COLTON'S FIRESTORM
Coltons of Dark Canyon
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
April 28, 2026
Fern Hensley, a guarded loner, wakes up in the hospital with amnesia. All she can recall is smoke, flames and Ryan Colton, the courageous firefighter who rescued her from the inferno. Her trapped memories are the key to finding her kidnappers. She won't be safe until she unlocks them, and Ryan feels compelled to shelter her while she endures the trauma of remembering. Driven by his own haunted past, Ryan quickly realizes that his need for atonement isn't the only thing compelling him to protect Fern. But as danger closes in and sparks ignite between them, can Ryan find absolution…and keep Fern alive?
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Excerpt to Colton's Firestorm
Copyright © 2026 Bonnie Vanak.
Fern sat on the patio, staring at the phone bird app. A notification showed a video of a pretty yellow bird with a black head stopped at a feeder, pecking at the seeds. She pressed the identify button.
American goldfinch.
So soothing, watching a bird go about its business of finding food. Normal. A good reminder life went on. It was cool enough, but not too cold. Perfect for sitting outside and sketching. She took the pad Sassy brought over and moved a chair close enough to the feeders to watch but not scare off birds. Lots of action at the feeders this time of day.
Smiling, she began to draw. This was a good routine to begin reclaiming her life.
A few more goldfinches arrived at the feeder. The colors were amazing, the birds energetic as they fed. Almost absently, she filled in details.
Absorbed in her work, she barely noticed the setting sun. Fern glanced up at the lavender and rose gold streaking the sky behind the mountains near Dark Canyon. Gorgeous colors. Ryan was lucky to have a view of such a magnificent landscape from his backyard.
She went inside to get water and returned with the glass, setting it on the table next to her chair.
As darkness began to shroud the yard, she sat back with a happy sigh. Drawing made her lose track of time and place. Fern clicked on the light app on her phone to view the sketch pad and results.
Birds flying into the sunset, distant mountains that would look terrific with purple shadows. Something else as well. Odd. Small in the right corner.
Fern sipped more water and leaned closer to inspect what she'd drawn. A face, tight and drawn, the mouth in a sneer.
Only her death grip on the cell phone kept her from dropping it. The glass dropped to the concrete patio, shattering the silence. Leaving the canvas outside, Fern jumped up, ran into the house and locked the door. She ran around to all the windows, pulling the shades and making sure everything was locked up.
Sliding down the wall, she hugged her knees.
For a long time, she remained there, her breath coming in a terrified whoosh, her heart racing.
She couldn't be certain, but deep inside she knew.
What she'd drawn was a face recalled from memory.
It could be one of the men who'd kidnapped her.
