His son was his life...until he met his new "wife"
From the moment he first saw his son, ranchman Dylan Greer knew the baby he'd adopted was his in every way that mattered. And no one--not even the beautiful, strong-willed cop who claimed she was the child's mother--was going to change that. Collena Drake swore a criminal ring had stolen her baby and that someone was crossing every line to keep the illegal adoption secret.
Now, in order to protect one innocent child, Collena makes Dylan a tempting get married and share custody. As a businessman, he thinks the plan brilliant. But as a man...resisting his "bride," especially as the danger mounts, will be almost impossible.
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.
This is the story of former cop Collena who had her baby stolen when she went into premature labour during an undercover operation to bring down an illegal adoption ring. After 2 years she has finally tracked down her baby son living with his adopted father, Dylan. She breaks in to his ranch and she confronts him with the truth about the adoption. Dylan is both shocked and angry that Collena has come for her son. Collena proposes a marriage of convenience in order for them to share custody of the baby and to stop the baby's rich paternal grandfather from taking it away. At the same time Collena is in danger from an escaped prisoner, whom she sent to jail as part of the illegal adoption ring and from a stalker that has been making Dylan's life a misery for over 10 years.
The relationship and the romance that develops between the hero and heroine is really sweet and well written. As for the rest of the book there was so many different things going on that it became a bit of a headache to read. The stealing and illegal adoption of Collena's baby is enough of a story on it's own but there was also the escaped prisoner, the murders, the baby's paternal grandfather wanting custody, Dylan's stalker, a jealous friend, unfriendly local cops, need I go on! All these things were going on at the same time that it became a bit hard to follow. And it was obvious who the stalker/killer throughout the entire book!
I feel the relationship wasn't established enough due to everything else that was going on. However if you want a lot of action then this has it!
In Fossen’s romance novel, Collena Drake is a cop who swears that the child rancher Dylan Greer has adopted is hers. According to her, a criminal ring stole her baby across county lines absorbing him into an illegal adoption plot. Dylan loves his son and is unwilling to give him up. To protect a child, Collena proposes they marry and share custody. It soon becomes clear that the arrangement is more than just a “business arrangement” to the couple as passion ignites between them.
The plot was predictable but the “instant relationship” between the two main characters was what sunk this to two stars for me. I picked this up because it came as a companion read to a book by Debbie Macomber. I should have stopped reading after her book but decided to try it. At least I gave it a chance. Some of the gunfight scenes were well done but the rest was too contrived for my taste.
The cover synopsis says, 'Dylan Greer's life was changed after he adopted a baby boy rescued from a criminal wing. Now cop Collena Drake has shown up to claim her son, but Dylan won't give him up without a fight.' What it doesn't say is who the fight is with. This is action-packed from beginning to end, a fun read. I recommend it.
This book was just so amazing - I couldn't put it down! The tension in the book was such a page-turner and it would keep you on the edge of your seat. And the developing romance between the two main characters? Just perfect.
I had to read this for a book club. I encouraged it, but quite jokingly, and now I wish I hadn't.
This book was so bad, I'm not really sure where to begin with it. It's the first (and probably last) 'romance' novel I've read, so I don't know if it's a usual trend to use nothing but FRAGMENT SENTENCES. Is that usual? Is it really intended for dramatic purposes? I found it instead to be extremely irritating - finish a thought, then put a full stop! I seriously hope no one would say it's poetic license and try to defend it with, say, train of thought writing. Faulkner could maybe get away with it, but just maybe.
Then there were some pretty obvious flaws in terms of dialogue. A man gets shot and burnt to death - one of the main characters says, "Are you sure he was murdered? Because if he was, we've got a serious problem," or some ridiculous thing like that (it is, of course for this purpose, paraphrased). Of COURSE he was murdered! He didn't actually put himself on fire and say, hang on, I don't want to go through with this, and shot himself to get it over with, nor was it some sort of honor killing. Please let's try not to state the obvious too much - please, give your readers a bit of credit.
There seemed to be a lot of hang-ups on birthing in this novel - for instance, Collena was found by the 'birthing stables.' It's all about a baby. I think the literary critics that take Freudian approaches would love it...but I don't.
This was a 'romance' novel - yet all it seemed to be was a lot of sexual frustration (described through fragment sentences) leading up to just ONE scene of 3rd base and ONE scene of sex. I thought romance novels were supposed to be nonstop action?? I just wanted the characters to hurry up and get it on, and stop telling each other how they're both oh-so-attracted to each other, but sex wasn't an option. Apparently that would 'complicate' the situation of a very complicated marriage of convenience. Hell, if you're both attracted to each other and having sex would be convenient, I'm pretty sure that doesn't break any clauses of a 'marriage of convenience.' Get it on, and get it on lots, b/c the rest of the story was dull, dull, dull.
Delores Fossen, I'm sorry if this review upsets you. Clearly this book is popular, but it ain't for me. I'm also sure you have made loads of money off this book as well as others, so I won't worry about your feelings. Dust your shoulders off and write another one of these books, because I'm sure you've got the format down (but don't expect me to read!).
Pleasantly surprised. The book drives you into the action nearly from the beginning, to the very end. Very enjoyable read and the characters are likable.
Too many things were happening in this story too fast and at the same time. Dylan has just caught an intruder who claims she's his adopted son's mother and the adoption was illegal. He past is filled with girlfriends beaten up and his fiance & sister killed by someone who's not been caught yet. Collena busted the crime ring that stole her son, but now one of them has escaped prison and is out to get her. She wants her son back, but doesn't want to take him from the father he's known for a year - solution: Marriage Only lots of people are after them - and it gets a bit much trying to figure out who the bad guys are and which one of them did which crime. Nice story tho
A mother would do anything to protect her son. I wish that there would be more women that would protect their children, no matter what. Once I started reading this book, I just couldn't stop.
This was a short book filled with suspense & excitement. great story! I would have given it a 5 star rating if it hadn't had pornography in it. Unfortunately, this author doesn't think she can write a decent romance novel without pornography. Sad! good read otherwise.