Karen Anders - High-Stakes Colton

What’s a cowboy to do when he falls for the woman he’s investigating? Find out in the latest Coltons of Texas romance!

Soul-scarred Texas Ranger Jake McCord is no stranger to hardship and heartache. Assigned to solve a kidnapping case, Jake enters Colton Valley Ranch as a horse whisperer…and watcher. His primary suspect? The victim’s daughter, Alanna Colton.

Alluring Alanna is the picture of competence and compassion as she trains horses and helps troubled teens work the ranch. Jake is immediately drawn to her, and their mutual attraction only intensifies as he struggles to keep a clear head on the case. But his troubles are just beginning, as others on the ranch arouse suspicion and threaten all Jake and Alanna hold dear.

“My brother might have hired you, Mr. McCord, but I run the stables, and I don’t go for all that horse-whispering mumbo-jumbo or your sense of humor.”

Jake cocked his hip and set his hands on his belt buckle. “There’s a saying that you can’t step into the same river twice. Once you step in, you alter it, you affect its flow, you transform the soil and water mixture and you make a mark. It’s a changed river. When I’m finished with Diablo, he won’t be the same horse he was when I got here. I’ll guarantee that, Ms. Colton.”

He leaned in. He couldn’t help it. Alanna was so attractive when she was setting her boundaries. Tangling with her was more dangerous than French-kissing a rattlesnake. He should heed his instinct, but it wasn’t in his nature to back down, even though it was in his best interests.

* * *

The Coltons of Texas:

Finding love and buried family

secrets in the Lone Star State…

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

Welcome back to Colton Valley Ranch! Things are starting to get interesting and confusing around the disappearance of Eldridge Colton, and the investigation needs a sure thing.

Burned-out Texas Ranger Jake McCord shows up at Colton Valley Ranch undercover to spy on Alanna Colton, who is the current suspect in the kidnapping of her father, Eldridge Colton. He’s been hired as the “horse whisperer” to tame a black stallion. While there, Jake discovers that her controlling brother is running roughshod over Alanna, who is fighting for her own independence in running the stables.

It makes Jake wonder if she would go to nefarious lengths to take her father out of the picture. While deception and intrigue are all in a day’s work for Jake, what happens when his beautiful suspect doesn’t follow true to form? Could this Colton be innocent—a sexy risk to his heart—and instead be up to her pretty neck in danger?

The chemistry between Jake and Alanna brings a bit of heat to the ranch and I had a sweet time getting these two in and out of heated arguments, sexy situations and their final showdown. I hope you enjoy High-Stakes Colton, the ninth book of the Coltons of Texas year-long miniseries, and don’t forget to look for the last three books for the conclusion of this intriguing mystery.

Happy reading!

Karen

High-Stakes Colton

Karen Anders

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KAREN ANDERS writes a suspenseful and sexy mix of navy and civilians investigating murder, espionage and crime across a global landscape. Under the pen name Zoe Dawson, she’s currently writing romantic comedy, new-adult contemporary romance, urban fantasy, syfy and erotic romance. When she’s not busy writing, she’s painting or killing virtual mmorpg monsters. She lives in North Carolina with her two daughters and one small furry gray cat.

To cowboys and lawmen.

God bless them.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text What’s a cowboy to do when he falls for the woman he’s investigating? Find out in the latest Coltons of Texas romance! Soul-scarred Texas Ranger Jake McCord is no stranger to hardship and heartache. Assigned to solve a kidnapping case, Jake enters Colton Valley Ranch as a horse whisperer…and watcher. His primary suspect? The victim’s daughter, Alanna Colton. Alluring Alanna is the picture of competence and compassion as she trains horses and helps troubled teens work the ranch. Jake is immediately drawn to her, and their mutual attraction only intensifies as he struggles to keep a clear head on the case. But his troubles are just beginning, as others on the ranch arouse suspicion and threaten all Jake and Alanna hold dear.

Introduction “My brother might have hired you, Mr. McCord, but I run the stables, and I don’t go for all that horse-whispering mumbo-jumbo or your sense of humor.” Jake cocked his hip and set his hands on his belt buckle. “There’s a saying that you can’t step into the same river twice. Once you step in, you alter it, you affect its flow, you transform the soil and water mixture and you make a mark. It’s a changed river. When I’m finished with Diablo, he won’t be the same horse he was when I got here. I’ll guarantee that, Ms. Colton.” He leaned in. He couldn’t help it. Alanna was so attractive when she was setting her boundaries. Tangling with her was more dangerous than French-kissing a rattlesnake. He should heed his instinct, but it wasn’t in his nature to back down, even though it was in his best interests. * * * The Coltons of Texas: Finding love and buried family secrets in the Lone Star State…

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Epilogue Extract Copyright , Welcome back to Colton Valley Ranch! Things are starting to get interesting and confusing around the disappearance of Eldridge Colton, and the investigation needs a sure thing. Burned-out Texas Ranger Jake McCord shows up at Colton Valley Ranch undercover to spy on Alanna Colton, who is the current suspect in the kidnapping of her father, Eldridge Colton. He’s been hired as the “horse whisperer” to tame a black stallion. While there, Jake discovers that her controlling brother is running roughshod over Alanna, who is fighting for her own independence in running the stables. It makes Jake wonder if she would go to nefarious lengths to take her father out of the picture. While deception and intrigue are all in a day’s work for Jake, what happens when his beautiful suspect doesn’t follow true to form? Could this Colton be innocent—a sexy risk to his heart—and instead be up to her pretty neck in danger? The chemistry between Jake and Alanna brings a bit of heat to the ranch and I had a sweet time getting these two in and out of heated arguments, sexy situations and their final showdown. I hope you enjoy High-Stakes Colton, the ninth book of the Coltons of Texas year-long miniseries, and don’t forget to look for the last three books for the conclusion of this intriguing mystery. Happy reading! Karen

Title Page High-Stakes Colton Karen Anders www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author KAREN ANDERS writes a suspenseful and sexy mix of navy and civilians investigating murder, espionage and crime across a global landscape. Under the pen name Zoe Dawson, she’s currently writing romantic comedy, new-adult contemporary romance, urban fantasy, syfy and erotic romance. When she’s not busy writing, she’s painting or killing virtual mmorpg monsters. She lives in North Carolina with her two daughters and one small furry gray cat.

Dedication To cowboys and lawmen. God bless them.