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K-9 Search and Rescue #11
Alaskan Wilderness Rescue
A missing person rescue
is now a K-9 manhunt for a killer…
A missing person case sends search and rescue worker Elsie Montgomery and her K-9 to a remote Alaskan island…only to discover she’s got a target on her back. Now she must partner with pilot Wyatt Chandler, the one man she doesn’t trust, to stay alive while confronting her shadowy past. But can they capture a killer before their time together runs out for good?
is now a K-9 manhunt for a killer…
A missing person case sends search and rescue worker Elsie Montgomery and her K-9 to a remote Alaskan island…only to discover she’s got a target on her back. Now she must partner with pilot Wyatt Chandler, the one man she doesn’t trust, to stay alive while confronting her shadowy past. But can they capture a killer before their time together runs out for good?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 17, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 27, 2024
Pretty good story and characters.
March 25, 2024
The 11th book in the K-9 Search and Rescue series also works well as a stand alone. I enjoyed the action and the mystery. The romance was sweet as usual. This is a quick read, I do recommend.
March 7, 2024
Excellent story. What a twist on the ending!@
January 14, 2026
Emotional
This book is about a SAR handler who does not know who her parents are. Raised in foster care, Elsie became friends with her foster parents’ neighbors who are preacher’s kids. She has almost no faith. Her best friend has a lot of faith. Her best friend’s brother is a prodigal who has recently returned.
The book mostly discusses how the characters feel. Elsie is controlled by her fear and feelings, so much so that she acts unprofessionally and irrationally, Sarah Varland tries to make her case, but I was not convinced. Elsie comes off as selfish and irresponsible because of her failure to deal with reality and tell the truth.
I just kept thinking she was a head case, and I hoped SAR workers aren’t like that in real life. It would seriously compromise their efforts.
When I read fiction, I expect a certain amount of unlikely scenarios, but there must be at least the feel of professionalism and protocol when LE or SAR teams are involved. This book did not do that for me.
I think both Wyatt’s story and Elsie’s story could have just as compelling if Elsie’s compromised headspace was not as much of a problem to the parts of the story that should have reflected reality like police work and search and rescue operations.
This book is about a SAR handler who does not know who her parents are. Raised in foster care, Elsie became friends with her foster parents’ neighbors who are preacher’s kids. She has almost no faith. Her best friend has a lot of faith. Her best friend’s brother is a prodigal who has recently returned.
The book mostly discusses how the characters feel. Elsie is controlled by her fear and feelings, so much so that she acts unprofessionally and irrationally, Sarah Varland tries to make her case, but I was not convinced. Elsie comes off as selfish and irresponsible because of her failure to deal with reality and tell the truth.
I just kept thinking she was a head case, and I hoped SAR workers aren’t like that in real life. It would seriously compromise their efforts.
When I read fiction, I expect a certain amount of unlikely scenarios, but there must be at least the feel of professionalism and protocol when LE or SAR teams are involved. This book did not do that for me.
I think both Wyatt’s story and Elsie’s story could have just as compelling if Elsie’s compromised headspace was not as much of a problem to the parts of the story that should have reflected reality like police work and search and rescue operations.
February 6, 2024
I can’t express how thrilled I am that some of the Love Inspired Suspense novels are coming out in audio format too! I have them preordered as fast as they appear on Audible. Enjoyed Sara Sheckells’ narration immensely.
Varland knows how to deliver an edge-of-your-seat suspense with emotional depth. Elsie’s backstory is especially compelling and explains a lot about her reactions and need to be in control even as her life transforms into a terrifying free fall.
Enter Wayne — her best friend’s older brother who has a past of his own even though he’s a changed man. Once he comes to Elsie’s aid the pull to continue helping her is too strong to ignore — despite Elsie’s stubborn independent streak. Really enjoyed the way their relationship evolved, the deep discussions as they started trusting each other with their pasts.
And, of course, there’s the K-9 angle full of interesting SAR tidbits that added to the suspense and kept me riveted right to the very end.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2024/02/06/a...
Varland knows how to deliver an edge-of-your-seat suspense with emotional depth. Elsie’s backstory is especially compelling and explains a lot about her reactions and need to be in control even as her life transforms into a terrifying free fall.
Enter Wayne — her best friend’s older brother who has a past of his own even though he’s a changed man. Once he comes to Elsie’s aid the pull to continue helping her is too strong to ignore — despite Elsie’s stubborn independent streak. Really enjoyed the way their relationship evolved, the deep discussions as they started trusting each other with their pasts.
And, of course, there’s the K-9 angle full of interesting SAR tidbits that added to the suspense and kept me riveted right to the very end.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2024/02/06/a...
February 14, 2024
Super exciting Christian adventure romance!
Elsie wakes when her search and rescue dog Willow starts growling. Someone is in her house! She calls 911 and her best friend's brother Wyatt hears and comes to help. Then she is called out to find a missing hiker on a deserted island. Wyatt flies her out there but then stays to help. Except they are not the only ones on the island. And the others want Elsie hurt or dead! Can they survive to find out why this is all happening? Read this to find out!
The pace is breakneck and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with an action and character oriented storyline that has a few kisses but no steam. The characters are vivid and thoroughly engaging. The Christian ideals are a major part of the story, but not in a preachy way. This is a book that will make you hold on tight and just keep reading. I would recommend starting this when you have plenty of time as you will want to read it all the way through! Also, the action makes it hard to sleep! Enjoy this blazing fast paved Christian adventure romance!
Elsie wakes when her search and rescue dog Willow starts growling. Someone is in her house! She calls 911 and her best friend's brother Wyatt hears and comes to help. Then she is called out to find a missing hiker on a deserted island. Wyatt flies her out there but then stays to help. Except they are not the only ones on the island. And the others want Elsie hurt or dead! Can they survive to find out why this is all happening? Read this to find out!
The pace is breakneck and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with an action and character oriented storyline that has a few kisses but no steam. The characters are vivid and thoroughly engaging. The Christian ideals are a major part of the story, but not in a preachy way. This is a book that will make you hold on tight and just keep reading. I would recommend starting this when you have plenty of time as you will want to read it all the way through! Also, the action makes it hard to sleep! Enjoy this blazing fast paved Christian adventure romance!
November 15, 2024
I liked this story. Elsie and Wyatt were both multifaceted characters who both wanted to be seen and loved for who they were, not for someone's perceptions of who they were. That's definitely a desire that many (if not all!) have experienced.
I also thought the suspense was good. I liked the way Elsie was determined to do her job to find the missing hiker, no matter the personal cost. It was definitely intriguing to see the way Elsie's past (a past she had no idea about!) kept creeping into her present.
3.5 stars
I also thought the suspense was good. I liked the way Elsie was determined to do her job to find the missing hiker, no matter the personal cost. It was definitely intriguing to see the way Elsie's past (a past she had no idea about!) kept creeping into her present.
3.5 stars
September 1, 2025
This is a solid 4.5 star read! Great suspense and mystery, genuine feelings, excellent pacing, good plot twists. I wish we’d known more at the end. It seemed many questions weren’t answered, which would’ve firmly put my rating in a solid 5 stars, but it’s still a very good book and I will be looking for more by this author.
February 3, 2024
This was a great story. I really liked the characters and couldn't wait to see how things worked out for them. I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend this book if you like romantic suspense.
March 19, 2024
Love these books
March 30, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book by Sarah Varland. The book made it easy to add Ms. Varland to my favorite authors list.
November 10, 2025
Very Engaging
Another adventure story to escape with on a rainy day. Easy to fly through and relate to. Enjoy relaxing with this story.
Another adventure story to escape with on a rainy day. Easy to fly through and relate to. Enjoy relaxing with this story.
November 20, 2025
enjoyed the adventure👍
Thank you for this adventure. Sweet love story and kept my interests up. The k9 rescues were amazing. Very realistic👍🐾❤️
Thank you for this adventure. Sweet love story and kept my interests up. The k9 rescues were amazing. Very realistic👍🐾❤️
January 26, 2026
Fun easy read!
February 4, 2026
A search for a missing hiker on an island in Alaska brings back vague memories for the rescuer
of being abandoned as a 3 year old, danger, and unexpected help.
of being abandoned as a 3 year old, danger, and unexpected help.
September 6, 2024
I enjoyed reading Wyatt and Elsie' s story
Read
January 3, 2024Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
K-9 Search and Rescue (Book #11)
Miniseries
K-9 Search and Rescue (Book #11)
Read
January 3, 2024Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
K-9 Search and Rescue (Book #11)
Miniseries
K-9 Search and Rescue (Book #11)
January 26, 2024
Quick read but I had trouble connecting to the main character. She did grow on me as the story progressed though.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews