Colton's Private Security

The Coltons of Dark Canyon #5

by Lisa Childs

He let her go once.

He won’t lose her now.

Since he left the military, Mark Colton’s work as a bodyguard has satisfied his need for travel and adventure. He’s on a rare visit back home when a dangerous criminal takes a nurse hostage. That nurse is Cassidy Garner, his high school sweetheart, and seeing her in the grasp of an armed villain makes his well-honed instincts kick in. After this close call, he’s determined to keep her safe—even if that means ignoring the once-in-a-lifetime attraction they both still feel. But what if it’s his past that’s putting her in danger?

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
Book 6: Colton's Code Red by Tara Taylor Quinn

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published May 26, 2026

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

[DeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLTON’S PRIVATE SECURITY by Lisa Childs
Release date May 26, 2026

Mark Colton was a military man, but now he is working as a bodyguard. His home for a visit, but he can’t turn his back on what has happened. Cassidy Carner it’s taken hostage. It just so happens that she’s Mark’s high school sweetheart. He left for Boot Camp and she went to college to become a nurse.

Dark Canyon is in danger when a human trafficking ring shows up. One of the suspects is in the hospital, waiting for transport to the local jail. And when that suspect takes Cassidy as hostage, Mark cannot stop himself from taking on this case.

Lisa never disappoints! This one will have you picking it up and reading it in a day as I did. Definitely worthy of more than five stars. One of my favorite tropes the second chances and that’s what this couple got. You’ll be on the edge of your seat from the first page. Even though this is book 5 of this series, I feel it can be read as a standalone. However, I feel once you read this one you will wanna go back and read the other others.
Lisa is one of my go to authors when I see her name on a book. I’m definitely reading it. Her writing skills make you feel like you’re a part of the story and her character characters are so believable you think they’re real people.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Colton has turned his military career into a new and fulfilling profession as a bodyguard. He is in his old hometown and visiting his sister Ava at the hospital when his former love Cassie Garner is taken hostage by a notorious drug dealer who is her patient. Mark, of course, intervenes and thus begins the fast-paced story of a second chance at love that seems doomed to failure. Mark wants adventure and an adrenaline rush while Cassie wants to be with her sister and nephews and enjoy a quiet lifestyle. Their dreams of once seeing the world together fell by the wayside and seems destined to perish in the face of reality. Before Mark can leave her behind again, he first has to save her from the human trafficking ring that seems determined to abduct her. The story is relevant, dramatic and addictive, with characters that were flawed and dynamic. There is a a lot of sexual tension between Cassie and Mark and this is an open door and steamy romance at times. The plot is deeply immersive with a high sense of believability that plopped me right into the action. The clues about who was behind the trafficking were fun to follow even though I kept guessing wrong. I think the interactions between Mark and his brothers and the relationship between Cassie and her sister were brilliantly written and integral parts of the story. With the signature style of a master storyteller, this book starts off with tension that escalates all the way to the satisfying and carefully plotted climax. Captivating, intense and a clever page turner…this is a must-read book for fans of edgy suspense with complicated relationships.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Marie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Colton & Cassidy Garner were high school sweethearts,until graduation & that’s when their relationship ended. He wanted to pursue a military career & she wanted to continue her education & get a nursing degree. Neither one of them wanted to put their dreams on hold & this led them to parting ways & not on good terms. 11 years later Mark has left the Army & is now a bodyguard…he goes home to Dark Canyon,Utah to check on family. Cassidy is a nurse in a local hospital & while visiting a family member who works there,Mark ends up rescuing Cassidy from a patient who is a thug involved in a human trafficking ring. Mark soon realizes that Cassidy was “the one who got away”. This is book #5,but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. Grab a copy when it releases on 5-26 & find out if the two of them can forgive their past mistakes & reunite. Thank you Lisa Childs for this entertaining book

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from beginning to end. Ms. Childs gives so much throughout this book. It’s chilling with danger, passion, and so much more. Even some sweet moments. Laughter too.
Mark Colton is home. He’s now a bodyguard. He’s facing a dangerous situation which involves his high school girlfriend. A darkness has been threatening many people in Dark Canyon, and there’s a threat at the hospital where Cassidy works.
Cassidy is protecting an awful man who hurt her friend. Her old boyfriend is appointing himself as her bodyguard. A job he’s doing now.

Now this is book #5 in A Colton’s of Dark Canyon. It releases 5/26/26

I haven’t read all the books which I plan on doing. This was excellent. Fantastic ending.

One of my favorite scenes is when Mark saves her, but the part comes when each wants to inspect the other to make sure they’re ok.

[Tammy Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colton's Private Security
Lisa Childs

High School Sweethearts separated years ago. Cassidy went on to college and Mark went to boot camp then to be a bodyguard. Mark went home to Dark Canyon to see his family. Cassidy was treat a patient that was part of the trafficking she had security clearance to treat this patient because she treated another woman that was caught and hurt. Mark had been there at the hospital to see Ava a cousin.
Cassidy had been taken hostage and Mark had talked Lang and protected her while they where together. Lang thought he could get away but Mark caught him and pinned him to the ground. Mark became a bodyguard for Cassidy while he was home so nothing would happen to her.
This was a very suspense that had some romance in it.
Lisa did a fantastic job writing this book. She keeps you in suspense to the very end.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with danger, angst and reconnections! This was my first in the series that I have read even though it is the fifth book in The Colton's of Dark Canyon series, but I didn't have any issues picking up on what had happened previously and connecting with his family quickly. I liked both characters and the tension they were quickly thrust into after the situation at the hospital makes for a fast paced backdrop as these former teenage loves reconnect and rediscover the love they still have for each other. The characters are well developed, the action is quick and addictive and the happily ever after is sweet and deserving. I really enjoyed their story!

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could I would give this book more than 5 stars. Cassidy and Mark were highschool sweethearts until he left for boot camp and she went to college. Years later when Mark comes back to Dark canyon they see each other and the feelings are still there. Cassidy is treating a guy who was trafficking woman and was in danger. Mark was there for her and was her bodyguard. Someone else was also after her, once they found out who it was, they dealt with it together. I don't want to give anything more away. This book was fantastic.

[Peggy Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a real page turner with alot of twists and turns. When Mark Colton comes back to Dark Canyon Nurse Cassidy Garner dreads running into the high school sweetheart who broke her heart.She is a nurse and has a human trafficking patient Billy Lang who tries to escape and takes Cassidy as a hostage but Mark being a bodyguard rescues Cassidy but then attempts are being made on both their lives but Mark is determined to keep Cassidy safe. Will this bring them back together?
,I highly recommend reading this book.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colton's private security.

Second chance romance.
Sometimes time makes the heart grow fonder. danger lurks around every corner. What you won't do for someone you love.

We have private security, human trafficking.
A story that wraps up with a perfect ending.

The Colton series is absolutely terrific. The colton family, are like one big happy pack, always looking out for each other.

I am an absolute fan of this author. Each book is absolutely terrific.
This book absolutely was spot on.
Another wonderful read.


I would love to give this book eight stars.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very, very good read but since they didn't catch everyone, the story continues...

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

Colton's Private Security is the fifth in The Coltons of Dark Canyon series but can be read as a stand alone story but I suggest reading the previous stories for the entertainment of the series. Mark Colton and Cassidy Garner were high school sweethearts who planned to travel the world together but when Mark decided to join the army, Cassidy broke up with him to attend college. Cassidy became a traveling nurse but returned home three years ago when her brother-in-law passed away so that she could help her sister with her twin nephews. Now with the danger of human traffickers in Dark Canyon and one suspect in the hospital awaiting to be transported to jail, Cassidy finds herself in danger and her rescuer is none other than Mark. Mark left the Army after several of his friends died due to incompetence of another member and when the incident was covered up, Mark made sure the details were revealed. He has returned home to visit with family and help find who is behind the trouble occurring when he sees Cassidy taken hostage. After rescuing her, he insists on being her bodyguard until the danger is gone and as they spend time together, sparks reignite. They must decide if the old reasons they broke up are gone and if they have the strength of love to try for a second chance at first love. This is a great story with danger, intrigue, steam, family and love to last forever. The characters are strong, flawed, relatable and engaging so that they draw you in wanting to save them.

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