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He faked his death for good reason, but CIA operative Gage Ryland has a better reason to come back from the grave. Though they had a bitter breakup years ago, Gage wants to save his ex-wife—his very pregnant ex-wife—Lynette Herrington from a vengeful hit man. Obviously the baby proves she's gotten over Gage. Or has she? While on the run, Gage feels the attraction between them heating up and yet he knows he must undo a decade of hurt and separation before she'll put her trust in them again. But complicating his emotions is Lynette's pregnancy…and how, as she claims, her unborn child could be his.
Mass Market Paperback
First published August 7, 2012
110 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Delores Fossen
653 books814 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 3, 2018
My true rating rests somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0 stars so I'm rounding up to 3. That makes this book almost fair (but not quite) for this reader. I was disappointed because with all the high ratings I expected something better than this was.
I first want to comment that I was not pleased with the length of time this couple was separated. Ten years was just too long in my opinion. I liked the heroine even though I wanted her to toughen up a bit, well actually a lot. Her dad ruled her life...and she let him...for way too long.
Now, the hero is a different story and he kind of ticked me off some. The heroine's father gave her an ultimatum. Annul their marriage or he would kill the hero and all his brothers. The father had already killed his own wife (the heroine's mother) and the hero's grandfather in cold blood. So, it was not an idle threat because she knew he had killed at least twice before and got away with it and he was involved with some real shady characters. She couldn't chance that he would kill the man she loved so she forced the annulment. He hated her for that and had no idea she had done it to save his life and that of his family. He left right away because it was too painful to be where she was. Ten years later he is back home in disguise to protect her from a hitman. He had faked his own death (he was CIA) almost a year earlier to get the guy off his tail and therefore keep his family and ex safe. He had hurt his family as well as the heroine by refusing to return home even for a visit. His arrogance and cockiness was a bit much for me to take. That is such an instant turn off for this reader. He just had that air about him and it threw me out of the book quite a few times. I wanted so badly to show him he was not really all he thought he was...put him in his place.
I also thought the story moved too slowly with more details than it needed.
Would I recommend? Don't want to say.
Would I read again? No
I first want to comment that I was not pleased with the length of time this couple was separated. Ten years was just too long in my opinion. I liked the heroine even though I wanted her to toughen up a bit, well actually a lot. Her dad ruled her life...and she let him...for way too long.
Now, the hero is a different story and he kind of ticked me off some. The heroine's father gave her an ultimatum. Annul their marriage or he would kill the hero and all his brothers. The father had already killed his own wife (the heroine's mother) and the hero's grandfather in cold blood. So, it was not an idle threat because she knew he had killed at least twice before and got away with it and he was involved with some real shady characters. She couldn't chance that he would kill the man she loved so she forced the annulment. He hated her for that and had no idea she had done it to save his life and that of his family. He left right away because it was too painful to be where she was. Ten years later he is back home in disguise to protect her from a hitman. He had faked his own death (he was CIA) almost a year earlier to get the guy off his tail and therefore keep his family and ex safe. He had hurt his family as well as the heroine by refusing to return home even for a visit. His arrogance and cockiness was a bit much for me to take. That is such an instant turn off for this reader. He just had that air about him and it threw me out of the book quite a few times. I wanted so badly to show him he was not really all he thought he was...put him in his place.
I also thought the story moved too slowly with more details than it needed.
Would I recommend? Don't want to say.
Would I read again? No
December 3, 2017
This is my favorite Delores Fossen book and the best amongst the Ryland clan of six brothers whose father had left them and their mother for an unknown destination when they were very young, soon after which their mother died from heartbreak and the eldest son Grayson pretty much brought up his brothers, who all grew up to be lawmen and him being the Sheriff of Silver creek.
Gage and Lynette fall perfectly into my category of couples who fit right in there with each other, who only belong to one another and no one else.
I loved the moment when Lynette identified Gage even though he was under the disguise of prosthetic make-up, beard and altered voice and had lied to her, telling her he was asked by Gage before his death to protect her.
“How did you know?” Gage was unable to stop himself from asking. He was good at his job. Damn good. And it was a little insulting that a civilian had figured it out in under a half hour.
“Your scent,” she said in a breathy whisper.
Gage gave his armpit a quick smell but clearly didn’t detect what Lynette had.
“No one else has that scent,” she clarified, which of course, didn’t clarify it much. She bolted across the seat and threw her arms around him. “It’s you. It’s really you.”
Well, that wasn’t the reaction Gage had expected. Nor was the hungry kiss she planted on his mouth. Her lips tasted of the rain and the salt from her tears. And of Lynette. Yeah, after all this time, he remembered exactly how she tasted. So, maybe it wasn’t too much of a stretch for her to remember his scent.
Considering though that they hated each other, it was still a puzzling memory to latch onto.
The kiss continued, punctuated with her sobs and mumbles, and Gage finally had no choice but to pull over. Not a good time for it, with the body of a hit man only a mile away, but he didn’t want to wreck. Without thinking it through, Gage kissed her right back, that taste coiling through him. Oh, man. He’d missed her almost as much as he hated her. Almost. However, he was having a hard time remembering the hatred part while playing lip-lock with his ex.
Ten years ago, after a two-year affair nineteen-year old Lynnette and Gage, who was twenty-two then, had eloped and got married, but few weeks later Lynette had caved into pressure from her father, who's a state senator --and who hated Gage-- and got the marriage annulled, leaving Gage feeling heartbroken, betrayed and angry. He left town and his family thereafter to join the CIA. A year ago, he'd killed a notorious drug dealer, because of which, dealer's brother is out for vendetta and has vowed to kill Gage's brothers and their wives and children and also Lynette. So, to save all of them, Gage faked his death.
Now, having heard of a hired gun on the way to kill Lynette, he decided to come back under disguise and protect her himself. He doesn't know who had hired the hitman whether the dealer's brother or Lynette's father and his two business associates as Lynnette had been secretly digging into their business files hoping to find evidence about her mother's death.
As Gage fights his way to keep Lynette safe, he receives some very mind-numbing surprises from his ex-wife. Not only did she recognize him, but she was carrying his baby even though they hadn't had sex for all the years they'd been separated. Turns out the hospital where he'd banked his sperm on doctor's advice when he had Hodgkins had called Lynnette when they couldn't reach him asking her whether they should destroy the sperms, but she having loved only Gage and wanted to keep him alive had taken the sample and secretly inseminated herself with it. Then, the discovery that Lynette had never got the annulment, only faked it because she was given an ultimatum by her father that she leaves Gage or he would kill Gage like he killed her mother and got away with it. Gage was torn when he got to know all what she gave up to keep them married.
“It probably seems selfish and a little crazy on my part, but I wanted to hang on to the marriage as long as I could because it was my way of hanging on to you. I knew that you’d get on with your life. That you’d find someone else and when you did, I’d planned to get a quick annulment so you wouldn’t be committing bigamy.” She paused. “But you didn’t find anyone else. Not that I know of anyway.”
Another scowl. “No.” He drained more of the beer. “And I didn’t have to sell something I loved or keep a secret that burned into my soul.”
“Yes, you did,” she reminded him. “You left your family. Faked your death to save me and your brothers. If we’re comparing our martyr badges, I think they’re about the same size.”
He looked at her. “So, where does that leave us?”
Lynette drank her milk. “Our martyrdom failed. Even after all these years, we’re right back where we started. Married and in danger.”
Gage pulled her down for a kiss that was probably too long and too hot considering they had an audience.
“Told you they were back together,” Mason mumbled.
“I don’t think they were ever apart,” Kade corrected. “Never could keep their hands off each other.”
Their desire and love for one another was very palpable and the sex was Hot, but what I loved the most was those little tender moments between them like the time Gage dropped a kiss on her baby belly or when he was getting dressed to meet his brothers Lynnette pulls him on to the bed only to hold him for a moment.
They had decisions to make about their future and their baby, whom Gage wanted even though he hadn't planned for it. Also, Gage had fences to mend with his brothers, but his most important agenda was to protect Lynette and their baby from the various attempts on their life, also Lynette's father's attempt to send her to the asylum on false accusations of her being mentally unstable while Lynette prayed that Gage wouldn’t die trying to protect her and their child. The suspense and action went on non-stop from the very beginning to the end of the book. Loved how the Ryland brothers and their wives supported and provided protection to Gage and Lynette, even when one of the wives had gone into labour.
It was a highly romantic, emotional, action-packed book. Loved it. Only wish it had an epilogue showing them with their baby
Gage and Lynette fall perfectly into my category of couples who fit right in there with each other, who only belong to one another and no one else.
I loved the moment when Lynette identified Gage even though he was under the disguise of prosthetic make-up, beard and altered voice and had lied to her, telling her he was asked by Gage before his death to protect her.
“How did you know?” Gage was unable to stop himself from asking. He was good at his job. Damn good. And it was a little insulting that a civilian had figured it out in under a half hour.
“Your scent,” she said in a breathy whisper.
Gage gave his armpit a quick smell but clearly didn’t detect what Lynette had.
“No one else has that scent,” she clarified, which of course, didn’t clarify it much. She bolted across the seat and threw her arms around him. “It’s you. It’s really you.”
Well, that wasn’t the reaction Gage had expected. Nor was the hungry kiss she planted on his mouth. Her lips tasted of the rain and the salt from her tears. And of Lynette. Yeah, after all this time, he remembered exactly how she tasted. So, maybe it wasn’t too much of a stretch for her to remember his scent.
Considering though that they hated each other, it was still a puzzling memory to latch onto.
The kiss continued, punctuated with her sobs and mumbles, and Gage finally had no choice but to pull over. Not a good time for it, with the body of a hit man only a mile away, but he didn’t want to wreck. Without thinking it through, Gage kissed her right back, that taste coiling through him. Oh, man. He’d missed her almost as much as he hated her. Almost. However, he was having a hard time remembering the hatred part while playing lip-lock with his ex.
Ten years ago, after a two-year affair nineteen-year old Lynnette and Gage, who was twenty-two then, had eloped and got married, but few weeks later Lynette had caved into pressure from her father, who's a state senator --and who hated Gage-- and got the marriage annulled, leaving Gage feeling heartbroken, betrayed and angry. He left town and his family thereafter to join the CIA. A year ago, he'd killed a notorious drug dealer, because of which, dealer's brother is out for vendetta and has vowed to kill Gage's brothers and their wives and children and also Lynette. So, to save all of them, Gage faked his death.
Now, having heard of a hired gun on the way to kill Lynette, he decided to come back under disguise and protect her himself. He doesn't know who had hired the hitman whether the dealer's brother or Lynette's father and his two business associates as Lynnette had been secretly digging into their business files hoping to find evidence about her mother's death.
As Gage fights his way to keep Lynette safe, he receives some very mind-numbing surprises from his ex-wife. Not only did she recognize him, but she was carrying his baby even though they hadn't had sex for all the years they'd been separated. Turns out the hospital where he'd banked his sperm on doctor's advice when he had Hodgkins had called Lynnette when they couldn't reach him asking her whether they should destroy the sperms, but she having loved only Gage and wanted to keep him alive had taken the sample and secretly inseminated herself with it. Then, the discovery that Lynette had never got the annulment, only faked it because she was given an ultimatum by her father that she leaves Gage or he would kill Gage like he killed her mother and got away with it. Gage was torn when he got to know all what she gave up to keep them married.
“It probably seems selfish and a little crazy on my part, but I wanted to hang on to the marriage as long as I could because it was my way of hanging on to you. I knew that you’d get on with your life. That you’d find someone else and when you did, I’d planned to get a quick annulment so you wouldn’t be committing bigamy.” She paused. “But you didn’t find anyone else. Not that I know of anyway.”
Another scowl. “No.” He drained more of the beer. “And I didn’t have to sell something I loved or keep a secret that burned into my soul.”
“Yes, you did,” she reminded him. “You left your family. Faked your death to save me and your brothers. If we’re comparing our martyr badges, I think they’re about the same size.”
He looked at her. “So, where does that leave us?”
Lynette drank her milk. “Our martyrdom failed. Even after all these years, we’re right back where we started. Married and in danger.”
Gage pulled her down for a kiss that was probably too long and too hot considering they had an audience.
“Told you they were back together,” Mason mumbled.
“I don’t think they were ever apart,” Kade corrected. “Never could keep their hands off each other.”
Their desire and love for one another was very palpable and the sex was Hot, but what I loved the most was those little tender moments between them like the time Gage dropped a kiss on her baby belly or when he was getting dressed to meet his brothers Lynnette pulls him on to the bed only to hold him for a moment.
They had decisions to make about their future and their baby, whom Gage wanted even though he hadn't planned for it. Also, Gage had fences to mend with his brothers, but his most important agenda was to protect Lynette and their baby from the various attempts on their life, also Lynette's father's attempt to send her to the asylum on false accusations of her being mentally unstable while Lynette prayed that Gage wouldn’t die trying to protect her and their child. The suspense and action went on non-stop from the very beginning to the end of the book. Loved how the Ryland brothers and their wives supported and provided protection to Gage and Lynette, even when one of the wives had gone into labour.
It was a highly romantic, emotional, action-packed book. Loved it. Only wish it had an epilogue showing them with their baby
July 31, 2012
Very good book. I had a feeling from the beginning of the series that Gage wasn't really dead. He came back in disguise to protect Lynette from the hit man, but she saw through it almost immediately. They've been apart for ten years, but she has never forgotten or stopped loving him. Gage faked his death to protect Lynette and his family from the drug lord that wants him dead. They don't know if the one after Lynette is the drug lord, or her own father. Over the few days of this book, Gage and Lynette's mutual attraction comes roaring back. Lynette is hiding a couple secrets that will blow Gage away when he finds out what they are. I loved the action in this book. There is plenty for Gage to do to keep Lynette safe, and also the mind games being played by her father and his employees. I also really enjoyed seeing the brothers welcome Gage back into the family, and the way they all came together to stop the bad guys. I'm really looking forward to Mason's story.
May 8, 2018
I really liked this book's storyline. This story had the right amount of action in it. I really liked the action in this story. I really liked the hot & steamy scenes. I really liked Gage''s character. I really liked Lynette's character. I felt sorry for Lynette. I didn't like Lynette's family 👪. I really liked the ending.
September 10, 2024
This series is exactly what I want from a harlequin romance. They are fast paced, easy reads that never disappoint.
August 21, 2013
Wish I had time to write a longer review. But I loved this book! Delores Fossen knows how to write fast-paced romantic suspense. The danger and action starts from page 1 and doesn't let up until the very end of the book. The tension between Gage & Lynette sizzles. Loved seeing all the Ryland brothers--love that kind of "Magnificent 7"/got your back kind of feel in a miniseries like this. I was a tad disappointed with the villain's demise--he was such a good bad guy and had been such a threat for so long, that I wanted a little more personal satisfaction for the hero/ine. Can't wait to read the last book in the miniseries, MASON.
January 27, 2013
I have loved reading this series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but I have enjoyed each and every book! This book had a lot of twist, action, romance, and suspense. The story starts out with Lynnette waking up to what she thought was a stranger in her bedroom. He was there to get her to safety before a hit man closed in. Lynnette fought, until it was almost too late. They got out of the house right before the guy showed up and started firing shots at her, and she found out latter Gage. She thought her husband Gage had died, so that was a big surprise. From there more surprises and action made for a very good read!
October 7, 2012
Gage has come back from the dead to save the life of the woman he had married ten years before and finds out that their marriage was never annulled. Gage and Lynnette find themselves in a fight to keep themselves alive. The reason for Gage's faked death, a blood-thirsty drug lord and Lynnette's father are trying to make Gage disappear for good and to neutralize Lynnette. Another great shootout and intrigue book by an author that I am beginning to follow her works avidly.
November 11, 2021
Another in the Lawmen of Silver Creek series in which Gage Ryland, a CIA operative comes out of hiding with a reason why he went undercover so deep that everyone thought he was dead. First among those who grieved his death was his ex-wife, who is now pregnant. Whose baby is it? After she's said she hasn't made love to anyone since he disappeared and she claims she annulled the wedding--at her abusive father's insistence.
Now Lynette is the person in danger. But so is Gage and how they plan to keep each other safe makes for tons of excitement and lots of gunplay, too. How he tells his family he's still alive makes for interesting sibling reactions, but the key is what he's going to do now that he knows he's a father and by means he never anticipated.
Now Lynette is the person in danger. But so is Gage and how they plan to keep each other safe makes for tons of excitement and lots of gunplay, too. How he tells his family he's still alive makes for interesting sibling reactions, but the key is what he's going to do now that he knows he's a father and by means he never anticipated.
March 20, 2017
Another Fossen winner! I loved every minute of Gage and Lynette's story. You have a continuous action packed page turner. A great addition to such a wonderful mini-series. Your Hero and Heroine have been separated for a decade yet it wasn't hard for them to find a way back to each other. They must fight for their lives and their love so they can make things work between them.
June 3, 2017
great read
July 23, 2017
Another great book from this author. Highly recommend this book!!
August 18, 2018
Gage
Great books. Love all the books with the Ryland brother's. Can't wait to read more of the 5 brother's books.
Great books. Love all the books with the Ryland brother's. Can't wait to read more of the 5 brother's books.
September 23, 2018
Gage review
Gage is the fifth romantic suspense book in The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series written by author Delores Fossen.
Gage is the fifth romantic suspense book in The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series written by author Delores Fossen.
October 11, 2021
Great Series
I love this series and all the family ties. Like the way each book always includes the entire family. Plan on reading more of her books.
I love this series and all the family ties. Like the way each book always includes the entire family. Plan on reading more of her books.
May 19, 2025
Love these books
Read
March 31, 2023Fifth in series. All family of law enforcement taking care of each other. Gage returns from the dead to protect family. Secrets revealed in this one.
July 26, 2012
In Fossen’s romantic suspense novel, CIA operative Gage Ryland had faked his death, but when a situation arises that gives him a good reason to come back home, he willingly comes back from the grave. Gage wants to save his ex-wife, Lynette Herrington from a vengeful man that is closer than she realizes. Once reunited, Gage learns that Lynette is pregnant and must face the reality that she has moved on with her life. As danger lurks in the shadows, the attraction between them grows until Lynette admits that the baby might be his. Together they face an enemy they both know well.
A fast-paced, surprised filled adventure that is a great installment to The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series.
A fast-paced, surprised filled adventure that is a great installment to The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series.
November 17, 2018
Gage book #5 in the series ( THE LAWMEN OF SILVER CREEK RANCH ) by: Delores Fossen will have you wanting more from this series. You have a CIA Agent who risk coming back from the dead to save his ex wife who is in danger from hit men her father and a drug lord. But things keep getting worse for both of them when his cover is blown and he gets news that rocks his world to the core. Grab a copy and find out what happens in this exciting series.
June 15, 2022
Just like the rest of the series, Gage had me hooked from page one. I fell in love with Gage and Lynette's story. It's filled with love and hope, secrets and danger. And a seriously crazy twist that I didn't see coming. These books are just another reason that Delores Fossen is one of my favorite authors.
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December 27, 2014Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
Category: Suspense
Category: Suspense
Read
December 27, 2014Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
Category: Suspense
Category: Suspense
September 11, 2012
This book was a delightful surprise.
August 3, 2014
Good series
February 28, 2013
This book was action packed start to finish. I really enjoyed Gauge and Lynette;)
December 22, 2014
It was great! The whole series was an awesome read for me a new reader!
December 8, 2015
Bello anche questo! Sono proprio contenta di aver deciso di leggere questa serie.
May 1, 2017
Love it!
Gage didn’t let her go. He snagged her hand. “I’m in love with you. You know that, right?” More tears came, but she nodded. “I suspected as much. But it’s good to have the words.” Then he would say them to her often. Daily, in fact. “I’m in love with you, too,” she added. “You know that, right?” Now, it was his turn to feel the relief. “I suspected as much when you told me you hadn’t had sex in ten years.” Gage kissed her again. “I think we need to make up for all that lost time.” She put her mouth against his ear. “I’ll respect you in the morning.” He gave her his best devilish smile. “It’s not respect I’m aiming for, darlin’.” Lynette laughed, and he realized it’d been way too long since he’d heard that. Another note. Make her laugh daily. “Will you marry me?” he asked. “We’re already married. Ten years now,” Lynette reminded him.
Gage didn’t let her go. He snagged her hand. “I’m in love with you. You know that, right?” More tears came, but she nodded. “I suspected as much. But it’s good to have the words.” Then he would say them to her often. Daily, in fact. “I’m in love with you, too,” she added. “You know that, right?” Now, it was his turn to feel the relief. “I suspected as much when you told me you hadn’t had sex in ten years.” Gage kissed her again. “I think we need to make up for all that lost time.” She put her mouth against his ear. “I’ll respect you in the morning.” He gave her his best devilish smile. “It’s not respect I’m aiming for, darlin’.” Lynette laughed, and he realized it’d been way too long since he’d heard that. Another note. Make her laugh daily. “Will you marry me?” he asked. “We’re already married. Ten years now,” Lynette reminded him.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews