Uncover a heart-pounding suspenseful romance from USA Today bestselling author Julie Miller that proves love can happen at any age. Protecting the woman he secretly loves threatens a K-9 cop’s self-control. K-9 cop Jedediah Burke has kept his yearning for veterinarian Hazel Cooper in check for years because their friendship is too precious to risk. Though both have survived painful divorces, … painful divorces, Burke is unaware of the nightmare marriage Hazel endured. But when a sadistic stalker’s threats against Hazel escalate, protecting her requires staying close. And stifling his long-suppressed desire may no longer be possible.
From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.
more
Love Love Love. Really enjoyed this story, K-9, (Gunny) his handler (Burke) Vet (Hazel) and intrigue, suspense, older children, it was all one wild ride. I am in love with Burke, wish I was Hazel, lol. Hazel went through a lot and the strong independent women shines through. Her work is her life Burke is her friend, nothing more. He can’t be. Nasty letters, explosions, family, past baggage for both, just a well done book. When I finished, I just sat and savored, and was so disappointed it was over. Great read!
‘K-9 Protector‘ starts off strong and doesn’t stop delivering an intriguing, emotional romance until the very last page – you’ll also be kept wondering until just about the end as well as to who and why on the dangerous situations. I’ll admit that I had my eye on one person who turned out to be a red herring for far longer than I’d like to admit to… good thing I read for the overall story and not just to solve puzzles that’s all I can say.
I think, aside from the story, what I liked best about ‘K-9 Protector‘ was the age factor of Hazel and Jedediah. Both are in their early 50s, both have loved, married, and divorced although for far different reasons. They have life experiences under their belts, and it shows. Each is successful in their chosen fields, and they both love what they do as more than making a living, it’s a way of life. I found them both to be well-defined, realistic, and I could easily move on from the awkward first moments of ‘will they or won’t they’ thinking on their romance and could dive right in and enjoy.
Although they’ve known each other for about five years, there is still a lot that is unknown – especially Hazel’s former marriage and the hell her ex- put her and her daughters through. And in reality, it was far, far more than just what brought about the divorce. There is a real danger in Hazel’s past and it’s about to come calling in the most unpleasant way.
Because this is a Harlequin Intrigue with a pretty powerful mystery involved you’re not going to get spoilers here. You will find some twists, a couple of sharp turns, but overall you should follow Hazel and Jedediah on this adventure yourself, firsthand. The tensions are high, the love growing between this couple steamy, and the danger is ever-present. I was kept on my toes throughout and completely enjoyed this one. If you love a good mystery that will keep you guessing, a couple that is past the first bloom of youth, and a love that was worth waiting for – then you’d enjoy ‘K-9 Protector’.
I own a Kindle Edition of this title.
I loved Hazel and Jedediah-both mature, that blistering attraction-woot woot!-along with their fur babies- heart sighs to be heard all around! Hazel’s daughters were absolute comic relief and their love for their mom showed in everything they did.
Miller always does a wonderful job setting the stage with intrigue, strong leads, entertaining secondary characters, and K-9 Protector is one of her best books to date!
Julie Miller always provides a gripping tale, and this was no exception. Not only is the suspense edge-of-the-seat intense, but the hero and heroine are almost too awesome for words. Both Burke and Hazel are in their early 50s, have been through painful divorces, and have jobs that take up a lot of their time.
Burke is the head of KCPD’s K-9 unit, involved in training as well as regular patrol duties. He joined the KCPD after leaving the military and likes what he does. His canine partner is a German Shepherd Dog named Gunny. Burke is loved and respected by the other officers he works with. I loved the way that some of the younger guys called him “old man” and yet, would do anything for him. Burke has been on his own for a lot of years, ever since divorcing the wife who cheated on him whenever he deployed.
Hazel is a veterinarian who also takes care of the KCPD’s K-9 officers. Her husband went to prison for fraud, and for trying to have her killed when she wouldn’t refuse to testify against him. Hazel raised her two daughters on her own while running a successful vet practice. She has avoided dating in the sixteen years since her divorce, reluctant to trust her judgment when it comes to relationships. She has a small, three-legged dog named Cleo, who has a crush on Burke’s Gunny.
The action starts early and never really lets up. Hazel has been receiving creepy letters, and when she shows Burke the latest one, his protective instincts are aroused. Those instincts prove to be accurate when she also receives explosive material in the mail, and later that day, her daughter’s car blows up. Burke is determined to keep Hazel and her girls safe. The tension ramps up as the attacks escalate, and they race to figure out who is behind them. There were several possibilities, and I waffled among them with each new attack. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and surprised me with who it was.
I loved the development of the relationship between Burke and Hazel. One of the benefits of a “mature” relationship is that the protagonists are past the more angsty dramas found in younger couples. Burke and Hazel had been friends/coworkers for about five years. They are comfortable with each other. Hazel gets a bit of a shock when her daughter starts going on about how hot Burke is, and that he has been flirting with Hazel and checking her out. Hazel has been oblivious to it, but now that it’s been pointed out, she can’t help checking him out, too. I loved how patient Burke was as Hazel learned to trust herself again. I loved her surprise as she found out that he has cared for her almost since they met. There are some adorable scenes between the two of them, and some fun ones too. I especially enjoyed the family sleepover after the bar scene. I loved the ending as Hazel finally realized that she deserved to be happy.
What a wonderful book. I didn’t want to put it down! This is one of the best romantic suspense books I have ever read. I was hooked from the beginning when Hazel started getting “love” letters. After telling her friend Jedediah about them, he wanted to protect her. Add a mature romance, fur-babies and older children pushing their mother to go for the “hot” K-9 officer, and you have a book you won’t soon forget.
The suspense kept me on my toes. I was surprised to find out who was behind the letters. I loved it when Hazel and Jedediah realized they wanted to be more than friends and Hazel tried to warn him her body wasn’t great. Especially after birthing two babies. His reply had me chuckling. “And I’m on the stud-of-the-month calendar?”
A little different from my previous reads this offers a mature relationship between Jed and Haze. An interesting premise to the story. I have only read of few of Julie’s books previously but will look forward to others.
Take a smokin’ hot K-9 officer in his early 50’s with a dog; plus a lady vet in her early 50’s with a dog who want to be more than just friends and add in a well crafted mystery that had me guessing until the end, and you end up with another outstanding romantic suspense by Julie Miller! It is so refreshing to read a romance novel in which the H/h have a few years under their belts, but are by no means over the hill! This is one for the keeper shelf to be read over and over again!! Thanks, Julie for another great read!
I always await the next Julie Miller romance with eager anticipation. She turns out another winner in her newest romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue, K-9 Protector, featuring a mature couple. Thats right. Hero and heroine are over 45 years old! Can we please get more like this?
We get right to the heart of the romance (no pun intended) as the hero and heroine have been colleagues for five years and turns out he’s wanted more than friendship with her for almost that long.
In his early fifties, Sergeant Jedediah Burke leads the K-9 unit for Kansas City police. Dr Hazel Cooper is a veterinarian, treating the various dogs of the KCPD K9 crew. When Hazel is threatened, Burke steps in to help. Both Hazel & Jedidiah had endured the pain of a heated divorce but Hazel is particularly nervous about jumping into a relationship. But how can she ignore the steady, sexy older cop? Reading how he wins her over is part of the fun.
Jedidiah is the sexy, older hero that Ms. Miller does so well, leaders in every sense of the word. Officers others look to and women swoon for. Hazel is a strong woman who raised her 2 daughters after her ex went to prison. Both characters are solidly drawn. As usual, readers are treated to a satisfying mystery and tense action.
I highly recommend K9 Protector. 5 stars, all the way.
ARC provided by the author but that didn’t impact my enjoyment I’ve also got the ebook on order to add to my collection.
I love K-9 stories and veterinarian stories. And romances with characters who are older than the traditional romance. Love can happen at any age and I love reading grownup romances filled with second chances.
Unputdownable doesn’t even begin to describe how much this tale enchanted me and how fast I inhaled it while savoring every moment. Everything about this story was enjoyable and entertaining while catching my full attention; the explosive suspense that keeps everyone – the characters as well as the reader – on their toes, the mature yet ardent and adorable love story that swept me off my feet, the furry friends, the way Burke protected the ‘Cooper girls’, the unveiling of the twisted tangle of betrayals, revenge, and crimes…
I always look forward to Julie Miller’s books cause they do not disappoint, yet this one might be one of my favorites even in that bunch. I highly recommend it!