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Sweetwater Ranch #6
Reining in Justice
"Someone's trying to break in."
A frantic 911 call sends Sweetwater Springs deputy Reed Caldwell racing to the home of his ex-wife. But the kidnappers didn't come for Addison. Their target was her two-month-old adopted daughter. Except she isn't adopted. And Reed is the father. Now he has to grapple with the shock of sudden parenthood while finding a safe haven for Addison and their baby girl. With desire reigniting—and the threats against mother and child escalating—the Texas lawman will do whatever it takes to protect the woman he loves. And the child who needs them both.
A frantic 911 call sends Sweetwater Springs deputy Reed Caldwell racing to the home of his ex-wife. But the kidnappers didn't come for Addison. Their target was her two-month-old adopted daughter. Except she isn't adopted. And Reed is the father. Now he has to grapple with the shock of sudden parenthood while finding a safe haven for Addison and their baby girl. With desire reigniting—and the threats against mother and child escalating—the Texas lawman will do whatever it takes to protect the woman he loves. And the child who needs them both.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 17, 2015
99 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Delores Fossen
653 books816 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 30 reviews
May 1, 2015
Excellent book, once again with action grabbing my attention from the first page. As deputy, Reed is the one to respond when a call comes in from his ex-wife. He arrived at her house to find her tied up and someone attempting to kidnap her daughter. After foiling the attempt, Reed is stunned to find out that the baby girl is actually his, born via a surrogate. And that surrogacy seems to be at the root of the trouble that has come to Addison.
Addison and Reed had divorced when Reed could no longer handle Addison's willingness to do anything, including put her own well-being in danger, in order to have a baby. Reed also had misgivings about his ability to be a good father given his own background. Finding Addison and Emily in danger reminds Reed that he had never stopped loving her.
Addison feels guilty that she used the last of their embryos without telling Reed, but she can't really regret something that gave her the baby she'd wanted. Now that he knows about Emily, Addison knows that she can't keep them apart, nor does she want to. The question is how well can she deal with seeing the man she never stopped loving?
The heat between Addison and Reed is obvious from the beginning, and the stresses of the danger they are in only magnifies it. Reed is determined to protect Addison and Emily and soon realizes that letting them back out of his life isn't going to happen. I really enjoyed seeing Reed overcome his fears of fatherhood and really connect with little Emily. Addison is equally determined to protect her daughter, and hates that she has brought such danger to Reed's doorstep. Thrown together as they are, both Reed and Addison are reminded of the good things about their marriage.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. Even though it is part of the Sweetwater Ranch series, there isn't anything more than a passing reference to the continuing storyline of the McKinnon murder trial. However, it does connect with the books that dealt with a baby farm racket (Kidnapping in Kendall County, Cowboy Behind the Badge). From the beginning Addison and Emily are in danger and the question is from who and why? They quickly discover that it has something to do with the surrogate and the firm who set it up, but the who is much less clear. It seems like every time they get a lead it only confuses the issue. There are multiple suspects, any of whom could be the culprit. The action and danger continued to build in intensity until the final confrontation. I have to admit, I was surprised by who was behind it.
Addison and Reed had divorced when Reed could no longer handle Addison's willingness to do anything, including put her own well-being in danger, in order to have a baby. Reed also had misgivings about his ability to be a good father given his own background. Finding Addison and Emily in danger reminds Reed that he had never stopped loving her.
Addison feels guilty that she used the last of their embryos without telling Reed, but she can't really regret something that gave her the baby she'd wanted. Now that he knows about Emily, Addison knows that she can't keep them apart, nor does she want to. The question is how well can she deal with seeing the man she never stopped loving?
The heat between Addison and Reed is obvious from the beginning, and the stresses of the danger they are in only magnifies it. Reed is determined to protect Addison and Emily and soon realizes that letting them back out of his life isn't going to happen. I really enjoyed seeing Reed overcome his fears of fatherhood and really connect with little Emily. Addison is equally determined to protect her daughter, and hates that she has brought such danger to Reed's doorstep. Thrown together as they are, both Reed and Addison are reminded of the good things about their marriage.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. Even though it is part of the Sweetwater Ranch series, there isn't anything more than a passing reference to the continuing storyline of the McKinnon murder trial. However, it does connect with the books that dealt with a baby farm racket (Kidnapping in Kendall County, Cowboy Behind the Badge). From the beginning Addison and Emily are in danger and the question is from who and why? They quickly discover that it has something to do with the surrogate and the firm who set it up, but the who is much less clear. It seems like every time they get a lead it only confuses the issue. There are multiple suspects, any of whom could be the culprit. The action and danger continued to build in intensity until the final confrontation. I have to admit, I was surprised by who was behind it.
May 20, 2017
Deputy Reed Caldwell races to his ex-wife Addison's rescue when intruders break into her house and attempt to kidnap her and her baby. This brings up the revelation that the baby is Reed's, and not adopted, as he previously thought. Their marriage broke up a year earlier because he didn't really want kids, but Addison insisted on going through all sorts of tests in order to conceive. Well, she went ahead and used one of their eggs with a surrogate, without him knowing!
My jaw hit the floor!
Anyway, because there has been known baby farms operating in the area, Addison had a P.I. and a lawyer check everything out to make sure her surrogacy and the agency she used had no links to the illegal farms. Although she was told there was no such connection, that does not seem to be the case, because now someone wants to find out what she knows, when she doesn't actually know anything! Who's behind it? The P.I., the lawyer, or a powerful Judge?
Despite being book six in a series, this worked really well as a standalone and wasn't too crowded with characters from previous stories. The plot was fast-paced, with action from the start! There were a couple of good plot twists, and Fossen gave us several suspects with equal reasons to be the one behind the mayhem. The conflict between Reed and Addison is not explored satisfactorily, however. What she did to him is deplorable!
While I don't want to get too political, I like to think of myself of something as a feminist, and a firm part of that belief is that women should be in control of their reproductive rights. But in saying that, men need to be afforded rights as well! Addison goes ahead and uses an egg, fertilised by Reed, without telling him a thing. That is truly awful! Where are his rights? Addison justifies it by saying she doesn't expect him to be a part of their baby's life if he doesn't want to be. But her selfish actions have made him a part of that child's life whether he likes it or not. The book glosses over it by having Reed instantly smitten with his child and still in lust with his ex-wife, but it left a nasty taste in my mouth, and certainly made me dislike Addison a great deal. What a vile, selfish woman!
I really enjoyed the action-oriented nature of the plot, but I had to get that annoyance out there!
"Mercy" word count: 8
My jaw hit the floor!
Anyway, because there has been known baby farms operating in the area, Addison had a P.I. and a lawyer check everything out to make sure her surrogacy and the agency she used had no links to the illegal farms. Although she was told there was no such connection, that does not seem to be the case, because now someone wants to find out what she knows, when she doesn't actually know anything! Who's behind it? The P.I., the lawyer, or a powerful Judge?
Despite being book six in a series, this worked really well as a standalone and wasn't too crowded with characters from previous stories. The plot was fast-paced, with action from the start! There were a couple of good plot twists, and Fossen gave us several suspects with equal reasons to be the one behind the mayhem. The conflict between Reed and Addison is not explored satisfactorily, however. What she did to him is deplorable!
While I don't want to get too political, I like to think of myself of something as a feminist, and a firm part of that belief is that women should be in control of their reproductive rights. But in saying that, men need to be afforded rights as well! Addison goes ahead and uses an egg, fertilised by Reed, without telling him a thing. That is truly awful! Where are his rights? Addison justifies it by saying she doesn't expect him to be a part of their baby's life if he doesn't want to be. But her selfish actions have made him a part of that child's life whether he likes it or not. The book glosses over it by having Reed instantly smitten with his child and still in lust with his ex-wife, but it left a nasty taste in my mouth, and certainly made me dislike Addison a great deal. What a vile, selfish woman!
I really enjoyed the action-oriented nature of the plot, but I had to get that annoyance out there!
"Mercy" word count: 8
June 18, 2015
This was a freebie from RT15.
This book has a seriously cheesy cover, but it was surprisingly good. It's annoying when the baddie is the only other character in the book and that is absolutely not the case here. I don't usually try and figure out who did it and just go with the flow so when there's just one other character (similar to the guest star in a TV show), and there's no suspense at all, there'd better be something else good about the book. Reining in Justice doesn't fall into that trap and also has a lot of action packed into its two day time frame.
The main characters, Reed and Addison, are as good as characters in a book that covers about two days are going to get. They are mature and the reason for their divorce was amazingly normal. He didn't leave to protect her (he's a cop) and there was no big mis involving another woman/man. They split because Addison was desperate for children and Reed did not want to be a father. He reluctantly went along with IVF, but when Addison nearly died from a fertility drug, he left. They had been fighting bitterly about having children for a long time and Addison nearly dying was the last straw. Reed didn't want to watch her repeatedly risking her life for something he deeply didn't want in the first place.
Since we're picking up these characters after they'd been together eight years and divorced one, there was no need to go overboard on the relationship building and Delores Fossen doesn't. In the beginning, Addison and Reed seeing so much of each other brings up the pain of their divorce, their reasons for the divorce, and how separate those issues were from how they feel about one another. I felt the resolution of the HEA was really quick and would have loved at least some conversation about building a family, but there you go.
I think this is the seventh in this series. There were a lot of characters from previous books, which was pretty confusing at first. The main family story is very convoluted with the family matriarch running away and leaving her sons and dead lover behind (she's in jail awaiting trial). I think the father raised the sons, but there are daughters and a stepson all living on the same ranch. The sons (and Reed) think the mother killed the lover and their dad is innocent, the daughters and stepson (and Addison) think the mom is innocent. I'm not sure exactly how all these people are related, but since 90% are married I'm assuming they are in the other books. None of this background affected the plot much in this book.
This book has a seriously cheesy cover, but it was surprisingly good. It's annoying when the baddie is the only other character in the book and that is absolutely not the case here. I don't usually try and figure out who did it and just go with the flow so when there's just one other character (similar to the guest star in a TV show), and there's no suspense at all, there'd better be something else good about the book. Reining in Justice doesn't fall into that trap and also has a lot of action packed into its two day time frame.
The main characters, Reed and Addison, are as good as characters in a book that covers about two days are going to get. They are mature and the reason for their divorce was amazingly normal. He didn't leave to protect her (he's a cop) and there was no big mis involving another woman/man. They split because Addison was desperate for children and Reed did not want to be a father. He reluctantly went along with IVF, but when Addison nearly died from a fertility drug, he left. They had been fighting bitterly about having children for a long time and Addison nearly dying was the last straw. Reed didn't want to watch her repeatedly risking her life for something he deeply didn't want in the first place.
Since we're picking up these characters after they'd been together eight years and divorced one, there was no need to go overboard on the relationship building and Delores Fossen doesn't. In the beginning, Addison and Reed seeing so much of each other brings up the pain of their divorce, their reasons for the divorce, and how separate those issues were from how they feel about one another. I felt the resolution of the HEA was really quick and would have loved at least some conversation about building a family, but there you go.
I think this is the seventh in this series. There were a lot of characters from previous books, which was pretty confusing at first. The main family story is very convoluted with the family matriarch running away and leaving her sons and dead lover behind (she's in jail awaiting trial). I think the father raised the sons, but there are daughters and a stepson all living on the same ranch. The sons (and Reed) think the mother killed the lover and their dad is innocent, the daughters and stepson (and Addison) think the mom is innocent. I'm not sure exactly how all these people are related, but since 90% are married I'm assuming they are in the other books. None of this background affected the plot much in this book.
April 5, 2015
I loved this fast moving story. It was filled with bullets, car chases, kidnapping, and romance. There was ever a point in the story to catch your breath. It was action packed from the first page, until the end.
The love never faded between Addison, and Reed. The marriage ended, and the two divorced because Reed couldn't stand by and watch what Addison was putting herself through. The couple was having a hard time having a baby the natural way. Addison wanted to have a baby no matter what she had to go through. During one of the treatments, she got sick, and almost died. After that Reed filed for divorce, and the couple went separate ways. Addison knew she had one unfertilized egg left, and hired a surrogate, giving Addison the child she had always wanted. Addison was content with being a single mother.
Reed was a deputy, and just finished the night shift. As he was passing Addison's house, on his way home, a 911 call came through. Addison had time to say one sentence asking for help, before the phone connection went dead. Reed didn't expect too much trouble, for they lived in a small town. He sure didn't expect to find blood spots, or knocked over furniture on the front porch. The sight of that kicked up his pulse, as he requested backup. The book starts out with baby Emily being kidnapped, and the kidnappers wants to exchange the baby, for Addison. They think she has information that could send them to prison. I loved the suspense of this book, and the large pool of characters. I honestly couldn't guess on who was behind the attacks. The twist and turns along the way kept the book interesting. I also loved how protective Reed was when it came to Addison. Protecting her was part of his job, but you could tell he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. This was a second chance love story, that pulled at my heart strings.
March 27, 2015
I've read every book in this series so far and this book was no different then all the others. Full of action and of course romance! I couldn't put it down for I needed to find out who wanted Addison killed and of course Reed who was married to Addison but divorced reconnected their relationship for she always wanted kids and Reed wasn;t ready but their's a baby in the mix now and of course at the end of the book. Reed is the hero! I love her books so Delores sure didn't disappoint me with this book!
March 29, 2015
Every once in awhile I read a book and for some reason just can't connect to a character.I felt this way about Addison.Addison places a 911 call and her ex-husband,Reed comes to her aid.Intruders are in the house and Addison is worried about her baby.Not knowing what they are looking for they get away,taking baby Emily with them.Emily is rescued but the danger is not over.Secrets are revealed.Reed and Addison are not sure who is pulling the strings,the investigation moves in different directions.The team of Sweetwater Ranch help.I enjoyed catching up with characters.I did enjoy the story.
April 17, 2015
Reining In Justice by Delores Fossen was a very good book. Lots of suspense and romance. Deputy Reed Caldwell's ex wife is in trouble. Someone is trying to kidnap her. Reed is trying to protect her and the baby that he didn't know was his. Addison has always wanted kids but Reed did not. He didn't think he was good father material. That is why they got a divorce. A lot of suspense in this book. A must read.
August 3, 2016
i didn't know that it was a series, so this was my first novel in this series
sufficient to say,,, i didn't know any of the characters and it was very annoying
but if it was a stand alone novel it would have been much better
sufficient to say,,, i didn't know any of the characters and it was very annoying
but if it was a stand alone novel it would have been much better
August 16, 2019
Reining In Justice is a great romantic suspense by Delores Fossen. Ms. Fossen has delivered a well-written book that will keep you guessing who the bad guy is until the reveal. Addison and Reed are divorced. Without Reed's knowledge, Addison hired a surrogate to carry her and Reed's baby. Now the surrogate is dead and strange things are happening. Reed and Addison's story is loaded with drama, humor, spice, action, suspense and a fabulous cast of characters. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Delores Fossen in the future. Reining In Justice is book 6 of the Sweetwater Ranch Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 3, 2024
Another very good book in a family series. Deputy Reed Caldwell is racing to the home of his ex-wife, Addison. Someone is trying to kill her or possibly her baby daughter. When he finds out the baby is his, he is very confused because they broke up because she wanted a baby and had fertility issues. Now he is racing to protect both of them and solve the mystery as to why somone is trying to either kill her or the baby. Loved the book.
April 20, 2019
Once again Delores Fossen delivers a very well written book! From beginning to end this held me captive! The entire series has been riveting! I'm hooked! I can't wait to dive into Surrendering to the Sheriff
April 26, 2019
Sweet romance with lots of good action and a mystery to boot.
July 29, 2019
A page Turner
Only thing did not like was the number of characters involved in the story it was hard to get to know the main characters what their story was about.
Only thing did not like was the number of characters involved in the story it was hard to get to know the main characters what their story was about.
February 24, 2023
Enjoyed this book
July 20, 2017
Reining in Justice was a read that will put you on the edge until the very last page. Delores Fisson has done it again with the Sweetwater Ranch Series. 10 plus plus plus.
January 29, 2016
This is an exciting and suspenseful novel with a good plot and realistic characters. The premise is a bit far-fetched, but the story is exciting. Reed and Addison are appealing characters with as much if not more baggage than the average divorced couple, but their love for little Emily brings them back together. The mystery and suspense portions kept me guessing until the end of the story.
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
October 27, 2015
Excellent book, once again with action grabbing my attention from the first page. The suspense of the story was fantastic. This is the last book I have of this series… but once I have more money it Won’t be the last. This series has left me breathless and I had to keep reading… because I have to know if Jewell really did kill her lover… Drama and action packed books that leave you stunned beyond words
August 25, 2016
When Reid answered the call for help from his X Allison, lots he didn't know. Lots of trying to find a safe place for baby and Allison. Seems someone thinks Allison knows too much and she in danger. Too many killings and hard to know who was the good guys and who was the killers.
I've read lots of Harlequin books and enjoy most of them. Not too many of the Harlequin Intrigue, but still enjoyed this one.
I've read lots of Harlequin books and enjoy most of them. Not too many of the Harlequin Intrigue, but still enjoyed this one.
March 8, 2016
Raining in Justice by Delores Fossen is the sixth book in the Sweetwater Ranch series. A great book with a lot of action loaded with twists and turns. I am really interested to see what happens as the story continues in the next book.
February 17, 2015
This SWEETWATER RANCH series is great. Love the continuing story. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 28, 2015
Delores Fossen does write interesting stories that are good reads. Reed finds out he is a father and there are still parts of the stolen baby ring to be found.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: Sweetwater Ranch
April 18, 2015
This was a quick read. And I didn't want to put it down.
May 18, 2015
This was my first Harlequin Intrigue, and I think maybe I don't like the Intrigue style.
March 27, 2016
Exciting! I had no idea who was behind this mess till the end.
Read
May 21, 2016No rating - DNF. Got this from the library and there seems to be a lot of backstory I'm missing from earlier books and I'm finding it hard to bond with the characters.
November 27, 2016
Another awesome book in the Sweetwater Ranch series by Delores Fossen. I loved reading Reed and Addison's story.
June 1, 2015
Loved! I can't wait for the next book!
Thanks!
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: Sweetwater Ranch
March 30, 2017
Slow beginning but by chapter 4 or so, it started to get intriguing!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews