Tag Archives: Vickie

The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton- a Review

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The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton- a Review

 

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Description:
Penelope Fletcher gave up everything to board the RMS Titanic.

Forced to travel to America for her father’s new job, Penelope left her home in Scotland, her beloved grandmother, and even her girlfriend, who promptly got engaged to someone else. Heartbroken, Penelope isn’t looking forward to the weeklong journey. Or that her parents want her to find a husband in America. To make matters worse, she also has to share a cabin with a complete stranger.

Ruby Cole, her spunky Irish roommate, is unlike anyone Penelope ever met. They become fast friends as they bond over crushing family expectations and sneaking into lush parties together. That Ruby likes women, too, comes as a surprise to Penelope, but she knows their affair can only be temporary. Because as soon as the Titanic arrives in New York, Penelope will have to marry someone of her father’s choosing.

Before long, though, they’ll both have to decide what–and who–is really worth fighting for.

 

 

Review:

The Breath Between Waves by Charlotte Anne Hamilton begins with Penelope Fletcher and her family boarding the RMS Titanic.  Penelope has had to leave her home in Scotland and those she loves behind.  Her father has accepted a job in America and both of her parents expect her to find a husband soon.  Neither of those things is what she wants to do.  To add insult to injury, she must share a cabin on the ship with someone she doesn’t even know.

As Penelope is starting to unpack, her roommate, Ruby Cole, comes into their shared cabin.  Penelope is instantly drawn to Ruby.  The two young ladies become fast friends as they navigate the ship together and spend more and more time together.  Penelope finds herself attracted to Ruby and to her relief, she finds out that Ruby likes women as well.  As they develop feelings for each other, tragedy hits and the two of them get separated not knowing if the other has survived the sinking of the unsinkable ship.

The Breath Between Waves is a creative retelling of the Titanic story.  Both main characters were well written, as were the secondary characters.  The instant (and I do mean instant!) attraction that Penelope had for Ruby was a bit much for me, but I did enjoy them getting to know more about each other.  If I’m being honest, there’s a lot of Jack and Rose in the second half of the book.  With the parties they attended and trying to keep their affair a secret took me back to those scenes in the actual movie.  With all of that said, I did enjoy the book.  If you’re a fan of the genre, as well as stories about the Titanic, you’ll certainly enjoy it as well.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Matchmaker Bride by Ginny Baird – a Review

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The Matchmaker Bride by Ginny Baird – a Review

 

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Description:
Successful Boston matchmaker and television personality Meredith Galanes’s reputation is on the line. During a guest appearance on a morning talk show, she’s broadsided by questions about her own romantic attachments, just as she’s trying to secure a syndication deal. Afraid to admit her love life is a total disaster, Meredith blurts out that she’s seriously involved with a very special man–a boatbuilder in Maine. She never expects that small slip to get spun into a story about her supposed engagement.

Or that the paparazzi will track the guy down…

Derrick Albright is laid-back about many things. Being hounded by the press about some imaginary engagement to a woman he’s only met once–and couldn’t stand–isn’t one of them. Then Meredith actually shows up at his cabin in Blue Hill, Maine, with an apology, a pot roast, and a proposal–play along until she secures her TV deal, and she’ll help him win back his ex.

It’s a simple plan, but if they have any chance of pulling it off, they’ll have to survive each other first…

Each book in the Blue Hill Brides series is STANDALONE:
* The Duplicate Bride
* The Matchmaker Bride

 

Review:

The Matchmaker Bride begins with Meredith Galanes’s both nervous and excited about the possibilities before her.  She has a local matchmaking show that she is hoping will be picked up and go into syndication.  Her being interviewed by the host of Talk Time should be just the thing to get the executives to pick up her show.  What Meredith did not count on was the host asking her about her love life, which was non-existent.  She made a split-second decision to say that she, in fact, does have a special someone in her life, even though that is not true.  In her mind, how could a matchmaker NOT be involved with someone?  Meredith also does not count on the story being picked up so quickly and the press going to find the “boatbuilder in Maine”, even though she never gave a name.

Derrick Albright had no idea what to think when the press showed up at his house in Maine wanting to know about his engagement to Meredith Gaines.  When Meredith shows up in the middle of the chaos, he is even more surprised.  They had only met once and to say they did not get along is a bit of an understatement.  Once Meredith lays out what is going on and proposes that this will help him get back with an old ex, he finds himself intrigued and agrees to go through with the plan for a few weeks.  However, neither of them expected to get along, let alone start to develop feelings for each other.

The Matchmaker Bride is nicely written by Ginny Baird, with very relatable characters.  Meredith and Derrick were each strong on their own but really flourished together.  I really liked the dynamic between the two of them.  The secondary characters were also well written.  The worldbuilding was great as well.  If I am being honest though, I did have a bit of an issue with not knowing about their history, other than the author saying that they did not get a long when they first met.  The other characters also talked about issues that I feel would have been good to know before reading this story as well.  I would not normally bring that up, as I read and review books in the middle of series all the time that say they can be read as a standalone.  But I do feel like something was missing for me due to the multiple references to the first time they met and the other characters’ comments.  With that said, I enjoyed the story and have put the first in the series near the top of my “to be read” list!  If you enjoy the genre, you will certainly enjoy this one. 

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London – a Review

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Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London – a Review

 

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Description:
What happens when two people who’ve given up on forever find it in each other…?

Single men are as scarce in Forever Falls as a vegetarian at a barbecue. That is, until Ethan Hammersmith moves in. After his fiancée gave him an ultimatum, he left Australia and never looked back. He isn’t in America to find a new girlfriend, though. He’s searching for the father he never knew. But now it’s like he has a flashing sign above his head that says “available.” Thankfully, the manager of the local diner is willing to give him cover—if only she weren’t so distractingly adorable.

Monroe Roberts, town misanthrope and divorcée, knocked “forever” permanently off her wish list ever since the love of her life skipped town with the cliché yoga instructor. And good riddance. She’s got this struggling diner to keep her busy, trying anything to boost sales…until a hot Australian strolls in and changes everything. Monroe’s restaurant is packed full of women who aren’t there to order food, unless Ethan is on the menu. This could sink her business faster than ever. So—light bulb—what if they pretend to be together?

It sounded like the perfect plan. It hilariously was not…

 

Review:

Forever Starts Now begins with Monroe Roberts at work at the Sunshine Diner, handling yet another problem.  It does not help when Frank, the cook and her long-time friend, starts in on her about doing something more with her life.  Something more than managing the diner and in line with what she had aspired to do before her life took an unexpected and heartbreaking turn.  To add to an already frustrating day, Mr. Sullivan, who owns the diner, pops in.  Monroe has known him since she was a kid, but that did not help when she heard what he had to say.  It seems that the lack of business and rising costs was forcing his hand to either sell or close the diner.  Monroe did get him to give her a month to see if she could turn things around.  One month……. 

Ethan Hammersmith had been in America for a while now searching for someone he only found out about as his mother lay dying almost a year ago…..his biological father.  With nothing more than a name and age, Ethan has made it his mission in life to track down this elusive man to see if he can make sense of his life.  Once Ethan found out that the man who raised him was not his birth father, everything he thought he knew and wanted came crashing down.  Now, here he was in another town searching.  Little did he know how much his life was about to change when he stepped into the Sunshine Diner.  Add to that the fact that he is a dead ringer for Chris Hemsworth and his life will, once again, never be the same.

Forever Starts Now is a wonderfully written story.  The characters are engaging and relatable.  Monroe is a devoted daughter, sister and friend.  The betrayal she suffered at the hands of her now ex-husband had a profound effect on her and sent her reeling.  Ethan had always thought something was off between him and his “father”.  Once he found out what that reason was, his life changed in an instant.  The interaction between Monroe and Ethan was well written too.  There were sparks, but even more than that, there was a mutual respect that shone through.  I also really enjoyed the secondary characters as well.  Forever Starts Now is ultimately a story about moving beyond hurt and betrayal and learning to trust yourself and your feelings once again so that you can embrace your future.  If you are a fan of the genre, you’ll certainly enjoy this one.  Well done, Stefanie London!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Betting on a Duke’s Heart by Royaline Sing -a Review

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Betting on a Duke’s Heart by Royaline Sing -a Review

 

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Description:
Aetius White, the Duke of Saxton, couldn’t save his father, but he’ll be damned if he won’t save the man’s dream. He’ll acquire a Triple Crown–winning horse at any cost, even marriage. Luckily, the lovely lady in mind loves challenges as much as he. Certainly he can win her heart without losing his own…

Hell will freeze over before Miss Dina Campbell agrees to marry a horse-mad man who wants her dowry of a prize stallion, no matter what her father wants. The duke may be handsome, but he’ll have to prove he is a suitable match for her before she’ll even consider the offer. And there’s no way this love-averse man will ever succeed with the wager that she has planned…

 

Review:

Betting on a Duke’s Heart begins with Dina Campbell checking her appearance before descending the stairs to meet yet another suitor whom she does not want.  She, as always, has tried to make herself as unattractive as possible.  When she enters the room to meet Aetius White, the Duke of Saxton, she is astonished when he tells her “…you are to be the Duchess of Saxton”.  She immediately tells him that she is not, but she is even more surprised when she is told that her father has already agreed to the marriage.  Dina is even more put out when Aetius basically tells her this is the way of it and he’ll be back in touch.

Dina knew of the Duke and knew well his love of horses, but it galled her that her horse was what he wanted and not her.  She didn’t want to be anyone’s second.

Aetius finds himself intrigued by Dina.  But his first priority is to win the Triple Crown which he can do if he marries her and is able to use her prized horse.  What he does not count on is that just as he is determined to marry her, she is just as determined to not marry.  What neither count on is the growing attraction between them and how to handle it. 

Betting on a Duke’s Heart is a nicely written story.  Dina is a strong and independent woman, albeit a little naïve at times.  Aetius is your typical male who was only marrying to further his personal endeavors.  I did enjoy some of the banter between the two of them. However, there was so much about horses (breeding and all!) that it almost overwhelmed the story.  Do not get me wrong.  Horses are part of the plot, but breeding in detail? I also enjoyed getting to explore a little of Dina’s mixed heritage.  Overall, even though I found Betting on a Duke’s Heart a little slow, it was an enjoyable read.  If you’re a fan of the genre, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as well.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Rakehell of Roth by Amalie Howard – a Review

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The Rakehell of Roth by Amalie Howard – a Review

 

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Description:
As owner of the most scandalous club in London, the last thing the notorious Marquess of Roth wants is a wife. Keeping up his false reputation as a rake brings in the clients with the deepest pockets—money he needs to fund a noble cause. Even though everything inside tells him not to leave his beautiful, innocent wife behind at his country estate…he must.

But three years later, tired of her scoundrel of a husband headlining the gossip rags, Lady Isobel Vance decides enough is enough. She is no longer a fragile kitten, but as the anonymous author of a women’s sexual advice column, she’s now a roaring tigress…and she can use her claws.

Isobel decides to go to him in London, channeling her powers of seduction to make him beg to take her back. But she didn’t expect her marauding marquess to be equally hard to resist. Now the game is on to see who will give in to the other first, with both sides determined like hell to win.

Each book in the Regency Rogues series is STANDALONE:
* The Beast of Beswick
* The Rakehell of Roth

 

Review:

The Rakehell of Roth begins with the Marquess of Roth, Winter Vance just having married Lady Isobel.  After their wedding, Winter takes Isobel to his ancestral home instead of his private estate.  Isobel was nervous during the trip and even more once they arrived at their destination.  When the time came to consummate their marriage, to say she was consumed by Winter is an understatement.  As she drifted to sleep, she knew she was in love with her new husband.

Three long years had passed since that fateful night.  Three long years since she had seen her husband.  The morning after their wedding night, Isobel woke to find out that Winter had left her behind and gone back to London.  Not totally alone though.  His father, the Duke of Roth lived there as well.  Unfortunately, Winter and his father had a very rock relationship.  Thankfully, her best friend, Clarissa came to live there as well.   Due to Winter’s reputation, and seemingly infinite line of women in his life, Isobel was doomed to constantly have to read of his scandalous behavior in the papers. 

When the Duke returned home after a trip, he informed Isobel that they were going to London for the season.  Isobel had tried repeatedly to see Winter but he always denied her an audience, but the Duke was insistent, so go to London they did.

Winter had cultivated his fake reputation as a rake.  So much so that even after his marriage, women still sought his company.  He never partook, as it were.  He also found himself, more than once, wondering about Isobel.  He had sworn he would never fall in love and marry.  He was starting to wonder about the former and had reasons for the latter.  However, nothing surprised him more than when Isobel sauntered into his home to announce that she was in town for the season.

The Rakehell of Roth is a nicely written story.  The characters are relatable and the world that Howard has built pulls you in.  I enjoyed Isobel’s determination to do well with her situation and her independent streak.  It took me a minute to warm up to Winter.  Once his backstory is revealed, you’ll more than  cut him a little slack.  The secondary characters are well written as well.  If I’m being honest though, I felt that the back and forth between Isobel and Winter went on a little too long before they finally admitted their feelings for each other.  For me, that part was a bit of a letdown.  However, the story itself was very good.  If you’re a fan of the genre, you will certainly enjoy the story.  Well done, Amalie Howard!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Tempting the Prince by Christi Barth – a Review

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Tempting the Prince by Christi Barth – a Review

 

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Description:
What happens when you mix an average American woman with a decidedly not average future King?

I can tell you from experience—a whole lot of complications.

You see, four months ago, my all-American sister, Kelsey, found out that she’s not actually my sister—she’s a princess of a country we’d never heard of. She begged me to come along when she was whisked off to her new palace, so here I am. An outsider who doesn’t fit in anywhere.

Now that she’s settled, I should go back to my exciting new career in New York. I absolutely should not stay in a country where I got shot (long story), where I suck so badly at the national sport that I accidentally murdered the symbol of the monarchy in front of half the country, and—oh yeah—where I can’t stop ogling Kelsey’s actual brother.

The Crown Prince.
The man who has to marry a very important princess. (not me)
The man who must create the next heir to the throne. (without me)
The man I absolutely can never be with. (remember that long story?)
The man who just gave me the best sex of my life…

Did I mention that it’s complicated?

Each book in the Sexy Misadventures of Royals series is STANDALONE:
* The Princess Problem
* Ruling the Princess
* Tempting the Prince

 

 

 

 

Review:

Tempting the Prince begins with Mallory getting lost in the palace.  Again.  Not very long ago, she and her sister, Kelsey, were average Americans from Michigan, living in New York.  That all changed when they found out that Kelsey was not her blood sister and had been adopted.  Add to that fact that Kelsey was also a long lost princess who had been stolen from her birth family and the word “average” went out the window.

Having found out that Kelsey was actually from the European country of Moncriano and a member of the Royal House of Villani, their lives changed in an instant.  Kelsey had had a hard time adapting to life as a royal, in that she was not a fan of all of the protocol and rule following.  Mallory helped Kelsey and tried to keep her on the straight and narrow and promised that she would stay for a few months to help her sister transition into life as a royal.

Things didn’t start out well.  There had been an assassination attempt in which Mallory got caught in the crossfire.  After months of recovery, and news from her doctors that she kept to herself, Mallory threw herself into helping Kelsey.

Needing to get away from the palace for a little while, Mallory ends up at bar of her bodyguard’s choosing.  While sitting at the bar, Mallory is very surprised to hear the very familiar voice of Prince Christian, next in line to be King and brother to Kelsey.  Also a man she can’t quite stop staring at, even though she knows he’s is way out of her league for numerous reasons.  Christian explains to her that this very bar is one where he can go and be himself.  Only then does she notice that a big percentage of the clientele are members of the royal guard.  Enjoying themselves, they eventually end up challenging each other to a game of darts.  It doesn’t take Christian long to realize how competitive Mallory is and decides to use that to his advantage.  However, while shooting darts, Mallory accidentally impales the ‘King to be” with a dart.  Mortified, they head to the back to get Christian cleaned and bandaged, only to find themselves in close quarters.  They also find themselves giving into their growing attraction to each other……..once.  Yep, best laid plans and such……..

Tempting the Prince is a wonderfully written story that pulled me in at the very beginning, even though I hadn’t read the previous books.  I loved the premise and the characters.  Mallory is so loyal to her sister and is torn between protecting herself and protecting her sister.  Christian knows what he wants.  He’s just not quite sure how to get there.  His father, the reigning king, is having issues with the past coming back to haunt him and has left Christian to step into the role.  He also wants Mallory but can’t seem to figure out how to make that work, until he finally sums up the courage to confront his father.  Christian finds it a bit ironic that the one person he knows who needs some help handling the past has the most impressive view of the future and also has the wise words on how to achieve such.  The chemistry between Mallory and Christian also pulls you in.  I loved their interactions, their wit and love for each other.  The secondary characters were well written as well, and I can’t wait to go back and read their stories.   If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll definitely not go wrong with this one.  Well done, Christi Barth!  Very, very well done!!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Her Second Chance Cowboy by Makenna Lee – a Review

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Her Second Chance Cowboy by Makenna Lee – a Review

 

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Description:
Wealthy cowboy, James MacLachlan, is content running his massive family ranch and starting an equine therapy program for special needs children. After his mother died in childbirth, and witnessing his father’s destruction at the loss of true love, James sticks to casual affairs. Marriage and children are risks he won’t take.

Reese Turner visits Cypress Creek, Texas, to complete a photo assignment for National Geographic and buy back her grandparents’ cottage. After disastrous romances, she’s sworn off men to focus on her career. Marriage and the babies she longs for can wait. When she runs into an old flame, she decides she can live out a fantasy, then leave town to pursue her dreams.

But love doesn’t play by the rules…

 

Review:

Her Second Chance Cowboy begins with Reese Turner returning to her hometown to take pictures for a client and to complete an assignment for National Geographic.  She finds herself on the side of the road taking pictures of an area that she hopes to buy back: her grandparent’s cottage. 

While taking pictures, Reese sees a man working on the roof of the cottage and snaps a few pictures of him, only to lose sight of her subject.  The next thing she knows, someone comes up behind her and tells her she is trespassing.  Surprised, she turns to see none other than James MacLachlan.  She soon finds out that the cottage had been bought by James, as it bordered his family ranch.  James invites her to have lunch with him in town and she gladly accepts.  After all, what would it hurt to have lunch with the guy who broke her heart all those years ago?

Reese is filled with nostalgia as she enters the town square and goes to the diner to meet James.  When he arrives, he apologizes for the jerk that he had been when they were together years ago.   Reese tries to play it off and changes the subject.   James invites her to stay at the cottage that they use as a guest house.  Reese, having already checked in at a local B&B, accepts, but tells him she will be there the following morning.

As Reese and James get reacquainted with each other, old feelings start to seep in.  James tells Reese that some big developer has been trying to buy up land around the area and that none of them will sell to him.  Then, ‘accidents’ start happening at different farms, including his own.  What stops Reese cold is when she finds out that the freelance photography job she is doing is for none other than said developer.  After an internal struggle, she assures herself that he could get the pictures from anyone else, so it was okay for her to take the pictures.  She even goes so far as to try and talk the developer out of trying to buy the land, only to be shut down.  Hard.

James finds himself more than smitten with Reese.  Their days and nights are easy and memorable for them both.  They just seem to fit.  Having lost his mother when she gave birth to his little sister, he had decided that he would never marry.  His father became a different man after the death and James didn’t want to follow that path. 

Reese knows that she’s in love with James.  Their relationship makes her dream of a future with James.  However, once secrets are revealed that leaves both of them feeling betrayed by the other, Reese takes the National Geographic job and leaves James, and a piece of her heart, behind.

Her Second Chance Cowboy is a nicely written story of second chance love.  The characters are relatable and well written.  The world Lee has built leaps off of the page and draws you in from the beginning.  The secondary characters are well written as well and add depth to the story.  If you’re a fan of second chance romances, you’ll certainly enjoy this one.  Well done, Makenna Lee!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Trap ‘N’ Trace by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Trap ‘N’ Trace by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

 

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Description:
For wealthy socialite Katrina Vandenburg, business meetings and charity galas are all part of her orderly, structured world—one that gets blown to hell after finding two dead bodies in the same day. The police think she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. FBI Special Agent Dayne Andrews thinks otherwise. Dayne and his K-9, Remy, are tracking a cold-blooded killer, and that trail…leads straight to Kat.

Kat and her rescue shelter—the Canine Haven—are the only common denominators between the murders, and Dayne is convinced she’s dead center in the killer’s sights. Protecting her will test every ounce of his steely resolve. She’s the most intriguing woman he’s ever met. And everything he shouldn’t want. Too bad neither of them seem to have gotten the memo.

And they need to focus on catching a killer now more than ever. Because if Dayne and Remy fail in their mission, nothing will stand between Kat and the killer’s deadly blade.

Each book in the Federal K-9 series is STANDALONE:
* Lock ‘N’ Load
* Armed ‘N’ Ready
* Dark ‘N’ Deadly
* Trap ‘N’ Trace

 

Review:

Trap ‘N’ Trace begins with Katrina Vandenburg  trying to return a puppy, Angus,  that had been found wandering around her rescue shelter.  She had called the number on the tag the previous night and the following morning, but no one had answered.  As she enters the office of the owner, it takes just a few seconds for her to know something is wrong.  When she finds a woman’s dead body in the office she immediately leaves the building to call 911.

The authorities show up, as does FBI Special Agent Dayne Andrews and his K-9, Remy.  Dayne had met Katrina once before, through mutual friends, and that meeting had not gone very well.  Once Katrina had been interviewed by the authorities, Dayne takes a personal interest in the case due to the fact that the murdered woman was a former agent. 

Later, Kat drives down to her shelter to get Angus more food.  When she enters, the lights are off, which she finds strange.  She yells for her friend and employee, Amy, to no avail.  As she enters another part of the shelter, she sees Amy lying on the floor.  She is surprised even more when a man wearing a black ski mask attacks her and demands to know where “it” is. 

Dayne and Remy arrive at the shelter to take some of Angus’ things (that were given to him by the murdered former agent’s husband) when he hears a woman’s screams.  He draws his gun and gives Remy the command to find the intruder.   Dayne soon finds Kat leaned up against a wall moaning and calls for backup.  She tells him what happened and to help Amy, only it’s too late.  He finds Amy dead and knows two things:  these murders are connected and he will protect Kat with all that he has. 

Trap ‘N’ Trace is another outstanding addition to O’Fallon’s Federal K-9 series.  The characters are very well written and relatable.  Kat comes from money, which Dayne had prejudged her for.  When he became her protector and moved into her house, it didn’t take very long for both of their walls to come down.  Their attraction, although not immediate, was quick to grow.  The chemistry between the two of them is palpable, as is their love of dogs.  Kat has been a little too trusting of a lot of people in her life, but after the murders, she, at Dayne’s urging, starts reevaluating certain relationships, only to realize that he was right.  Of course, there are some misunderstandings along the way, but as the danger grows, so do their feelings.  I absolutely love the world that O’Fallon has built with this series.  If you like your romance with some intrigue, some amazing dogs and a lot of steam, you will never go wrong with her stories.  Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!!!!!  Very, very well done!  I can’t wait for the next one!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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