Deadly Texas Reunion - Beth Cornelison (HRS #2060 - Oct 2019)

Series: Colton 911 (Book 4)
            Coltons (Book 97)

Two friends track a lethal murderer

As a childhood bond is put on the line

Disgraced FBI agent Nolan Colton returns home to lick his wounds…only to find death on his doorstep. After a woman's body is dug up in a parking lot, his longtime friend PI Summer Davies enlists his crime-solving expertise. Nolan can't help but admire all-grown-up Summer's tenacity, but new leads take their case in a killer direction -- one that threatens the future of their entire case…and their own lives.

Good book. The tension in Whisperwood continues to grow as the investigation into the death of a local woman goes on. PI Summer has recently opened her investigations business in town and is surprised when the woman's father and brother hire her to find the killer. They are not satisfied with the lack of progress made by the police department.

Meanwhile, Nolan is on administrative leave from the FBI while he is investigated for sexual misconduct. A fellow agent with whom he had a brief encounter made the allegations against him, complete with pictures. Angry, hurt, and disgusted, Nolan heads to Whisperwood to spend time with family and wait for the decision that will affect his future. There he is surprised to run into a childhood friend he lost contact with years ago.

I loved Summer's joy at seeing Nolan again. Her enthusiastic greeting took Nolan by surprise, at least until he recognized her. I ached for him because he first noticed her as a woman, then realized who she was, and pulled back because of the investigation against him. He wonders if he'll always second-guess himself now, even with friends. I enjoyed seeing them catch up with each other at the diner, learning about what they've been up to. Summer was surprised, yet cautious, when Nolan offered to help with her investigation. She's more than a little protective of her job, having suffered from sexist attitudes in the past. I liked how she laid out her conditions, making her expectations clear. Nolan did the same, determined to protect himself. Neither counted on the sparks of attraction that flew between them. Summer was more accepting of the feelings that grew between them. She worried about it changing their friendship, but she was willing to see where it would go. Nolan was far more resistant, both because of the accusations against him and because of his plans to go back to Chicago if his name was cleared. I ached for Summer when Nolan left without a word and wanted to shake him for treating her that way. Nolan's return to Chicago included some interesting events, not the least of which were the changes he saw in himself. I loved his big moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic.

The suspense of the story was good. The tension has built through the three previous books as Patrice's murder has gone unsolved. There were questions about whether it was related to a series of murders that had taken place years before. Each book has come closer to proving or disproving the connection. I liked seeing Nolan and Summer work together, balancing each other's strengths and weaknesses. As they assembled various pieces of the puzzle, a clearer picture began to emerge. I was glued to the pages as Summer and Nolan found themselves in dire straits, caught by the killer as they searched for evidence. The final confrontation was intense, and hearing the killer talk so casually about what he had done was chilling. I loved seeing him get what was coming to him and how it came about.

 

Target in Jeopardy - Carla Cassidy (HRS #2056 - Sept 2019)

Series: Colton 911 (Book 3)
             Coltons (Book 95)

A prodigal Colton comes home…

…to the shock of his life!

Grieving the loss of his late wife, Dallas Colton rarely lets his guard down. The one time he indulges in a wild night of passion, it yields unexpected results. Seven months later, Dallas finds himself expecting twins with prosecutor Avery Logan -- and working to protect Avery from criminals who want her dead. But when long-buried secrets rise from the grave, their growing family is soon under siege.

Very good book. Dallas and Avery had an unusual start to their relationship. They met in a bar, both of them trying to escape the pain of recent losses. There was an immediate connection between them, including an especially strong attraction. Uncharacteristically for both of them, they spent the night together. The next morning, though Avery would have liked to see where it would go,  Dallas was overcome with guilt and made it clear that it was a one time only event. Seven months later, Dallas was back home to stay. He was stunned to encounter Avery and discover that she was pregnant.

I loved Dallas and Avery. Avery makes it clear that she isn't out to trap Dallas and is quite able to handle things on her own. I loved that she was honest in her desire that he be a part of the babies' lives, but only if that's what he wants. I ached for Dallas and the grief that he still suffers. It has sucked the joy out of his life, but news of the babies brings a faint flicker of hope to his heart. I loved how he stepped up right away, intent on being involved. It was interesting that neither Avery nor Dallas is looking for a relationship between them because of the babies. Both prefer their single lives but agree that they need to get to know each other and hopefully become friends if they are going to be successful as parents.  

I loved seeing them get to know each other, sharing bits of their lives and beliefs about raising children. Just as they are at the beginning of this process, Avery begins to receive threats against her life. As a prosecutor she is accustomed to being disliked by those she puts in jail, but when the threats escalate into physical attacks, Dallas steps in. I loved his protectiveness and determination to keep Avery safe. Becoming her 24/7 bodyguard adds a complication to their determination to maintain their single lives. Avery's grief over the loss of her brother made her determined not to risk her heart on loving someone else. Dallas's grief over his wife's death made him believe that he had had his one and only love of his life. But the more time they spent together, the deeper their involvement became, and the harder it was to keep their distance. I loved the gradual way it happened, as their caring built day by day. But both of them had fears to overcome before they could accept that they belonged together. There was also someone determined to keep Avery from that happy outcome.

The suspense of the story was terrific. Avery is on a mission as a prosecutor to bring as many drug dealers as possible to justice. She has succeeded in angering more than a few people and once again receives threats against her life. The first physical attack on her was a nerve-wracking event, and I was on the edge of my seat, hoping that she would get out of it safely. I loved Dallas's reaction of moving in with Avery to protect her. Dallas is also involved helping the sheriff's department with the ongoing investigation of a serial killer, and Avery gets involved with that while she is on leave from her job. There is an interesting turn to that case that she is instrumental in discovering. At the same time the attacks on Avery intensify. The final confrontation is intense, with an unexpected twist in who was behind it all.  There were some terrifying moments, but it all ended well. The scene in the hospital was a beautiful ending to the story.

 

Colton's Mistaken Identity - Geri Krotow (HRS #2047 - July 2019)

Series: Coltons of Roaring Springs (Book 7)
             Coltons (Book 90)

The wrong twin…or the right one?

A Coltons of Roaring Springs romance

Marketing exec Skye Colton suddenly disappears, putting the Roaring Springs Film Festival in jeopardy. Enter Skye's identical twin, Phoebe, who poses as her sister. In her starring role, Phoebe catches the eye of A-list actor Prescott Reynolds, and she can't deny the electricity that erupts between them. With Skye still missing and a stalker at large, this is the worst time to fall in love, especially with danger racing toward them…

Very good book that caught my attention from the beginning and kept it to the very end. This is the seventh in the Coltons of Roaring Springs series. There is an overarching mystery in the series dealing with a serial killer labeled "The Avalanche Killer" plus a separate mystery unique to this book. Though I haven't yet read the earlier books in the series, I was not lost. There is enough background given to fill in the essential points.

The Colton resort is about to host the annual film festival. With a serial killer on the loose, the resort has experienced some loss of business and needs everything to go smoothly. As the story opens, Phoebe is out for a run and wondering where her sister Skye is. As the marketing director, Skye is the public face of the festival, and her absence would be a blow. Skye took off after a bad breakup, claiming she needed time, but it is unlike her to not return for a professional commitment. When Phoebe returns to the Chateau, her mother insists that Phoebe impersonate Skye for the upcoming events until Skye returns. Phoebe isn't happy about it, as she and Skye are very different, but she will do anything for the family.

While out for an early morning hike away from fans and press, Prescott saw Phoebe on her run. Though initially suspicious that she was stalking him, he quickly realized his mistake. Having recently been burned by a bad relationship, Prescott has become wary of trusting another woman. At the same time, he was intrigued by Phoebe, and when he saw her later at the hotel, he decided to get to know her better.

I liked the first encounter between Prescott and Phoebe. It was fun to see a confident and talented man like him stumbling over his words, "behaving like a sixteen-year-old asking a date to the prom." Even though she knows that getting involved with him, especially while pretending to be Skye, is a bad idea, Phoebe found herself saying yes. It's evident that there is already a connection between them. What neither of them knows is that Prescott's fascination was observed by his ex, Ariella, who is not pleased about it. She wants Prescott back and will do anything to make it happen.

I was glued to the pages as the chemistry between Phoebe and Prescott burned hotter each time they were together. But more than the chemistry, there was something deeper that grew even faster. I loved seeing them together, getting to know each other. However, the more she gets to know Prescott and seeing what a good man he is, the more she feels guilty about her deception. She wants to tell him the truth, but she also needs to do what is right for her family. I ached for Phoebe as she wrestled with her dilemma.  I liked when she came clean, and hurt for both of them as Prescott dealt with his feelings of betrayal. But when Ariella's obsession escalates into violence against Phoebe, Prescott realizes that Phoebe is more important to him than he had suspected. I also liked his maturity in accepting that her deception was not personal against him and that he wanted to spend more time with her.

I loved the protectiveness that Prescott felt toward Phoebe and his determination to keep her safe. His plans to do so were fantastic, and I liked the way he stood up to her parents to make them happen. I also liked how Phoebe broke out of her comfort zone/good girl reputation to go after what she wanted - him. Their trip to his hometown reinforced what a good, grounded man Prescott was. His interactions with his parents and his old friends were refreshing, being warm and loving instead of arrogant and entitled. Though both Prescott and Phoebe realize the depth of their feelings, there are still some obstacles to overcome. Phoebe especially has trouble believing that Prescott could love her after the way she lied to him.

Though Prescott hoped that leaving Colorado behind would throw Ariella off his trail, we soon see that it didn't. The buildup to the final confrontation was intense. The more I saw of Ariella, the creepier and more unbalanced she seemed. The escalation of the attacks had me on the edge of my seat as I wondered what she would do next. The final showdown was a nail-biter, requiring both Prescott and Phoebe to keep cool heads. I especially enjoyed how Ariella's intentions were thwarted. I loved the ending, with their return to Roaring Springs, and Preston's determination to be there to support Phoebe. His big moment at the end was great.

There wasn't much progress on the serial killer story, as it mainly took a back seat to the stalker side of the book. There is also now the question of what has happened to Skye. Is she still missing of her own volition, or is her disappearance linked the Avalanche killer? I can't wait to see how this series is going to turn out.

Colton Christmas Protector - Beth Cornelison (HRS #1923 - Dec 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 12)
            Coltons (Book 61)

Ex-cop Reid Colton is working double-time to help beautiful widow Penelope Barrington Clark. While investigating her dad, his family lawyer, the two are also trying to uncover who murdered Pen's husband…all while keeping their relationship professional! But when a bullet and their forbidden attraction change everything, it's Reid to the rescue, determined to guard Pen and her son with his life.

The last thing Penelope wants is to fall for a sexy Colton who's not looking for forever. Yet as Christmas approaches and their investigation heats up, the three start to feel like a family. And the best present of all? Solving the Colton clan's biggest mystery!

Excellent conclusion to the Coltons of Texas series, with all the questions finally answered. Besides finally learning what happened to Eldridge, Reid, the last of the Colton siblings finally found his soulmate. The story opened at the funeral of Penelope's husband, who was also Reid's partner. Reid and Andrew had also been good friends, which made it all the more painful when Reid was accused of Andrew's murder. His presence at the funeral did not go over well with Penelope, who was still dealing with her devastating grief. Meanwhile, Reid was disgusted with his treatment by his fellow officers and quit the force. Eighteen months later, Pen discovered some hidden information that Andrew had been investigating; information about her father, who was also the Colton's lawyer. The only person Pen felt she could turn to was Reid, but she wasn't sure if she could put aside her feelings of anger and betrayal. I ached for Reid, who has felt somewhat lost since walking away from his work as a cop.

Reid and Pen have a long history, having known each other since they were children. Reid was even the one who introduced his partner to Pen at a charity event. He enjoyed being a part of their lives, and frequently found himself envying their happiness. He ruthlessly squashed what he saw as his inappropriate feelings for his friend's wife. To work together, they would have to find a way past the hurt, anger, and guilt. After an attempt to kill them both, Reid took Pen and her son Nicholas to hide out at his lake house. Over the several weeks that they worked together to finish the investigation that Andrew started, Reid and Pen grew closer. The attraction between them grew steadily. I loved watching the changes that they both went through. Reid realized that the playboy womanizer was no longer the life he wanted. I loved his protectiveness with Pen, and his gentleness and understanding as she worked through all the things that came to light. Pen needed to decide to move on with her life. Andrew's death and her father's betrayal had flattened her, and she wasn't sure she was ready to risk her heart again. But she couldn't deny the effect he had on her or his heart-melting care of her son. She is also well aware of Reid's reputation and the differences in their ways of life (there were some great scenes where she called him on those differences), and she found it hard to believe that he would want her. I liked how they both let go of their fears at the end and embraced their future together. I loved Reid's pride and happiness as he announced their news to the rest of the family.

The suspense of the story was terrific and wrapped everything up quite well. There were several things going on. First was the overarching series mystery of what happened to Eldridge Colton. I wasn't too surprised by that resolution, though I thought the reasons behind it were mean and manipulative. The real intensity of the story had to do with the investigation that Reid and Pen were working on. There was a hint of what was going on in the previous book, Runaway Colton. The attack on Reid and Pen upped the intensity and their realization that this trouble went deeper than they had expected. I was surprised by one of the people Reid recruited to help, but he did better than I expected. I was glued to the pages when Pen and Nicholas were taken and loved how she had such a big part in her rescue. Her strength and calmness in the crisis were great. Reid's final confrontation with the bad guy had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

I loved the epilogue and seeing all of the previous couples all gathered together. There was even a small nod to the previous Colton series. I enjoyed Reid's overt happiness and the bombshell of his announcement. There was a nice surprise for the whole family at the end of it.

Runaway Colton - Karen Whiddon (HRS #1919 - Nov 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 11)
            Coltons (Book 60)

Wrongfully accused of masterminding her adoptive father's disappearance, Piper Colton needs answers. So she leaves the family ranch behind to embark on a dangerous mission…but she's not alone for long. Her brother enlists the help of Cord Maxwell -- a local bounty hunter -- to ensure his sister's safe return. But Cord has an agenda of his own, and it's not just to avoid falling for the Colton beauty! He promises to help her in exchange if she'll help him track down his runaway niece -- and stay with him. It's an offer she cannot resist and a powerful attraction she cannot deny…

This was a good entry into the series as we moved closer to discovering the truth about the missing Eldridge Colton. In the opening to this book, the youngest of the Colton family was accused of murdering her adoptive father. Out on bail provided by a few of her siblings, Piper was confronted by her two oldest siblings, Fowler and Marceline. They made it very clear that they were convinced of her guilt. Hurt by the realization that they believed that she was capable of such a thing, Piper decided to take matters into her own hands and try to find the truth herself. Knowing that she needed help, Piper contacted Cord Maxwell, a childhood friend and currently a bounty hunter and private investigator.

Cord had been struggling for the past couple of years. When his older sister died, Cord became the guardian of his teenage niece, Renee. About the same time, his business partner died, leaving Cord as the sole owner of the business. Between working long hours and having no clue how to handle a grieving and angry teen, it was no surprise that Cord felt overwhelmed. To make things worse, when Renee turned eighteen, she left. Worried sick, Cord has spent all his time trying to find her, and the business (and his finances) have suffered because of it. When Fowler Colton came to Cord, offering to pay triple the fee for Cord to find Piper, he could not turn it down. He did not expect Piper to come to him. Cord was caught between a rock and a hard place. He took Fowler's money to find Piper and take her home. But he also believed her to be innocent of the charges against her. He worked out a deal with Piper. If she helped him find Renee, he would help her clear her name while at the same time returning her to her home before it was time for her court date.

I liked the development of the relationship between Piper and Cord. They had known each other for a long time, as Cord's father had been a Colton ranch hand. Cord had a crush on her when they were kids, and was attracted to her as an adult. Piper was equally attracted to him. Cord had one basic rule and that was you don't get involved with a client, and that rule became harder and harder to stick to. I liked how Cord and Piper connected with each other so well from the beginning. Their relationship grew quickly but naturally, thanks to the ability to be open and honest with each other. Cord does have some insecurities, mainly about the differences in their financial situations. Just as things looked promising between them, Fowler stirred up doubts in his mind. Cord had his boneheaded moment when he pushed her away and suffered because of it. I ached for Piper, who was blindsided by what he said. Help came from an unexpected source, and I loved seeing Cord come to his senses. He did a pretty good job of groveling before Piper put him out of his misery.

The suspense of the story was very mild. Eldridge is still missing, and there hasn't been any progress made in finding him. Piper's arrest was made on some pretty flimsy evidence, including a supposed eyewitness. Tracking down the identity of that witness wasn't hard once Piper put her mind to it. Even the confrontation with said witness wasn't as intense as it could have been. Meanwhile, Fowler seemed to be in a rush to have Eldridge declared dead, and the will read, moving him to the top of my suspect list. There was a bit of twist and turn near the end, involving a possible sighting of Eldridge, and a reason to move the family lawyer up the list of suspects as well.

I'm looking forward to the final book in the series and finding out what really happened to Eldridge.