Book Review: Dark 'N' Deadly (Federal K-9) by Tee O'Fallon

Dark 'N' Deadly is the third book in the Federal K-9 series by Tee O'Fallon. I have not read the previous books, and while some of the characters and situations from previous books do carry over I was able to enjoy this story on its own. However, I think that those that have read the previous books will get more from this read than newcomers like myself. 

ATF Special Agent Eric Miller and his explosives detecting K-9, Tiger, pull over a truck, the contents of which are explosive. Literally. More shocking, the driver is the kid brother of a woman he left behind. One who still haunts his days and his nights. They’d never so much as kissed, but Tess McTavish never forgot the handsome, dangerous agent who vanished in a shroud of mystery. Now the last thing she needs is an ATF agent with his own agenda. Doesn’t matter that Tess and her brother are innocent. If Eric learns the truth of their past, they’ll never be free. Eric’s drive for revenge against the man who targeted him and his colleagues in a deadly explosion still burns hot inside him. Another bomb is about to be detonated and he’s sure there’s a connection between that man…and Tess’s family. But Eric and Tiger will do everything they can to protect the woman he’s falling for from what’s coming.

Dark 'N' Deadly is a strong contemporary romance that had a nice slow burn element, and some serious tension. There were a few times that I delayed getting back to the book because of that tension. I liked the character building. I thought that Eric and Tess were well crafted characters- with complicated and painful pasts. They each dealt with their trauma in consistent and reasonable ways, even when it made the situation harder on themselves later. I liked that the secondary characters, like Jesse and Dayne were well fleshed out, and just as realistic and consistent as the main players. I did have a couple moments when I groaned about the lack of following law enforcement procedure- because those are the kind of things that get the bad guys acquitted in the long run- and I was left think about how much evidence would actually be submittable in court. But, this is fiction and while I think I know some of this stuff, I have not done all the research so I could be wrong. In general, I enjoyed the read and thought the characters were well written. However, I did not fall in love with the series.   So much of this book worked really well- and the danger and tension were high and carried throughout the story, but it somehow missed the sweet spot for me and I could not even point out the moment or aspect of the story that I just did not connect with.

Dark 'N' Deadly is a must read for fans of the series, since you have met these characters in the previous books. It was a solid read, but somehow ran hot and cold for me. 

Early Book Review: Through the Fire (Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit) by Katie Ruggle

Through the Fire is the fourth book in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series by Katie Ruggle. It is currently scheduled for release on August 7 2018. Kit Jernigan despairs of ever fitting in with her new tight-knit K9 unit. They've been through too much to open their arms to a stranger―and as mysterious fires begin raging across Monroe, she can't convince them to trust her long enough to catch the woman she knows is responsible. Wesley March, local fire spotter, knows Kit is right, and he's willing to help her prove it. But the more time they spend together, the closer they get...and the more danger they're in. A member of the K9 unit's inner circle is determined to get revenge―no matter who gets burned in the process. 

Through the Fire is a great romance, and I liked that the characters were a little different than those in previous books. Wes, or hero, is not the alpha male that I have come to expect. He is certainly brave and protective, but he has his own vulnerabilities and differences that make him stand out to me as my favorite guy in this series. Similarly, Kit stands out as a little different for our leading ladies from this series, and I love it. The banter and acceptance between our couple gave me the warm fuzzies from the very beginning, and the cuteness of their story only grew. I was frustrated right along side Kit when people did not accept her thoughts on what was happening, and adored how Sam and Wes reacted to her. I think this just might be my favorite in the series, and although it wraps up our police department's lives quite nicely, I am pretty excited that there is one more book coming for this series. 

Through the Fire is a wonderful continuation to the story, and I have to admit that I am thrilled to see there is one more book coming to this series, scheduled for release in October. 

Book Review: Run to Ground (Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit) by Katie Ruggle

Run to Ground is the first book in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series by Katie Ruggle. Grieving the death of his partner, Theo Bosco has no room in his life for distractions. Though his instincts scream that he should avoid Juliet 'Jules' Jackson, he can't seem to stay away. It doesn't help that Theo's new K9 companion has fallen head over paws with Jules's rambunctious family. Or that when he's with her, Theo finally knows peace. When Jules rescued her siblings, whisking them away to the safety of the beautifully rugged Colorado Rockies, she never expected to catch the eye—or the heart—of a cop. Yet as Jules struggles to fight her growing attraction to the brooding K9 officer, another threat lurks much closer to home, and this time, there's no escape.

Run to Ground is a contemporary romance that takes emotional wounded characters and helps them find love, and some peace. Theo lost his K-9 partner, and not long after his human partner. He is struggling with guilt, and trying to connect to the dog that has lost just as must as he has. Jules is trying for a fresh start, siblings in tow. A cop and a fugitive connect despite themselves, and I loved the slow burn and self doubt that is deeply woven into their story. I liked both characters, and adored Jules' younger siblings and the relationship they all had. I liked the connection Theo and Jules built, and how all of the town's regulars looked out for each other. I will admit that there are some important aspects to the ending that really bother me, although I do understand why things were left the way they were. However, overall I thought the balance of emotional and physical danger was nicely done, and I am more than a little eager to see what happens next.

Run to Ground is another engaging romance from Ruggle. It was not perfect, and I had a couple issues with it. However, I am still very much looking forward to the next book in this series and will gladly keep reading anything she publishes at this point.

Book Review: Wolf Unleashed by Paige Tyler

Wolf Unleashed by Paige Tyler is the fifth book in the SWAT series. The previous books (in order) are: Hungry Like the Wolf, Wolf Trouble, In the Company of Wolves, and To Love a Wolf. While each book could be read on its own, I think reading them in order will offer more understanding of the paranormal particulars and character personalities- which will make for a more engaging read.

Lacey Barton can't deny her crazy attraction to Alex Trevino, but that doesn't mean she has time for the gorgeous SWAT officer. She's hell-bent on discovering who's behind the brutal dogfights sending countless mauled animals to her veterinarian office. The trail leads Lacey to a ring of vicious drug dealers and suddenly she's in way over her head-right smack in the middle of a SWAT stakeout. With Lacey in danger, Alex's wolf side is unleashed. But when she witnesses Alex shift, she's even more terrified. Now it's up to Alex to crack the case-and earn back Lacey's trust and, ultimately, her heart.

Wolf Unleashed is another fast paced adventure in a world of this SWAT series. I like that the characters are complex. Lacey has some issues to work out and some series trouble pausing to think about self preservation- but is quick to look out for others. I felt like Alex was a little too perfect, but maybe his perfection is what was needed for Lacey to let him in. I liked the larger storyline of crime fighting, and found the suspense very well done. I will admit that I saw trouble coming with Lacey's sister miles away- and actually predicted some of the big surprises and reveals before they happened. Although, I still enjoy Tyler's writing style and enjoyed the read. I did not think this one was as outstanding as some of the other books I have read in the series, but it was still worth a Saturday night's time.

Wolf Unleashed offers exactly what I expected from the author. Characters with depth, issues and danger that need facing, and the ability of those characters to communicate when all is said and done. Fans of the series will need to read it. I would recommend reading the book as part of the larger series, only because of the ground work that has been laid in them for the werewolf information and character development. I have enjoyed the series, so if this looks like something you would enjoy, starting at the beginning will not be a hardship.