Operation Rescue

Cutter's Code #18

by Justine Davis

A hero gets a second chance…

thanks to his furry partner.

When their fourteen-year-old son runs away, Blaine Everett agrees to help his ex-wife, Erin, search for the troubled teen, who they fear may be in danger. It’s been two years since the couple divorced, so working together will challenge their resolve—and their hearts—to stay strong. Blaine, a brave former marine pilot, comes with the Foxworth Foundation and its amazingly versatile canine Cutter—tracker, undercover agent, attack dog, therapist and, most surprising, matchmaker. Searching for Ethan, Blaine and Erin not only uncover the real reason they split—they realize that their mutual attraction never died.

From Harlequin Romantic Danger. Passion. Drama.

Feel the excitement in these uplifting romances, part of the Cutter's Code

Book 1: Operation Reunion
Book 2: Operation Blind Date
Book 3: Operation Unleashed
Book 4: Operation Power Play
Book 5: Operation Homecoming
Book 6: Operation Soldier Next Door
Book 7: Operation Alpha
Book 8: Operation Notorious
Book 9: Operation Hero's Watch
Book 10: Operation Second Chance
Book 11: Operation Mountain Recovery
Book 12: Operation Whistleblower
Book 13: Operation Payback
Book 14: Operation Witness Protection
Book 15: Operation Takedown
Book 16: Operation Rafe's Redemption
Book 17: Operation Rescue

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2025

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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always excited when a new Cutter book comes out, and this one was no exception. In this book, Foxworth comes to help two estranged parents find their runaway son. Blaine is a Marine helicopter pilot who was badly injured in Afghanistan. His wife, Erin, cared for him throughout his recovery, but then asked for a divorce. Their son didn't take it well and ran away from his home with Erin. Erin reluctantly called Blaine for help.

Blaine called Rafe. The two men have a history together, and I loved learning more about Rafe's past. I loved how Rafe dropped everything to help, and how his friends at Foxworth were ready to back him up. Naturally, Rafe took Cutter along. I always smile when I see how people react to Cutter.

The search for Ethan kept me hooked, as Erin, Blaine, and Rafe worked together to find him. I could feel their worry over the possibility of gang involvement. I understood Erin's frustration with the police's perceived lack of interest and her initial wariness of Rafe. The tension ramped up as they searched, bringing in familiar faces from previous Cutter books. The conclusion of the search was a Cutter nail-biter, perfectly timed and executed.

I enjoyed the reconciliation between Blaine and Erin. The sparks are still there, as are the feelings. Though I wanted to shake Erin at times, I understood what made her run from Blaine in the first place. Blaine's arrival forced her to face the past and her reaction. Blaine also looked at his past and the future he wanted. I especially enjoyed how Rafe's changes influenced Blaine's decision-making. Forced together to find Ethan, the proximity contributed to the realization that they still belong together. A nice twist at the end helps make the decision easier.

It's always fun to see Cutter in action, whether it's soothing anxiety, stating his opinions on his people's actions, or working his matchmaking magic. Those who start skeptical are believers by the end.

[Patty Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Cutter!

I never get tires of ready Cutters stories. I Love Rafe, Quinn and Haley and all the rest. I will say, if I could have been written in as Erin's best friend, I would have slapped since into her; somehow. I am so glad Blaine never quit loving her, and Ethan though he went about it the wrong way didn't let his mother smother him. And i love how once again it all came together, they all did. Walker and Amy still have my hear and I love how all i entwine into other stories. I will say I need big family reunion and to see these ladies Haley, Charlie, Amy and rest pregnant and how all these men handle their ladies then, especially Rafe and Quinn.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutter does it again!

Another great story. Erin and Blaine reconnect to find their missing son that ran away from home. I love this series with all the interaction with former characters and Cutter.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story but there are some difficult topics covered. I need to go back and read previous Cutter books for sure.

[Judy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this story of Cutter helping Rafe's Marine friend and his ex-wife search for the Marine's runaway 14 year old son.

I've enjoyed each of these Cutter stories in this series.

[Harlequin Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary Romance, Animal Fiction, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Cutter's Code (Book #18)