Books & Spoons Review COLTON COWBOY HIDEOUT by Carla Cassidy

After years in hiding, Josie Colton has her life back. But to settle a family promise, she must find an old clue buried at the Colton Valley Ranch.
She enlists the help of ranch foreman Tanner Grange—in exchange for working as his twin toddlers' new nanny. On their search, the single dad soon begins to lasso Josie's heart. 

 Tanner agrees to assist Josie and is alarmed by how the Colton beauty fits so perfectly into his life. He's got his hands full investigating the disappearance of his boss and caring for his little girls.

​When it's clear someone will kill to stop Josie from uncovering the clue, Tanner vows to protect her…for life!

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Danger, apparent kidnapping, gunfights, and twins on a ranch, while Josie is trying to fulfill her serial killer father's last wish, by digging up an old watch hiding somewhere on the enormous ranch. 
Josie is young, but she has lived a rough life with many unfortunate and unexpected turns. She comes off as a bit emotional and overdramatic, her feelings get involved fast and furious, and she has no doubt that Tanner doesn't answer to them. I admired her self-esteem and belief in herself, or just stubbornness, in a face of constant rejection from Tanner. 
The new Colton family doesn't have much space at all in the story. The members are barely introduced, but what little is forthcoming of them, isn't very flattering. 
The kids stole the show, the twins are adorable and gave many smiles as the story progress. 
Tanner and Josie are stuck in very tight quarters, while the investigation is going on. They forced closeness gives them an opportunity to get to know each other and share with each other about their lives. It is genuine and natural, and they form a bond that sparks deeper feelings in their hearts. 
The story was passionate and emotive. The danger, life-threatening moments, game in sporadically, and often because Josie didn't think and plan her actions against the known risk. 
Even with the high emotions from Josie, I found this story a bit shallow and tame. I was left wanting more, more action, more on Tanner's development of his feelings, more edge and depth to the elements. But it gave an intriguing link to the new Colton family, where the mystery of the father's disappearance isn't solved yet.
~ Three Spoons

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