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. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )