Series:
Protectors at K-9 Ranch (Book 3)
A former soldier and his dog
are about to come to her rescue
After a heroic career, Special Forces ex-soldier Ben
Hunter is fighting a new battle: adjusting to civilian life. But when the life
of his occupational therapist is threatened, the wounded vet and his service
dog, Rocky, spring into action. Maeve Phillips believes her friend was murdered
and won't stop until she tracks down the killer…who is now hunting her.
Nobody's going to harm Maeve on Ben's watch. Now a predator is about to find
out what it feels like to be prey.
Another fantastic addition to this series. The two main
characters of this book were secondary characters in The Evidence Next Door,
and I am so happy that they got their own story. Ben is a former Special Forces
soldier, wounded in an attack that left his men and his K-9 partner dead. He
lost his career and left hand and must now adjust to civilian life. He applies
for a job as a dog trainer at the K-9 Ranch, where he meets Rocky. Rocky is a
military working dog who lost his human partner and hasn't bonded with anyone
else. He isn't adapting well and is at risk of being put down. When Ben and
Rocky connect, ranch owner Jessie realizes the two might be just what each
other needs.
Maeve is Ben's occupational therapist. She has been
working with him for almost a year. I loved how she sees past his grumpy,
growly attitude to the frustrations that fuel his anger. He intimidates some
people, but he doesn't scare her; in truth, she feels safe with him.
The book opens with Maeve and her roommate, Stephanie, at
a bar. Maeve is an introvert and very shy, so this isn't her scene, but
supporting her friend is important to her. Stephanie wants to reconnect with
her ex-boyfriend, whom Maeve believes is abusive. The scene at the bar is
creepy, and Maeve rightfully worries about her friend. Within a few days,
Stephanie disappears, Maeve is followed and mugged, and her house is ransacked.
Ben notices Maeve's injuries and distraction, and when
she tells him about trouble, he and Rocky go into protective mode. I enjoyed
watching the relationship between Maeve and Ben develop. They've worked
together on his therapy for almost a year, with an interest in more growing
between them. Ben wonders what he could offer this woman he admires so much. Maeve
is just as drawn to Ben, but her shyness keeps her from doing anything about
it. Maeve's protection becomes Ben and Rocky's mission, and their feelings
deepen as they spend time together. I loved Maeve's calming effect on Ben,
where just her touch settles him.
I loved how Maeve found it so easy to lean on Ben as her
troubles continued. His care of and for her means the world to her. He is still
gruff and growly, but there is an underlying softness that she didn't expect. I
laughed when he called her "freakin' adorable" when comparing his "sort-of-friend"
Maeve to the "itch-under-my-skin" Maeve. I also loved the effect Maeve
had on Ben. He is more open with her about his challenges because of her
gentleness and patience. I loved his vocal pride in her resilience. Their
growing comfort with talking about their feelings was terrific, and I loved how
each of them saw into the other's heart. The ending was fantastic.
The suspense kept me just as enthralled as the romance
between Maeve and Ben. I figured out
pretty quickly who was after Maeve, but the motivation was a mystery. The escalating
attacks were a good indication of the bad guy's growing desperation. The final
confrontation kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
I loved Rocky. His backstory is heartbreaking, and the
outlook for his future is dismal. I loved seeing the impact that he and Ben had
on each other. Maeve was an unexpected light in their lives, and Rocky
immediately accepted her as part of his pack. I loved the scene where he and
Maeve met. He is as protective of her as Ben is and plays a significant role in
the final confrontation.
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