A Colton Kidnapping

The Coltons of Owl Creek #6

by Justine Davis

A marriage of convenience
…to protect two small children from danger.

They had nothing in common—Briony, a shy accountant, and Greg, a gruff Colton rancher. But after the death of their two best friends, Briony and Greg become uneasy guardians of the couple’s two children. When the children’s dangerous grandfather tries to gain custody, the two new parents know they must get married to protect their found family. Can Briony and Greg save the children—and also their hearts—as they grow closer together?

Genres: Harlequin

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 25, 2024

About the author

Author biographies are supposed to give you all those statistics, books written, awards won, etc. and I will, I promise...but first let me tell you about this ornery little tomboy (back then, the boys had all the fun...) who was always the one to make up the stories the neighborhood kids would "play". For those who came of age in the computer game era, this is something that was done usually in the backyard, by any number of summer-bored children, with props where appropriate. (Did you know a 55 gallon drum tied to a picnic bench makes a very cool horse?) It wasn't until much later that this tomboy realized two things: A) not everyone made up stories in their heads all the time, and B) in real life, the boys that had already had all the fun now seemed to always be winning.

But I digress. I was born on a farm down in Iowa....well, not quite, but close; Boone, Iowa is in the middle of farm country, but I arrived at a hospital. In a snow storm. Make that a blizzard. My sister tells me she knew my destiny when I was very young, because when I first saw the Disney classic Old Yeller, I was apparently so upset that I promptly went home and rewrote the story. In my version, the dog lived, of course. Should have been a clue.

Possibly in response to that blizzard I was born in, I've been a West Coaster since before I was a year old, and intend to stay that way. I have a history of staying. I started my first full time job right out of school (well, there was a very brief sojourn at a place where they made, among other things, burial vaults, but I prefer not to recall that one...) and stayed for twenty-one years. I've been married to the same wonderful guy for going on two decades now. We lived in our last house for seventeen years. (I won't even mention how many dumpsters we filled moving after that long....)

Readers seem as fascinated by my first career as they are with my writing. My time in law enforcement was many things, exciting, nerve wracking, and irritating, but most importantly never, ever boring. It was fascinating enough that I didn't think about writing seriously for several years. I kept a journal, and wrote long letters, collected quotes, mentally rewrote movies, and still made up those stories in my head, but never dreamed of actually writing for publication. I was having too much fun helping to catch bad guys, and being continually amazed at the situations people get themselves into. And eventually I walked away with a wealth of background and story ideas, and knowing some truly great people who work very hard to keep all of us safe. I'm proud to have been one of them, and I'm very aware that I have had the great good fortune of having had two jobs in my life that I love. Many people don't get even one.

But now that I'm in the delicious position of being able to make a living telling those stories in my head, I promise my readers two things: A) I'm staying--I'll keep writing as long as you keep reading, and B) in my stories, the girl--tomboy or not--always wins!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And now, the official stats:

Justine Dare Davis sold her first book in 1989, and followed that up with the sale of nineteen novels in less than two years. Her first four books were published in 1991, and she saw all reach the finals for either the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award or the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award. She has since won the RITA award four times, along with several Reviewer's Choice awards and three Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. At the 1998 national conference, Justine was inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame, making her one of a very select group of just eight writers. She also had four titles on the Romantic Times "Top 200 of All Time" list. Her sales now total more than 45, and her books have appeared regularly on best seller lists, including the USA Today list. She has been featured in several local newspapers and nationwide by Associated Press, has appeared on CN

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the sixth book in the Coltons of Owl Creek series. I have read the first book in this series before picking up this book. I really was pulled into this story for the first page, and I really love the characters in this book. I really enjoyed reading this book. The ending did leave you hanging which is never my favorite thing in a book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hero & heroine’s BFFs are killed in a car accident and they are both made guardians of their two kids. The Paternal Grandfather is fighting them for custody as there is an inheritance involved so they go into a marriage of convenience in order to keep the kids.

I liked this story just fine. It is a bit heavy on the grief but I enjoyed seeing the MCs become a family and falling in love – especially as their two BFFs had tried to get them together in the past.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating is 4.5ish.

Briony is a shy, quiet, orphaned accountant. Greg is a successful rancher and a Colton, which is a big name in the area. When Briony's best friend is tragically killed along with her husband (and Greg's best friend) in a car accident the police believe was orchestrated by an unknown person, Greg and Briony come to find they are both listed as the guardians of their friends two young children.

Though they think they have nothing in common, they immediately agree to band together in order to show a united front caring for the children. This united front becomes all the more important when they are told the children's grandfather is pursuing law custody of the kids. In order to increase their chances of keeping the kids, they enter into a marriage of convenience.

So what did I think?

The good:

Honestly, this one hit a lot closer to home then I was expecting. The grief in this book was tangible to me. I guess it's an empathy thing. So if you are an empathetic person and/or have also experienced death of someone near and dear to you, be prepared to possibly relate to Bri and Greg and spend a lot of time feeling sad, to varying degrees. I totally did not start it on my lunch break and had to put it down for a minute to stop myself from sniffling...

It's not a bad feeling, feeling sad. It was just unexpected because, romance novel. I was actually very impressed how the author could just keep that emotion going for a huge chunk of the book. I mean about 220+ pages worth of sad before the book flips to being a more traditional suspense romance.

So this book takes place over a 3+ week time span, but for some reason I thought it was a bit longer. Maybe because it makes it even more plausible? Bri and Greg pretty much 'fall in love' through duty, unity and devotion to these kids. Their now deceased friends were constantly trying to get these two together, so the joke of them finally having their way in the end is tactfully made.

I liked the kids. They behaved appropriately for their described ages. Justin is three, if I remember correctly and Jane is maybe 18 months? They are quite prominent in the book, as they should be seeing how the whole plot revolves around their well being after the passing of their parents.

Greg's family. What a wonderful and supportive father Greg has in Buck! And his aunt is nothing to sneeze at either. The ultimate grandparents? His siblings also play a small role, particularly towards the end.

The not-so-good:

Sometimes the author gets a little repetitive. Several things are repeated in almost the exact same way they were the first time the author wrote it out. At some points it goes from reminding you about XY and Z to clubbing you over the head with info you already know. Students are always told, "Tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, and then tell them what you told them." This had a similar feel in some places. Sometimes it was super effective to rekindle a feeling, mostly sadness for me, but other times I found myself thinking "yes, you told me this multiple times already."

The flip of a switch from making you sad to the lone spice scene. I'm not sure I completely was on board. I really liked how the two of them were slowly building this relationship from the ground up. Then they just sorta decide to do the deed and of course it's the best hanky-panky either of them has ever had. Shortly afterwards the author does try to remind you about the sad, but the book loses the feeling of grief, for me at least. It becomes a quick tasting of what it was advertised as, a suspense romance. Considering the book is roughly 268 pages, not including the epilogue, and the spice scene happens somewhere around page 224, there's not a huge amount of suspense.

I think I might have liked the book a little better if it was advertised as a 'clean' romance because I wouldn't have lost that feeling the author worked so hard to get out of me so consistently throughout the book, grief. The spice just tossed that feeling right out the window. lol

The epilogue. I could have done without any sort of epilogue. I know it was 100% dropped in there to create the cliffhanger for the next book coming up in the series, but I didn't need it. I like to read series if I enjoy the characters involved. I do not want or need a cliff hanger that ties into the next book to just be dropped like a bomb at the very end with no lead up to it.

I do 100% plan to see if I can track down the previous books from this series, because I like the Colton clan.

Conclusion

I really liked this book. The heavy grief felt by the two main characters was well done and felt very appropriate. I honestly can't think of another romance novel that has managed to invoke such a feeling out of me for such a consistent amount of time.

The action is definitely held back until the last possible second, so if you are straight up looking for a suspense romance that is absolutely action packed, this one maybe isn't for you because it spends a lot of time dealing with grief rather than running around, getting into shoot outs, and going after the bad guy.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I am going to go find the others from this series (and find out if I actually have read at least one of them before).

[Donna Repsher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Colton Kidnapping in the sixth book in Justine Davis' The Coltons of Owl Creek series, but it's the first novel in that series I've read, so I can attest to the fact that it works just fine as a standalone, and, as I've come to expect from this author, it was another emotionally gripping novel, and it gets 4.5 stars from this reader.

Briony (the heroine) and Wendy grew up in the foster care system, a system of moves and upheavals that led to Briony becoming a shy, reserved, and untrusting loner of an adult, afraid of strangers and large groups, one of the main reasons she became an accountant who prefers to work alone. She and Wendy were eventually sent to other foster homes, but kept their friendship alive. Eventually, Wendy grew up, met and fell in love and married Rick, the best and dearest friend of rancher, Greg Colton. Briony and Greg had met a number of times at Rick and Wendy's, especially since they served as maid of honor and best man, respectively, at Rick and Wendy's wedding, and Briony has kept her attraction to Greg a closely held secret. When they learn that both of their closest friends have been killed in an auto accident, they are devastated, and are even more shocked to learn that they have been named as guardians to the deceased couples' two children, 4-year-old, Justin, and one-year-old, Jane, when the will was read. The only stipulation is that they keep the children out of the clutches of Rick's loathsome and despised, absentee father, who is already trying to get his hands on the children's large trust funds. They are also shocked and angered by the fact that Rick's father, who has never even bothered to set eyes on his grandchildren, has already filed a lawsuit to gain full custody of the children and their inheritance.

When Briony and Greg learn from their attorney that they have a better chance at retaining full custody of young Justin and Jane if they are a married couple, they agree to a marriage of convenience, but as any reader of romance novels knows, a marriage of convenience almost always leads to something more. Add an element of danger to the mix, in this case a kidnapping, and what you have is a slowly growing attraction and appreciation between the two characters becoming much more in short order. My only complaint, and the reason for the 4.5-star rather than a 5-star rating, was that I wished Ms. Davis hadn't waited quite so long to make that happen, in this case, 80% into the novel.

Nevertheless, A Colton Kidnapping was an extremely good, emotionally gripping, well-written, and angst-laden novel of romantic suspense, and I enjoyed it tremendously. I think you will too, but be forewarned, although this novel ends, at the end of the epilogue is a teaser for the next novel in the series.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to the series. In this book, we have Greg Colton, the oldest of the Colton siblings, and Briony Adams, a shy, loner accountant, who are the best friends of Rick and Wendy Kraft. In a shocking development, Rick and Wendy are killed in a car accident, leaving Greg and Briony as co-guardians of the Kraft's two children, Justin and Jane. Stunned by their friends' deaths, Greg and Briony vow to do their best to care for the kids.

Becoming the children's guardians causes radical changes in Greg and Briony's lives. I loved seeing them work together to make the kids' lives go as smoothly as possible. I liked that each paid attention to the other's ideas and preferences. Their teamwork was excellent and helped overcome some of the awkwardness of living together. Neither expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them. Though Rick and Wendy had frequently attempted to push Greg and Briony together, neither felt that they had enough in common to make a relationship work. But the more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction grew.

When Rick's despicable father sues for custody of the children (and their inheritances), Greg and Briony realize they have a better chance of foiling his plans if they are married. They agree to a marriage of convenience to ensure they present a united front. I liked seeing them get to know each other better and appreciate their differences and similarities. They are just starting to explore their growing feelings when a dangerous situation intensifies their emotions.

The suspense of the story was good. When Rick's will clarifies that his father is never allowed near the children, Greg and Briony are determined to carry out his wishes. The hint of trouble comes when they realize they are being watched. The tension ramps up when Mr. Kraft sues for custody. I was glued to the pages when the children disappeared, knowing the likely culprit was him. I could feel their worry and fear as they and the entire town joined the search. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over.

I loved the support that Greg and Briony received from the Colton family. Greg's father, Buck, and his Aunt Jen are fantastic in helping take care of Justin and Jane. I loved the immediate response when the kids disappeared. For Briony, who grew up in foster care, the closeness of the Colton family was an eye-opener and life-changing experience.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Colton Kidnapping by Justine Davis is the sixth book in the Colton‘s of Owl Creek series in this book we get to know the oldest son Greg Colton better when his best friend Rick and Rick‘s wife Wendy die in a devastating accident that they soon learn wasn’t so accidental after all. Greg and Wendy‘s best friend Bryannie who grew up with her as orphans are now left to take care of their two young children Justin and Jane. It’s a job both of them take seriously and although not a couple they start spending every day together and caring for the four year old Justin and 14 month old Jane of course Duke Colton is there as the steady stand up father he is an offers to do whatever Greg needs to help care for the children but win ricks cult leader dad threatens to sue for the custody to get his hands on their inheritance Greg knows to give him and Brianna the best chance of keeping the children they will have to get married in bryannie agrees. This is a Romance adventure/suspense story it is in no way and Insta love romance as a matter of a fact this was such a beautiful story and the romance is built block by block until even the reader can see the strong foundation Greg and Brianna have. This is such a beautiful story and I don’t say that lightly. I loved this book and despite usually not like reading backlogged stories from a Siri‘s I have already read I do think I will be reading the stories from Owl Creek especially the next one. Because the book ends in a cliffhanger but it has to do with the character that wasn’t at all involved in this story and the story itself comes to a complete ending With an epilogue. So good. I want to thank Hallmark trade publishing for this wonderful free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Colton Kidnapping by Justine Davis
(The Coltons of Owl Creek Book 6)
A marriage of convenience
…to protect two small children from danger.
They had nothing in common—Briony, a shy accountant, and Greg, a gruff Colton rancher. But after the death of their two best friends, Briony and Greg become uneasy guardians of the couple’s two children. When the children’s dangerous grandfather tries to gain custody, the two new parents know they must get married to protect their found family. Can Briony and Greg save the children—and also their hearts—as they grow closer together?
This is Briony Adams's story.
This is Greg Colton's story.
Rick and Wendy kids Justin and Jane's story.
Briony Adams was a little amazed she’d gotten here without crashing.
Even as she had the thought, she recoiled from it. How could she, even jokingly, be thinking about crashing?
She wanted to see them. Had to see them. How else could she believe the impossible? Wendy and Rick, dead?
“The kids,” he began. His voice audibly broke this time.
“Mrs. Matson is staying with them for the night,” she said quickly, guessing he was fearing they’d also been in the car. But Wendy had told her about the kids’ reliable babysitter staying with them overnight right before she and Rick had left for their night on the town here in Conners.
Greg and Briony are both listed as the guardians of their friends two young children.
Children's grandfather is pursuing custody of the kids.
I recommend this book.
A Colton Kidnapping by Justine Davis is a 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Justine Davis.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.
This is a Romantic Suspense

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in “The Colton’s Of Owl Creek Series.” Greg is a sexy rancher and Briony is a shy accountant. Greg and Rick were childhood best friends and Rick and Wendy married each other. Briony and Wendy were friends. Briony and Greg’s best friends Rick and Wendy have died suddenly in a fatal accident. Briony and Greg have guardianship over the couple’s two children. Greg and Briony are embracing their new found guardianship and the two are growing rather close. When Rick’s estranged father comes on to scene he wants custody of his grandchildren along with children’s inheritance. Briony and Greg decide that in order to keep and protect the children from Rick’s estranged father they must marry.

This is an entertaining drama filled, suspenseful, mystery, mayhem, murder, kidnapping, romance, estranged father, inheritance, action packed adventure, twists, turns, great characters and plot that held me captive.

Is Rick’s estranged father responsible for his and Wendy’s death, will Greg and Briony retain guardianship over the children and is there a chance for an HEA in store for Greg and Briony?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Nancy Ku · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Colton Kidnapping (The Coltons of Owl Creek #6) by Justine Davis
This is a very good series that can be read as standalones. This is Greg and Briony's story. After the death of their two best friends, Briony and Greg become guardians of the couple’s two children. They have to protect them from Rick's evil dad. There is angst, misunderstandings, murder, kidnapping, desire, trust, love discovered, some laughs, plenty of tears and a little heat all to get us to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Witty Romantic world building Page- Ever After Tear-jerker Easy-to-read -packed Wonderful characters.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet yet heartbreaking story. This romantic suspense obviously has a kidnapping involved as we are told in the title. Lots happens prior to that but we know the happily ever after we want can't come even though it may seem so until that event occurs. This was my first experience with the Coltons. Now I want to read the previous ones. This book also gives a hint of what is to come in the next one, so I am looking forward to that tale. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

[Denise Schenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg Colton receives a call about his best friend, Rick. Rick and his wife have been in a fatal accident, and Briony, who is best friends with Rick's wife, is devastated. Greg, a successful rancher, and Briony, a shy reserved accountant, assume guardianship of Rick's orphaned children. As they care for the children together, Greg and Briony grow closer. However, when they are about to be named the children's legal guardians, Rick's estranged father appears, seeking custody not out of love but for the inheritance meant for the children.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg and Briony are a sweet forced proximity romance with danger and Life as We Know It vibes. When their friends die, they take on their kids and slowly fall in love as they navigate their new normal together. Add in some danger and suspense and you will love this book as much as I did.

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Western Romance
Miniseries
The Coltons of Owl Creek (Book #6)

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Colton Kidnapping by Justine Davis, book six in the Coltons of Owl Creek series, is an entertaining drama, filled with suspense, mystery, mayhem, murder, kidnapping, marriage of convenience, romance, estranged father, inheritance, action packed adventure, twists, turns, great characters and a plot that held me captive.

Greg Colton receives a call that his best friend, Rick and his wife have been in a fatal accident; as did Briony, who is best friends with Rick's wife, Wendy. Greg, a successful rancher, and Briony, a shy, quiet, orphaned accountant, assume guardianship of Rick and Wendy's two young children; despite being devastated. As they care for the children together, Greg and Briony grow closer. Though they think they have nothing in common, they immediately agree to work together in order to care for the children. This becomes more important when Rick's estranged father appears, seeking custody; not out of love but for the inheritance meant for the children. In order to increase their chances of keeping the kids, they enter into a marriage of convenience. Only this marriage of convenience turns into love; something Rick and Wendy predicted would happen if Greg and Briony ever got together. There is angst, misunderstandings, murder, kidnapping, desire, trust, love discovered, some laughs, plenty of tears and a little heat all to get us to a HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Geraldine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a family. Always there for each other the two children who lost so much. Heart breaking but ends up heart warming. Well written.

[Debra Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Briony and Greg's story.

[Alice Cournoyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. All the Colton books are really good.

[Annette Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great read!

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging romantic drama where rancher Greg and accountant Briony, drawn together by tragedy, must marry to protect their deceased friends' children from an estranged grandfather. As they navigate grief and guardianship battles, they grow closer, but face suspenseful mysteries surrounding the deaths of their friends. While action is sparse, the emotional depth and compelling characters make for a gripping read. Will they keep custody, uncover the truth, and find happiness together?