Wyoming Cowboy Undercover (Cowboy State Lawmen, 5)

Not my favorite entry in the Cowboy Lawman series, but that’s on me and not the amazing author. Cultish books just aren’t my thing but it was a well written, action packed story even if I wanted to strangle a couple of people!

Fifth in Juno Rushdan's Cowboy State Lawmen. Rocco has five days to uncover a terrorist plot, and when his informant is killed, he has only one option. Go undercover in a cult. To do this he has to use someone that he has grown very fond of, Mercy, the daughter of the cult leader. Mercy believes in what her father has set up, even though he is very controlling. Will she be able to forgive Rocco for his deception and taking the blinders off about her father and his motives? A real page-turner, action-packed thriller. I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

If you have read books 1-4, then you have probably also been waiting to read Rocco’s story! He’s been a side character throughout the series, the one that jumps in to do the dirty and dangerous tasks no one else wants to do. He’s a hardcore ATF agent, former military who wears a cowboy hat and he finally gets a his chance at the girl he wants to make his. But first has to deal with a commune, an overbearing father and a brotherhood of domestic terrorist… easy right? 😜. This one will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what what comes next. I’ve loved this series and can’t wait for the next one!

Terrific addition to the Cowboy State Lawmen series. Rocco is an undercover part of the task force investigating weapons trafficking that may also be linked to the Shining Light cult. The cult leader, Marshall McCoy, is a charismatic man who has recruited many people lately, making the task force suspicious about his intentions. The story opens as Rocco witnesses his CI (confidential informant) run off the road on the way to meet him. The CI dies right after telling Rocco they had it "all wrong" and that something big and violent would happen in a few days. The CI's death leaves Rocco with only his backup plan to get the truth - getting closer to the leader's daughter, Mercy. Mercy has been raised in the cult but lately has felt restless and dissatisfied. Her happiest times are spent at the gym, where she takes self-defense lessons from Rocco. But her father is about to end those lessons and prevent her from leaving the compound. Distraught at not seeing Rocco again, she allows him to talk her into taking him to the compound with her. He claims he needs her help to get away from bad influences. This begins a roller coaster of action, suspense, and emotions. The twists and turns of this case kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Rocco is determined to discover what the attack entails and who is behind it and is willing to risk himself. The intensity ramps up as the deadline grows nearer. The cult leader is a master manipulator and doesn't hesitate to use Mercy to further his aims. But just when it looks like Rocco has identified the who, if not the where and when, an unexpected twist throws everything into question. The new player is determined and without any redeeming qualities in his quest. I was glued to the pages as Rocco fought for his life and to prevent a horrifying attack. I loved watching the task force and law enforcement come together in a well-planned and executed defense. My only frustration was that the cult leader managed to weasel out of any consequences. A secondary suspense plot involved Mercy, her father, and his supposed heir to the cult leadership. Mercy was allowed more freedom than others as her father tried to keep her from leaving altogether. He has plans to marry her to Alex, keeping the leadership within the family. He uses subtle and not-so-subtle manipulations to keep both under his thumb. But as Mercy grows closer to Rocco, her father uses those feelings against her. Complicating matters, Alex becomes more obsessed with her, and his jealousy comes out in dangerous ways. The final confrontation between Alex, Mercy, and Rocco was a nail-biter, and I ached for Mercy when it was over. I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Rocco and Mercy. He fell for her more each day over the months he taught her self-defense. But he was also cultivating her as an asset; gett...