The Unknown Colton

The Coltons of Alaska #3

by Lisa Childs

Their love is on the line…

And so is her life.

Returning home after being gravely injured on an oil rig, Troy Amos fears Lakin Colton is pulling away from him. Despite being in love since they were kids, their long-distance relationship has taken a toll. Fed up with waiting, Lakin’s pursuing her dream of creating a boutique hotel…without him. But Troy must put aside their personal troubles, because someone is stalking Lakin—and neither of them know if it’s the stranger claiming to be her real father or the serial killer terrorizing their Alaskan town…

From Harlequin Romantic Danger. Passion. Drama.

Feel the excitement in these uplifting romances, part of The Coltons of Alaska

Book 1: Colton in the Wild by Justine Davis
Book 2: Colton's Secret Weapon by Tara Taylor Quinn
Book 3: The Unknown Colton by Lisa Childs
Book 4: Colton on Guard by Karen Whiddon
Book 5: Colton's Second Chance by Beth Cornelison
Book 6: Colton's Final Showdown by Jennifer D. Bokal

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Born one dark and stormy Halloween night, Lisa Childs was predestined to write suspense novels. She loves spinning dark and twisty stories that keep readers awake because they’re either too busy turning pages or too scared to sleep. Lisa Childs is the prolific author of more than seventy published novels. In addition to romantic suspense, she also writes women’s fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance.

Lisa loves to hear from readers who can contact her on Facebook or through her website.

Reviews

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that was impossible to put down, with memorable and relatable characters and a plot that was non-stop and relentless suspense. Lakin Colton and Troy Amos both have unfulfilled dreams, one of which is to pursue a relationship together. But life has stepped in and created obstacles for their romance and Lakin is not sure that their relationship will survive Troy’s return to the oil fields. Meanwhile, Troy wants to work hard and support his mom as well as Lakin but an injury has him feeling helpless to follow that plan. When a serial killer begins stalking victims around their small town, and Lakin is attacked, Troy is sure that she is being targeted by the serial killer. But there is another suspect, a man who claims a biological connection to Lakin and he seems intent on making Lakin pay for past mistakes. The action is centered around Lakin and Troy, but there are other Coltons involved in trying to keep her safe, including Eli, her brother and an agent with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation. There are numerous possible suspects and red herrings that led my imagination on a merry chase of trying to figure out who would hurt Lakin and Troy. I enjoyed the fast pace of the story and the realistic tension between the couple as they try to work out differences in their life’s goals. There are some steamy scenes, with not too much details, but definitely steamy. I liked the strength of the characters as well as their flaws and vulnerabilities that made them so realistically dynamic. This is a good book, a quick read and a totally engaging story.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Marie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book,it’s filled with great characters,with a fast paced storyline. Lakin is abandoned at the age of 3 & adopted by Sasha & Will Colton. Troy Amos was Lakin Colton’s savior from the playground bullies when she was 10 years old & from then on she knew she was going to marry him. Once grown up Troy works on oil rigs & is often gone for long periods of time. Troy is seriously hurt in a work related accident & doesn’t tell Lakin. She’s very upset when she find out that he’s kept this from her. Lakin wants to run a business with Troy,but she gets tired of waiting for the right time & with the help of her dad,she buys an abandoned building & plans on turning it into a high end hotel. In the meantime she feels like she’s being watched & ends up being approached by a man claiming to be her real dad,but is he? There’s also a serial killer on the loose who’s terrorizing the area. This book has it all…suspense,romance & family dynamics. Grab a copy when it releases on 9-30 you won’t be sorry with a Lisa Childs book!

[Tammy Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Childs
The Unknown Colton

Lakin Colton
Troy Amos

This story was about two high school sweethearts who where separated because Troy worked on the oil rigs. The same one his dad worked on. Lakin had a dream and she was going to make it happen with or without Troy. They where apart for so long that she made it happen. Then she was getting coffee and her real father showed up and she knew her dad was and that was Will Colton.
This was how things he wanted to hurt her and her boyfriend. Whitlaw had kidnapped his daughter and get ransom money for giving there daughter back to the Coltons .
This was a book I couldn't put down.
What will happen to Lakin?
What happens between Llakin and Troy?
Will the Whitlaw get what he wants or will he get the opposite?
Lisa is a fantastic writer and she does a fantastic job writing her books! She does a fantastic job making characters work in her books.
I fell in love with this book from the beginning. I recommend this book to other book lovers.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and attention grabbing! The third book in The Coltons of Alaska series was fast paced and satisfying. We met Lakin and heard about her and Troy's relationship in a previous book in the series so they were already familiar if you're reading along. I enjoyed getting to know them better and watching them figure out if their relationship was still what they each wanted considering they had been together since they were kids and times were different with the distance his remote work had placed on them. There's a couple of mysteries mixed into the story as well as someone claiming to be her father comes to town and stirs up trouble at the same time that more victims are turning up in the town's possible serial killer. I'm enjoying the series and recommend it to anyone who loves an Alaskan destination and scenery as a backdrop to explosive intrigue and romance with a close knit family tying it all together.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The unknown colton.
Lisa Childs

Romance suspense.
At its very best.

Lakin,
Once abandoned as a child, but now she has a family a home and so much more.
Love is the most important thing. Her family loves her immensely. secrets from the past soon come to life.

Troy amos,
The one who has always loved lakin. But things seem to keep them apart. Jobs and so many other things, but in the end, will love bring them together.

There's danger around every corner.
the bad guy is out there.Will he be caught before It's too late.

love surrounds the family in this story. a family that knows how to take care of each other and stands behind each other.
there's no greater bond than a family that loves each other..


The story was absolutely phenomenal.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. Lakin is adopted by the Colton’s. She has a relationship with Troy Amos since middle school. He’s back from the oil rigs with a secret he doesn’t tell her, but confesses. She’s furious. He feels like he’s losing her. A man she doesn’t know comes to town claiming to be her father makes her nervous. There’s also a serial killer, and someone stalking Lakin. Troy will protect her at all costs. Even if she pushes him away. Must read!

[Peggy Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lakin Colton was abandoned by the age of three and adopted by the Coltons.Her fiance Troy Amos who she has had a long term relationship comes home injured and Lakin is tired of having to wait for him so she decides to plan her own future and purchases a hotel that needs fixing.
A man turns up claiming to be her biological father and wants money.
Attempts are made on her life and Troy's and Troy is trying hard to protect her.
Will they survive?

[Harlequin Books]

Contemporary Romance, Western Romance, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
The Coltons of Alaska (Book #3)

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. Fast paced, great characters and amazing storyline. This book kept me hooked the whole time. Definitely a 5 star must read.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! I'm looking very forward to reading about the other Colton's.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed this book.

[Patty Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I couldn't put it down. It was exciting, frustrating, intense and I wanted to crawl into the story with my character and shake them to their sense. Love and Adventure

[Julie Eichelberger-Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unknown Colton is the third in The Coltons of Alaska series but can be read as a stand. Lakin Colton was abandoned in a grocery store at the age of three and soon after adopted by the Colton family who were loving and caring, never making her feel like an outsider. In school, she was bullied until Troy Amos stood up for her along side her family. She and Troy have been together ever since but now years later Lakin is tired of waiting for Troy to begin their future together. Troy is working on an oil rig trying to earn enough money to take care of his mother and also Lakin's dreams of opening a hotel but when he is gravely injured, he doesn't let anyone know until he comes home. Hurt that he shut her out when he was injured, Lakin is pulling away but when a stranger shows up claiming to be her long lost father she leans on Troy. As danger surrounds Lakin, Troy tries to stay close but feels her pulling away and is afraid he has ruined their relationship. They both must learn to trust that their loved ones are strong enough to lean on when danger and tragedy are threatening to break them. This is a story filled with drama, intrigue, danger, family and a beautiful story of love to last a lifetime. The characters are amazingly real and flawed, making them relatable and engaging.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.