Coldwater's most-wanted cowboy is just her best friend—until one sizzling summer kiss changes everything...Rodeo rider Nico Laramie may have a not-so-squeaky-clean reputation with the women of Coldwater, but there are rules he doesn't break. No bullies. No married women. And definitely not his best friend, Eden Joplin. So what exactly is Nico thinking, kissing Eden in front of her jerk ex-husband? With the proverbial bull out of the pen, Nico is about to get gored—hard.Eden has secretly been writing a sex-advice blog called "Naughty Cowgirl," but her divorce killed all her sexy inspiration. Then, when her gorgeous best friend kisses her in a way that makes her toes curl, suddenly Eden's mojo is back. And the heat isn't going away. Now something deep and long-denied is happening between them. Something that could destroy their friendship...or finally prove that this time it's the real deal.

The truth about a small-town scandal unleashes one wildly unexpected romance.Millie Parkman Dayton is still healing from the fatal car accident that claimed her husband and turned her into the focus of local gossip. But when she's thrown together with the sexy rancher who shares in her tragic past, new rumors begin to fly in Last Ride, Texas.Single dad Joe McCann is focused on running his ranch and raising his daughter. He has no desire to help Millie unearth his late wife's past, especially if it means revealing painful secrets. Until his daughter teams up with Millie and the widower cowboy finds himself agreeing to help them with their project—and opening the door to a deep attraction he thought he'd never find again. Last Ride, TexasBook 1: Spring at Saddle Run

He'll protect his child at any cost.After discovering an intruder in his home, Deputy Owen Slater is terrified when he can't find his infant daughter. He soon discovers his ranch manager is keeping her safe, leading him to realize Laney Martin is more than she seems. For the usually professional investigator, this case is extremely personal, and it leads right to Owen's family. To get to the truth, they'll need to work as a team, relying on every weapon in their arsenal—and sharing secrets they buried long ago.

Sometimes a little Christmas magic can rekindle the most unexpected romances...Sheriff Kace Laramie and his brothers found long-awaited happiness when they moved to Coldwater, Texas, as foster children. But the feel-good story has one bittersweet twist—his brief marriage to local rich girl Jana Parker. When that blew up, Kace vowed never to marry again and has kept Jana mostly off his mind...until she comes back to town, needing his help. Recently divorced for a second time, Jana just wants to create a good life for her young daughter—and keep her mother from marrying Kace's gold-digging father. Asking him for help may be wrong given their history. But as the stakes—and their chemistry—make the Christmas season sizzle, Jana knows how much more wrong it would be to let a love this magical slip away again...

USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen's sizzling novella is proof that what happens in Texas stays in Texas...Few things can shake a tough, bull-ridin' cowboy quite like finding an abandoned pregnancy test, and Harley Garrett is definitely shakin' in his saddle. Someone's knocked up at Rustler's Ridge ranch, but who? Little does Harley know that Amelia Wade—his longtime, sexy friend with benefits—has kind of a secret she needs to tell him...Amelia has always had a thing for Harley—and wanted more. He's a delicious combination of strong, silent cowboy and Viking sex god, so how could she resist? Only now Amelia might be pregnant, and their "uncomplicated" relationship just landed in the "complicated as all heck" zone. But when Harley decides to cowboy up, almost anything can—and will—happen...

Love was the last thing on this untamed cowboy's mind...until she stole his heart away.Cleo Delaney will do anything to keep her promise and raise her best friend's sons—even if it means telling a little white lie to the state to keep them. Cleo turns to the only person she can trust to help her—her first love, Judd Laramie. If he fosters the three young brothers in name only, she'll do all the heavy lifting. It's a foolproof plan...but she never imagined that the feelings they once shared would return. With a vengeance.Texas deputy Judd Laramie is stunned by Cleo's request. Being a dad—even on paper—is the last thing this cowboy needs right now. But no one knows better than Judd how flawed the foster system is and how much these brothers need Cleo's protective love. What starts as a simple lie becomes so much more, and soon it's clear Judd needs Cleo and the family they've created as much as they need him. Now he'll do whatever it...

Coldwater’s most-wanted cowboy is just her best friend—until one sizzling summer kiss changes everything…
Rodeo rider Nico Laramie may not have a squeaky-clean reputation with the women of Coldwater, but there are rules he doesn’t break. No bullies. No married women. And definitely not his best friend, Eden Joplin. So what exactly is Nico thinking, kissing Eden in front of her jerk ex-husband? With the proverbial bull out of the pen, Nico is about to get gored—hard.
Eden has secretly been writing a sex-advice blog called “Naughty Cowgirl,” but her divorce killed all her sexy inspiration. Then, when her gorgeous best friend kisses her in a way that makes her toes curl, suddenly Eden’s mojo is back. And the heat isn’t going away. Now something deep and long-denied is happening between them. Something that could destroy their friendship…or finally prove that this time it’s the real deal.

Their past never faded—and neither did their passion.Between running his family ranch and dealing with far too many needy relatives, Shaw Jameson doesn't have time for more trouble. But when his first love, former-child-star-turned-businesswoman Sunny Dalton, returns to Lone Star Ridge, Shaw senses things are about to get a whole lot more interesting. Shaw isn't prepared for the memories that come flooding back now...or the reignited spark between them that turns into a raging inferno. Still, this gorgeous cowboy will do everything he can not to get burned a second time. Because Sunny never promised this visit was permanent and Shaw has no intention of giving up the land he loves. Letting Sunny go again is certain to leave a Texas-sized mark on his soul—and a permanent wall around his heart. Unless he can prove their small town holds the promise of the future they both always imagined.

She'd brought him his greatest joy. Now he must save her life... Rancher Kara Holland's hot on the trail of a murderer who's been killing surrogates—like she was for her ill sister. But when Kara's trap goes terribly wrong, she's thrust headlong into the killer's crosshairs...along with her sister's widower, Deputy Daniel Logan. And as she and Daniel stay one frantic step ahead of a deadly foe, the sparks igniting between them rival the danger they face. From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.[MINISERIES- Online Only: Editor, please replace keyword with miniseries tagline, if applicable] mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Discover more action-packed stories in the mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;...

A lawman confronts his pastand a predator in the Texas heat... A taunting text from a serial killer gives FBI agent Nolan Dalton only minutes to save the next victim. Former cop Adalyn Baxter—and Nolan's ex-girlfriend—receives the same message. That's just the beginning of a cunningly orchestrated plan that unearths a shocking secret about Nolan. As the Texas lawman struggles to come to terms with his past and protect Adalyn, a madman's end game could bury them both.The Law in Lubbock CountyFrom Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.Discover more action-packed stories in The Law in Lubbock County series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order: Book 1: Sheriff in the SaddleBook 2: Maverick...

They're in for the ride of their lives When single mom Lorelei Parkman discovers the biological father of her adopted daughter could be Dax Buchanan—the Dax Buchanan—she's shocked. Of all the men in Last Ride, Texas, the bull-riding bad boy doesn't quite fit the bill of...parent. But as Lorelei learns more about Stellie's mysterious birth mother, she realizes she'll have to trust the reckless rodeo star...or risk losing her baby forever. Dax is normally up for any kind of challenge. Daddy duty, however, is best left to the pros. Still, being with the little girl, and the gorgeous Lorelei, unlocks something inside—a completeness he's been chasing his whole life. And now that he has it, he's sure as hell not about to let it go. Bonus novella! While doing research for the Last Ride Society, Alana Parkman runs into cowboy Gray Russell, and while she's still attracted to her former flame, ghosts from the past might interfere with their...

From USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen, comes the next instalment of the Longview Ridge Ranch series featuring no-nonsense cowboy brothers in law enforcement.A past tragedy destroyed their love. A vulnerable newborn brings them back together.Within moments of discovering a baby on his doorstep, Texas Ranger Eli Slater finds himself being held at gunpoint by his ex, Ashlyn Darrow. She claims she was tipped off that the still-gorgeous cowboy kidnapped her newly adopted daughter because of the bad blood that defines their past. They quickly realize Eli's been set up and now Eli is determined to protect Ashlyn and her daughter. But regaining her trust will be as easy as ignoring the attraction even a lifetime apart can't erase...From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.For more action-packed stories, check out the other books in the Longview Ridge Ranch series by Delores...

She can make Lone Star Ridge's sheriff break every rule...Former child star "Badly" Hadley Dalton can't shake the nickname she got on Little Cowgirls, the reality show that made her famous. Another thing she can't shake: her attraction to hometown heartthrob Leyton Jameson. After their teen make-out session was televised, Leyton ended their relationship, and Hadley left town. But when she learns her beloved Granny Em has gone missing, Hadley returns home and immediately lands in hot water...Leyton has wanted Hadley since he first knew what desire was. Searching for Em together makes all that heat—and all their differences—impossible to ignore. Hadley's past is riddled with bad decisions—ones that are suddenly rearing their ugly head. Believing she's too much trouble for a good-guy cop, Hadley doesn't think Leyton can ever overlook her faults. But Leyton will sign up for a lifetime of trouble if it means this wild ride never ends...Also...

Can a Texas lawman capture an escaped serial killerafter a witness's location is breached?The serial killer Gemma Hanson narrowly escaped just discovered her WITSEC location, and he's coming after her to finish what he started. That's the message Sheriff Kellan Slater personally delivers. Although Gemma and Kellan share an intense past, escaping the violence surrounding them is all that matters. Especially once Gemma realizes there is no safe place—not even protective custody...

He told himself he could never be what she needs. But maybe he's found the only role that really matters...As a kid, Hayes Dalton took a back seat to his sisters' reality show, Little Cowgirls, but to deputy Cait Jameson, her childhood crush was always the main attraction. Now a Hollywood star in his own right, Hayes is back in Lone Star Ridge to attend his sisters' weddings and, while their connection is immediate, Cait finds herself struggling to reconcile the boy from her past with this new celebrity bad boy.Hayes knows he'll return to LA once the "I dos" are over, but until then, getting to know Cait again is the best part about coming home. Being with her is a salve, especially after a personal tragedy turned his world upside down. Can he convince the small-town cop he's falling for that he's still the same guy beneath the image—and willing to do whatever it takes to see where this no-longer-just-a-fling takes them?

USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen brings the Texas heat in this sizzling novella...Lana Watley would do anything for her lovable, troublemaking grandfather. Except marry her ex, Marco Becker—that's just too big an ask, even to safeguard the family ranch. Sure, Grandpa Benji isn't wrong that there are still feelings between her and the gorgeous cowboy. Lust, for one. But also the kind of deep hurt that not even toe-curling chemistry can eclipse.For once, Marco agrees with Lana. She crushed his heart when she walked away a decade ago. Yet after everything Benji has done for him, he hates to see the old man lose his ranch. Perhaps if Marco and Lana work together, they can solve this problem another way. If only every encounter didn't leave him wishing this red-hot reunion could last forever.

Life's too short to wonder what if... Eighteen years ago, Brennan Dayton married the wrong girl. He thought it was the right thing to do after a night of bad decisions resulted in an unexpected pregnancy. Still, he's never forgotten his high school crush, Ruby Parkman—or forgiven himself for breaking her heart. Ruby has carved out a good life for herself and her daughter, Vivian, despite the sting of her ex–best friend's betrayal. When Alice hooked up with Brennan all those years ago, Ruby's heart was shattered six ways from Sunday. Now that he's divorced, she can't deny her still-simmering attraction for the Texas rancher. But when their kids decide to get married on a whim, Ruby and Brennan are thrown together once more. And if she's not careful, she could get burned a second time...

They've got each other—and a whole lot of trouble.Austin Jameson's life is complicated enough. With twin girls he adores and a ranch he's dedicated to, the widower and cowboy is more than busy. But when his former flame arrives in his hometown, his world is thrown off balance.Former child star McCall Dalton wants to run away—from her image and the scandal that engulfs her. Brokenhearted and humiliated, she's come back home to Texas to escape.Austin doesn't find peace and McCall doesn't get refuge—instead they rediscover every delicious inch of one another. Before long, their budding romance must face a custody battle with Austin's in-laws and yet another scandal. Determined not to let each other go a second time, they set out to prove that it's true what they say: love really does conquer all.

He'll need help from his ex-loverTo 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 witness: 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.

A Texas lawman will move heaven and earth to keep his former lover and their infant daughter safe.A shoot-out on the banks of Appaloosa Creek is the last place marshal Chase Crockett expects to find his ex-lover. Former criminal informant April Landis is supposed to be in WITSEC awaiting the birth of their child. But the desperate woman caught in the cross fire isn't pregnant. Telling Chase he was a father—two months early—wasn't an option with murderous thugs targeting April and their infant daughter. Despite the violence that divides them, her only prayer is to trust the Texas lawman sworn to protect his family. Until desire ambushes them again, leaving April and Chase at the mercy of a past with no promise of a future.

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

"Drop the gun, Sheriff." Discovering Kendall O'Neal being held at gunpoint at his ranch isn't the homecoming sheriff Aiden Braddock expects. And now Kendall's captors are demanding he destroy evidence in an upcoming trial in exchange for the Texas attorney's life... And the life of their unborn baby. Three months ago, Aiden and Kendall gave in to their long-simmering attraction. Now, with a child on the way, the stakes have shot sky-high. But even after he pulls off a daring rescue, Kendall isn't safe. Before long, they find temporary haven in each other's arms--which could be even more dangerous than facing down a killer.

The most important two words for this Wrangler's Creek rodeo cowboy? I do...Lucian Granger isn't winning any Mr. Cowboy Congeniality awards. Known in his small Texas town as "Lucifer" thanks to his surly nature and knack for scaring people away from getting too close, the handsome rancher has no trouble ignoring the gossip. But when he's in danger of losing the land he's put his blood, sweat and tears into maintaining, Lucian sets out to prove he's a changed man—by claiming he's about to settle down with his invaluable assistant, Karlee O'Malley.Their pending nuptials may be just for show, but from the moment they kiss, the proverbial fireworks start going off in his head—and in his heart. Before long, the man who's usually as emotional as a brick wall is tired of pretending and wants to share a real future with Karlee. With his world suddenly turned upside down, Lucian will risk losing the business and the ranch if it means...

It wasn't the first time danger had come to his ranch, but for Deputy Mason Ryland it was the final straw. Someone had been targeting his family for too long and the brooding lawman now had a new person to protect: horse trainer Abbie Baker.His newest employee's arrival suspiciously coincided with the latest attack, and it wasn't long before he uncovered a decades-old secret between Abbie and the Ryland clan. But as much as that connection rankled, Mason couldn't ignore the fact that someone wanted beautiful Abbie dead. As an upholder of the law, he'd keep her safely tucked by his side through the investigation. As a man, he'd offer his personal protection through the endless summer nights....About the AuthorUSA Today bestselling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 50 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She's received the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita u00ae. In addition, she's had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. You can contact the author through her webpage at www.dfossen.com. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The scream woke Deputy Mason Ryland.His eyes flew open, and Mason stumbled from the sofa in his office where he'd fallen asleep. He reached for his shirt but couldn't find it. He had better luck with the Smith & Wesson handgun that he'd left on his desk.He threw open his office door and caught the scent of something he darn sure didn't want to smell on the grounds of his family's ranch.Smoke.The wispy gray streaks coiled around him, quickly followed by a second scream and a loud cry for help.Mason went in the direction of both the smoke and the voice, racing out into the chilly October night air. He wasn't the only one who'd been alerted. A handful of his ranch hands were running toward the cabin-style guesthouse about a hundred yards away. It was on fire, the orangey flames licking their way up the sides and roof. And the place wasn't empty.His newly hired horse trainer, Abbie Baker, was staying there.That got Mason running even harder. So did another shout for help. Oh, yeah, that shout was coming from the guesthouse all right."Call the fire department," he yelled to one of the ranch hands.Mason also shouted out for someone to call his brothers as well even though they would soon know anyway. All five of them, their wives and their children lived in the family home or on the grounds of the ranch.Mason made it to the guesthouse ahead of the others, and he tried to pick through the smoke and the embers flicking through the night air. He hurried to the sound of his trainer's pleas for help.And he cursed when he saw her.Abbie was in the doorway, her body half in and half out of the house, and what was left of the door was on her back, anchoring her in place.The smoke was thick and black, and the area was already hot from the flames, but Mason fought his way through just as one of the ranch hands caught up with him. Rusty Burke. Together, they latched on to the door and started to drag it off Abbie. Not easily. It was heavy and bulky, and it didn't help that the flames were snapping at them.Mason didn't usually think in terms of worst-case scenarios, but he had a split-second thought that his new trainer might burn to death. The possibility gave him a much-needed jolt of adrenaline, and Rusty and he threw the door off her. In the same motion, Mason latched on to her arm and dragged her away from the guesthouse."I couldn't get out," she said, her voice clogged with smoke and fear."You're out now," he let her know.Out but not necessarily safe. The ranch hands were already there with the hoses, but he doubted the house would stand much longer. If it collapsed, Abbie could still be burned or hurt from the flying debris."Are the horses okay?" she asked. Mason was more than a little surprised that she'd think of the animals at a time like this."They're fine." At least he was pretty sure of that. "This is the only building on fire."Mason scooped her up, and she looked at him. It was pitch-dark, probably two or three in the morning, but thanks to the flames and the hunter's moon, he saw her eyes widen. A single word left her mouth."No."Mason didn't have time to question that no before she started struggling. She wasn't a large woman, five-five at the most and on the lean side, but she managed to pack a punch when she rammed her elbow against his bare chest. He cursed and put her in a death grip so she couldn't fight her way out of his arms."I'm trying to save you," he reminded her, and he added more profanity when she didn't stop fighting.Abbie was probably still caught up in the fear and the adrenaline, but Mason was finding it a little hard to be sympathetic with the cold rocky ground biting into his bare feet and with her arms and legs waggling around."We have to get away from the fire," he snarled.Those wide frightened eyes looked at the flames, and she stopped struggling just long enough for Mason to get a better grip on her.He started running toward the ranch office where lately he'd been spending most of his days and nights because of the heavy workload. He could deposit Abbie there and hurry back to see if the guesthouse could be saved. He wasn't hopeful, especially because the ranch wasn't exactly in city limits. It would take the fire department a good twenty minutes to reach them.The door to his office and quarters was still open, and he hurried inside, flipped on the lights with his elbow and placed her on the sofa. Mason looked down at her, to make sure she wasn't injured.She didn't appear to be.Visibly shaken, yes. Trembling, too. Pale and breathing way too fast. All normal responses under the circumstances.Her eyes met his again, and Mason saw the fear that was still there. And maybe something else that he couldn't quite put his finger on."Did you try to kill me?" she asked.That single question seemed to be all she could muster because she groaned, closed her eyes, and the back of her head dropped against the sofa.Mason huffed. That definitely wasn't something he expected to hear her say. He'd been a deputy for fifteen years, and his employee no doubt knew it. Even though most people were leery of him because.. well, because he wasn't a friendly sort, they didn't usually accuse him of arson or attempted murder."Why would I set this fire?" he demanded.Abbie opened her mouth, closed it and shook her head. She also dodged his gaze. "I'm not sure what I'm saying right now. I thought I was going to die."Mason guessed that was a normal response, but he was beginning to get a bad feeling about this."How did the fire start?"Abbie shook her head again. "I'm not sure. I woke up, and there was smoke all around me. I tried to get to the door, but I started coughing and couldn't see." She paused, shivered. "When I got to the door and opened it, it fell on me." Another pause. "Or something.""Or something? " he pushed.Oh, man. The bad feeling was getting worse, and Mason blamed it on that stupid question. Was there a nonstupid reason that she thought someone had tried to kill her, or was this the ramblings of a woman whose mind had been clouded with fear and adrenaline?"Or something," she repeated.Abbie pushed her light brown hair from her face. Long hair, he noticed. Something he hadn't realized because she always wore it tucked beneath a baseball cap. In fact, he'd thought of her as tomboyish, but there wasn't anything boyish or tom about the person lying on his sofa. In that paper-thin pale blue gown, she looked like a woman.An attractive one.Something Mason wished like the devil he hadn't noticed. She worked for him, and he didn't tread down that path. Business and sex never sat well with him."Did you leave the stove on?" he pressed.But all he got was another head shake—something else that didn't please him. He wanted some answers here, and he wanted something to tamp down that bad feeling in his gut. However, the knock on his already-open door had him shifting in that direction.It was his ranch hand Rusty. The lanky young man was out of breath and looked on the verge of blurting something out before his attention landed on Abbie. He motioned for Mason to meet him outside.Mason looked at Abbie. "I'll be right back." Yeah, it sounded like a warning and it was. By God, he was going to get those answers and settle this uneasy feeling. He would find out why she'd thought he had tried to kill her.He stepped outside with Rusty, and when he got a better look at Rusty's face, he pulled the door shut. "More bad news?" But it wasn't exactly a question. Mason could already tell there was.Rusty nodded. "The guesthouse collapsed. Nothing left to save."Well, heck. That didn't please Mason, but it could have been much worse. His trainer could have gotten killed.Abbie could have gotten killed, he mentally corrected.And he cursed himself for thinking of her that way. Mason blamed it on that blasted thin gown and those frightened vulnerable brown eyes."There's more," Rusty went on, grabbing Mason's attention.Mason took a deep breath, ready to hear the news he probably didn't want to hear, but before Rusty could spill it, he saw his brother Grayson hurrying toward them.Like Mason, his brother was half-dressed. Jeans that he'd probably just pulled on and no shirt. Even half-dressed, Grayson still managed to look as if he were in charge.And he was.As the eldest of his five brothers and the Silver Creek town sheriff, Grayson had a way of being in charge just by being there."How's the trainer?" Grayson immediately asked."Alive," Mason provided. He didn't add the customary and well part to that because he wasn't sure that was true. He should probably look to see if she'd had a blow to the head. After all, the door could have hit her when it became unhinged. She might even have a broken bone or two."The EMTs are on the way," Grayson explained. He looked at Mason. "Rusty told you about the guesthouse?"Mason nodded. "It's gone."Grayson stopped next to him, his breath gusting. Probably because he'd run all the way from the main ranch house. "Yeah. And there was a gas can by the back porch. Rusty managed to pull it out of there before the flames took over."What the devil? Mason mentally went through the reasons why Abbie would have had a gas can on the porch, and he couldn't immediately think of one. She trained his cutting horses and didn't have anything to do with any ranch equipment that required gasoline."Looks like someone could have set the fire," Grayson concluded.Arson. On the ranch.The anger slammed through Mason. Even though he had five brothers...

On the day Lieutenant Nate Ryland's baby daughter is kidnapped, he finds hope in the most surprising of allies: Darcy Burkhart, a woman he never thought—never wanted—to see again. But Darcy's son has also been taken and there's nothing that will keep them from bringing their children home. Unfortunately this is no ordinary adversary, and even someone like Nate, who's used to dealing with the worst of society, can't predict the enemy's next move. As the search continues, Nate finds himself admiring the woman he once considered his greatest opponent—and desiring her in a way he never would have thought possible.

Sheriff Jake McCall is about to break the law. To find a bone marrow donor for his ailing baby girl, he'll hack into WITSEC to track down Maggie Gallagher—the only person who could be a genetic match. Yet by doing so, he is jeopardizing not only his badge, but Maggie's life, as well. Expecting to have to force Maggie against her will, Jake is unprepared for her willingness to help—and for the desire and hunger she arouses in him. Still, those forbidden feelings could make Jake reckless, and losing focus now isn't an option. With time running out and a killer on their heels, Jake has to keep Maggie alive—and give his daughter a Christmas miracle.About the AuthorUSA Today bestselling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 50 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She's received the Booksellers' Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita ®. In addition, she's had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. You can contact the author through her webpage at www.dfossen.com. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Sheriff Jake McCall knew what he was about to do could put a woman in grave danger. Maybe even get her killed. He wasn't certain he could live with that, but he sure as hell couldn't live with the alternative, either.Risking Maggie Gallagher's life, and his, was the only choice he had.He pushed the stallion hard, its hooves chopping into the frozen ground. The icy wind whipped at him and burned his eyes and hands. But he rode harder. Away from the ranch house and away from what was waiting for him there.It didn't help.Jake had known that when he saddled up, but he couldn't face what was inside. Not yet. Though delaying it didn't change the fact that he'd have to do things he had sworn he'd never do.Like see Maggie again.He hated her more than he wanted her. Far more. And he hated himself for still wanting her after what had happened. That settled like a deadweight in Jake's gut, and he figured that particular feeling wasn't going to get better anytime soon.Cursing, Jake pushed that thought aside and rode the half mile to the creek, not stopping, not slowing until he got to the ice-scabbed water's edge. He reined in the stallion, put his thumb to the brim of his Stetson to ease it back a bit, and he sat there, his forearm on the saddle horn.He stared out at the glassy black surface of the creek and at the cottonwood trees, all veiny and bare. In the thin white moonlight he glanced down at the silver star badge pinned to his denim shirt pocket and felt a pain of a different kind. The badge meant something to him. Always had. It was his anchor. His cause.Him.Yeah, that was a sappy cliche that he'd never admit aloud. Not here in rural Texas where the only acceptable feelings for a real man to show were anger, appreciation for good-looking women and love for animals and small children.But it was true.People didn't call him Boy Scout for nothing.The stallion snorted, its breath mixing with the air and creating a milky haze around them. He looked back at Jake with a judgmental dark eye and snorted again.It was too butt-freezing cold to be out on this December night trying to ride off his troubles. But he'd wanted one last look at the place, just in case he never saw it again.Jake gathered the reins, maneuvered the stallion around and headed back. No gallop this time. He kept the stallion's gait easy and slow, but each step still took him home.There were twinkling lights around the windows. A holly wreath on the door. A plastic Santa and his sleigh perched on the roof. It still didn't feel like Christmastime even though it was only three days away.Jake spotted his brother, Royce, on the porch that ran across the entire front of the ranch house. Royce was on the top step, his lanky jeans-clad legs stretched out in front of him while he took a long drag on a cigarette.Since Royce had quit smoking some four years ago, it was a reminder to Jake that he wasn't the only one in for a bad night. Royce flicked the cigarette into what was left of their sister's petunia bed. She'd complain about that come spring when she found it.By then, all of their lives here would have changed.One way or another."Dad's waiting on you." Royce got up from the step, the Christmas lights flickering off the silver deputy's badge he had clipped to his rawhide belt. "You okay?" Royce asked."No." Jake figured a lie would just stick in his throat so he didn't even try it.His brother stopped a moment as if considering that, and then he made a sound that could have meant anything before he strolled inside.Jake dismounted and led the stallion to the barn. He mumbled an apology for the hard ride while he took off the saddle and gave the horse a quick brush down. He hurried now, dreading the delay more than he dreaded the conversation that was about to take place, and Jake made his way back to the house.The moment he opened the door, he spotted them in the great room that sprawled out in front of him.Family.His brother, Royce. His sister, Nell. His father, Chet.Royce had already taken the chair near the fireplace where a stack of mesquite logs were crackling and spitting. Chet was in his leather recliner that was positioned like a throne, the toes of his black snakeskin boots aimed at the ceiling. Jake spared him a glance before he went to the room across the hall. It'd once been a guest room, but these days it was more of a home-hospital for his daughter.Sunny Lynn McCall.She owned every bit of Jake's heart.Jake didn't go in. He watched from the doorway as the visiting nurse, Betsy Becker, gave his daughter another injection. His little girl barely moved, didn't even open her eyes, despite the needle being jammed into her hip.That nearly brought Jake to his knees.Three years old was way too young to be immune to pain. Too young to die. It was up to him now to make sure that didn't happen.Betsy took off her surgical mask, came out of the room and dodged Jake's gaze. "I'm sorry. I'll be back in the morning." She gave him a pat on the arm.Betsy didn't linger, didn't speak to the others. She was a fixture now, appearing at the ranch every morning and leaving every night. She grabbed her things and let herself out. Jake had no doubts that come seven in the morning Betsy would be back to shove more needles into his baby.Sometimes life just plain sucked, but it was easier to take a kick in the teeth when he was on the receiving end of the pain. Watching Sunny suffer like this was a special form of hell that he wouldn't wish on anyone.Well, maybe there was someone.He pulled in a long breath, went into the adjoining bathroom so he could scrub up and put on a surgical mask. He wasn't sick, but they couldn't take any chances with Sunny.When Jake walked to her bed, Sunny didn't wake up and probably wouldn't, because lately she was more tired than not. He leaned down, kissed both cheeks, ran his fingers through her dark hair. He lingered a bit despite hearing Chet impatiently clear his throat.The room was as cheerful as Jake had been able to make it. The floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree in the corner was decorated with lights and angel ornaments that Sunny had picked out from an online catalog. Her stuffed animals and dolls were nearby. Coloring books, too."You gonna make us wait all night?" Chet snarled.Chet always sounded as if he was picking a fight. Except when he talked to Sunny. Jake's baby girl had wrapped her grandpa around her pinkie and vice versa. And that was the reason that Jake could still love his dad.Of course, Jake didn't like him much, but that wasn't likely to change.Jake gave Sunny another kiss, gently squeezed her hand and took off his mask so he could face his family."I'll stay with Sunny while you talk," Nell whispered. His sister didn't know what was up, but Jake knew she would always step in to take care of her niece.He was counting heavily on that."Well?" Chet, again. Another snarl. "Did you find her?'"Jake waited until Nell had closed the door to Sunny's room before he answered Chet's questions. "I found her. More or less."Royce knew where this was going, and that was no doubt why he cursed and probably wished he had another smoke or two. "She's in the Witness Security Program.""She's where?" Chet snapped."WITSEC, witness security," Jake supplied, though Chet had no doubt heard him the first time. The man was sixty-four, but there was nothing wrong with his hearing. Or his mind. "She was placed in the program after, well, just after," Jake settled for saying.Chet cursed. "The marshals won't tell you where she is." It wasn't a question, and it was followed by more cursing.Royce took up the explanation since he'd been at the sheriff's office when Jake had gotten the news. "We sent a request all the way up to the head of WITSEC, but our request was denied."Chet got to his feet and started to pace. "If I could get my hands around her neck—""She probably doesn't know Sunny's sick," Jake interrupted. "And we don't know if it'll be worth it to even find her."That was the hardest part of all. This could all be for nothing."I don't know how much the Justice Department is telling her because—" Jake had to pause and breathe "—it could be dangerous if anyone found out her new identity and her location.""Damn right it's dangerous," Chet snapped. "It's dangerous for Sunny, too. And if she can help, then I don't care about compromising her identity. Hell, I don't care if somebody guns her down like—"Thankfully, Chet had the good sense to stop. Jake already had enough bad things to deal with tonight without the memories of his late wife's murder. Of course, the memories of Anna were there.Always.Even though she'd been dead and buried for over two and a half years now, since Sunny was just a baby."Are we just going to keep calling her she and her?" Royce asked. He huffed, but Jake didn't know if he was just riled about the situation or the pronoun use. "Because she's got a name, you know?""Yeah, and it's a name not welcome here," Chet insisted.His father wasn't the forgive-and-forget sort.Neither was Jake in this situation.But Sunny needed her. And that meant Jake needed her, too."Maggie Gallagher," Jake said aloud. It was the first time that name had crossed his lips in two years, eight months and five days.Maggie, his former sister-in-law. Or would that be his late wife's sister? Or how about the woman who'd gotten Anna killed? Yeah, that was the label that fit her best.Maybe Chet had the right idea about not saying her name....

A Texas lawman must face his past and bring a serial killer to justice DEA agent Cord Granger knows evidence doesn't lie. And he knows the serial killer in custody—his biological father—is the Moonlight Strangler. With news of a similar attack, Cord takes the victim, rancher Karina Southerland, into his protective custody. Marred by the Strangler's hallmark slash across her cheek, Karina is sure Cord's father is innocent. The real killer is still out there—and he's coming to finish what he started. At least they can agree that their smoldering attraction is real. Now, if there's any hope for a future, Cord must solve this murderous puzzle. Before the Moonlight Strangler strikes again.

"I'm the dead man who's going to save your life, darlin'!" He faked his death for good reason, but CIA operative Gage Ryland has a better reason to come back from the grave. Though they had a bitter breakup years ago, Gage wants to save his ex-wife - his very pregnant ex-wife - Lynette Herrington from a vengeful hit man. Obviously the baby proves she's gotten over Gage. Or has she? While on the run, Gage feels the attraction between them heating up and yet he knows he must undo a decade of hurt and separation before she'll put her trust in them again. But complicating his emotions is Lynette's pregnancy...and how, as she claims, her unborn child could be his.

aka For Justice and Love Sheriff Carley Matheson had her hands full: A sixteen-year-old unsolved murder and a strong hunch that the killer had resurfaced and struck again. As if things couldn't get any worse, the Texas Rangers had sent Sloan McKinney--the one man she'd always tried to keep at a distance-- to spearhead the investigation. Now the only way to keep the citizens of Justice, Texas, safe--and solve two connected crimes--was to join forces. But someone resented Carley and Sloan digging up the past, and before long two of Texas's finest found themselves caught in the crosshairs of a murderer.

A Texas lawman risks his future to protect a woman from his past in USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen's latest Sweetwater Ranch book. The woman fleeing a cold-blooded killer is no stranger to Deputy Colt McKinnon. Fourteen years ago, Elise Nichols was the love of his life. Now she's back in Sweetwater Springs--to be the star witness in an upcoming murder trial that could tear the Texas lawman's family apart. With her explosive revelations certain to rock the town, Elise didn't expect to be welcomed home with open arms. Certainly not by the cowboy with the badge who once meant everything to her. But after being run off the road and shot at, she has no choice but to trust him. Even more dangerous is the desire that's reigniting, making Elise yearn for something she may not live to see.

Her life depends on his protectionHis heart depends on her survivalSheriff Egan McCall hasn't forgiven Jordan Gentry for her role in the death of his fiancée. But when Jordan is attacked, Egan comes to her rescue and discovers a serial killer is targeting recipients of his late fiancée's organs. Then Egan's protective instincts—and long-buried feelings—kick in. Wearing a badge means his priority is stopping a murderer and safeguarding a target. If only he could also ignore the sizzling attraction between them...

The most honorable cowboy in Wrangler's Creek is about to get an offer he can't refuse... Carson Rowley expects Granger Ranch office manager Evie Martin to do any number of things when he breaks the news that her "on again, off again" boyfriend has eloped with a stripper. Cry, maybe. Curse, probably. Kiss him senseless? Nope...didn't predict that. Now that Evie's offering what he secretly craves, there's only one question: Just how bad should a good cowboy be? Evie's nowhere near as heartbroken over her unreliable ex as everyone in Wrangler's Creek expects. Especially once it's clear that her long-simmering crush on Carson is mutual. Carson's not the casual type, and inviting him into her bed means inviting him into her heart. But once he's there, she may never want him to leave...

The Granger siblings thought they'd left their ranching days behind, until fate sends them home to Wrangler's Creek, Texas—and into the passionate arms of those they'd least expect... It's some run of bad luck when Sophie Granger loses her business and gets left at the altar all in one day. Desperate to not appear jilted, Sophie begs Clay McKinnon, Wrangler's Creek's smoking-hot police chief, to pretend they're having an affair. But Clay refuses, leaving Sophie to retreat to the family ranch to lick her wounds. Hoping to leave his disreputable past behind, Clay moved to Wrangler's Creek for a fresh start. But that looks unlikely when Sophie's ex-fiancé shows up married to Clay's impulsive kid sister. Overcome, Sophie resuggests the affair—but this time for real. Clay is hesitant. City-girl Sophie isn't usually his type. But he can't deny the desire she elicits—or his yearning to have her plant her cowboy roots for good.

The McCord Brothers are the most eligible bachelors in Spring Hill, Texas. But these cowboys are about to get wrangled by the love of some very unique women—the kind who can melt hearts and lay it all on the line. Air force captain Riley McCord has come home on medical leave to find one heck of a welcome reception. Every unattached woman in Spring Hill, Texas, wants to nurse him back to health. That includes his childhood friend Claire Davidson—the only person who understands how damaged he really feels. In high school, she chose his best friend over him. According to Riley's rules, that should make her off-limits forever. But when Claire suggests a no-strings fling, he can't refuse. Claire always wanted Riley—but she also craved the safety and stability he couldn't offer. So she chose another path, only to end up crazier about him than ever. She's even convinced herself that this time she won't be devastated when he leaves. Yet once Riley...

The hottest cowboy in Coldwater is about to steal her heart a second time...Too fast, too young—that sums up Ryland Ross's marriage to Nova Carson. Ten years after their divorce, Ryland has his own horse ranch and an uncomplicated life...until the past blows everything up. Risqué photos of Ryland and Nova taken years ago resurface. And while Ryland is willing to help his ex smooth over the situation, he's blindsided by the desire that springs back to life.If her boss's weaselly son makes the photos public, Nova could lose the photography job she loves. But reconnecting with Ryland is a risk. The hot, charming cowboy has always known how to get under her skin...and into her bed. Maybe it's the lure of ex sex. Or maybe it's time to admit that when a cowboy lassos your heart, there's no escape...

For FBI special agent Russ Gentry, Julia Howell is nothing but trouble. First the Texas heiress blunders into his undercover operation to bring down a black-market kidnapping ring. Then she turns his life upside down with a single photograph. Russ's connection with the beautiful baby girl in the photo is instant and absolute...and Julia finds herself falling for this man who stepped up when most would have turned and run. As bullets fly and their passion grows, Julia is convinced this devastatingly handsome protector will play an important role in an innocent baby's future. And in hers.

A woman and baby on the run. A Texas lawman sworn to protect them both. A tip about a serial killer's next target sends former big-city lawman Levi Crockett on a fool's errand. The willowy blonde he finds isn't the intended victim. But Alexa Dearborn is on the run and needs Levi's protection. So does the newborn she's guarding with her life. With Alexa's WITSEC identity compromised, the Texas deputy is Alexa's best hope of survival. And although Levi isn't ready to trust her after the tragedy that tore his family apart, he'd never turn his back on the PI and baby girl in her care. Still, as a ruthless murderer stalks them, Levi finds himself fighting an even more powerful enemy: the dangerous desire bringing them closer together...

No strings attached is pretty much Lucky McCord's calling card in Spring Hill, Texas, but when family is on the line, this cowboy's honor and heart are about to get lassoed, tied and branded Every family needs its black sheep, and Austin "Lucky" McCord is happy to oblige. The bad-boy bull rider lives fast and loose, until his business partner leaves him an unexpected bequest. Suddenly Lucky is sharing custody of two children with Cassie Weatherall, one of the few homegrown women he hasn't bedded. And not from lack of trying... Cassie fled her messy past to become a celebrity therapist in LA. So why does it feel so right to come back and share parenting duties—and chrome-melting kisses—with a man she's striven to avoid? Loving Lucky always seemed like a sure bet for heartache. But for this perfectly imperfect family, Cassie might just gamble with everything she's got.

SURROGATE BABY KIDNAPPED! Shock didn't describe Rachel Dillard's feelings when her estranged husband told her the news: her precious embryo had been stolen! A child -- their child -- had been born and had become a pawn in a killer's deadly game. Finding their baby was her priority now, but the familiar heat of Jared's arms was proving a dangerous distraction.... One touch of Rachel's lips and Lieutenant Jared Dillard knew he'd do anything to have her back in his bed. Bringing their baby home was the first step. Stopping a murderer was the second. And if risking his life was the only way, he would prove the power of a father's love....

ONE UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT Natalie Sinclair was stunned to discover she'd been drugged--and impregnated. Even more shocking was the identity of her baby's father: Rick Gravari, her sworn enemy. Now the only way to uncover the truth and reveal the mastermind behind their mysterious one night together was to join forces with the one man who was completely off-limits. As the peril around them intensified, Natalie realized the dangerous men on their trail were nothing compared to the tender emotions provoked by her baby's father. But could she trust her once formidable foe's determination in his role as hard-nosed defender?

Harlequin Intrigue brings you three new titles at a great value, available now! Enjoy these suspenseful reads packed with edge-of-your-seat intrigue and fearless romance. TAKING AIM AT THE SHERIFF Appaloosa Pass Ranch by Delores Fossen Sheriff Jericho Crockett is stunned when his ex-flame Laurel Tate announces that he's her baby's father and begs him to marry her to protect their child from a killer. Can Jericho solve a murder in time to save his newfound family? MISSING IN THE GLADES Marshland Justice by Lena Diaz When former detective Jake Young's first case as a PI brings him to the town of Mystic Glades in search of a missing person, he'll wind up fighting to survive and to save a mysterious young woman running from her past. SHADOW WOLF Apache Protectors by Jenna Kernan Witnessing a cartel killing has put aid worker Lea Atlaha in the hands of Apache border patrol...

The Rylands of Silver Creek are back and hungry for justice in USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen's latest heart-stopping suspense! After returning home to investigate a brutal murder, Detective Landon Ryland is shocked to learn the body was discovered in the home of Tessa Sinclair, a woman he once knew intimately. Seeing Tessa again is like a jolt to his heart. Too bad the beautiful brunette has no idea who she is—or why she's cradling a newborn. With evidence pointing toward Tessa and the baby being next on the killer's hit list, Landon refuses to leave their safety in anyone else's hands. Or admit that losing them would permanently destroy the future he secretly envisioned.

Tough-as-nails cop Jason Lawrence hadn't planned on parenthood. But after his brother's death, he'd raised his baby niece, Megan, becoming her father in every way that mattered. And there was no way that he was giving her up -- even to the biological mother Megan had never known. Jason knew he should be trying to keep Lilly Nelson at arm's length. After all, she had the power to break up his happy home. But someone wanted Lilly dead, and everything about her -- her strong spirit and fragile beauty -- aroused Jason's most protective instincts. But what was he willing to risk to keep Lilly safe?

Ten years ago, he was a suspect in her parents' murder. Now he's back to protect the family he never knew he had. DEA agent Theo Canton may have been the town bad boy but murder was never his MO. Too bad his girlfriend at the time didn't see it that way. Now Ivy Beckett isn't just the girl who broke his heart—she's the target of a killer. Theo vows to keep the blue-eyed beauty safe, even as he meets the son she never told him about. But will it be enough to catch the perp and give their family a second chance?

Wrangler's Creek's most eligible bad boy has just become its most eligible single dadDylan Granger could always count on his rebellious-cowboy charm to get his way—until the day his wife, Jordan, left him and joined the military. The realization that during a wild night he got her cousin pregnant is shocking enough. But the news that Jordan has come home to Texas to help raise the baby is the last thing he expects.Raising a baby with Dylan in Wrangler's Creek is a life Jordan might've had years ago, but she doesn't want regrets. She wants what's best for the child—and to find out if there's something deeper between her and her ex than blazing-hot chemistry. Getting closer means letting down her guard to Dylan again, but will he be able to accept the emotional scars on her heart?

Together again...But far from safeWhen Lauren Beckett is nearly killed in a home invasion and discovers her son was switched at birth, she knows there's only one man she can turn to for protection. Deputy Cameron Doran isn't expecting to find his ex-lover on his ranch, claiming the unthinkable about the nephew he's been raising. But as they seek the truth, someone else is on the hunt...and wants them dead.Blue River RanchFrom USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen!

No memory and orders to kill.Who has his lover become?Two years after their short, intense affair, Texas Ranger Jameson Beckett discovers Kelly Stockwell alive. Except she has amnesia...and a note demanding she kill Jameson. Where is the woman with whom he shared so much? Because Kelly remembers nothing, not even the toddler they learn is their daughter. With secrets unraveling and bullets flying, is Jameson's trust in Kelly's heart enough to save them all?Blue River Ranch

"I'm not dead." The voice mail rocks deputy sheriff Jax Crockett to his core. A year ago, Paige was murdered by the Moonlight Strangler. Yet his ex-wife just showed up at his ranch—out of options and out of time. There are only two reasons Paige would come back to Texas with a killer hot on her heels: Jax and their toddler son. Faking her death was the only way to keep them alive. But now it's Jax who's risking everything to protect his family. The cowboy lawman is also reawakening a powder keg of desire. A desire that's primed and ready to explode. Giving in will up the ante, igniting the embers of a love they may not live to claim.

Return to Silver Creek with the scorching story of a Texas lawman who'll risk everything to save his ex-love--and his unborn child... FBI agent turned Texas deputy Josh Ryland is stunned to find pregnant hostages on a routine check for suspicious activity at a remote ranch. Even more shocking is the identity of one of the captives. Five months ago, Josh and FBI special agent Jaycee Finney shared a weekend of passion that ended badly. Now she's in danger--and claims he's her baby's father. Jaycee owes Josh the truth. After her unwitting reckless behavior almost got him killed, the cowboy cop has good reason not to trust her. But with the ruthless mastermind of a black market baby ring gunning for her, it's Jaycee who has to trust Josh with her life...and the life of their child.

"Someone's trying to break in." A frantic 911 call sends Sweetwater Springs deputy Reed Caldwell racing to the home of his ex-wife. But the kidnappers didn't come for Addison. Their target was her two-month-old adopted daughter. Except she isn't adopted. And Reed is the father. Now he has to grapple with the shock of sudden parenthood while finding a safe haven for Addison and their baby girl. With desire reigniting--and the threats against mother and child escalating--the Texas lawman will do whatever it takes to protect the woman he loves. And the child who needs them both.

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?

USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen does it again, with a romantic suspense book that forces a US Marshal to confront his past—and the woman who might hold all the answers...Can he help her recover her memory before they are both killed?The only person who knows who killed Marshal Jack Slater's father is Caroline Moser. But the Texas profiler has no memory of the murder, her abduction...or Jack. And her witness-protection safe house has just been compromised. Now in Jack's protective custody, Caroline must trust her ex to help her recall her past before a murderer steals their future.From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.For more action-packed stories, check out the other books in the Longview Ridge Ranch series:Book 1: Safety BreachBook 2: A Threat to His FamilyBook 3: Settling an Old ScoreBook 4: His Brand of Justice

Sheriff Grayson Ryland wasn't easily shocked. But then his old flame, Eve Warren, returns to Silver Creek for the sole purpose of asking him to impregnate her. And although he's never forgiven Eve for walking away and breaking his heart, her anguish is hard to watch. Before he can reject the most hardheaded -- yet still impossibly alluring -- woman in Texas, he has to protect her. An attempt on her life thrusts the two of them into a dangerous murder investigation -- and an even more dangerous liaison. In the heat of the moment, Grayson may be able to forgive Eve...but is he willing to give her what she so desperately wants?

DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS Months after Lexie Rayburn faked her own disappearance, someone injected her with a drug that robbed her of her memories, and kidnapped her newborn baby. Now, the only hope for locating her daughter rested on the too-broad shoulders of Garrett O'Malley -- the one man she swore she'd never set eyes on again. But someone would stop at nothing to ensure Lexie never learned the truth about her baby's disappearance. Still, as the danger escalated, Lexie wondered which posed a greater risk: the killer on their trail or a reunion with her baby's father....

In the past twenty-four hours Sabrina Carr had been shot at, kidnapped and held hostage. As if being eight months pregnant wasn't stressful enough! Now, after narrowly escaping the clutches of masked gunmen, Sabrina and her baby needed a protector. That's when hot Texas cop Shaw Tolbert came to her rescue. As the surrogate mother to his child, Sabrina couldn't help the sizzling attraction to Shaw that the danger stirred up...or the kiss that told her she meant more to him than she ever realized. With her attackers still on the loose, Sabrina's priority was keeping the baby safe. But how could she keep her cool when things were so hot?

With the Texas temperatures rising, resisting each other becomes impossible...Despite the pressure to three-peat, Shane McKay refuses to indulge his mother's fantasy of having all three of her sons married to the three Reynolds sisters. Even if Shane and the gorgeous Megan are the last holdouts. Both of them firmly refuse to be corralled into a relationship neither of them wants. That is until one summer storm forces them into the barn...and into each other's arms.Now the handsome cowboy wants nothing more than to privately raise the heat—again and again—between them. But with parents matchmaking, brothers and sisters interfering and the gossips of Coldwater speculating, Shane and Megan have no choice. So they put on a PDA that will have the whole town talking for years to come! Leaving Shane and Megan to wonder if there's some serious substance to this sizzling hookup.

Anna Caldwell had'nt planned on spending her honeymoon dodging bullets in the Texas chaparral.

Battered ex-soldier Parker McKenna is facing his riskiest mission yet: guarding Bailey Lockhart. Returning to civilian life hasn't been easy, but Parker's new job with Corps Security and Investigations gives him purpose again -- if he can keep Bailey alive. The privileged governor's daughter has been receiving threats -- and they've just escalated into dangerous territory. Someone close to her wants her dead. Parker can handle any adversary, but handling Bailey proves more difficult -- the stubborn, independent beauty stirs the passion Parker had thought long buried. Passion has no place in war, and the enemy is always watching, waiting. Now with desire blurring his objectivity, Parker must face the fact that the greatest danger to Bailey just may be him...

Every town needs a bad boy, and Wrangler's Creek's has been gone far too long... Getting his high school girlfriend pregnant was just one square in Roman Granger's checkered past, but it changed him forever. When his son's mother skipped town after the birth, Roman decided to do the same, baby Tate in tow, hoping for a fresh start. Now Roman fears his teenage son is following in his wayward footsteps, so he returns home to Wrangler's Creek, aiming to set him straight. It's there he encounters Tate's aunt, Mila Banchini, the good-girl opposite of Roman who's had a crush on him since childhood. The old spark between them undeniably never died, though Roman worries it'll only lead to heartache. But if falling for Mila is such a bad idea, why does everything about holding her feel so right?

THE SHERIFF'S ONE-NIGHT STAND When Deputy Sheriff Royce McCall responds to a break-in at his family's cabin, he doesn't expect the intruder to be beautiful Sophie Conway - in her nightgown! The last time he saw her, she wasn't wearing much else, although the details of their New Year's Eve encounter are sketchy at best. Then she admits that not only has she become a killer's target, but she also lied about carrying Royce's baby in order to escape an arranged marriage. With too many unanswered questions surrounding this woman he barely knows, Royce still vows to protect Sophie when the bullets start flying. But when the memories of their one-night stand become clearer, so does the fact that she may not be lying about being pregnant after all.[unknown-8230]

Secrets had torn them apart...and reunited them in a way neither had expectedShe is the last person Dallas Walker ever wants to see again. Still, this U.S. Marshal has no problem taking Joelle Tate into "protective custody"--on her wedding day. To save his family from unjust charges, he'd take on a lot worse than an ex-flame he couldn't trust. But Dallas doesn't know Joelle has put her freedom on the line to protect him. Now with only two days to investigate a long-buried crime no one wants solved, they must confront their past mistakes, and the shattering secret that drove them apart. Giving in to the simmering desire may lead to an impossible second chance--or help set a trap one calculating killer can't wait to spring....

She swore she'd never fall for a cop...But will a hot Texas Ranger change her mind?After a one-night stand with Rachel McCall, Ranger Griff Morris reveals a long-kept secret. Feeling betrayed, Rachel flees her ranch. But when she returns, complications abound: she's pregnant and unable to forgive Griff, but she's also wildly attracted to him. With three attempts on her life and no shortage of suspects, can Griff earn Rachel's trust to keep her and their baby alive?The Lawmen of McCall Canyon

This bad-boy cowboy doesn't know what to do with a good girl—but after one night together, he sure isn't ready to let go...Commiserating over a mutual friend leaving town, best pals since childhood Ryder Crowley and Allie Devlin wind up drowning their sorrows in booze—and each other. For Allie, Wrangler's Creek's resident good girl, it's a secret fantasy come true. She's been aiming to finally change her straitlaced reputation and knows a night with Ryder will do the trick. She just didn't count on wanting so much more...Bad-boy ranch hand Ryder is no stranger to one-night stands, but this is different. This is Allie. She's not the kind of girl you love and leave, and that's all he knows. But when Allie tempts him with a naughty, no-strings-attached weekend, Ryder can't resist, soon realizing Allie might have his heart more tied up than he ever thought possible.

There was no way she could hide the bump...Lenora Whitaker never thought spending one night with U.S. marshal Clayton Caldwell would put them in the crosshairs of a killer. Connected to a protective custody case gone awry, they are both attacked, leaving Clayton with a damaging case of amnesia and forcing Lenora to go on the run.After taking a bullet to save her life, Clayton is unable to remember Lenora or that he's the father of her baby. But the moment he tracks her down, it's clear the attraction is still there. Hiding out together on his Texas ranch, Clayton admires the way Lenora will do anything to protect her unborn baby. Connecting with the pregnant beauty also triggers the first hints of his past. A past that could mend their broken lives--or unearth secrets he'd be better off forgetting.

A Texas Lawman will do anything to protect his son—even if it includes reuniting with the boy's on-the-run mother... Lucas Ryland always had a way with the ladies—until Hailey Darrow dropped him after a shared night of passion. Then he discovered her unconscious body in a wrecked car, with a fake ID and enough cash to disappear. Unbeknownst to him, the one who got away was leaving town with his baby... Now Hailey is out of her coma and still in danger. But hiding her at his Silver Creek ranch ignites old passions...and introduces new dangers. Lucas must use every protective instinct in his arsenal to keep Hailey and their infant son safe. And keep his body from remembering how good it felt to hold her in his arms... The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch

An FBI agent must protect his ex and her newborn baby in the latest saga by USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen FBI agent Drury Ryland is no stranger to surprises. But upon returning to his family's cattle ranch in Texas, he's confronted with the ghosts of his past...and a threat to his future. Caitlyn Denson is the beautiful woman who broke his heart and the last person Drury expected to reunite with. But his ex didn't arrive at Silver Creek Ranch alone. With a killer on her trail and a newborn daughter in her arms, Caitlyn must put aside her tumultuous history with Drury and focus on survival. Drury feels obligated to protect the family he never had, but professional boundaries begin to blur as their enemy shifts into stark focus. The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch

Kayla Brennan doesn't want Texas lawman Dade Ryland's protection. For one thing, his family hates her. For another, the attraction between them is too hot to handle—just like Dade. When the bullets begin to fly, Dade shields her and her baby boy. But the question is, how long before Dade decides she's in on the crime?Kayla's testimony is all Dade should want...especially since he suspects Kayla was involved in the death of a Ryland family member. Yet the fact that they're enemies only makes the animal attraction between them stronger. And more dangerous. For the killer is not who he seems, and is far closer than Dade ever imagined....

Money can't fix this dilemma—but love might No falling for the ex... Jake Monroe became the most eligible rancher in Wrangler's Creek, Texas, at the drop of an inheritance. With land, horses and a fortune to protect, he can't let gold diggers into his pockets. But he can let people believe he and his ex are back together while she's in town working on the ranch. Trouble is, faking a relationship with Lily Rose Granger isn't nearly as hard as pretending their desire isn't real. No sleeping with the boss... Playing pretend isn't supposed to be so complicated, but Lily Rose won't give up. She's determined to prove to everyone that she's the best horse trainer around—and prove to herself that she;'s moved on from Jake. All she has to do is stay out of the cowboy's bed...or trust that this time around he's worth every risk.

AN UNLIKELY UNION She was hiding from a stalker -- and from Brayden O'Malley, the man who blamed her for his wife's death. But when Brayden asked for the incredible, Ashley Palmer couldn't refuse: He wanted her to give him a child, so his toddler son would live to see another Christmas. But forging a frightening intimacy with her ex-brother-in-law meant coming out of hiding...and evading the reach of a killer. Now the key to Ashley's safety lay in solving the clues of a perilous puzzle that only brought her and Brayden closer. But was the combustible desire threatening to consume them the greatest risk of all?

Guilty until proven innocent?This deputy isn't taking chancesWhen his father is shot, Deputy Court McCall initially suspects Rayna Travers. Her mysterious past raises questions, even if his attraction to her is impossible to contain. Before long, though, he discovers Rayna is an innocent pawn in a very dangerous game. Now, to catch a killer, this cowboy will go wherever the case takes him. Even if that includes ignoring the truth in his hardened Texas heart.The Lawmen of McCall Canyon

A local girl comes home to face the cowboy from her past—and finally claim her future...Lawson Granger loved Eve Cooper once, but her dreams were grander than anything his Texas-cowboy destiny could provide. Letting her walk out of his life and into television stardom was a mistake he made eighteen years ago. Now everything's changed. Eve is back—pregnant and desperate for someplace to hide. And their desire is just as stubborn as they are.Escaping to the comforts of home is Eve's one shot at giving her baby a safe life. Earning Lawson's trust is her one chance at making amends for the past. But the long-buried secrets and unintentional damage she fled from aren't far behind. When the truth finds her, she stands to lose the man she loves and the only place she's ever called home...this time forever.

Don't miss the gripping conclusion of USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen's Sweetwater Ranch miniseries The tip that sends FBI Special Agent Seth Calder to an abandoned warehouse in search of exonerating evidence brings him face-to-face with a familiar adversary. Thorn-in-his-side journalist Shelby Braddock is on her own search for the truth about a decades-old crime. Until they stumble on a crime sceneand end up fighting for their lives. Now, their only hope of survival is to work together. But something even more dangerous is drawing Seth closer to the gorgeous brunette. As he gives in to a passion so strong it can erase the sins of the past, he must evade a relentless killerand confront a shocking revelation no one could have predicted.

A bad-boy bull rider comes back to Wrangler's Creek to claim his ranch...and win back the woman who still owns his heart Inheriting his uncle's ranch is a dream come true for Wynn Beck—until he discovers that half the property belongs to his ex-wife. Carlene has been running the place for years and claims she doesn't want Wynn anywhere near it. But Wynn senses she, too, feels the intense pull that reminds him how well they fit together...in every way. Their scalding-hot marriage fizzled when Carlene realized Wynn was more interested in winning a rodeo buckle than putting down roots. Now she intends to protect her home—and her still-fragile heart—by buying Wynn out. Too bad the man's as stubborn as the bulls he rides. And that her cooled desire can quickly heat right back up with the right cowboy...

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DELORES FOSSEN RETURNS TO SILVER CREEK WITH A TALE OF LOVE AND DECEPTION.  Sawyer Ryland would know her anywhere: the beautiful blonde who briefly shared his bed only to deceive him in the end. He vowed never to trust her again, but Cassidy O'Neal's on the run from kidnappers…with a newborn in her arms.  Cassidy will do anything to save her family, even flee to her ex-lover with an infant who isn't hers—but who could belong to Sawyer. The lawman's fierce code of honor forces him to take Cassidy and the baby girl into protective custody. Now neither can fight the passion heating up between them. A passion that'll take every ounce of willpower to ignore and every effort to survive.**

Delores Fossen kicks off her new series, Sweetwater Ranch, with a Texas lawman, a beautiful district attorney...and the child they'll risk everything to protect Saving a little boy's life reopens painful wounds for Texas sheriff Cooper McKinnon. This could be his son, whose loss has haunted him for two years. But Cooper has a formidable adversary in Jessa Wells. She's the adoptive mother--and she'll do anything to hold on to Liam. It's cruel justice that the man who shares Liam's rare blood type has an unsolved murder in his own family. And the danger's far from over. Fighting her desire for Cooper, Jessa has no choice but to join forces with the maverick cowboy. Jessa knows working together is their best shot at keeping the child safe. But it's the possibility of a future alone that breaks Jessa's heart.

An agent with amnesia vows to save his ex and their unborn child in Delores Fossen's new Sweetwater Ranch novel Blue McCurdy is supposed to be dead. So why is the ATF agent--and father of Rayanne McKinnon's unborn child--trespassing on McKinnon property? Before the Texan deputy can find out, Blue is injured playing cowboy in shining armor to protect her. When he wakes, he has no memory of what brought him there...or the night he and Rayanne spent together. Blue can't remember why he disappeared from Rayanne's life five months ago. But now, with an unsolved murder--and reignited passion--raising the stakes, he races to put the pieces of his past together before a vindictive enemy destroys his world once again. And this time, he has so much more to lose.

Revisit a fan favorite from USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen, about a Texas Ranger and a local sheriff who find themselves fighting a highly inconvenient attraction... Comanche Creek's not big enough for two to investigate a murder. That's the feeling Texas Ranger Livvy Hutton gets when she's sent there as a forensic expert. Yes, she's horning in on Sheriff Reed Hardin's territory and can't ignore a distinct chill in the air between them. But according to evidence Livvy uncovers, she senses the cowboy cop's acting ornery to protect his good ol' boys from arrest for the murder. And backing off is not in her nature. Then, just days into the investigation, Livvy detects bigger trouble: a mutual attraction she and Reed have no business acting on. A torrid affair could compromise the case...or spark some much needed—and very satisfying—cooperation! Originally published in 2010 Book 2 in The Silver Star of...

Texas lawman Bo Duggan got the shock of his life when Mattie Collier showed up on his doorstep, claiming his daughter was really hers and not his son's twin. But before Bo could argue, Mattie became a gunman's target and duty compelled him to protect her. After getting the children to safety and then going on the run, Bo couldn't help but admire the way Mattie wouldn't back down -- from a fight and from believing she was his baby's mother. Bo had trouble imagining a life without the little girl he'd given his heart to. And before long, he had to admit, he had trouble imagining living without her mother, too.

"Did you come here to kill me?"  The beautiful blonde armed with a Beretta is someone FBI agent Austin Duran knows only too well. Rosalie McKinnon was engaged to his best friend, who died on a mission gone south. But the desperate mother isn't there for revenge...she's looking for her abducted infant daughter. And she just blew his cover.  Rosalie's future is again in the hands of the rogue Texan lawman who's on an unofficial mission to find his own kidnapped nephew. With a relentless adversary in hot pursuit - and unwelcome desire igniting - Rosalie has to trust Austin. Her baby's life depends on it...  

A Texas Ranger must protect the daughter of a serial killer from becoming his next victim… Breaking into the home of the woman who shared his bed three months ago isn't Weston Cade's usual MO. But the Texas Ranger is on a personal vendetta to catch a killer, and Addie Crockett is the man's biological daughter. The beautiful rancher also happens to be carrying Wes's child…  Addie can't remember her birth father, but she'll never forget the lover who took her to bed-and then disappeared. Now she has to trust Wes with her life. And the life of their unborn baby. As desire reignites, Addie quickly discovers that with this lawman by her side, she just might escape the target on her back.

Having a fling with his old flame's little sister—who's suddenly all grown up—is the last thing an air force top gun expects when he comes home to Texas in this digital installment of The McCord Brothers by USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen. Fresh out of the air force, Kane Bullock comes home expecting things to be the same. But change can strike anywhere, even Spring Hill, Texas. His old flame is about to walk down the aisle and her little sister, Eliza Wright, has told the entire town she and Kane are an item. Kane makes it his mission to confront his "girlfriend" and tell everyone the truth...until he sees that Eliza is all grown up and impossible to resist. Eliza's attraction to Kane didn't disappear when he stepped into a flight suit. Now that he's back, she intends to show him the cowboy he was meant to be. Helping him rebuild his ranch is the perfect opportunity to step out of her family's shadow and prove her business...

Comanche Creek's not big enough for two to investigate a murder. That's the feeling Texas Ranger Livvy Hutton gets when she's sent there as a forensic expert. Yes, she's horning in on Sheriff Reed Hardin's territory and can't ignore a distinct chill in the air between them. But according to evidence Livvy uncovers, she senses the cowboy cop's acting ornery to protect his good ol' boys from arrest for the murder. And backing off is not in her nature. Then, just days into the investigation, Livvy detects bigger trouble: a mutual attraction she and Reed have no business acting on. A torrid affair could compromise the case...or spark some much needed -- and very satisfying -- cooperation!