Colton P.I. Protector

Danica Gage, a K9 dog trainer, was working the overnight shift to supervise two new puppies at the Red Ridge K9 Training Center. While walking the puppies, she has the nagging feeling that she is not alone, which proved right when she came to. She had been drugged, and a trained attack dog, Nico, had been stolen. The local police have their hands full with a recent wave of criminal activities, as well as searching for “the Groom Killer”, so they ask Shane Colton, a P.I. who also consults with the police, to investigate the dognapping. Danica doesn’t mind Shane’s involvement, but he isn’t too thrilled because he has never forgiven what her grandfather did to him. Regan Black seriously knows her K9, because COLTON P.I. PROTECTOR is positively riveting! For once, I could really appreciate all the work that is asked of the trainers, handlers, and the working dogs themselves. Shane’s dog, a corgi named Stumps, is truly the third leading character in this book; yes, he is cute but watching him work was fascinating, and my respect for the K9 units has grown tenfold because of COLTON P.I. PROTECTOR. There is a long-standing feud between the Coltons and the Gages, it is legitimate, it is not only because the author said so, which is why Shane hates himself in finding Danica so attractive, because what her grandfather did was really heinous. The family dynamics on both sides are rather mystifying, and sadly very believable. While the chemistry between Danica and Shane is undeniable, I didn’t quite get what spark ignited for that first kiss. It felt as if I had missed something, but then again maybe I did. On the other hand, I really loved a secondary character: Hayley Patton, and I’m not really sure if I should have, but I hope we get to see her again in future instalments, because she has that je ne sais quoi that piqued my interest. The second half of the book lost some of its suspenseful momentum because it focused more on the romance; what can I say? I love action! I was actually stunned at the abrupt ending; it’s not precisely a cliffhanger, but there are still many loose ends left to be tied. The dialogues are incredibly well-written; some of the barbs exchanged between Danica and Shane almost felt like jabs to the chest, and there is so much pain, regret and resentment, which they overcome like the intelligent adults that they are. Regan Black’s writing is as brilliant as ever: she possesses an uncanny ability at recreating a police – and K9 – environment that feels genuine every step of the way; I felt I was part of the team, and I loved it!