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When a baby goes mising, a Texas marshal and a woman from his past discover there's a whole lot more behind this kidnapping…
Holden Ryland certainly didn't become a marshal just to end up busting his ex, Nicky Hart, for taking files from Conceptions Fertility Clinic. But only Nicky knows just what was really stolen: a newborn being held for ransom. A newborn who is kin to both her and Holden. The missing boy is only the start of a mystery that snakes through Texas, winding its way through their families. Bad blood may linger between them, but Holden can protect his nephew back at the Silver Creek Ranch. If they can lay their past to rest to rescue this child, is it possible for them to have a future together?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2017
118 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Delores Fossen
643 books815 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 36 reviews
July 10, 2017
Favorite Quote:
If Beatrice’s eyes narrowed any further, she wouldn’t have been able to see.
My Review:
Holden was fast-paced and action packed with an eventful storyline featuring a multi-layered and cleverly twisted multi-million dollar scheme involving a skeezy fertility clinic, henchmen, local lawmen, the FBI, a senator, a gold digger trophy wife, probable police corruption, kidnappings, murders, blackmail, ransom, explosions, and several shoot-outs. All that and a rekindled romance occurring amidst and between explosions.
If Beatrice’s eyes narrowed any further, she wouldn’t have been able to see.
My Review:
Holden was fast-paced and action packed with an eventful storyline featuring a multi-layered and cleverly twisted multi-million dollar scheme involving a skeezy fertility clinic, henchmen, local lawmen, the FBI, a senator, a gold digger trophy wife, probable police corruption, kidnappings, murders, blackmail, ransom, explosions, and several shoot-outs. All that and a rekindled romance occurring amidst and between explosions.
April 13, 2017
Delores Fossen has become a must read author for me and this book highlights why. HOLDEN is a very engrossing story filled with fast-paced, non-stop action and intrigue, babies and the possibility of a rekindled romance.
Nicky Hart is an investigative journalist whose single-minded quest for a story has called her ethics into question over time. However the story she's working on at the moment is explosive and very personal and she needs all the help she can get to get to the bottom of it, without losing her life.
Holden Ryland doesn't have good memories of his past with Nicky but he's a lawman first and will keep Nicky alive or die trying, especially as her investigation hits really close to home and she has really bad people determined to silence her before she exposes them.
This book has it all: shootouts, kidnappings, ransom demands, an unending stream of henchmen, babies and a second chance at love. This is the tenth book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but the characters have played minor roles in other books in the series, which lay the foundation for their book and Nicky and Holden's past is only alluded to in this story. The focus is on the present and urgent need to uncover the mastermind behind the illegal activities carried out at a renowned fertility clinic and the impact of those activities on their families.
As determined as Nicky and Holden are to get solve this mystery, the perpetrator is just as determined to keep them from solving it and what's a few gunfights and kidnappings and even murder, as long as the scheme is kept secret?
If you enjoy lots of action in your books with almost no downtime, then this is the book for you! My only issue and a minor one at that, is that Nicky and Holden's renewed relationship was a side-note in this story and I really didn't get a feel for them as a couple. Nicky's role in the previous book and it effect on Holden's family was huge enough that it should have been a big part of their story but it took a back seat to the action here.
This was still a very enjoyable story and I'm looking forward to more in the series.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
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Nicky Hart is an investigative journalist whose single-minded quest for a story has called her ethics into question over time. However the story she's working on at the moment is explosive and very personal and she needs all the help she can get to get to the bottom of it, without losing her life.
Holden Ryland doesn't have good memories of his past with Nicky but he's a lawman first and will keep Nicky alive or die trying, especially as her investigation hits really close to home and she has really bad people determined to silence her before she exposes them.
This book has it all: shootouts, kidnappings, ransom demands, an unending stream of henchmen, babies and a second chance at love. This is the tenth book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but the characters have played minor roles in other books in the series, which lay the foundation for their book and Nicky and Holden's past is only alluded to in this story. The focus is on the present and urgent need to uncover the mastermind behind the illegal activities carried out at a renowned fertility clinic and the impact of those activities on their families.
As determined as Nicky and Holden are to get solve this mystery, the perpetrator is just as determined to keep them from solving it and what's a few gunfights and kidnappings and even murder, as long as the scheme is kept secret?
If you enjoy lots of action in your books with almost no downtime, then this is the book for you! My only issue and a minor one at that, is that Nicky and Holden's renewed relationship was a side-note in this story and I really didn't get a feel for them as a couple. Nicky's role in the previous book and it effect on Holden's family was huge enough that it should have been a big part of their story but it took a back seat to the action here.
This was still a very enjoyable story and I'm looking forward to more in the series.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
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April 2, 2018
Delores Fossen just writes the same story over and over again. However, I've enjoyed her books in the past, and this was no exception. Even though it was all very convoluted and needlessly complicated, it was very fast-paced. The story involves a fertility clinic that seems to be using surrogates to create unplanned pregnancies, and then ransoming the parents to get their own children back! Pretty good plot, actually. Holden Ryland (and his 127 or so brothers and cousins) and Nicky Hart get involved, because one of the babies belonged to Ryland's dead brother and Nicky's dead sister. Possible suspects include Nicky's rich father, a missing senator and his trophy wife, and a former office manager of the fertility clinic.
This would get a higher rating if it weren't essentially the same as every other book Fossen has written. There's always a handful of suspects (usually three), shootouts at the police station and safe houses, and the two leads have a brief History that has lead to current acrimony. She needs to find a new formula, or at least start a new mini-series that doesn't have 127 brothers and cousins running around. I had trouble keeping them all apart - including Holden himself! That's not a good thing. He's supposed to be the hero!
Also as usual, Delores completely overabuses the uses of the word "mercy". Here, it's used a whopping 15 times! I just can't get past it. It's the sort of word you'd expect to hear from a 70-something busybody in a cozy British murder mystery. Not a contemporary action-based romantic thriller! But Delores always has every single one of her heroines constantly overuse it. I mean, come on. Really? "Mercy"?
This would get a higher rating if it weren't essentially the same as every other book Fossen has written. There's always a handful of suspects (usually three), shootouts at the police station and safe houses, and the two leads have a brief History that has lead to current acrimony. She needs to find a new formula, or at least start a new mini-series that doesn't have 127 brothers and cousins running around. I had trouble keeping them all apart - including Holden himself! That's not a good thing. He's supposed to be the hero!
Also as usual, Delores completely overabuses the uses of the word "mercy". Here, it's used a whopping 15 times! I just can't get past it. It's the sort of word you'd expect to hear from a 70-something busybody in a cozy British murder mystery. Not a contemporary action-based romantic thriller! But Delores always has every single one of her heroines constantly overuse it. I mean, come on. Really? "Mercy"?
May 11, 2017
Good addition to the ongoing saga of the Lawmen of Silver Ranch. The action is non-stop from the beginning as Holden and Nicky try to find out who is behind a fertility clinic scam and blackmail scheme. Holden is a US Marshal who has gone to see an ex-girlfriend about her role in an FBI investigation, only to discover that she is in trouble. She is being held by gunmen who want the information she has found. Nicky is an investigative reporter who stumbled across the information while investigating the disappearance of a senator.
Holden and Nicky have a past together. They had just begun a relationship when she made the mistake of holding on to information a little too long during one of her stories. This information nearly got his brother Drury killed. Added to the events surrounding the death of his brother Emmett and her sister Annie (see the previous book Landon) and the relationship ended before it really got started. Now Nicky has information showing that someone used Emmett and Annie's embryos in that scheme and that she and Holden have a nephew that needs to be rescued.
Nicky and Holden try to put the past behind them as they work together to protect their nephew and stop those behind the scheme. The attraction and chemistry between them is just as strong as it was before and they have a hard time resisting it. I liked that Nicky has learned her lesson, and is fully forthcoming with what she has learned. She doesn't know if the Rylands can ever forgive her for her previous actions, but her feelings for Holden are still there. Though Holden is still dealing with the pain of his brother's loss, he can't deny that he still has feelings for Nicky. I loved his protectiveness toward her, with Nicky having the same concerns about his safety. In the end, they realized that their love for each other can overcome the problems that came before.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. Each new clue brought forth another person of interest. Each one had the means and motive, though always proclaiming their innocence. There is Nicky's father Oscar, who is desperate for a grandchild to be his heir. Is he a victim or perpetrator? Beatrice, trophy wife of the missing senator, also claims to be a victim of the blackmailer. Is there another baby out there that is hers? And did she have a part in her husband's disappearance, or is she innocent of it all? And they can't forget about Amanda, the clinic's former office manager, and surrogate mother to one of the embryos. The final confrontation brings everyone together in an intense face-off. The multiple twists and turns leading to this point are finally resolved, though there are still a couple questions left hanging for the next book.
I also enjoyed seeing more of the Ryland men from the previous books. Their teamwork is always terrific as they provide backup and protection. Since they are all family, there is also the personal touch in some of their interactions. Gage especially gets his chance to give Holden a bit of a hard time about his relationship with Nicky. There's a brief scene with Drury, who was the victim of Nicky's mistake, but doesn't seem to hold too much of a grudge. I'm looking forward to his book.
Holden and Nicky have a past together. They had just begun a relationship when she made the mistake of holding on to information a little too long during one of her stories. This information nearly got his brother Drury killed. Added to the events surrounding the death of his brother Emmett and her sister Annie (see the previous book Landon) and the relationship ended before it really got started. Now Nicky has information showing that someone used Emmett and Annie's embryos in that scheme and that she and Holden have a nephew that needs to be rescued.
Nicky and Holden try to put the past behind them as they work together to protect their nephew and stop those behind the scheme. The attraction and chemistry between them is just as strong as it was before and they have a hard time resisting it. I liked that Nicky has learned her lesson, and is fully forthcoming with what she has learned. She doesn't know if the Rylands can ever forgive her for her previous actions, but her feelings for Holden are still there. Though Holden is still dealing with the pain of his brother's loss, he can't deny that he still has feelings for Nicky. I loved his protectiveness toward her, with Nicky having the same concerns about his safety. In the end, they realized that their love for each other can overcome the problems that came before.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. Each new clue brought forth another person of interest. Each one had the means and motive, though always proclaiming their innocence. There is Nicky's father Oscar, who is desperate for a grandchild to be his heir. Is he a victim or perpetrator? Beatrice, trophy wife of the missing senator, also claims to be a victim of the blackmailer. Is there another baby out there that is hers? And did she have a part in her husband's disappearance, or is she innocent of it all? And they can't forget about Amanda, the clinic's former office manager, and surrogate mother to one of the embryos. The final confrontation brings everyone together in an intense face-off. The multiple twists and turns leading to this point are finally resolved, though there are still a couple questions left hanging for the next book.
I also enjoyed seeing more of the Ryland men from the previous books. Their teamwork is always terrific as they provide backup and protection. Since they are all family, there is also the personal touch in some of their interactions. Gage especially gets his chance to give Holden a bit of a hard time about his relationship with Nicky. There's a brief scene with Drury, who was the victim of Nicky's mistake, but doesn't seem to hold too much of a grudge. I'm looking forward to his book.
March 22, 2017
This explosive novel is amazing in complexity and action. While I didn't get to know any of the characters very well, this is definitely a mystery that one reads for the action and suspense. As this is the 10th novel in the series, I had some catching up to do with the all of the Ryland men in law enforcement. The author did a good job of weaving in who each person was without burdening this mystery.
The mystery is appealing partly due to the nature of crimes committed in our culture. The disappearance of a senator led Nicky, an investigative reporter, to a fertility clinic where he and his sweet young trophy wife are clients. It is also where Nicky's late sister and Holden's late brother were patients. And what she learned there would shock her, and Holden Ryland's family, yet bring blessing - if they all survived the killers who were after them.
With regard to language, it is a clean read, and the limited romance is spicy. There is violence but no gruesome descriptions. I highly recommend 'Holden' to fans of Delores Fossen, this Lawmen of Silver Creek series, and the Harlequin Intrigue imprint. This reader just might be back for more!
I was given a copy of this by the publisher, no review was required.
The mystery is appealing partly due to the nature of crimes committed in our culture. The disappearance of a senator led Nicky, an investigative reporter, to a fertility clinic where he and his sweet young trophy wife are clients. It is also where Nicky's late sister and Holden's late brother were patients. And what she learned there would shock her, and Holden Ryland's family, yet bring blessing - if they all survived the killers who were after them.
With regard to language, it is a clean read, and the limited romance is spicy. There is violence but no gruesome descriptions. I highly recommend 'Holden' to fans of Delores Fossen, this Lawmen of Silver Creek series, and the Harlequin Intrigue imprint. This reader just might be back for more!
I was given a copy of this by the publisher, no review was required.
February 21, 2017
This is a new twist on the unexpected baby trope. Holden and Nicky have a history but not a good one. Seems that Nicky kept information to herself instead of sharing and almost got one of the Ryland men killed. As Nicky and Holden were starting a romance that stopped it in its tracks. Now a baby appears and it will take both Nicky and Holden to get to the bottom of who, what, when and where. The who has a lot of candidates and the other issues add to the twist and turns. A nice addition to the series. Once again it takes a baby or make that two to bring about an HEA.
January 9, 2018
I have really enjoyed the Lawmen of Silver Ranch series. This book had non-stop action from the beginning till the end. It was also a second chance romance between Nicky and Holden. The two kept having to dodge bullets and that is sure to make any relationship grow stronger. This is one of my favorites of the series so far. Excellent book.
March 13, 2017
I can't remember a time when a book I've read recently that started with action from page one, but this one does. A common complaint I've heard about romance novels is that they can be a bit slow to get into and that's absolutely not the case with this one. Immediately we have a hostage situation, a kidnapped baby, missing files, and a hero and heroine with a complicated past but reluctantly forced to work together for a common goal. Admittedly I have read the others in this series but I'm interested now because I'm a fan of Delores Fossen anyways so I knew going in I'd most likely enjoy the book.
My biggest complaint with contemporary romances is that the plot line likely isn't plausible or just veers too into the "this can't be real at all, come ON" category and this one does for sure. I mean, the odds that an investigative reporter just happens to stumble on the illegal use of embryos/sperm but not just that, but just happens to be the genetic material belonging to her sister and brother in law, both of whom are deceased? The odds of this are slim to none, but I'm going to go with it because the book hooked me on chapter one. Anytime you start with dramatics right away, I'm all in for the long haul.
Overall? I'm giving the book 4/5 stars. It's action packed, the romance is steamy, and it leaves you wanting more. Not just more from Holden and Nicky, but of the entire series because the characters are all connected. The bad blood between Nicky and Holden's family? Sure, I get enough information in this book to get it, but I want to read the earlier book to get the full picture. So that's already been ordered, should be here by the end of the week. Woo hoo!
My biggest complaint with contemporary romances is that the plot line likely isn't plausible or just veers too into the "this can't be real at all, come ON" category and this one does for sure. I mean, the odds that an investigative reporter just happens to stumble on the illegal use of embryos/sperm but not just that, but just happens to be the genetic material belonging to her sister and brother in law, both of whom are deceased? The odds of this are slim to none, but I'm going to go with it because the book hooked me on chapter one. Anytime you start with dramatics right away, I'm all in for the long haul.
Overall? I'm giving the book 4/5 stars. It's action packed, the romance is steamy, and it leaves you wanting more. Not just more from Holden and Nicky, but of the entire series because the characters are all connected. The bad blood between Nicky and Holden's family? Sure, I get enough information in this book to get it, but I want to read the earlier book to get the full picture. So that's already been ordered, should be here by the end of the week. Woo hoo!
March 22, 2017
Lots of action in this suspense story taking place in Silver Creek. It involves a greedy operation of rich babies being born by surrogates and being used to get ransom. Holden Ryder's brother and sister in law were killed before their embryo could be used however the embryos were used and twins were born. We get to see Holden and the babies aunt Nicky fight the bad guys and a crazy grandfather!
March 22, 2017
From the very first moment, the dangerous gun blazing and deadly incursions start with high intensity that rides through the action filled story. The energy is fierce and the tension is elevated. With multiple possibilities of the bad guys behind the kidnappings and baby extortion, the need to find information is acute but to know if the data is valid or another trap is impossible to find out. The law enforcement is working on double time to gain control of the situation but the case just keeps escalating as more babies are found.
The battle against the mercenaries is constant, harsh, and deadly. Every one of the possible culprits seems to have their own hired killers to do their dirty deeds. They are not afraid to use deadly force, no matter whom they are fighting against. Through the story, the clues to catch the leader leads to several different directions keeping the suspense elevated and the threat evident.
I liked both, Holden Ryland and Nicky Hart. With them, you got what you saw. There wasn't any games or extra complications and drama. They were honest, considerate, straight taking people. The chemistry between them was obvious, as well as the attraction. The action being as fierce as it was there wasn't much time for personal conversations, getting to know each other, or for romance but they had history, they knew each other from before, the feelings the had for each other had been stewing for some time, and now facing the danger and possibility of not surviving the constant savage hits, they saw a new side of each other and learned to trust each other, rely on each other with their lives.
I was living in the moment with the characters through this tale. It is filled with ferocious action, every moment precious for not knowing if it was your last. I love the family connection between the Ryland klan, their willingness to stand up for each other is admirable. A story filled with riveting, immense action and suspense that was hard to put down, read-on-one-sitting kind of book.
~ Five Spoons
The battle against the mercenaries is constant, harsh, and deadly. Every one of the possible culprits seems to have their own hired killers to do their dirty deeds. They are not afraid to use deadly force, no matter whom they are fighting against. Through the story, the clues to catch the leader leads to several different directions keeping the suspense elevated and the threat evident.
I liked both, Holden Ryland and Nicky Hart. With them, you got what you saw. There wasn't any games or extra complications and drama. They were honest, considerate, straight taking people. The chemistry between them was obvious, as well as the attraction. The action being as fierce as it was there wasn't much time for personal conversations, getting to know each other, or for romance but they had history, they knew each other from before, the feelings the had for each other had been stewing for some time, and now facing the danger and possibility of not surviving the constant savage hits, they saw a new side of each other and learned to trust each other, rely on each other with their lives.
I was living in the moment with the characters through this tale. It is filled with ferocious action, every moment precious for not knowing if it was your last. I love the family connection between the Ryland klan, their willingness to stand up for each other is admirable. A story filled with riveting, immense action and suspense that was hard to put down, read-on-one-sitting kind of book.
~ Five Spoons
March 8, 2017
As with all the rest of the series, if you read one, then you read all of them as they all basically have the same theme:
- Hero & heroine have a past.
- heroine has done something unintentionally that endangered someone in Hero's family & there is bad blood all around (from Hero & his family) and now heroine is running from hired killers and needs Hero's protection.
- 9 out of 10 times there is a baby involved.
- Each story has 3 potential bad guys to route out which if you read one or two previous books, then you most likely will guess who the bad guy is before you get to the middle of the book because Ms Fossen's style of writing is predictable.
- They all keep getting shot at the sheriff's office and at Hero's home or the safehouse.
- Each of the 3 suspects have motives and know what's going on and are always interrogated, which then follows gun shots.
- Bad guy always have hired killers, and so on.....
As for chemistry & romance, her books in this series are pretty much none existent. So why do I read them? For one because it was given to me for free and for another, I keep hoping she will surprise me one of these days. But all I have seen so far is that she changes character's names. It is the same old story over & over each month and I don't understand why the publishers allow this sloppy writing! Can't they ask their authors to be at least a bit original & slightly creative? Must all the brothers & cousins in this series all have the same storyline? All in all, if you are reading this for the first time, then I think you may enjoy it if you are looking for a suspense type theme, however, if you read any of the previous books, then save yourself the aggravation.
- Hero & heroine have a past.
- heroine has done something unintentionally that endangered someone in Hero's family & there is bad blood all around (from Hero & his family) and now heroine is running from hired killers and needs Hero's protection.
- 9 out of 10 times there is a baby involved.
- Each story has 3 potential bad guys to route out which if you read one or two previous books, then you most likely will guess who the bad guy is before you get to the middle of the book because Ms Fossen's style of writing is predictable.
- They all keep getting shot at the sheriff's office and at Hero's home or the safehouse.
- Each of the 3 suspects have motives and know what's going on and are always interrogated, which then follows gun shots.
- Bad guy always have hired killers, and so on.....
As for chemistry & romance, her books in this series are pretty much none existent. So why do I read them? For one because it was given to me for free and for another, I keep hoping she will surprise me one of these days. But all I have seen so far is that she changes character's names. It is the same old story over & over each month and I don't understand why the publishers allow this sloppy writing! Can't they ask their authors to be at least a bit original & slightly creative? Must all the brothers & cousins in this series all have the same storyline? All in all, if you are reading this for the first time, then I think you may enjoy it if you are looking for a suspense type theme, however, if you read any of the previous books, then save yourself the aggravation.
March 2, 2017
Wow if you are looking for a nonstop action packed thriller then this is for you. I loved that there was so much going on that it made it hard for me to put this book down. I loved that there was enough mystery for me to make my guesses but with each new suspicious character constantly had me changing my mind and then in the end wasn't who I thought it would be. My only problem was that I wish I had read the previous books, because this book would've made a lot more sense to me then. But it does good as a stand alone just not great. But at least there's that area of who is who in the beginning on the characters which was helpful.
March 6, 2017
Fast-paced. A little far out with all the family members in law enforcement! Good read. Well-edited. Holden Ryland and Nicky Hart.
June 8, 2017
Great Book!
Great Book! “Took you long enough to figure it out,” Gage joked. Then he laughed. Holden tuned him out because he wasn’t done yet. Might never be done when it came to Nicky. “I want it all,” Holden said to her. “Raising the twins—together. Marriage. I’ll even build a white picket fence. Just think about it and give me your answer.” Holden was willing to wait. However long it took, but Nicky didn’t have to think on it for long. “Yes, to raising the twins together. Yes, to the marriage. The fence is optional.” Smiling, she caught onto the front of Holden’s shirt and pulled him to her, and Nicky kissed him.
Great Book! “Took you long enough to figure it out,” Gage joked. Then he laughed. Holden tuned him out because he wasn’t done yet. Might never be done when it came to Nicky. “I want it all,” Holden said to her. “Raising the twins—together. Marriage. I’ll even build a white picket fence. Just think about it and give me your answer.” Holden was willing to wait. However long it took, but Nicky didn’t have to think on it for long. “Yes, to raising the twins together. Yes, to the marriage. The fence is optional.” Smiling, she caught onto the front of Holden’s shirt and pulled him to her, and Nicky kissed him.
February 26, 2017
cute babies on cover. Never miss one of her books
February 22, 2017
Amazing
This one starts with a bang and just keeps getting better.Thrills,suspense and mystery.You'll end up sitting so close to the edge of your seat,you just might fall off.
This one starts with a bang and just keeps getting better.Thrills,suspense and mystery.You'll end up sitting so close to the edge of your seat,you just might fall off.
March 25, 2017
Rating~3-3.5 stars
This was my first book by Delores Fossen, I have read quite a few of romantic suspense from the Harlequin intrigue line but hadn’t yet had the pleasure to read Delores Fossens books.
Nikcy Hart is an investigative reporter and her current assignment has landed her in dark and dangerous waters. While looking into the disappearance of an senator, Nicky ends up finding out that the fertility clinic where her late sister and her husband were clients, had not only implanted her sister’s embryo into a surrogate but that she now has a nephew who is being held for ransom to be sold for millions.
Holden Ryland is a federal marshal, while getting his ex-girlfriend out of trouble isn’t a part of his job finding out that he might have a nephew if he is to believe what Nicky is saying. His nephew is the only thing left of his brother and Holden is willing to do whatever even be in the presence of his ex who almost got his brother killed to get his nephew.
Finding their nephew is just the tip of the iceberg! I did enjoy the suspense and finding out who actually was responsible. The story had interesting protagonists, quite a few of secondary characters and an gripping plot to make it a worthwhile read. The fast paced action/adventure of the book was also done well.
Quibbles: I only wished that the romance hadn’t felt as rushed as it did, we never found how exactly the broke up or any flashbacks of how they met or how their relationship was except their love life. Maybe if the pace of the book was a bit slower because while the fast pace was good for the suspense plot, it didn’t give me enough time to connect with them as a couple.
Overall, a pretty decent suspense read!
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book by Delores Fossen, I have read quite a few of romantic suspense from the Harlequin intrigue line but hadn’t yet had the pleasure to read Delores Fossens books.
Nikcy Hart is an investigative reporter and her current assignment has landed her in dark and dangerous waters. While looking into the disappearance of an senator, Nicky ends up finding out that the fertility clinic where her late sister and her husband were clients, had not only implanted her sister’s embryo into a surrogate but that she now has a nephew who is being held for ransom to be sold for millions.
Holden Ryland is a federal marshal, while getting his ex-girlfriend out of trouble isn’t a part of his job finding out that he might have a nephew if he is to believe what Nicky is saying. His nephew is the only thing left of his brother and Holden is willing to do whatever even be in the presence of his ex who almost got his brother killed to get his nephew.
Finding their nephew is just the tip of the iceberg! I did enjoy the suspense and finding out who actually was responsible. The story had interesting protagonists, quite a few of secondary characters and an gripping plot to make it a worthwhile read. The fast paced action/adventure of the book was also done well.
Quibbles: I only wished that the romance hadn’t felt as rushed as it did, we never found how exactly the broke up or any flashbacks of how they met or how their relationship was except their love life. Maybe if the pace of the book was a bit slower because while the fast pace was good for the suspense plot, it didn’t give me enough time to connect with them as a couple.
Overall, a pretty decent suspense read!
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2017
Title: Holden - The Lawmen of Sterling Ceek Ranch Book 10
Author: Delores Fossen
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Published: 2-21-2017
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Romance; Crime; Kidnapping; Westerns
ISBN: 9781335720832
ASIN: B01KSS5J1I
Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Starts
When a baby goes mising, a Texas marshal and a woman from his past discover there's a whole lot more behind this kidnapping…
Holden Ryland certainly didn't become a marshal just to end up busting his ex, Nicky Hart, for taking files from Conceptions Fertility Clinic. But only Nicky knows just what was really stolen: a newborn being held for ransom. A newborn who is kin to both her and Holden. The missing boy is only the start of a mystery that snakes through Texas, winding its way through their families. Bad blood may linger between them, but Holden can protect his nephew back at the Silver Creek Ranch. If they can lay their past to rest to rescue this child, is it possible for them to have a future together?
The series continues to show Delores Fossen's talent to build stories with strong, courageous characters. "Holden" is filled with, intrigue, danger, suspense and a touch of romance. Family is shown to be important in its support to its members. The story is well written and will appeal to lovers of romance and suspense dramas.
My rating of "Holden" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KSS5J1I/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hold...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Delores Fossen
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Published: 2-21-2017
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Romance; Crime; Kidnapping; Westerns
ISBN: 9781335720832
ASIN: B01KSS5J1I
Reviewed For NetGalley and Harlequin
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Starts
When a baby goes mising, a Texas marshal and a woman from his past discover there's a whole lot more behind this kidnapping…
Holden Ryland certainly didn't become a marshal just to end up busting his ex, Nicky Hart, for taking files from Conceptions Fertility Clinic. But only Nicky knows just what was really stolen: a newborn being held for ransom. A newborn who is kin to both her and Holden. The missing boy is only the start of a mystery that snakes through Texas, winding its way through their families. Bad blood may linger between them, but Holden can protect his nephew back at the Silver Creek Ranch. If they can lay their past to rest to rescue this child, is it possible for them to have a future together?
The series continues to show Delores Fossen's talent to build stories with strong, courageous characters. "Holden" is filled with, intrigue, danger, suspense and a touch of romance. Family is shown to be important in its support to its members. The story is well written and will appeal to lovers of romance and suspense dramas.
My rating of "Holden" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KSS5J1I/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hold...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
August 22, 2017
This is the tenth installment in the Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series and one that was full of surprises. I love that this installment was also full of action and suspense.
Holden and Nicky had some history so when he tried to warn him that she was possibly going to jail for her getting into things she shouldn’t have. But instead of just letting her know he ends up finding her in a very complicated situation and he needed to take matter into his own hands. He needed to make sure that Nicky was okay. But that is just the start of their journey. Nicky knows that she is not hearing things and there is only one way to prove it. They both need to find that baby he is a Hart and a Ryland. I couldn’t believe what was going on there was so much going through my mind it was hard to even think. I felt so saddened because their parents were no longer here and they would never be able to feel their love but they would be able to hear stories about them and feel the love of not only Holden and Nicky but of everyone in their family. Holden and Nicky are going to have to make sure to keep Carter safe and that means putting him in protective custody but then something else happens he has a twin sister. Holden and Nicky will do everything possible to keep them safe.
Holden was a great read. I loved the storyline and the characters were perfect for each other. The amount of action and the suspense was out of this world. The chemistry between these two characters was sensual and just perfect. I love seeing all the Ryland family coming together to help each other out.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
Holden and Nicky had some history so when he tried to warn him that she was possibly going to jail for her getting into things she shouldn’t have. But instead of just letting her know he ends up finding her in a very complicated situation and he needed to take matter into his own hands. He needed to make sure that Nicky was okay. But that is just the start of their journey. Nicky knows that she is not hearing things and there is only one way to prove it. They both need to find that baby he is a Hart and a Ryland. I couldn’t believe what was going on there was so much going through my mind it was hard to even think. I felt so saddened because their parents were no longer here and they would never be able to feel their love but they would be able to hear stories about them and feel the love of not only Holden and Nicky but of everyone in their family. Holden and Nicky are going to have to make sure to keep Carter safe and that means putting him in protective custody but then something else happens he has a twin sister. Holden and Nicky will do everything possible to keep them safe.
Holden was a great read. I loved the storyline and the characters were perfect for each other. The amount of action and the suspense was out of this world. The chemistry between these two characters was sensual and just perfect. I love seeing all the Ryland family coming together to help each other out.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review
February 15, 2017
A ring of blackmail and deception makes up the plot of Delores Fossen's latest in The Lawmen of Silver Creek series! We're drawn in quickly and go through twists and turns with them to see if they will get to the bottom of the mystery! If you're a follower of this series, you will have no problem recognizing all of the various characters who come through for back-up ... if you're new to the series, it will seem overwhelming to try to keep all the brothers and cousins straight. Don't even worry about it, as they are only minor players in this book .. and if you want to get to know them each in their own right, go back and pick up the earlier books in the series to enjoy! :)
US Marshal Holden Ryland never expects to be going after his ex for stealing files from a fertility clinic, and when he shows up at her door and gets the story behind it, he understands why she's been risking life and limb to get the answers she needs!
Nicky Hart never set out to hurt Holden or his family, so the bad blood between them doesn't set well with her ... but she'll put aside their differences if she can get him to help her find a missing baby ... a baby that's related to them both!
US Marshal Holden Ryland never expects to be going after his ex for stealing files from a fertility clinic, and when he shows up at her door and gets the story behind it, he understands why she's been risking life and limb to get the answers she needs!
Nicky Hart never set out to hurt Holden or his family, so the bad blood between them doesn't set well with her ... but she'll put aside their differences if she can get him to help her find a missing baby ... a baby that's related to them both!
March 6, 2017
Holden is the 10th book in the Lawmen of Silver Creek series. It's definitely fast paced and a very quick read. The action begins in the first chapter and really doesn't slow down. Nicky is an investigative reporter who finds out her sister's embryo was implanted into a surrogate. She now has a nephew to find. It is also Holden's nephew and he gets involved to help her find the baby.
I did enjoy the mystery. There were a couple of twists that kept it exciting. The ending was a surprise. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with the romance portion of the book. I'm not sure this did that well as a stand alone. Nick and Holden have a history that played out in an earlier book, so I felt like I was missing that connection. I didn't know enough of their back story to really see their second chance connection. There were also a lot of characters that made it a bit hard to keep track of who was connected to who and in what way. I think fans of this series will enjoy this one. If you are new to the series, you may want to go back and read #1-9 first.
I did enjoy the mystery. There were a couple of twists that kept it exciting. The ending was a surprise. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with the romance portion of the book. I'm not sure this did that well as a stand alone. Nick and Holden have a history that played out in an earlier book, so I felt like I was missing that connection. I didn't know enough of their back story to really see their second chance connection. There were also a lot of characters that made it a bit hard to keep track of who was connected to who and in what way. I think fans of this series will enjoy this one. If you are new to the series, you may want to go back and read #1-9 first.
March 22, 2017
Delores Fossen is probably one of the most fabulous writers out there. She writes great contemporary romances and intrigues.
Holden however raises the bar for all writers for the Intrigue line.
There's not a lot romance going on in this book, but the story doesn't require it. Nicky and Holden have a past affair but that really has nothing to do with what's going on, and by that I mean, a missing senator, a shady fertility clinic and embryos that were implanted into surrogates so that when the babies were born the parents could be blackmailed. One of the babies happens to be the child of both Nicky and Holden's siblings who are now deceased.
The story was action packed with so many twists and turns that it was impossible to figure out who was involved with the Genesis project, that Nicky was investigating and gets the ball rolling on all the action.
There are so many people that could be involved too. Some of them are pretty surprising too.
I really enjoyed this book. Delores Fossen never disappoints.
Holden however raises the bar for all writers for the Intrigue line.
There's not a lot romance going on in this book, but the story doesn't require it. Nicky and Holden have a past affair but that really has nothing to do with what's going on, and by that I mean, a missing senator, a shady fertility clinic and embryos that were implanted into surrogates so that when the babies were born the parents could be blackmailed. One of the babies happens to be the child of both Nicky and Holden's siblings who are now deceased.
The story was action packed with so many twists and turns that it was impossible to figure out who was involved with the Genesis project, that Nicky was investigating and gets the ball rolling on all the action.
There are so many people that could be involved too. Some of them are pretty surprising too.
I really enjoyed this book. Delores Fossen never disappoints.
June 14, 2017
Great Suspense
The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch are back with Holden's story. Holden's brother Emmett was married to Nicky's sister Annie. Before they died, they'd banked some embryos at a fertility clinic. Nicky, a reporter, has been investigating the clinic in an attempt to locate a missing senator, only to discover someone(s) been stealing embryos, implanting them in surrogates, and then ransoming the resulting babies back to their wealthy families. One of these embryos belonged to Emmett & Annie.
Can Nicky & Holden rescue Emmett's & Annie's baby, break up this ring of thugs, and locate the missing senator? This was a great story & well worth reading. I won this paperback thru a book tour and voluntarily chose to review it.
The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch are back with Holden's story. Holden's brother Emmett was married to Nicky's sister Annie. Before they died, they'd banked some embryos at a fertility clinic. Nicky, a reporter, has been investigating the clinic in an attempt to locate a missing senator, only to discover someone(s) been stealing embryos, implanting them in surrogates, and then ransoming the resulting babies back to their wealthy families. One of these embryos belonged to Emmett & Annie.
Can Nicky & Holden rescue Emmett's & Annie's baby, break up this ring of thugs, and locate the missing senator? This was a great story & well worth reading. I won this paperback thru a book tour and voluntarily chose to review it.
June 23, 2017
Great book I look forward to reading the others in the series
July 30, 2017
Another great suspenseful read!! Highly recommend this book.
December 16, 2018
I missed most of this series but loved the story of Holden. Nicky is a reporter trying to get the story on the missing senator when she comes across something bigger than she could ever imagine.
February 5, 2017
Great story
March 8, 2017
Yet another great book in this series. Can't wait to start Drury, which is next on my list. Love Delores' books.
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March 1, 2017received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
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April 19, 2017"The impressive tenth (and possibly last) book in Fossen’s The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series is exciting and suspenseful, and the characters are believable and well-drawn. In typical Fossen fashion, the reader will feel as if they are right there amongst the action. The mystery element is intriguing and the romance is hot. This is a good series that has gotten better and better with each new installment" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
Miniseries: The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch
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