Expected publication date: August 22, 2017
Cover blurb:
A military police officer on the verge of a new beginning. A beautiful woman devoted to her career and her dream of putting down roots. The hardest thing they’ll ever do is to take a chance on love . . .
Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday is at a crossroads. He has to decide whether to reenlist or get out while he’s young enough to make a difference in the civilian world. Either choice could mean leaving behind his girl: his K-9 partner, Bella. But when she’s injured during a training session, Jax’s only concern is making sure she’s okay.
As the Navy base veterinarian, town local Risa Reynolds is right where she belongs: close to her parents in a farmhouse full of animals—with room to grow. She’s seen enough to put military men are on her “not happening” list, because they always leave.
But when a tall, hazel-eyed sailor arrives in her clinic with his dog in his arms, Risa finds herself falling hard. And all kinds of rules will get broken when Jax, a man who sticks to the straight and narrow, learns that there’s no predicting the twists and turns of the heart . . .
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This book has been on my Amazon wishlist after reading the first book in the series (uh, submarine romance, big check!) so I jumped at the chance to read it when I found it on Netgalley. It’s not often that one can say the second book in the series is even better than the first, but I definitely can in this case!
Jax is a Navy MP who is contemplating leaving the Navy, and his dream job is to work for the NCIS. One important factor is his K-9 partner Belladonna, a German shepherd who has been at his side during his last two tours of duty. He is especially worried as she has been ignoring commands and in the midst of a session, she falls and injures herself. He rushes her to the base vet’s office where they meet Risa.
Risa diagnoses Bella with a hip fracture and a more worrisome diagnosis of possible PTSD which could threaten her career as a MWD. She and Jax work together to help Bella heal both physicially and emotionally, while growing closer together themselves. At the same time, Risa is dealing with multiple personal issues involving a possible stalker and her beloved parents moving away, plus a houseful of critters of her own.
This book has everything in a perfect package-cute animals! Suspense! Treehouse sex! Mention of Gibbs’ rules and head slaps! I loved everything about it, but most especially Jax…I’m going to have to expand my book BF list to 6 to include him!! The guy loves animals-not only Bella, but Risa’s assorted menagerie of dogs, a cat, bunnies and goats. He’s willing to risk a career he’s wanted forever to keep Risa. Plus his decorating choice for a door is the best!
This is one of those books that I wish I could read again for the first time because I love it so much, and I’ve already put the next book in the series on my Amazon wishlist…even though it doesn’t come out until next year, ugh! (Penguin…Netgalley? Soon?? Please!!!) I will also be purchasing this one when it’s available in paperback which for me is the true mark of greatness!