When Alyssa Anderson stumbles upon her ex-boyfriend’s illegal art theft operation, she goes on the run—and narrowly escapes a drive-by shooting. With the help of her high school sweetheart, Spencer Cavanaugh, and his service dog, Apollo, Alyssa tries to stay one step ahead of her ex who will do anything to find her. When hit men are sent to her hometown, Alyssa’s life is in more danger than ever before. Can Spencer and Apollo protect her from a crime ring more sinister than they ever imagined?
From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
Canine Defense
Book 1: Searching for Evidence Book 2: Sniffing Out Justice Book 3: Uncovering the Truth
Carol J. Post is a New York Times bestselling author of fun and fast-paced Christian romance and Christian romantic suspense stories. Her books have won several awards and been nominated for two RITA® awards and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She is also a popular speaker, presenting workshops on a variety of craft topics.
Carol especially enjoys research trips, which usually involve camping, with some hiking, kayaking and bonfires thrown in when possible. She also loves playing the piano and writing songs with her musical husband. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of two sassy cats—Ziggy and Ziva—who also love camping and are known to occasionally take over her blog with their “It’s Zaturday!” posts.
This is an action-packed, hard to put down suspenseful read as expected by Carol J Post. This third book of the Canine Defense series is the story of the third Ashbaugh sister set in Pensacola, Florida. Alyssa is heading home when her car breaks down in Georgia and someone attacked her. Her old high school boyfriend Spencer is living there and happens by at that time. What a wild and dangerous ride they encounter! The two were in love as teenagers, both headed on a destructive course until Spencer joins the military, leaving Alyssa mad at him. For eight years. Now,the danger unites the two but both have baggage from the past. This is a wonderful story of healing and forgiveness, moving forward and relying on God for the future. If they live through it, will they patch up old wounds? Wonderful characters, including some endearing canines. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.
This is book 3 in the series. It can be read as a standalone, but is better as a series. I have really enjoyed this series. The service dogs just add to it. Well developed characters and a great plot will keep you reading. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is a Second Chance Romantic Suspense, and this is the third book in the Canine Defense series. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I enjoyed the audiobook for this book. I have not read the first two books in this series, but I will have to read them. I do think you can read this book as a standalone. I loved this story so much, and I really loved the characters in this book. There is a ton of suspense, action, and drama in this book. I really loved the ending, and there was a twist that I did not see coming. Great read. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Alyssa Anderson's car breaks down on the way to Pensacola, so she finds a place to stay for the night. Fleeing from her ex-boyfriend, she hopes he doesn't show up. He has a secret life, and she accidentally overhears. Now, she is running for her life.
As I turned the pages, I was surprised by many things. Descriptions vividly bring the scenes to life, and the characters are relatable and have many layers. Second chances, redemption, newfound faith, and a canine support dog help to make this story a terrific read.
The ending wrapped everything up nicely. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
I received this book as an ARC with no expectations of a positive review. This is the third book in the Canine Defense series. Alyssa is the youngest of the Ashbaugh daughters. She is heading home from Atlanta when her car ends up breaking down. All she knows is that she is not returning to Atlanta. She ended up hearing part of a conversation that she should not have heard. Now she is just trying to get away. Join Alyssa as she runs into her old high school flame Spencer Cavanaugh. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat as Spencer tries to keep Alyssa alive. This is a must read for all romantic suspense fans.
“But as much as she didn’t want to admit it, accepting help, even if it came from Spence or her sisters, beat that alternative,” Alyssa considers in Carol J. Post’s inspirational romance, Uncovering the Truth.
~ What ~ A Love Inspired Suspense, this third book in the Canine Defense series is a 211-page paperback that targets those who like suspenseful romance fiction involving a service dog. With no profanity but topics of violence, murder, and death, it may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes the author’s note and advertisements.
This final book in the series is also based in Pensacola, Florida, where the youngest sister, Alyssa, has fled Atlanta, where she saw something her boyfriend was involved in that she should not have seen. When she runs into her old high school flame, Spencer, who is ex-military with a service dog, the two try to outrun not only her boyfriend but also his cronies who are obviously out to harm her.
~ Why ~ This is another quick read of trying to stop dangerous individuals who take advantage of others. I liked the flow of the story, especially how Alyssa, the black sheep in the family, comes to terms with her broken relationships and lets go of her bitterness. Including how an emotional-support animal assisted Spencer with his PTSD was interesting.
~ Why Not ~ Some may not like stories that deal with those who struggle from their pasts, whether from tragic family or military experiences. Others may not care for the faith-based prayers, but there are only a few. I felt the culprit’s character was underwritten and the ending was rushed.
~ Wish ~ Since this is a Christian read, it would be thoughtful to include the eternal plan of salvation that Jesus Christ died on the cross, shed His blood for all sin, and rose the third day.
~ Want ~ If you want conclusion to this inspirational romance series that involves courage, danger, and faith, this final book in the series uncovers how different support systems are vital to moving on in life.
Thanks to the author for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
Uncovering the Truth by Carol J. Post strikes this perfect balance between sweet and suspenseful, like when you're enjoying a quiet moment and suddenly feel that pull of something big about to happen. That’s exactly how I felt as I got deeper into Alyssa and Spencer’s story.
What I really appreciated was how the romance didn’t rush in. Spencer and Alyssa didn’t just fall back together—no, they had to rebuild trust, one slow step at a time. Their bond wasn’t overshadowed by the danger chasing Alyssa, which made their connection even stronger. She’s running for her life, but she’s no damsel—Alyssa’s got grit, and it was honestly so empowering to watch her navigate all the chaos while finding her own strength.
If you want a hero who doesn’t swoop in to fix everything but just shows up, Spencer is your guy. I couldn’t get enough of how steady he was, how protective he became—not just because he had to, but because he truly cared. And Apollo? The K-9? That dog is fierce. There’s something incredibly special about seeing Spencer and Alyssa reconnect while the world feels like it's falling apart. Their bond, even amidst the tension, was just so real.
This book has the perfect mix of pulse-pounding moments and those quiet, emotional pauses. It’s like you get just enough breath before the next twist, and the sweetness in those softer moments only adds to the thrill.
Speaking of the audiobook, I didn’t want to hit pause. The narrator nailed the tension, the trust building between Spencer and Alyssa, and even the silent loyalty of Apollo. I felt like I was right there with them, every step of the way. The pacing was spot on, and I was hooked until the very end.
Uncovering the Truth isn’t just suspenseful—it leaves you with this surprising warmth that I didn’t expect. It’s sweet, it’s suspenseful, and it’s just the kind of story I want to revisit again.
I received a digital ARC of this audiobook from the publisher and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
This latest addition to the series, belongs to the youngest Anderson sister, Alyssa and Spencer Cavanaugh. Eight years ago, Alyssa and Spencer were HS sweethearts. At that time both were troubled kids. When Spencer decided to join the army, he left a heartbroken Alyssa behind. She too left town and has struggled in finding herself and stability. Sure that Atlanta and her new boyfriend are helping her get on her feet, she is happy until she stumbles upon a conversation that puts her in danger and fleeing Atlanta . Spencer , now out of the military, finds Alyssa on the roadside and offers to help. Unbeknown to him, he will find himself trying to help and protect Alyssa from being killed. Even though he wants to help her, she resists, even as the danger increases. As these two find themselves thrown together, both think that it’s all temporary. Neither believes they are good enough for the other. In the end, will Alyssa survive the threats? Will these two souls realize that they belong together? This engaging story is a clean, Christian suspense romance about opening ones heart to God to help with healing the mind, the spirit and the body. It’s also a reminder of the stresses the returning troops have to overcome. Many returning with PTSD. Finding the support to help them isn’t always available, but in this case, Apollo, the support dog, who he got from K-9 for Warriors, shows the need of more of this kind of assistance for these brave men and women who are willing to fight for our freedom. I was entrusted a copy of this book by the author. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This story was an adrenaline rush from the get-go! I can't imagine being a "regular person" and fighting off people who mean to kill you just because you saw something you weren't meant to see. This is the situation Alyssa finds herself in. She has been in trouble before which is the reason she's left her sisters years ago and hasn't had much contact. She couldn't deal with them judging her. However, she's finally turned her life around for the most part and has a rich boyfriend but then she sees something she's not supposed to see while she is with him and finds out he's not who she thought he was! She's now running for her life and thankfully, runs into her high school boyfriend, Spencer, who helps her get away, along with his service dog, Apollo. I loved Apollo and Spencer. Spencer had had challenges in his life in the military and before but that doesn't stop him from dropping everything and helping Alyssa, even though he'd hurt her years before. As they run to Pensacola towards Alyssa's sisters, will they stay alive long enough to find out what is going on and bring the evil men to justice? This story has several twists and turns I didn't see coming which meant I read it way past my bedtime! I loved the themes of forgiveness, second chances and clinging to faith that were represented.
I meant to read this book during downtime as I proofread another book. For me, proofreading needs some breaks to keep me alert. Once I started this book, I found it difficult to stop so I could focus on proofreading. The action in the story moves quickly and keeps the reader turning pages. Finish a chapter, take a sneak peek at the next chapter, and keep reading a while longer. Alyssa and Spence were double trouble during high school, but now that they are both more mature, they are trying to avoid trouble. However, trouble is chasing Alyssa, and Spence cannot let it overtake her, no matter that their parting after high school did not go well. Alyssa wants to avoid Spence, but his service dog Apollo has stolen her heart. Apollo has been a great companion for Spence and seems to help Alyssa in much the same way. I admit that I struggle with the thought of slobbery dog kisses, but maybe that is better than reading about passionate kisses between a man and a woman. None of that in this story but it includes just the right blend of action, suspense, romance, and faith. I recommend it but suggest reading the first two books before starting this one. You will enjoy meeting each of the Ashbaugh sisters in her own book. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Uncovering the Truth. This is the third book in the series Canine Defense. I'm a big fan of Carol's books. I found this one awesome. It's well-written, action-packed, and full of intrigue. I know you are going to love it.
Alyssa Anderson was on her way to her mother's funeral when her car broke down. She was also on the run having seen something she shouldn't have. Bad men were after her including her ex boyfriend. She picked up her car only to have a car race toward her. She ran only to be shot at. A SUV stopped to help her. Her high school sweetheart.
Spencer Cavanaugh and his K-9 were out picking up boxes for his move to Florida when a woman ran out in front of him. Her was barely able to stop. He had heard two shots. An injured woman limped toward him. Alyssa! She was in trouble. He had to help her.
A terrifying journey to stay one step ahead of her ex and his killer friends. God has a plan for these two, a plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. A good plan for peace and not for harm. Give Him your heart and watch Him turn your life around.
Uncovering the Truth features a young woman running for her life and the injured veteran who tries to save her. Alyssa Anderson and Spencer Cavanaugh are likable and well-developed characters with a shared past. Alyssa especially undergoes changes throughout the story. The plot is well-paced and captivating. There was a twist towards the end that was very unexpected, but made complete sense. Author Carol J. Post's writing style is perfect for this genre. The dialogue is believable with a natural flow. One thing that I especially liked was Alyssa's learning to not look at people through their past interactions. There's a very HEA for the romance and an extremely satisfying conclusion to the suspense. I would recommend this to readers of clean and Christian romantic suspense, to those who enjoy family reconciliation, and to dog lovers. Apollo, Spencer's service dog, will steal your heart. I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this well-written standalone addition to the Canine Defense series.
I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Harlequin Audio
🎧5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧
Wow, I enjoy this book. I found the characters to be likeable and Alyssa our main female character to have so much strength but also, she was a bada$$! After she sees something, she shouldn’t have she finds herself a target someone wants to kill her and that someone happens to be her now ex-boyfriend.
She is now on the run, she has car trouble and ends up bumping into her high school sweetheart and his dog, Spencer and Apollo. Even when Alyssa tries to allude that she is fine, everything is fine the blood tells him otherwise. It was an intense ride of finding out who you can and can’t trust. I loved the dynamic between these two. Even with the past hanging over them, they worked it out.
I know this is labelled a Christian Romance and yes there is that, but it wasn’t the focal point of the story it just added to it.
Great story, great characters and even more a wonderful narrator who made me not want to press pause for any reason.
I always enjoy the mini series that Love Inspired Suspense does. They are often by multiple authors, but this trilogy is by the same author. I don't think there is a Love Inspired author whose total book list I have read - there are a ton of Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense novels out there.
This is the third and final book in this trilogy. I admit I wasn't too crazy about Alyssa. The other two books were about her two sisters, and they were much more likable....but she did improve over the course of the story.
Now Spencer, the male hero of the story, was completely likable. Former military with PSTD and an awesome service dog. I always like it when the hero of the story isn't perfect. I found myself YouTubing a couple songs he sang to the accompaniment of his guitar.
The suspense and plot were well done and had me glued to the book. There was a surprise at to what was really going on. No spoilers, but it was so much bigger and worse than Alyssa thought she knew.
There was a great ending, and the guy does get the girl. Again. :) I really enjoyed this trilogy, and this book was a great ending to it.
Special thanks to the author for an review copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
This book is a non-stop, catch your breath when you can, action read! This is the third book in the series but it is a stand alone read. Be warned, you will want to read the others after you read this one! Alyssa is the youngest sister who has lived on her own ever since she was old enough to leave home. She discovers that her boyfriend is doing something illegal and she runs for her life! After several attempts by the "bad guys", she finds herself back home and protected by her high school sweetheart Spencer and his dog, Apollo. With his help, along with her sisters and the local police, she tries to stay safe until her ex can be caught. Can they survive long enough to come to terms with their feelings? This story keeps you "on your toes" with action and suspense. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.
Uncovering the Truth hits the ground running! From the very beginning, the author Carol Post weaves together non-stop action in this Love Inspired Suspense read. For those not familiar with Love Inspired Suspense books - these are cozy mysteries with a little Hallmark Mysteries all in one.
The main female lead, Alyssa Anderson has a habit of "getting herself into trouble" and when she accidently walks in where she shouldn't be, she is running for her life at every turn. No matter where she is - danger is right on her heels. When one of those moments occur, her former high school sweetheart, Spencer, happens to be there to rescue her. Spencer is now doing everything he can to save her and can they risk love once again?
This is book 3 in the series and although I read this out of turn, it stands out and I didn't feel like I missed information. Great Job to the author and will be reading her again.
Very short review : the first quarter is riveting, the next ones are the characters sitting there doing nothing except reconnecting and waiting for the danger to find them. It's nice to have a service dog instead a police one, especially since Apollo is super endearing, and Spencer's panic is very-well described (as someone having frequent panic attacks myself). I loved how the bond between Alyssa and Spencer is shown getting stronger with subtility, naturally. However, while I obviously expected references to religion due to the book being an inspirational romance, this one was much more preachy than the others I've read before. Little touches are nice, the whole pages where Spencer wonders how he can bring back the lost sheep (Alyssa) to church weren't. At all.
It still was a nice read, but I wouldn't recommend it to discover the Love Inspired Suspense line.
In Uncovering the Truth, book #3 of Carol Post's Canine Defense series, the prodigal, and youngest sister, Alyssa, returns to Pensacola, FL and her family's charter boat rental business to escape trouble in Atlanta. Her high school flame, Spence, also is returning to their hometown after an overseas deployment, along with his emotional support dog, Apollo, to open a music store. Romance and suspense and family dynamics make for a thrilling chapter in the reuniting of Alyssa with twin sisters Kris and Kassie (the heroines of the first two books), their public safety hero fiancés, and their K9 dogs. It takes all hands on deck to solve a crime that Alyssa happened upon, and to capture the criminals while protecting Alyssa. A highly recommended read and series.
What a great finale to the Canine Defense series. I have really enjoyed each installment of the series, from great mysteries with lots of excitement, to the three sisters healing their broken relationships with each other, this series is a fantastic read. I really liked the dynamic between Alyssa & Spence and their backstory gave a nice element to Spence trying to keep Alyssa safe from the bad guys after her. I also really liked Apollo. I am finding I enjoy stories with service dogs helping people with their traumas, anxieties etc. Enjoyed this read much as I enjoy every book I have read from Carol. She is a must-read author for me!
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Uncovering the Truth by Carol J Post is the 3rd book in her canine defense series. I read it as a stand alone. Alyssa is heading home for her mother’s funeral after over hearing something she shouldn’t have between her boyfriend and his clients. Her car breaks down and after getting it fixed, someone is shooting at her. She runs into her high school sweetheart Spence who gets involved in trying to help her. With a series of events where these men are trying to get her, can she survive? Can she forgive Spence for leaving her behind? Can she make amends with her sisters? Romy Evan’s did a great job with the narration. I could distinguish between the characters easily. Thank you to #NetGalley, #Harlequin Audio and the author for this arc audio. This is my honest review.
What an exciting book, from start to finish! Allyssa is enjoying dating her wealthy boyfriend when she accidently witnesses his dealings with illegal art theft activities, so she must run for her life. She realizes that she should have known that the romance was too good to be true. One good thing was that her sweetheart from high school Spenser and his service dog Apollo were agreeable in helping her. The excitement and danger were non-stop, and I enjoyed the personal interaction and grown between the two main characters, as well as the faith ribbon interwoven into the story. I enjoyed the ending, too! I appreciate the editors making it possible for me to read this book. The thoughts expressed are my own.
Alyssa has discovered something that could end up costing her life. When reunited with her high school sweetheart Spencer Cavanaugh, Alyssa finds protection. Spencer isn’t working alone, however, as he has his service dog Apollo.
This third book in an engaging series was an audiobook review for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the narration. I love second chance romances, and that’s exactly what we have here between Spencer and Alyssa. This was sweet story that will hold a warm space place in my heart.
Many thanks to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Carol J. Post presented a well thought out Christian suspense book. I really enjoyed getting to know Alyssa and Spencer on their journey of intrigue and self-relization with themselves and God. My interest was captured from the very beginning until the very satisfying end.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy Christian suspense and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Alyssa thinks she knows the truth: the truth about herself, her mother, her sisters, her ex, and even the villains chasing her. But does she? She is set on a wild course to determine the truth; and believe me, she has some skewed ideas that could cost her her life! Fortunately, God brought Spence, fighting his own battles, back into her life for just this reason! She needs someone helping her overcoming these obstacles. The question is, would they uncover the truth in time? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone!
This story is a compelling blend of suspense and heartfelt storytelling. The novel pulls you in with its intriguing mystery, but what really stands out is the emotional depth of the characters and their journeys toward healing and truth. Author does a great job weaving themes of faith, trust, and second chances into a fast-paced plot that keeps you guessing. It’s a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys clean romantic suspense with a meaningful message.
This was a decently paced book with solid main characters. Of course my favorite character was Apollo, Spencer’s therapy dog. His PTSD storyline and therapy dog was such a fantastic addition. Realistic and heartwarming- animals are excellent for supports for mental health.
Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook of this arc. It was smoothly read and the narrator was solid.