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The Coltons of Dark Canyon #3
Colton Storm Watch
She’s his best friend…
Until a stalker changes everything
Sassy Colton’s art gallery has become a hot spot for break-ins. And her best friend, first responder Nick Malone, vows to catch the culprit. Of course he’ll help safeguard her beloved workspace. Soon Sassy’s home is targeted…and so is Sassy. She’ll trust Nick’s instincts as long as he doesn’t keep secrets from her—a promise he’s quickly forced to break, risking their safety and their fledgling romance. But when her tormentor is revealed, Nick is the only protector who can keep her alive.
From Harlequin Romantic Danger. Passion. Drama.
Feel the excitement in these uplifting romances, part of The Coltons of Dark Canyon
Book 1: Colton's Wilderness Rescue by Kacy Cross
Book 2: Colton's Blizzard Guardian by Katherine Garbera
Book 3: Colton Storm Watch by Amber Leigh Williams
Book 4: Colton's Firestorm by Bonnie Vanak
Book 5: Colton's Private Security by Lisa Childs
Until a stalker changes everything
Sassy Colton’s art gallery has become a hot spot for break-ins. And her best friend, first responder Nick Malone, vows to catch the culprit. Of course he’ll help safeguard her beloved workspace. Soon Sassy’s home is targeted…and so is Sassy. She’ll trust Nick’s instincts as long as he doesn’t keep secrets from her—a promise he’s quickly forced to break, risking their safety and their fledgling romance. But when her tormentor is revealed, Nick is the only protector who can keep her alive.
From Harlequin Romantic Danger. Passion. Drama.
Feel the excitement in these uplifting romances, part of The Coltons of Dark Canyon
Book 1: Colton's Wilderness Rescue by Kacy Cross
Book 2: Colton's Blizzard Guardian by Katherine Garbera
Book 3: Colton Storm Watch by Amber Leigh Williams
Book 4: Colton's Firestorm by Bonnie Vanak
Book 5: Colton's Private Security by Lisa Childs
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Amber Leigh Williams
59 books568 followersAmber Leigh Williams has been a romance author since 2006. When she’s not writing, she enjoys travelling and being outdoors with her family and dogs. She is fluent in sarcasm and is known to hoard books like the book dragon she is. An advocate for literacy, she is an ardent supporter of libraries and the constitutional right to read. She has lived on the Gulf Coast for most of her life. . Find out more about Amber and her books at www.amberleighwilliams.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 24, 2026
Another intense, page-turning read from Amber Leigh Williams!
Sassy is a headstrong, fierce businesswoman/artist suddenly targeted by an unknown and very crafty enemy. Nick is her best friend and the love of her life...only she's just figuring that out.
Firefighter Nick get sinjured and while under Sassy's care (and some muscle relaxers) the lines between friendship and lovers gets a little blurry. Before the teo can sort out their feelings, enter danger! Nick must protect Sassy while trying not to mess up their friendship, but Sassy does a good job of protecting herself, a little TOO good of a job protecting herself when it comes to her and Nick. Following these two as they figure out just what they truly are to each other was a treat.
Sassy is a headstrong, fierce businesswoman/artist suddenly targeted by an unknown and very crafty enemy. Nick is her best friend and the love of her life...only she's just figuring that out.
Firefighter Nick get sinjured and while under Sassy's care (and some muscle relaxers) the lines between friendship and lovers gets a little blurry. Before the teo can sort out their feelings, enter danger! Nick must protect Sassy while trying not to mess up their friendship, but Sassy does a good job of protecting herself, a little TOO good of a job protecting herself when it comes to her and Nick. Following these two as they figure out just what they truly are to each other was a treat.
April 1, 2026
🌼Contemporary Romance
🌼Romantic Suspense
🌼Protector
🌼First responder
🌼Friends to lovers
🌼Slow burn
🌼Forced proximity
🌼Engaging / riveting / gripping / gritty / addictive storyline
🌼Page turner / suspenseful / fast paced
Colton Storm Watch is the third book in the Coltons of Dark Canyon series. It tells an engaging story about the evolving relationship between best friends—art gallery owner Sassy Colton and first responder Nick Malone. The plot uses escalating external threats to reveal a deep romance that develops under pressure, creating a heartfelt romantic suspense. For readers who enjoy a well-developed friends-to-lovers story combined with real danger and characters with strong chemistry, this book is an excellent choice.
Sassy and Nick share a strong friendship and deep emotional connection. Nick quickly establishes himself as her loyal protector when someone targets and threatens Sassy's art gallery. The relationship between Sassy Colton and Nick Malone is well-developed, serving as the emotional anchor that drives the plot's rising tension. This bond allows for a natural and gradual romantic build-up that feels earned rather than forced. When a stalker targets Sassy's art gallery and home, Nick's instinct to protect her shifts his role to her protector and potential love interest. The danger intensifies their connection and growing romance. The author skillfully portrays the complexities of this transition, especially as the threat becomes personal. Nick's determination to keep Sassy safe leads him to make secretive choices, creating genuine tension and testing their trust. This forces both characters to confront their vulnerabilities and expectations. The author perfectly portrays a balanced view of two people dealing with extraordinary circumstances while exploring new romantic feelings. Their relationship is compelling and truly comes alive as the stakes rise, making their early romance feel genuinely meaningful.
🌼Romantic Suspense
🌼Protector
🌼First responder
🌼Friends to lovers
🌼Slow burn
🌼Forced proximity
🌼Engaging / riveting / gripping / gritty / addictive storyline
🌼Page turner / suspenseful / fast paced
Colton Storm Watch is the third book in the Coltons of Dark Canyon series. It tells an engaging story about the evolving relationship between best friends—art gallery owner Sassy Colton and first responder Nick Malone. The plot uses escalating external threats to reveal a deep romance that develops under pressure, creating a heartfelt romantic suspense. For readers who enjoy a well-developed friends-to-lovers story combined with real danger and characters with strong chemistry, this book is an excellent choice.
Sassy and Nick share a strong friendship and deep emotional connection. Nick quickly establishes himself as her loyal protector when someone targets and threatens Sassy's art gallery. The relationship between Sassy Colton and Nick Malone is well-developed, serving as the emotional anchor that drives the plot's rising tension. This bond allows for a natural and gradual romantic build-up that feels earned rather than forced. When a stalker targets Sassy's art gallery and home, Nick's instinct to protect her shifts his role to her protector and potential love interest. The danger intensifies their connection and growing romance. The author skillfully portrays the complexities of this transition, especially as the threat becomes personal. Nick's determination to keep Sassy safe leads him to make secretive choices, creating genuine tension and testing their trust. This forces both characters to confront their vulnerabilities and expectations. The author perfectly portrays a balanced view of two people dealing with extraordinary circumstances while exploring new romantic feelings. Their relationship is compelling and truly comes alive as the stakes rise, making their early romance feel genuinely meaningful.
Review of advance copy
Friends-to-lovers is one of my absolute favorite tropes. I've read several books by this author and always seem to settle on three stars. In other words, good but not memorable. But F2L, so I couldn't resist giving this one a try. In the end, I'm still at a three... good but not memorable
I liked the main characters well enough, and I like both of their professions, even if Sassy seems a little young to own her own art gallery. But then, darn it, Sassy had to go and ruin it by pulling a TSTL right there the first chapter, and she does it again close to the end. I get it: I'm independent. This is my house. My store. My car. But sometimes true independence is knowing when to call for help. Uuugh.
Nick is cute, the quintessential cozy, small-town, book boyfriend type hero, though he pulls his own TSTL at least once. The thing he pulls to catch the villain is kind of a jerk move, and he needed a more lightbulb moment where he recognized his gaffe. But he truly adores Sassy.
The villain isn't really that much of a surprise, but in the end, I'm not really sure if they were supposed to be. That said, based on the chapters from the villain's POV, I expected a different (better?) motivation.
And the F2L? It didn't fully realize for me. It kind of just wasn't happening until it happened, and it didn't have any of the wonder or discovery that I like to see from this trope.
In spite of all this, it's a decent story with characters you'll root for in spite of some lousy decisions. Plus, a cat AND dog!
I received an ARC of this book for free from the author and BookSirens. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
I liked the main characters well enough, and I like both of their professions, even if Sassy seems a little young to own her own art gallery. But then, darn it, Sassy had to go and ruin it by pulling a TSTL right there the first chapter, and she does it again close to the end. I get it: I'm independent. This is my house. My store. My car. But sometimes true independence is knowing when to call for help. Uuugh.
Nick is cute, the quintessential cozy, small-town, book boyfriend type hero, though he pulls his own TSTL at least once. The thing he pulls to catch the villain is kind of a jerk move, and he needed a more lightbulb moment where he recognized his gaffe. But he truly adores Sassy.
The villain isn't really that much of a surprise, but in the end, I'm not really sure if they were supposed to be. That said, based on the chapters from the villain's POV, I expected a different (better?) motivation.
And the F2L? It didn't fully realize for me. It kind of just wasn't happening until it happened, and it didn't have any of the wonder or discovery that I like to see from this trope.
In spite of all this, it's a decent story with characters you'll root for in spite of some lousy decisions. Plus, a cat AND dog!
I received an ARC of this book for free from the author and BookSirens. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
May 20, 2026
It’s a lovely book that feels a bit like an emotional roller coaster. The story follows Sassy, an art gallery owner, and Nick, her best friend and a paramedic. Nick has been in love with Sassy for almost twenty years. He has tried to suppress his feelings and convinced himself he had “sort of” moved on, but deep down he was only lying to himself. Meanwhile, Sassy has always seen him as nothing more than her platonic best friend — until now.
A series of strange incidents puts Sassy in danger, bringing Nick’s protective instincts to the surface. At the same time, his feelings for her become harder and harder to contain. Fortunately, Sassy also begins to see Nick in a different light, which makes their relationship even more compelling to follow.
The book also talks quite a lot about the Navajo tribe, which was a very unfamiliar topic for me as a non-American reader. I found myself googling things while reading because I was so curious. I can’t really comment on how culturally accurate it is, but I genuinely enjoyed learning about it and thought it added an interesting layer to the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A series of strange incidents puts Sassy in danger, bringing Nick’s protective instincts to the surface. At the same time, his feelings for her become harder and harder to contain. Fortunately, Sassy also begins to see Nick in a different light, which makes their relationship even more compelling to follow.
The book also talks quite a lot about the Navajo tribe, which was a very unfamiliar topic for me as a non-American reader. I found myself googling things while reading because I was so curious. I can’t really comment on how culturally accurate it is, but I genuinely enjoyed learning about it and thought it added an interesting layer to the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 6, 2026
Really good book! It was fun reading about how Sassy and Nick finally figure out what the entire town already knew. Sassy is a strong woman who loves to help others. She is always more concerned about others even when she should be more aware of her own needs. Nick is her BFF since they were children. They have always been there for each other. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Then the lines between friendship and true love start to get blurry. Add in some betrayal, danger that lurks around the corner, some action and suspense, plus some amazing characters and you have a really great book! Of course, you have to include some awesome heat and sizzling moments too. You should definitely read this one!!
July 1, 2026
Colton Storm Watch is the third in the series and is a light engaging read. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this one interweaves the suspense with the romance perfectly. Sassy and Nick have been friends since grade school and they are part of each others families. Character driven stories are my favorite and even the secondary characters give great weight and continuity to this story. Will the burglar finally get caught? Will Nick and Sassy finally admit their feelings to each other. Will we find out why sassy has been targeted. This author writes stories that grab you from the first page to last. This book can be read as a standalone even though it is part of a series.
Read
April 11, 2026Colton Storm Watch is a book full of suspense and all the feels. Sassy is so independent, she doesn't realize Nick is in love with her. She thinks of them as best friends and has a hard time giving up her independence. But as danger continues and escalates she begins to see Nick in his role of savior and things heat up between them. In confronting the danger, they confront their true feelings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2026
This was my first time reading this author but won’t be the last. This was an enjoyable book about long time best friends Sassy and Nick whose relationship slowly heats up as he protects her from danger. This book has lots going on and you don’t know what to expect other than Nick is always there for her regardless of what she gets into or what is after her. There is a lot of feels, some sex, excitement, you name it in this book. Read and enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great book and a first by this Author. One i really enjoyed.
Art gallery owner Sassy is being targeted and her friend Nick steps in to try and help.
The dynamic between these two was really ramped up especially once the danger nears. But they didn't need any help in the romance department.
So well done it was an exciting and intense read. Great work!
Art gallery owner Sassy is being targeted and her friend Nick steps in to try and help.
The dynamic between these two was really ramped up especially once the danger nears. But they didn't need any help in the romance department.
So well done it was an exciting and intense read. Great work!
April 10, 2026
(4.5) Characters you can like. Love the depth of Amber Leigh Williams characters. I am always invested. Sassy is indeed Sassy and the slow burn was top notch. Head strong independent woman sometimes makes you scratch your head when they do dumb things, but its fiction, there needs to be suspense in a romantic suspense book and Amber delivers. Nick is a sweetie with a hero complex and just about as stubborn as Sassy. Like Soledad says Peanut butter and jelly. IYKYK I am thankful I was able to receive an advanced copy and freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. This can be read as a standalone. #ColtonStormWatch #TheColtonsofDarkCanyon #AmberLeighWilliams #HarlequinRomanticSuspense #Booksirens
April 20, 2026
I started reading, and then I got to the point where I thought "oh no, horrible things are going to happen", gave it a few days, and then finished it. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might get, and seeing how Nick deals with life, and Sassy trying to keep her faith in humanity, made it a great book to read.
Review of advance copy
I love a good friends-to-lovers trope. It’s also a great tool to use in romantic suspense stories.
This book had all of the qualities we were looking for in a romantic suspense. A strong female character and her best friend team up to figure out who’s breaking into her art gallery, and the bigger question is why.
The author brings a solid story with light suspense, but interesting twists. You know who the culprit is, but you don’t necessarily know why, which does bring that interest into play.
The romance is light and cozy. They have a great relationship, although Nick does pull some questionable antics regarding the burglar. But she’s not perfect in all of this either.
Colton Storm Watch is a light and easy read that’s entertaining and a good choice for a pick-me-up! Williams always tells an engaging story!
~~~~~~~
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/colton-storm...
This book had all of the qualities we were looking for in a romantic suspense. A strong female character and her best friend team up to figure out who’s breaking into her art gallery, and the bigger question is why.
The author brings a solid story with light suspense, but interesting twists. You know who the culprit is, but you don’t necessarily know why, which does bring that interest into play.
The romance is light and cozy. They have a great relationship, although Nick does pull some questionable antics regarding the burglar. But she’s not perfect in all of this either.
Colton Storm Watch is a light and easy read that’s entertaining and a good choice for a pick-me-up! Williams always tells an engaging story!
~~~~~~~
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/colton-storm...
April 10, 2026
I enjoyed the story. Sassy is a cheerful, feisty, and loyal woman. Nick is protective, smart and in love with Sassy. They are besties. What will happen when Sassy is in danger? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 21, 2026
A very enjoyable read. I hope we never run out of Colton's to read about!
May 5, 2026
Exceptional
Nick and Sassy are best example of brotherhood friends and relationships. And I love how they came together in the end. The family football cookout was a plus that was awesome. LOVING ALL THE COLTONS!
Nick and Sassy are best example of brotherhood friends and relationships. And I love how they came together in the end. The family football cookout was a plus that was awesome. LOVING ALL THE COLTONS!
Review of advance copy
This is a Friends to Lovers Romantic Suspense, and this is the third book in the Coltons of Dark Canyon series. I have not read the other books in this series. I love the slow burn friends to lovers romance in this book. The suspense was hard to follow at times, but it comes together well. I enjoyed this book. I loved getting to know the characters in this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews