The Pregnant Colton Bride - Marie Ferrarella (HRS #1907 - Aug 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 8)

Mirabella Freeman, secretary to security expert Zane Colton, thought being pregnant and alone were her biggest problems… That is, until police discover a bank account in her name, complete with mysterious payments supposedly by Zane's missing stepfather! Now not only is Mirabella a suspect in Eldridge Colton's disappearance, but she's bombarded by rumors about the identity of her child's father. So when her gorgeous Colton cowboy boss proposes a marriage of convenience to save face -- and her reputation -- Mirabella is stunned, yet ready to say, "I do!" As the pregnant bride and her rancher husband fall in love, their hearts won't be all that's in danger…

Another terrific entry into the Coltons series. Zane is the head of security for the Colton businesses, and is determined to find out what has happened to his stepfather. It's been a month since his disappearance and there has been no progress made. Then the sheriff makes two discoveries. First is one of Zane's cufflinks outside his stepfather's window, putting Zane more firmly on the sheriff's radar. Second is that his stepfather has been making large withdrawals from one of his accounts, up until his disappearance. To Zane, it sounds as though Eldridge was being blackmailed, and he sets his IT person on the trail of finding out where the money was going.

Mirabella is Zane's personal assistant. She loves her job and is currently worried about keeping it. She is pregnant and suffering from all day sickness. It is affecting the way she does her job, but she's hesitant about telling Zane. She doesn't think he'll fire her over it, but she doesn't want to take the chance. Besides, he's got enough on his mind with everything else that's going on. Then things take a really weird turn when tracing the payments shows them being deposited to an account in her name!

Suddenly rumors are swirling through the company that her baby is Eldridge's, or maybe Zane's, and that she's sleeping her way to the top. Belle is horrified, furious, and embarrassed. After a very brief period of being suspicious himself, Zane realizes that there is no way that she could be involved. His protective instincts roused, he suggests that he and Belle marry to save her reputation.

I liked Zane when I met him in the previous book. He's got a level head and didn't seem to be interested in the back-stabbing and drama of some of the other members of the family. In this one, his strengths really become obvious. He is determined, he is methodical, and he is actually quite nice when he wants to be. I loved how observant he was about Bella's illness, and how cautious he was about saying anything. I was a little ticked at how quickly he jumped to conclusions about her, but he recovered quite quickly. 

I liked Belle too. She is a nice person who is having a rough go of it, thanks to her pregnancy. I loved her confidence in Zane and his ability to find his stepfather, and her emotional support of him and his fears. She has also had a crush on him since she started working for him, but knows that he's out of her league. She's stunned by his offer of marriage, but marriage without love isn't what she wants. But she gives in when it becomes most practical.

I loved the development of their relationship. There had always been some attraction there, but neither would go there in the workplace. But their wedding kiss fanned the sparks into an inferno, and soon they couldn't keep their hands off each other. Because they went into the marriage as a temporary measure, neither believed that the other was interested in making it permanent. Belle was the first to realize that she was in love with Zane, and wished for more. Zane realized his emotions were getting involved, but did his best to shut them down. It wasn't until she was in danger that he allowed himself to admit how he felt. I loved that hint of vulnerability as he let go of his pride and told her how he felt. And in the end, I loved the surprise that he had for her - a really sweet moment for them both.

The mystery of the emails and the money was really well done. I could easily feel Zane's frustration at how long it was taking to find who was behind the emails. There was also the puzzling question of why Belle was being framed for the blackmail attempt. I liked seeing how he and Belle brainstormed to see if they could figure out who might have a grudge against either of them. I really liked the IT guy and his determination to figure it all out. Once he did, I really enjoyed Zane's reaction and what he did about it. That mystery had a very satisfying ending.

There wasn't a whole lot of movement on finding Eldridge. The sheriff is suspicious of all the Coltons, though in this book he seems to have his eye focused on Zane. I was very suspicious about the discovery of the cufflink after a month, especially as nothing was said about its condition. I got the feeling that it was in good shape, which it shouldn't be after a month outdoors. It became even more questionable when Zane caught Fowler doing something suspicious too. While several of the Coltons are pretty obviously innocent, there are others that certainly seem to have the motivation and the temperament. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress of this one.

Colton Cowboy Hideout - Carla Cassidy (HRS #1903 - July 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 7)

After years in hiding, Josie Colton has her life back. But to settle a family promise, she must find an old clue buried at the Colton Valley Ranch. She enlists the help of ranch foreman Tanner Grange -- in exchange for working as his twin toddlers' new nanny. On their search, the single dad soon begins to lasso Josie's heart.

Tanner agrees to assist Josie and is alarmed by how the Colton beauty fits so perfectly into his life. He's got his hands full investigating the disappearance of his boss and caring for his little girls. When it's clear someone will kill to stop Josie from uncovering the clue, Tanner vows to protect her…for life!

Good book. At the end of the previous book, A Baby for Agent Colton, Josie's father had asked his kids to find a pocket watch that he had buried on his cousin's property near Dallas. Josie has taken on this project herself, and shows up at Colton Valley Ranch to fulfill her promise. She arrives just in time to discover that his cousin Eldridge has mysteriously disappeared and she's stuck on the ranch while the investigation goes on. Ranch foreman Tanner has been assigned to help her. When his nanny quits without notice, Josie volunteers to take care of his girls while she's there.

I liked Josie. She's had a rough life, but has come out of it pretty well. Her father murdered her mother, so Josie and her six siblings ended up in foster care, but not together. She was moved around some. Then when she was twelve she witnessed a murder, but the killer threatened her family if she told anyone. When she was seventeen she finally had the courage to go to the police, and was put into Witness Protection to save her life. She only left WP a month earlier and has been reconnecting with her family since then. She's been at a bit of a loss about what to do with her life now. She is determined to find the watch and bring closure to that part of her life. She didn't expect to be so drawn to Tanner and his girls.

I liked Tanner, too. Tanner is the single father of twin girls. He is the ranch foreman and really likes his boss, Eldridge Colton, though he's not so fond of the rest of the family. He and his ex-wife had split up right before her death, leaving Tanner with sole custody of his kids. He has no intention of getting involved with anyone, as his last experience wasn't so great. He blames himself for not knowing how unhappy his wife was with the isolated life on a ranch, and thinks that he's unsuited for marriage. He's attracted to Josie, but doesn't want to do anything with it.

I liked the development of their relationship. The attraction is strong from the beginning. One of the things that really draws them together is Josie's care for his daughters. I loved seeing how quickly she connected with them. Besides her attraction to Tanner, Josie loves how wonderful Tanner is with the girls. Each evening after the girls go to bed, Tanner and Josie sit and talk and discover how much they have in common. Josie quickly falls for Tanner, even though she won't be staying. It was interesting to see how quickly she began to daydream of a future with Tanner. As much as she loves her siblings, she really dreams of a family of her own, and starts to see Tanner, Lily and Leigh as that family. When she and Tanner share an explosive kiss, those dreams skyrocket. Tanner is equally drawn to Josie, but is far more resistant. He sees Josie as very young and without the experience yet to know what she really wants. He thinks she would soon regret tying herself to such an isolated life and doesn't want to risk his heart again. 

My heart ached for both, as Josie really put her heart on the line by confessing her feelings. She knows her heart and that her feelings are real, but she can't get Tanner to see it. I wanted to shake Tanner for painting Josie with the same brush as his ex-wife when they are nothing alike. It was heartbreaking to see Tanner reject Josie's feelings, even though he shares them. When the mystery is solved, he lets her go home without saying anything. I loved his big moment at the end, as he finally allows himself to believe in their love.

The book has two separate mysteries running through it. The first is the search for Matthew Colton's watch, which is solved by the end of the book. The second is the disappearance of Eldridge Colton. This one is not solved, and I expect with continue through the rest of the series. Josie had arrived at the ranch fairly confident that she could find it quickly and get home. Unfortunately, when she and Tanner went to the location where it was supposed to be, they were attacked by a man with a gun, who also wants the watch. Tanner insists that Josie not go looking on her own, and that they wait a few days before they try again. A few days later, her room is searched, making them realize that the man isn't going to give up. After Josie has her big confrontation with Tanner, she makes the boneheaded move of looking on her own so that she can leave right away, and gets into trouble with the man with the gun. Tanner arrives to save the day, and Josie's brother Trevor arrives the next morning. Opening the box brings an unexpected surprise, but brings closure to that part of Josie's life.

The ongoing mystery of Eldridge's disappearance will be quite interesting. There are any number of possible suspects, from his kids, stepkids and current wife, to staff members and business rivals. We do get to briefly meet the members of this branch of the Colton family, and I must say that I wasn't impressed. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

A Baby for Agent Colton - Jennifer Morey (HRS #1900 - June 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 6)

Jocelyn Locke can't resist her sexy boss, FBI profiler Trevor Colton. When she winds up pregnant, Trevor insists they get married for the sake of the baby, which has nothing to do with their killer chemistry -- or so she keeps telling herself. But as Jocelyn begins to dream of forever, a sinister slayer haunts her nightmares.

Trevor never bargained on having real feelings for the woman he's tried so hard to resist. Especially when he's so close to having everything he ever wanted -- a perfect family and a murderer behind bars. Yet danger still looms, and he'll do anything to keep the Alphabet Killer away from his bride and baby-to-be -- but he may not have a choice…

Good book. The FBI and its task force are getting closer to catching the Alphabet Killer, thanks to the hard work of people like Trevor and Jocelyn. They now know who the killer is, they just have to find a way to lay hands on her. In the meantime, the attraction between Trevor and Jocelyn continues to simmer until it finally boils over.

Jocelyn has been attracted to Trevor since the moment she met him. She really wants a chance to get to know him better and see if something will come of it. Trevor is determined to keep their dealings professional. He'd already had his heart tromped on by getting involved with a fellow agent, he's not going to go through that again. But when the adrenaline rush from a case hits them hard, they find release in each others' arms. Jocelyn hopes that it's the beginning of a dream come true, but Trevor is backpedaling as fast as he can. The emotions she stirred up are much stronger than he is comfortable with. 

I liked seeing the relationship develop between Trevor and Jocelyn. She is so open and straightforward about what she wants. On the other hand, Trevor is convinced that he doesn't have what it takes for a successful relationship. As the son of a serial killer, who ended up in foster care and has family issues because of it, he hasn't had the example of a good marriage. Jocelyn believes that they are right for each other, but can't convince him. Then she turns up pregnant from that one night together. Trevor insists on marriage, because no child of his is going to grow up in a broken home. But Jocelyn wants love, and is determined to show Trevor that they can have it all.

At the same time, the Alphabet Killer case is heating up. They know who they are looking for, but haven't been able to catch her. Then Jocelyn offers herself up as bait to draw the killer into a trap. Trevor is furious with her for putting herself in danger, but can't deny that the plan is a good one. I loved seeing them pose as husband and wife at the same time they are trying to get used to the idea for real. As they close in on the killer the danger becomes more intense, especially to Jocelyn. The final takedown seemed pretty realistic as their great plan hit several problems along the way, leaving her vulnerable. I loved seeing how Trevor went to his father for insight on where the killer might have taken Joscelyn. It was very intense, but of course everything came out alright. Trevor also had his eyes opened about what he deserves. I loved seeing their wedding and how it compared to their Vegas wedding.

Also running through the book was the ongoing saga of their father, Matthew Colton, serial killer, who is also dying of cancer. He has been coercing his estranged kids into visiting him by offering clues about where he buried their mother. The last clue is Josie's and besides solving the mystery of where their mom is buried, also explains what has been happening to her. I'm looking forward to reading her story, as her life has been a really tough one. 

Her Colton P.I. - Amelia Autin (HRS #1896 - May 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 5)

Raised in foster care apart from his six siblings, PI Chris Colton knows what it's like to be separated from family. So when a kindly older couple hires him to find their son's gold-digging widow who ran off with her twin toddlers, Chris won't rest until Holly McCay is held accountable. But he quickly discovers that his employers are out to get Holly. And they'll eliminate anyone standing in their way…including the brave woman and sweet little boys the investigator-turned-bodyguard has come to think of as his own!

A double whammy of goodness in this book. First, it is the continuation of the Coltons of Texas series, with its ongoing mysteries of catching the Alphabet Killer, and the Colton siblings trying to find out where their serial killer father buried their mother. But the icing on cake, so to speak, is that this installment was written by Amelia Autin, an author who excels in characters and stories you can't forget.

The book opens with an older couple hiring Chris to find their daughter-in-law, a woman who has taken their grandsons away from them. They paint her as a gold-digger who tricked their late son into marriage. Chris believes in the importance of family and is determined to find her. I started out thinking that he was being awfully judgmental before getting the whole story, but that opinion changed pretty quickly. Chris is a very observant man, and something about them made him look into their story a little deeper. What he discovered sent him looking for Holly, not to turn her over, but to protect her.

Holly had taken her boys and run after someone tried to run her off the road twice, and then tried to run her down in a grocery store parking lot. She is the sole trustee for her sons' inheritance, and her in-laws had already tried to overturn the will and also take custody from her. She was convinced that they were trying to kill her to gain control of their money. After several months of running, she ended up in Granite Gulch where she has made friends with, of all people, Chris's former sister-in-law. Just as she thought she might be safe, she gets the feeling she's being watched and prepares to run again.

Can I say just how much I adored Chris? He is a very complicated man, with so many things that have influenced the man he has become. There's being the son of a serial killer, having spent time in foster care at the mercy of foster parents only in it for the money, and holding himself responsible for the death of his wife and unborn child to name a few. In spite of it all, he is a kind and honorable man. I loved how he very quickly put Holly's mind at ease when he found her, letting her know that he believes the truth of why she ran. Not only that, he is determined to protect her and her boys, while at the same time catching the McCays and stopping them for good.

Holly was fantastic, too. She is independent, resourceful, and a great mother. She and her husband had been best friends growing up. She carries some guilt over how their marriage came about, but she was the best wife she could be to him. When she realized that her life was in danger, she did what she needed to in order to survive and protect her boys. Okay, she wasn't devious enough to be really good at it, but she tried. Fortunately, Chris was the one to find her.

I loved the development of their relationship. The attraction was there from the moment that they met, but both were wary of doing anything about it at first. Chris simply avoids involvement as a way to protect himself, where Holly believes that she is simply bad at it. When they shared that first explosive kiss, both had to come to terms with the feelings it stirred up. I loved seeing Holly embrace it first. She is so open and caring that she easily sees through the walls that Chris has put up. I loved seeing the way that she takes each one of his issues and shows him a different way to look at it. She also sees how wonderful he is with her sons and knows that he'd be a great dad if he would let himself love again. For his part, I loved seeing how impressed Chris was with Holly's strength of will and determination to protect her boys. He was also surprised by his attraction to her, since he'd been closed off since his wife's death. I also loved how observant he was when it came to her, she often felt as though he was reading her mind. It was sweet to see the lengths he went to in order to make her see how beautiful she was to him. I had to giggle at Holly's timing for her confession of her feelings, and Chris's reaction.

The suspense of the story was a slow build to an intense conclusion. From Chris's initial suspicion of Holly, to his quick realization that she was the wronged party, his protectiveness came out in full force. I liked seeing the steps he took in order to bring the McCay's down. I liked seeing the help he got from Sam and Annabelle, as they all were very careful to make sure that everything was done in a way that would ensure success. The final confrontation was really exciting as all the pieces came together perfectly. I especially loved the dog!

Also running through the book were the three ongoing storylines. First, were the continuing attempts to catch the Alphabet Killer. We discovered who it was in an earlier book, but so far she has evaded capture. We've learned a little bit more about the motivation, and have seen the killings escalate in frequency. Also going forward is the one clue per sibling that their father is providing in regards to the Coltons' mother's burial place. This time it was Chris's turn to visit their father and receive the clue. Two things came out of his visit. The clue, and also a chance for Chris to gain some closure with regards to his relationship with his father. We also see Chris and Holly try to decipher the meaning of the clue, and actually make what appears to be a significant discovery. The third storyline is that of the search for the youngest Colton, Josie. Chris has been looking for her for six years, and in this book discovers some information that enables him to start putting together pieces of the puzzle. I loved seeing what conclusion he comes to. A surprise visitor at his engagement party provides the last of the pieces. I can't wait to see how these stories progress in the next book.

*copy received in exchange for honest review.

Colton's Texas Stakeout - C. J. Miller (HRS #1892 - Apr 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 4)

A cowboy falls for the beautiful cop investigating his sister! 

Hailing from a family full of law enforcement officials, rookie cop Annabel Colton expects to be treated like the dedicated officer she is. But her overprotective brothers want her off the dangerous case of the serial killer stalking their tiny Texas town. Her determination lands her a stakeout mission at the farm of the prime suspect's brother. Cowboy Jesse Willard -- too handsome, too challenging, too sexy -- claims he's not helping his estranged sister evade capture. But as Annabel gets closer and closer to the irresistible rancher, bullets start flying. And their lives -- and hearts -- will depend on the two of them working together.

Good book with plenty of suspense and terrific chemistry between Annabel and Jesse. The search for the serial killer continues, and has been tentatively identified as Regina Willard. She is half-sister to Jesse, who hasn’t seen or heard from her in six years. However, the local cops aren’t convinced and Jesse remains a person of interest to them.

When Jesse and Annabel meet, he has just finished a conversation with her brothers, trying to convince them to leave him alone. Their frequent visits and accusations against his sister are wrecking his business. As Jesse leaves in frustration, he bumps into Annabel. Both of them feel a sizzle of attraction, but doing anything about it would be a bad idea. Annabel is a cop who is involved in the investigation of the Alphabet Killer, and can’t get involved with a suspect’s brother. Jesse just wants them all to leave him alone.

Annabel is new on the police force, and with brothers who are also cops, is suffering from too much overprotectiveness. She's really tired of getting assigned to the missing animals and other nuisance calls. Her persistence finally gets her a shot at doing the surveillance at Jesse's farm. This leads to a confrontation with him, as he vents to her about his frustration with the whole issue, and his belief that there's no way his sister could be a murderer. He counters her arguments with comments about her connection to her father, another infamous serial killer. When she goes back later to try to mend fences, she and Dylan come under fire from an unknown assailant. He gets away, but in the meantime Annabel and Jesse have formed a connection that both want to pursue, in spite of the obstacles.

I liked watching their relationship develop. Annabel tries to resist because of what she sees as a potential conflict of interest, but she just can't do it. Despite her previous all-work attitude, her attention is now divided between work and Jesse. Both of them have issues from their pasts that have affected who they are today. Being the daughter of a serial killer has Annabel determined to show the world that she is nothing like him. It makes her very focused on doing everything right. Jesse came from an abusive father, whom he and his mother escaped from, but had to leave his half-sister behind. The hardships he and his mom faced have made him very sensitive to the difficulties of others. There are several places where his caring nature really shows, and adds to what Annabel is beginning to feel for him. One of the things I really liked about Jesse was the way that he respected Annabel's capabilities. Since she is still fighting for that respect from her brothers, it makes her feel really good. He still becomes very protective of her, but it isn't the same as the smothering she feels from her brothers.  I loved their way of working through the problems and coming out the other side without any major drama. The scene outside her house at the end was perfect for them.

The suspense of the story was really good. The search for Regina goes on as there is another attack. Some more information comes from this one, leading them to believe they are on the right track. When Annabel and Jesse are on the receiving end of gunfire at his house, and then her house is bombed, they must figure out if it is the Alphabet Killer or someone else. The pursuit of leads continued to increase the danger. The final confrontation is intense, and I loved seeing Annabel finally earn the respect of her brothers and coworkers. However, there are still unanswered questions that will carry over into the next book.

There are also ongoing issues within the Colton family. All of them are still dealing with the effects of what their father has done, and now have to go along with his latest whim. He has agreed to give each sibling a clue to where their mother is buried, but is really obnoxious about it. There is also the issue of what happened to their youngest sister Josie, who ran away at the age of seventeen. There have been several sightings of a woman that some of them believe is Josie, but others are skeptical. I suspect that it is, and I am looking forward to her story.

Colton Baby Homecoming - Lara Lacombe (HRS #1888 - Mar 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 3)

Someone has left a baby on the porch of search and rescue expert Ridge Colton's log cabin. Who? And why? A loner, Ridge knows nothing about caring for an infant. But when the woman who broke his heart years ago shows up to help, he's reminded of everything he once almost had.

From a wealthy family, Dr. Darcy Marrow was dissuaded from loving the man whose name meant one thing in town: shame. But with a dangerous thug trying to kidnap the baby, Ridge discovers how far he'll go to protect the little one, Darcy…and his long-guarded heart.

Very good book and continuation of the mystery of the Alphabet Killer, along with the mystery of an abandoned baby. Ridge and his dog Penny, a member of the local search and rescue group, came home from a call to find an abandoned infant on his porch. Worried first about the baby's condition, he takes her to the hospital to get checked out. There he encounters Dr. Darcy Marrow, his high school sweetheart, who had broken his heart all those years ago.

Darcy is filling in at her hometown hospital while she waits for her new job in New York to start. She is surprised to find Ridge in her ER, especially with a baby. The story of how he got the baby doesn't really surprise her though, as she remembers Ridge's quiet, protective nature when they were teens. She regrets the way she let her parents break them up. She feels sorry for Ridge and his cluelessness about the baby and sends him home with some supplies for her.

The attraction between Ridge and Darcy is still there, and both feel it, though both try to ignore it. Just seeing each other again brings back the memories of the good times and dreams that they shared. Darcy shows up at his cabin with more things for the baby and the intention of helping. When an intruder bursts in, intent on kidnapping the baby, they work together to fight him off. Darcy gets stranded there by a bad storm, and Ridge is determined to protect her and the baby.

Over the next few days, as they work together to take care of the baby and protect her from whoever is trying to kidnap her, Ridge and Darcy find their feelings for each other growing stronger. Ridge is reluctant to risk his heart again, especially knowing that Darcy is planning to leave again.

I liked Ridge a lot. He is the quiet one in the family, who coped with his family issues by pretending they didn't matter to him. He also worries that his father's "bad blood" could also come out in him. He is a loner, but also has a deep well of caring and compassion for others. This really comes out when he was taking care of the baby. I loved how quickly he bonded with her. There were several really sweet moments between the two of them. I also felt for him, as seeing Darcy again made him realize the things that he had given up, and that his life was lonelier without her. As his feelings for her grow, he has to decide if he's willing to try again. I also loved his dog, Penny. The bond between her and Ridge was great, and I loved seeing her interact with him.

I also liked Darcy. She has followed her dream of becoming a doctor. She also has family issues, dealing with parents who never seemed to care about her. Instead, they were more concerned about appearances, which was why they disapproved of her relationship with Ridge. Now that she's older, she is better able to stand up to them. I loved seeing the way she still believes in Ridge's goodness, and how she tries to convince him. It was sweet to see the way that seeing him with the baby melted her heart. As her feelings for him grow, she realizes more about what has driven some of the decisions she's made, and must choose what she wants for her future. There's an interesting twist with her parents at the end that helps her see what her dreams really are. The ending with Ridge and Darcy at the cabin is really sweet and romantic.

The suspense side of the story was great. The attacks on Ridge and Darcy, as the stranger tried to take the baby, were intense. The fights were realistic, as Ridge did not come away unscathed. Both were puzzled about why someone wanted to take her, and determined to protect her until her mother could be found. The truth behind it was something neither of them expected. I loved their compassion for the baby's mother. The final confrontation with the kidnapper was great, with Ridge once again being in the right place at the right time.

In a continuing story from the previous books, the Alphabet Killer is still on the loose. The killer strikes again, and we see it happen. The investigation turns up a little more information, helping the cops identify who it is. There is a connection to the Coltons' father, and more work on their part helps in the investigation.

It is also Ridge's turn to visit his father and receive the clue to where their mother's body is. Even though he is dying, Matthew Colton is still playing games with his family. Facing his father is another way for Ridge to put his past behind him.

I liked seeing Ridge with his family. They are all close and are there for support when needed. There is also a good amount of teasing among them, some enjoyed and some not so much. There is also another possible sighting of their missing sister Josie, this time by Ridge. I'm looking forward to seeing what her story is.

Colton's Surprise Heir - Addison Fox (HRS #1884 - Feb 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 2)

A brooding cowboy tracks the stalker after his true love--and unborn child

With an imprisoned serial killer for a father, rancher Ethan Colton never planned on continuing the tainted family name. But six months after a night of passion with a woman from his past, Ethan discovers he's about to be a dad. Beautiful, independent Lizzie Conner turns up at his Texas ranch expecting nothing but protection from the guarded cowboy. A stalker is fast on her trail, leaving creepy gifts and notes threatening her and the baby. Now all that matters to Ethan is keeping his unexpected family safe--and out of a killer's clutches.

Very good book that kept me hooked until the very end. Ethan and Lizzie had known each other as teenagers, when Lizzie was in the same foster home as Ethan's youngest sister Josie. Lizzy had had a crush on Ethan, and when she met him again years later she discovered the feelings were still there. A passionate night together left her pregnant with his baby, and not sure whether to tell him.

Ethan's father was convicted of murdering Ethan's mother and also being a serial killer. Ethan was the one who found their mother's body and his testimony helped convict his father. He is still haunted by the memories and swore long ago that he would never pass his tainted blood on to another. He's stunned to find out that Lizzy is pregnant, but determined to do his best to be a father to his child.

Lizzy came to Ethan because she has been receiving creepy notes and gifts since her pregnancy became public. When the stalker broke into her house twice, she had enough and fled to Ethan. He is determined to keep her and the baby safe, but also try to keep an emotional distance from her.

I loved the development of their relationship. Because they have known each other for so long they are familiar with each other's pasts. Lizzy doesn't judge Ethan by what his father did, she knows the man he really is. Ethan has tried his best to put his past behind him and devotes his time to his ranch. His love of animals shows that the ability to care is there if he will just open himself up to it. Lizzie has also made a good life for herself and is determined to take care of her baby. The trouble that Lizzie is in brings out Ethan's protectiveness. Having her in his home makes him realize how empty his life has been, but he is wary of making a commitment. One of the things I liked best about the book is that Ethan and Lizzy talk to each other about their pasts and their fears. It isn't easy, but she gets him to open up to her about his father. Even when they argue they are able to admit when they are wrong and apologize. I loved seeing them grow closer as they adjust to the idea of being parents. There are some good conversations between them about the baby. It takes almost losing her for Ethan to realize that she is more important than his fears.

There are three suspense stories woven throughout the book. The first is who is stalking Lizzy. Someone is leaving creepy notes and gifts about the baby, and Lizzy is scared. She goes to Ethan for protection and for help in figuring out who it is. I had a feeling about the stalker, part of which was correct but part of it was a surprise. The final confrontation was intense, but the danger was dealt with quickly by Ethan.

The second is the story of the alphabet killer, which started in the first book and looks like it will continue through the series. It looks like a copycat, who is imitating the methods used by the Coltons' father twenty years earlier. With several of the family members in law enforcement, they are all determined to find out who it is. In this book we actually see one of the murders committed and who does it, but the motivation is still unknown. The killer is also still on the loose.

The third is what is going on with the Coltons' father. He has been in prison for twenty years for killing his wife and others. He is now dying and wants to see each of his children before he dies. To make it happen, he promises to give each one a clue about what he did with their mother's body. The Coltons are a close family in spite of having been separated into foster care when he went to prison. Each of them deals with their past in their own way, and most are not happy about their father's demand. I love how they are there for each other, even when they argue. In this book it is Ethan's turn to confront his feelings and his father.

Colton Copycat Killer - Marie Ferrarella (HRS #1879 - Jan 2016)

Series: Coltons of Texas (Book 1)

Just moments away from marrying a woman he doesn't love, police detective Sam Colton discovers his bride brutally murdered. The only shocking clue: the MO matches another notorious killer -- Sam's long-imprisoned father. A copycat? The victim's sister was the last to see her alive -- and heard arguing with her. Sam would bet his life that shy, impossibly sexy librarian Zoe Robison had nothing to do with the murder. But when he learns what the argument was about, the former foster kid's heart hardens. Yet as Zoe is targeted by a madman, Sam discovers just how far he'll go to save her.

Terrific opener for the new Colton series. In the beginning of the book, Zoe is arguing with her sister Celia, who is about to marry Sam Colton. Celia brags about the fact that she has tricked Sam into marrying her. Zoe is horrified and walks out on her sister for a few moments to decide what to do. When she returns, Celia is dead. Sam's brother Trevor tells him that the MO matches two other recent murders - and that of their father, a convicted and imprisoned serial killer.

The effects of the murder on Sam and Zoe are very interesting. We know right from the start that this wasn't a love match. Sam is upset over Celia's death, but it's not the devastating blow that it could be. He's determined to find the killer because, as a cop, that's what he does. Zoe is upset at the loss of her sister and also feels guilty. If she hadn't left her sister alone, perhaps she would still be alive. Whatever their feelings, both are determined to find out who killed her. Another complication is that Zoe has been in love with Sam for a long time, but he has never noticed her.

I loved the developing relationship between Sam and Zoe. Without her sister there to overshadow her, Zoe starts to stand out more. She isn't the nearly invisible wallflower that Sam thought she was, but a woman with a mind of her own. Though it isn't always easy for her, Zoe stands up to Sam and lets him know that she wants to be involved in the investigation. She also sees that Celia's deception has been a blow to him and wants to be there to support him. It was fun to see Sam's reaction to Zoe's stubbornness. He suddenly starts to see her in a whole new way. He is surprised by the attraction he feels for her as she's nothing like the women he's usually attracted to. What really gets to him is her support when he has to deal with his siblings and his father. Because of what happened with his father, Sam and his siblings were split up into foster care, so Sam has grown up keeping his emotions buttoned up. What he's feeling for Zoe is something he has no experience with and has him cautious. But when she becomes a target, Sam realizes just how much he needs her in his life.

The suspense in this book is great. There is a lot going on. First is Celia's murder, and its apparent link to two previous murders. Sam's brother Trevor is an FBI agent who is working on those. Something of great concern to them both is the similarity to the murders carried out by their father. Though he doesn't want to do it, Sam, along with Zoe for support, goes to the prison to see his father. He wants to find out if some prison groupie is modeling his actions after his father's. What he finds is a man who is dying, but still manipulative. He promises his limited help if Sam gives in to his conditions. His father also says that he wants each of Sam's siblings to visit him at the prison, and that if they do he will give them clues as to where he buried their mother's body. Lastly is the question of whether Celia was killed by the serial killer or someone else and if it has anything to do with the attack on Zoe. The ending is exciting with the mystery of the attack solved, but the murders are still happening. I also believe that the mystery of the missing body will continue through the series, as each sibling gets their book.

I liked the introduction of all the siblings. Their discussions about their father gave a good indication of their personalities. Most of them ended up in law enforcement. I also found it interesting that they all went to different foster homes, so the effects on each will probably be different. There is also a missing sister that may play a part in the long term also.