BOOK REVIEW - "CHRISTMAS K-9 PATROL" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 9) BY LYNETTE EASON AND LENORA WORTH

Who has placed a bounty on Dakota K-9 Unit's Tech Specialist Cheyenne Chen? Can her co-worker and friend Jack Donadio and his K-9 keep her safe? Meanwhile, back on the ranch, how will U.S. Marshal Lorelai Danvers and her Austrailian Shephard K-9 partner survive the triple threat of a blizzard, a murderous fugitive, and a crochety widower who isn't sure he wants a pretty law enforcement official interfering as he faces a familiar foe?

As usual, December sees a two-novella edition to give a denouement to Love Inspired Suspense's 8-novel, multi-author K-9 Unit series. "Christmas K-9 Patrol" fills this role for the Dakota K-9 Unit series with "Deadly Christmas Trap" by Lynette Eason and Lenora Worth's "Dangerous Holiday Manhunt." By the way, is it my imagination, or does the first of the two novellas feature the tech analyst? (Well, one of the four I've read technically deals with the rookie sister of the tech, but still...) 

Both stories have their twists and thrills, as well as compelling main characters and adorable K-9s. If you're a mystery lover, neither are who-dun-its, but the first is one where you see the chess game between good girl and bad guy, and the latter has you guessing the motivation until the climax.

The Dakota K-9 Unit was the best series I've read. These stories - especially "Dangerous Holiday Manhunt - seem to be tied only by common characters but not by plot. Still, they are enjoyable, and I recommend both the series and this pair of novellas.
 

BOOK REVIEW - "FINAL SHOWDOWN" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 8) BY VALERIE HANSEN

 

Who is the target of the drive-by shooting at a murder victim's house? ATF Special Agent Daniel Slater, who's looking for a lead in stopping a gun ring? Crime Scene Investigator Aurora Martin? Or Aurora's look-alike DA cousin? Is Slater's fortress of a home guaranteed to keep his grandmother, a young girl he's adopting, and Aurora safe, or are their enemies able to breach that sanctuary?

I am still catching my breath from the nail biting conclusion to Love Inspired Suspense's Dakota K-9 Unit series. This collection is full of surprises, twists, strong and courageous heroes, and adorable K-9s and kids, but the climax is the most exciting I've read of the 7 K-9 series I've completed, and maybe of any Love Inspired Suspense book.

Yes, it's the end of the series. (Technically, as always is the case, there are 9 books in these K-9 series, but the final book is a pair of novellas that take place after the major story arcs have been completed.) I usually address whether you'll feel lost if you haven't read the previous stories or spoil any of the action in the preceding novels, but this is the end! If you haven't read previous books, read them first! You won't regret it.

This is the seventh multi-author K-9 series I've read, but this one is my favorite, and definitely the best. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series. Now if only I can catch my breath.

2025 TOP TEN FICTION AND TOP TEN NON-FICTION

Promoting a book I enjoyed by a favorite author, as well as promoting one of my favorite bands.

Yes, I usually like posting my favorite lists BEFORE the new year, and I did manage to get my favorite songs list done Monday. Better late than never, in this January 3rd blog I'll be looking at my 20 favorite books, 10 each between fiction and non-fiction. Unlike yesterday, I'll be starting with #1 instead of counting down. And why am I doing both today? Just because I have other blogs for this week.

For those who want to read my review of 19 of these books, I'll be including them on the title. I'm a little behind and still have some reviews to write, including one of the fiction books.

So let me start with the fiction: 

1. "Gazing Into Darkness" (Queen City Heroes Book 1) by Heidi Glick.
2. "Colorado Conspiracy Ambush" by Jodie Bailey.
3. "Rhats Free!" (Muto Chronicles Book 4) by Kerry Nietz.
4. "Double Protection Duty" (Dakota K-9 Unit Book 7) by Sharon Dunn.
5. "Standing Watch" (Dakota K-9 Unit Book 3) by Terri Reed.
6. "Texas Smoke Screen" (Quantico Profilers Book 3) by Jessica Patch.
7. "Big Bluff" (Katy Russell Mystery Book 2) by Jackie Zack. NOTE - I also read books 3 and 4 in this four part series this year. Often, if I have read more than one book in a single author series, I'll just count those books as one. However, while I think all three are good, "Big Bluff" stood out as a favorite. 
8. "Hidden In The Canyon" by Jodie Bailey.
9. "K-9 Ranch Protection" by Darlene L. Turner. 
10. "Tracing Killer Evidence" (Dakota K-9 Unit Book 5) by Jodie Bailey. 

Now, let me leap to non-fiction. Again, I'll update this with links. So here we go.

1. "A Year of Prayer: Appoaching God With an Open Heart Week After Week" by John MacArthur.
2. "Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed" by Donald Whitney. Second time I read this book.
3. "Killing Calvinism: How To Destroy a Perfectly Good Theology from the Inside" by Greg Dutcher. And for those who see this title for the first time, it's not anti-Calvinist, but written by a Calvinist for Calvinists.
4. "Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture" and "When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Sqare" by Natasha Crain. I read both books this year, but I thought they were close enogugh to each other I'm including both. The first focuses on being a distinct light to the world by our beliefs, our thinking, and our living. The latter gives advice on dealing with those opposing us on worldview issues. I highly recommend both.
5. "The Indomitable Mr. O" by Norman Rohrer: the biography of Jessie Overholtzer, founder of Child Evangelism Fellowship. It also tells how CEF is fulfilling the vision since Overholzer's death.
6. "Transforming The Culture With Truth" by Les Munsil (President of Arizona Christian University, which is my alma mater).
7.  "Fritz and the Midnight Meet-up" by Megan Hill. Yes, this is a children's story book, but I'm including it because it tells a true story. Hill also has written a non-fiction book on the same subject (praying together).
8.  "A Clear and Present Word: The Clarity of Scripture" by Mark Thompson.
9.  "Jacob Arminius: The Man From Oudewater" by Rustin E. Brian. This is one I've read a second time.
10.  "Ask, Seek, Knock," a devotional by Josh Stone. Yes, devotionals make the top and bottom of the non-fiction list.

BOOK REVIEW - "DOUBLE PROTECTION DUTY" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 7) BY SHARON DUNN

 Who kidnapped Beacon, one of K-9 officer Kenyon Graves' identical twin sons, and why is the kidnapper calling him Joey? Which is the greater danger to Raina McCord: her life threatened by the kidnapper or figuring out her relationship with Kenyon and his boys, who she took care of when Graves was MIA for several months? And can Kenyon with his gun-sniffing K-9 Peanut, along with the rest of the K-9 unit, capture the two rignleaders of a gun-running cartel that had almost killed Kenyon? 

This is the time of year that I get excited - the annual Love Inspired Suspense K-9 Unit multi-author series is about to end. In this case, the source of excitement is "Double Protection Duty" by Sharon Dunn, book 7 of 8 in the Dakota K-9 Unit collection. (Technically, there's a ninth book, but as usual it's a pair of novellas dealing with introduced characters after the continuing story lines of the series have been resolved in Book 8). And in case the above questions don't clinch it, this one has you hooked in both the romance and the suspense storylines.

If you haven't read the rest of the series and you don't want the story spoiled, please stop reading this review. IMMEDIATELY. In fact, it may be too late. Why? As typical, there is a major story line that runs through the series, and usually a minor thread as well. Most of the time, you can enjoy the story when you read it out of order, but not so in this case. So continue at your own risk, and better yet, get the rest of the series.

For those who have been reading the series and are ready for "Double Protection Duty," you are in for a thrill ride. Action starting at the beginning. Dealing with Kenyon Graves' dealing with memory issues and trying to figure out his relationship with his lifelong friend who has been caregiver to his boys. Also, the overarching story of the Gun Ring competes with the Kenyon/Raina/Kidnapper story of this book. I'm at where I can't wait till I get to book 8.

Or, in simpler terms, I highly recommend this series and this book.

BOOK REVIEW - "THREAT OF REVENGE" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 6) BY JESSICA PATCH

An exploding car... a bag with a live rattlesnake thrown her way... within a few minutes of getting into town... could it be somebody wants to kill patrol officer Jenna Morrow? Is this connected to an anonymous tip concerning a gun ring that Jenna and her K-9 partner Augie were sent to investigate? And is Clay Miller, the mysterious handsome stranger that rescued her, someone she should trust? (Considering this is published by Harlequin imprint Love Inspired Suspense, I guess we know the answer to the last question.)

Jessica Patch is the author of "Threat of Revenge," book 6 of Love Inspired Suspense's Dakota K-9 Unit series. You have a pair of very interesting charters with Jenna and Clay, and you have plenty of plot twists. 

Let's say you found this book when looking on-line, and you haven't read the previous 5 books in the series. Can you enjoy this story without feeling lost not knowing what happened previously or spoiling some of the earlier stories? Note - normally with these Love Inspired Suspense multi-author K-9 suspense stories, the answer is yes, but not this series. There is a major overarching story through the collection, and there is an unexpected plot twist that reading them out of order would spoil. 

My advice? Get and read the whole series (at the time of writing this, I just finished book 7). It is fun reading a series with different authors, and Jessica Patch is one I usually perk up with - if I made up a list of my favorite Love Inspired Suspense characters, most of the top ten would be found in Patch's stories, and Clay belongs in that group. In other words, I highly reommend this book and the rest of the series.

BOOK REVIEW - "TRACING KILLER EVIDENCE" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 5) BY JODIE BAILEY

 Why is a serial abductor becoming a serial killer? Should forensic artist Isabella Whitmore be more concerned about this fiend targeting her or FBI-agent and former fiance Liam Barringer, who came to her rescue with his cadever finding K-9 Guthrie? And are there any other shocking surprises are face Liam as he tries to protect Isabella and bring down a gun-running ring?

We have reached the middle of the Dakota K-9 Unit series with Jodie Bailey's "Tracing Killer Evidence." This is a beginning to end thriller that also deals with the fact that you might be operating on incomplete information. As usual with Jodie Bailey, I feel inspired, as well as wonderful characters.

As mentioned, this is the mid-point of the series (book 5 to be exact). This book, like the others, has a story of its own, but there are other concerns that run through the book, such as who is running a gun ring and who killed one of their fellow officers, Kenyon Graves, leaving his twins without a father. Thus, the question is if you can read this book before its predecessors without spoiling them and with keeping from feeling lost. With this book, as typical, you can enjoy the story by itself, but as regards to spoiling: PLEASE. READ. THESE. BOOKS. IN. ORDER! 

I am  a fan of Jodie Bailey (I've read 19 books of hers at this point), of Love Inspired Suspense (109 of this imprint read) and the K-9 series (I'm in my 7th series, with 55 stories read). So will it surprise you to give it my total approval?

BOOK REVIEW - "COLD CASE PERIL" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 4) BY MAGGIE K. BLACK

Why is a driver with blaring rock music trying to force dog trainer Micah Landon off the road Was this due to him looking into who killed his mother a decade earlier by a hit and run driver? Or could it be connected to a guns case officer Lucy Lopez and her K-9 partner Piper are looking/sniffing into? 

Maggie K. Black's "Cold Case Peril" is the fourth novel of the Dakota K-9 Unit series. As you would expect if you read any of the books in this collection or previous series by this imprint, you have exciting action and characters you care about. For example, there is the interaction between Micah and his half-brother dealing with the loss of their mother. 

Is this a series that you need to read in order? I would highly recommend it. Yes, it is written where you can enjoy the story without being lost or spoiling a previous story. However, this series is one where you'd enjoy it more reading the books in order.

By the way, in spite of the main male character having a name that sounds like a popular actor, there are no references to Little Joe. Sorry.

I recommend both this book and the full series (this is book 4 of 9).

BOOK REVIEW - "STANDING WATCH" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 3) BY TERRI REED

 Why is this long-haired guy attacking K-9 Unit Task Force Agent Zach Kelsey's Park Ranger wife Eden at the Mount Rushmore observation deck? And why did he strangle one of Eden's co-workers? Can Zach - with help of his K-9 partner Amber - protect his wife and their unborn child from the killer and salvage their crumbling marriage?

"Standing Watch," written by Terri Reed, is part 3 of 9 books in the Dakota K-9 series. The collection is looking at the formation of a task force to stop guns from being smuggled into the Dakotas from a crime ring that murdered one of their fellow officers and the young girl Joy who was dropped off at her unknowing relative, ATF Special Agent and Dakota Gun Task Force director Daniel Slater with a note. This book looks at the story of Zach and Eden Kelsey and, of course, Amber the Labrador K-9. 

As already mentioned, this is the third story in this series. Can you start with this book if you missed the first two books and not feel lost or ruin any surprises? Technically yes: The authors do a great job trying to keep the reader caught up with the story. However, considering I'm writing this review after reading the first six novels of this collection, I would strongly advise to read all the books in order. I can't say more without spoiling some of the coming surprises.

Now to this story. I really enjoyed the development of Zach and Kelsey (and no, I can't leave out Amber). Additionally, there are some twists and turns in this story.

I highly recommend this book and the full series (saying this without reading the final three books of the Dakota K-9 Unit.

BOOK REVIEW - "DEADLY BADLANDS PURSUIT" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 2) BY SHAREE STOVER

 Why has Protected Witness Cameron Holmes been incommunicado? How does the person who attacked U.S. Marshal Gracie Fitzpatrick outside Holmes' ranch know Cameron's real name? Could it be a powerful politician, or could it be a rogue U.S. Marshal?

"Deadly Badlands Pursuit," written by Sharee Stover, is the second installment of Love Inspired Suspense (a Harlequin imprint)'s annual multi-author K-9 series. Stover does an excellent job both with the continuing stories of finding the leaders of a gun-running operation who murdered one of their fellow officers and the mystery of an abandoned girl left with Daniel Slater, the director of the Dakota Gun Task Force.

Allow me to answer a couple of questions you have. First, is this a book you'll enjoy? If you want a suspenseful story full of mystery and plot twists and characters that are engaging? Absolutely. The action starts early and does not let up, and there are plenty of surprises, including... no, I'm not going to give a spoiler here.

Second, do I need to read the kick-off novel of this series, "Chasing A Kidnapper" by Laura Scott, before I start this one? I won't say "need to," but I would advise it. I'm currently reading book 6 of 9 in this series, and there are some major twists at this point, so to enjoy it better, I'd recommend not only reading Scott's book before this one, but to commit yourself for the full set.

I highly recommend this story and the series.

BOOK REVIEW - "CHASING A KIDNAPPER" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 1) BY LAURA SCOTT

Who is vandalizing policewoman Trisha McCord's house and attempting to kidnap her six month old child? Is there a connection between these attacks and the two state gunrunning ring K-9 officer Wes Cole and the newly formed Dakota K-9 Unit are seeking to close down? And who does this abandoned ... hold on. I'm not spoiling this end-of-the-story plot twist.

This is the first installment of the Dakota K-9 Unit series. Like the continuity series of the last two years, Laura Scott has the honor of kicking it off. The characters are ones you can care about, as normal, and the plot will leave you guessing, with a couple of surprises waiting till the end.

One thing I like about this story: normally in these series, the K-9 team (both man and dog) are introduced in the chapter, already organized. In this one, you get to read about the organization of the team in about the 3rd chapter. Of course, you'll want to read the first two chapters to know why the K-9 unit is established.

At this point, I've read the first four of the series (as typical, written by different authors) and I highly recommend both this novel and the series (which will release a new story each month until November).