Ranger Belief

Texas Ranger Heroes #11

by Lynn Shannon

Some hunters choose their prey carefully…

State Park Ranger Laney Torres left the battlefield behind when she traded her military uniform for park service greens. Now she patrols the trails with her loyal K-9 partner, helping families create memories and keeping her favorite corner of the world safe. But when Lanie discovers the murders of a young couple at a remote campsite while the killer is still near, she's thrust into a fight for her life.

Texas Ranger Jonah Foster has always been the grumpy realist to Laney's unwavering optimism. Called in to lead the investigation, the murders—and Laney's assault—leave him determined to find the killer. But working closely with the one woman he's never gotten over threatens to expose feelings he's kept hidden for years.

As more victims fall and the killer closes in, Laney and Jonah must navigate the fragile line between friendship and something far more dangerous. Because falling in love isn't just risky to their friendship…it may make them the predator's final target.

Ranger Belief is the eleventh novel in the Texas Ranger Heroes series, although each book can be read as a standalone. A fast-paced mystery paired with a sweet romance, it's guaranteed to keep you hooked until the final page!

Genres: Inspirational, Romance

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2025

About the author

Lynn Shannon is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational romantic suspense.

After moving from Texas to Greece, Lynn turned her passion for reading into a love of writing. She lives with her husband, two children, an extremely spoiled dog, and a pair of chirpy lovebirds. Experiencing life in a new country has introduced her to delicious foods—like Yemista and Kourabiedes—which now share a place on her favorites list alongside pecans and Blue Bell ice cream. She also never passes up coffee, chocolate, or the chance to watch cute animal videos.

You can sign up for her newsletter on her website at: www.lynnshannon.com

Reviews

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent addition to the Texas Ranger Heroes series. Ranger Belief pulls you into the story immediately from the first page with a crime, but the danger doesn't stop there. Instead, complete with more crimes and a killer, the danger progresses. Shannon balances suspense, action, and romance perfectly.
Jonah and Laney have an undeniable chemistry. Jonah is a grump and struggles to find his place in a family of overachievers but has a soft place that Laney only can reach. Laney has fears of her own. Scout, Laney's K-9 partner, is an excellent addition to this story.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the suspense and the action in this series. Each book can be a stand alone story but they do go in order with characters and stories overlapping from book to book.

This story just jumped right into the drama as State Park Ranger Laney Torres is called to check on some people setting off fireworks in the state park. With it being the dry season, fireworks are not allowed. When she gets to the campsite - it's too quiet and things seem a little strange. After she discover a dead body in the small tent, someone attacked her and tried to strangle her. Laney had left her K-9 dog in her SUV and just as she was losing consciousness, she was able to release her dog, who attacked the man trying to kill her. Soon after Laney discovers a second body and the woman is a close relative of the Sheriff so she calls in her best friend Texas Ranger Jonah Foster, to head up the investigation.

Texas Ranger Jonah Foster has always felt like the least able in his highly successful family. Laney has always understood and made him feel accepted. They had tried to briefly date many years before and when it didn't work out because of their different personalities, Jonah had asked to still be friends. Their fifteen year friendship was extremely close and people from the outside could see that there were deeper emotions between them. Now when Jonah has to find a killer and one that attacked Laney, he is having a difficult time suppressing his long hidden feelings. He doesn't want to lose his friendship with her so he will continue to keep them a secret from her.

Laney is starting to see Jonah in a different light as he works hard to protect her from the killer who has now set his sights on her. She is afraid to start a relationship with him because her father had left her mother for another woman. Her trust in a man being faithful is just not there even though she has been close friends with Jonah for years and they have both shared many things with each other.

Will Jonah and Laney finally decide to step over the line from friendship into something much deeper? Will they find the driven killer before he gets to Laney and Jonah?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney and Jonah have been best friends for years, ever since they briefly tried dating and she broke it off, but when Laney discovers a young couple murdered while patrolling the park, and then is attacked herself, the stakes are higher than ever before. Jonah has been squashing his feelings for Laney for years, to protect their friendship, but seeing Laney in danger is bringing out all his protective instincts. And while Laney is scared stiff of love after seeing what it did to her mother, such close proximity with Jonah as the investigation requires is bringing feelings to the surface she doesn't know how to handle. But it soon becomes clear that if the killer has his way, she'll be his next victim - and Jonah will probably be collateral damage. Can they discover the killer in time to stop him? And can Laney overcome her fear and give them a real chance?

Laney and Jonah are the quintessential friends-to-more story, with Jonah scared to destroy their friendship and Laney scared of love - or at least what she perceives to be its unreliability. But in the context of a murder investigation and a man who enjoys terrifying and assaulting women, it works beautifully. The range of possible suspects kept me guessing, their attempts to investigate kept me reading, and their gradually unfolding relationship kept me rooting for them as a couple - and particularly for Laney to be able to overcome her hang-ups so she can live the life that's waiting for her. All in all, an enjoyable read with a good mix of romance, suspense and inspirational content. Looking forward to Tate's story next! 4.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Heart-Pounding Suspense with a Love Story Worth Fighting For!

Ranger Belief is everything I love about Lynn Shannon’s Texas Ranger Heroes series — gripping suspense, emotional depth, and a romance that makes your heart ache in the best way. From the very first page, I was hooked by the intensity of the crime, the danger lurking in the shadows, and the undeniable chemistry between Laney and Jonah.

Laney is the kind of heroine who shines—strong, brave, and compassionate, yet still deeply human. Her loyalty to her K-9 partner and her determination to protect others make her instantly likable. And Jonah? The perfect mix of grumpy, protective, and emotionally guarded, with a soft spot that only Laney can reach. Watching these two navigate danger and rediscover feelings that have simmered beneath the surface for years was pure perfection.

Lynn Shannon balances action and romance seamlessly. The mystery kept me on edge until the very end, and the emotional moments between Laney and Jonah gave me all the feels. Their story is proof that love can bloom even in the darkest moments — and that courage comes in many forms.

If you enjoy romantic suspense with strong heroines, loyal heroes, and a K-9 sidekick that steals your heart, Ranger Belief is a must-read. Another stellar addition to the Texas Ranger Heroes series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger Belief is Jonah’s and Laney’s story in the 11th book of Lynn Shannon’s Texas Ranger Heroes series. As always with her books, she had me captivated from the first page! The book is a fast-paced mystery with lots of twists and turns. Add in a lot of chemistry and history between Laney and Jonah, quite a few suspects, lots of questions with few answers, and you have a book that was hard for me to put down. I love all the books in this series and recommend each and every one of them. Each book can be read as a standalone but it is fun to know all the characters of the books as they interact within the different stories. An excellent go-to series.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 11 of the Texas Ranger Heroes is a fast-paced murder mystery that keeps you flipping pages long after bedtime. Park Ranger Laney Torres stumbles upon the murdered bodies of a young couple and ends up running for her life. Texas Ranger Jonah Foster is Laney's best friend - has been for years. When he is called in to investigate the murders, the close contact with her threatens his ability to keep his feelings at bay. As the body count rises, the threats to Laney increase and the sinister predator seems to enjoy his game of cat and mouse. Can Jonah and Laney work together to figure out who is behind the murders and stay safe while doing it? And can they figure out the emotional dance of their relationship with their hearts intact? Great read as always from Lynn Shannon.

I was gifted a copy of this novel by the author through Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger Belief

Laney and Jonah have a wonderfully fast paced story of danger and suspense. As couples in the park are viciously attacked and killed, they struggle to find the one responsible. Laney and Jonah had dated once but decided they were better as friends. As they investigate the murders, Laney and Jonah become the hunted. Will the killer succeed in his quest to eliminate them as well? I highly recommend this book that will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end.

[Floraljoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good:
Whilst the plot was good, the pacing was initially slow and the investigation as a result lacked energy and suspense. However things heated up towards the end and I found myself fully invested in finding out who the perpetrator was and what was going to happen. I really enjoyed the ending as a whole and was satisfied with the resolution as a whole. I was pleased that everything worked out for Laney and Jonah, although I did find her extreme commitment issues to be a little annoying at times.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe what you heart says, not your head, the heart doesn't lie

Laney had feared for years of being hurt as bad as her mom had when her dad left. She couldn't allow herself to get close enough for anyone to hurt her that way.
Jonah fell hard for her years ago & it didn't work out, but a friendship grew that he couldn't hold back any longer.
Can Laney let go of her fear?
Shannon has a way that tells a story you can't put down. Each page draws you into the danger and action of the Texas Rangers featured. Laney and Jonah's story was just as strong as they are.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney & Jonah pull you into a thrilling web of murder, suspense, & deep emotion that grips you. Their chemistry simmers beneath every tense moment, building into a connection that feels both raw & healing. Laney’s painful past tugs at your heart, while Jonah’s unwavering strength & compassion make him impossible not to love. As danger tightens its hold, their leap of faith delivers a powerful, satisfying payoff.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger Belief grabbed my attention from page 1 and kept me glued to my seat. Laney and Jonah are tracking a killer while also dancing around their long simmering feelings for each other. There are plenty of twists and turns, suspects, and questions. The suspense is palpable, while emotions and fears are intense. I love this series and highly recommend this book and other of the Texas Ranger books! Each book can be read as a stand-alone and books can be read in any order.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the depth of the characters in this book though I do have to say that Laney got on my nerves for her fear about admitting that she loved Jonah. Her childhood colored her belief about love. There is a serial killer at work and it took a lot of work of all the law enforcement people to figure it out and successfully capture the killer. There is a very happy ending between Jonah and Laney. And I love that the Christian message is gently sprinkled into the story.

[Kylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh WOW

This book grabbed me from the very beginning and it was hard to put down to get a little sleep and then I had to go to work. I think this is one is a keeper and among the authors best work. It was a long road for Jonah and Laney that had some strange twists when a killer became involved. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this whole series. You will too. Highly recommend this series.

[lakena gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing as always!

Absolutely love her writing! The suspense and faith are so evident and I am so glad I got to read it. Been waiting for the book to be released and it was so worth the wait! I related to the main characters in so many ways as they were written so realistically too. The romance was great and the antagonistic got all that was deserved. So sad when this series ends.

[Suzanne Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good

This book follows much the same outline as the rest of the series. There is the "Who-Done-It" aspect of the story. There are several suspects. There's a beautiful dog in this one, and the usual petal picking."She love me" pick a petal. "She loves me not."

The fact that this series is clean makes it even sweeter to read. So, there's the usual suspense, life/lives in jeopardy; and satisfying denouement. I love Lynn Shannon's writing.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the Progression of the Story That Keeps Me Reading

With this series, you know enough about the players that it’s always a worry they’ll sort of blur together with others in the series. These MCs didn’t and it was such a relief. I loved the pacing and how the story unfolded. Overall this was a huge winner for me. If you like inspirational suspense romance, then I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

[Desiree Luhnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exciting book is the 11th book in the Texas Ranger Heroes series and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s filled with danger, romance, a crazed killer and twisted emotions, what’s not to love. Jonah and Laney are wonderful heroes and along with their faith work to unravel the mystery. You will truly enjoy the story.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best if read in order. Characters overlap throughout the series. Each book focuses on a different member of the team.
Park Ranger vs Texas Ranger
Second Chance
Best friends to more
Rapist and murder unsub
Too many persons of interest.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing better then a good romantic suspense novel and this definitely fits the bill. Laney needs her best friend Jonah to help solve the murders that are happening in the Piney Woods State Park, where she works. I liked how well Laney and Jonah worked together to solve the crimes and protect each other against the evil.

[Lyn Herbohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thriller!

I enjoyed the character development of both Jonah and Laney as the story progressed . Her strong faith challenged Jonah to deepen his own. There was lots of action and danger, and red herrings aplenty. There were new and familiar characters, romance and a gorgeous dog. Very enjoyable and hard to put down!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the story flowed well, it had developed characters and it held my attention throughout. I enjoyed trying to work out what was happening and why and thought the balance of faith, connections, chemistry, danger, suspense, investigation, pasts, family and friends was written well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

she is a park ranger who stumbles upon a couple of died bodies and the rangers are asked to help. they have known each other for years and he helps her hunt for the killer but then the killer is going after her and her family , could it be one of them? this is a page turning story to the end. if you like suspense you will want to read the book

[Candy gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney and Jonah

This was an excellent book that kept me on pins and needles wondering if everyone was going to be okay. Being a Texas Ranger Book made this an exciting book wondering who was going to make it out alive and who wouldn’t. Now Scout, the precious and fierce trained Texas Ranger dog just made it a plus plus plus plus novel.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed a few of the books in this series. Someday I hope to read the rest of them. I was kept guessing even though eventually the culprit(s) seemed fairly obvious to me as well as the rangers. Thanks to Booksprout for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this read it was awesome from start to finish. Couldn't put it down. It's a must read and highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friend-zoning someone you're scared to lose if you love them hides the situation only for a while. They've been there for each other at all times, but now they see exactly what they've been missing. Their relationship has been closer than friendship, without them realising it.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading this series. Good characters and good story line. I recommend reading this series and this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another page turning read in this series. Laney and Jonah are best friends and as they work on a murder together they revisit their history and the attraction neither want to deny anymore. Enjoyed this story with many twists and turns. Received a free copy.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful romantic suspense!! I liked it a lot.. It is intense and hold-your-breath thrilling, with lots of sweetness in this long-term friendship-to-more romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

life after the military can be tricky.

as a young woman trades in combat boots for park services style hiking boots, the park she loves draws her back into intrigue, violence and death.

throw in a hot and kinda annoying Texas ranger and yum!