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The Lawmen of McCall Canyon #4
Under the Cowboy's Protection
He’ll need help from his ex-lover
To bring a killer to justice.
A young mother is murdered and her newborn is kidnapped. Now Sheriff Raleigh Lawton must enlist the help of the only his ex-lover, Deputy Thea Morris. As the investigation—and their undeniable attraction—heats up, the killer dangerously raises the stakes. With Thea in the crosshairs, Raleigh will risk everything to save her. Because this cowboy’s heart can’t survive losing her again.
To bring a killer to justice.
A young mother is murdered and her newborn is kidnapped. Now Sheriff Raleigh Lawton must enlist the help of the only his ex-lover, Deputy Thea Morris. As the investigation—and their undeniable attraction—heats up, the killer dangerously raises the stakes. With Thea in the crosshairs, Raleigh will risk everything to save her. Because this cowboy’s heart can’t survive losing her again.
247 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 10, 2019
167 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Delores Fossen
644 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 13, 2020
Well, this was a surprise. It feels as if Delores Fossen actually put a modicum of thought into this story, instead of just throwing various plot elements at the page and seeing what stuck! The plot is kicked off with the discovery of a dead woman, her baby missing, and a message written on the walls that says, "This is for Sheriff Warren McCall."
Sheriff Raleigh Lawton immediately notices how the crime scene matches that of another dead woman from a year ago. Both the women were also surrogate mothers. Deputy Thea Morris was at the scene, and the kidnapper/killer knocked her out. Raleigh and Thea used to be a couple, but broke up because Thea knew that Warren had an affair with Alma, Raleigh's mother, and never told him about it.
Sure, not everything in the plot holds together. Exactly why the killer targeted surrogate mothers is ultimately a bit unclear. But Fossen doesn't trot out her usual attempts at plot twists - I was waiting for a hired thug to say that Thea had hired him, but it never happened. Instead, some of the plot twists actually took me by surprise.
Yes, law enforcement are shooting thugs dead instead of incapacitating them so that they can get answers from them. Yes, the characters are all constantly text messaging each other. Yes, the male characters are always biting out a curse in frustration. Yes, the romance is dead on arrival, because Raleigh and Thea are never more than hood ornaments driven where the plot needs them to go, and never have a conversation unrelated to what's going on.
But I was able to forgive the usual Fossen flaws, because the story was fast-paced, filled with action and plot twists, and didn't feel as much of an afterthought as most of Fossen's books. If you're after romance, I'd advise you to skip this one, but if you don't mind a bit of western-style shoot-em-up thriller, this is quite entertaining!
Mercy word count: 5
Sheriff Raleigh Lawton immediately notices how the crime scene matches that of another dead woman from a year ago. Both the women were also surrogate mothers. Deputy Thea Morris was at the scene, and the kidnapper/killer knocked her out. Raleigh and Thea used to be a couple, but broke up because Thea knew that Warren had an affair with Alma, Raleigh's mother, and never told him about it.
Sure, not everything in the plot holds together. Exactly why the killer targeted surrogate mothers is ultimately a bit unclear. But Fossen doesn't trot out her usual attempts at plot twists - I was waiting for a hired thug to say that Thea had hired him, but it never happened. Instead, some of the plot twists actually took me by surprise.
Yes, law enforcement are shooting thugs dead instead of incapacitating them so that they can get answers from them. Yes, the characters are all constantly text messaging each other. Yes, the male characters are always biting out a curse in frustration. Yes, the romance is dead on arrival, because Raleigh and Thea are never more than hood ornaments driven where the plot needs them to go, and never have a conversation unrelated to what's going on.
But I was able to forgive the usual Fossen flaws, because the story was fast-paced, filled with action and plot twists, and didn't feel as much of an afterthought as most of Fossen's books. If you're after romance, I'd advise you to skip this one, but if you don't mind a bit of western-style shoot-em-up thriller, this is quite entertaining!
Mercy word count: 5
February 3, 2019
This book had a lot of action and suspense.
Romance was average.
Romance was average.
January 11, 2019
Well its all out in the open and still the danger keeps coming after the McCall Family and the Lawton Family. When awomen is kiddnapped and murder and her infant is stolen it up to Sheriff Lawson and Deputy Morris and Ex Sheriff McCall to figure out what is going on. But the deeper they dig the more bullets come there way and now Sheriff Lawsons mom is in the middle too. What will have you on egde is who is behind it all and the love that come in the end.
December 13, 2018
This is a well done book its a ending to a mystery. Sheriff Raleigh Lawton walks in on a scene were Deputy Thea Morris has been hurt. Its another murder scene with one in the past. It has lots of action and mystery. What's surprising is the person behind the problems. Plus why. Its sad why people do the things they do. Its a excellent story and worth a read.
January 28, 2019
Delores Fossen once again hit it out of the park with this page turner! Not only was I unable to put this book down until the last page, I was also head over heels for the dynamics between Raleigh and Thea! Under The Cowboy's Protection is full of suspense and suspects, as well as temptations and a past affair these two could never forget. LOVED IT! ENJOY!
June 1, 2019
What a great finale to this series. So many twists and turns involving Thea and Raleigh and two babies. There are people still trying to get at Warren. As I read the book that had me On the edge of my seat I was thinking I knew who was doing all this and it turned out was right. Revenge for not receiving the love they wanted
November 5, 2023
worthwhile binge
Good to binge read the four books as the story proceeds with the retired sheriff’s gunshot wound. His family reacts to a secret being revealed while he was sedated and this brings about crime solving and personal issues to the forefront.
Good to binge read the four books as the story proceeds with the retired sheriff’s gunshot wound. His family reacts to a secret being revealed while he was sedated and this brings about crime solving and personal issues to the forefront.
March 8, 2019
Yet another great book by the very talented Delores Fossen. Always keeps you waiting until the end to find out who the bad guy is.
March 9, 2019
Classic Delores Fossen with loads of action that is well worth the read.
April 30, 2023
Loved it!
I love the Lawmen of McCall Canyon series and Thea and Raleigh didn't disappoint! You'll love this bad boy cop turned goo for the women in his life.
I love the Lawmen of McCall Canyon series and Thea and Raleigh didn't disappoint! You'll love this bad boy cop turned goo for the women in his life.
August 23, 2023
This is another suspenseful book by Delores Fossen. Until the perpetrator of the evil deeds is finally captured, there is one dangerous event after another. No one is safe, and there is no peace until the miscreant is exposed and dealt with. This means there are few, if any, dull moments while reading a novel by Ms. Fossen. I enjoyed this book.
February 17, 2019
Unanswered questions
Not as conclusive as other series. Too many questions left unanswered. What happened to Sonya's baby? Did they all work things out.
Not as conclusive as other series. Too many questions left unanswered. What happened to Sonya's baby? Did they all work things out.
March 28, 2019
Grabbed this book from the "new book" display in my local Library. A new to me author, and I enjoyed the book. Will look for more from this author.
Read
February 1, 2019Miniseries: The Lawmen of McCall Canyon
Read
February 1, 2019Miniseries: The Lawmen of McCall Canyon
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews