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Rookie K-9 Unit #6
Search and Rescue
DEFENDING HIS OWN Newly sworn in as chief of police, Ryder Hayes is ready to defend the citizens of Desert Valley-especially his five-year-old daughter, Lily-from his wife's murderer. So when Ryder starts to grow close to K-9 trainer Sophie Williams, he pushes her away to protect her. He can't let Sophie become the next target of the deranged serial killer who's obsessed with him. But Sophie has secrets of her own, and Ryder's caution isn't enough to shield her-from deadly peril or her own feelings. To save everyone he loves, Ryder will have to let Sophie in…and count on his new K-9 partner to help sniff out the killer.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
174 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Hansen
180 books248 followersValerie Hansen is the pen name of Valerie Whisenand.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Although I have been a published author since the mid 1980s, I have been writing women's Christian fiction almost exclusively since 1999.
There is a longer, more detailed bio on my website so there's no need for me to repeat all that here. Right now, I write for all three Love Inspired lines, Romance, Suspense and Historical. I'm delighted to have been included that broadly and besides, it keeps me so busy that I stay out of trouble. Well, mostly.
You'll find me on the LI Historical blog as well as other LI features. If I try to do much more I won't have time to write my books!
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Although I have been a published author since the mid 1980s, I have been writing women's Christian fiction almost exclusively since 1999.
There is a longer, more detailed bio on my website so there's no need for me to repeat all that here. Right now, I write for all three Love Inspired lines, Romance, Suspense and Historical. I'm delighted to have been included that broadly and besides, it keeps me so busy that I stay out of trouble. Well, mostly.
You'll find me on the LI Historical blog as well as other LI features. If I try to do much more I won't have time to write my books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 3, 2018
I have a bunch of these little books but this was the obvious one to read first as the love of my life, Dakota, was a Blue-Merle Australian Shepherd. Cancer took his life and now its after his mommy
I will add pictures of him at a later date. Although he is under my profile pictures.
I really loved this book and look forward to reading the others.
It was a wonderful happy ending that made me feel good. I just wish I could have the same happy ending. But I will be alone the rest of my life, however long that will be
Happy Reading!
Mel 🖤🐺🐾🐶
I will add pictures of him at a later date. Although he is under my profile pictures.
I really loved this book and look forward to reading the others.
It was a wonderful happy ending that made me feel good. I just wish I could have the same happy ending. But I will be alone the rest of my life, however long that will be
Happy Reading!
Mel 🖤🐺🐾🐶
May 6, 2019
Search and Rescue is the 6th Installment in the Rookie K-9 Unit Series and each is a stand alone edition and they do not have to be read in order. Really like the Faith in this Love Inspired Suspense!
Ryder Hayes is the new Chief of Police of Desert Valley and is ready, willing and able to defend the citizens of his town but especially his five year old daughter, Lily. Lily's mom was murdered along with Ryder's friends and coworkers by another coworker, Carrie Dunleavy, who is obsessed with Ryder. Ryder is hesitant to grow closer to Sophie Williams, K-9 trainer so he continues to push her away in order to protect her. He refuses to let her become the next victim but first he has to figure out her secrets. Even though Ryder and Sophie are cautious, they fall for one another and the danger to Sophie intensifies. Will the bullets from the killer end any happiness these two lonely souls seek?
Ryder Hayes is the new Chief of Police of Desert Valley and is ready, willing and able to defend the citizens of his town but especially his five year old daughter, Lily. Lily's mom was murdered along with Ryder's friends and coworkers by another coworker, Carrie Dunleavy, who is obsessed with Ryder. Ryder is hesitant to grow closer to Sophie Williams, K-9 trainer so he continues to push her away in order to protect her. He refuses to let her become the next victim but first he has to figure out her secrets. Even though Ryder and Sophie are cautious, they fall for one another and the danger to Sophie intensifies. Will the bullets from the killer end any happiness these two lonely souls seek?
September 7, 2016
An incredible finale to an awesome series. Two words sum up how great this book is: Australian Shepherd. :-) Phoenix is a K-9 officer (as in dog) who has lost his moxie and Sophie is determined to help him get it back....if she can keep out of the crosshairs of a serial killer that is. Not the best circumstances for a romance to develop but Ryder and Sophie have known each other for some time. The attraction is there and danger just seems to sharpen it. Taut with suspense and filled with action, Hansen takes her readers on an edge-of-your-seat ride in this glorious conclusion to the Rookie K-9 Unit series.
September 7, 2016
What a GREAT ending to a GREAT series! It all tied up nicely. I loved Sophie's character. She was funny, forthright (no girly games) and protective of Lily and the dogs. Sigh. I'm ready for another great LIS series!!
July 26, 2019
A serial killer on the loose who is obsessed with a newly appointed police chief. The police chief scared of getting too close to a certain police dog trainer because it would put her in the line of fire. All of these events make up the final book in the Rookie K-9 series and Valerie Hansen (who is one of my favorite authors) does a superb job at wrapping up this wonderful series.
Ryder, one of my favorite characters, is a man who is trying to find the killer who murdered his wife fives years prior. Enter Sophie, who opens his heart and makes him wish there wasn't a killer after the women in his life. Sophie and Ryder have a wonderful relationship built on a few years of friendship and deep respect. Through all of this, they find how their relationship has shifted and how much they truly care for each other.
I truly enjoyed this book with a charming five-year-old, a strong woman, Sophie, a loving father, and charming dogs. Got to say, this is my second favorite book in this series!!! LOVE!
Ryder, one of my favorite characters, is a man who is trying to find the killer who murdered his wife fives years prior. Enter Sophie, who opens his heart and makes him wish there wasn't a killer after the women in his life. Sophie and Ryder have a wonderful relationship built on a few years of friendship and deep respect. Through all of this, they find how their relationship has shifted and how much they truly care for each other.
I truly enjoyed this book with a charming five-year-old, a strong woman, Sophie, a loving father, and charming dogs. Got to say, this is my second favorite book in this series!!! LOVE!
October 5, 2017
Loved, loved, loved this installment of the Rookie K-9 Unit series. I loved Ryder and Sophie’s story. It was fast-paced and full of action. I really enjoyed the whole series and will be reading the final Christmas book next.
Off to bed so I can get some rest after staying up late the last couple of nights reading this series.
Off to bed so I can get some rest after staying up late the last couple of nights reading this series.
August 27, 2023
This story finishes the k-9 series quite seamlessly and smoothly. Similar in style to the other authors’ works, it wraps up the series very well and answer ps all of the outstanding crimes and questions and gives us readers a glimpse into the future lives of all the rookies and the new police chief, as well as the dogs. Nicely done!
September 25, 2024
Fast paced, actioned pack, romantic suspense! A sociopathic killer stalks anyone surrounding a local chief of police. The new k-9 handler training the chief's new k-9 seems to have a target on her back. Is it the sociopathic killer or someone from the k-9 handler's past. K-9's Titus and Phoenix will win your heart. Plenty of twists and turns drive the story to the finale!
December 1, 2020
Who would have thought?
Valerie lets you I right from the beginning, but HOW it all comes together stops your heartbeat!
I enjoy all the K-9 groups!
Thanks for the wonderful entertainment and all we learn along the way about these wonder dogs and their trainers!
Valerie lets you I right from the beginning, but HOW it all comes together stops your heartbeat!
I enjoy all the K-9 groups!
Thanks for the wonderful entertainment and all we learn along the way about these wonder dogs and their trainers!
June 6, 2017
3+ stars
March 23, 2018
Yet another great read. Really good story and an end to the series mystery!
May 10, 2018
Good conclusion
Another good story in the series. Wonderful how each story fit the over all plot. Anxious to read more from each author.
Another good story in the series. Wonderful how each story fit the over all plot. Anxious to read more from each author.
May 12, 2018
FANTASTIC!
This has been the best series and I enjoyed every book in it. If you like romance, dogs and mystery you'd probably enjoy it as well.
This has been the best series and I enjoyed every book in it. If you like romance, dogs and mystery you'd probably enjoy it as well.
November 15, 2019
Amazing
I loved it! The only problem I have is wanting more. These characters were so amazing. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
I loved it! The only problem I have is wanting more. These characters were so amazing. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
January 5, 2020
The suspense was tense.
October 27, 2020
Good read
Really liked the series. Good follow thru even though many writers. Would have liked more church involvement but was good.
Really liked the series. Good follow thru even though many writers. Would have liked more church involvement but was good.
November 16, 2020
MUST READ
A great ending to the series. The romance, dog reactions, and murder suspect capture all happened with success and no concentration on just one.
A great ending to the series. The romance, dog reactions, and murder suspect capture all happened with success and no concentration on just one.
February 14, 2021
Great conclusion to this series!
A lot of drama. The mystery is solved. A great mystery solved and it is faith at its best. Loved the dogs!
A lot of drama. The mystery is solved. A great mystery solved and it is faith at its best. Loved the dogs!
February 23, 2021
Love the K 9 books and this is a good one.
Read
April 7, 2021I really enjoyed this series and loved the twists and turns in the plots
June 22, 2024
Enjoyed the read.
January 20, 2025
Great read!
April 28, 2025
I enjoyed Ryder and Sophie's story! This book had me hooked from the first line. I absolutely loved the characters, the plot, and the twists.
October 10, 2023
This is probably the best Love Inspired Suspense novel I've ever read, but, like always, the writing is pretty bad and the story was a tad flat.
Ryder and Sophie are good characters but the story was just really drawn out and the action was "meh".
I'm never reading a LIS book again. :/
Here's a part that made me cringe:
"When Ryder dropped to one knee in front of his daughter to fasten the clasp of a bright blue-and-green necklace, Sophie was so moved she had to don her sunglasses to hide her eyes. His tenderness was remarkable.
More than touching, it was awe inspiring. If more parents were like Ryder, maybe their children would turn out better and the police wouldn't have so much to do."
(Are you kidding me? 😂 wthhhhh)
Also in this book Hansen writes that phoenix "strained against his restraint".... oh em gee totally horrible writing!!
Ryder and Sophie are good characters but the story was just really drawn out and the action was "meh".
I'm never reading a LIS book again. :/
Here's a part that made me cringe:
"When Ryder dropped to one knee in front of his daughter to fasten the clasp of a bright blue-and-green necklace, Sophie was so moved she had to don her sunglasses to hide her eyes. His tenderness was remarkable.
More than touching, it was awe inspiring. If more parents were like Ryder, maybe their children would turn out better and the police wouldn't have so much to do."
(Are you kidding me? 😂 wthhhhh)
Also in this book Hansen writes that phoenix "strained against his restraint".... oh em gee totally horrible writing!!
March 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of action, animals . I received this book for free and voluntarily choose to review it. It pulled me in and hooked me in short order. I've given it a 5* rating. Outstanding suspense with heart.
August 3, 2016
Good ending to the Rookie K-9 Unit LIS series. In this one, Ryder Hayes, the beginning of the entire mystery, is now Chief of the Desert Valley Police Department. The mystery that began with the death of Ryder's wife has now been at least understood, if not solved. Carrie Dunleavy, the formerly mousy department clerical assistant, has been the person behind all the crimes - and has disappeared.
Sophie Williams, the head K-9 Trainer, is a former police officer who left the Mesa force after losing a partner. Both she and Ryder have lots of baggage, but are feeling something for each other. Ryder does not want to show any affection for her because it will apparently set Carrie off. Guess what - it has.
More shootings, a new dog, more intrigue, but an HEA.
Sophie Williams, the head K-9 Trainer, is a former police officer who left the Mesa force after losing a partner. Both she and Ryder have lots of baggage, but are feeling something for each other. Ryder does not want to show any affection for her because it will apparently set Carrie off. Guess what - it has.
More shootings, a new dog, more intrigue, but an HEA.
November 14, 2016
A continuing story that concludes after Police Chief Ryder Hayes receives a new K-9 partner, Phoenix, when his previous dog becomes too old to do the work. K-9 trainer Sophie Williams is sure Phoenix is the perfect dog for Ryder, but he's not so sure.
When Sophie becomes a target from a killer, Ryder has his hands full and Sophie's secrets may be part of the problem identifying the assailant. The danger ramps up further when even Ryder's 6-year-old daughter is threatened.
When Sophie becomes a target from a killer, Ryder has his hands full and Sophie's secrets may be part of the problem identifying the assailant. The danger ramps up further when even Ryder's 6-year-old daughter is threatened.
July 12, 2016
This is the last in the series of the Rookie K-9 Unit. I enjoyed the whole series until the end. I hope there will be more stories like this in the future. I didn't know who the killer was until the next to last book and tried to figure how the person would be captured.
Read
October 15, 2016Excellent book, as was the whole series. Couldn't help but be good with the authors who participated. A good read for anyone interested in romance, crime/suspense and especially, Love Inspired.
Kincaid.
Kincaid.
October 24, 2016
This was definitely my favorite book in the Rookie K-9 Unit Series. Very sad to see it end. I would have liked to read a lot more about Lily, though! My favorite "scene" was the one about a particular water fight about two particular people...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews