Dive into a dangerous world where serial killers and beauty pageants collide! From Geri Krotow, part of The Coltons of Mustang Valley series.When an investigation takes an unexpected turn… this undercover duo is on the case!When Bella Colton undergoes a makeover to enter a beauty pageant, she’s on a mission. She’s determined to find out why her best friend died. Enter undercover FBI agent … her best friend died. Enter undercover FBI agent Holden St. Clair. Holden’s hot on the heels of a serial killer, who has Bella in his crosshairs. As the chemistry between Bella and Holden sparks, can they capture the murderer in their midst?
From Harlequin Romantic Suspense: Danger. Passion. Drama.
The Coltons of Mustang Valley:
Book 1: Colton Baby Conspiracy by Marie Ferrarella
Book 2: Colton’s Lethal Reunion by Tara Taylor Quinn
Book 3: Colton Family Bodyguard by Jennifer Morey
Book 4: Colton First Responder by Linda O. Johnston
Book 5: In Colton’s Custody by Dana Nussio
Book 6: Colton Manhunt by Jane Godman
Book 7: Colton’s Deadly Disguise by Geri Krotow
Book 8: Colton Cowboy Jeopardy by Regan Black
Book 9: Colton’s Undercover Reunion by Lara Lacombe
Book 10: Deadly Colton Search by Addison Fox
Book 11: Hunting the Colton Fugitive by Colleen Thompson
Book 12: Colton’s Last Stand by Karen Whiddon
more
I positively love Geri Krotow’s wonderful novels!
She was doing this for her deceased best friend Gio. Bella Colton filled out the form and is ready to turn it in. She is entering the Ms. Mustang Valley Pageant. Bella’s friend Gio died due to malnutrition and complications from eating disorders. Gio had participated in this pageant a number of times. Shortly before she died Gio told Bella the people at the pageants pushing strict dieting and slim looks contributed to her eating disorder problems. Bella is entering the pageant to see for herself just what Gio was talking about. Then as a reporter for the Mustang Valley Gabber, and Bella considered herself an honest reporter, she intended to write an expose on the subject.
FBI Agent Holden St. Clair is undercover as security at the Ms. Mustang Valley pageant. Two contestants, one at each of two other pageants in Arizona have been killed, one shot and one poisoned. The FBI suspects a serial killer and so Holden is undercover to try to catch the killer before he strikes again. As it turns out the victims have been redheads with green eyes. Bella Colton dyed red streaks in her blonde hair to honor her friend Gio. Plus she has green eyes. Too bad this has placed her on the killer’s radar. Holden steps in as her personal bodyguard to keep her safe. Bella trusts him since it turns out Holden was Bella’s brother Spencer’s best friend in the military when they served together. Sparks fly and the attraction is great but this is no time for romance. Or can they make this work?
Colton’s Deadly Disguise by Geri Krotow is the seventh book in Harlequin’s series, The Coltons of Mustang Valley. Author Geri Krotow does an excellent job of continuing the overall story arc. The Colton patriarch is still in a coma, the Colton family is still searching for the true eldest Colton son and in this story there’s a significant discovery about the nurse, Luella Smith who switched her baby son with the Colton baby in the nursery at the hospital and then disappeared. Each story in the series provides more clues to solving the baby switch mystery. There’s lots of excitement in this book. It’s a super romantic suspense story!
Very good book that sucked me in early and didn’t let go until the very end. Bella is a reporter for the local paper, as well as doing free-lance articles for other publications. She is currently investigating a story that is very personal to her. Her best friend recently died from an eating disorder, and Bella believes that the beauty pageant industry contributed to it. She plans to go undercover as a contestant for Ms. Mustang Valley in her search for the truth. On the first day of pageant auditions, she meets Holden St. Clair, the security guard hired to protect the contestants.
What Bella doesn’t know is that Holden is more than a security guard. He is an FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer who has struck two other pageants. His gut tells him that the Ms. Mustang Valley pageant is the next target. Meeting Bella Colton is a distraction he doesn’t want or need.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Bella and Holden. There were sparks from the moment they met, though both were determined to ignore them. Each had their goals, and neither wanted the distraction. But when Bella is attacked that same evening, she is thankful for Holden’s presence. When they discover that each has an underlying reason to be there, it doesn’t take long for them to agree to work together. Holden’s protectiveness runs up against Bella’s independence, and learning to trust each other is a big part of the battle. There is an added complication in that Holden was burned by a former girlfriend who was also a reporter. I liked seeing them get to know each other and discover that they had more than just attraction going for them. I especially enjoyed the birdwatching scene as they were able to get away from their troubles for a few hours. But as their feelings for each other grew, each also felt that there was no future in it. There were still those differences, plus the distance between their jobs. However, surviving the danger of the serial killer as they did gave them a new appreciation for what they had together, and the motivation to find a solution. I loved Holden’s big moment at the end.
The suspense of the story was excellent. Bella’s desire to discover the truth behind the pageant wouldn’t allow her to give up, even when it became clear that she was the target of a killer. That first attack was frightening, and even more so when Holden found the hidden camera at her house. Bella’s search for answers about the pageant also seemed to stir up some trouble, with attacks on and by other pageant personnel, leaving questions about who was behind the attacks. The tension built as the time for the pageant grew closer, knowing that’s when the killer usually strikes. I was on the edge of my seat as the attack finally happened, and Bella’s life was on the line. I loved the teamwork that had to happen between Bella and Holden to bring it to an end.
I haven’t read any of the other Mustang Valley books yet, but this was easily read as a stand-alone. There were references made to what is probably the ongoing mystery, but they didn’t affect my enjoyment of this book. I will read the others, though!
A killer in their midst! With book seven in the ever-exciting Coltons of Mustang Valley series it’s Geri Krotow’s turn to continue the spiel and introduce us to more of the family. The beauty pageant setting wasn’t my normal cup of tea, but the characters were intriguing and brought us to a fitting conclusion though I felt like there was a bigger disconnect than normal from the ongoing Colton mystery.
Isabella Colton kicks off this story on a mission to right a wrong towards her late best friend. She’s feisty and strong and not afraid to put herself in danger for the cause.
Holden St. Clair is an undercover FBI agent and has to step in to keep Bella safe while she’s putting herself in the cross-hairs of a serial killer. He’s kind-hearted and loyal.
I recommend this book and this series as a whole to anyone who enjoys a bit of romance with their suspense. I’m enjoying the series and looking forward to getting answers in the Colton mystery!