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It Was Time For A Showdown - Texas Lawman Style
It wasn't the first time danger had come to his ranch, but for Deputy Mason Ryland it was the final straw. Someone had been targeting his family for too long and the brooding lawman now had a new person to protect: horse trainer Abbie Baker.
His newest employee's arrival suspiciously coincided with the latest attack, and it wasn't long before he uncovered a decades-old secret between Abbie and the Ryland clan. But as much as that connection rankled, Mason couldn't ignore the fact that someone wanted beautiful Abbie dead. As an upholder of the law, he'd keep her safely tucked by his side through the investigation. As a man, he'd offer his personal protection through the endless summer nights....
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
About the author
Delores Fossen
765 books830 followersThank you for finding me on Goodreads!
Want to know more about me? Well, here it is in a nutshell:
I’m a USA Today bestselling author, and I’ve sold over 100 novels. Yes, 100! Needless to say, I write a lot. I’ve had the honor of receiving the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and I was a finalist for the Rita. My books have been featured in Vogue, Woman’s Day and Woman’s World. I’ve also had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. I love hearing from readers, and you can contact me through my webpage at: www.deloresfossen.com.
Want to know more about me? Well, here it is in a nutshell:
I’m a USA Today bestselling author, and I’ve sold over 100 novels. Yes, 100! Needless to say, I write a lot. I’ve had the honor of receiving the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and I was a finalist for the Rita. My books have been featured in Vogue, Woman’s Day and Woman’s World. I’ve also had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. I love hearing from readers, and you can contact me through my webpage at: www.deloresfossen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 15, 2013
This series of books is about six brothers that had to raise them self. Their dad took off leaving his wife, and six sons. their mom died shortly after, from a broken heart. The brothers grew up to become lawmen, and ranchers. In the previous books Mason was mentioned as the brother with the steely persona. The only person able to break through his defenses was his niece, baby Kimmy. In this book it was fun to see that Abby was also able to break through all of Mason's defenses. The tough as nails lawmen, and rancher started to care about how Abby felt. The romance between the two was sweet, funny, and very steamy. I am from Texas, so the way Mason talked in this book, reminded me of a few of the cowboys I grew up around.
The emotions were intense in this book. Abby came to work at the ranch as a horse trainer. The book starts out with someone trying to kill her. Mason wants answers. Mason sees the necklace that is around Abby's neck, and stops cold. She is wearing the very symbol that Boone, his dad had giving to him and each of his brothers before he walked out. He wants to know why she has it, and who she really is. Abby's mother was gunned down when Abby was little. Boone took Abby in, and raised her, as his daughter. The brothers have so much hatred build up. they can't believe their dad could walk out on them, but take in Abby. The book really heats up when they find out that the whole family is in danger. Someone wants all of them dead. They have to work together as a team to stay alive.
The action, and suspense was really intense. I really enjoyed this book. In fact this is the 3rd time I have read it.
The emotions were intense in this book. Abby came to work at the ranch as a horse trainer. The book starts out with someone trying to kill her. Mason wants answers. Mason sees the necklace that is around Abby's neck, and stops cold. She is wearing the very symbol that Boone, his dad had giving to him and each of his brothers before he walked out. He wants to know why she has it, and who she really is. Abby's mother was gunned down when Abby was little. Boone took Abby in, and raised her, as his daughter. The brothers have so much hatred build up. they can't believe their dad could walk out on them, but take in Abby. The book really heats up when they find out that the whole family is in danger. Someone wants all of them dead. They have to work together as a team to stay alive.
The action, and suspense was really intense. I really enjoyed this book. In fact this is the 3rd time I have read it.
October 19, 2012
The short version? I loved this book!
Delores Fossen has given me a new appreciation for a cowboy hero. While I've enjoyed the entire Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch miniseries, and have liked some stories/brothers more than others, I had a feeling MASON was going to be my favorite brother, and that this was going to be my favorite book. I was right!
The setup for Mason Ryland's story--a great hero, rough & tough & take charge, not big on sweet talk or finesse, but he gets the job done. And Abbie is more than his match. While her innocence scares this commitment-phobic hero a little bit, there's plenty of courage running through her, and I loved watching how her tenacity and vulnerability get under his skin. Not only is this a fast-paced romantic suspense, with plenty of villains and danger from the past and present to contend with, but it's a wonderful culmination to a great series. I especially loved the return of Boone Ryland--the father the Ryland brothers all hate. But he turned out to be pretty complex and interesting to get to know better, and, he made it easy to see where the Ryland brothers get their heroic tendencies... or maybe they rubbed off on ol' Dad, too?
At any rate, I wish I'd had the opportunity to finish the series sooner. I enjoyed them all. And together, I felt like I was getting a bigger, more complex, very satisfying read.
Delores Fossen has given me a new appreciation for a cowboy hero. While I've enjoyed the entire Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch miniseries, and have liked some stories/brothers more than others, I had a feeling MASON was going to be my favorite brother, and that this was going to be my favorite book. I was right!
The setup for Mason Ryland's story--a great hero, rough & tough & take charge, not big on sweet talk or finesse, but he gets the job done. And Abbie is more than his match. While her innocence scares this commitment-phobic hero a little bit, there's plenty of courage running through her, and I loved watching how her tenacity and vulnerability get under his skin. Not only is this a fast-paced romantic suspense, with plenty of villains and danger from the past and present to contend with, but it's a wonderful culmination to a great series. I especially loved the return of Boone Ryland--the father the Ryland brothers all hate. But he turned out to be pretty complex and interesting to get to know better, and, he made it easy to see where the Ryland brothers get their heroic tendencies... or maybe they rubbed off on ol' Dad, too?
At any rate, I wish I'd had the opportunity to finish the series sooner. I enjoyed them all. And together, I felt like I was getting a bigger, more complex, very satisfying read.
August 21, 2012
Very good book and conclusion to the series. When Mason hired Abbie as a horse trainer he didn't expect her to be a target in the latest problem his family was having. When he discovered that she had a long standing connection to his missing father he and his brothers were furious. But that didn't stop him from doing his best to protect her. There is also an intense attraction between them that he does not want to have, but he can't help himself. Mason and his brothers worked to discover just who is behind the attacks and why they are happening. Their father returns to Silver Creek to help stop the attacks. The Rylands don't want anything to do with him, but he has information they need to solve the mystery. The final showdown is tense and satisfying in its conclusion. I liked both Abbie and Mason. I loved Abbie's loyalty to Boone, even in the face of the Ryland's fury. She was sure that there was a connection between his disappearance many years before and the trouble they are having now. Her feelings for Mason develop quickly, but she is sure they won't go anywhere because of her connection to Boone. I loved the way that she tried to protect Mason from her problems, and how she tried to show him the truth about Boone. Mason was terrific too. He was immediately attracted to Abbie, but her connection to his father made him furious. Even with that, he couldn't stop the need to protect her. I loved seeing how being with her, even in the midst of turmoil, lightened the darkness in him. He smiled and even laughed around her, which is something I don't think I saw him do in the other books. She was also able to open his eyes about his father and make him look at things in a different way. I loved the final scene at the hospital.
October 9, 2012
I love Delores Fossen's series and this conclusion is the best. Mason is the most pricly and unfriendly of all the Ryland brothers. But he hires a horse trainer named Abby and even though she is a link to The Ryland brothers estranged Father, he still falls for her. They are all caught up in finding out who wanted them all dead so Boone(Dad) comes back to find out who is targeting his boys as well. A well written conclusion that lets you know that all is right with the world of Silver Creek Ranch and families. Will be looking for the next books from this talented Author.
December 9, 2021
Another in the Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series in which Mason, eldest of the Ryland brothers can't believe what he's just discovered: that the horse trainer he's just hired is going by a name not her own--from being in Witness Protection--but that she's in danger and placing his entire family in danger, too.
Abbie doesn't want to be in that position, but when the man who's raised her turns out to be the Ryland brothers' missing--deserted, actually--father, she realizes they are all in bigger danger than she thought.
When the murderer finally sets the plan in action, it's to kill them all at their mother's gravesite, but will he or they succeed? Things only start to wrap up after Mason realizes--slower than everyone else--that Abbie is the woman for him. But will she be alive to enjoy being in his arms, in his bed?
Abbie doesn't want to be in that position, but when the man who's raised her turns out to be the Ryland brothers' missing--deserted, actually--father, she realizes they are all in bigger danger than she thought.
When the murderer finally sets the plan in action, it's to kill them all at their mother's gravesite, but will he or they succeed? Things only start to wrap up after Mason realizes--slower than everyone else--that Abbie is the woman for him. But will she be alive to enjoy being in his arms, in his bed?
May 8, 2018
I loved ❤ this book's storyline. I loved ❤ the action in this story. This story had the right amount of action in it. I loved ❤ the dialogue in this story, it made laugh 😄. I loved ❤ the hot & steamy scenes. I loved ❤ Abbie's character. I loved ❤ Mason's character. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Fossen.
August 13, 2012
I have found a new author to love! I loved this book! Single lawman Mason Ryland has problems on his hands running his familys ranch,and this time trouble comes in the name of Abbie,his employee.Abbie is a beauty with a lot of baggage,Mason realizes there is more to Abbie then he could ever guess. They are connected through Mason's father.Trouble comes to the ranch in form of a hitman after Abbie.Mason just wants her gone but finds himself having feelings he doesnt want to have.His whole family is in jeopardy,while Mason and his brothers all work together to save Abbie and to find out who wants them dead Abbie realizes she loves Mason and trys to protect him and his family.This book is about family,forgiveness,loyalty. I enjoyed it very much!
July 11, 2013
Mason is one of six brothers who all work as lawmen and run different areas of their Silver Creek Ranch. Mason is the kick butt ask questions later brother hard core to the bitter end. He has three loves the law, his family and his ranch. When danger come to his ranch the lawman steps up to put an end to the threats to the people and things he loves. This was book 6 in the series, I am going back to read books one thru five. If thye are half as good as Mason story this is one heck of a series.
March 20, 2017
The last Ryland!! Just as wonderful as I expected. Mason was the brooding brother not easily enticed into conversation or babysitting. I loved how Boone got brought back into the fold in this one. Even if it may have caused problems between Mason and Abby. Abby had secrets she didn't want anyone to know and she may have just happen to have brought trouble to Ryland Ranch. The trouble on the Ranch could also still be stemming from Lynette's father's suicide. The Ryland's have sure had their share of trouble and PASSION!
March 22, 2017
I love this book!
Heck, he just went for it. “I want to marry you,” Mason blurted out. The sea of streaming Rylands froze, and once again, all eyes were on them. Abbie just stared, too. And she was holding her breath. She had a frozen look on her face. “Say yes so we can go home,” Dade complained. Grayson leaned in. “Say yes only if it’s what you want to say,” he said using his big-brother tone. “Make him suffer a little bit first,” Gage joked. Mason gave them all dirty looks. “Can we have some privacy here?” “No,” they answered in unison. “Say yes, Abbie.”
Heck, he just went for it. “I want to marry you,” Mason blurted out. The sea of streaming Rylands froze, and once again, all eyes were on them. Abbie just stared, too. And she was holding her breath. She had a frozen look on her face. “Say yes so we can go home,” Dade complained. Grayson leaned in. “Say yes only if it’s what you want to say,” he said using his big-brother tone. “Make him suffer a little bit first,” Gage joked. Mason gave them all dirty looks. “Can we have some privacy here?” “No,” they answered in unison. “Say yes, Abbie.”
July 26, 2015
Mason is the sixth installment in Delores Fossen's The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series. Just like the first five books, Mason is an edge-of your-seat thrillride. Action from page one. I love Mason and Abbie's story! This book is full of twists that will keep you guessing until the end.
October 9, 2015
Col sesto fratello siamo giunti anche alla risoluzione dell'ultimo mistero. Altro bel libro. Capisco che questa serie ha avuto così successo che l'autrice ha deciso di aggiungere in seguito altri due libri e stia ora lavorando ad altri quattro, se ben ricordo.
February 22, 2013
Fast and fun read, a great way to end the Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch;)
October 18, 2014
Good Series I really enjoyed these books!
April 2, 2017
One of my favorites! I re-read it often.
July 30, 2017
Great book lot of suspenseful scenes!! Highly recommend this book.
December 3, 2017
I always enjoyed Mason's sarcastic and witty quips in the previous books about the Ryland brothers -- all lawmen of Silver Creek, with the eldest Grayson being the Sheriff. Mason is one of the deputy sheriffs and the most unfriendly of all the brothers, not the sort to forgive and forget once riled. However, in this book we get to see a soft side of this gruff cowboy/deputy sheriff especially that sweet scene where he plays with his niece.
Mason realized his horse-trainer, Abbie, is hoarding a whole lot of secrets when only after three days of having hiredher there was two attempts on her life -- an arson and a shooting attempt. When he confronts her, Abbie tells him that she'd been in witness protection for twenty-one years after her mother had testified against her boss, a corrupt cop by the name of Ferguson. She'd entered the program when she was eleven, but soon after, her mother got killed even though the cop had got out on a technicality.
Mason at first found himself empathizing with her for his own mother had committed suicide soon after his father, Boone Ryland, had run out on all of them, but when he sees Abbie wearing a pendant belonging to his father he gets suspicious about her and gets her to spill the truth.
Abbie and her mother had met Boone few months before her mother was killed and ever since her mother's death, Boone had raised Abbie as his own child, moving with her from county to county working on various ranches to throw off any hit man the corrupt cop would've hired to kill Abbie. Mason is furious that the father whom he and his brothers had thought dead was not only alive, but has been raising another child when he couldn't raise his own sons.
Thinking his father has sent Abbie because he wanted to now mend fences with his sons, Mason fires Abbie from the job and was about to send her packing, but Abbie tells him his father didn't know she'd come to them, he knew how much they all hated him. In his fury, he would've still let her go if not for Grayson --the calmest of all brothers-- reminding him that someone was after life and she needed protection. He also gave Abbie a chance to explain the real reason of her to come to their ranch.
Abbie tells them that Boone has been in a pretty upset frame of mind ever since he heard of the state senator's suicide a month ago. The state senator, Ford, was the father-in-law of another Ryland brother Gage and in the previous book we got to know that Ford had killed his wife and maternal grandfather of the Ryland brothers, suspecting the two of an affair and at the end of the book, when his daughter, Lynette, and Gage had cornered him, he'd committed suicide.
Abbie overheard Boone tell someone that the past is catching up with him and it wouldn't be long he'd be dead. She also suspects that something bad had happened to him all those years for him to leave the family she knows he loves. He wanted Abbie to disappear for a while, to keep a distance from him, so she lied to him that she was going to Austin and instead went to the Ryland ranch to investigate what was troubling him.
Abby finds herself constantly defending the man who had raised her as his daughter because none of the Ryland brothers were ready to forgive him, even more so when Boone Ryland worried about Abbie's welfare walks into the Silver Creek Sheriff's office is greeted with hostility from his sons. Yet, when Mason saw how badly Abbie was affected by the anger he and his brothers were unleashing on to their father, he immediately called a stop to it.
The brothers get to know the real reason why their father was forced to leave him, not that it lessened their anger, but they were able to work with him to flush out the killers because it was not only Abbie that the killer was targeting, but also Boone and his sons.
The suspense was very good, but I found the book lacking in romance. Yes, Abbie and Mason were attracted to each other and wanted to have sex, but something was missing. Then, when Mason got to know she was a virgin, he hesitated because it meant serious business. But, they do have sex, soon after which Abbie tells him she loves him, making him nervous. However, when she was in a near death situation, his real feelings for her came to the fore. His big announcement in the end in front of everyone was very amusing.
“About time you figured it out,” Grayson mumbled.
“He’s always been slow,” Gage piped in, causing Nate, Kade and Dade to bob their heads in agreement.
“I’m sitting right here,” Mason reminded them when he broke the kiss. “I can hear you.”
I was also very disappointment that there was no mention about Lynette's pregnancy considering that her pregnancy was major part of the previous book. Maybe, I'm bit partial to Gage and Lynette because they're my favorite couple.
Nevertheless, this was a good, engaging book and good conclusion to the series
Mason realized his horse-trainer, Abbie, is hoarding a whole lot of secrets when only after three days of having hiredher there was two attempts on her life -- an arson and a shooting attempt. When he confronts her, Abbie tells him that she'd been in witness protection for twenty-one years after her mother had testified against her boss, a corrupt cop by the name of Ferguson. She'd entered the program when she was eleven, but soon after, her mother got killed even though the cop had got out on a technicality.
Mason at first found himself empathizing with her for his own mother had committed suicide soon after his father, Boone Ryland, had run out on all of them, but when he sees Abbie wearing a pendant belonging to his father he gets suspicious about her and gets her to spill the truth.
Abbie and her mother had met Boone few months before her mother was killed and ever since her mother's death, Boone had raised Abbie as his own child, moving with her from county to county working on various ranches to throw off any hit man the corrupt cop would've hired to kill Abbie. Mason is furious that the father whom he and his brothers had thought dead was not only alive, but has been raising another child when he couldn't raise his own sons.
Thinking his father has sent Abbie because he wanted to now mend fences with his sons, Mason fires Abbie from the job and was about to send her packing, but Abbie tells him his father didn't know she'd come to them, he knew how much they all hated him. In his fury, he would've still let her go if not for Grayson --the calmest of all brothers-- reminding him that someone was after life and she needed protection. He also gave Abbie a chance to explain the real reason of her to come to their ranch.
Abbie tells them that Boone has been in a pretty upset frame of mind ever since he heard of the state senator's suicide a month ago. The state senator, Ford, was the father-in-law of another Ryland brother Gage and in the previous book we got to know that Ford had killed his wife and maternal grandfather of the Ryland brothers, suspecting the two of an affair and at the end of the book, when his daughter, Lynette, and Gage had cornered him, he'd committed suicide.
Abbie overheard Boone tell someone that the past is catching up with him and it wouldn't be long he'd be dead. She also suspects that something bad had happened to him all those years for him to leave the family she knows he loves. He wanted Abbie to disappear for a while, to keep a distance from him, so she lied to him that she was going to Austin and instead went to the Ryland ranch to investigate what was troubling him.
Abby finds herself constantly defending the man who had raised her as his daughter because none of the Ryland brothers were ready to forgive him, even more so when Boone Ryland worried about Abbie's welfare walks into the Silver Creek Sheriff's office is greeted with hostility from his sons. Yet, when Mason saw how badly Abbie was affected by the anger he and his brothers were unleashing on to their father, he immediately called a stop to it.
The brothers get to know the real reason why their father was forced to leave him, not that it lessened their anger, but they were able to work with him to flush out the killers because it was not only Abbie that the killer was targeting, but also Boone and his sons.
The suspense was very good, but I found the book lacking in romance. Yes, Abbie and Mason were attracted to each other and wanted to have sex, but something was missing. Then, when Mason got to know she was a virgin, he hesitated because it meant serious business. But, they do have sex, soon after which Abbie tells him she loves him, making him nervous. However, when she was in a near death situation, his real feelings for her came to the fore. His big announcement in the end in front of everyone was very amusing.
“About time you figured it out,” Grayson mumbled.
“He’s always been slow,” Gage piped in, causing Nate, Kade and Dade to bob their heads in agreement.
“I’m sitting right here,” Mason reminded them when he broke the kiss. “I can hear you.”
I was also very disappointment that there was no mention about Lynette's pregnancy considering that her pregnancy was major part of the previous book. Maybe, I'm bit partial to Gage and Lynette because they're my favorite couple.
Nevertheless, this was a good, engaging book and good conclusion to the series
March 19, 2023
Mason meets his match in horse trainer Abbie. Things get complicated when he realizes she was basically raised by his father who left them many years ago. Follow them through danger as they all fight for their lives.
December 27, 2024
Reading the last book first was a bad idea for this series. I had no vested interest in all the characters appearing. The story could have been written better. I’ll not be going back for the rest of the series.
October 18, 2018
Mason review
Mason is the sixth romantic suspense book in The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series written by author Delores Fossen.
Mason is the sixth romantic suspense book in The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series written by author Delores Fossen.
October 13, 2021
A Great Ending
A Great ending to a wonderful. Very suspenseful. Kept you on the edge of your seat. As always I hate to see a good series end.
A Great ending to a wonderful. Very suspenseful. Kept you on the edge of your seat. As always I hate to see a good series end.
May 24, 2022
None stop action. Love comes to the stuffy, grumps Mason. Shots fired, the fire, and quite the cast of characters from the others books. Nice convulsion!! Love it.
October 14, 2022
Mason (The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch Book 6)
Great book. This was a thrilling story. So many suspects and so little clues to which was the one. I couldn't stop reading it.
Great book. This was a thrilling story. So many suspects and so little clues to which was the one. I couldn't stop reading it.
August 5, 2024
Very action packed for a romance novel! Gripping til the end!
June 6, 2025
Love this series
November 9, 2018
Mason book #6 in the series ( THE LAWMEN OF SILVER CREEK RANCH ) is the final showdown in this family saga. Mason will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. From the horse trainer who is in this up to her eyebrows to the father who left them all those years ago to someone who wants all the men of Silver Creek Ranch dead. With Mason he is fighting the hurt of his father leaving to the horse trainerwho stoll his heart. With family together and a new love in his life Mason will come out of this with a family that is stronger and a new life with the women of his dreams.
August 23, 2012
In Fossen’s romantic suspense novel, Deputy Mason Ryland finds trouble on his ranch in the form of his new employee, Abbie Baker. Abbie has secrets, connections to Mason’s family, particularly his father. After years in the Witness Protection Program, she seeks out the Rylands in hopes of finding answers for herself as well as them.
Another installment to The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series.
Another installment to The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series.
June 17, 2015
It was pretty good for a Harlequin. I appreciated that there was more than just a love struggle. I liked the mystery behind the story and the family issues. I wished that the romance would be drawn out more than just a couple weeks. I mean, how do you fall in love with a person overnight? And then decide to marry them that evening? Yikes, it went to fast.
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September 2, 2012Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
Category: Suspense
Category: Suspense
Read
September 2, 2012Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
Category: Suspense
Category: Suspense
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews