“Vivid and charming.” —CHARLAINE HARRIS, #1 New York Times Bestselling AuthorHe’s always been a haven:For the lost. The sick. The injured.But when a hunted woman takes shelter in his arms, this gentle giant swears he’ll do more than heal her battered spirit—he’ll defend her with his life.K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen always had a soft spot for anyone in need. As Monroe’s very own Dr. Doolittle, he … Officer Otto Gunnersen always had a soft spot for anyone in need. As Monroe’s very own Dr. Doolittle, he dedicates himself to rehabilitating the injured souls that cross his path—but for all his big heart, he’s never been in love.
Until he meets Sarah Clifton’s haunted eyes. Until he realizes he’ll do anything to save her.
All Sarah wants is to escape a life caught between ambitious crime families, but there’s no outrunning her past. Her power-mad brother would hunt her to the ends of the earth…but he’d never expect Sarah to fight back. With Otto and the whole of Monroe, Colorado by her side, Sarah’s finally ready to face whatever comes her way.
It’s time to take a stand.
“Gripping suspense, unique heroines, sexy heroes.” —CHRISTINE FEEHAN, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit Series:
Run to Ground (Book 1)
On the Chase (Book 2)
Survive the Night (Book 3)
Through the Fire (Book 4)
What People Are Saying About Katie Ruggle:
“I love Ruggle’s characters. They’re sharply drawn, and vividly alive. I’m happy when they find each other. These are wonderful escapist books.” —CHARLAINE HARRIS, #1 New York Times Bestselling author
“Sexy and suspenseful, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” —JULIE ANN WALKER, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author for Hold Your Breath
“Chills and thrills and a sexy slow-burning romance from a terrific new voice.” —D.D. AYRES, author of the K-9 Rescue Series for Hold Your Breath
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Survive the Night is book three in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit by Katie Ruggle. We are treated to an intense, scary, and adrenaline rush romance.
Officer Otto Gunnerson works to keep his small town safe and he has away with helping rehabilitate abused animals. When he sets his eyes on Sarah he sees something that makes him jump into protection mode.
Sarah has always been under someone else’s control and the years of abuse have taken their toll. When a chances come to escape, she risks it all to have a small slice of freedom. She’s skittish, shy and has had no experience interaction with people on her own. When she meets Otto she feels safe and like she might have a chance at life and love.
Otto and Sarah are perfect for each other. They are a couple that fights with everything they have. The plot is packed with twists and turns, secrets, betrayal, action-packed and adrenaline rush moments and lots of explosions. We are treated to the previous couples and kids helping and working together to support this couple and protect the town.
Now, their where two things that I noticed that didn’t work for me.
* First, how does her brother Aaron and Logan, the man her brother wants her to marry, find Sarah and show up on her safe house doorstep? This never got answered or I missed it. I thought she was hidden and safe.
*Second, when things started exploded and she’s escaping Otto’s house, instead of escaping and staying hidden she cheeks on the animals in the barn. This was a stupid move to me. She should be worried about herself first. And, so what happens is she traps herself in the barn and makes herself an easy target. This whole scene frustrated me.
Narration: I’ve been adoring Callie Beaulieu and her narration of the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit. She brings out the characters and their personalities. Each one introduced is unique and distinctive. The story flows nicely and all the exciting and shocking moments come to life and I end up feeling like I’m right there with the character.
Survive the Night is a killer suspenseful read. The ending packs a punch and the epilogue gives you a shock and leaves you wanting to know what now. The romance is sweet and enduring. If you like a suspenseful romance and small town setting this series is for you. I highly recommend the audio edition.
Rated: 4 Stars
K9 Unit is a wonderful series that as each book in the series arrives you can’t wait to join the group of friends who make Monroe their home. This time out Officer Otto Gunnersen the third friend of the trio working as part of the K-9 unit of Monroe’s police department meets his true love. Be prepared for lots of animals along with the oos and ahhs they bring with them. Sarah is rescued from and then running from her crime family brother when she arrives in Monroe where she lands at Jules home just like Grace before her. There are links between these three women that will slowly be revealed. A great storyline and another wonderful addition to the K9 series.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
Alice is tired of being treated like a child and held prison in her own family home and now she finds out that her brother plans to marry her off to make himself the leader of both crime families. With the help of mystery man that helped rescue her, she ends up in Monroe Colorado. Where she meets Jules and Grace, both know exactly what she is going through and will help her and keep her safe.
Otto Gunnersen is a K9 officer with the Monroe PD, he is a gently man, animal lover and has a big heart for anyone in need. Watching his partners and friends, Theo and Hugh, fall in love with Jules and Grace, Otto wants to have that too.
When the three officers find out that an “old friends” of Jules is staying for a little while, they all want to know more about her. When Otto sees her for the first time, her is struck speechless, not a single sound made. Alice/Sarah doesn’t know if she can trust these officers because her brother has cops in his pocket.
When Sarah’s brother and his army of bad guys show up, all hell breaks loose. And not to mention the snow storm pelting the town. They block the roads in and out of town, helicopters are bombing everything, people might die because Sarah is hiding in this town.
I love this series and this story did not disappoint me, although there was a few slow parts at the beginning but once I got past that, it was fast paced who is coming after them next. Although Otto and Sarah were sweet and a little slow getting together, they had gone through a lot in a short time and knew what they wanted.
If you are looking for a great romantic suspense, I recommend you read this series in order, because you have to read Jules & Theo and Grace & Hugh’s stories first.
**Wicked Reads Review Team**
Survive the Night features Otto, a tall silent type, and another of Theo’s partners from books 1 & 2. He loves animals and is completely devoted to helping his family and friends. When Jules and her family take in another occupant, Otto, who’s never been in love, falls head-over-heals. He knows Sarah is the one for him and when duty calls, he’s right there to answer.
Sarah is the sister of a crime boss. When she has the chance to escape, Sarah become part of the large family in the rundown house in a small Colorado town. Knowing her brother will scour the ends of the earth to find her, she is constantly on guard. Sarah also discovers that there are people in this world who will fight with her and for her against those who come calling.
Survive the Night is the most anxiety-filled story in this series so far. I enjoyed the content, the pacing, characters, and world building. There is wonderful character development. The dynamics between the three cops in the series are wonderful. They truly are brothers in all ways that matter whether they are sporting the uniform or not. Jules and her family accepted Sarah immediately and she became one of the family.
There is continued character development in Survive the Night with both the new character and everyone we met in previous books. I was able to feel the emotions of the characters – Sarah becoming accustomed to her new home, anxiety surrounding being found by her brother or his associates, Otto’s feelings for Sarah, and the continued build-up of Jules’ situation. The world-building also allows for clear visualization of the story as I read along. I enjoyed another action and emotion-filled novel by Katie Ruggle.
Another great installment in this series. The characters of small town Monroe are so fun that I just can’t get enough. Thankfully Katie Ruggle brings back all my favorites, Theo and Jules (& the kids), Hugh and Grace, and now it’s Otto’s turn. The suspense is really well done, the escape scenes are of the edge of your seat, page-turning variety even if pretty unbelievable at times. Fortunately there is a happy ending for Otto and Sarah. I can’t wait to read “Through the Fire”. Katie Ruggle really knows how to do a series!
Wonderful series a nice change especially if you are looking for a new author to read!
i can’t get enough of this series. And I love ones like this where each new book brings forth some secondary characters, letting their stars shine. Double tough women in danger, alpha men with soft spots for their women and animals, dogs that risk their lives for their humans yet also get up to fun antics, makes this a golden series for me.
It’s new danger, new romance, and the suspense keeps the plot edgy and fast. In fact, I’d say this one had the most thrilling scenes yet. When I wasn’t anxious for the safety of the characters, I was tickled by the blooming romance, the snappy, sometimes snarky dialogue, and the antics of the dogs and one crazy goat.
I can’t decide who I love more. Katie’s human character’s or her canine ones. Good thing I can love them all!
Still an addictive series and one I very much recommend.
Whoa, that was a fast-action ride! While the story as a whole was an engaging read, the last third of this story was non-stop action and thrills. It was not quite what I expected when I started this book, but it was absolutely what this series needed it to be.
Otto and Sarah are so cute, it’s like watching two middle-school kids who have a crush on each other. They’re awkward and shy and sweet and nervous. I couldn’t get enough of them. And my goodness, Otto is just the most amazingly patient and kind man, whether he’s interacting with humans or animals. He’s such a strong and stoic presence in the lives of those he cares about, giving all a feeling of security and love.
I love how the stories in this series are woven together and with each book the characters become more and more of a family. There were a lot of questions left unanswered in the first book about Jules, Run to Ground. We’re still waiting on those answers by the end of this book, but from how this one ended I’m cautiously optimistic we’ll get some of those answers in the next book. In the meantime, Grace and Sarah seem one more step to being truly free of their pasts.
As much as I enjoyed the personalities of Viggy and Lexie in the other books, the animals in this story have such unique personalities. They really added so much fun and depth to this story.
This review can also be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/03/survive-the-night-book-review/
Very easy to read mystery with light romance. Enjoyed the characters and how they developed.
Loved this book and the rest in the series. Waiting for the newest book in August.
Katie hooked me with her Rocky Mountain Rescue series. I wait anxiously for each new book she puts out. Intriguing characters of unusual backgrounds keeps her stories lively. Keep up the great work!
Reading currently but not grabbing my attention. Had to leave for a while. Not enjoying the writing.
Sarah lived an absolutely horrifying life before a slightly shady acquaintance helps her flee. Said contact, who also helped both Jules & Grace (from the first two books), gets her hidden … unfortunately her brother has a big reach and she doesn’t stay hidden for long. At that point the shenanigans begin. And what action-packed shenanigans they are! Luckily for Sarah she has Otto, along with Theo & Hugh, on her side. And there’s not much that those guys can’t handle.
Some of Otto’s development and back-story might have been rushed a little bit, what with all the bad guys trying to get them. But we do get a little glimpse of what made him such a gentle giant, with a big heart and a huge protective streak. And it takes him all of about half a second to decide he wanted to give all his love and protection to Sarah. He’ll take on just about anything to keep her safe and in his arms. And he might have to.
I will admit that I was a little sad that the romance wasn’t as detailed as the action portion of this one. It seemed to me that Ruggle balanced them a little bit better in the first two books … but man did she deliver an edge of your seat thrill ride with Otto & Sarah’s story. I found myself glued to the pages and wanting to read just a little bit more, no matter how late it got. That last third just about gave me an ulcer from all of the stress! If you are looking for an exciting read, this one definitely cranks things up.
(While technically this one can stand on its own it does tie in to the first two stories. Both Jules and Grace’s pasts come back into play and is tied in, well & logically, with Sarah’s.)
*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***
I received a copy of Survive the Night by Jackie May from the publisher via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. The following review is reflective of my opinions and mine alone.
Alice Blanchett is the not-at-all beloved sister of crime lord, Aaron Blanchett and she is so used to having nobody on her side that when she receives a note in her dry cleaning telling her to be ready to escape, she doesn’t dare to hope because who would be willing to go against her brother. But when her brother promises her to a cruel man to gain favour and form a partnership with an even bigger crime family, she hopes against hope that her unknown saviour will come through. Amidst the bombardment of her home, help comes in the unlikely form of her brother’s associate who whisks her away and provides her with a new name and safe passage to a welcoming safe house.
Otto Gunnerson is every animal’s best friend, always going out of his way to help an animal in need. When he meets his friend’s new housemate, Sarah Clifton, he’s speechless. And then awkward, then speechless again, and then awkward again. When Otto comes to Sarah’s rescue one day, he offers up his underground bunker to the woman that’s captivated him and rendered him tongue-tied.
Otto Gunnerson is really my ideal male gender mate. He’s adorably awkward when presented with a woman he finds attractive and he’ll bend over backwards to help an animal in need as you can tell the moment you meet him climbing up a dilapidated windmill to rescue a kitten for his friend’s little sister. In addition to the rescued kitten, he’s also taking care of a frightened horse, a neglected goat, and a litter of orphaned puppies, which turns out to be his ‘in’ to getting to know Sarah Clifton. Sarah (previously called Alice) is wary of men in general and while she’s attracted to the viking-lumberjack LEO, she’s also hesitant to get involved with Otto because she knows sooner or later she’ll have to disappear again to stay ahead of her brother and pseudo fiance. But Sarah and Otto cannot ignore the heavy attraction building between them and finally decide to make the most of it while things are calm and before Sarah has to leave for parts unknown.
When war comes to Monroe, the ties that bind are tested and lives will be lost. What does the future hold for Sarah and Otto?
Survive the Night was my first approval on Edelweiss and I’m so very glad I was approved for it. I actually finished reading it back in January and was so reluctant to write this review because I didn’t want to say ‘goodbye’ to it. I mean, I kept coming up with excuse after excuse not to finish writing it. I reorganised my books six different times in four weeks, I decided to learn Korean, I bingewatched Dollhouse and some Korean shows on Hulu and Netflix, I made pancakes, pretty much anything I could do to prolong my relationship with Survive the Night. That’s why I’m going to warn y’all right now before we go any further. You will get emotionally invested.
From the very beginning readers will become attached to Alice as she endures her abusive life with her older brother, the head of a small crime family. When Alice is manhandled by the twisted creep that her brother chose as her betrothed as a means to attaching himself to a much larger criminal family, I wanted to raze the entire fictional country to the ground. I actually got a bit loud celebrating the explosive entrance her rescuer has at her bedroom window one night and I cheered Alice on as she climbed the roof then rappelled down the other side of the house, and holding my breath and biting a hole in my lip as she passed her brother’s office. I chewed my thumbnail down to the quick as Alice struggled up the ravine with her ‘bodyguard’ and thoughts of what her brother would do if said ‘bodyguard’ caught her pushing her onward. When Alice, now called Sarah, meets Otto, the awkwardly adorable meeting made me feel embarrassed. With every awkward interaction between Otto and Alice, I was overwhelmed by their adorkable factor. And as the story progressed, I started morphing into one of those really wild ship fangirls that you see on tumblr.
Alice and Otto are both well-developed characters, adding their love story to the series and reintroducing couples from earlier in the series that will worm their way into your hearts and make you want to read their stories as well. You will fall in love with the mischievous twins, Ty and Tio, and want to fight Sam’s demons for him. You will cheer Alice/Sarah as she becomes more and more sure of herself. But you’ll also find yourself hoping she’ll leave Monroe so you can have Otto all to yourself. My favourite part was how detailed Ms Ruggle was in her research for how to care for orphaned puppies. It reminded me of the days when I was bottlefeeding Manatee and Ozymandias’ litter, an event that actually saved my life nearly 9 years ago. Let’s just say that Otto was made for me.
Survive the Night is an emotional read all-around. I laughed at the kids’ antics, I cried at sad animal moments (no animals were harmed or killed so don’t worry), I nearly died laughing during the bull elk scene. The buildup of the final act had me looking like a strange cross between a caterpillar (a woolly bear, if you must imagine it) and a blanket burrito gone horribly awry. I’m avoiding telling you the entire plot even though I want to gush and gush and gush, but I won’t. You’ll need to grab a copy of your own to find out what happens to Alice and Otto.
I cannot properly express how intense the emotions were that I felt reading Survive the Night. Ms Ruggle truly knows how to keep a reader wrapped up in their blanket burrito waiting with bated breath with every turn of the page.
In the end, I’m giving Survive the Night by Katie Ruggle 2 flames for the sexy times and 5 out of 5 stars. That’s right. FIVE STARS. I devoured this book in a few hours one night. After I had finished it, I immediately went to the kindle store and bought the first two books of the series and the first book of her other series because I needed more!
This is a copy of my review that can be found on my book blog, http://www.onceuponatimeireadabook.com
Survive the Night by Katie Ruggle
Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit #3
Captive of her family since childhood Alice Blanchett can hardly believe there is someone willing to help her escape her prison. When it finally happens there is a mad dash to freedom that sees her settled into Monroe, Colorado with two other women Mr. Espina has rescued in the past. Living with Jules and her siblings is a breath of fresh air and having friends in Jules and Grace a delight and blessing. The women have beaus and those beaus have a friend named Otto and of course Otto and Alice – renamed Sarah – will be attracted to one another. And, the beaus are police officers with K-9 partners – that only adds to the story.
The first time Otto sees Sarah he is speechless and so is she. Feeling awkward but interested they hope that their next encounter will go better. Well, their next meeting is over dueling elk and a wee bit easier. The third…awkward again…but…the attraction persists and when Sarah is found by her despicable brother and the man he wants her to marry things begin to heat up in more ways than one.
This is an action-packed suspense-filled romance with main characters that charmed me. Huge Otto and tiny Sarah are perfect for one another and oh so sweet together. Otto’s rescued animals are a delight and the finale stupendous…if perhaps a bit unbelievable. Two deserving but shy people find love unexpectedly and grab it with both hands in a book I could not put down.
There is a lead into book four that makes me think the evil stepmother from Jules and her siblings lives may make another appearance – hope she gets her comeuppance. I did not read book two, somehow missed it, and didn’t need it to thoroughly enjoy this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
The third book in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series is an emotionally gripping story full of suspense that had me biting my nails. Sarah and Otto are strong characters that have steamy chemistry that draws readers to them. Their romance is sweet and has readers believing that ‘happily ever after’ is possible after all as they emphasize with Sarah who has some turbulent emotional issues to deal with as they fight for her life and readers can’t help but become completely caught up in their story. Sarah’s past tugs at the heartstrings but so does Otto, with his quiet but caring demeanor that screams safety and love.
Anticipation and suspense build throughout the story as danger stalks the nights keeping readers on the edge of their seat. The twists and turns keep readers guessing and along with some hair raising action there is never a dull moment during this fast paced plot.
I have to confess that I have read every book in the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue series but I missed the first two in the K9 Unit series, of course I will be remedying that soon. Like the Search and Rescue series, Katie Ruggle has brought her K9 Unit series to brilliant life with strong, compelling characters that are so lifelike that the readers feel as if they are part of the story. I was caught up in Survive the Night from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down until I knew how the book would end and the author provided enough clues from the first two books that I had no problem getting caught up in the series and of course it was just enough to wet my appetite and ensure that I go back and read them and has me anticipating the next one.