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K-9 Search and Rescue #7

I Call Her Brave: K-9 Search and Rescue Book 7

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After Jessica Cooper meets Auntie Desi she knows she can’t ignore the nightmare the woman has been living. Ten years ago, Desi’s six-year-old son disappeared from a neighborhood street. Was he snatched by a stranger? Drowned in a stream? Lost in the woods? With her own six-month-old son in tow, and with the help of her search-and-rescue dog, Luke, Jess takes on the cold case. Why? Because Auntie Desi deserves an answer.

Meanwhile, Jessica’s stepdaughter, Amanda, finishes college early, breaks up with her boyfriend, and retreats to her “happy place,” the beach. But the beach she can afford is not the warm, Southern California beach of her childhood, but a Virginia beach--Chincoteague Island--in February! Amanda cannot escape the trauma haunting her. Can the embrace of small town, island life help Amanda overcome her past?

324 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2025

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About the author

Linda J. White

15 books521 followers
Linda writes "white-knuckle fiction"--FBI thrillers with a twist of faith--from her home in rural Virginia. She's had careers as a government worker, a stay-at-home mom, and a journalist. Her husband, Larry, worked at the FBI Academy for over 25 years. Together they have three grown children. When she's not writing, you can find her walking in the woods, at the beach or doing something with grandchildren.

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5 stars
577 (79%)
4 stars
126 (17%)
3 stars
19 (2%)
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5 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 26 books145 followers
May 14, 2025
Even though I haven't read the prior books in the series, I was able to immerse myself in this one.

The characters are so well fleshed out with many layers that I came to like them right away. The main characters, Jess and Scott, go through a rough patch in their marriage due to Scott's job and the amount of time he spends away from his family. Jess was part of a K-9 search and rescue unit before giving birth to her son. She suddenly finds herself in a position to search for a boy who had been missing for 10 years.

There is a lot of upheaval, heartache, and emotional issues within the pages, which made my heart ache for the characters in the story. However, acts of kindness, uplifting times of friendship, and God's forgiveness brought me great joy. This book has everything—relationship issues, suspense, family turmoil, an amazing K-9 dog, non-stop action, close friendships, and people of strong faith. It has a fantastic ending that will blow you away—highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Linda White.
Author 15 books521 followers
June 11, 2025
This is my book, so of course I’m giving it five stars! I’ve read it a zillion times (as you do when you’re writing a book) and I’m really hoping you all enjoy it. Today, June 11, 2025, I started Book 8 in the series. 😊 I’m excited to be hanging out with Jess and Scott and Luke again! And Nate… of course. Blessings, y’all!
Profile Image for Jeanne Alfveby Crea.
1,031 reviews111 followers
May 20, 2025
I loved it!! This is one of my favorite series. I picked up Book 1 last winter and read all six books in a week. When I heard Book 7 "I call Her Brave" was releasing in June, I couldn't wait! You can read it as a standalone, but I highly recommend starting with Book 1 and reading all of them for the back stories.

"I call Her Brave" is a fantastic story. I loved the friendships, the subjects tackled, the faith thread, the mysteries solved, and the excellent storytelling by Author Linda J. White.

Jess Cooper is enjoying living on her horse farm and raising her son Little Mike, and keeping her hand in Search & Rescue as the callout coordinator, as well as easy tasks for her Private Investigator business, while focusing on raising her infant son. Her husband FBI Agent Scott Cooper has a busy & stressful season with the FBI where he is rarely home which causes strain on their family life. I got hungry reading about all Jess's good meals! Her sweet SAR dog Luke gets to star in this story too.

Dear Nate and his stepdaughter Kathryn, Jess's good friends, are there for her during this trying time. As are her friend Ellie and her children. They all babysit occasionally and help with the chores on the farm.

Ellie introduces Jess to Miss Desi who is an amazing woman who gives so much to her community. She is dealing with a loss that never goes away. Jess decides to help her find answers.

Scott Cooper's daughter Amanda moves to the beach with her father's support. She finds a wonderful job for the summer, and some great people who befriend her. She cannot, however, escape the trauma of her past. Despite her difficult struggles, I enjoyed seeing improvement on the journey she is on, her friend Henry, her sweet neighbor, and her counselor Kate at Hope Ranch.

Another amazing story of the power of friendships, family, bravery, mystery, suspense, healing, and second chances. I hope there will be more stories in this series! This is a series that intrigues and delights, and I would be happy if these stories went on forever!
Profile Image for Rebekah Morris.
Author 126 books275 followers
May 27, 2025
Although I haven’t read any of the books that come before this one, it didn’t matter. It works well as a stand alone.
The characters were well done and lived on the pages. The alternating main characters was a little different as the chapters with Jess were in first person and Amanda’s were in 3rd, but it worked and I got used to it quickly.
This story deals will all sorts of things from marriage problems, to thoughts of suicide, from a missing child, to childhood trauma. There really wasn’t any graphic descriptions. I did wish the Christian messages had been stronger and that someone had pointed Amanda to Christ. The message she seemed to get was that talking about her problems instead of hiding them inside her would fix all her problems. It might help, but it’s not the ultimate solution. The ending seemed a bit dramatic and, while exciting and neat to see Luke at work, felt thrown in to solve the whole marriage problem quickly.

Jess married a divorced man.
There are a few uses of the Lord’s name used as swear words or exclamations. I was not expecting that and it dropped my rating.
A story of a rape is shared though no details.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Jeanloves2read.
56 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2025
I Call Her Brave is a well written book that deals with a lot of sensitive and heavier topics. The book held my attention due to its compelling storylines.

My biggest criticism of this book was that it alternated between characters with the chapters about Jess being the only one written in the first person while Amanda’s and Scott’s chapters were written in third person.

This book is part of a series but can definitely be read as a stand alone.

I received an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
16 reviews
June 2, 2025
Amazing!

I have not cried reading a book as much as I cried reading this one. The grief and the terror experienced by all the characters; Jess, Scott, Nate, Desi, Jayden and Amanda! I am wrung out. Thank goodness for Kate, Henry and all their family and friends. I will be reading this book again!
Profile Image for Sydnee Okelly.
19 reviews
June 3, 2025
excellent read

I really enjoyed the plot and the ending was unexpected. I love when a dog is involved ; i have one that is my best friend. Keep on writing great job
313 reviews
September 4, 2025
Amazing

So many things going on in this book. Emotions everywhere happy and sad. I re-read the previous book first to get back correcly with the story line. This book delt alot with healing from traumas and God's help and how he's always there no matter good or bad. It's seems like alot happening at once but life is alot like that. We don't have to have the same experiences to have the same feelings. Ours may seem minor compared to a fictional book but no matter how inconsequential we think ours are to what happens in the book and In real life the feelings can be the same. There are many actually dealing with worse. Life takes turns every day. Shame, hurt, guilt, fear and anger are our biggest self thoughts we use to bring us down in our minds. They are very hard to overcome. Counseling does help.
I have spent months in the hospital with my husband. I needed to be strong for him and constantly try to keep his spirits up and keep hope in his heart. We've had to constantly turn to God to get us through each day. But one thing I found out is if I listened to others their problems were so much worse than ours. I don't know how I would have gotten through with what they have. God gives us what we can handle. I had to constantly remind myself of that.
This whole book was not all sad hard stuff, it was also filled with wonderful happy things. The story was running in three parts that went together. A fantastic book! Don't let the feelings get in the way of reading this book. You'll be so happy you read It.
Profile Image for Cher  Kelley.
208 reviews
June 28, 2025
Amazing drama, both family and work pressures almost tear a family apart

Scott is an FBI agent, his wife Jess in a SAR person along with Luke, her canine. Scott is working with several agencies and away more than home soon after his son is born. He can't tell Jess what he is doing, and as she has to single parent, plus keep up their small farm, and go out on SAR calls, she is overwhelmed without Scott being home. His dtr is angry with him, and feels he is overbearing and she's an adult with a lot of emotional issues since her parents divorce and her Dad's protectiveness, she won't talk to him. But the news says the FBI, and other agencies brought down a cartel, that was trafficking, guns, drugs etc. But a few were not caught and they murdered one agent and kidnapped Scott, while Jess was picking him up at the airport. She was pistol whipped, causing brain trauma.
The kidnappers slammed into a truck carrying fuel and both vehicles burnt out totally. Did Scott escape? WILL his friends find him or did he really burn to death? Will Jess survive?
Face paced, with another story line intertwined, read in a few hours. Didn't want to stop reading!
107 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this series and can't wait for the next book. Jessica Cooper is a SAR with her dog Luke. Right now that is on hold due to having a baby, but she wants to keep her toes in the water. Enter Desi, a woman who lost her son when he was six years old. Jessica becomes acquainted with Dessi and starts looking into the cold case. In the meanwhile, Amanda, her husband's grown daughter, decides she needs a break from college and her father. Follow Jess's and Amanda's journey while they find themselves and a missing person. Oh yeah, someone doesn't want Jess looking into this case. I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
93 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2025

A great addition to one of my favorite series. I would like to say that it was my favorite book in the series but I can’t honestly be sure, because I loved them all! An entertaining, hard to put down, Christian Search & Rescue with interesting and likable main characters, including Jess’s SAR’s K-9 Luke. The descriptions of the different settings are so real, making you feel like you are there. You can tell that the author is familiar with these areas and enjoys the necessary and fun part of writing, research.
I am so glad that I started this series. Thank you Linda for bringing these stories to us.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
221 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2025
Though number 7 in the series, you can definitely read I Call Her Brave as a stand alone. However, no doubt you'll want to read the others as well.

I Call Her Brave is a fantastic read full of real life traumas, emotions, and interesting characters. You'll feel yourself pulled into this powerful story about overcoming extreme difficulties (traumas) and fears which leads to forgiveness and joy.

I love the juxtaposition of Amanda's and Jess's story as well as the fact that the story is fiction but very realistic.

💯 reccomend.
104 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2025
Book 7 in the K-9 Search and Rescue series is just as gripping as Book 1! I love Linda White's unforgettable characters! There's Jess with her passion to find Aunt Desi's missing son, and Amanda struggling to overcome and find her way, and Scott...who I wanted to throttle most of the way through the book. Each have their own mistakes and flaws, as well as successes and triumphs. I'm glad the story sounds like it will continue.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Vicki.
4 reviews
June 28, 2025
Best One Yet!

Wow! Just Wow! Linda has done it again! This is my favorite, so far, in this series. I have been there many times with friends living on the Easter Shore of Virginia! I love seeing the wild ponies.
This book came alive for me and reminded me of all the travel and that costly toll on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge!!
However, the story lines are amazing and about family. If you like Christian Thriller, linda's are the best, because they are bathed in prayer and every book speaks to me. I have read everything she has written! Amazing Author.
Vicki Watson
5 reviews
June 18, 2025
I call her brave.

This series is so good, I've read each book at least twice. Linda J White is my favorite author. Combining faith and suspense together. I don't want this series to end. Jesse's story is so incredible and riveting. I love the K9 rescue and all the knowledge I learned, plus the power of prayer in their lives. Also the people she helped save through prayer and determination.
4 reviews
July 25, 2025
What a thrill!

Linda J. White’s books are all thrilling, exciting, and emotionally engaging…and this latest book in her K-9 SAR series is no exception. A page turner to the very end, I was on the edge of my seat as the twists, turns and surprises unfolded. Just my kind of book! I just love all the characters and found myself being pulled in to their individual and personal stories and backgrounds. I so enjoyed this book and cannot wait until #8 comes out!
315 reviews7 followers
May 28, 2025
This is a great story. The characters are complex and realistic. The author made me care about what happened to them. I was engrossed in the story as the characters dealt with their relationships and struggles. The story kept my interest all the way through to the very end. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
109 reviews
June 20, 2025
This is a moving story, full of love, faith and challenges that loving, faithful people face.

The main characters of this story have faced more than their share of hardships and are strong , resilient and recovering from their individual and shared tramas while still managing to help others and make the world a better place.
36 reviews
September 28, 2025
Search dog rescues a marriage!

Gripping action and poignant family moments in this book, as Linda White again enthralls readers with the skills of SAR Teams.
Just when you think the story is over, the dog up and rescues a marriage!
Great reading and greater Faith story.
I’d recommend this book (and the series) to anyone who loves dogs…and wonders if there is a God.
Profile Image for Merry Bauman.
49 reviews
October 6, 2025
Great series !!



I have read all seven books and loved every exciting and rewarding minute of them. They keep you on edge thru most of the book and are full of great characters and stories. I look forward to more books about these interesting people too! So many story possibilities!
189 reviews
May 5, 2026
good story

Not fast moving, but a good comforting story. A little heavy on the religious side which I didn’t expect. For those who like that it’s a good thing. I liked Jess, she was strong and resourceful. Amanda’s part was good, demonstrating how women take blame where there is none.
Profile Image for Christin A Bowden.
18 reviews
June 15, 2025
Great Christian Series

The stories of Nate,Jess,Scott and amanda are very heartfelt. The suspense is mesmerising. And the love between a dog and their human companion is amazing. One of the best series I've read. I am hoping for a book 8.
Profile Image for Cherene.
23 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2025
Great story!

I've been e Enjoying Linda white's books And this 1 is I think the best! Really like the way She helped us to see that many of the things happened Are due to spiritual warfare !
42 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2025
perfect timing

Sometimes when you’re down and feel like there’s no hope, you encounter a ray of sunshine. That’s how this book felt. The characters encounter insurmountable challenges and rise above it all with love and grace and the hero dog! Thank you for sharing your stories!
5 reviews
July 10, 2025
Too Much Religion

I was okay reading the story for awhile but it started to get boring and the insertion of religion didn't help, just made me wish it would stop. I must have separation in my life with exciting reading, religion, work, and family merged but separate.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,593 reviews32 followers
July 20, 2025
An intriguing story

There were a few different aspects to this story, as well as some harrowing situations. It's an intriguing story that you won't want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and author.
12 reviews
August 9, 2025
Phenomenal!

This book was hard to put down. I love the character development and how a Christian theme is woven within the plot without coming off preachy. Ms. White masterfully weaves the story with plenty of twists and turns!
22 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2025
I want more books!

I love her books! I can't stop reading them. Thrilling, you never know what is coming next. Real life issues and suggestions for them. Love the religious aspect & of.course the dogs! Thank you Linda!
10 reviews
September 16, 2025
Great series

This series proves that christian suspense can be better than secular. No bad language...sex scenes or anything else that make it hard to read.
LINDA J WRITE has a God given gift!
102 reviews
October 3, 2025
such a great story

Don't relax. Just as you think things are moving toward HEA, they aren't. It takes HEA awhile.

Luke, the S&R dog is my favorite character. Everyone in the family is struggling with something big.

Linda White is one of my favorite authors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews