Very good story of second chances. When Cord shows up in the ER while she's working, Jolie is reminded that she has unfinished business with him. After their relationship was broken up by his father, Jolie had been heartbroken and angry. Then, after one passionate night together, she walked away from him, pregnant with his son, and kept him secret for four years.

When Cord sees CJ with Jolie, he knows CJ is his son. He's furious that Jolie never told him and is determined to be a proper father to his son. He makes it clear to her that now that he knows, he will be involved in CJ's life. I really liked seeing how quickly he bonded with the little boy and how good they were together. Spending time with CJ and Jolie together makes him realize that he wants them both in his life permanently. He's never forgotten Jolie and regrets letting his father tear them apart. He just has to convince her that they belong together.

Jolie had never intended to tell Cord about CJ. Because of the way he had simply walked away from her before, she couldn't trust that he wouldn't do the same thing again. And as part of the powerful Barron family, she was also afraid of him taking CJ away from her. Once Cord finds out about CJ she feels guilty about not telling him and allows Cord to spend time with him. She's surprised by how good Cord is with him and spending time with Cord brings back her old feelings.

I liked seeing Cord and Jolie together. It's obvious their connection is still strong and it's not just physical. I loved the fact that Cord admitted to her early on that he regretted letting his father drive them apart. He is determined to win her back and make them into a real family. It was really sweet to see him trying to romance her. But as much as he admits he still loves her, there is part of him that is still angry about what she did and leads him to say some things that don't sit well with her. Jolie has become a more confident woman since she became a mother, but she still has deep seated fears about her relationship with Cord. Being with him again has renewed her love for him, but she's still afraid that he could walk away from her, and this time take CJ with him. It takes the need for them to unite against a common threat to break through their fears and bring them together.

The family dynamics are very interesting. Cyrus Barron, the father, is a really nasty piece of work. He makes demands and threats to Cord about CJ and Cord has to find a way to deal with him. I liked seeing the brothers together and how they all seemed to accept CJ as Cord's son. There is some extra tension with one of the brothers that comes out when when Cyrus pulls a dirty trick and Cord has to face him down. I loved seeing how Cord handled it. There's a bit of redemption with the brother at the end, but dear old dad continues to be a problem.

This was okay. I wasn't a huge fan of the hero, Cord, or his entire damn family. Maybe I should steer clear of secret baby books, because they always make me rage when someone threatens to sue for paternity and I end up wishing the heroine would pull out a gun and start shooting.

I was lucky enough to be given a review copy from the author. I've been a fan of Silver James for years and am super excited for her new contemporary stories.

I really loved The Cowgirl's Little Secret. I'm normally not a huge fan of the secret baby troupe, but I found it really well done and completely understood why Jolie kept her secret. I also loved that both Cord and Jolie still loved each other after so many years away even though they didn't really trust each other again.

Jolie and Cord's son CJ was such a cutie and added a good bit of comic relief to what could be a really ugly situation. I loved that Cord totally fell in love with his son as soon as he saw him. Even though CJ was only 4 years old, I felt his reaction to finding out about his dad was perfect. I also totally got Jolie's concern about Cord suddenly being in their lives.

I've said it when I read the first book in this series and I'll say it again now. Cyrus Barron is the character everyone will hate. I honestly don't think being struck by lightning is a harsh enough punishment for him. I really can't think of another character in a series I've hated as much as I do Cyrus Barron. The description Silver James gives of Cyrus is he can out JR Ewing his clan, and it is spot-on.

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in the Red Dirt Royalty series and am very hopeful to read the rest of the books in the series.