and that she ghosted him when she left. Oh, but it is about to get worse. Can they reconcile? Will the anonymous texts that Clara gets tell her that Mason has found her? Mason told her that NOBODY leaves him! Intrigue, steam, revelations embody this book. What must Clara and Levi go through to get their HEA?
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book. There are some holes in the story at the end regarding Clara’s mother Angie and some downright stupid events, which the author used for the climax plot device. I cannot divulge or I give away the ending. Lastly, I like the old cover better than the new one.

[Karen J Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara Monroe learns a lesson the hard way. At 18, she was so focused on leaving her poor life in her hometown, she failed to see what she had right in front of her in the form of Levi Riker. When their childhood friendship developed into love, she bolted for the big city after they gave in to their feelings for each other. She leaves Levi broken-hearted and filled with unanswered questions. Seven years later, Clara runs to what she hopes is the safety of her hometown and away from a man she realizes too later is not what he first appears. Along with her, she brings her daughter, Sunny. When Levi learns about Sunny, he is angry, hurt, and happy, and he needs answers to so many questions. As Mason, the man coming after Clara, ramps up his threats against her, Clara turns to the only man she ever truly loved and trusted. Will Levi and his family provide the protection Clara, her mother, and her daughter need to survive Mason's intent to make her return to him? Will Clara finally see the riches she's always had in front of her in the form of Levi's love? I highly recommend this book and think it is a great addition to this amazing series she has written.

Thanks to the author for sending an advance copy of this book. I am gladly leaving an honest, voluntary review.

[Wioletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara left Alpine and Levi, she thought it is for the best and she never planned to come back. Life did bring some not great things to Clara and she has to go back to Alpine, she has to face Levi. What he will do when he learn about her secret?
Enjoyed story very much

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome read. Clara finds out that sometimes what you thought was what you wanted turns out that there's no place like home. This book has romance and drama.

[Anita Rohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written tale of second chances that will pull you in and keep you reading.