By now when I see Shirlee McCoy's name, I associate her
with intelligent romantic suspense and trained dogs in law
enforcement. That's even before looking at the splendid
cover pictures. Shirlee and other great writers like Terri
Reed and Lenora Worth collaborate on linked series about K9
units. If you have not followed this year's series grab
SECRETS AND LIES to get started.
The Rookie
K-9 Unit series shows the Arizona town has a
running problem of drugs and murders, including the murder
of a K9 dog trainer. This fifth tale can be read as a
standalone and focuses on Ariel Martin, a teacher who found
that the Las Vegas lifestyle ended in divorce and tragedy;
she is eight months pregnant. Tristan McKeller has an
appointment to meet Ariel to discuss his young sister but
he arrives with his Golden Labrador partner Jesse just in
time to scare off an unknown gunman. They are still in
rookie training but Tristan does all the right things
including getting an ambulance team to check the pregnant
lady.
I found the first chapter a little annoying as each main
character walks around the school thinking about their life
and all the background the reader needs to know. Maybe
Ariel would, but Tristan, while he is hunting for an armed
attacker? In the next chapters they each think over what
they know about the other person, and go on to discuss each
other's lives. This repetition makes for a slow start and I
really felt it would have helped not to tell us the same
thing three times. After this the story
takes off and danger builds.
Poor Ariel comes across as brave and practical. She's
surviving, she's bought a fixer-upper house and she's
working. But the creepy events make her feel as though her
ex-husband is stalking her and trying to harm her, or her
baby, even though he died in a car crash. Who else had
reason to dislike her? Tristan is the guardian of his
sister Mia which helps him feel responsible towards Ariel,
just when she badly needs a friend. Teen Mia is another
distinct, typically moody personality.
I enjoyed this inspirational romance which is very
suspenseful and will have you second-guessing the bad guys.
SECRETS AND LIES by Shirlee McCoy is last but one and
uncovers some of the big ongoing issues. Next book will be
Valerie Hansen's SEARCH AND RESCUE featuring more
thrilling K9 romance.
EXPECTING—AND IN DANGER
Attacked in her classroom, widowed teacher Ariel Martin's
only thought is for her unborn child. When her student's
brother, rookie K-9 officer Tristan McKeller, and his
faithful dog save her life, she can't thank him enough. She
knows Tristan won't rest until she's safe, but she doesn't
want him or his police colleagues digging into her dangerous
past. After all, the only person who would want to hurt her
is dead…or is he? With her and her child's life on the line,
she'll have to trust Tristan with her secrets if she wants
to finally get the fresh start she's been desperately seeking.
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