Laura Johansson
Number 14 in the K9 files. It did have me thinking about the story long after I had finished the book. It's about second chances 12 years later. Harley is looking for a War Dog. He meet up with an old friend who catches him up on all he has missed out on in the last 12 years. He visits with Jasmine, his former foster sister and his girl friend. From there things start happening, a bullet through the kitchen window, a treat from a man who manhandles a dog. A run in with this man and another who appears to have another War Dog guarding a building that the police know all about but don't seem too interested in stopping whatever activity is taking place from this building. Jimmy, Jasmine's son goes missing. Round about then Jasmine's mother, whom she cares for, falls and breaks her hip, being admitted to hospital. In this way Jasmine is freed for a little while of her responsibilities toward her mother and can focus on her son and Harley. Harley locates Jimmy, tied up and witness to the beating of another man. He is also privy to hearing what the man pointing a gun at his head did to his mother, all those years ago. He also witness' his biological screwed in the head father's death. The dogs and Harley save the day and all is well for Jimmy, Harley and the dogs. Apparently, a lot of things can happen in a 48 hour period. You do want to continue reading, right to the end, whilst on the edge of your chair. No for the faint hearted either.
Pat Mottram
This is the fourteenth book in the brilliant K9 series, whether or not you are a dog lover you can't help but be touched by these heart-warming stories. Ex navy SEAL, Harley had recovered from his injuries, he now had a functioning prosthetic left arm and was contemplating the next chapter in his life. Part of Harley's job had been training K9 war dogs so when he was given the opportunity to search for war dog Browser, who had gone off the radar, he was more than willing to take up the challenge. Eureka, Montana had mixed memories for Harley, he had been fostered there as a child by a family who didn't treat him well and who fostered for the money that the government gave them, the one good thing was Jasmine, their daughter, she was sixteen, they were madly in love but he would never be good enough for her so he took the best way out and joined the navy. When Harley came face to face with Jasmine again he knew that the attraction was still there but life had not been good to Jasmine. This story follows the rekindling romance between Jasmine and Harley, tracing the badly treated war dog and gaining another in the process, facing a drug cartel who had high ambitions of expanding across the country, kidnapping and facing the hatred of almost everyone in the town who blamed him for a crime that he did not commit. Another lovely, action packed story by Dale Mayer and I look forward to the next one. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cheryl McCullough
Harley, our wounded walking Seal searches for our War Dog Boswer back in his old hometown where the only love or joy was from his foster sister, Jasmine who he hasn't seen since he left, when she was 16. There is mystery, intrigue, dogs - yes dogs, not one by 2. Makes my heart smile. There are old memories and hurts to sift through and surprises along the way. I am in awe of Jasmines inner strength what she did, how she perseveres and saddened by her lack of faith in herself, letting guilt control her. This books provides snip its of reality that happen daily all around the world. One would be a spoiler so I won't share suffice it to say it's a sad back drop where the darkness is turned into joy. Harley was placed in a foster home, one of those who fostered for the income. Where love was not part of growing up, but rules were. This scene or versions there of, bad fosters, is so prevalent in real life that when we hear about a good foster home (and I have friend who is loving on her foster children left and right :) ) we find it hard to believe and accept. When he comes back and sees Jasmine he finds her father has died and she is caring for her mother who has dementia. The ups, the downs, the possibilities of caring and lack there of are all dealt with briefly and poignant enough to touch us all. I personally would have been there telling Jasmine daily, that it was time to put her cruel,thoughtless (before dementia) in a home. She has lived her life for them, its time for her. Boswer made my dog loving heart pitter. I have said this before, and I will say it again, Dale Mayer writes books that entertain, but always have kernels of situations that make you think. Thank you for the arc. I freely volunteer my long winded thoughts (in this one) and my opinions.