In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder… Ice rescue diver Derek Warner never meant to be a hero. But when two little girls go missing, he’s the first in line to bring them home-even if that means scouring the wilderness with the woman he once loved and lost, … lost, Artemis Rey.
Artemis has never stopped wanting Derek. Now, racing to find the girls before it’s too late, minutes turn to hours. Night falls. Old flames rekindle. And a danger grows in the darkest wilderness that may be more than even the Search and Rescue brotherhood can hope to face…
On His Watch is the pulse-pounding prequel to the riveting Search & Rescue series by Katie Ruggle.
Search and Rescue:
On His Watch (novella)
Hold Your Breath
Fan the Flames
Gone too Deep
In Safe Hands
more
In ON HIS WATCH, Katie Ruggle brings search, rescue and second chance romance to the prequel to her Search and Rescue romantic suspense series. Ice rescue diver Derek Warner is not a great public speaker, but he tries to tell the group of school children, their teachers, and the parent chaperones what his job entails. Unfortunately, the children are more interested in fireman and their trucks. Artemis, the second main character in his story is one of the school teachers and Derek’s ex-girlfriend. When a child falls through the ice and then two girls disappear, it quickly becomes multiple search and rescue efforts.
This is a short novella and the secondary characters did not have a lot of depth. Additionally, one has to suspend belief in a number of areas starting with the field trip to the ice-covered lake on a day when a snowstorm is expected. Despite this, it is an entertaining story and a quick read. There is a steamy scene in this along with the humor, danger and serious search and rescue efforts.
Overall, this was a pleasant introduction to the series and, based on reviews, the first book in the series is much more developed. I am looking forward to giving it a try. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
This novella is the first item I have read by Katie Ruggle. It was just long enough to get to know the characters. Derek Warner and Artemis Rey have a history from their childhood until Derek broke up with her four years ago when they were arrested for riding a stolen motorcycle, a gift from Derek’s dad. She is a teacher now and he owns a small engine shop and also works as an emergency diver. As he is giving a talk to Artie’s students, one of her students falls through the ice and has to be rescued and then two young sisters from the two classes on the field trip disappear as a winter storm approaches. Somehow through all these events, Derek and Artie are paired in the search party and begin to sort out their past and head toward a new beginning.
Some books start out slow, but not one by Katie Ruggle. From the first chapter, the characters are already involved in an adventure. The day starts out easy enough, with rescue dive team diver, Derek Warner, being punished for a practical joke, by the dive team leader, Callum Cook, with providing a presentation to a group of elementary school kids. The presentation goes almost immediately awry, when one boy starts annoying one of the girls, who then dares him to walk on the ice of the frozen reservoir and he falls in. Afraid of the consequences, the girl and her sister, take off into the woods.
One of the teachers is Artemis Rey, Derek’s childhood friend and sweetheart, until four years ago, when Derek had ended their relationship, out of fear that he would ruin her life. Of course, being a man, he didn’t tell her that. Broken hearted, she married another friends of theirs, but that ended in divorce. A search and rescue is formed to find the 2 little girls and Derek and Arie are teamed together. Caught in a blizzard, will the two of them open up to each other and get a second chance? Will they find the little girls before it is too late?
As always, wonderful characters and an action packed plot make this book an exciting read.
While finishing up this author’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series and looking for more to read by her, I came across this story for free on Amazon. It’s a short story to introduce readers to the Search and Rescue series. I’ve had mixed results with other authors and their .5 books, but I’ve fallen in love with this author and it was free so, why the heck not?
The chemistry between Derek and Artemis aka Artie is obvious from the beginning. They have a history that unfolds for the reader as the story progresses. We also get to see what they’ve been up to since they parted ways years ago and how the timing is right for them to be together.
For such a short book, there were tons of warm-fuzzies. It gives me high hopes for the rest of this series, which I’m sure will also include a lot of suspense if the things this couple comes across in this story are any indication.
This review can also be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/on-his-watch-search-and-rescue/
On His Watch by Katie Ruggle is a contemporary romance. This is a quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. Ms. Ruggle has given us a well-written book and furnished it with a delightful cast of characters. Derek is on the fire department dive team. Artemis is an elementary school teacher. Derek and his team leader arrive at the school to give a presentation to Artie’s class. Madness and mayhem arrived right behind them. Artie and Derek’s story has enough drama, humor, sizzle, suspense and action to keep any reader happy. I enjoyed reading On His Watch and look forward to my next book by Katie Ruggle. On His Watch is book 0.5 of the Search And Rescue Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
This was a quick, cute read about second chance love. A little under 100 pages it didn’t take me long to whip through this read. I really liked Derek and Artie. Artie was this cute bossy teacher and Derek her playful rescue diving ex. Derek broke up with her 4 years ago but neither stopped loving each other. I thought their connection was good and the plot sweet. I got a glimpse of George in this book. I read the books out of order reading George’s book(book 3) first so it was cute seeing what was suppose to be the first peek and the tall, sexy man of few words. I also loved seeing how Lou and Callum meet. Can’t wait for the next book.
Katie Ruggle is a go to author for me. Automatic read! This series stole my heart. I’ve actually re-read some of these books, which I hardly do given the number of books on my TBR pile. Perfect combination of action, suspense, great characters, romance, and HEA!