Extreme Honor
Author: Piper J. Drake
Reviewer: Una
Rating: A-
What I’m Talking About:
Extreme Honor is the exciting debut novel in the True Heroes series. I enjoyed the captivating story of David, Lyn, and Atlas. Suffice to say, I can’t wait for more in this gripping series that combines hot military men, their loyal canine companions, and the women they love.
This novel sets up Hope’s Crossing Kennel, where David works with two other ex-military men. They train dogs for anything from basic house pets to military working dogs and in between. Atlas, a Belgian Malinois, has been returned to David to rehabilitate. Atlas, a military multipurpose dog, is mourning the loss of his handler, Calhoun, who happens to be a friend of David’s and who died overseas. It seems he was killed in a friendly fire accident, but David doesn’t believe the story that is being told and knows that Atlas holds the key. Figuring out the truth and avenging his friend is something David is determined to find out. However, his life is complicated by Lyn, a contractor sent to assist with the rehabilitation of Atlas. David instantly resents Lyn’s presence while Lyn is hell-bent on helping Atlas heal. However, when Atlas shows the first sign of life by acknowledging Lyn’s presence, he has no choice but to let her help. But by letting her help, it seems she is placed in the cross hairs of those that killed David’s friend, and she may be next.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between David and Lyn. Though their romance moved fast, I liked that they did have time to get to know each other. David is very patient though determined. Lyn has a good heart and tries to think things through. Though she sometimes thinks herself in circles, I could completely relate to her inner monologue. However, she does have a habit of being a bit spontaneous and headstrong. Because we are given both David and Lyn’s point of view, it made their journey so much more compelling. Both Lyn and David have their own issues that affect how they see each other, especially long term. Therefore their HEA was even more meaningful as they came together. I especially liked that David’s demons were not overplayed but something that he had already dealt with.
The overall plot of Calhoun’s death and the fate of Atlas was gripping. The conspiracy was interesting and the twist at the end was startling. I really enjoyed this portion of the story and wonder if it will continue in future novels. Though for the most part it was resolved and yet the fate of those involved, especially the ring leader was not. I really loved how integral to the plot the dog training was. Atlas was a fascinating character, and I enjoyed how he was included. Suffice to say I am an animal lover and really enjoyed that aspect of this novel.
Extreme Honor is a fabulous start in this new series. What’s not to love when you have hot ex-military guys that help dogs? Included in this ARC was a snippet from the next novel. After reading it (because I do love the torture), I can’t wait until it is available. If you love dogs, enjoy a gripping suspense with hot military guys, then don’t hesitate to pick up this series!
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
About the Book:
David Cruz is good at two things: war and training dogs. The ex-soldier’s toughest case is Atlas, a Belgian Malinois whose handler died in combat. Nobody at Hope’s Crossing kennel can break through the animal’s grief. That is, until dog whisperer Evelyn Jones walks into the facility… and into Atlas’s heart. David hates to admit that the curvy blonde’s mesmerizing effect isn’t limited to canines. But when Lyn’s work with Atlas puts her in danger, David will do anything to protect her.
Lyn realizes that David’s own battle scars make him uniquely qualified for his job as a trainer. Tough as nails yet gentle when it counts, he’s gotten closer to Atlas than anyone else—and he’s willing to put his hard-wired suspicion aside to let her do the same. But someone desperate enough to kill doesn’t want Lyn working with Atlas. Now only teamwork, trust, and courage can save two troubled hearts and the dog who loves them both…
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Series: True Heroes #1
ISBN: #978-1455536047
Genre: Military/Suspense Romance
Format(s): paperback (336 pages), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
Purchase Info:
Extreme Honor (True Heroes #1)
Excerpt:
His kiss wasn’t light or gentle or teasing. His lips came down on hers with heat and firm pressure. His hand moved from her chin to cup the back of her head, urging her to tilt for him. She did, opening her mouth and giving him access, too. His tongue swept in, hot and searching. She answered in kind and they explored each other.
This was… wow. More than wow. Heat swept through her and she reveled in the sensation he sent coursing throughout her body with his kissing.
It was a long time before he let her up for air and when he did, she realized she was clutching the front of his shirt with both hands. Oh hey. How about that?
“You need to get over this.”
What?
Shocked, she started to step back but David’s hand was still on the back of her head and his other arm came around her waist. Tucked against him, she looked up to see him glaring at Atlas through the chain-link fence.
The big dog had reared up and put his front paws on the fence.
“You can deal,” David said to Atlas. “Don’t even tell me you gave Calhoun this kind of interference when he was with somebody.”
Butterflies tickled her and she buried her face in David’s chest as she giggled.
“What? That’s seventy-five pounds of canine jumping up on me if it weren’t for this fence.” Despite his words, amusement colored his tone and his arm remained firmly around her waist.
“With the two of you, there isn’t anything that can keep me worried.” She smiled up at him, enjoying the fit of their bodies against each other.
David gave her a lopsided grin. “Good. I’d like to say we make a solid team but Atlas here is working for you but not with me, if you get what I mean.”
“Ah well, he’s a free agent for the time being.” She didn’t want to ruin the mood. But it’d be stupid to pretend Atlas wouldn’t be returned to duty once they’d gotten him back to one hundred percent responsiveness. The big dog was too good to retire yet.
“True.” David pressed a kiss to her temple. “So.” She could barely believe her own audacity but the last few days, the last few minutes in particular, were all about personal evolution, apparently. “Where were we before Atlas expressed his opinion?”
Because she’d like to get back to that. And explore. In detail.
Okay, maybe she wasn’t as daring as she could be. Yet.
“Here.” David caught her mouth for another hot, fantastically mind-blowing kiss.
Giveaway:
The publisher is offering ten (10) print copies of Extreme Honor for giveaway to U.S./Canadian mailing addresses. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form, below.
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I just got this one from NG 🙂 That reminds me, I have to dl it
I hope you enjoyed it!