Operation Unleashed

Cutter's Code #4

by Justine Davis

Stepping up to the plate will put him in the line of fire… 

 

For Drew Kiley, married life isn't what he had in mind. Driven to "I do" by a sense of familial responsibility, he assumes the role of husband to his brother's wife, Alyssa…and the role of father to his nephew, Luke. It seems to be the logical solution in light of his brother's abandonment. But Drew doesn't know the whole truth about his brother's past. A rescue from a canine companion sets Drew and Alyssa on a perilous course of extortion, kidnapping and secrets unveiled. United in their determination to protect Luke, Drew and Alyssa learn to depend on each other. But as tensions escalate, so does a deep undercurrent of desire that casts their marriage in a different light.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Author biographies are supposed to give you all those statistics, books written, awards won, etc. and I will, I promise...but first let me tell you about this ornery little tomboy (back then, the boys had all the fun...) who was always the one to make up the stories the neighborhood kids would "play". For those who came of age in the computer game era, this is something that was done usually in the backyard, by any number of summer-bored children, with props where appropriate. (Did you know a 55 gallon drum tied to a picnic bench makes a very cool horse?) It wasn't until much later that this tomboy realized two things: A) not everyone made up stories in their heads all the time, and B) in real life, the boys that had already had all the fun now seemed to always be winning.

But I digress. I was born on a farm down in Iowa....well, not quite, but close; Boone, Iowa is in the middle of farm country, but I arrived at a hospital. In a snow storm. Make that a blizzard. My sister tells me she knew my destiny when I was very young, because when I first saw the Disney classic Old Yeller, I was apparently so upset that I promptly went home and rewrote the story. In my version, the dog lived, of course. Should have been a clue.

Possibly in response to that blizzard I was born in, I've been a West Coaster since before I was a year old, and intend to stay that way. I have a history of staying. I started my first full time job right out of school (well, there was a very brief sojourn at a place where they made, among other things, burial vaults, but I prefer not to recall that one...) and stayed for twenty-one years. I've been married to the same wonderful guy for going on two decades now. We lived in our last house for seventeen years. (I won't even mention how many dumpsters we filled moving after that long....)

Readers seem as fascinated by my first career as they are with my writing. My time in law enforcement was many things, exciting, nerve wracking, and irritating, but most importantly never, ever boring. It was fascinating enough that I didn't think about writing seriously for several years. I kept a journal, and wrote long letters, collected quotes, mentally rewrote movies, and still made up those stories in my head, but never dreamed of actually writing for publication. I was having too much fun helping to catch bad guys, and being continually amazed at the situations people get themselves into. And eventually I walked away with a wealth of background and story ideas, and knowing some truly great people who work very hard to keep all of us safe. I'm proud to have been one of them, and I'm very aware that I have had the great good fortune of having had two jobs in my life that I love. Many people don't get even one.

But now that I'm in the delicious position of being able to make a living telling those stories in my head, I promise my readers two things: A) I'm staying--I'll keep writing as long as you keep reading, and B) in my stories, the girl--tomboy or not--always wins!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And now, the official stats:

Justine Dare Davis sold her first book in 1989, and followed that up with the sale of nineteen novels in less than two years. Her first four books were published in 1991, and she saw all reach the finals for either the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award or the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award. She has since won the RITA award four times, along with several Reviewer's Choice awards and three Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. At the 1998 national conference, Justine was inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame, making her one of a very select group of just eight writers. She also had four titles on the Romantic Times "Top 200 of All Time" list. Her sales now total more than 45, and her books have appeared regularly on best seller lists, including the USA Today list. She has been featured in several local newspapers and nationwide by Associated Press, has appeared on CN

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drew Kiley married his brother’s wife Alyssa after his irresponsible younger brother, Doug, died in an accident. Doug left Alyssa and their young son, Luke, broke and alone and Alyssa ended up sick in the hospital, so Drew stepped up to the plate to provide for Alyssa and Luke and take care of them, but it would be a marriage in name only. Along the way, Alyssa starts getting threats to her and Luke when Doug’s partner in crime gets out of prison demanding the money that he says is rightly his, that he stole in a robbery with Doug. Luckily the wonderful dog, Cutter, comes to the rescue, getting his owners who run the Foxworth Foundation on the case to help Alyssa, Drew, and Luke.

This was another enjoyable Cutter’s Code story with the wonderful, perceptive dog Cutter, who appears to know so much more than the humans do. Cutter was featured prominently in the story, and I loved every second he was on the page. Drew made a terrific hero, he was such a good guy who always kept his word and he loved and treated his nephew, Luke, like his own son. Drew ended up falling in love with Alyssa along the way, which was never a part of the plan. Alyssa tended to drive me nuts at times, with her endless rose-colored view of Doug which she never wanted to let go of. Doug was irresponsible, committed crimes and wasn’t all that great, and I couldn’t understand why Alyssa always defended him when she had such a wonderful guy like Drew right in front of her. Quinn and Haley, of the Foxworth Foundation (from the first Cutter’s Code book) were also featured very prominently in this one, as were their team members Liam, Rafe, and Teague. And I also really liked young Luke, he was an adorable little boy. The book tended towards being talky over suspenseful, with the action coming more in the last fourth of the story, but overall, it was still a very entertaining read with the always fabulous Cutter.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic Cutter story. Cutter the dog drags his owners, Quinn and Haley, into the life of a little boy named Luke. His parents aren't getting along, and while it's not the kind of case that Foxworth normally gets involved in, Cutter isn't giving them any choice.

Drew and Alyssa had married three years earlier, after the death of her husband who was also Drew's younger brother. He and Alyssa had eloped when she was seventeen, and their life hadn't been a good one. Alyssa had adored Doug, but he died while committing a robbery, leaving her and Luke alone and broke. Drew found them while Alyssa was in the hospital and married her to provide for her and Luke.

Drew was the older brother, serious and responsible. Doug had been the spoiled younger son, skilled at using charm and manipulation to get his way. Drew had resented Doug for years because he was always stuck cleaning up Doug's messes. Even after Doug's death, all he can see is the terrible things Doug did. He was determined to be the best father he could be to his nephew, but dealing with Alyssa's perpetually rosy memories of Doug was driving him nuts. Their marriage had started out as a purely business arrangement, but over the last year Drew's feelings have changed. He is in love with Alyssa, but can't see her ever returning his feelings.

Alyssa is very grateful to Drew for everything he has done for her and Luke. Her life with Doug hadn't been great, but she had loved him and knew that he loved her too. She refuses to believe all the things that Drew says about Doug, preferring the things that Doug had told her. The constant strain of the two opposing viewpoints creates a lot of stress between the two of them, but she tries to let it go. Drew is such a good father to Luke that she can forgive a lot of things.

Cutter's arrival, leading Luke back home after he ran away, brings a new element into their lives. Quinn and Haley offer to help Drew and Alyssa get the full truth about Doug and his activities so that they can lay their conflict to rest. Just as that process starts, Alyssa receives threats from Doug's former partner in crime, who has just been released from prison. He wants the money from the last robbery which he is sure that Alyssa has. Suddenly Foxworth's involvement goes from research to protection.

I loved seeing the way that Drew and Alyssa are mostly able to put their differences aside when it comes to doing what is best for Luke. The danger that they are now in changes the dynamics of their relationship. Alyssa starts seeing Drew as more than just her partner, but as a man who will do anything to protect them. As more information comes out about Doug, she begins to let go of the idealized vision of him and seeing him for the flawed man that he was. She also begins to discover that her feelings for Drew have changed and she's not sure what to do about it. She doesn't want to make him regret what he has done for them, but she really wants a chance to make it real. I was happy to see Alyssa finally start to move toward a real relationship with Drew. It was easy to see how much he cared for her and she was so blind to it for so long. It was fun to watch them react to Cutter's attempts to get them together.

I always love Cutter's role in the books. He has his way of doing things and no human is going to interfere with it. In this one he is protector and companion for Luke. I loved the way he could go from playtime to attack dog in the blink of an eye. He also did a great job as marriage counselor for Drew and Alyssa, practically forcing them to talk to each other. It's always fun to see people go from disbelief to acceptance as they get to know him and see him in action.

I really enjoyed the suspense part of the story. It wasn't particularly intense until the very end, but it was a good vehicle to get Drew and Alyssa working together. I always like seeing the Foxworth people do their thing and this was no exception. I liked catching up with people from earlier books and trying to figure out who will be next. I have a feeling that Rafe's will be the next story and have a sneaking suspicion of who will be his love interest.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, this book was so angsty and emotional, it moved me to tears. I'm usually not at all comfortable reading books where the heroine has been in love with someone other than the hero before, add to it having had a child from that union, but this book just drew me in from the start, even when I re-read it.

Alyssa, was a naive seventeen year old wanting to escape from the strict familial environment she grew up in when she fell for Doug, a smooth, fun-loving guy, and eloped with him when he promised her the moon and a good life. It however didn't turn out as rosy and romantic as she'd thought. Soon after, she got pregnant which angered Doug. Few days after they'd made that discovery, Doug dies in a car crash and a pregnant Alyssa finds she has to fend for herself and her unborn child all by herself. Two years later, Doug's older brother, Drew, finds her shattered, broken and seriously ill in the hospital and her toddler son, Luke, in foster care. The two of them then get married in order to get Luke out of foster care and keep him safe and happy.

The book opens when Drew and Alyssa are in their third year of marriage with Alyssa having blossomed from a broken, frightened young girl to a strong, poised and self-assured woman and Drew having fallen in love with her in the past one year. He however knew Alyssa only felt indebted to him for saving her and her son and that she was still in love with his feckless brother. Before marrying him she'd been clear she wasn't going to do love again. They'd never shared a bedroom or bed, and the two times they had sex it had been practically accidental, a sort of collision at a weak moment for both of them and after one such moment, he'd found her crying leaving him both furious and hurt. He refused to accept such charitable offerings from her thereafter. What he didn't know was that she'd found their lovemaking so different and satisfying and had liked it so much that she felt guilty she'd betrayed Doug's memories.

Doug had been sadly omnipresent in the entire three years of their marriage. The two had differing opinions where he was concerned. While Drew knew his brother as a spoilt, self-centred and manipulative guy with a long juvenile record even before he'd hit the age of sixteen and had taken advantage of Alyssa's innocent and generous nature, she, on the other hand, totally brainwashed by Doug, believed he was misunderstood and frame by others and the cops. Before he crashed to his death, Doug had robbed the convenience store and although no cash was found with his body, Drew was convinced he was trying to flee from a pregnant Alyssa, but Alyssa was confident he'd robbed the store because he wanted to provide for her and their unborn baby.

Their constant arguing had started to affect their six year old son, Luke, whom they both loved unconditionally. Drew was a wonderful father to Luke and although Luke knew Drew was only his uncle, he adored Drew and called him Dad. Loved how he looked out for Drew's consent and approval for everything.

Alyssa wanted Luke to also know his biological father, and though Drew was in concurrence with her, he didn't like that she wanted to give Luke the rose-tinted picture she had of his father, but rather the truth as he and the cops knew it. Doug and his motives had festered to such a sore point between the two that every word Drew uttered about Doug Alyssa would take it as a criticism, and when she said something about Doug, he'd instantly take to snapping at her. Their relationship had become a minefield and their fairly stable marriage was threatening to come apart.

One day, thinking his parents would probably stop arguing if he was out of the way, Luke ran away from home and was found sitting sad and alone in the park by Cutter, the highly perspective dog, who wants his owners, Quinn Foxworth and Hayley (H-h from Midnight Operation), who're now engaged, to fix the problem. Quinn is reluctant because Foxworth --a private foundation run by Quinn and his sister, now Hayley too-- helped lost causes, but didn't do domestic cases. But, Cutter was a determined dog and his humans had no option but to give in.

At first Drew and Alyssa were reluctant to let strangers into their affair, but then Drew realizes Alyssa needed to know the truth about Doug and clear the air between the two of them. Foxworth managed to procure for Alyssa visual evidences of Doug's criminal activities, but what shattered her the most was hearing his cheap opinion of her. Foxworth also managed to find out that Baird had been released from prison and soon he was blackmailing them to return the money he and Doug had stolen, believing Doug had Alyssa stash it somewhere.

And, amid the lurking danger and fear, Alyssa's rose-tinted memories of Doug began to fall away making it apparent to her what she'd been holding to of Doug was just her girlish fantasies --and which I feel was her reluctance to admit she'd made a mistake with him-- and that Drew, whom Doug hated for being boringly strong and dependable, was the real deal.

“I meant what I said in there, Drew,” Alyssa said softly, snapping him out of thoughts that had perversely managed to arouse rather than quash his response to her presence and the proximity of a choice of beds.
He didn’t know what to say, so said nothing.
“You are his father. In every sense that matters. That’s never been clearer than now.”
“Is that what this is about? What’s happening now?”
“No. It’s about who you are. And who Doug wasn’t.”
Drew sucked in a breath. He’d given up hoping to ever hear something like this from her. Had Foxworth accomplished what he’d never been able to?
She was looking up at him, studying him with an intensity that set him on edge. What was she seeing, thinking? Sometimes he felt like he’d spent most of his damn life trying to figure that out. If crisis brought out the real person, then maybe he had no idea who she was after all.
“Drew?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say.” He felt helpless, a little lost staring down into those wide blue eyes. And he was damned tired of feeling helpless. “I don’t know what you want, period.”
“I do. For the first time in a long time, there’s something I want, something more than just my son’s well-being.”
Drew swallowed tightly. “What?”
“You.”

This time when they made love, it was as husband and wife in the truest sense. Loved their morning-after moment in the bedroom. However, soon after they had another crisis to face - the kidnapping of their sweet, adorable son. By the time he was rescued with help from the ever vigilant Cutter and the Foxworth team, and Drew risking his own life for Luke, Alyssa was absolutely sure she was in love with her husband.

But then, there was another bombastic revelation about Doug -- this time, Drew having to face the fact he wasn't completely right about his brother's motives--bringing tension and strain right back into their relationship and putting them on the threshold of a divorce. However, the two hadn't reckoned for a determined Cutter, who, if he ever saw two battered souls whom he believed belonged together forever, wouldn't let go of them until he felt they understood this truth thoroughly. It was amusing to see how he physically pushed them into each other's arms.

It was nice to see a happy Kiley family attend Quinn and Hayley's wedding in the epilogue.

I've read almost all books in this series and loved them all, but this story had so much pain and heartache, it touched me very deeply. Some may not like the constant presence of the other man, even if dead, between the two (I know I normally cringe at such stuff) but I loved how beautifully Ms Davis managed to bring that couple-ly feel to Drew and Alyssa despite all that angst and no sex between them. It's a very difficult task to pull off, but she did. I loved how they'd consult the other on everything especially where Luke's upbringing was concerned and how concerned they were about the other especially when either of them was in danger.

Then, we have the fabulous team of Foxworth, each having their own distinctive personalities, also Quinn and Hayley continuing with their romance and wedding plans and Luke's lovely bonding with Cutter and Liam (from Foxworth)

This is definitely worth a read.

[Bella · Rating 2 out of 5]

It did not look like romantic but suspense ya maybe..For me Drew and Alyssa were like secondary characters instead of lead characters. I found Quinn's and Hayley's characters bothersome it seems like without these characters there was no content , I didn't not get to see Drew and Alyssa shine as they should because it was their story..
Lastly, Cutter was cute but bit weird and strange..

[Robyn Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle

[Rebecca Delio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

Again the wonderful Cutter came through, I love this series, the stories are wonderful and heartfelt and the secondary characters are great also.......

[Annette Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love Cutter! this is an awesome series. I can't wait to read more of it.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation Unleased: Cutter’s Code is by Justine Davis. It is a romantic suspense.
Drew Kiley had taken second place to his younger brother almost from the time he was born. He was definitely tired of it and besides, Doug was dead. Drew wanted Alyssa’s love and for her to get rid of the romantic view she had of Doug. Doug was manipulative and could make anyone believe his tales. Given that Alyssa was sixteen when she married Doug and not much older when he died, Drew knew changing her mind would be almost impossible. However, he wanted her to change and realize she loved Drew and not because she felt obligated. He knew he couldn’t lose either Alyssa or Doug’s son Luke. Drew would be the father that Doug could never have been.
Alyssa had loved Doug with all her might; but he was dead. When Drew married her so she could get Luke out of foster care, she knew he was a good man and kept every promise he made. Why was she having these strange feelings towards Drew?
Doug’s accomplice in his last robbery was out of prison. He had served his entire sentence so had no restrictions on him. He was determined to get his half of the money they stole. Since Doug didn’t have it on him when he died, obviously Alyssa had it or knew where it was. If he had to resort to blackmail or kidnapping to get his share he would do it.
Cutter, a dog, had a unique quality about him. He could almost talk to his owners and those he chose to talk to. He instinctively knew when trouble was coming and where it was coming from. He picked Luke out to be his friend and then convinced his owners Quinn and Hayley to help Drew and Alyssa come to an agreement about Luke’s father. Though they don’t usually take domestic cases, they did in this case- Cutter wanted it. When Baird comes on the scene, they are already in place to help Drew and Alyssa.
Will Baird get his money and possibly Alyssa? Will Drew lose the woman he loves and the son he adores? Will Alyssa ever see the love Drew offers her?

[Ruth Mccurry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlequins Operation Unleashed, by Justine Davis

I enjoyed this book, because it's about what a dog thinks of life.

Cutter is more or less a physic dog, who delights in dragging his owners
Quinn and Haley into all sorts of different family situations.

Cutter won't take "NO" for an answer, when he finds a small boy named Luke
sitting all alone in the park on a swing. Cutter befriends Luke and proves to Luke, Quinn and Haley that he can take Luke home.

Cutter insists in his dog fashion that Drew and Alyssa along with Luke need
the the help of the Foxworth foundation.

Drew has married Alyssa out of what he considers family obligation, after his brother Dough is killed in a car accidet.

Both Drew and Alyssa have very different opinions of Doug, and Cutter takes it on himself to save this small family, though his owners aren't sure this family needs their help.

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series has pulled me in. I loved book one, and every book so far afterwards. I loved how Cutter howled and barked until Haley, and Quinn turned around to go back to the park. Cutter saw Luke a 6-year-old boy sitting out in the rain by himself. He wanted his owners to help the boy. His parents were not getting along, and he thought it was his fault. In this book you get two love stories, along with suspense, and action. Quinn and Hailey are still madly in love. Drew and Alyssa married a few years ago after Luke’s father died. Luke’s father was actually Drew’s brother, making him Luke’s step dad, and uncle. Along the way Drew, and Alyssa fall in love but doesn’t know how to tell the other. Alyssa’s past comes back t0 haunt her. She and Drew, and all of Foxworthy has to work together to find Luke after he was kidnapped. This was an intense book.

[cynthia l patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching Story

Touching story and some important lessons for everyone! Love the thought that if we are open to the vibes of those around us we could make a positive difference in everyone’s lives. -Communication between loved ones is crucial to keep the love growing and to head off miss understandings. This book has something for everyone everyone. -The book held my interest and I loved the twist and turns it took. It lets you learn that not every thing is not as it appears, we need to always look deeper.

[Eve Gaddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Drew, the hero of Justine Davis's Operation Unleashed. Of course, I love Cutter. He's a great dog and I'm always wondering what he'll do next. But back to Drew, he was so sweet. Strong, alpha, sexy and he loves the heroine so much. I finished reading with a happy sigh. As always, Justine Davis delivers a wonderful romantic suspense.

[Harlequin Books]

"The intense passion and tension between them is the strength of this story along with its solid, well-developed plot. This is a heartwarming tale with an adorable, insistent dog at its center (RT Book Reviews)". 4 stars

Miniseries: Cutter's Code

[Trudy Powders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story.I loved that one of the main characters is a dog.A secret group of people who help people get involved in a domestic case.A well formed team that all work together with connections everywhere.They help a woman her husband and a little boy.Well written.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author's books.

[Donna Repsher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stayed up reading this one until 4:00 a.m. and thought it was excellent. I love the Cutter's Code series (who wouldn't love a series featuring a paranormal dog?). I cannot wait until the next one!

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good but frankly I didn't like Alyssa's character at all. Cutter was awesome, as was everyone else.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matchmaker dog at work again. always fun to read.