Tag: Love Inspired Suspense

Hunted on the Trail + Giveaway

A killer out for vengeance…but this bloodhound has his scent.

Ambushed by sudden gunfire, former cop Stephanie Wolfe realizes the tracking competition she entered with her bloodhound is a setup. An escaped fugitive has lured her into the remote wilderness to exact his deadly revenge. And her ex-boyfriend, bounty hunter Vance Silverton, has fallen into the fatal trap, too. Now cut off from civilization with only minimal supplies and their two dogs, the pair must depend on each other to survive. But with a treacherous storm approaching, it’s not only a cold-blooded killer they’ll have to escape.

My Review:

Quintessential Mentink! Everything I love about her writing is right here in this book! I’m particularly appreciative of her ability to get into deep characterization with K-9s! Seriously, this author speaks dog and I love the way she brings these critters to life in her stories. And the way she portrays the human/dog dynamic is brilliant and funny and so relatable (if you’ve ever been owned by fur buddy, that is!)

Loved the opening scene that morphs into action pretty quickly. This is very much a wilderness survival kind of suspense where Stephanie and Vance are cut off from the rest of the world and are being hunted by a nefarious villain. The relentless pursuit, near misses and plenty of gasp-out-loud moments build up the tension as their circumstances grow more dire, making for an unputdownable read.

But, what I love best about this story is the way the author deftly brings humour to even the toughest situations. So many laugh out loud moments — usually involving a certain dog and a certain hero. Loved their interactions and the way Vance is so defensive of his K-9. Honestly, I fell in love with Vance because of the way he treats that fur ball. I have no idea how Stephanie resisted for so long! But then, they have history so – yay – for a Second Chance Romance trope which adds its own kind of tension to the plot.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Hunted on the Trail’. Narrator Abby Craden did a phenomenal job breathing life into these characters and conveying all the tension and drama through her performance. A brilliant listen!

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hunted on the Trail,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 24 2025

Protecting the Orphan + Giveaway

An innocent baby is targeted…he’ll guard the child with his life.

Retired soldier Heath Adler never thought he’d see his ex-girlfriend, private investigator Rebecca Campbell, again—much less become her protector. But when her stepsister is murdered and her infant nephew is at risk, Rebecca soon has a target on her back. Whoever killed her stepsister is still out there—and they’re coming for Rebecca and the baby next. Now Heath will do anything he can to guard them both, but it’s one thing to hunt a killer…and quite another to stop one.

My Review:

Mercy! What a tilt-a-whirl of a read! Gripping from the opening scene and chock full of tension and drama right through to the end. I was completely engrossed and listened to the entire book in a day. Lisa Lindsley did an awesome job delivering a sense of urgency and angst in her narration. Kept me even more on edge as I eagerly listened for what would happen next.

And there was so much happening! Both with the suspense and the romance. A second chance love story that teases at their past without revealing all until close to the end. Eeeeeppp….so deliciously riveting because that past has messed with Rebecca and Heath’s minds and makes it harder for them to address the issue and move on. I do so love getting all caught up on romantical tenterhooks!

And the suspense — twisty turny with gasp-put-loud moments that totally threw me for a loop. I’m still a tad discombobulated.

This second Trinity Investigative Services book reads well as a standalone. It’s my intro to the series and I enjoyed getting to know the team and am eager to hear their stories in future books.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Protecting the Orphan,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 17 2025

Secrets Beneath the Snow

To solve this murder this K-9 must dig up buried secrets.

Suspicious of his friend’s fatal accident, ski patroller Graham McAllister is determined to unearth the truth when his friend’s long-missing sister suddenly appears…with gunmen in pursuit. Now it’s up to Graham and his K-9, Emmy, to keep Layla Quin safe as they survive the brutal mountain elements and outrun the criminals trying to silence them. Because Layla has a secret that could expose a shocking link to her brother’s death, and revealing it may come with a deadly price…

My Review:

Phew! This was a listen in one gulp kind of suspense and Lydia Lee did an amazing job with the narration. She really captured the essence of these characters and the tension of the suspense. She kept me enthralled every minute.

Brrrr – it may be April but Summers transported me back to the worst winter weather days with her descriptive action scenes. I had to check my toes to make sure they weren’t frostbitten.

The pacing is fast and furious as Graham and Layla struggle to evade a relentless killer. Lots of wilderness survival struggles but luckily they have Search and Rescue K-9 Emmy and her specialized training to back them up.

Edge of your seat suspense paired with a (kinds, sorta) reunion romance (they were friends with the potential for more so not quite full on second chance) makes for a riveting read…or listen…depending on your preference.

Deadly Badlands Pursuit + Giveaway

A K-9 team has a witness to defend…and a murderer to track.

When Deputy US Marshal Gracie Fitzpatrick checks on a government witness, she unexpectedly walks into an ambush at Cameron Holmes’s ranch. She and her K-9 partner, Bane, fight off the assailant—but to protect Cameron, they must escape into South Dakota’s treacherous Badlands. Tracking dangerous enemies is what Gracie does, and Cameron’s life in witness protection has left targets on his back. With a killer waiting in the shadows, Gracie and Cameron must work fast to uncover the truth about who wants him dead…if they want to stay alive.

My Review:

A heart-in-throat page turner from the get go. Stover has an incredible gift of mixing intensity with humour which adds a unique zest to this romantic suspense. And Gracie’s sassy sarcasm and indefatigable spirit brings an upbeat vibe to even the direst situations.

She arrives at Cameron’s ranch for a routine wellness check and winds up with way more than she bargained for. Fighting off an unknown assailant and trying to gain the confidence of a surly and understandable, wary government witness is the ‘perfect’ way to end a long day. And things are only about to get a whole lot worse.

Loved the way the relationship develops in the midst of relentless danger. Both Gracie and Cameron have pasts that make it hard for them to trust easily which brings a bit of suspense into their romance. Will they or won’t they? How can they possibly with a future that only seems to hold uncertainties? Loved the twists and turns and the way the author wrapped things up by the end.

Goodness, I haven’t even mentioned Bane yet. Belgian Malinois and dedicated K-9 officer, there’s nothing Bane can’t track and he’s not bad to have in your corner during a fight either!

This is the second book in the Dakota K-9 Unit multi-authored continuity series but can easily be read as a standalone. There’s some great interaction with her team and now I’m excited to get to know each of them better when they have a chance to star in their own stories.

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Mac Fowler who did a wonderful job bringing distinctive voices (and attitude) to every character. The ease she brings to her performance makes for a comfortable and satisfying listen.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Deadly Badlands Pursuit,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 26 2025.

Montana Abduction Rescue

Kidnappers out for vengeance. Can a K-9 team stop them?

Following the death of a crime boss he put behind bars, Ian Carpenter leaves witness protection—and runs right into an ambush. To escape assailants bent on revenge, he turns to his former handler, US marshal Meadow Ames, and her K-9 partner. But the stakes grow higher when Ian’s cousin is abducted. With threats closing in, can they rescue a kidnapped teen…and stop the criminals for good?

My Review:

This is the fifth book in the Love Inspired ‘Mountain K-9 Unit’ multi-authored series published in July 2024. It has recently been made available in audio format much to my delight. Even though this is the fifth book, it reads well as a standalone. While there is a romantic suspense plot unique to this story, there is also an over-arcing investigation that plays out through all the books. All the authors do a great job of catching readers up on the secondary suspense plot without detracting from the primary one.

Jodie Bailey knows how to build suspense through a delectably taut plot line full of unexpected twists. The inciting incident drew me in and set the tone for the rest of the story. It was a great way to immediately get deep into the psyche of both Ian and Meadow – a kind of baptism by fire into their personalities and motivations.

They have a professional history which was cut off when Ian went into the wit-sec programme and I really enjoyed watching their relationship warily take shape amidst all the chaos and danger. I especially appreciated the unique connection they have. I don’t want to say more for fear of spoilers – let’s just say there’s some nice role reversal on stereotypical suspense plot lines.

I really enjoyed Shannon Hemmings audio narration. She brought these characters alive and her performance added to the sense of danger and emotion evident in the story.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Dangerous Arson Trail + Giveaway

Can an officer and his K-9 partner catch a criminal with a deadly plan?

Emergency dispatcher Darcy Lane is abducted and left for dead in a burning house by a vengeful copycat of an arsonist she helped identify years ago. K-9 officer Lucas Harper, the man who once broke her heart, rescues her just in time. Staying one step ahead of a culprit proves nearly impossible, but Lucas will risk everything to keep Darcy safe. With the clock ticking, can they identify who’s terrorizing her…before the cold-blooded killer’s long-awaited revenge is complete?

My Review:

Canadian author. Canadian setting. What’s not to love? Always excited to find a story set on my home turf.

Oh my goodness — the tension! Black skillfully builds it up to an explosive conclusion and I was on the edge of my seat all the way through. Perfectly paced, action and danger bookend the romance and it all increased my anxiety!

Love that Darcy and Lucas have a muddled history, it adds a delicious knot of strain to their situation. Gotta love a complicated romance that seems doomed from the start…even though both hero and heroine can’t shake a resurgence of feelings that seem impossible to fulfill. Especially with Darcy being targeted by an unknown assailant. The perfect setup for a stellar romantic suspense.

‘Dangerous Arson Trail’ is the third book in ‘Unsolved Case Files’ series but can easily be read as a standalone novel. I enjoyed meeting up with this cold case team again. The author does a great job of creating a cohesive team of eclectic characters and I’m eager to learn more of their stories as the series progresses.

I listened to the audio edition of this book courtesy of Harlequin Audio and Net Galley and really enjoyed Noni Alley’s narration. She conveyed all the edgy emotion realistically which really helped me connect to the characters and situations they were dealing with. A compulsive non-stop listening experience for me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Dangerous Arson Trail,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 12 2025.

Searching for Justice + Giveaway

A cold-case reopened. A K-9 in pursuit of the truth.

When a teen goes missing from the same place where her own foster sister disappeared, K-9 handler Brynne Taylor is on the case…until she’s caught in a lethal trap. Someone doesn’t want her or her Saint Bernard, Fergie, snooping around, and they’re willing to kill to keep their secrets. Saved by rancher Jace Jackson, Brynne reluctantly accepts the single father’s help solving both cases. But they’re under fire every dangerous step of the way—and eluding this killer may be as impossible as outrunning Brynne’s past…

My Review:

Wow! This is the 15h K-9 Search and Rescue book from Love Inspired Suspense and I hope they keep them coming. I’m always on board for good K-9 mystery and this one is fantastic. How could it not be with Fergie leading the way?! A St. Bernard who has a lot to prove along with human partner, Brynne, since they are the newest hires in this small Texas town. Especially since Brynne has history that seems to be all tangled up in the latest missing teen case.

I really enjoyed the way Queen strikes a balance between the romance and the suspense. The Second Chance trope plays out realistically. Past traumas – especially for Brynne – make things extra challenging. Loved the way the past is gradually merged into the present and there were so many ‘aha’ moments that made the suspense even more thrilling for me…and left me on tenterhooks regarding the happily ever after outcome. I knew it was coming…this is a Love Inspired novel, after all…but just how satisfactorily would it be wrapped up? Splendidly, I’d say!

I listened to the audio edition narrated by Cyndi Stark. Her performance complimented these characters and drew out the tension at just the right moments. An excellent listen that I’d recommend to audio ‘readers’ like me.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Searching for Justice, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 15 2025.

Hiding the Witness + Giveaway

Rescuing a child makes a killer’s target.

Racing into a burning cabin to search for survivors, firefighter Diana Cameron stumbles upon an unconscious child—and two bodies with bullet wounds. When a sniper targets their narrow escape, Diana has no choice but to team up with bodyguard Chase Mitchell to keep the little girl safe. Uncovering the identity of the murder victims is the only way to find the killer. But as they’re chased by gunmen into the mountain wilderness, can they protect a tiny witness from the unknown…when the truth is more sinister than they imagined?

My Review:

Whoa – what a compelling romantic suspense! I listened to the audio edition, and I have to say that narrator Alexis Vandom’s performance increased my appreciation of the storytelling that much more. The way she delivers the dialogue – especially when Diana and Chase are sniping at each other — just brilliant! She draws out the tension, infuses emotion into these characters and just made the story more engaging for me. Excellent narration.

And the story? Phew! High-octane intrigue from the get go. Excellent pacing. Even though the danger is relentless and Chase and Diana face endless obstacles, the author creates enough breathing space for a believable relationship to develop. And that sweet little girl they are protecting adds a poignant touch to the story. As does the inspirational thread the author has deftly woven throughout – even in the midst of uncertain peril.

I need to read more of Deena Alexander’s novels, including catching up on her backlist because it looks like this book is part of a series featuring Chase’s private security team. (No worries though – it reads well as a standalone.) But I’m intrigued now that I’ve met the whole gang and I need to know all their stories.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this novel.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hiding the Witness, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 8 2025.

K-9 Alaskan Defense + Giveaway

A K-9 stand guard while a killer closes in.

Discovering a dead body in the woods turns into a fight for survival when Lily Peterson is attacked by an unknown assailant. Rescued by her retired police K-9, Timber, Lily calls the one man she trusts for help—her late fiancé’s partner, former officer Travis Beckett. Only, the danger proves to be far from over when Lily’s house goes up in flames. Someone wants her dead, and all clues lead to a connection to her departed fiancé’s final case. Investigating the past is the only way to stay alive…but can they elude a killer neither expects?

My Review:

I so enjoy these Love Inspired Suspense K-9 series – such amazing variety in all these stories! ‘K-9 Alaskan Defense’ is an example of all that is good in this kind of romantic suspense.

First — the setting. I am so enamoured with stories set in Alaska particularly when it’s a romantic suspense. And the opening scene with Lily stumbling upon a dead body in the middle of nowhere. Phew! Cue the ominous organ music and buckle up for a rocky ride to her happily every after! Really loved the pacing — the way the author builds up the tension but includes enough breathing space for the relationship between Lily and Travis to grow.

So — second chance romance trope written with just the right amount of angst and redemption. Loved the way these two communicate, even when it comes to the hard to hear stuff. And the rich emotional layers in both their back stories add extra depth to an already riveting read.

Then there’s Timber – retired K-9 officer who hasn’t forgotten any of her training and is still all about serving and protecting. Love me a good fur-buddy bodyguard!

The suspense grabbed my attention from the very first scene and I found the mystery so compelling. I could feel my anxiety levels rise as I tried (along with Travis and Lily) to figure out why Lily seemed to be a target and then I got to an ‘aha’ moment waaaay before they did and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to catch up with me…or prove me wrong. Absolutely love how engaged I was with these characters and their story.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Dominique Dibbell. Her performance matched the tension and action of the story and enhanced my ‘reading’ pleasure that much more. Such a blessing to have so many of the Love Inspired books being made available in audio format now.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of K-9 Alaskan Defense, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2025

Defending the Child + Giveaway

Caught in a mountain blizzard…with a child to protect.

After Marielle Coleman’s foster son witnesses his mother’s murder, he becomes a killer’s next target. Escaping into a raging Montana snowstorm, Marielle and her little boy hide at a remote camp—and unexpectedly reunite with her ex-fiancé, Graham Flynn, an undercover DEA agent. Now Graham and Marielle must put aside their distrust to save the child from dangerous pursuers. But Graham’s still hiding secrets from Marielle…ones that could tie them all to a conspiracy that will end their lives.

My Review:

Brrrrrr…the perfect January read. Nothing like a stranded in a snowstorm scenario to amp up the suspense in a story! I crave this kind of read once the weather turns cold. There’s something so cozy about curling up with a ‘fighting against the elements’ page-turner while ignoring your own blizzard outside!

I was hooked right from the start. The action scenes are so vivid and intense and the plight of an innocent child adds to their desperation. Then there’s the second chance romance (eeeepp – one of my favourite tropes for a romantic suspense!) I really liked the way the author wove Marielle and Graham’s reconciliation into the intense drama of the suspense. Heightened emotions all around, including mine!

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Defending the Child’, expertly narrated by Jessica Taige. She conveyed all the emotional nuances perfectly which made the story that much more compelling. Turned this one into a compulsive listen I finished it in a day.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Defending the Child, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 25 2025