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Willow Creek #1
Fake Marriage with the Small Town Sheriff
Marriage wasn't supposed to be on my agenda today. Hell, marriage wasn't supposed to be on my agenda ever.
As sheriff of Willow Creek, I thought I'd left the complications of my Navy SEAL past behind.
Then Valerie Andrews walked into my office – a senator's daughter with secrets in her eyes and a body that made my mouth go dry.
She was holding a tabloid claiming we're married.
She's beautiful, sharp as a tack, and clearly running from something bigger than a scandal. Now she wants me to play along with this marriage charade to protect both her cover and my town's peace.
Every instinct from my military training tells me she's trouble, but something about her story doesn't add up.
Someone powerful enough to plant fake wedding stories in national tabloids has put her in my path for a reason.
The question am I supposed to protect her or expose her? As the media circus threatens to unveil both our secrets,
I'm beginning to realize this fake marriage might be more dangerous than any mission I ran as a SEAL. Because the hardest part isn't pretending to be her husband – it's remembering that none of it is real.
As sheriff of Willow Creek, I thought I'd left the complications of my Navy SEAL past behind.
Then Valerie Andrews walked into my office – a senator's daughter with secrets in her eyes and a body that made my mouth go dry.
She was holding a tabloid claiming we're married.
She's beautiful, sharp as a tack, and clearly running from something bigger than a scandal. Now she wants me to play along with this marriage charade to protect both her cover and my town's peace.
Every instinct from my military training tells me she's trouble, but something about her story doesn't add up.
Someone powerful enough to plant fake wedding stories in national tabloids has put her in my path for a reason.
The question am I supposed to protect her or expose her? As the media circus threatens to unveil both our secrets,
I'm beginning to realize this fake marriage might be more dangerous than any mission I ran as a SEAL. Because the hardest part isn't pretending to be her husband – it's remembering that none of it is real.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2024
51 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Colby Quinn
17 books28 followersCrafting sizzling romances is my passion, and I've got a foolproof recipe: Take two parts enemies-to-lovers, add a dash of bad boy charm, and mix thoroughly with a smart, sassy heroine. Simmer with steamy tension, and garnish with a satisfying happily-ever-after.
As a military spouse, I've called many places home, gathering inspiration from coast to coast. Now, I'm anchored in picturesque New England, where I spin tales of love and desire with my faithful German Shepherd by my side.
My stories celebrate the delicious complexity of relationships, the thrill of attraction, and the power of love to conquer all. If you're looking for a page-turning escape that'll leave you breathless and believing in happy endings, you've come to the right place!
As a military spouse, I've called many places home, gathering inspiration from coast to coast. Now, I'm anchored in picturesque New England, where I spin tales of love and desire with my faithful German Shepherd by my side.
My stories celebrate the delicious complexity of relationships, the thrill of attraction, and the power of love to conquer all. If you're looking for a page-turning escape that'll leave you breathless and believing in happy endings, you've come to the right place!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 25, 2024
Griping story!
Didn't see this one coming. Not a quick romance. For readers that enjoy a story with heart, fear and love this is your ticket. The writing was outstanding. Sorry, no spoilers here. Worth the time invested in reading.
Didn't see this one coming. Not a quick romance. For readers that enjoy a story with heart, fear and love this is your ticket. The writing was outstanding. Sorry, no spoilers here. Worth the time invested in reading.
December 14, 2024
This is a great enemies to lovers romance. Travis and Valerie have great chemistry, and they make a great couple. Valerie is a socialite who draws tabloid rumors and paparazzi wherever she goes, so a rumor of a marriage between her and Travis brings them on the run. It is hard to protect someone when they will not tell you who you are protecting them from because others have died because of that knowledge. I definitely recommend this book if you love a good military romance that has a grumpy alpha and a sunshiny woman.
December 12, 2024
Valerie and the Small Town Sheriff . . .
A senator's daughter and investigative journalist, Valerie Andrews has gotten herself right in the middle of danger. She finds herself on the run and is led to the small town of Willow Creek by whomever is trying to protect her while she is being chased down by criminals, which includes her ex-fiance FBI agent Marcus Bennet. People have already been killed or have disappeared over this discovery.
When she sees the tabloid’s headlines about her “marriage” to the town Sheriff Travis Hale, she realizes this is an attempt to keep her alive and to get her to the former Navy SEAL who can help her with this. As for Travis, he isn’t sure if he is supposed to help her with her investigation, keep her safe, or expose whatever she may be up to. But when they talk, she realized they each have pieces of this puzzle. She told him about her ex-fiance who underestimated her journalistic talent and was unaware she was making observations about shell companies reappearing in his cases yet never pursued. She copied his hard drive and found a connection to the reason Travis’ SEAL team was killed in Baghdad. And once again, they found Marcus Bennet’s name appearing in the Navy’s investigations of multiple incidents as Marcus kept clearing certain companies that had been under suspicion. And as each of their phones suddenly buzzed, they realized someone had been watching them all this time! Will the two of them be able to find where the corruption is coming from? And if they survive this dangerous task, will they decide it would be a good idea to make their marriage “official”?
Grab this incredibly exciting story that will hold your attention and give you chills as these two fight for survival and deal with the vast government corruption. Well-written, fast-paced, and one of the best suspenseful stories I have read! You won’t want to miss this one.
A senator's daughter and investigative journalist, Valerie Andrews has gotten herself right in the middle of danger. She finds herself on the run and is led to the small town of Willow Creek by whomever is trying to protect her while she is being chased down by criminals, which includes her ex-fiance FBI agent Marcus Bennet. People have already been killed or have disappeared over this discovery.
When she sees the tabloid’s headlines about her “marriage” to the town Sheriff Travis Hale, she realizes this is an attempt to keep her alive and to get her to the former Navy SEAL who can help her with this. As for Travis, he isn’t sure if he is supposed to help her with her investigation, keep her safe, or expose whatever she may be up to. But when they talk, she realized they each have pieces of this puzzle. She told him about her ex-fiance who underestimated her journalistic talent and was unaware she was making observations about shell companies reappearing in his cases yet never pursued. She copied his hard drive and found a connection to the reason Travis’ SEAL team was killed in Baghdad. And once again, they found Marcus Bennet’s name appearing in the Navy’s investigations of multiple incidents as Marcus kept clearing certain companies that had been under suspicion. And as each of their phones suddenly buzzed, they realized someone had been watching them all this time! Will the two of them be able to find where the corruption is coming from? And if they survive this dangerous task, will they decide it would be a good idea to make their marriage “official”?
Grab this incredibly exciting story that will hold your attention and give you chills as these two fight for survival and deal with the vast government corruption. Well-written, fast-paced, and one of the best suspenseful stories I have read! You won’t want to miss this one.
December 7, 2024
I really enjoyed reading the story 'Fake Marriage with the Small Town Sheriff' by Colby Quinn. It combined romance with suspense and danger. An elegant senator's daughter is also an investigative journalist who uncovers government corruption and is now on the run from the criminals she is trying to expose, one being her ex-fiancé who is in the FBI financial crimes division. People that Valarie shared her findings with were being killed or simply vanished. Valarie knew she was being hunted down too and managed to flee from place to place always just one step in front of her pursuers. Until she is drawn to the small town of Willow Creek by a series of texts from an unknown sender. Once she is in town, she finds herself on the front page of its newspaper stating that she has just married the town sheriff, Travis Hale. Valarie confronts Travis who doesn't know any more than she does, and they both discover someone wants them to work together. Travis gets an unidentified text telling him that he has to protect Valarie. When the press and the media show up to report on the socialite senator's daughter marrying the ex-seal small town sheriff, Valarie and Travis find themselves portraying a happy newlywed couple as they work together to find out who is having them join forces and how to stop the people coming after Valarie.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 18, 2025
A great book that had me gripped throughout.
A Washington elite Valerie and investigative reporter was hiding in plain sight in a small town.
Ex- navy seal Travis was now working as a small town sheriff who had trained his deputies well.
A newspaper article posted they had secretly marries, however they had nothing in common but someone orchestrated this scenario for Vals protection.
Lots of drama, twists, turns and suspense form their story together in a dramatic conclusion.
This corruption Val and Travis connected the dots to make a lot of people worry and want Val dead but Travis calls in help.
This was full of drama crimes and cover ups that seem impossible to comprehend could happen in US soil and come from within.
This is one puzzle with all the pieces fitting like a complex jigsaw when fit together perfectly.
What it lacked for me was the rescue, it wasnt a dramatic rescue it was basic and underwhelming. Even after I felt disappointed as Travis didn’t introduce his wife to his military team who just saved her, in fact there was no interaction with his team and Val.
For me Val would have thanked the team profusely and be grateful for the rescue even tho seals don’t want accolades. She seemed a lovely woman and I just felt her character would have naturally done so, so for me it was a disappointment.
However I loved it and just purchased the series to keep reading.
A Washington elite Valerie and investigative reporter was hiding in plain sight in a small town.
Ex- navy seal Travis was now working as a small town sheriff who had trained his deputies well.
A newspaper article posted they had secretly marries, however they had nothing in common but someone orchestrated this scenario for Vals protection.
Lots of drama, twists, turns and suspense form their story together in a dramatic conclusion.
This corruption Val and Travis connected the dots to make a lot of people worry and want Val dead but Travis calls in help.
This was full of drama crimes and cover ups that seem impossible to comprehend could happen in US soil and come from within.
This is one puzzle with all the pieces fitting like a complex jigsaw when fit together perfectly.
What it lacked for me was the rescue, it wasnt a dramatic rescue it was basic and underwhelming. Even after I felt disappointed as Travis didn’t introduce his wife to his military team who just saved her, in fact there was no interaction with his team and Val.
For me Val would have thanked the team profusely and be grateful for the rescue even tho seals don’t want accolades. She seemed a lovely woman and I just felt her character would have naturally done so, so for me it was a disappointment.
However I loved it and just purchased the series to keep reading.
December 17, 2024
Mystery, Suspense and Undeniable Attraction
I enjoyed this book. It is jam-packed with danger, mystery, suspense, and steamy-hot attraction. The storyline was really interesting, and the romantic aspect was written in a manner that made their feelings feel genuine. Colby Quinn took the time to develop her main and secondary characters. Readers will enjoy the growing relationship between Sheriff Travis Hale and Valerie, an investigative journalist and daughter of Senator Anderson.
With forced proximity, mutual attraction, thick tension, and off-the-charts chemistry, Travis and Valerie are helpless to resist the pull that neither anticipated. There’s a secondary character that provides quite a surprise.
Unlike some reviewers, I never give a synopsis of the book or reveal spoilers when I do a review, so this is my opinion on the merits of this book and the author’s talent and skill at bringing the story to life.
If you love a former military SEAL alpha who falls for an independent and strong-willed heroine, then you’ll love this novel. The intense danger will keep you turning pages until you are rewarded with a happily ever after. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this book. It is jam-packed with danger, mystery, suspense, and steamy-hot attraction. The storyline was really interesting, and the romantic aspect was written in a manner that made their feelings feel genuine. Colby Quinn took the time to develop her main and secondary characters. Readers will enjoy the growing relationship between Sheriff Travis Hale and Valerie, an investigative journalist and daughter of Senator Anderson.
With forced proximity, mutual attraction, thick tension, and off-the-charts chemistry, Travis and Valerie are helpless to resist the pull that neither anticipated. There’s a secondary character that provides quite a surprise.
Unlike some reviewers, I never give a synopsis of the book or reveal spoilers when I do a review, so this is my opinion on the merits of this book and the author’s talent and skill at bringing the story to life.
If you love a former military SEAL alpha who falls for an independent and strong-willed heroine, then you’ll love this novel. The intense danger will keep you turning pages until you are rewarded with a happily ever after. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 15, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
This was a great storyline. I love suspense, mystery, and, of course, spice. However, I have to admit that this was not a book that I couldn't put down or read in just one day. There were several times where things were repeated too often to me - backgrounds of each character, their feelings, or even singular words like "tactical" - and I found that very distracting, so I had to keep taking breaks from reading. But again, I loved the story, and the characters were very likable. I'd still recommend this to all who like a steamy, action book.
My rating system:
5=will read again
4=recommend to everyone
3=recommend to anyone liking that particular writing style/trope
2=do not recommend
1=DNF.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a great storyline. I love suspense, mystery, and, of course, spice. However, I have to admit that this was not a book that I couldn't put down or read in just one day. There were several times where things were repeated too often to me - backgrounds of each character, their feelings, or even singular words like "tactical" - and I found that very distracting, so I had to keep taking breaks from reading. But again, I loved the story, and the characters were very likable. I'd still recommend this to all who like a steamy, action book.
My rating system:
5=will read again
4=recommend to everyone
3=recommend to anyone liking that particular writing style/trope
2=do not recommend
1=DNF.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2024
OH WOW this was a captivating story. It was a page turner and the suspense was mind blowing. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. It had emotions , fear, danger, love and more. Valerie was a senator daughter and her life was in danger because she was a journalist. Travis was small town sheriff in Willow Creek it was an accident that they had meet. He never knew that he could falling in love with her without the spotlight on them since she her father was a public figure. Will she go back to her home or stay with her fake husband in the small town of Willow Creek. Did she have feelings about him could she break his heart or was it meant to be happy ever after romance for them.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
December 8, 2024
Fake Marriage with the Small Town Sheriff - Colby Quinn
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶🌶
Tropes: fake marriage, forced proximity, law enforcement, small town
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. This book had everything I love. It had good banter, incredible spice, secrets, intrigue, fake marriage, and my new fictional boyfriend "Travis" the sheriff 😍. Travis (mmc) and Val (fmc) had good chemistry. Travis is a man who could take my breath away. He is strong, protective, and dominating. He is the kind of man who will press you against the wall and give you what you need. Val the fmc is such a badass. She is the senators daughter and an investigative journalist who uncovers something big. She is smart, strong, poised, and full of sass. This book is a must-read!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶🌶
Tropes: fake marriage, forced proximity, law enforcement, small town
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. This book had everything I love. It had good banter, incredible spice, secrets, intrigue, fake marriage, and my new fictional boyfriend "Travis" the sheriff 😍. Travis (mmc) and Val (fmc) had good chemistry. Travis is a man who could take my breath away. He is strong, protective, and dominating. He is the kind of man who will press you against the wall and give you what you need. Val the fmc is such a badass. She is the senators daughter and an investigative journalist who uncovers something big. She is smart, strong, poised, and full of sass. This book is a must-read!!
December 11, 2024
Valerie and Travis come together to uncover government corruption. When the people come up dead or missing that she has shared her findings with Valerie goes on the run. She is directed to Willow Creek and soon learns that the tabloids have her married to the town's sheriff. He can't believe the circus it had created but when he gets a text that he needs to protect Valerie. They combine the efforts to solve who is behind bringing them together. Will their fake marriage have them going into a real one. This story ad me all caught up in these two and the banter between them really made this enjoyable story to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
Don’t believe everything you read. Washington elite hiding in plain sight. Ex- navy seal working as small town sheriff. With nothing in common what could these two possibly share. Surprises, twists and suspense weave this story together in a decidedly delicious manner. In a tale that spread across continents. Involving crimes and cover ups that seem impossible to comprehend. When life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness may be on the line. This is one puzzle with all the pieces, if you put it together correctly. One book you won’t put down until you reach the end. Then you’ll be wishing for more!
August 2, 2025
A fun suspenseful story
This was an enjoyable read. The story opens with a Senator’s daughter named Valerie, a reporter, who has the details to take important people down. She is on the run since the people who have been helping her have disappeared, and not in a good way. However, we have a guardian who is trying to help Valerie bring the story to light plus ensure justice is served. That brings in Travis, who is the good sheriff of this small town that Valerie was sent into for hiding. Out of the blue there is an announcement released that Travis and Valerie have wed secretly! There is a happy ending plus lots of humor in the journey to reveal the evidence. Read On!
This was an enjoyable read. The story opens with a Senator’s daughter named Valerie, a reporter, who has the details to take important people down. She is on the run since the people who have been helping her have disappeared, and not in a good way. However, we have a guardian who is trying to help Valerie bring the story to light plus ensure justice is served. That brings in Travis, who is the good sheriff of this small town that Valerie was sent into for hiding. Out of the blue there is an announcement released that Travis and Valerie have wed secretly! There is a happy ending plus lots of humor in the journey to reveal the evidence. Read On!
December 13, 2024
Fake Marriage with the Small Town Sheriff: Grumpy Alpha Male, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity Romance story of Travis and Valerie..A former navy seal and now the new town sheriff and the woman who barge into his life with secret....she is on the run and hiding from her corrupt ex when she discover what he really up too,as a daughter of a influential senator and an award winning investigative journalist..A fast paced,intriguing,intense,engaging,with steam,angst,action and romance..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2024
The intrigue and action starts on the first page making you want to race to the end to find out what happens. Valerie is on the run after uncovering a corrupt FBI agent but a head line in the paper says she’s married to the local sheriff. Are Valerie and Travis on the same page or being manipulated by an unknown source. There’s romance, mystery, black ops, corruption, twist and turns before the suspense crashes and the truth is revealed. Loved this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 14, 2024
Loved characters - Valerie and Travis and their little marriage trap in Willow Creek. And how they were brought together "on purpose" in order they can join their forces. Senator's daughter and investigative journalist on the run. And small town sheriff, ex Navy SEAL. Loved dynamics of their relationship, how their feelings were developing and how they built their trust.
Story line was captivating, interesting and entertaining. Couldn't put it down until not finished.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Story line was captivating, interesting and entertaining. Couldn't put it down until not finished.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 23, 2024
This is a suspenseful, enemies to lovers romance between senator's daughter Valerie and small town sheriff Travis. These two flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an intriguing read. What starts out as a fake marriage turns into something more. It is a captivating love story with drama and steam, danger and mystery, sexual tension and chemistry, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters. Entertaining page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 14, 2025
Small Town Security Delivers
This book is a story within a story. Someone knew Val and Travis had pieces of the same puzzle. Together, they made a strong team, and as they faced danger together, their fake marriage didn't feel fake anymore. As more and more parts of the plan become clear, new allies, agencies, and security people are pulled together to take down a complex network that reached to the highest ranks of government. This is a great story of political intrigue, corruption, and unexpected romance. I highly recommend it.
This book is a story within a story. Someone knew Val and Travis had pieces of the same puzzle. Together, they made a strong team, and as they faced danger together, their fake marriage didn't feel fake anymore. As more and more parts of the plan become clear, new allies, agencies, and security people are pulled together to take down a complex network that reached to the highest ranks of government. This is a great story of political intrigue, corruption, and unexpected romance. I highly recommend it.
May 29, 2025
Really Worth Reading!
Wow! What a story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, from the way Valerie and Travis met to the fake marriage. How she was running to try to stay alive and ended up in Willow Creek,she had gathered info on corruption in the government that went high up. They found her and tried to make her disappear, but they didn’t realize her fake husband was a former Navy Seal, his team plus the CIA took down the bad guys and saved her. Along the way they fell in love and they wanted the marriage to be real. This story was intriguing as well as funny!
Wow! What a story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, from the way Valerie and Travis met to the fake marriage. How she was running to try to stay alive and ended up in Willow Creek,she had gathered info on corruption in the government that went high up. They found her and tried to make her disappear, but they didn’t realize her fake husband was a former Navy Seal, his team plus the CIA took down the bad guys and saved her. Along the way they fell in love and they wanted the marriage to be real. This story was intriguing as well as funny!
December 13, 2024
I finished this book within a day it was that good, however, I feel like there could have been more details. One minute we are at point A then we move all the way to point E within the first few chapters. Would have liked more build up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 17, 2024
This is an entertaining fake marriage close proximity romance book that holds your attention from beginning to end. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters are well written a steamy chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2024
Travis and Valarie. Shes a senators daughter running from something. Hes a retired Seal. Hes the sheriff. Theres a fake story about their wedding. Wait what. He plays along to help her. Their story is full of action, suspense, mystery and an all around great story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2024
This book is suspenseful. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. It grabs your attention from the first page and doesn't let go. Travis and Valerie both have information that could get them killed but someone is playing them. The way the plot is written is so good.
December 14, 2024
Ready to add a little sizzle, spice and suspense to your kindle as well as a mouthwatering hot cover. Colby has the book for you. Just be ready to have a few hot flashes and heart palpitations while reading about Travis and Valerie. Man, oh man this book is really, really great to read. This book is a 20-star rating and nothing less.
December 16, 2024
Great Read!
I loved this book with all the ups and downs with Travis and Val. I’m look8ng forward to reading more from this author and will definitely recommend this book to everyone.
I loved this book with all the ups and downs with Travis and Val. I’m look8ng forward to reading more from this author and will definitely recommend this book to everyone.
January 25, 2025
Valerie and Travis meet when she confronts him about a tabloid story that falsely claims they are married. They had never met before but Travis knows that she was brought into his life for a reason. Will they find love together after meeting in this way?
February 3, 2025
Val and Travis’s story has it all! Some humor, intrigue, mystery and a puzzle to solve. The chemistry between these two is amazing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2025
Fast paced suspenseful romance
I read books 2 and 3 before realizing I had not read this one so had to go back for not only Travis and Val's story but Mrs. Abernathy's as well. This is packed with passion , suspense and humor. Absolutely loved it.
I read books 2 and 3 before realizing I had not read this one so had to go back for not only Travis and Val's story but Mrs. Abernathy's as well. This is packed with passion , suspense and humor. Absolutely loved it.
June 3, 2025
Ridiculous storyline.
The book was written and edited. Details are omitted that pop up later with no continuity. Don’t waste your money.
The book was written and edited. Details are omitted that pop up later with no continuity. Don’t waste your money.
January 7, 2026
Excellent story full of exciting action with an interesting love story on the side. I wanted to keep reading this book throughout the night. Definitely recommend this one
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews