“Take Buzz and run. Far away.…and don’t trust the police.”Framed for her boss’s murder, Sarah Peterson is on the run—with only her boss’s loyal husky, Buzz, for protection. To clear her name and keep her safe, she must rely on her ex-fiancé, former detective Colton Hawk. The police aren’t the only ones searching for Sarah and the brave dog…the real killer is on the hunt, determined to silence … the hunt, determined to silence them for good.
more
Sarah is an assistant to a very wealthy woman named Loretta who is developing a cure for ALS. Sarah is an artist and returns home to find Buzz, Loretta’s dog locked in her closet. Buzz heads for Loretta’s room and come upon a man stabbing Loretta. Buzz knocks him into the wall and unconscious. Loretta’s last words to take Buzz, grab a back pack, and don’t call police. Sarah runs to Colton–an ex boyfriend–and a detective on leave. Sarah becomes the number one suspect for police and the killer wants her dead. It is a Christian mystery.
I loved everything about this book!
Excellent fast-paced romantic suspense. This Christy Barritt novel grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let go. Don’t miss it.
While under enormous outside pressure from a killer and the police, the two work together to solve a murder, clear the heroine, and resolve personal issues from their past. Both main characters show spiritual and emotional growth throughout the story. Their canine companion will melt your heart, so he deserves an honorable mention.
Riveting story. Hard to put down.
Fast action packed book with a faith based theme. Love the authors books and really enjoyed this book and hope she will write more.
I really enjoyed this love inspired Romance. I voluntarily chose to review this book. This was filled with a lot of action and twists and turns to keep you turning the page and very hard to put down. This was a clean romance but a lot of violence in it. It had a surprising ending .
Trained to Defend’ begins the ‘K-9 Mountain Guardians‘ multi-author series with an intense story of murder, and a couple who were once engaged before Colton’s police work-related issues, and Sarah’s insecurities and flight before fight tendencies tore them apart. Now, two years later when Sarah’s employer is murdered almost before Sarah’s eyes she will run with Buzz, a companion helper dog, and a bag full of Buzz’s stuff. But not before Loretta will tell her with her dying breath to run and not trust the cops. Unfortunately, the only person Sarah feels safe enough to run to is a cop, her ex-fiancé Colton and she has no idea how welcome she might be on his doorstep after she left him when he needed her the most.
The mystery/suspense parts of ‘Trained to Defend‘ took over from the romantic side probably because this is a couple who were once in love enough to plan to marry – they know each other, and it’s unlikely that Colton will ever give them a second chance (or at least, so Sarah believes). There are regrets on both sides as to how and why they broke up years earlier, and that lies heavy between them (and in some inner dialogue as well). The main story is the killer’s chase after Sarah and now Colton – and the race to discover exactly why Sarah’s employer was killed, for it’s obvious that the killer believes Sarah has what they’re looking for. I adored Buzz, he’s such an important part of this story and his heroics often save the day when the humans couldn’t.
I enjoyed Colton and Sarah’s romance, if I wanted a bit more on the romance side that’s my own personal preference and has nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the story itself – I just love the romantic parts of a love story, even a suspense-filled one. If you love a faith-filled romance that focuses on the danger surrounding the couple and seeing their past mistakes through newly opened eyes then ‘Trained to Defend‘ would be perfect for you. I enjoyed myself in this world, but I certainly fell in love with one brave husky named Buzz.
I own a Kindle edition of this title.
Wow. This book hit the ground running and didn’t stop until the end! All the action had me racing to finish it. The characters were great! Sarah and Colton both brought emotional baggage into their relationship and it wasn’t something they could solve during their engagement. But Sarah had no one else to turn to when her boss was murdered and she couldn’t go to the police. Buzz, the dog, was a great addition as he provided both an emotional bridge between the two and a physical protector. Overall, the writing was well done, the story was action-packed, and the mystery was well constructed.
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Another interesting and captivating book by Christy. This book definitely kept my interest. I enjoyed the suspense and the faith aspect included in the book. I enjoyed seeing the growth in the main character’s relationship through the book.
“Take Buzz and run, and don’t trust the police!” Those are the words Sarah hears from her dying boss. Then she flees to the safety of her ex-fiance, Colton, and his protection. Sarah, Colton, and K-9 Guardian Buzz are soon caught up in a fight for their lives as they run from her boss’ killer and the police who think SHE is the killer. I loved, loved, loved this book and wish author Christy Barritt would continue this series (if I understand correctly, there will be more in this series by different authors).
Sarah Peterson came home to her live-in job and encountered an intruder, forcing her to flee for her life. Christy Barritt sure knows how to start off a mystery with an exciting inciting incident. And the story rushes on from there. Can Sarah avoid the man following her, who insists she has something he wants. She has only her employer’s dog, Buzz, so what could he mean? With no one else to turn to, she heads to her former boyfriend, Colton Hawk, for help. Can the two of them manage to work together to keep her safe? Both are dealing with pain from their past and must work through that too. Don’t miss this new thriller. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Okay, whenever I know there is a Christy Barritt book out, I grab it and start reading knowing I will be held captivated to the very end. This book was just that way. It grabbed me and took me in from the very first pages. WOW, the suspense this book has is so fast and edgy.
If you like “who-done-it” stories, and books full of jaw-dropping suspense, then this is a book you should read.
Christy Barritt is very skilled at keeping us guessing as to who the bad guy is in this story!
You think it’s one person but then it’s someone else. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat until you finish it. Be prepared to not put it down, even to eat or sleep!
Hang on to your seat because this book will take you for a ride and you will find you need to breathe again and stop your head from spinning! One minute you think the characters are safe and then the next they’re in perilous danger again! I really don’t think I’d like to be a character in one of Christy Barritt’s books because they are always getting shot at, chased, threatened, and never know who the good guys or bad guys are!
With all that said, I really do LOVE reading her books because they are so action-packed and suspenseful! It’s never a dull moment and then there are the little bits of romance that happens to pop into the story. That I can go for! Hehe!
Christy Barritt also has wonderful life lessons in each one of her stories. They touch the heart and leave a lasting impression.
I highly recommend reading this story if you’re looking for an entertaining book to read….but just be warned….you might not sleep until you’re done with it!
I was given this book by the author which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Well written and believable. I love this writer and read any of her books that come out. She deals well in a biblical sense with whatever her characters run across.
First book of a series. First book of a series. Anything written by Christy Barritt is a 5 star rating. Great suspense author.
I love it when dogs play a big part in a story, so I was sure to enjoy Trained to Defend. Buzz was an awesome dog. He was smart, brave, and such a wonderful protector. His personality reminded me of a couple of my dogs. They’re different breeds, but they shared that same loyalty and heart.
Sarah’s on the run after being framed for her boss’s murder, so there’s a constant sense of danger. The breakneck pace hardly let up which made for a quick and fast paced read. The mystery was great and had me guessing until right before the reveal. It’s a read that fans of romantic suspense, and dog lovers alike, will greatly enjoy.
I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
If I hadn’t started reading this book near the end of the day, I would have read it straight through. The story of Sarah and Colton will keep you turning the pages to the end. Sarah witnesses a horrific crime and runs away and ends up at Colton’s cabin. Colton is Sarah’s ex-fiance as well as a former detective. Together they are in for a wild and scary ride. When Sarah ran away from the crime scene, Buzz, a smart emotional support dog belonging to her former employer, went with her. Buzz saves the lives of Colton and Sarah several times through the intense and deadly situations they find themselves in. This is another of Christy Barritt’s amazing, nail-biting suspense books!
Suspense with a “furry” twist. If you like books with the hero/heroine “on the run” like the movie The Fugitive, this is the book for you. Sarah Peterson is accused of the murder of her boss and after fleeing the scene of the crime with Buzz, her boss’s dog, she goes to the one person she trusts, her ex-fiance Colton. As they search for clues, the real murderer is getting closer and closer. Love the
way that Buzz is used in this book. He is an important addition to this story.
This book will appeal to suspense fans and dog lovers alike (it may even convert some people to become fans of either). The plot is well-paced and the villain is so well disguised, it was a guessing game until the reveal (at least for me).
Sarah and Colton’s relationship may have ended two years ago, but they fall quickly back into caring for each other. Sarah finds safety in being with Colton, and he is dead set on protecting her no matter the personal cost. And then there’s Buzz. This dog is an important piece of the mystery and he is well written from the sounds he makes to the way he reacts to Sarah’s emotions.
Christy Barritt gives readers a story packed full of intrigue, action, danger, and a second chance to set things right.
Disclosure statement:
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Sarah felt that something wasn’t quite right after stepping into her room. She had just returned from an art show where a couple people showed interest in her artwork. She eyed the closet and for some reason wondered if someone was inside it. Someone was – Buzzy – Sarah’s boss Loretta Blanchard’s emotional support dog. What is going on? Sarah rushed to Loretta’s room where she found her bleeding on the floor. Buzz rushed Loretta’s assailant and knocked him out but they were too late to save Loretta. With her last breath Loretta warned Sarah to take Buzz and flee. Sarah ran out with Buzz and drove around until she found herself at the secluded cabin in Iowa where her ex-fiance lives. She shouldn’t go in and involve him in her troubles but she had nowhere else to turn.
Former detective Colton Hawk knows he can’t turn Sarah away. His protective instincts are on high alert. Plus Sarah has stayed on his mind during the two years they have been apart. Her troubles are now his troubles. Maybe they both could get over the past and have a second chance.
Trained To Defend by Christy Barritt is the first book in the K-9 Mountain Guardians series. Ms. Barritt has written a fast-paced, action-packed plot with lots of suspense. The mystery is who really killed Loretta Blanchard and why. Sarah and Colton dodge bullets and other dangers in their quest to find answers as Sarah is the police’s prime suspect. The addition of the Husky Buzz made the story more interesting. Buzz is one smart canine and has a great sense of danger. I liked all the characters and especially Buzz. This is an exciting story and I look forward to more books in this series.
Sarah has been running from her past and family errors for years. She believed a wall of distance and attachment provided safety.
Current events bring an unclear and present danger while she flees to the last person on earth she wants inside those walls.
Ex fiancé, Colton Hawk, is shocked and leery of any interaction with Sarah. He’s her only hope and quickly but hesitantly agrees to protect and help. Both are in grave danger. Providing emotional and physical protection, service dog Buzz is an asset yet risk that may lead the murderer straight to Sarah and Colton.
Fans of Christy Barritt, Love Inspired Suspense and service dogs will be well-pleased and asked for more in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion .