Colton First Responder by Linda O. Johnston is book four in the Coltons of Mustang Valley series. This series of novels written by various authors features the Colton Family of Mustang Valley, Arizona. This is a Mills & Boon Romantic Suspense: Heart-racing suspense, adventure and romance under extraordinary circumstances.

Grayson Colton is a first responder because he lives to help those in need. His natural instinct kicks in when the aftermath of an earthquake leads to an encounter with escaped convict, Savannah Oliver. If he believes Savannah, she has been falsely accused of murdering her ex-husband. Grayson believes her and they set out to prove her innocence and unexpectedly begin to develop serious feelings for each other.

Colton Family Responder is an interesting read. The characters are well-developed with complete backstories. The continuity of the series is maintained. Though the book is generally well-written, I found it was a little slow and drawn out in places. In my opinion, the sexual content began rather quickly. The plot was interesting and picked up the pace with a great ending. Ultimately, I enjoyed the novel and rate it 3 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.

My thanks to HARLEQUIN – Romance (US & Canada) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is the first book from this author that I have read and the first one of this series. It was intriguing enough for me that I will go and read the other prior stories of the series to really grasp the underlying suspense of the series.

Grayson Colton is the son of Payton Colton from his first marriage. He isn't close to his siblings and father but he lives on the family ranch and maintain contact with them. Savannah Oliver has been framed for the murder of her ex-husband. She feels that Zane is alive and framing her for divorcing him. Grayson is a first responder and is out helping people after an earthquake the hit the area. He comes across Savannah and he believes in her enough to help her out.

A plus for the story was that it is written in a dual POV format which really helps me to fully understand the characters better.

I felt detached from this story and not really one with it. There were times especially at the end when the author was tying up all the loose ends that it felt rushed really glossing over the details. I didn't feel a part of the story. It really was just a satisfactory read.

Savannah is being framed for the supposed death of her ex. With little evidence and no body is a wonder how she even landed herself in jail. But when a earthquake strikes rocking the truck that was transporting her she is able to escape and see about getting to the truth of the matter and prove her innocence. Grayson is a first responder working on helping those who are affected by the earthquake and finds a truck and soon enough Savannah. Of course he finds himself attracted to the lovely Savannah and can't see her as so cold blooded killer and will do everything he can to help her.

This book is perfect for those who like mystery suspense novels. I really enjoyed it, pretty much devoured it in one sitting in fact. Once I started this book I just couldn't put it down. I loved getting to konw the characters and seeing them work together find clues and even when it came to disguise changes seeing what they were doing to chance themselves. Then there was that mini side piece of wondering about the switched at birth brother on Graysons side. There was plenty going on to enjoy about this book and if you like mystery suspense novels with a bit a romance you'll like this book.

3 1/2 STARS!

The Colton baby switch suspense builds! With book four in The Coltons of Mustang Valley series, Linda O. Johnston brings us Grayson's story in COLTON FIRST RESPONDER. I'm enjoying this series very much, and though this wasn't my favorite book so far, it brought a satisfying conclusion to it's own story and gave us a big reveal at the end that is going cause lots of excitement in the coming books.

Grayson Colton is an interesting character. He's not super close with his family, but he does feel drawn to some of them at this time of turmoil. He comes across as a kind man ... though overly trusting, but it makes him a really nice guy.

Savannah was complex. You wanted to believe her side of the story, but there was a lot of doubt considering the place she found herself at that moment. I was happy to see her case resolved properly.

I'm enjoying this series as a whole very much. This book was a bit looser than some with a few parts that were fairly unbelievable, but it did bring a satisfying end ... and it gives a big hint in the overall story line at the end. My biggest pet peeve ... "first responder" was way overused in this book ... like dozens upon dozens of times.

Colton First Responder is a decent romantic suspense story with likable characters and a quickly fast pace story.
The character fit into this story as they are just different enough to be able to make things work. If you are at the airport and need a read this book is a quick fix.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of the book.

Colton First Responder
(Colton's of Mustang Valley #4)
by Linda O. Johnston

Paperback, 288 pages
Expected publication: February 4th 2020 by Harlequin Romantic Suspense




Goodreads synopsis:
When disaster strikes

A Colton comes to the rescue

When an earthquake hits Mustang Valley, first responder Grayson Colton finds an abandoned truck—and a fugitive in need of help. Savannah Oliver claims she’s been falsely accused of her husband’s murder. Grayson’s protective instincts come out in full force as he helps Savannah prove her innocence. But as Savannah’s past comes back to haunt her, Grayson must use every survival tactic he knows to keep them both alive.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Colton’s of Mustang Valley series by Linda O. Johnston.

I was holding my breath for the first half of this book just waiting to see if Grayson was going to get in trouble for aiding and abetting a known fugitive. That never came but it did keep me reading and on my toes for a good portion of the book.

Savannah Oliver didn’t seem like the normal Country Club type. I am not sure other women from her normal circle would have been able to survive a similar circumstance. She took it all in stride.

Grayson in turn was not a normal Colton. He seemed set apart from the family in many ways. So the two of them mirrored their own internal challenges and that made this read even better.

The suspense in this was top notch and I was unable to putdown the book. I practically read it in one day and in one sitting. I am in love with this Colton multi book series. So well done.

If you love a good romantic suspense mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

A first responder’s job is to evaluate the situation, access possible problems, accessibility to the injured and finally act on their instincts. Grayson Colton’s instincts were finely honed. As a wilderness guide he learned to scour an area for plausible escapes, wildlife and survival essentials. In the military he learned discipline and now as owner of First Hand First Responders he used all these skills on an everyday basis in his business.
So we might immediately question why Grayson would seem to cast aside all his skills and dive headlong into a situation that looked dangerous to his reputation if nothing more. Essentially that’s what Grayson Colton did after his discovery that Savannah Oliver was the lone survivor of a smashed van. The van was pretty destroyed by a fallen tree due to an area earthquake. Oh did I mention it was a prison van and Savannah was the passenger in cuffs in the back of the van.
So now Grayson finds and recognizes Savannah as someone his family has known for a while. They are both from wealthy local families and ran in the same social circle.
Savannah was married and now newly divorced. Her ex-husband Zane is missing and presumed dead – stabbed to death by – yes you guessed it – Savannah. There’s definitely something sinister happening and while all fingers keep pointing to Savannah, Grayson for one knows that the officials are looking in the wrong place and for the wrong person.
Savannah has been holding out in an old cabin in a wooded area without any means to go anywhere. Certainly no way to get to town, murder victim number two – if you consider Zane number one, and then walk back to the cabin. She has no resources and certainly no weapons. Whoever is guilty of this latest murder knows by now that Savannah somehow escaped from that van. They might be aware some people are sniffing around for information on her ex-husband, the real estate agent who claims to be having an affair with Savannah and her lawyer.
Way too contrived to be considered coincidence and Grayson does not believe in coincidence. He alone knows where Savannah is hiding. Albeit unprofessional and inadvisable Grayson instinctively believe in Savannah innocence. His instincts tell him she had no reason to kill her ex. Her character and reputation clash with the concept of stabbing Zane. Add that there is no evidence that Zane is dead – officially he is still listed as missing. But with the second event Grayson absolutely knows Savannah is innocent.
The search for Savannah is going to widen and time is not on their side. Savannah is no longer alone in her quest to clear her name and get her life and freedom back. She and Grayson have to come up with some plan to keep her alive until they can do just that.
Grayson is going to employ all his experience and skills to keep the two of them ahead of the officials searching for Savannah. This time it has definitely become personal.
COLTON FIRST RESPONDER is the fourth book in the Colton’s of Mustang Valley series. COLTON FIRST RESPONDER is Linda O Johnston contribution to what has been a very entertaining series. In all of this series there is an ongoing thread of a family drama centering on the Colton family. Linda O Johnston managed to incorporate that drama into still another tale that centers on one of the Colton siblings. Each book and story manages to stand on its own but it’s been very interesting to watch the activity as the story unfolds. Linda O Johnston did a marvelous job creating these two terrific characters who capture your heart.