Delores Fossen Books in Order

How to Start Reading Delores Fossen

With a bibliography spanning over 150 books, Delores Fossen is a powerhouse of contemporary romantic suspense. Her signature style combines rugged Texas cowboys, high-stakes investigations, and intense emotional chemistry. While it might seem daunting to decide where to begin, the structure of her work actually makes it very easy for new readers to jump in.

First and foremost, almost all of Delores Fossen's novels are written to be read as standalone stories. Every book follows a single couple as they face a dangerous threat and find their happily-ever-after. You do not need to read her entire catalog in a specific order to understand what is happening. However, her books are grouped into distinct multi-book series, usually centered around a specific ranch, family, or law enforcement agency. To avoid minor spoilers regarding which characters end up together, it is highly recommended to read each individual series in publication order.

For readers looking for the absolute best places to start, we recommend beginning with one of these three fan-favorite entry points:

• The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch: Starting with Grayson, this 12-book series is one of Fossen's most iconic and popular works, focusing on the large, protective McCord family of lawmen in small-town Texas.
• Sweetwater Ranch: Beginning with Maverick Sheriff, this series introduces readers to the tight-knit community of Kendall County and features classic Fossen elements like surprise paternity twists and deep-seated family secrets.
• Wrangler's Creek: If you want a long, satisfying contemporary cowboy series that balances family drama with heart-stopping romance, start with Lone Star Cowboy.

The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch and the Second Generation

One of the most exciting connections in Fossen's bibliography is between her classic series, The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch, and her newer 2023 release, Silver Creek Lawmen: Second Generation. The original series runs for 12 books and centers on the McCord brothers and their close allies. Years later, Fossen returned to this beloved setting to write the stories of their children. If you want the full family legacy experience, you should read the original series first before diving into the next generation.

The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch Reading Order

1. Grayson (2011)
2. Dade (2011)
3. Nate (2012)
4. Kade (2012)
5. Gage (2012)
6. Mason (2012)
7. Josh (2014)
8. Sawyer (2014)
9. Landon (2016)
10. Holden (2017)
11. Drury (2017)
12. Lucas (2017)

Silver Creek Lawmen: Second Generation Reading Order

1. Targeted in Silver Creek (2023)
2. Maverick Detective Dad (2023)
3. Last Seen in Silver Creek (2023)
4. Marked for Revenge (2023)

The Baby and Paternity Sub-Themes

Delores Fossen frequently writes romance novels centered around high-stakes baby protection, hidden pregnancies, and surprise paternity discoveries. These fast-paced thrillers are published under various miniseries lines. They do not share an overarching plot, but they are perfect for readers who enjoy protective heroes and the 'baby in jeopardy' trope. The main collections focusing on these themes include:

• Five-Alarm Babies: A five-book series beginning with Undercover Daddy (2007) and wrapping up with The Horseman's Son (2008).
• Texas Paternity: A series from 2008 to 2009 that features lawmen protecting infants and their mothers, starting with Security Blanket.
• Texas Maternity Hostages / Labor and Delivery: A fast-paced 2010 series detailing dramatic rescues and secret babies, starting with The Baby's Guardian.
• Top Secret Babies: An early series spanning from 2001 to 2005, containing books like The Bodyguard's Baby and Undercover Babies.

Major Modern Cowboy and Ranch Series

In addition to her classic lawman stories, Fossen has written several highly popular contemporary series set against the backdrop of sprawling Texas ranches. These series are perfect for fans of small-town romance and western aesthetics. The most notable series in this category include:

Wrangler's Creek (12 Books)

This series focuses on the residents of Wrangler's Creek, Texas. It should be read in publication order: Lone Star Cowboy (2016), Those Texas Nights (2016), One Good Cowboy (2017), Branded as Trouble (2017), No Getting Over a Cowboy (2017), Just Like a Cowboy (2017), Cowboy Dreaming (2017), Texas-Sized Trouble (2018), Lone Star Blues (2018), The Last Rodeo (2018), Cowboy Heartbreaker (2018), and Cowboy Blues (2018).

Last Ride, Texas (9 Books)

A newer series centering around the rugged ranching families of Last Ride, Texas. Read these in order: Spring at Saddle Run (2021), Christmas at Colts Creek (2021), Summer at Stallion Ridge (2022), Second Chance at Silver Springs (2022), Mornings at River's End Ranch (2022), Breaking Rules at Nightfall Ranch (2023), A Texas Kind of Cowboy (2023), Tempted at Thoroughbred Lake (2023), and Twilight at Wild Springs (2023).

Coldwater Texas (6 Books)

Set in the charming town of Coldwater, this series begins with a festive holiday vibe and continues through high-stakes romantic suspense. Read in this order: Lone Star Christmas (2018), Hot Texas Sunrise (2019), Sweet Summer Sunset (2019), A Coldwater Christmas (2019), Lone Star Midnight (2019), and Texas at Dusk (2019).

Hard Justice (10 Books)

Fossen's massive 2024 series features relentless romantic suspense involving the protective lawmen and women under the 'Hard Justice' banner. Read them in this order: Lone Star Rescue, Lone Star Showdown, Lone Star Payback, Lone Star Protector, Lone Star Witness, Lone Star Target, Lone Star Secrets, Lone Star Hostage, Lone Star Redemption, and Lone Star Christmas Mission.

What to Know Before You Start

Delores Fossen's books are primarily published through Harlequin Intrigue, which means they are fast-paced, high-stakes romantic suspense novels that typically run around 220–250 pages. Because of this format, they are quick, addictive reads that are perfect for binge-reading. While the romantic suspense element is always front and center, Fossen infuses her stories with strong family values, sibling banter, and a deep appreciation for the rural Texas lifestyle. Whether you start with her older lawmen series or her modern ranch series, you can expect satisfying romance paired with a solid mystery in every single book.