A sheriff’s heart-wrenching past threatens to destroy his future in USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen’s brand-new Blue River Ranch miniseries…Ten years ago, Sheriff Gabriel Beckett helped convict the man who murdered his parents in a shocking crime that still haunts his small Texas town. Now the terror has returned and the woman who escaped the attack is a target again.Jodi Canton loved Gabriel—until that love shattered with his parents’ murder and her father’s conviction. Taunted with threats, she’s determined to bait the real killer out of hiding. Drawing out a criminal puts her life on the line, but Gabriel’s protection puts her heart in danger. Even if they survive a predator, can they risk everything to heal each other?Blue River Ranch
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.
Exciting start to the new series. Nearly non-stop attacks, multiple suspects, and a simmering attraction kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.
Ten years after the murder of his parents, Gabriel is the sheriff of Blue River. He isn't very happy to find Jodi, the daughter of the man convicted of those murders, at the scene of that crime, and where she had also nearly lost her life. He's even less happy to discover that she is receiving threats and has made herself a target to try to draw the attacker out. Both of them get quite a shock when they find a knife like the one used in her attack and a dead body in his parents' old house. Having a masked man shoot at them just adds to the tension.
I liked Jodi a lot. She is independent, determined, but also vulnerable. The attack that nearly killed her continues to affect her. She has learned to protect herself so that she can keep herself safe. She is determined to discover the truth of what happened that night and clear her father's name. She is also haunted as much by what she doesn't remember of that night as by what she does remember. If she can find out who it was, maybe she can finally move on with her life.
I also really liked Gabriel. He is honorable, protective, and has his own regrets from that night. Ten years ago he had turned away the young Jodi who had shown up at his place with seduction on her mind. In his opinion she was too young, so he turned her down and sent her away even though he wanted her too. Now that she's back, he is determined to keep her safe.
The suspense is fantastic. Jodi's actions have stirred up a veritable hornet's nest. There is attack after attack on Jodi; attempts to silence her before she can fully remember and expose the person who tried to kill her. With each attack, someone different rose to the top of the list of suspects. Is it Hector, who was there to pick up the pieces after Jodi's attack? Or her uncle August, who doesn't think she's trying hard enough to clear her father's name? Or her ex-boyfriend Russell, who claims that his association with her has put him and his family in danger? Through most of the book I couldn't decide who I thought was the actual culprit. The final confrontation was intense as the bad guy had Gabriel and Jodi cornered. The resolution was heart-pounding as Jodi faced her attacker and came out on top this time. Though the mystery of who tried to kill Jodi is solved, there is doubt now over whether her father is truly the one who killed Gabriel's parents. I can't wait for the next book to see what new information is revealed.
I loved the development of Jodi and Gabriel's relationship. Jodi had thought that in the intervening years her crush on Gabriel had diminished. She was not very happy to realize that her feelings for him were as strong as ever. Gabriel also wasn't happy to feel that same attraction that he had found so hard to resist before. I loved seeing the strength and determination that Jodi had developed. It was great fun to see her stand up to Gabriel's attempts to keep her out of the line of fire. His protectiveness was sweet, but it sure did frustrate Jodi. I also liked his sensitivity to her wariness about being touched. I loved seeing them finally realize that they were meant to be together. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in later books.
What can I say? It's a Delores Fossen book. They're basically all the same! But I still enjoy them. And this one does at least stray a little bit from her usual formula. For one, there's no baby involved. This one involves Jodi Canton returning to Blue River to draw out the person who murdered the parents of her long-time crush Gabriel Beckett, and also nearly stabbed her to death. A person is in fact already in prison for the crimes - Jodi's father! But she believes he's innocent, or at least wants to.
Despite believing Jodi's father killed his parents, Gabriel doesn't seem to bear any ill-will towards Jodi, nor does his brother Jameson, another deviation from Fossen's usual formula. In fact, Gabriel blames himself, because Jodi was stabbed shortly after leaving his house after he rejected her advances. As can be expected, about three or four suspects pop up out of the woodwork, and keep showing up at various locations where Jodi and Gabriel are to either protest their innocence or finger somebody else. That is very much a Fossen trope! As is the endless supply of gunmen-for-hire who attempt to kill the hero and heroine.
This was a bit clunky to start with, and doesn't contain as much action as other Fossen books, but eventually hits its stride, and I was eager to find out the culprit. I just wish that Fossen could mix it up a bit more! She's knows how to stage a good action scene, and the romance here was better than her usual, and Jodi's post-traumatic stress was a believable added touch. If she dared trying something different, she could come up with something quite memorable!
There’s nothing like a good who done it to keep me turning the pages and second guessing every character I meet. Add romance to that and I’m a goner. And if you add the fact that it’s written by Delores Fossen, I’m over the moon! I swear the woman could write instructions for opening a cereal box and I’d be riveted. No one writes like her. So when I saw that this was the start of a new series, I was anxious to get in on the awesomeness from the start. WOW! Ten years ago, a crime occurred in Sheriff Gabriel Beckett’s small town. A crime that took away his parents and changed his life forever. Now the memories are being stirred back up with the return of Jodi Canton, the woman who barely escaped death at the hands of a killer. A killer Gabriel put away ten years ago but that Jodi believes is innocent. Her father. She’s back to bring out the real killer. But her return brings out a whole slew of new threats. And old feelings between Gabriel and Jodi too. She already lost her heart to Gabriel Beckett over ten years ago. Can she trust him now with her life? This story has it all. Pulse pounding action, complex characters with believable conflicts with one another, and a cast of characters who could be the villain threatening the heroes’ lives and chance for a future. It starts with a bang and never lets up, leaving you wondering till the final pages how it will all come out. Through it all, Delores Fossen seamlessly blends romance and suspense. As the danger escalates, so does the attraction. And when all that heat and danger is left to simmer for ten years, the result can be explosive! I’m hooked with this first book. The tragedy from ten years ago didn’t just affect Gabriel and Jodi, but their siblings as well. I’m hoping I’ll get to read more of their stories. If you want a read that’s twisting, fascinating, steamy, and suspenseful, you can’t go wrong with this one. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection
Always a Lawman starts with what seems to be one crime but at the end finds that there were two separate crimes done by two different people. One is solved and one is left hanging. As always Fossen built two very interesting and strong main characters. Jodi Canton and Gabriel Beckett have a history even though they have not seen each other in 10 years. Jodi was the victim in one of the crimes and now it seems that the real killer has returned to finish the job. Gabriel's job is to protect her whether she wants him to or not. A nice blend of romance and danger. First book in this series and I look forward to the next one in the series.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Starts 10 years after Gabriel's parents were murdered and Jodi was attacked.
She said she's getting her memories back but nothing is farther from the truth other than that the attraction between her and Gabriel is still there.
While they do find out who attacked her and why, there were nowhere near closer to the murder of His parents and her father not getting blamed, as no where were the notes everyone got explained that the were sent by her attacker! Maybe things will finally come to all those involved in that heinous attack-10 years ago!
Everyone in this book are annoying. And then we got to the end to find out who attacked Jodi. But, the case on Gabriel's parents were not resolve. What was that all about? And who have the right to interfere with police investigation regardless of them being in security. Everyhing was idiotic since page one. What did I missed? Everyone else seemed to like it.
2.5 Stars would have been more accurate. I wasn't pulled that much into the mystery or the romance to be quite honest. This author does write some excellent action scenes, but the characters didn't feel fleshed out. There were so many male suspects that I had a hard time keeping the names straight. Jodie and Gabriel had an interesting backstory:
Overall, it was interesting but not the best from this author.
One night and an injustice that changed so many people’s lives destroying so much from love to friendship. Ms. Fossen gives an action packed thrilling read from the first page holding your attention while keeping you hanging on to the edge. Some questions are answered but one is still left open and will be played out through the series. The hints are there for you to work out the attacker but if you are like me you won’t work it out. This is one author that holds her cards close to her chest giving you a taste of the outcome but keeping you guess who did it.
There was really nothing I didn’t like about this story. The plot was outstanding, fast moving, one thrill to the next, keeping you guessing why holding your attention. There is a lot going on from mystery, attacks, murder, mask men just come out of the wood work. The attacker is trying hard to cover his tracks but it is getting harder with his victim saying she remember much more that she does 10 years after the fact trying to pull him out in hopes of setting her father free.
My mind is blown to think about going through what Jodi has leaving you scared and afraid even after so many years. Her attacker has taken the small things in life from her, things we do without thinking about it. As a character Jodi is strong, she stands proud but does have panic attacks who could blame her. If it had been me I most likely would never leave my home. There is a whole list of people who could be behind it leaving her guessing as to her she can trust. The only one for sure is her old love which never happens for many reasons. She knows she can trust him since he parents were killed by the same man who attacked her. The attraction is still as strong but she has issues she must overcome before she can think about having a man in her life.
Gabriel feels guilty for some many reason one he wasn’t there to saved his parents two he turned Jodi away the night she came to him trying to seduce him. He knows he did the right thing, things just would not have worked out for them. She was of age but just barely and needed to see the world feel the things most teens do. Now he has to find the killer, keep her safe when she wants to go it alone and keep her at arms links. He has got his work cut out for him. At every turn there is something new, new people ending up dead, no threats, a bigger puzzle filled with mystery.
From the first page you are holding your breath until the last page. There isn’t much filler here at all just one thrill, action after another. The two main characters still feel that pull from many years ago and have a hard time keeping their hands off each other for many different reasons. The romance is good, easy and moves at a nice paces. Really they are meant to be together, the complement each other so well. A lot stands in their way from her father killing his parents or did he, to family, friends and a lot more. I totally enjoyed this action paced thriller. If you love mystery, intrigue along with your romance you are going to love this one.
The action begins early in ALWAYS A LAWMAN and never lets up until the end... and even then, there are still questions to be answered within the rest of the Blue River Ranch series. I was swept up in this story from the first page and the action is almost non-stop on an adventure I won't soon forget.
It's been a decade since Jodi had been back to the scene of the crime. It looked quite different from that fateful night when Gabriel's parents were killed ...and she was attacked viciously and left for dead. Actually, she had died but someone brought her back to life long enough to fight for her life on her own. She should be grateful for that, but that angel of mercy was as unknown as the man who stabbed her repeatedly and buried her in a shallow grave. It was well past time for some answers, and the bait she'd laid would bring far more than Jodi could have ever expected.
ALWAYS A LAWMAN is rich in details, plot and characters, many of whom we will run into later in this series. There is, of course, world building but it's so subtle that it's really not noticeable - those details are simply part of the story and flow naturally within dialogue and description. There are suspects galore and plenty of bad guy thugs as well, so many of them that it's almost overkill until it's made clear that this is a murderer who will do anything to finish what he started no matter the cost in other lives. There is no logic in a madman's actions.
Jodi and Gabriel's history, attraction, and reactions to each other are a combination of heartbreak and hope. Jodi will get answers to those questions, and far more as well. The connection between Gabriel and Jodi is clear from the start and it sizzles beneath the surface growing even stronger the deeper they are drawn into this new danger. I found the story compelling, the characters realistic and believable... eerily so at times. This first story in the series has only raised my curiosity about people and events that were mentioned in passing - and now I'm hooked and need to know more.
I would definitely recommend ALWAYS A LAWMAN to any Romantic Suspense reader or Modern Western Romance reader... or anyone who loves a puzzle to solve and a really good romance.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription - but come December 26th when I have Amazon gift cards in my hands I will be purchasing the series because this goes on my "keeper shelf" to re-read again. Yeah, it's that good.
The new mini-series from Delores Fossen starts off with riveting thriller filled with intriguing characters and intense suspense that kept me, and the cast and crew, on the edge throughout the story. The vigorous tension from the past and the stress from the new cruel threats and deadly attacks muddle together into a fearful, strained, jittery atmosphere where the emotions run wide and deep. The number of suspects is limited and each of them a known player in the tragic, deadly drama that changed many lives ten years ago. Jodi Canton lost everything she loved on one fatal day a decade ago, a day when she nearly lost her own life as well. The struggle to survive the brutal attack, and learn to live with consequences has taken her to the task every day since it happened. The young love she felt for Gabriel is still as fresh as it was way back when and the fear for her life as palpable and real as it was that night Gabriel rejected her intentions. Sheriff Gabriel Beckett turned down the love of young Jodi and lived to regret the consequences of that night. He lost his parents in the brutal attack and later on his sisters as they could not face the hurt and pain and moved away. To see Jodi again and all those tender feelings still burning inside her gets the familiar response in his heart. The old attraction is still there, the kindling ignites, the passion flames and the emotions take a deeper root, making it even more crucial to protect Jodi by all means, to keep her alive against the constant murderous attacks. The connection between Jodi and Gabriel, while fragile and frail because of the past, is powerful enough to survive the years that they were apart. The attraction is tangible, the need to protect and hold each other close a force to be reckoned with. Add to that the fierce and vehement savage action, and the lives of the people forever changed because of the past, and you have yourself a poignant, breathtaking tale that is impossible to put down until the end. The Blue River Ranch miniseries is already proven to be stories not be missed ~ Five Spoons!
Danger lurks around every corner in the first installment of Delores Fossen’s Blue River Ranch series! The intrigue kicks off from page one and only grows more and more sinister as more suspects come to light in the threats against Jodi. The backstory of the plot is well laid out, the characters are interesting and well-developed and the overall story is really easy to get drawn into. Looking forward to more in the series!
Ten years ago Jodi Canton’s life was shattered. She was attacked and left for dead after being rejected by the man her young heart was sure she was in love with. On the eve of the anniversary of that tragic night, threats have started arriving to all of the key players in the small Texas town it happened in.
Sheriff Gabriel Beckett hasn’t forgiven himself for letting Jodi flee his house and straight into danger the night his parents were brutally murdered. He worked hard to put away the man found to be guilty of the crime … Jodi’s own father. Can these new threats possibly mean the wrong man is in prison?
From the very first page you are thrown into a world of mystery and murder. The heroin Jodi Canton nearly lost her life years ago and now she’s back in to find out who nearly cost her everything, her worst fear that the man responsible might have been her own father. Sheriff Gabriel Beckett is a lawman through and through when the tragedy of his parent’s murder and Jodi’s attack happened he was the Deputy Sheriff and one of the lawman responsible for Jodi’s father’s conviction. The only problem there is some history between the two but not the kind you may think. Shortly after starting the 1st chapter there is a death in the same location as ten years ago and suddenly the killer is back to finish what he started ten years ago, ending Jodi’s life but Sheriff Gabriel Beckett won’t let that happen on his watch and while protecting her all the guilt from ten years as well as old desires start to stir. Can there a future for Jodi and Gabriel when Jodi might not life much longer?
Wow! Wow! Wow! This book starts out with a bang, or a couple of bangs or actually with a silencer involved not really much of a bang. But gunshots, definitely gunshots!
Talk about an action-packed story - in Always A Lawman Delores Fossen just keeps the action scenes flowing one right after the other. Sheriff Gabriel Beckett and Jodi Canton have a history, one where he saved her life ten years prior to the events in this book. Jodi goes back home to Blue River to try to flush out the person who stabbed her and left her for dead. She stirs up the killer who fears she has remembered seeing his face. What follows is lots of shootings, car chases, gun fights and falling in love.
I love mystery, intrigue, suspense and romance especially when it's all together in one story. Always A Lawman has all that so this has definitely put me into my happy place. Delores Fossen is always my go-to author for this.
Delores Fossen is a master when it comes to suspenseful romance and this book does not deviate from her masterful writing style. Gabriel has done everything he could to get the man responsible for murdering his family and harming the women he once knew. But why is Jodi back now? Its nearing the anniversary and he can't handle seeing the daughter of the man who murdered his parents and hurt her. Now that someone is reaching out and threatening all of those who were connected to the case. Gabriel and Jodi need to work together to find who is reaching out and trying to get Jodi's father out of jail. Or is it possible that her father is innocent? No that can't be..... it's not possible. I can not wait to read the next books of this series and I highly recommend this book as well as all the other stories by Ms. Fossen. Anyone who likes romantic suspense would love this book. ~ A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection.
I enjoyed the suspense and was thrown several times where I thought I knew what was coming and was totally wrong.
I wish we could've learned for certain if Jodi's dad killed Gabriel's parents but at least answers are given about the attack on Jodi a decade earlier.
So much action and adventure are packed in these pages as Jodi, the Beckett family, and deputies investigate what's going on. There's three obvious suspects: her ex Russell, her uncle August and her boss (Weiss crazy for her) Hector. Each in turn seems totally guilty and at others like an innocent victim in everything. I never would've guessed the culprit was the one it turned out to be or the way everything unfold.
Jodi and Gabriel had something ten years ago. Until his parents were killed and Jodi was brutally attacked left for dead. Jodi lied to the press to get the real killer out and Gabriel has also received threats. This story does not bore you at all. The action starts at the very beginning.
I loved the suspense who attacked Jodi, who murdered Gabriel’s parents. Jodi’s father is in jail for the crimes. She knows he did not commit them. The suspense of these stories. Who committed these crimes, there are so many suspects but the one who actually committed the crime. Did not see that one coming. I really enjoyed reading this.
Always a Lawman by Delores Fossen is part of the Blue River Ranch Series. Gabriel Beckett is the towns Sheriff. 10 years ago he helped convict his parents murder. But now theb terror is back and nearly everyone is suspect. Jodi Canton is the woman who was attacked and left for dead 10 years ago. She´s the daughter of the convicted murder too. But now new threats against Gabriel and Jodi are made. They´re in danger. I started reading and was hooked from the beginning. I love the story, the twists and turns, the characters and the writing. I give 4,5 stars. Thank you, Delores Fossen !
I enjoyed this book. Gabriel is going to keep Jodi safe in spite of her attempts to make herself a target. I liked that these characters have a past. It was a twisted story that pulls you in and makes you want to read faster so you can figure out who the bad guy is.
I wasn't sure at all which was the bad guy of the choices. Each had pros and cons on them. The story didn't answer all of my questions so I will be looking for another from this author. Jodi had her issues and I liked her boss but he had issues too.
It was a 4/5 for me. I cannot wait to have my questions answered!
Always A Lawman focuses on Gabriel, the sheriff whose parents were murdered 10 years ago, and Jodi, the survivor of a stabbing by the same culprit that same night. Delores dives right into this story which helps hook you right from the get. It moves along at a good pace and keeps you guessing. The only issues I had was overuse of the word mercy and there were times when a character’s reaction/response seemed a little novice or unnatural. Otherwise it was a good read.
This was my second book in the Blue River Ranch Series and I loved every minute of it. The characters were intriguing and the suspense surrounding them kept you in the edge of your seat wondering what was going to happen next. Delores Fossen has a special way of creating a amazing story about people facing uninmaginable odds and over coming them.
I enjoyed this second chance, intriguing romance. I bought this at a local library sale and I voluntarily chose to review this. I've given this a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 readers. This contains a lot of violence and the main characters had a lot of trauma in their lives. I didn't get who the attacker was till the end. This was a bit scary till the end. I'm on to my next.
Silly, easy read. Had trouble remembering the characters names—especially the men because they were so generic sounding, which just added to the mystery as I asked myself “no which man is she talking to?” 😂 Enjoyed it while I was reading, spice level, low. Didn’t know it was part of a series, likely won’t read the others unless they come my way.
This book was really fun to read. Lot of twists and turns and lots of action. Only point of contention was that there was no detailed reason for villain's doings.His only justification given was really lame.
Good start to a romantic suspense series. Good characterisation of past trauma - heroine's struggles are not dismissed, hero's difficulties with his own guilt is acknowledged. Intriguing. Romance is minimal. Sex is explicit. But it works.
10 years ago on the night Jodi Canton was left to die and Sheriff Gabriel Beckett's parents death, Jodi puts her life on the line by putting herself as bait to find the man who done this. Gabriel dont know if he can keep both of them alive.
This book grabs you in the first few pages. The story line was great! I didn't know whodunit right until the end. It sure kept us guessing. I can't wait to read more about Blue River.