Sweet Devotion: K9 Heroes

Honeysuckle, Texas #9

by Chris Keniston

Injured in the line of duty, wounded soldier Aiden Boglioli finds himself in small town Texas to finish his rehabilitation and figure out what comes next. He plans to heal on his own terms—horses, hard work, and keeping to himself. But physical therapist Colleen Shannon has other ideas. She knows healing requires more than time and solitude—it demands trust, and she's determined to earn his. As sparks begin to fly, will the Sweet family ranch and its newest K9 show these two a future they didn’t know they wanted?

Genres: Romance

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2026

About the author

A native New Yorker, Chris Keniston was on her way to Australia when she fell in love with North Texas. Little did she know the balmy seventy-degree October days would turn into fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk heat in August!

Twenty years later, she started scribbling short stories about her favorite TV shows, giving them lives more to her liking - and the elusive happy ending. Not long after, a dear friend dragged her to a local writers’ meeting. After winning multiple writing contests and making the finals in the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart contest, she now spends her days, and nights, writing contemporary romantic fiction with lots of emotion, plenty of surprises, and, of course, the happily ever after.

Chris lives in suburban Dallas with her husband, two human children, and two canine children. Though she loves her puppies equally, she admits being especially attached to her German Shepherd rescue named Gunny. After all, even dogs deserve a happily ever after.

Die gebürtige New Yorkerin Chris Keniston war auf dem Weg nach Australien, als sie sich in Nord-Texas verliebte. Damals wusste sie noch nicht, dass die milden einundzwanzig Grad des Oktobers sich im August in eine Hitze verwandeln würden, in der man ein Ei auf dem Asphalt braten könnte. Zwanzig Jahre später verbringt sie ihre Tage und Nächte mit dem Schreiben von zeitgenössischen Liebesromanen mit viel Gefühl, einigen Überraschungen und natürlich mit Happy End.

Als stolze Mutter von zwei menschlichen Kindern lebt Chris mit ihrem Mann und ihren beiden Hundekindern in einem Vorort von Dallas. Obwohl sie ihre vierbeinigen Familienmitglieder gleichermaßen liebt, gibt sie zu, dass sie eine ganz besondere Bindung zu ihrem Deutschen Schäferhund Gunny aus dem Tierheim hat. Schließlich verdienen auch Hunde ein Happy End.

https://www.chriskeniston.com/deutsch...

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ‘Sweet’ series just keeps giving as the Honeysuckle, Texas Sweet ranchers welcome wounded soldiers onto their ranch and into their lives to provide them with needed specialized equine therapy as well as a quiet rural environment to heal from their injuries.

Physical therapist Colleen Gleeson has just finished her certification to be an equine therapist and is excited to be returning home to work with her first patient at the Sweet’s Ranch.

After a convoy blast leaves soldier Aiden Boglioli with difficult to heal injuries his Staff Sergeant, Kade Sweet, sends him to his family ranch in Honeysuckle, Texas for equine rehabilitation. Between his therapist and a grieving K-9, Aiden will find more than just healing from his wounds in Texas.

I received an ARC and freely offer this review.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Sweet Devotion, the 9th Honeysuckle, Texas novel, Kade Sweet hijacks another rehabilitating soldier to continue his improvement at the Sweet Ranch. Aiden is frustrated with the lack of progress on base even though he has come far from the initial injury. Colleen is excited about building her physical therapy program and including equine therapy thanks to Alice Sweet mother and owner of the ranch who is not only allowing her to use one of their horses but to use the ranch itself. From the first, Aiden and Colleen click in a special way, and his development progresses well as does their relationship. The K9 arrival also finds a relationship he can attached to even as he heals through pain of the loss of his handler.
Spending time with the people of Sweet Ranch is a wonderful experience even without the beautiful romances, but oh, those romances! So beautiful but realistic.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Devotion by Chris Keniston is another fabulous sweet family read about the Sweet Family in Texas! Honeysuckle, Texas is the ninth book in the series. This novel focuses on K9 heroes and wounded soldiers at the ranch.

Aiden Boglioli was severely hurt while on duty. His pathway back included a lot of PT and hard work. His Staff Sergeant, Kaden Sweet suggests the Sweetwater Ranch and equine therapy to help him.

Colleen Shannon just finished her work toward becoming an equine therapist. She undertakes Aiden’s therapy while the Sweet family takes over everything else. Between the horses and a K9 dog that misses his handler horribly, the ranch heals.

Aiden and Colleen click and another romance highlights a wonderful story. SIGH! Sweet Devotion by Chris Keniston is a great read.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aiden was hurt by a bomb while serving his country. Luckily for him his sergeant Kade Sweet offered for Aiden to go to his family farm to get advanced therapy where he met Colleen his therapist. What a combination of Colleen from Texas and Aiden from New York. Colleen was a sweetheart and was trying to open her therapy practice and use equine therapy. Luckily the Sweet family was letting her use one of their horses to help Aiden. It was interesting learning about that kind of therapy. Aiden was a man of many talents that surprised everyone. I was happy that Aiden and Colleen were attracted to each other. There was also a K-9 dog that wouldn’t eat or drink much that Aiden helped. This is such a feel good story that I encourage you to read.

[Jessie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Devotion K9 Heroes Honeysuckle Texas
Chris Keniston
Aiden Buglioli lost his ability to walk when the convoy he was in got hit by an IED. His friend and Sergeant, Kade Sweet decided Aiden needed Texas Therapy at the Sweet Ranch to continue his rehab. Enter Colleen Gleeson, friend of the Sweets, who just happened to be a physical therapist, Boots a steady slow mare and a traumatized German Shepherd K9 named Romeo who had lost his handler. Three of them have issues, all three just need someone to care. Set in West Texas town of Honeysuckle amid friends who play cornhole, cattle and horse country, is the Sweet Ranch. Aiden needs more PT than the Army provided. Colleen needs clients to help setup her just starting out practice. Amid the mayhem of ranch life, love blossoms.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book. Aiden is recovery is at the Sweet Family ranch due to his Sergeant’s suggestions which would be Kade Sweet. His mother Alice Sweet, and the family are so kind to him. When he meets his physical therapist it’s rather funny.
They get along, and there’s a warming moment when a German Shepard comes to the ranch. It’s sad, but some how Aiden connects with the dog.
Must read!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The curative powers of the Sweet ranch in West Texas! WOW!
Aiden is recovering from injuries he sustained during his military career. Colleen has just finished some equine therapy training and returned to Honeysuckle to set up shop. Alice Sweet opened her heart and home to Aiden, followed shortly by Romeo, another soul in need of rehab. Great story! OMG! This is my new fave!!

[Debbie Borthwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another win for Honeysuckle, Texas! I fell in love with Aiden and Colleen, they have a beautiful romance. It makes me want to visit the Sweet Ranch even more than the previous 8 stories. I was gifted an ARC and I'm voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keniston finds a way to remind the heart of it's beauty and strength. Sweet Devotion is a reminder that life happens. From moments of joy to moments of pain, the lessons learned are worth every heartache in the end. Honest. Haunting. Heartwarming.

[Anna gardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colleen and Aiden

Another heart warming story. The characters are loveable, the story is interesting, and there is a happily ever after with no cliffhanger.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likeable characters and a satisfying story. Nice addition to the series.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love going back to Honeysuckle, Texas and catching up with the Sweet family. Aiden and Colleen meet under unusual circumstances - a little comical. These two were a great fit for each other and really enjoyed seeing their story. As I dog lover, Romeo made my heart hurt. It always amazes me how animals pick their people. There is romance as well as a bit of a mystery. Looking forward to the next book in this series. This author is one of my favorites.