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Sole survivor of a mission gone wrong, Griff left the Navy to recover from his wounds and grief. The one person he’d loved had left San Diego while he'd been on a mission and hadn't returned or reached out. She’d said she was from Colorado. When Jake Cogburn offered him a job in Colorado, he said yes, never expecting he’d find the one who ditched him upside down in a ditch near the headquarters of Brotherhood Protector Colorado.

When her sister was murdered back home in Colorado, Rachel West left her job as a California Highway Patrolman in San Diego and left the man with whom she’d fallen in love. Back in Fool’s Gold, she joined the sheriff’s department to protect others from a similar fate. In the background of doing her job, Rachel works the cold case of sister's murder. Finally onto a clue, she has become the target of someone who doesn't want the truth discovered. She turns to Brotherhood Protectors for help. On her way to meet with them at the Lost Valley Ranch, her car is run off the road and flips upside-down in a ditch. The one person she never thought she’d see again pulls her from the wreckage and he’s mad as hell.

Though he can’t forgive her for leaving without saying goodbye, Griff can’t leave her unprotected. He offers to take her as his first assignment. As they close in on the truth, their love rekindles, and danger closes in on them.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2022

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About the author

Elle James

632 books1,245 followers
Award-winning author Elle James grew up as an air force military brat. She received her work ethic from her rock-solid father, her creative streak from her artistic mother and inspiration from her writing partner and sister, Delilah Devlin. As a former member of the army reserves and a current member of the air force reserves, she's traveled across the United States and to Germany, managed a full-time job, and raised three wonderful children. She and her husband have even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas hill country. Ask her, and she'll tell you what it's like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-and-fifty-pound bird and live to tell about it!

Her adventures in the army and air force reserves, and the wild antics of her life on a small ranch in Texas give her fodder for mystery, suspense and humor in her writing. Elle writes gothic, paranormal mystery for the Harlequin Intrigue line and paranormal romantic comedy for Dorchester Publishing. A former manager of computer programming and project management professionals, Elle is happy she now has the opportunity to pursue her writing full time.

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5 stars
826 (70%)
4 stars
264 (22%)
3 stars
70 (5%)
2 stars
8 (<1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Sue.
4,458 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2022
Elle does an excellent job in writting her stories, about the different branches joining the Brotherhood Protectors to have a since of belonging. Whether it's PTSD, missing limbs or needing the since of belonging to another team, it gives the men and women hope. Griff is trying to come to terms with be the sole survivor of his team and Rachel is trying to find her sister's killer. There's plenty of action, suspense, danger and heat. HEA.
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,778 reviews30 followers
July 21, 2022
A*R*C for honest review with no compensation

Colorado Cold Case is book 8 in the Brotherhood Protectors: Colorado series by Elle James and what a book!

This story of Griff and Rachel is spellbinding, tragic happenings for both, intense emotions, suspenseful , danger, edge of your seat and so much more.

Such a well written, emotional, second chance romance! Ms. James knows how get your attention from the first few pages and keeps you turning the pages and anticipating what will happens next..wish I could give this more stars!
Profile Image for Catia Santiago.
Author 8 books23 followers
February 2, 2026
A six month murder could hardly be called "cold case", but all the others... it left us wondering how easy it can be to hide in plain sight.
Profile Image for Gladys.
14.6k reviews168 followers
July 20, 2022
This book delivers a skillfully crafted and extremely potent blend of intense emotions, suspense and danger. I thought this book read very easily and the storyline grabbed and firmly held me in its grip. I really liked both characters and the powerful tension that beautifully seasoned their relationship, the drama and mystery and their feelings. This is my unbiased, unsolicited review.
Profile Image for Margie.
1,714 reviews26 followers
July 23, 2022
Colorado Cold Case by Elle James is book #8 in the Brotherhood Protectors Colorado series. I loved this book! It has a creepy killer, a lovely reunited couple and the Brotherhood Protectors. A Grand Slam in my book. The two main characters Rachel West and John "Griff" Griffin both lost people who were family to them. When Rachel was threatened Griff was determined to keep her safe. There was no way he was going to lose her. I always enjoy getting to see the characters from past books in the series. Loved the surprise announcement at the end!

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,629 reviews72 followers
October 3, 2022
Colorado Cold Case is by Ella James. This book involves the Colorado Brotherhood of Protectors as they get involved in a cold case, an unsolved one.
John Griffin “Griff” was on what was to be his final mission. He and his team were to get a “package” out of captivity and bring him to freedom. They had handled dozens of such cases in their tours of duty. However, this one was to end in tragedy. John lost his entire team and the “package”. He was saved only because he was thrown from the helicopter as it exploded. He managed to pull himself behind a boulder to hide when the Afghans came to celebrate taking down a helicopter. Why did he survive? The others had families but he didn’t. He ended up in Fool’s Gold, Colorado looking for a job with the Brotherhood. Maybe the isolation would help.
Then, ahead, he saw an ATV try to cut off an SUV. However, the driver of the SUV managed to miss the ATV and rolled the SUV to keep from hitting and killing the driver of the ATV. However, the driver needed help. Griff quickly got to the SUV and cut the driver loose, taking him to his truck. Here he found out his mistake. The driver was female, and a beautiful one at that. And, she was someone he knew, Rachel West. However, Rachel was a California HP trooper, what is she doing here? Rachel had come to Fool’s Gold to find her sister’s killer. To be able to give sufficient time to the search, she came to work for the Sheriff’s department.
Was their attraction for each other still there? He had left her in California before his last mission and had not contacted her again. Could she ever forgive him?
3,740 reviews42 followers
July 22, 2022
We are back in Colorado with two individuals that have loved, lost and now are struggling with it but determined to move forward.
Rachel West was a cop in California when she got a call from her younger sister living in Colorado. She was being followed while hiking and ended up murdered . Determined to find out what happened and search for the killer, she moves to Fool’s Gold as the new deputy.
Meanwhile, former Navy SEAL Griff/John Griffin, was the sole survivor in his last mission and is now enroute to Gold’s Fool, where his friend Jake, now head of the Colorado Brotherhood Protectors, has offered him a job.
What neither Griff or Rachel expected was that not only Griff would be rescuing her after her car goes down a ditch, but that he’s the same man she believed had ghosted her while for Griff, she’s the one he never forgot.
From that point on, Griff becomes Rachel’s protector as they both are determined to find the killer of Rachel’s sister, and likely other women.
As always, the author delivers a story filled with action , strong likable characters and a visit with characters from previous stories.
There is also a reminder that those brave men and women in the military who are willing to put their lives in danger to keep us safe, frequently return with not only physical but also psychological injuries. We as a nation and individuals, need to do more to support them as they return to civilian life.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Profile Image for Miss Andrews.
506 reviews15 followers
July 21, 2022
What a beautiful story. John and Rachel were definitely a match made in heaven in this story set within the Brotherhood Protector world.
John is such a strong character. He’s the total package. Complete alpha male, protector, easy going, gorgeous and a host of other qualities that make our heart skips a beat.
He’s suffered untold pain and grief in his recent past which has left him with the constant companion of survivors guilt and physical pain.
Rachel is a total badass. Uprooting her life in the hope of locating her sister. She’s independent and strong. Discounting any threat to herself in her drive to find and bring to justice the person who took her family from her.
I love that these two characters had a past before life took them in different directions, then finally bringing them back to each other when they needed it the most. The seamless way they worked together professionally and came together personally was heart warming. John had her back and believed in her ability as an equal. Watching them fall in love was an honour.
What I love about the different divisions of Brotherhood Protectors is the glimpse into past characters lives. It’s akin to keeping in touch with old friends. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
Elle James has definitely knocked it put of the park with this story. I loved everything about it. Her stories are so addictive and endearing.
Couldn’t recommend highly enough.
So many more than 5 stars
Profile Image for Donna Ferriola.
412 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2022
Colorado Cold Case - Brotherhood Protectors Book 8

This was a suspenseful action packed story with Griffin retiring from the Navy SEALS and considering a job with the Brotherhood Protectors. Before he started that job he witnessed an ATV run a car off the road and it rolled in a ditch. He extracted the driver from the crushed vehicle and got her away from it before it could have caught on fire. Rachel was that person and they were both going to the Brotherhood's coincidentally. This is how they met and she was Griff's first assignment to be her body guard even though she was a Deputy Sheriff. She needed help finding her sister's killer here in Colorado and was determined to stop him from killing again. After her crash Griffin never left her side and together with the Brotherhood they solved the case that turned out to be a serial killer's that was guilty. After almost losing her life Rachel got this murder with the Brotherhood help. Rachel also found the love of her life Griff and a new family with the Brotherhood. Griff also forgive himself for surviving when all his Navy SEAL teammates had died in a helicopter crash. Rachel and Griffin had their love and he had new teammates as family. I highly recommend this series of books and cannot wait for the next release.
210 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2022
"How had fate led them to the same place, the same day and time?" God question. No easy beginning to this story- both characters and their back stories are thrust on us immediately. We experience firsthand Griff's loss of his team during a deployment and Rachel's sister's murder by a serial killer. The two re-meet up coincidentally in Colorado when Rachel is run off the road and and Griff heroically saves her. She was in town as a new deputy to try to solve her sister's murder and he was on his way to meet the heads of the Brotherhood Protectors for a possible job after being discharged from service. He didn't anticipate meeting up with the "one he let get away" and having her be his first "test" job as a Brotherhood Protector. I liked having the character's back stories given to us at the beginning, it really gave a great insight as to where they were coming from and the issues they had to overcome before they could get together as a couple. No superficial attraction here. This is the whodunnit mystery of the "wedding veil killer", with an emphasis on Rachel and Griff's budding relationship- and a great look at some of the characters from the previous Brotherhood books! Great easy book to enjoy. I received an ARC of this story to review.
6,815 reviews28 followers
July 26, 2022
Another brilliant read in the Colorado branch of the Brotherhood Protectors and like all of Elle's books in this and related series they are the perfect blend of mystery suspense drama and of course romance

John (Griff) Griffin and Rachel West where starting to build a relationship in San Diego even though they had only been on three dates but Griff was wary after all it is hard for any woman to deal with the life a navy Seal lives but as a police officer Rachel may be strong enough to deal with his life Things fall apart when Griff loses his entire team on a mission gone wrong and is seriously wounded himself Feeling like he is a failure he never contacts Rachel again Meanwhile Rachel has her own tragedy when her sister is killed while hiking. Now Griff is trying to restart his life and he is about to head to the Brotherhood Colorado office to start a new job if he wants it Imagine his surprise when he finds Rachel upside down trapped in her car She has also headed to Colorado determined to solve her sisters murder As they work together they discover they have a serial killer on their hands and he has decided Rachel is his next target Can Griff keep the woman who he has finally admitted he loves safe You will have to read to see
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,042 reviews29 followers
July 23, 2022
Packs a wallop from the get go! You meet Griff, my oh my my heart hurt. You meet Rachel and my heart hurt! Seriously, two strong individuals who get slapped by life. Each picking up putting one step in front of the other and it doesn't get any better than that. Griff met Rachel while serving. She was California Highway Patrol. When life throws them each curve balls individually they both end up in Colorado. There is suspense, steam and family. Its not just talk, Brotherhood Protectors are family and as a reader your lucky enough to become part. I like that Griff is pleased with Rachel's profession, yes, he wants to keep her safe, but he is impressed with the woman she is, all that she can do. The first time I met the guilty party I knew who it was. To me it was just to blatant if you were paying attention as you read. That being said you see how they progress and follow the different trails. This series is always a win for me. I highly recommend. Thank you for the arc, I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #Coloradocoldcase #Brotherhoodprotectorscolorado #ellejames
Profile Image for Marie.
5,991 reviews57 followers
July 26, 2022
When life interferes...

Griff and Rachel were just beginning their relationship when both their lives imploded in separate events that leaves them on opposite sides of the world alone and reeling.
Fate steps in and brings them together again, just when they need each other most, they cannot ignore this second chance. Griff is lost, has no focus and no will to move on, until Rachel falls into his arms again and he realises even injured and broken he can still be the man she needs. She gives him focus and a reason to go on, she helps him realise he needs to honour his fallen brothers and live, not just mourn them and hide.
Rachel is strong and capable, even when heartbroken, but she knows she needs help to stay safe. She thought she needed the Brotherhood Protectors, but all she really needs is Griff. Griff makes her feel safe....and sexy, hot, flustered....but mainly safe. He supports her without undermining her, understands the importance of solving this case and has her back. Who knew how handy it would be to have a sexy, ex SEAL 'fiance' at her side!
Profile Image for Suzie Weber.
1,050 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2025
Some holes in this story

I am very mixed about this story. I like the back ground of Griff and Rachel meeting before when their worlds were good. Now they meet again in Colorado Springs where Rachel is looking into the murderer of her sister and Griff is the sole survivor of his unit and is now discharged. He is looking into joining the Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado.

Griff saves Rachel from an attack which is assumed from the man who killed her sister. She was headed to see Jake at the Brotherhood and Griff was also headed to see Jake. Trying to convince Griff to come on board Jake assigns Griff to protect Rachel. Not that he wasn’t going to do that anyways.

Who is the killer. That to me wasn’t clear. I reread the last couple of chapters and again, wasn’t made clear. I was thankful finally someone was wearing the jewelry with the tracking device. The fight at the bar - I imagine one of those hefty service warriors could have whistled pretty loudly for attention.

I enjoyed this book just felt the end wasn’t tried up as neatly as it could have been.
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
5,161 reviews87 followers
January 19, 2024
John ‘Griff’ Griffin and Rachel West were rocketing to romance when a failed mission led to rehab and a medical discharge from the SEALs for him; Rachel’s hands became full about that same time when her sister was murdered. In the six months since, Rachel accepted a deputy position in Fool’s Gold and Griff’s come to see if the Brotherhood is something he can do. As fate would have it, Griff’s driving behind Rachel when a SUV puts her in a ditch as she travelling to the Lodge like Griff.

Protecting Rachel is Griff’s first assignment, he’s still bubbling with emotion for her but he’s convinced himself Rachel needs a whole man, as the sole survivor of the mission that left him mentally and physically damaged Griff thinks he should step away; Meanwhile, similarities to her sister and investigating the murder. which has whittled the suspects down to a few, has fixed the murderer’s attention on Rachel.
Rating: 4.25stars
3,562 reviews15 followers
July 19, 2022
Wow! This book starts off with your fingers tightening around your e-reader and doesn't let up. Colorado Cold Case kept me on the edge of my chair from start to finish. Griff lost his SEAL team just before Rachel's sister was murdered. Griff and Rachel had lost touch after his deployment went bad and she moved to Colorado to try and find her sister's killer. Their story is loaded with heartbreak, drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. I loved reading this book and look forward to my next Elle James book. Colorado Cold Case is book 8 of the Brotherhood Protectors: Colorado but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Karen L Ledee.
906 reviews5 followers
July 22, 2022
Another action packed story from the Brotherhood Protectors. While Griff is on his way to a job interview he witnesses a vehicle rollover. He is overwhelmed with survivor guilt when his entire team is killed during a mission and isn’t expecting much. Turns out the crash victim is Rachel, someone is dated in San Diego but wouldn’t reach out to her after he was injured. She could have used his support when her sister is attacked on a hiking trail while they are on the phone. She has moved from California to Colorado and became a Deputy sheriff near where her sister was attacked. His soon to be boss assigns him to help her find leads to her murder. The more time they spend together past feelings are coming to the surface. Action, intrigue and romance!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
13k reviews102 followers
July 23, 2022
Rachel has recently moved to Colorado and is now working for the Sheriff’s office, but her primary reason is to investigate the death of her sister as it remains. She realizes that she must be closer to the truth than she expected when her life was threatened but she couldn’t have been more surprised that the person who would come to her rescue is the same man with whom she shared a past.

After the devastating events of his last mission Griff has left the Navy SEALs and is considering joining the Brotherhood Protectors. The pain and regrets he felt after that mission ended his relationship with Rachel but now that fate has brought them together there is nothing he won’t do to right the wrongs of the past and keep her safe.

Rachel and Griff take us on an action-packed journey as they work together to not only uncover the truth but find their way back to each other as well.
2,363 reviews19 followers
July 27, 2022
This may be my fav from this author in this series with Griff and Rachel the star characters. Griff met Rachel before he left on his last mission with the his SEAL team and when he returns he is not the same man he left as. Rachel moved away due to a tragedy and always wondered why Griff never contacted her after many months of silence. Until fate has them crossing paths in another State both starting new in a small town and hopefully picking up where they left off….but only if Rachel survives her stalker and Griff is able to protect her.
A great read with steam, suspense, mystery, tragedy, love and great characters. I loved these two, no mess, no fuss, no o/w drama, no lies and no running away from their feelings. The story flowed beautifully with strong characters and a great ending.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
10 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2022
Former Navy Seal John Griffin (Griff) was the sole survivor of his last mission. He is now in Colorado to interview with the Brotherhood Protectors. Rachel West was a California cop until her sister is murdered in Colorado. Rachel becomes the new deputy in Fool’s Gold Colorado and is investigating her sister’s murder.
It turns out that they knew each other some years ago. First Griff saves Rachel from an attempt to kill her and then they combine forces to find her sister’s killer as well as other probable murders. Lots of mayhem ensues as well as romance. The characters from the rest of the series all appear which makes the story line even better.
I think this is the best of the Colorado series and I like them all. I was given an ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Delaine Mclafferty.
542 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2022
After a terrible loss, and extensive therapy, Griff is going to Fool’s Gold Colorado to interview for a job he’s not sure he deserves or that he wants with Brotherhood Protectors. He’s a broken man that left Rachel the woman he was falling in love with behind. After a phone call from Rachel’s sister Lindsey that she was being followed and then the devastating phone call that Lindsey was dead by strangulation, Rachel headed for Fool’s Gold Colorado to find the truth and catch a killer. Can Griff and Rachel find a way to get past all of the hurt, tragedy to find a way back to each other. A great book you don’t want to miss.
772 reviews5 followers
July 20, 2022
It’s an emotional suspenseful journey…

Griff’s Navy career ended in heartache when his whole team was killed on a mission gone wrong. But maybe a second chance with The Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado can help heal the pain he feels.
If only he could’ve had the courage to reach out to Rachel. The only woman that he still carries in his heart.
After Rachel’s sister is murdered she takes a job in Fools Gold Colorado to bring her killer to justice.
Fate has plans for Griff and Rachel. They begin a journey together to solve the murder. But will Rachel get
caught in the crossfire?
“I voluntarily received this arc book for an honest review”
603 reviews32 followers
July 21, 2022
Griff left the Navy after his last mission left him injured and the sole survivor of his team. No on his way to interview with the Colorado branch of the Brotherhood Protectors, the last person he expects to encounter is Rachel, the woman he was dating in San Deigo before his previous mission. Rachel has moved to Fools Gold Colorado to find the man who murdered her sister. She wasn't prepared for the danger this case has put her in. With the help of the Brotherhood Protectors maybe her sister's case can be resolved. I like the author's style of writing in this series. The story is full of mystery, intrigue, danger, and some very special men. I enjoyed getting to spend time with all the Brotherhood protectors. The book is an easy read and is especially good for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to read. The only problem is once you start reading you won't want to put it down.
Profile Image for Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart.
2,589 reviews33 followers
July 21, 2022
This story grabbed me from the beginning, the author does a fantastic job with these characters. I really love the Brotherhood Protectors, their missions and finding love in dangerous places.
Griff is medically retired on his way way to join the team, he finds himself saving and protecting a local cop Rachel, she is someone from his past. She has a stalker, is it because she resembles her murdered sister. She's on her own mission to catch the criminal and could become a victim herself. I really enjoyed how the pieces of this puzzle all fell together. Also the rekindle of their relationship.
Great story, I highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Cheryl Sanders.
2,278 reviews32 followers
July 22, 2022
This is book 8 in the Brotherhood Protectors Colorado series and it features John “Griff” Griffin and Rachel West. Being a SEAL got in the way of these two being together. Months later, in a different state, he rescues her from a car accident gone wrong. That’s fate! They have both been through so much over the past 6 months. She’s on a mission to find her sister’s killer and she’s got no room for romance…or so she thinks.

This is a fantastic story line! As always, the characters are the best. I love getting to know the individual character and then in the following books, working with those characters again. I ALWAYS look forward to reading more from this very talented author!
2,401 reviews12 followers
July 31, 2022
3 stars
I purchased a copy of the mildly steamy paramilitary romantic suspense Colorado Cold Case (Brotherhood Protectors Colorado Book 8) by Elle James and this review was given freely.
Gripping. Chilling. Filled with tension and action this story of loss and serial murders begins with a double tragedy before reuniting newly medically separated Navy SEAL John “Griff” Griffin with the woman of his dreams, former San Diego, California Highway Patrol officer Rachel West, whom he rescues from an overturned vehicle on his way to interview with the Brotherhood Protectors at Lost Valley Ranch in Fool’s Gold, Colorado.
860 reviews12 followers
July 21, 2022
Griff has left the Navy Seals after being the sole survivor of a helicopter crash in the Middle East. Rachel has left her job as a police officer and moved to Colorado to find the person who murdered her sister. Image their surprise when they run into each other, months after they started dating, then Griff disappeared.
This story is a fast, furious, roller coaster ride of emotion for both of them as they attempt to track down the murderer who, apparently, has decided Rachel is his next victim. It always works well when an alpha make and an alpha female get together!
Loved it!
1,404 reviews
July 24, 2022
Griff is a former Navy Seal , now trying out for a job with Brotherhood
Protectors Colorado.

Rachael was a former California Highway Officer now deputy sheriff in
Fools Gold Colorado.

They met when Griff was a Seal in San Diego. They both let each other get away, due to circumstances ( Rachael with her sister’s murder and Griff
lost of his team on the last mission).

Will they have a second chance at love and solve her sister’s murder. You will have to read the story. It is worth it!

This book was a great read, has the edge of your seat suspense, action packed, twists, turns and a second chance at love.

Great Job Elle James!!!!
Profile Image for Christina Standridge.
1,227 reviews3 followers
July 26, 2022
Griff is the sole survivor of his team that died after a mission gone wrong. Rachel is on the phone with her sister when her sister is cut off. Griff and Rachel know each other from California. When he rescues her when she is run off the road that start to get to know each other again. He will be her protector as they try and find out who killed her sister and is now after her. A wonderful story with action, romance and suspense. Keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to figure it out. I read an arc of this book and this is my review.
1,951 reviews10 followers
July 31, 2022
Cold Cases!

Colorado Cold Case: WOW: Intense, emotional, team and romance! Griff was loss after what happen to his team. He thought about Rachel a lot when he was recuperating from his injury. He cared so much for her but he felt she didn't need a broken man. Rachel had a lot going on in her life but she was thinking about Griff and how she could do with him and didn't understand why she hadn't heard from him. She had to move on and solve the case. It was a great story with lots of suspense, surprises, support and love. I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews