They survived an explosion. Can they make it through the aftermath?
After her bomb-detecting K-9 helps Jocelyn Carville save Captain Baker Halsey’s life, she doesn’t expect them to be working together on the investigation. The policeman clearly doesn’t trust widowed Jocelyn’s “mercenary” background but he does need her company’s expertise. Infiltrating a powerful cartel to discover who wants him dead is intensely dangerous. Perhaps just as risky as getting close to a woman like Jocelyn…
"First class romantic suspense!" - Cynthia Eden, NYT Bestselling Author
Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Nichole Severn writes mind-twisting suspense and bullet-proof romance with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and cases you won’t be able to forget.
She graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Psychology and is working for her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, a founding member of the Addicted to Danger Facebook group, and volunteers for a number of non-profits focused on supporting mothers.
She resides with her very supportive and patient husband, as well as her two demon spawn, in Utah. When she’s not writing, she’s constantly injuring herself training for marathons, accidentally stabbing herself with screwdrivers during her many DIY projects, or playing violin. That’s right. She stabbed herself with a screwdriver.
Jocelyn and Baker’s story is non stop action start to finish. Each of them are dealing with their own demons while trying to take down a powerful cartel. When they join forces the stakes get even higher as they realize there is something happening between them. How this all works out is an amazing page turning read!
This is the second book in Nichole Severn’s “Mexican Guard Dogs” series. In her first book, the author introduces us to Socorro Security, a group set up by The Pentagon to dismantle drug cartels. This group consists of enlisted private military contractors who are highly experienced in this kind of work.
Socorro has located at Alpine Valley because a dangerous drug cartel lives and works out of that small town. In fact, they have already blown up a good portion of the area, and they are actively working to obliterate the town and many of their important citizens.
Jocelyn Carville and her K-9 dog, Maverick, works as the logistic coordinator for Socorro Security. She is currently working together with the Chief of police of Alpine Valley, Baker Halsey. Their goal is to destroy the cartel before they can do any more damage. At first, Baker and Jocelyn dislike each other. Baker antagonistically belittles her because he believes that she and her group are mercenaries. As a result of his attitude, Jocelyn only sees her “partner” as a mean and stubborn opponent.
It isn’t until Jocelyn and her drug-sniffing dog save Baker from a bomb placed in his office that Baker finally realizes the usefulness of their expertise and intelligence. That is also when Baxter and Jocelyn finally grasp that the bomber plans to kill them. Ultimately they understand that they need to peacefully work together to find this bomber before he blows them up and destroys more of the town at the same time.
Jocelyn and Baker are two well-rounded, fascinating characters with very deep emotions. Because each of them has lost someone very close to them, they are both afraid to get close to anybody. In spite of that failing, they are strong, courageous and independent people who manage to form a close partnership in spite of their love/hate relationship with each other.
Readers will be enthralled with this book’s exciting, complex plot. The author as written a story that is filled with non-stop action and riveting suspense. It has so many twists and turns that it is very difficult to discover who the bomber is until the very end.
Final Word: Readers will enjoy and understand this story even if they have not read the first book in this series. However, it will certainly enrich their enjoyment if they do.
I was so looking forward to this book having loved the first one in the series and book two didn't disappoint. Alpine Valley NM was gradually being invaded by the Sangre Por Sangre drug cartel, Chief of Police, Baker Halsey had his own personal reason for wanting to bring down the cartel, a reason very close to his heart. It soon became clear to Baker that he couldn't do this alone, he was going to need the help of Socorro Security, a private military organisation, who, although they were fighting on the same side, Baker referred to as mercenaries, mercenaries who he hated the though of teaming up with. When widowed Jocelyn Carville, Socorro Securities logistics operator who also handled Maverick, a K9 dog that she adored, went with a peace offering to the grumpy Chief of Police, little did she know that her life was about to change forever. Thanks to Maverick, Jocelyn and Baker, were, although injured, still alive and a partnership was formed, a partnership that Baker fought against but knew that he couldn't win. The attraction between Jocelyn and Baker was instant, the chemistry was there in spades, they were both fighting for the same thing but they were also fighting their own demons. This is a beautifully written romance with large dollops of danger and suspense thrown in, the wonderful characters are so likeable, I love the witty banter between Baker and Jocelyn, I love the way that Jocelyn uses baking to help her fight her demons but what will Baker's reaction be when he discovers her secret ? I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
This is an excellent series and i love meeting each characters, Jocelyn loves cooking and keeping the group together but she has secret and weaknesses she wants to hide. Determined to stay friend with the law enforcer she is bringing sweet to the captain....not expecting an explosion. Captain Baker became a policeman for revenge after his sister death by the cartel...for him sorroco are just mercenary not caring about civilians at all so he is determined to keep Jocelyn away and her dog Maverick as well....until the same dog saves his life by detecting a bomb right on time.
No matter how little trust Baker has in Sorroco , Jocelyn helped him and became his partner but his revenge is putting other in danger as well so he will need more help and more importantly he will need trust.
Oh it was excellent with several twists i did want to slap Baker several time but he is a good man, just he lost track of what was more important for a minute. I loved hhow courageous Jocelyn was and how protective of Maverick she is despite his grumpy attitude....i would love her talent in cooking as well but like Baker she suffered a great lost and feel guilty about it. Both need each other , someone to understand but they are also hesitant about it and it was moving to read. The actions and the twists make it the perfect page turner and we sure hope a bit more about a certain someone in a certain cartel ^^
great book can be read as stand alone but even better read in order
The author takes the readers back to Alpine Valley , NM , where the people there are barely surviving the attacks from the Sangre con Sangre (blood with blood), drug cartel. Socorro Security, a group of former military men and women hired by the government to overtake the cartel, are encountering one obstacle over another. The local Chief of Police, Baker Halsey, considers them mercenaries. He has a personal agenda against the cartel, one that has taken over his life. When he’s partnered with Jocelyn Carville, Socorro’s K-9 handler, he is less than thrilled. Not only because of who she works for, but also because she’s stirring feelings he is fighting. Jocelyn too is battling her own demons. Those that she tries to keep hidden from everyone, especially from the rest of her team. When both face danger multiple times , and their pasts are revealed, will they be able to survive it all? Will they be able to let go of the past and find happiness ? Or will each go their separate ways? This was an engaging story as well as emotional and filled with twists and turns from the first page to the last. It’s also a reminder that our past does affect our present and possibly our future. Also, that we have to learn to move forward and give happiness a try. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
I have read several of Nichole Severn's series and enjoyed them all until I got to to this series. I did not like the first book nor this one. It is too violent and unbelievable. How can anyone have the injuries that Jocelyn and Baker have and still keep going? Jocelyn had surgery to remove shrapnel and was shot, yet she still keeps going and fighting. Baker has a broken wrist or hand, yet he continues as if nothing is wrong. This was also true in the first book, the main characters were injured but kept going. I do not like the continuous aspects of the book. The cartel has not been ended. This will keep on until the last book of the series. Please, be done with it already.
How does the poor town continue to exist? A lot of it was burned in the first book, then there are explosions in this book, and a collapsing mountain on top of the town. By the time the series ends, there will be nothing left.
Getting away from the cartel at the end was also unbelievable. They got away all because of a cookie recipe. Uh?
I am through with this series. Hopefully a new series will be better.
The author keeps turning out books, but what about "Dirt is Thicker?" It has been over a year since the last book in the series. She keeps talking about it and even printed the first chapter. But there is still no book.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "K-9 DETECTION" I love this series with all the great interesting characters & their K-9's full of action, danger, angst suspense, intrigue, fear, past traumatic issues, steamy scenes, drug cartels, twists & surprises that keeps on edge to the end. Baker Halsey Chief of Police in small town of Alpine Valley survives an explosion meant to take him out but Socorro Security Agent Jocelyn Carville saves his life, she didn't think they'd be working together on the investigation into bombing he clearly doesn't trust her. Jocelyn & Baker end up being involved with Sangre Por Sangre Cartel who has bombed part of the town the Pentagon hired Socorro Security to take down these cartels, but there's someone hirer up calling the shots on these attacks. Jocelyn & her K-9 Maverick work will Baker Halsey to destroy the Cartel before they can do more damage, after Maverick sniffed out the bomb to take out Baker he's changed his tune a, little about Jocelyn, the more they work together feeling spark between them. I definitely recommend to get this story you so won't be disappointed Joycely, her K-9 Maverick & Baker take you on quite the intense journey, will they get a HEA, so many twists you can't out down. AWESOME RIVITING INTENSE ADVENTURE I LOVED "JOCELYN & BAKER'S" story. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
While this is the second book of this series, you don't have to read the prior one to fully understand and enjoy this book.
This is written in a dual POV format. That is a favorite of mine. Getting that glimpse into both of the main characters' thoughts really help me to better understand and connect with the characters.
This author "throws" the book at Baker and Jocelyn. She is just so diabolical in ways of trying to kill these two off!!!! Wow is just about all I can say. I get a paper cut and boy I hurt. She practically kills off these two and just like the pink bunny just keeps moving forward.
These two characters have loss a special person in their lives. They also have secrets. Can they find out who planted the bomb? Will they be able to stay alive long enough to catch the perpetrator before anyone else gets hurt or worse killed?
The dynamic between these two is there right from the start. Any sexy time was behind closed doors and only alluded to.
This is another great read in this wonderful series Each book is a non stop ride that has you turning pages as fast as you can Make sure you grab the prequel from the harlequin site.
Local sheriff Captain Baker Halsey doesn't trust Sorocco he thinks they are just over paid mercenaries that aren't helping with the cartel problem at all in fact he thinks they are inflaming ot and he is determined to bring the cartel down after what they did to his sister. So how does he handle Sorocco member Jocelyn Carville when she keeps up rocking to his office with sweet treats and on her latest visit her dog saves him from a bomb. Have the cartel decided to silence him once and for all or is there more going on than anyone realises As Sorocco, the town and the Sheriffs department are drawn into a battle against the cartel who is actually pulling the reins. Meanwhile Baker is falling for Jocelyn but she has her own demons and secrets can he help her tame them and can they have a future You will have to read to see
Jocelyn works for the Socorro Security trying to get the Sangre por Sangre cartel. I felt bad about how guilty she felt for not being there for her husband when he died of cancer. I was glad she had his bomb sniffing dog Maverick so the two had each other. She was a cookie baker trying to keep her sorrow at bay. It was scary when she took cookies to the police chief Baker of the small town they lived in. Boy was he a grouch and wasn’t crazy about the Socorro Security. Luckily Maverick smelled a bomb in the chief’s office so they could run as it was going off. Those two sure got hurt a lot throughout the book. I wouldn’t have been able to do what they did! The two went through some edge of your seats situations trying to catch the ghost setting off the bombs and killing people. The two had to learn to try and let go of their pasts to move forward. This was such an exciting book that I strongly encourage you to read.
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of K-9 Detection . This is a Sensational Suspense Romance . It's full of Intrigue and suspense . The characters are wonderful . Jocelyn Carville is the logistics coordinator for Socorro Security . Socorro are private military contractors trying to rid Alpine Valley of the vicious Sangre por Sangre Cartel . Chief of police Baker Halsey doesn't trust Socorro . Jocelyn and her K9 Maverick bring cookies to Baker and before she can convince him to try them Maverick detected a bomb before they could clear the building it exploded . After nearly being blown up Baker finds himself working closely with Jocelyn and Socorro . As the work together the Danger increases but their feelings grow . This is a spectacular action packed story . I highly recommend taking the time to read .
What's better than an enemies-to-lovers story that includes a K-9, plenty of danger, and unexpected twists? Well, it's an E2L story on Baker's side of the equation as he thinks of Socorro Security and its employees as mercenaries.
Jocelyn was just trying to be nice and deliver some cookies to the captain when a bomb was discovered in the temporary police station. After that, they end up working together to find the bomber. But along the way they get to know each other more and an attraction builds between them. Both of these characters have suffered tragedy in their past that they haven't fully dealt with and that impacts their current lives.
There were some twists as they got closer to finding out who the bomber was and why the bombings were occurring. I loved how protective the Socorro team was of Jocelyn.
Nichole Severn doesn't disappoint this is a good quick read lots of action a bit of love interest and who doesn't love a good baker. Jocelyn Carville lost her husband Miles to cancer while she was deployed...all she has left of him is his bomb sniffing dog "Maverick" she is part of a kick ass team Soccorro whose mission it is to stop the drug cartels from wreaking havoc on the small towns they think they can take over....Baker Halsey has his own agenda for the cartel since they took everything from him when they blew up his barn and killed his Sister...As the sheriff of Alpine Valley he has sworn to protect the valley and the people who live there....Can he get passed his anger and hurt long enough to see Jocelyn and her team as the allies they are and want to be or will he forever think of them as "Mercenaries for hire"
I enjoyed the previous installment of the series, but this one…wow! It has a vibrancy that takes hold at the beginning and doesn’t let up even after ‘the end’. Jocelyn is a complex woman. She is strong, intelligent and uses her pervicaciousness as an asset. She is a total badass but is humanized by her weaknesses that she owns and battles daily. Baker is a man whose past losses have left him with blinders on but Jocelyn helps him find his present and future. The romance is sweet as these two learn to let the other inside their walls and the suspense will have you turning pages well into the night. The action sequences are in vivid detail, cookies play a starring role and there is a canine hero who will melt your heart.
Knowing that the Socorro team exists to eliminate the Sangre por Sangre cartel you can anticipate some fabulous action scenes. We’ve got bombs, shootings, and more to keep Jocelyn and Baker on their toes. I really enjoyed the humor in this one, the play on the name Baker paired with Jocelyn’s talent of baking was quite funny. Baker’s constant need to call the dog anything but his name, my favorite was Goose. If you read the first book you’ll know the cartel and the security group are forever enemies and we are starting to learn about each team member. The books standalone but the arching story of the cartel seems to carry through the books. I got to read an advanced copy and was happy to leave my unbiased review.
Non-stop excitement from start to finish! The second book in Nichole Severn's New Mexico Guard Dogs series with Harlequin Intrigue picks up shortly after the timeframe of the first in the series and takes us back into the heart of a turf war in a small New Mexico town. I liked the general storyline but there is a lot to follow and keep track of, and you probably will get a better feel for this book if you read the first in the series first just because it gave a bit of a deeper background story than this one did. Lots of plot to keep track of, but endearing characters and satisfying suspense.
I recommend this book as well as the first in the series to anyone that enjoys a fast paced suspense with a guaranteed happily ever after.
I always admire and wonder how good Nichole Severn is in conveying all the psychological drama of broken souls, and their sometimes even a little broken minds. It's one thing to know what PTSD is, and quite another to find yourself in the head of a character suffering an attack, or understanding their motivation when beating themselves up about it. It's also very interesting how each character copes with loss in her master storytelling.
The blurb is good, so no need to comment more, and I don't want to give spoilers to justify the missing star, so I'll just say that I liked the book and will read the next one.
K-9 Detection Nichole Severn New Mexico Guard Dogs #1 Well this book certainly starts with a bang! And the tension and danger do not let up. When a bomb seemingly targets the police chief. Socorro’s analyst Jocelyn can’t do anything but help, dragging her firmly into the cartel’s sights. Alpine Valley can’t seem to escape the battle. Ex bomb detection K-9 Maverick joins his handler Jocelyn in the thick of all of the danger. Lots of action, adventure and destruction hunting the bomber, lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing builds this short suspense with a dash of romance. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone short with hea. 4 stars
This story begins with the plate of 🍪 cookies And is loaded with action.
Jocelyn, has So many recipes they all sound delicious, But she's also had some loss in her life. Her K-9 maverick is one of my very favorite parts in the story. Because a dog has Unconditional love no matter what..
I love how this book literally picks up were book 1 left off.. But I think you could read these books as individuals.. The story is loaded with action. A story that will keep you reading. Because well you just have to know how the story ends. And who the ghost and the bomber are. It's just an intriguing story that I truly enjoyed.
Alpine Valley is having problems once again in the 2nd of Severn's New Mexico K-9 series. The team from Socorro needs to come to the rescue once again. The Sangre por Sangre is still bombing the town, trying to get government special 'mercenaries' (as towns folk call them) to find any explosives left to destroy more territory. The new Chief of Police, Baker Halsey is not certain he needs the help from the Socorro team but when a bomb is discovered by K-9 Maverick and saves lives he changes his mind. Jocelyn Carville is a logistics coordinator and works with Baker to save what's left of Alpine Valley.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Baker doesn’t want to do anything with Jocelyn or her employer - but the cartel leaves him no choice than to cooperate. When the both of them almost die due to- well- another explosion, that rocks the canyons foundation and secrets about her are revealed, they still have to trust each other to survive what’s coming. Some twists I very much expected- wouldn’t be a Nichole Severn novel if there weren’t- and some revelations, I didn’t see coming. Good story, fluently written. Great.
This is the second book in the K-9 series. It follows the story of the suspense-filled battle between Socorro and Sangre por Sangre that has intense and devious action. It also follows Jocelyn and Baker as they move along their journey during the battle they help fight that is filled with twists and turns to their HEA. OMG, the MFC and MMC sure are tough! I highly recommend starting with the first book, then reading this one (They are a series). It is so worth it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I love Nicole Severn books!
This was just amazing. Suspense and romance at its best.
After Jocelyn saves Baker's life from a bombing, they find they have to work together.
Nicole Severn certainly brings it in this book. A masterful display of layered plot and characterisation that really draws the reader in.
Jocelyn and Baker sure had chemistry even though it was tenuous at first but they warmed up to each other well. So much drama and danger at every turn made for a great story and a warm romance as well.
Those cookies were supposed to be a peace offering, not a prelude to saving the sheriff. Jocelyn Carville might have saved Baker Halsey, and they might have to work together against the cartel, but he certainly doesn’t have to like it. Even more so when Jocelyn’s secret is revealed. Really enjoyed this second New Mexico Guard Dogs book it was action packed from the get go, with a few unexpected twists, and a partial reveal.
I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This series is getting more intriguing as we go. The characters are more intense and a bit more broken than some of her other books. Jocelyn and Baker are complex characters that made me care about them and what was going on. Maverick is a wonderful addition. There were definitely a couple of twists that I did not see coming. This could be read as a stand-alone but there is a continuing story arc that makes it better to read the series.
The second book in a series that will grab you from the first page. I loved every minute of it. It sure takes you on a ride of emotions. Jocelyn works for Socorro Security with her K-9 Maverick, and the dog is more special then anyone knows. She however does tell Chief of Police Baker Halsey after Maverick does something which sets off a chain of events that has to do with the cartel known as Sangre por Sangre.
I highly suggest you read the first one as well K-9 Security. So good.
Jocelyn and her K-9 are offering their professional experiences to the Chief of Police of Alpine Valley, Baker Halsey to stop the cartel, Sangre Por Sangre has gotten too dangerous, innocent people are dying, they need to be stopped. After a lot of blood shed, bombs going off and so much danger Baker decides maybe he can work with Jocelyn. This, edge of your seat, book was impossible to put down.
I knew when I read the first book in this series K-9 Security that I was going to love it!! Reading K-9 Detection just proved it all the more!
Loved the give and take between Jocelyn and Baker and, of course, Cujo -- oh, I mean, Maverick! There were lots of twists and turns, some romance, and lots of danger. Kept me on the edge of my seat and awake too long at night because I didn't want to stop reading. Nichole is amazing at storytelling and is one of my definite go-to authors!
I feel now is the time to tell you I’m not really a dog person.
Things are heating up in Alpine Valley in book 2 of the New Mexico Guard dogs series and this time out our story revolves around three broken souls doing their best to fight the cartel, only to find that together they’re stronger together. Be prepared to go on a harrowing ride with Joce, Baker and Maverick from start to finish. Well done!
This is the second in the New Mexico Guard Dog Series. It is Baker and Jocelyn's story. It starts off with a bang, literally and doesn't stop for the rest of the story.
I enjoyed the non-stop pace of the story. It made it hard to put down. And the bad guy was a surprise. Iam looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was provided with an ARC copy and the opinions expressed are my own.