Colton's Secret Sabotage - Deborah Fletcher Mello (HRS #2191 - Aug 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 7)
 
He's undercover
She's under his skin
 
Detective Philip Rees is shocked by his new assignment: going undercover on a Western-themed reality TV show. Nonetheless, he's determined to complete his mission to take down a contestant suspected of leaking confidential information. To find the culprit who is sabotaging the competition, Philip gets close to producer Naomi Colton. As Philip and Naomi begin to trust one another with their secrets and hearts, will he manage to keep her safe, on and off the set?
 
Good blend of suspense and romance. Philip is looking forward to some time off after a tough undercover case when he gets pulled back to work. His covert talents are needed to stop someone suspected of leaking sensitive information. Philip soon finds himself working as a carpenter on a western-themed reality show. When one contestant gets hurt before filming the show, Philip is tagged to take his place. It quickly becomes evident that there is more going on behind the scenes than he expected. Not the least is his attraction to the show's producer, Naomi Colton.
 
Naomi is the youngest of the twelve Colton siblings and the one who seems to fight the hardest for her siblings' respect. After years of trying, Naomi finally got the coveted executive producer job she wanted. The bonus is that she can film her reality show on her brother and sister's ranch, giving her the rare opportunity to spend time with her family. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, though, thanks to personality conflicts and accidents. The last thing she needs is her inconvenient attraction to Philip.
 
The suspense of this book grabbed me from the start and kept me hooked to the last page. It starts with Philip's mission to watch Brad, the contestant suspected of selling secrets. He's working out the best way to do this when he first spots Naomi and is instantly fascinated and attracted to her. Naomi picks him to be on the show when one of the contestants is injured. Philip isn't sure how it will work out, but it puts him in a better position to watch Brad. On Philip's first night with the contestants, a fire destroys his and two other tents. While it is deemed accidental, his cop instincts are aroused by the details of the fire, and he decides to keep a watchful eye out. Over the next few days, there were several other suspicious "accidents." Philip is also kept busy trying to keep track of Brad's activities. When Naomi catches him out of bounds late one night, he's forced to take her into his confidence. It was evident that the accidents were likely an inside job, and there wasn't much question in my mind about who was responsible. Even so, the final confrontation was intense.
 
Philip's primary mission was to figure out what Brad was up to and how he would carry out his scheme. Brad was quickly disliked as he was rude, arrogant, and misogynistic. He alienated just about everyone on the set with his attitude. I had to laugh when he "blackmailed" Philip into helping him, which gave Philip an easy way to know Brad's plans. But when the final confrontation came, some unexpected changes put Philip and Naomi in danger. Complicating matters was a twist I didn't see coming but made a very intense situation even more so.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Philip and Naomi. Their connection and attraction were immediate, surprising both of them. Because of his undercover work, Philip has never looked for anything serious, but Naomi has him reexamining his priorities. Naomi avoids relationships because of her poor opinion of men, beginning with her father. Philip is all-in from the start, realizing that his feelings for Naomi are unlike anything he's felt before. I laughed out loud at some of his flirting and double entendres when he was with her and how it flustered her. Philip was also very protective of her, which showed when he confronted her assistant producer. There were some delightful scenes when he would find a way to be with her. Naomi didn't know what to do with her feelings for Philip. She was starting to care for him but couldn't see how anything could come of it. Both have a lot of self-reflection to do before they can make any decisions about the future but eventually find the solution that works for them.
 
I enjoyed the setting of this book. The reality show theme was intriguing and gave a wide range of characters. The various contestants and their stories were interesting, as were their reactions to the multiple challenges. Grace, the beauty queen, was a formidable contestant determined to show up the men. She was also quite aggressive in her pursuit of Philip, and it was amusing to see his attempts to keep his distance. I laughed out loud several times at the posturing among the men as they trash-talked each other, mostly in good fun. On the other side, we had various members of Naomi's family. She loves them all, but as the youngest, she suffers from a surfeit of unwanted advice. I felt her frustration over the apparent lack of respect they show for her work. There were fun scenes with Naomi and her sisters as they shared "girl time," and she talked about Philip. Her brother Jasper got some excellent page time between his issues with one of his (female) employees and the effect Naomi's problems are having on the ranch. I'm looking forward to his story.

Colton Countdown - Tara Taylor Quinn (HRS #2187 - July 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 6)
 
To see her kids again
She must trust one man
 
Widow Theresa Fitzgerald is frantic when her young twins are abducted by their doomsayer grandparents. Hardened army sergeant Ezra Colton vows to find the girls he'd unexpectedly bonded with while home on leave. Ezra's emotional investment and stealth skills give Theresa hope. But the closer they get -- to each other and the grandparents' trail -- the more dangerous the desperate search for her daughters becomes.
 
Terrific book that kept me hooked from start to finish. Ezra is home on thirty days' leave from the army and stops at the senior care center where his Aunt Alice lives. She is the one he went to as a kid/teen when his family life was too much for him to handle. Even though she no longer knows him, he still visits whenever possible. As the book opens, he remembers the good times with her and is saddened by her unresponsiveness. Then a dog bursts into the room and makes a beeline for her, followed by two little girls. Ezra, who has no experience with children, is enchanted by the two girls. He is also amazed to see his aunt respond to the dog. I loved watching the girls interact with Ezra. They are followed closely by their mother, Theresa.
 
Theresa lost her husband a year earlier and is coping with being a single parent. Her daughters, Neve and Claire, are the center of her life. She is dealing with a lot of stress because her in-laws, doomsayer conspiracy nuts, have filled the girls' heads with their fears. She's stopped allowing them to take the girls on outings, only allowing visits she supervises. However, she's become aware of them hanging around and fears they may try to kidnap the girls.
 
The early part of the book was filled with interactions between Ezra, Neve, Claire, and Theresa. I loved watching the two girls wrap Ezra around their little fingers and how he enjoyed every minute of it. For a man who believes that he is not a family man, Ezra has a fantastic rapport with them. At the same time, he is puzzled by his reaction to Theresa. The attraction he understands, but the closeness and feelings of protectiveness confuse him. He does his best to bury them because he will leave in a month, and he thinks she still grieves the loss of her husband. Theresa feels the same attraction but refuses to consider giving her heart to a man with a dangerous job. She's lost one husband and refuses to put herself and her daughters through that pain again.
 
The action soon picks up when Theresa's in-law's stalking picks up. Ezra sees her fear and uses the excuse of painting her house to keep an eye on things. But when the unthinkable happens, and the girls are taken, Ezra jumps into action. First, I loved that he immediately used his contacts with family and friends to get help in the search. Brother Dominic, the FBI agent, plays a crucial role in the search, both in feeding information to Ezra and trying to keep Ezra from going too far. Theresa refuses to be left behind and is by Ezra's side every step of the way. I loved the trust that she placed in him and her willingness to do whatever it took to save Neve and Claire. The intensity ramped up the closer they came, and I could feel their frustration at every dead end. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that had my heart pounding until it was over.
 
All that was left was for Theresa and Ezra to figure out they belonged together. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of communication that has each thinking the other doesn't care. Theresa must also decide if Ezra's job is the deal-breaker she's considered it for the entire book. At the same time, Ezra has slowly realized that what drove him to stay away from his family for so long no longer drives him. The emotional conversation between Ezra and Theresa at the end was heartwarming and promising. I look forward to seeing them in later books.
 
I can't finish this review without mentioning the adorable Neve and Claire. They are twins but have distinct personalities. Both fell hard for Ezra, and I had a lot of fun watching them vie for his attention. They are sweet girls with big hearts, and I loved how they visited the people at the senior center. I ached for them and the fears that their grandparents instilled in them. They are also smart for their age, as evidenced in their actions during their kidnapping. Ezra will have his hands full when they get older!

 

Stalking Colton's Family - Geri Krotow (HRS #2179 - May 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 4)
 
To protect her baby…
She must share her secret
 
A stalker's lie came between single mother Rachel Colton and the father of her child. Now the man she never forgot has moved to their small Colorado town, and Rachel must tell James Kiriakis about the six-month-old daughter he never knew existed. But in pursuit of James, a deadly criminal has trailed him to Blue Larkspur and won't let the fragile family have a moment's peace -- planning on only the most lethal of reunions.
 
Terrific book that sucked me in from the start and kept me hooked to the end. Rachel is the brand-new DA for the town of Blue Larkspur, Colorado. Over the last few months, she has met the challenge of balancing her work life with her life as a single mother. As the daughter of the corrupt judge, Ben Colton, Rachel feels the extra burden of ensuring that all her cases are as air-tight and transparent as possible. Like her eleven brothers and sisters, Rachel goes the extra mile to put distance between herself and her notorious father. On the personal side, she often thinks of baby Iris's father, a fellow lawyer she met at a conference. She never told him about the baby because she later found out he was engaged and didn't want to complicate his life.
 
James needs to leave Denver and lands a new job in Blue Larkspur. A woman he dated turned out to be a stalker, and nothing he has done has stopped her. He hopes that moving away will put him out of reach. An added incentive to taking the position in Blue Larkspur is the hope of reconnecting with Rachel, whom he has not forgotten.
 
I loved the first encounter between James and Rachel. Both were in a hurry and literally ran into each other, ending up on the floor. Rachel was shocked to see James, while he was thrilled to see her. When she learns James has moved to town, she knows she must tell him about Iris and makes arrangements to have dinner with him. But when their dinner is interrupted, her confession is put on hold. I could feel Rachel's nervousness as the time drew nearer. Her second attempt involved inviting James to her home, where James received the shock of his life. As they discuss the events that led up to this moment, they discover that outside forces kept them apart.
 
Determined to make up for lost time, James throws himself into fatherhood. I loved how he immediately stepped up and insisted on being part of Iris's life. There were some sweet scenes of the learning process, and I enjoyed the hints of vulnerability as James faced situations far outside his experience. Though wary at first, Rachel quickly realizes James's desire to be a real father to Iris. And as James and Rachel spend more time together, with and without Iris, the sparks between them continue to grow.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between James and Rachel develop. James is all-in, his initial attraction developing into stronger feelings as he gets to know Rachel. I especially enjoyed how some of their interactions seemed like scenes from a courtroom with their lawyerly language but very personal actions. As strange and dangerous events occur, his protective instincts are aroused, and he is determined to protect Rachel and Iris. He also worries that he may have brought danger to their doorstep. Rachel feels herself falling for James but tries to keep some distance between them. She has trust issues with men thanks to her father, and taking that last step proves very difficult. It takes nearly losing him forever for Rachel to let go of her fears and open herself up to risking her heart. The ending was terrific.
 
The suspense of the story was terrific. On the one hand, we have James's stalker issue. Though he hoped to have escaped it, we learn early in the book that his stalker has not given up. On the other hand, DA Rachel lives with the constant threat of retribution from the criminals she prosecutes. One case in particular links to her father and causes a great deal of stress for her and her family. As attacks on Rachel escalate, James is convinced that his stalker is behind them, while Rachel believes they are related to her current case. I loved James's protectiveness and determination to keep her safe. When the final confrontation came, I loved Rachel's cool head as she tried to talk the culprit out of their plans. James's fear for her safety was evident, and I loved how they worked together to protect Iris. I was glued to the pages until it was all over. Of course, while one problem was dealt with, the other continued to evade resolution. I can't wait to see how it progresses over the following books.
 
Another thing I enjoyed about this book was seeing more of Isadora (Isa) Colton, the widowed mother of the Colton siblings. I've been impressed with her strength as her story has unfolded. Since the first book in the series, it has been evident that the police chief, Theo, has a special place in his heart for Isa, though she seemed oblivious to it. I loved seeing Rachel turn Isa's advice not to let the past interfere with the future around on Isa herself. I look forward to seeing how that relationship progresses. 

 

Colton's Dangerous Reunion - Justine Davis (HRS #2175 - Apr 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 3)

Protecting children is his calling…
Now he must guard the woman who broke his heart
 
Social worker Gideon Colton has devoted his life to helping kids. His commitment to his work has eased some of the heartache from his breakup with Dr. Sophia Gray-Jones. Then a battered child brings the pediatrician back into his life. And as a vengeful father threatens Sophia, Gideon is determined to protect her. But hiding out together might just create tremendous danger to their hearts…and their lives!
 
Good second chance romance. The story opens as Gideon, a social worker, gets a call about an abused child in the hospital. How much he cares about the children he helps is immediately apparent as he rushes to the hospital. He didn't expect to find the woman who broke his heart sitting by Charlie's side. Sophia knew it was possible that Gideon would be the one called. He's the best at dealing with scared kids. How much would it hurt to come face-to-face with the biggest regret of her life?
 
Both Gideon and Sophia focus on Charlie while trying to suppress their reactions to each other. I liked that they didn't allow their personal history to affect their interactions with Charlie. Their efforts to calm the boy go well until his abusive father shows up. I loved seeing the soft-spoken Gideon turn into a superhero, getting between Rick and Charlie. His actions were swift and effective and a joy to watch. Unfortunately, Rick escapes from the security guard after vowing vengeance on Sophia. Despite their past, Gideon's protectiveness kicks in, and he escorts her home. A good thing he did, as they spotted the man lurking in the shadows around her house. Gideon insists that she can't stay there, so he takes her to his mother's home. There the stress of the night comes out in an unexpected and passionate encounter, leaving both wondering what's next.
 
I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between Gideon and Sophia. Both of them are wary of getting involved again. Gideon remembers the heartache he felt and is hesitant to take that risk again. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny those feelings. Sophia never stopped loving Gideon and regretted the breakup as soon as it happened. Growing up with a perfectionist father and a detached mother, Sophia has spent her life trying to live up to expectations and constantly feeling that she comes up short. Those feelings bled over into her relationship with Gideon, and she broke up with him because she thought he could do better than her.
 
Sophia and Gideon spent a good share of the book inside their heads, constantly second-guessing their own and each other's actions and words. Many times, I wanted to shake them and tell them to talk to each other. With two years apart, I liked how Gideon realized how hard Sophia is on herself. The more he hears of her father's treatment, the more he tries to make her recognize the emotional abuse she experienced. Sophia thinks a lot about how much she regrets her actions but keeps that to herself for too long. She dreams of starting the relationship again but tells herself it is too late without saying anything to Gideon about it. I loved when she finally worked up the courage to talk to him and ached for her when he didn't react. Gideon's wariness was understandable, and it took him a few days and a conversation with his mom to let go of his fears. I loved their big moment at the end. I also loved their visit with Sophia's father and its well-deserved outcome.
 
The suspense was good. We get a good look at the abusive father and the results of his abuse early on. His appearance at the hospital and his attempt to get to Charlie show how dangerous he is. Gideon's protectiveness kicks in when he escapes custody and later turns up at Sophia's home. The tension builds as there are a couple of sightings, but Rick eludes capture. There is a terrific scene as Gideon, Sophia, and a local police detective confront someone who has been helping him. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I loved seeing how it worked out.

Undercover Colton - Addison Fox (HRS #2183 - June 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 5)

Some feelings can't be hidden and some can get you killed.
 
FBI agent Dominic Colton never mixes business with pleasure. Until he falls into bed with Samantha Evans, his prime suspect's daughter. With his cover blown and Sami justifiably angry, Dom is shocked that she's still willing to help. She even suggests the perfect ploy to bring her father to justice. But going undercover also brings Dom and Sami closer…which is far more dangerous.
 
Good book. Dom Colton is an FBI agent assigned to find out what Samantha Evans, daughter of Mike Evans, who is head of the Warlords Motorcycle Club, knows about her father's illegal activities. He's working on a construction site where she does the landscaping, and they met by "happy accident." The book opens with their dinner date and an inside look at their thoughts. Sami is very attracted to Dom and compares him favorably to other men she's dated. She appreciates how he treats her and feels like the center of his attention. On the other hand, Dom feels increasingly guilty about how he is deceiving her. He's just as attracted as she is, but she is part of his assignment and doing anything about it is a bad idea.
 
But good intentions fall by the wayside with a kiss that goes from sweet to scorching in a heartbeat. The resulting encounter was explosive and left both of them reeling from the depth of emotion it stirred up. Then, to complicate matters, Sami found his FBI badge and credentials. (I'm sorry - why the heck did Dom have his badge on an UNDERCOVER assignment? A stupid mistake from a supposedly experienced agent.) So, he confesses all, and Sami decides she wants to help Dom take her father down. She blames her dad for her mother's death and knows he's involved in some nasty stuff. She hadn't spoken to her dad in years, but coincidentally he had just called her, looking to reconnect. They decide that she'd drag Dom along as her boyfriend, which they then change to fiancé, as a way in for Dom.
 
You know that a fake engagement between two people that are so attracted to each other can only end one way. Still, I enjoyed watching the relationship between Dom and Sami develop. Dom felt protective toward Sami from the start, but those feelings are even stronger when she insists on getting involved. I liked seeing them get to know each other and discover that they had much in common, especially their criminal fathers. I ached for Sami, torn between her love for her father and her desire to help Dom stop him. I liked how he helped her deal with her feelings over that. Dom has spent years keeping a distance between himself and everyone else, including his family. His father's betrayal of the family hit him hard, and he does it to protect himself from feeling that way with anyone else. But the more time he spends with Sami, the more he finds her breaking down those walls. The feelings she stirs in him go against everything he believes about his future. When everything is over, both have emotional baggage to deal with before they can have a future together. I liked the epilogue and seeing that they take some additional time to get to know each other better.
 
The suspense is very good. Dom's FBI unit suspects that Mike Evans has reorganized his Warlords after his multi-year disappearance. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to get the proof they need. There is also some question about whether someone else is pulling the strings. The tension starts early as we see Dom dealing with Evans both as Sami's fiancé and a potential recruit to the Warlords. I liked his ability to show just the right mix of deference and strength. The intensity ramps up as he is initiated into the group and participates in one of their operations. We get a look at another player, a familiar face from earlier books, and his part in the goings-on. The final confrontation kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
This works well as a stand-alone, as Dom and Sami's romance gets its HEA, and Dom's FBI assignment is successfully completed. It works best as part of the series if the books are read in order. Some things happen in the early books that affect the events in this one. Plus, the end of this one leaves at least one dangling thread to lead into the next book.

Snowed In with a Colton - Lisa Childs (HRS #2171 - Mar 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 2)

He's the target
She's in the crosshairs
 
When organized crime threatens journalist Luca Rossi's life, he assumes a fake identity. Now he's “Luke Bishop,” keeping to himself at a dude ranch. With a snowstorm and threats to his life closing in, proprietor Aubrey Colton needs his help. Suddenly he's playing cowboy amid deadly conditions and fighting his feelings for her. But can Aubrey and Luca both survive their killer attraction…and the bull's-eye on their backs?
 
An action-packed book that kept me hooked from start to finish. Aubrey and her twin brother Jasper own Gemini Ranch, a guest ranch in Colorado. As the story opens, Aubrey is dealing with an ex-boyfriend, Warren, who won't accept that she's done with him. There is also a blizzard headed their way, and they have cattle to move in closer. Aubrey plans to call on some of her siblings to help when ranch guest Luke Bishop offers to help, claiming to have ranch hand experience. Aubrey, whose trust in men has been damaged by Warren, is wary of accepting his offer. Something about him rings warning bells in her head.
 
Luca Rossi, or Luke Bishop as he is known here, is an investigative journalist on the run from an Italian mob called the Camorra. After writing an exposé that sent most of the organization to jail, he's spent the last months running from the assassins sent after him. He just gets settled in a new place when they find him again. He hopes that by leaving Italy, they will have lost the trail. Even here, he keeps to himself and avoids the main lodge and groups of people. His only relief from growing boredom and restlessness is solitary rides around the countryside. When he hears Aubrey talk about moving the cattle, he immediately offers to help.
 
Aubrey's trust issues lead her to do something stupid, letting herself into his cabin when she thinks he's away. Instead, she sees something that rouses her suspicions more, just before Luke shows up from the shower. The sparks that fly between them are intense, Luke lays on the flirtatious Italian charm, and Aubrey finds herself agreeing to let him help. I loved watching them work together. The sparks are still there but take a backseat to their teamwork. The storm isn't their only danger; shots fired nearby make Luke think he's been found again, while Aubrey believes it's another rancher. When she expresses her concern to her FBI agent brother, Dominic, the results of his research ramp up his worry for her safety.
 
The intensity continues to build as further attacks on Luke occur over the next few days. The question is, who is behind them? Aubrey's ex wants her back and is none-too-happy at Luke's presence in her life. We also see that a hitman is on-site and has the determination and opportunity to carry out his mission. Meanwhile, Luke does his best to keep Aubrey safe while feeling guilty for putting her in danger.  The final confrontation with the hitman was a nail-biter but left Luke hoping that maybe it was all over. However, he's unaware of the arrival of a new player in the game, one he's just started to suspect. There's an interesting twist to that confrontation, though its result wasn't much of a surprise.
 
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Luke and Aubrey. The chemistry was intense right from the start, but both tried to resist it. Luke didn't want to expose Aubrey to the danger that followed him but staying away from her seemed impossible. Aubrey's trust issues kept her wary of getting too close, but the attraction was hard to resist. I loved Luke's protectiveness. Not only did he want to keep her safe from the trouble that followed him, but he also stepped in when Warren was being a jerk. When they gave in to the heat that burned between them, they realized that they were in deeper than they expected. I ached for Aubrey's heartbreak after that last confrontation. I loved the ending and the surprise waiting for Aubrey.

Colton's Pursuit of Justice - Marie Ferrarella (HRS #2167 - Feb 2022)

Series: Coltons of Colorado (Book 1)

Determined to redeem the Coltons' reputation
He'll help with even the unlikeliest case…
 
His family name is being dragged through the mud, but Caleb Colton is about righting wrongs. So when he believes that activist Nadine Sutherland's father has been duped by a shady oil company, Caleb vows to help her -- and protect her. Someone doesn't want Nadine poking into the deal, and the threats are escalating. But as Caleb works overtime with passionate Nadine, guarding his heart gets harder and harder…and so does staying alive!
 
Good start to the new Coltons of Colorado series. Caleb Colton is the oldest of Ben Colton's twelve children. Ben was a respected judge until he was caught taking kickbacks from private jails and juvenile detention centers for sending many innocent people to those facilities. He died in a car accident before he could be tried. In the twenty years since then, Caleb and his twin sister Morgan became lawyers and set about clearing the family name. After starting their own law firm and The Truth Foundation, they set about righting their father's wrongs.
 
Caleb's workaholic ways in focusing on his mission cost him his marriage though he remained friends with his ex-wife. When she called him and asked for his help for her cousin Nadine he was happy to help. Nadine is an activist, a talented jewelry maker, and a concerned daughter. Her father recently signed away the fracking rights on his property, and she suspects the oil company took advantage of his diminishing mental capabilities. Shortly after Nadine began asking questions, she received threatening phone calls. While she's not convinced she's in any danger, she does want Caleb's help in getting her father's land back.
 
Caleb is with Nadine when she receives one of those calls and thinks she is in more danger than she will admit. He gets a good dose of her argumentative nature when she fights against every step he wants to take to protect her. While her argumentativeness amuses him, it also frustrates him that her stubborn independence won't allow her to see when she needs help. Underneath the antagonism are undeniable sparks of attraction. After his divorce, Caleb gave up any idea of having a family of his own, but Nadine made him rethink his stance. Nadine never thought she'd fall for a lawyer, but his work shows her the good man he is at heart. I loved how she got involved in helping Caleb with the cases he's working on, showing him the possibilities for a life-long partnership. He just needs to get past the threats against her and his own fears. But it took nearly losing her to get him to that point. I loved the ending and seeing the changes in Caleb and his view of the future.
 
The suspense was terrific. It started quickly with the threats against Nadine and Caleb's determination to protect her. As they delved into the land grab details, the threats escalated. I was a little irritated at Nadine and the risks she took, capped by her headlong rush to her father's house at the end. I was glued to the pages as I wondered how she and her dad would escape their danger. The resolution of the case was satisfying, though I would have liked a bit of the oil company's reaction.
 
There is also a secondary story involving one of Ben Colton's victims. We get some progress on that case, but no resolution. This storyline may run through some, if not all, of the books in the series.