He’s claiming redemption–and the woman he wants A riveting Coltons of Red Ridge romance A sudden attack and a dognapping leave K-9 trainer Danica Gage shaken to her core. Even more surprising is her rescuer: P.I. Shane Colton. Years ago her family stole Shane’s freedom, but now Danica needs him to catch a criminal. And she must fight the urge to run into his arms…because wanting him could be … wanting him could be a deadly mistake.
more
This story is part of an ongoing series that several authors participate in. As a dog lover and dog rescuer I really enjoyed this book, but at the same time it tugged at my heart . There is a HEA between Shane and Danica but not a resolution to the dog issue 🙁 . I enjoyed the realistic build up in the relationship, especially considering their past history. Think Hatfield and McCoy in the present time. I appreciated the little nuggets about K9 training and its made me take a second look at our real life heroes in all walks with their K9 counterparts. I asked for a copy of this arc and am glad I was granted a copy. All opinions are my own. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense, romance, mystery and dogs.
This is the first story of this series I have read, and, although there is a story thread which continues throughout the series, this works as a standalone telling the story of Shane Colton and Danica Gage. This story has it all – mystery, intrigue, conflicts arising from past misdeeds, family feud, angst, and, of course, hard won love.
Regan Black weaves quite a tale. We are sent on a roller coaster ride watching the suspense unfold surrounding the threat to Danica’s beloved K9’s she trains, the serial killer on the loose in Red Ridge, and Shane dealing with the chip he has against Danica’s family and the budding love that’s developing between the two, while he’s trying to protect her.
This may seem like alot to keep up with, but the flow of the action is so smooth you won’t have any problem. It’s an easy book to read and will keep your interest from beginning to end. You’ll love her characters, especially the 4-legged variety. I will forewarn you, when you get to the end, you will want to read the next in the series because there is still more to the underlying story.
I highly recommend this read. It’s a great story!
I am voluntarily providing an honest, unbiased review of an ARC of this book.
Thrilling and intense suspense, tragic mistakes by the law enforcement that changed lives, and sweetest, most ardent, swoon-worthy romance, and the pets and four-legged partners who are drawn with specific characteristics, who are vital characters in the story, and who save the day more than once — there is so much to love about this story, I was enamored from the page one till the end.
I read as much of the K-9 stories as I can get my hands into. I love how the dogs contribute to the stories, how they show another side of the human characters, and how they are often in the key position to solve the cases and protect their partners. And how the author, Regan Black, has created Stumps, the corgi partner of the hero, with his characteristics, his love for belly rubs, his need and enjoyment towards the work they did, his protective and serious side vs the playful side, made me fall in love with him. And I loved how he interacted with the heroine’s cat, as well.
The suspense is two-fold, like often in category series. The immediate case is solved, while the big case in the background keeps stewing. The tension and anticipation of the attacks in the cases at hand are thrilling, the knowledge of the mastermind behind the attacks is frustrating as they are not being able to prove the case, and it puts everything and everybody on the edge while the intensity escalates.
The connection between Danica Gage and Shane Colton is bittersweet. Shane’s history with Danica’s grandfather, the time Shane had to spend in jail for the false conviction, and the consequences for that for both the families, gave enough angst between them to avoid a relationship despite the burning, palpable attraction between them. I absolutely loved how the relationship was developed, the steps they had to take to make it work, the hard conversations they had to open up to so things could evolve to a deeper level. Nothing comes easy, except the physical connection, and Danica and Shane have to decide if the tie between them is enough to do the hard things, to be open, honest, and vulnerable, and work on the issues between the two families.
The intriguing and fierce suspense, the charming, likable and relatable characters, both two- and four-legged, drawn with vivid and sharp lines, the romance that is so delightfully sexy and adorable, raw and realistic, that it took my breath away and made me smile… This story has it all from angst, fear, and savagery, to dreamy, sweet, and sensual feels that keep building as the story progress. I was mesmerized throughout the tale, wanting to inhale the story in one sitting…
~ Five Spoons
Being the fifth author in an ongoing continuity series is never easy. You have to address your readers who will pick it up just because you wrote it, but haven’t read any of the previous for books; while also satisfying the readers who are firmly invested in the series and have read everything previous. Such is the case with Regan Black’s latest, Colton PI Protector. I was one of the former readers and while I wished I had a little more background, Black covered all the high points so I didn’t feel lost as I was reading. I enjoyed Black’s trademark style as she kept the action moving. While I would have liked a few of the more obvious loose ends tied up, it might prompt me to pick up the final book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author so I was not aware that this book is the 5th installment in a series. There are a few references made that probably would make more sense if you started at the beginning of the series and read the books in order to follow the full backstory of the families and timeline of events; however, this book is easy to follow and can be read as a stand-alone. The characters are likable, the dialogue fun and engaging and the storyline plausible and entertaining. I really enjoyed Danica and Shane and their hesitant friendship. With all their family history it was easy to understand their reluctance for more. You can tell she and Shane had an attraction to each other they both tried to deny but working close together it was hard to ignore. They had a lot of baggage to sort through – pain, guilt, regret, and resentment – but they did it logically, as adults, not with tempers and childish acts, and came out the better for it in the end. You can tell the author does her research well in this story in relation to the K9 training facility and references to commands and other information regarding the dogs. It was very interesting to read about and I loved that there was an adorable Corgi front and center in the action. Their story does kind of abruptly end, so I am wondering what is in store next for this couple and the series. Overall a fun story that holds your attention from start to finish. I look forward to going back and learning about these families from the beginning.