Tag Archives: Whiskey and Roses

Daring Delaney (Whiskey & Roses 4) by Cassie Colton-review

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Daring Delaney (Whiskey & Roses 4) by Cassie Colton-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 30, 2026

Delaney Henderson thought she’d found her dream life in a five-star kitchen until a dangerous affair with her boss exposed a web of lies, betrayal, and embezzlement that could destroy her. With nowhere else to turn, she escapes to Haven Ranch for a fresh start as the ranch cook, hoping her past stays buried.

David “Mac” Walters, a former Marine, built a quiet life on the ranch, grounded in loyalty, honor, and hard-earned peace. The last thing he expects is the fiery, wounded chef who cooks her way into his heart, and straight through his defenses.

When a devastating accident leaves Delaney vulnerable and pregnant, Mac steps in without hesitation, offering her shelter and protection. But as the heat between them ignites into something deeper, doubts creep in. Mac can’t ignore the years between them, and Delaney fears trusting her heart.

Just when she starts to believe in a future, the past returns, threatening her and her child.

Mac will have to prove he’s strong enough to protect her, brave enough to claim her, and fearless enough to fight for the life they both desire.

•••••

REVIEW:DARING DELANEY is the fourth instalment in Cassie Colton’s contemporary, adult WHISKEY AND ROSES erotic, romantic suspense series, set in the author’s SERENITY SECURITY series, a part of the multi-authored series featuring characters initially introduced by Susan Stoker. This is former US Marine amputee turned rancher David ‘Mac’ Walters, and chef / single mother Delaney Henderson’s story line. DARING DELANEY can be read as a stand alone. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of Daring Delaney cross over with, and run parallel to Convincing Caroline.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Delaney and Mac) DARING DELANEY follows in the wake of the arrival of Delaney Henderson on Henderson Ranch. On the run, in hiding from her ex, Delaney discovers she is pregnant but an early delivery is not what she expected. With the help of is former US Marine amputee turned rancher David ‘Mac’ Walters, and her best friend Rachel, Delaney embarks on a new path forward, and hopefully the love of our story line hero but Mac struggles with his own personal issues, including the loss of his leg, and their seven year age difference, something that figures prominently throughout the story.

Meanwhile, Delaney’s friend Rachel continues to struggle with her relationship with Matthew. Rachel finds herself jealous and envious of Matthew’s friendships and former teammates, and in this, Matthew retaliates with accusations and greed and selfishness, threatening any hopes for a future.

The world building focuses on the team at Henderson Ranch and Serenity Security. When one of their own goes missing, the team struggles with loss but the family of former US military members must work together when Delaney’s past returns, threatening everyone she loves.

The relationship between Delaney and Mac is one of mutual attraction but Mac’s inability to see beyond the present, threatens any hope for a future.Mac sees their age difference as a major deterrent, and the loss of his leg, makes Mac feel ‘less than’, not worthy of Delaney, or someone to love. The $ex scenes are provocative and passionate

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful, determined and animated characters including several who cross over from the interconnected series. We are reintroduced to Delany’s friend Rachel, and her fiancé Matthew, as well as Riley, Rebecca, Kassie, Caroline, Julio, Garrett, Doc, as well as Delaney’s ex Ben Hughes.

DARING DELANEY is a story of power and control, intimidation and threats, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive; the characters are broken, desperate brooding yet their immaturity makes for some questionable decisions.

Also, the preoccupation with the seven year age difference is bewildering, and the silver fox cover model adds to the confusion. At first, I thought, by the way the characters addressed Mac as ‘old man’, there were over twenty years differentiation but seven years is often the norm in many relationships, and only makes for a distraction to the story line premise.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Convincing Caroline (Whiskey & Roses 3) by Cassie Colton-review

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Convincing Caroline (Whiskey & Roses 3) by Cassie Colton-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 21, 2026

Son of a violent, sex-trafficking criminal, Jameson Stanton will do anything to prove he is nothing like his ruthless father. On a mission to infiltrate a known trafficking gang, Jameson walks straight into danger to locate a missing CIA Agent. Encountering Caroline Bates, a fiery blonde held captive by the ring leader, catapults Jameson into action to protect both women.

The last thing Caroline planned on was falling in love with the man who saved her. Jameson gives her space, chases away the demons, and makes her feel safe—something she never thought possible.

When she discovers Jameson’s secret, Caroline can’t separate him from his father. Tired of the lies, deceit, and terror, she decides to start a new life and forget about the man she relied on to protect her. Will Jameson convince Caroline to see him for who he truly is?

••••••

REVIEW:CONVINCING CAROLINE is the third instalment in Cassie Colton’s contemporary, adult WHISKEY AND ROSES erotic, military, romantic suspense series set in the author’s SERENITY SECURITY series, a part of the multi-authored series featuring characters initially introduced by Susan Stoker. This is thirty-five year old, former US Navy SEAL Jameson Stanton, and twenty-eight year old Caroline Bates’ story line. CONVINCING CAROLINE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as the events of the current timeline are as of a direct result of the events of the previous instalments.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Caroline and Jameson) CONVINCING CAROLINE follows in the wake of the rescue of our story line heroine, a woman abducted and tortured, then sold by Jameson’s brutal father. Six years earlier, Caroline found herself payment for the sins of someone else, and in the ensuing time, helped protect and save others without protecting herself. On the road to recovery, Caroline discovers someone she long thought gone was still alive but her inability to trust worsens when Jameson reveals his own history of secrets and lies.

The world building follows several intersecting pathways as Caroline must come to terms with what is happening and why. A thought provoking set of circumstances threatens any chance of happiness for our story line couple, as the past refuses to die, pulling Jameson back to where it all began.

The relationship between Caroline and Jameson begins as a rescue but quickly turns into something more for our story line hero. Jameson fell in love with Caroline the first time they met but Caroline continues to struggle with issues of trust, exacerbated by the slow reveal of Jameson’s secrets. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, charismatic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including the previous story line couples. We are introduced a new member of the team, sniper Caden ‘Spider’ Renner. The requisite evil has many faces.

CONVINCING CAROLINE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, trust and misunderstanding, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is emotional, dramatic and gritty; the romance is seductive and magnetic; the characters are determined, desperate and broken.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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WRANGLING RILEY (Whiskey and Roses 2) by Cassie Colton-review

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WRANGLING RILEY (Whiskey and Roses 2) by Cassie Colton-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 28, 2026

Abandoned by his mother at age seven, Garrett Johnson learned that trusting women only leads to disappointment. Raised by his hard and abusive grandfather, Garrett built his life on self-reliance, loyalty, and brotherhood. Landing a job at Serenity Ranch feels like a second chance, working alongside his brothers-in-arms and finally belonging somewhere that feels like home.

Fleeing an abusive father, Riley Stewart will do anything to protect her younger sister. When Garrett’s estranged mother and her violent biker boyfriend threaten her sister, she’s left with an impossible choice. Get close to Garrett. Find out where he’s hiding his inheritance. Or risk losing everything she loves.

When Garrett uncovers Riley’s role in his mother’s twisted scheme, the betrayal cuts deeper than any wound he’s ever endured. Torn between love and betrayal, Garrett must decide how much he’s willing to risk to wrangle Riley.

••••••

REVIEW: WRANGLING RILEY is the second instalment in Cassie Colton’s contemporary, adult WHISKEY AND ROSES romantic suspense series. This is rancher Garrett Johnson, and Riley Stewart’s story line. WRANGLING RILEY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is a slight paranormal aspect to the prologue which does not affect the outcome of the story.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspectives (Garrett and Riley) WRANGLING RILEY focuses on the protection of our story line heroine, and her younger sister Tara. Riley Stewart and her sister Tara are on the run but find themselves trapped by the past, and under the control of a local biker gang. Their target, Garrett Johnson,is a man determined to keep his personal life close to his heart but when he discovers he has been targeted by our story line heroine, Garrett begins a deep dive searching for the truth.

The world building follows several intersecting pathways as Riley and her sister Tara become pawns. Greed and a local biker gang take aim at not only our story line heroine but Garrett Johnson as well. Garrett’s past has returned demanding everything, and Riley will find herself choosing between her sister and the man with whom she had fallen in love.

The relationship between Riley and Garrett is tempestuous and acrimonious. Riley wants nothing to do with our story line here, and with issues of trust on both sides, neither one is looking to settle down for the long haul. The $ex scene are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and often questionable secondary and supporting characters including several team members at Serenity Ranch. From the outside, Serenity Ranch presents itself as something different, and in this, Garrett is quick to suspect there is more than meets the eye.

WRANGLING RILEY is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, mistrust and misunderstanding, family and friendships, relationships and love. The slow building premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance struggles in the face of misperception and mistrust; the characters are desperate and determined.

I want to address the ‘paranormal’ aspect of the story line prologue, which in my opinion, is a non-sequitur, and a red-herring. It left me feeling off-balance throughout most of the story. There is no apparent connection to the story or the series. I struggled to find a connection to one of the author’s previous releases or if there is going to be a new series focusing on shifters and ranchers.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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RECLAIMING REBECCA (Whiskey and Roses 1) by Cassie Colton-review

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RECLAIMING REBECCA (Whiskey and Roses 1) by Cassie Colton-review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 20, 2026

Rebecca Rhodes disappeared without a trace—but just before she vanished, she made two desperate calls: one to Serenity Securities and one to the only man she trusts to come for her.

Julio never believed in fate until he met Rebecca. When she disappeared, he vowed to burn the world down before letting the love of his life vanish forever.

Held captive and fighting to survive, Rebecca endures the pain, the fear, and the darkness by focusing on those she’s vowed to protect. But survival changes a person. And even after the nightmare ends, the scars remain.

Now, Julio must prove she can trust him with her life and her heart.
Because reclaiming Rebecca isn’t just about bringing her home, it’s about giving her a reason to stay.

•••••••

REVIEW: RECLAIMING REBECCA is the first instalment in Cassie Colton’s contemporary, adult WHISKEY AND ROSES dark, military, romantic suspense series set in the author’s SPECIAL FORCES: OPERATION ALPHA-SERENITY SECURITIES: TEAM HAWKE series, a part of the multi-authored series featuring characters initially introduced by Susan Stoker. This is FBI Agent Julio Hernandez and CIA Agent Rebecca Rhodes’ story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives, and several intersecting pathways, RECLAIMING REBECCA focuses on the search and rescue of CIA Agent Rebecca Rhodes. Rebecca Rhodes’ latest assignment imploded, and our heroine found herself the prize possession of an international human trafficking ring. Enduring emotional, physical and sexual abuse, Rebecca refused to give up, helping the other women and children whenever she could, never giving up hope that the man whom she loved would be her knight in shining armor. Fast forward one year, Julio Hernandez and the team at Serenity Securities go in undercover as potential buyers, wherein Julio will bring home the woman he loved but a woman who is struggling to move on from the past. Days, weeks and months will pass as Julio watches Rebecca fall deeper into the abyss, an abyss from which Rebecca may never recover.

The world building is graphic and dark as we are up close and personal with the murder and madness of a world few know anything about.Rebecca Rhodes is determined to protect the women and young girls she considers her responsibility, but the deeper Rebecca falls, she is unable to protect herself.

The relationship between Rebecca and Julio begins as one of the forbidden as government agents working for different factions of powerful law enforcement. Trying to keep their relationship a secret, Julio must reveal the truth when the woman he loves becomes a victim of an international human trafficking ring. The $ex scenes are limited.

There is a large ensemble cast of determined, desperate and charismatic secondary and supporting characters many of whom were introduced and had leading roles in the author’s SERENITY MOUNTAIN series.

RECLAIMING REBECCA is a story of betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, desperation and survival, healing and love. The character driven premise is dark, gritty and dramatic; the romance struggles in the face of healing and recovery; the characters are dynamic yet broken but fighting to heal.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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