Review: Colton by Blood - Melissa Cutler

Rising romantic suspense star Melissa Cutler reveals more secrets from the Coltons of Wyoming.

An unsolved murder haunts those who live and work at Dead River Ranch. When called to care for the ailing Colton patriarch, Dr. Levi Colton must face the father who never claimed him. He's not looking for distraction, but he finds it in Kate McCord, the irresistible pastry chef. Beneath her sweet smile are scars from her own tragedy and a determination for justice.

As a wildfire forces them together with an unknown killer, Levi and Kate must confront an attraction that flares hotter than flames. They edge closer to the truth, discovering that the secret that links their pasts could lead them straight into the killer's trap.

This is the second book in The Coltons of Wyoming miniseries.
Series Order:

1. The Colton Ransom by Marie Ferrarella
2. Colton by Blood by Melissa Cutler
3. The Missing Colton by Loreth Ann White
4. The Colton Bride by Carla Cassidy
5. The Colton Heir by Colleen Thompson
6. Colton Christmas Rescue by Beth Cornelison

Note: Book was provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

Review

I'm going to come clean right off the bat and admit this is my first "Cowboy" romance book I've read. I have family who are about as country as they come, but my family don't own a ranch and ride horses. They all drive trucks, say "ya'll" and have dogs for pets, but they have all had their challenges with living in the south (Texas) and issues with work like the rest of us. I am glad I could review Colton by Blood as the Colton family is a refreshing take on the typical "country/cowboy" views of them.

Levi Colton was doing everything he could to avoid the family that shunned him and his mother. Even now, after several years have passed since his mom died he loathes the man who let his mother wither away in bitter hurt. When his half-sisters beg and plead for him to come help care for their dying father, Jethro, he really wanted nothing to do with Jethro, but his Doctor side has him on the road from Levine to the country-side sprawling estate the Colton's live in along with the family help.

Poor Kate McCord is afraid of the dark and with the crazy Texas winds knocking out power it leaves her stuck in place only to drop the tray with the treat she was heading to give Jethro Colton. What she doesn't realize is what happens when you are late giving a person with a sweet-tooth the size of Texas their evening treat. And boy does she get reamed out by Jethro when she arrives late with his evening sweet... What she doesn't realize is that Levi is standing right outside the door...listening and waiting for the perfect moment to enter Jethro's living quarters.

Enter Levi and we almost can feel the sparks between him and Kate. But what snags him is the sweet left for Jethro, and boy is it moan-worthy good! As the plot builds and things start happening at the ranch, we see both Kate and Levi struggling with their feelings for each other. Levi thinks that being a Colton is a curse and that he has been trying to prove he is nothing like the man Jethro is notorious for being - cold and uncaring. What he finds out is that there is pride and bone deep roots to all Colton's which are GOOD traits, which he does have.

Kate has a history which any woman would not wish upon their worse enemy. Trying to put back together the semblances of her life and go back to doing what she loved has proven difficult. we get to learn about what drives her and about the ghosts of her past. She believes love is an ill-fated thing for her and to love again would only cause more hurt,and pain, both of which she knows would only cause her to become more depressed and shutdown from the outside world. Her one friend and confidante at the Ranch was murdered and Kate has taken it upon herself to help find the killer, but what she doesn't realize is this puts her in danger. At the same time trouble is still brewing on the ranch as it seems one of the servers has a hidden agenda to get her way into good graces with the Colton's and get a cut of their country fortune. Her greed unfortunately get her killed, leaving all wondering who the killer is??

Levi has an instinct when it comes to Kate and when the raging wildfire gets to the borders of the Colton's estate everyone get to work saving and moving the cattle and horses to safety. When Kate isn't seem or heard from in several hours Levi can't help shake the feeling something is wrong. He soon comes to find out that someone on the ranch is out to hurt her, and his protective side goes into overdrive. They soon learn that their paths are more intertwined then they EVER knew! This drives a large wedge into their growing relationship and they are both left reeling from the hurt of ghosts of the past. This drives Kate away right into the killers path again! The best part is the ending and how things played out...so NO spoilers here. Believe me it's an ending that will resolve a lot of things for both Levi and Kate.