Madison Gallagher’s life is in Hangman’s Loss. Her family is here. Her friends are here. She owns and runs a successful bakery café. What she doesn’t have is a love life. And she doesn’t want one. The man who stole her heart when they were both young and wildly in love was careless and callous—he left her and never looked back. Now he’s returned, and with his typical reckless abandon, he inserts himself back into her world. But, no. He’s not welcome anymore. She's suffered enough and has finally gotten to a place where her life makes sense. She refuses his advances. Until she can’t.
When Logan Ross left Hangman’s Loss he had needed to find himself and become a man he could be proud of—a man nothing like his father. And while Logan had succeeded, he had never been whole, not when he’d lived ten long years without his Maddy. Back and undercover on a dangerous operation, one look at his girl and he knows this is where he’s meant to be. And nothing in his whole life has been harder than winning back the woman he’d broken. But Logan is determined to do anything it takes to mend her precious heart, and he means to prove it to her every day for the rest of her life.
Murder? Stalker? Mayhem? Are bad guys coming to get her? Nope, Diane is just a retired school teacher with a laptop. She’s been married for decades. Decades. She walks Finn every morning (mostly). She FaceTimes with her grandkids. The most excitement she’s had lately is a bumpy ride on a plane, and that’s not the fun kind of excitement. But her heroines? They have all the thrills. Scary things happen to them. Hot, compelling men find them fascinating. And they always find their HEA.
An avid reader for as long as she can remember, Diane has always favored stories with strong female characters who go on adventures and can think themselves out of the most dangerous situations. It’s no surprise that those are the kinds of books she enjoys writing.
Diane’s love of the outdoors is reflected in her books. Born and raised in Southern California, family vacations meant camping in locations ranging from Big Sur to Death Valley to Zion. Two of her series are set in fictional towns in her happy place, California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her love of travel took her to Sweden as an exchange student when she was sixteen and backpacking around Great Britain (after a week in Paris) while in college. She and her husband have enjoyed pulling their little trailer to the National Parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Pinnacles.
Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award in Romantic Suspense and a USA Today Bestselling author, Diane has recently retired from a career teaching high school history. She now has all the time in the world for writing, gardening, and travel. That's the theory, anyway. She is a member of the Orange Country Romance Writers.
***Note to readers: Looking for High Sierras, Book 4? Burnover, High Sierras Book 4, is a novella you can find included with Already Gone, Book 3.
Surprisingly dark subject matter. When I selected this for Bingo- Second Chances, I thought it would be sweet. I mean, I'm not a poisoned-well kinda person, but I like the idea of first loves reuniting. This had two pretty dark themes for a baker in the Sierras, one socio-political and the other personal tragedy, that I was not expecting. The dialogue's a bit stilted, but I bought the character motivations so it ekes out 3 stars.
And sometimes heartwrenching. Logan and Maddie have been through a lot, and they both need to work through their demons to find their way back to each other. I loved these two characters.
A wonderful third book in the “High Sierras” series! Madison Gallagher has lived in Hangman’s Loss her entire life and has made a success of her bakery, Hangman’s Loss Best Café and Bakery. She suffered a broken heart when the man she hoped to marry, Logan Ross, left town ten years ago. Logan’s brief visit back to town, eighteen months ago, gave her hope that he was back to stay…but again, he left. Now Logan is back once more and danger seems to be following him. Human traffickers are transporting women through the wilderness area and Logan is worried for Maddie’s safety. When Logan finds out that Maddie had rescued one of the women, he warns her that she could be a target. Maddy is a strong woman, sister of the police chief, and Logan needs to understand that she can take care of herself. Can he undo the damage that he had caused by leaving her? Can she learn to trust Logan and let him back in to her life? Such a wonderful story with characters that draw you into their emotions and lives as they work to remove the danger from their town. I really enjoy a series with continuing characters and “High Sierras” is one of the best series I have read. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
A wonderful story about second chances. Maddie and Logan get a second chance at love after almost a 10 year separation and heartbreaking loss. The minute you start reading, you will be instantly hooked. The author weaves a tale of drama and romance that keeps you enthralled and turning the pages. Maddie is feisty and Logan is her brooding and over protective suffering hero. The sparks fly every time they see each other. Eventually they give in and realize that they are perfect for each other and have always been. This is a great story right up to the last word.
After books 1 & 2, I bought books 3 and 5, and am very sorry I did. Books 1 & 2 were interesting and grabbed your attention, this was is SLOW and DRAGs to the point I am at 21% and just can't do it. I liked Maddy in the other books but not this one...Logan is so busy with being undercover that he is compounding his distance from Maddy with lie upon lie.. The suspense is there but it is so slow that you lose interest in the story..... I wasted my money on this one.... DNF
Diane Benefiel has written another winner, superbly blending edge of your seat suspense with a touching love story. Maddy and Logan are easy characters to like and fun to cheer for and deserve their happily ever after! I look forward to the next installment in this charming series.
Excellent story. This story evolves characters and has suspense and just the right amount of sex. It is a lovely story, with very few grammatical errors. I will keep and read again sometime.
Already Gone is the third book in Diane Benefiel's High Sierras romantic suspense series. One of the things I love about this series is that each of the books is independent from the others. Readers can pick up any of the books in any order and not feel lost or that they are missing something.
However, falling in love with Hangman's Loss is inevitable and readers will surely want to experience all the other stories this quaint town holds. In Already Gone, we get the story of Madison Gallagher and Logan Ross, who made an all too brief and enticing appearance in Flash Point, the first book in the High Sierras series.
Madison is the sister of Brad Gallagher, the town's police chief and the hero from Flash Point. After having her heart broken, Madison managed to make a good life for herself in Hangman's Loss as the owner of the town's thriving bakery café. Surrounded by friends and family, she's almost able to put her painful past behind her. Then Logan Ross, the source of her heartache, comes crashing back into town and her life.
Logan never forgot about Madison Gallagher, the love he left behind. She's the main reason he finds himself back in Hangman's Loss after ten years, ensnared in a human trafficking ring. Although he knew he hurt her, he never could've imagined the depth of her heartbreak. Can he stop the evil that has invaded his home town, keep Maddy safe, and win back the heart of the only woman he ever loved?
Once again, Diane Benefiel has created compelling characters that are relatable and real. The chemistry between Logan and Madison sizzles from the beginning and only gets hotter as they face numerous trials and tribulations. It never ceases to amaze me how much turmoil she puts her characters through and still manages to deliver a believable and satisfying ending.
Already Gone is yet another irresistible edge-of-your-seat page-turner with some smoking hot love scenes. I can't wait to read the next book in the High Sierras series. Personally, I'm hoping to read Dory and Jack's story sooner rather than later!
ALREADY GONE takes place in the small town of Hangman's Loss which is in the High Sierras in Eastern California. In this small town there once was two very young lovers: Madison Gallagher and Logan Ross. They were so in love that Madison or friends called her Maddy, planned that they would have the perfect life together in Hangman's Loss. She never expected him to just suddenly dump her. Her heart was so broken when he left, that she never felt that the hurt would lessen. He not only broke her heart but smashed it to tiny pieces. When she thought life couldn't hurt her any more it did. She lost the most precious gift she ever had, and Logan wasn't there to share her grief.
Logan Ross had left the love of his life and home to try and make a better man of himself. Ten years later and he had succeeded, but at what price? He still was in love with “his” Maddy. He didn't want to live another day without her. But she was not about to accept him back. Too much heartache & grief because of him, and never again. He is determined to win her back, but this will take a lot of convincing on his part. “Whatever comes, Maddy,” he promised, “we'll see it through together.”
I really enjoyed this story, it has romance & steam. Lots of suspense, with tragedy and sadness. But the good guys win in the end. It has a good ending.
Already Gone is the first book I have read by Diane Benefiel, and the third book in the High Sierras series. Even though I haven't read the previous books in the series, I didn't feel lost and was able to figure out pretty easily who all the characters were. I'll probably go back and read the first two books.
While I understood the reasons for Logan leaving Madison ten years earlier, my heart hurt for the pain that decision caused them both. Madison wanted to stay angry at Logan, but was able to see his side more clearly and understand now that they were both older. She also realized that a secret she kept, was one she should have shared with Logan.
Seeing the pain and the deep feelings Logan and Madison still felt for each other, it was hard not to pull for them to work things out. I was glad that once Madison found out the truth about Logan’s job, she didn’t get angry. She understood his reasons for keeping his identity quiet.
The book has a happy ending but no epilogue. I’m an epilogue kind of girl, so I was a little bummed with the abrupt ending. However it’s not too bad, and I’m thinking if I read the next book in the series, I’ll get to see how Logan and Madison are doing.
Sometimes we need time to suffer, review priorities and time to grow. Maddy fell in love. It was not a superficial she'll get over it. She fell Mariana Trench deep in love that lasted 10 years! Logan reciprocated. Logan, left Hangman's Loss to find himself. He wanted to prove he was not his Father. It took him longer than he expected. Then time just got away from him and he thought he lost his opportunity. He returned for business, not expecting his feelings for Maddy to be so intense. After they met up again, Maddie realized her feelings were as strong as ever. Her reaction to him was loving, caring instinctive. Good story. Intense and exciting. The mystery theme is sad, but Logan is dedicated and Maddy is intuitive and confident. I worried about her being slow, but I realized she is placed in a situation foreign to her every day environment. She stepped up, strong. This is a good read, it fits well in with the other stories. Does Maddy share her secret? Does Logan get his Man? Does Logan allow himself to feel worthy? Nicely done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the third book in this wonderful series and I love the fact that the characters are all inter related and we are getting to know them in depth This time we have Madison(Maddy) Gallagher's story she is the younger sister of the local police chief Brad who started in the first book in the series
Maddy runs the successful bakery in the town and is quite happy with her life that is until things start to go a little crazy. She has always known that she wouldn't find love like her brother did after all the man she loved when she was younger just walked away and broke her heart but now he has returned. Logan knew he needed to prove himself and away from the drunk that his father was he wanted to prove he was a better man what he didn't realise was that the town never judged him by his father What he also never expected was that he wouldn't feel complete without Maddy by his side but now a case has brought him back to Hangman's Loss and he would finally have a chance to win Maddy back Will she be willing to give him a chance You will have to read to see
Madison Gallagher lives in Hangman’s Loss where her family and friends are. She owns a bakery café which is doing well. She doesn’t want a love life; that had been ruined for her years ago when she was young and in love, and he walked out on her. So he’s back now – but he is no longer welcome in her life.
Logan Ross left Hangman’s Loss back when he had felt the need to “find himself” and be proud of his accomplishment. He most definitely didn’t want to be anything like his father. But without Maddy, he still wasn’t the man he wanted to be. He needed her. But he was working undercover on a very dangerous operation and he had to keep her safe while trying to win her back. Can he do that? Can she trust him after he left her for 10 years? Can he convince her to be part of his future now?
Boy am I really loving this series! This is the third book in the High Sierra series. It is wonderful story about second chances with characters that really draw you into their emotions and lives. Ms. Benefiel does an excellent job of bringing all this to life with her amazing writing. Maddie and Logan were once in love but Logan broke her heart when he left town 10 years ago. He is back now and there is a possibility of a second chance for them, but danger follows Logan back. This was a very gripping and suspenseful story I could not put down. Very wonderfully written and I look forward to reading more of this series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maddy loves baking and she runs a café which is quite popular. Logan is an FBI agent fighting a human trafficking gang. This is a very emotional reading. Human trafficking is a very hard theme and one of the most horrible things done by human beings if you can call them that. The story is well-written and well developed, the characters are very likeable. Maybe a little bit slow in some places but very entertaining read full of suspense, difficult situations, adventure, romance and of course baking; I felt hungry every time a customer bought any items in the café. I’m eager to read the next one in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Logan is back in Madison’s life after a ten year absence. Will she give him the second chance he’s hoping for? “Already Gone” has tragedy, secrets, tension, forgiveness, protection and love. It’s an emotional story that slowly unravels to reveal a dangerous web of human trafficking, hidden heores and a connection between 2 wounded souls that will never disappear. I love the multilayered characters, strong supporting cast of family & friends, intriguing plot, simmering chemistry and thoughtful handling of difficult subject matter. Satisfying romance!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in this series that I have read and it didn’t disappoint.
There was a lot the Maddy and Logan had to work through, but dealing with the danger in town and the fact that Logan couldn’t tell her just why he was back in town did not help them work through their past and whether there was a future for them.
Already Gone is a well written story, with suspense, love, heartbreak, forgiveness, emotion and family. I look forward to reading more from this series and author.
Maddie Gallagher was devastated when Logan Ross walked out of her shattering her heart when he left. Now he is back in Hangman`s Loss and he wants her back again. But she can not take the pain of loosing him a second time. This is a story of second chances and learning to forgive. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was a great addition to this series and the intense topic of human trafficking made this story very intriguing. The way that Diane wrote this book made me go through so many different emotions and the way that it was written was so powerful. I felt entrapped after I passed the first chapter. I would highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Already Gone is the third book in The High Sierras series and is a great second chance romance.
I really enjoyed Maddie and Logan's story. After he broke her heart so many years ago, can she trust him with it again? This story has strong characters who have never lost their love for each other but trust needs to be there for a full relationship. There is danger, human trafficking, suspense, intrigue, and a second chance for happiness.
Great series. This started slow but in the end it improved. Maddy was always in love with Logan, but the fear of losing him again was always on her mind. Logan felt he needed to grow into what she wanted for them. The suspense was real everyday stuff. It's hard to think that goes on in the world today but it does.
This is book three and it is Madison and Logan's story and i really enjoyed reading it with all it's twists and turns and emotional situations. It was so well written and worth reading and i defiantly recommend you read it and you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a book that has a plot filled with gorgeous characters and twists and turns. Action-packed and a real page-turner. I just had to read it in one sitting. It is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be the last. Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 3rd book in the “High Sierras” series! This is Madison Gallagher and Logan Ross's story. Madison and Logan were an item when he just up and left. Both have demons that they need to get rid of. Now hes back. Can they get together again? Will they trust again?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
GRABS YOUR ATTENTION FROM THE BEGINNING Logan and Maddy meet again after 9 years apart. Hes back on assignment. This is romance and suspense at its best. Logan and Maddy are made for each other and you cant help but love them will be routing for them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He broke her heart last time, in more ways than one but the spark is still there and Logan is determined to make things right with Maddy but can she chance her heart again after all they went through? Logan and Maddy's past always hits me in the feels whenever I read this book. Absolutely love them as a couple and the journey they go through.
A small town, second chance romance with all the feels! No plot summary from me, because nothing should spoil this gem. Just a piece of advice--keep a box of tissues handy, because you will need them. I only wish this story had included an epilogue about Maddy and Logan, instead of a novella about another couple. Even so, Already Gone was well done and definitely worth my time.
I have enjoyed this series . Maddie and Logan are awesome but Lilly's story was hard to read. I wish there had been a peek into the future as it left me frustrated.
This is Logan and Maddie's story about second chances with your soul mate. He broke her heart years ago when he left town but now he is back and wants her back. Logan knows the damage he caused but no matter how long it takes he intends to get his girl back.