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Conard County: The Next Generation #35
Cornered in Conard County
NO PLACE TO HIDE
Conard County is a refuge for Dory Lake, a place to flee from her tragic past. For extra security, she goes to Cadell Marcus for one of his expertly trained guard dogs. Just the dog. But the part-time deputy can’t help digging deeper into the beautiful stranger’s history.
After learning the circumstances of the murders Dory witnessed, Cadell isn’t about to leave her at the mercy of the calculated killer. The madman is counting on finding Dory isolated, but Cadell vows that she’ll never be alone. Guarding her 24/7 is the only way to keep her safe…and to break down her emotional walls he wants so desperately to breach.
Conard County is a refuge for Dory Lake, a place to flee from her tragic past. For extra security, she goes to Cadell Marcus for one of his expertly trained guard dogs. Just the dog. But the part-time deputy can’t help digging deeper into the beautiful stranger’s history.
After learning the circumstances of the murders Dory witnessed, Cadell isn’t about to leave her at the mercy of the calculated killer. The madman is counting on finding Dory isolated, but Cadell vows that she’ll never be alone. Guarding her 24/7 is the only way to keep her safe…and to break down her emotional walls he wants so desperately to breach.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2017
54 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lee
369 books140 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 1, 2017
Very good book with terrific balance of romance and suspense. It opens with Dory as a child, witnessing the murder of her parents by her older brother. Twenty-five years later, she is a young woman who still suffers from the effects of what she saw. She works as a graphic artist, from her home, with little physical contact with others. She has one true friend, her high school English teacher. She avoids relationships, and trusts no one. When she hears that her brother is due to be released from prison, she flees her home in Kansas City and moves to Conard City, Wyoming, near her friend. Because of her fear, Betty suggests she gets a trained guard dog from Cadell.
Cadell is a part-time deputy sheriff and a fantastic dog trainer. He's happy to provide Dory with a dog who will help her feel safe. Intrigued by Dory, he can't help looking into the past that has her so fearful. Once he does, there's no way that he can simply leave her with the dog and walk away.
I loved the development of the relationship between Dory and Cadell. There are sparks of attraction from the start, but neither one welcomes them. Dory is too afraid to let anyone inside her walls. She has spent too many years keeping people away. Cadell was burned by marriage to a woman who turned out to be all wrong for him and destroyed his ability to trust his own judgement or to have a successful relationship. But Cadell's protective instincts are roused by what he learns about Dory's brother and the specifics of the murder. Though reluctant to let him get too close, Dory is spooked enough by her feelings of danger that she finds herself trusting Cadell as she has no other. I really liked the way that Cadell doesn't put down Dory's fears, instead letting her know that instincts can be more accurate than what the mind says. I also loved his understanding and patience with her reluctance to be around people. It was sweet to see how being around him brought her out of her shell. I also enjoyed how Dory was able to help him see that the failure of his marriage wasn't all his fault. I loved how she also worked her way past his defenses and he began to look at her as someone he wanted to keep in his life. There was a little insecurity on both their parts, as Cadell believes that Dory will leave once her brother is dealt with because there isn't much in Conard for someone like her. At the same time, Dory finds it hard to believe that Cadell could be truly interested in someone as broken as she is. I loved how, with the help of a pair of ostriches, they realized just how right for each other they were.
The suspense was really good. It was a slow build up to an exciting conclusion. Dory has her fears, which she tries to play down, but won't let go of her. She wants to believe that she is safe. Cadell believes that her fears are worth investigating, and the things that he discovers add to the feelings of impending trouble. At the same time, we also get the viewpoint of Dory's brother George. His laser-like focus on finding her and getting what he wants is definitely scary. The final confrontation was intense and exciting. It was quite satisfying to see that his plan didn't go quite as he intended, and that Dory had far more inner strength than he expected. I loved how it all ended.
I loved the animals in this story. The dog, Flash, was fantastic. His protectiveness was part of his training, but it was also easy to see how quickly he bonded with Dory. I loved what a huge effect he had on her life just by being part of it. Cadell's ostriches were a riot. I loved his descriptions of his relationship with them. I expected that they were in the story for a reason, and I was right, though I was a little off on how. I still loved their parts in the ending.
Cadell is a part-time deputy sheriff and a fantastic dog trainer. He's happy to provide Dory with a dog who will help her feel safe. Intrigued by Dory, he can't help looking into the past that has her so fearful. Once he does, there's no way that he can simply leave her with the dog and walk away.
I loved the development of the relationship between Dory and Cadell. There are sparks of attraction from the start, but neither one welcomes them. Dory is too afraid to let anyone inside her walls. She has spent too many years keeping people away. Cadell was burned by marriage to a woman who turned out to be all wrong for him and destroyed his ability to trust his own judgement or to have a successful relationship. But Cadell's protective instincts are roused by what he learns about Dory's brother and the specifics of the murder. Though reluctant to let him get too close, Dory is spooked enough by her feelings of danger that she finds herself trusting Cadell as she has no other. I really liked the way that Cadell doesn't put down Dory's fears, instead letting her know that instincts can be more accurate than what the mind says. I also loved his understanding and patience with her reluctance to be around people. It was sweet to see how being around him brought her out of her shell. I also enjoyed how Dory was able to help him see that the failure of his marriage wasn't all his fault. I loved how she also worked her way past his defenses and he began to look at her as someone he wanted to keep in his life. There was a little insecurity on both their parts, as Cadell believes that Dory will leave once her brother is dealt with because there isn't much in Conard for someone like her. At the same time, Dory finds it hard to believe that Cadell could be truly interested in someone as broken as she is. I loved how, with the help of a pair of ostriches, they realized just how right for each other they were.
The suspense was really good. It was a slow build up to an exciting conclusion. Dory has her fears, which she tries to play down, but won't let go of her. She wants to believe that she is safe. Cadell believes that her fears are worth investigating, and the things that he discovers add to the feelings of impending trouble. At the same time, we also get the viewpoint of Dory's brother George. His laser-like focus on finding her and getting what he wants is definitely scary. The final confrontation was intense and exciting. It was quite satisfying to see that his plan didn't go quite as he intended, and that Dory had far more inner strength than he expected. I loved how it all ended.
I loved the animals in this story. The dog, Flash, was fantastic. His protectiveness was part of his training, but it was also easy to see how quickly he bonded with Dory. I loved what a huge effect he had on her life just by being part of it. Cadell's ostriches were a riot. I loved his descriptions of his relationship with them. I expected that they were in the story for a reason, and I was right, though I was a little off on how. I still loved their parts in the ending.
August 23, 2018
Hooboy. I should preface this review by saying that I'm not really a fan of poor, helpless wilting flower heroines. And Dory Lake is a poor, helpess wilting flower of the highest order. When she was 7 years old, she saw the aftermath of her brother George's murder of their parents. Indeed, pretty ghastly, and she was understandably traumatised. But Dory has held onto that trauma for dear life and used it as an excuse to never trust anybody, ever. Ever, ever, ever! FOR 25 YEARS. She lives as a hermit, isolated from the world, obviously terrified that if she ever gets close to anybody ever again, they're going to murder someone else in her life. FOR 25 YEARS. I repeat, FOR 25 YEARS. Am I the only one who finds this just a tad drastic and melodramatic? 25 years, people.
Dory finds herself in Conard County (or perhaps more appropriately, Coward County, because that's what Dory is), and figures that she needs a guard dog, because George is finally due to be released from prison and she needs extra security. This puts her in contact with Cadell Marcus, dog trainer extraordinaire and part-time deputy, who helps train Flash, her new guard dog. He's captivated by her beauty, and reveals himself to have the patience of a saint, because Dory is a complete hot mess. But she's good at sex (despite all that shunning of all people everywhere), so maybe Cadell had an ulterior motive. I have no idea why any man would want to saddle himself with such an irrational headcase!
Dory likes to bitch and moan about how George has left her unable to trust anybody ever again. EVER. And bitch and moan some more. I just got tired of it. Dory, after 25 YEARS, there needs to be a point where YOU step up and take control of your life. Nobody has control over that except you. Dory is so moody and unpredictable I'm shocked that the therapist she talked about having didn't diagnose her with bi-polar disorder. The girl is up and down emotionally constantly, I tell you! Shaking, quivering, even fainting. Getting pissed off at what she perceives are massive breaches of trust (which is actually just Cadell trying to keep her safe), and storming off in a huff. Cadell is constantly on eggshells around her during every conversation, because it's too unpredictable as to how she might react. Will she be happy? Will she be mad? Will she be sad? Will she faint? How could any relationship survive that sort of non-stop tightrope-walking insecurity?
I HATED DORY. I really did. She completely ruined this book.
And that's what breaks my heart, because a lot of this book is about dogs and their wonderful powers of emotional restoration. Indeed, Flash, Dasher and the other dogs are the only reason I gave this book 2 stars. I also upped the score because the climax was so unbelievably stupid I was actually howling out aloud with laughter.
Finally, this is another book that clearly belongs in the Romantic Suspense line, and not Intrigue. Conard County books are typically Romantic Suspense books, and Rachel Lee is typically a Romantic Suspense author. It's much longer than usual, and there's zero plot. George is out of prison and coming after Dory to kill her. No plot twists. Nothing of that sort at all, which is kind of the reason Intrigue even exists. I don't really understanding shoe-horning a book meant for one line into another. It's cheating your readers, who aren't getting what they're paying for.
2 stars for the dogs! The rest is bunkum.
Dory finds herself in Conard County (or perhaps more appropriately, Coward County, because that's what Dory is), and figures that she needs a guard dog, because George is finally due to be released from prison and she needs extra security. This puts her in contact with Cadell Marcus, dog trainer extraordinaire and part-time deputy, who helps train Flash, her new guard dog. He's captivated by her beauty, and reveals himself to have the patience of a saint, because Dory is a complete hot mess. But she's good at sex (despite all that shunning of all people everywhere), so maybe Cadell had an ulterior motive. I have no idea why any man would want to saddle himself with such an irrational headcase!
Dory likes to bitch and moan about how George has left her unable to trust anybody ever again. EVER. And bitch and moan some more. I just got tired of it. Dory, after 25 YEARS, there needs to be a point where YOU step up and take control of your life. Nobody has control over that except you. Dory is so moody and unpredictable I'm shocked that the therapist she talked about having didn't diagnose her with bi-polar disorder. The girl is up and down emotionally constantly, I tell you! Shaking, quivering, even fainting. Getting pissed off at what she perceives are massive breaches of trust (which is actually just Cadell trying to keep her safe), and storming off in a huff. Cadell is constantly on eggshells around her during every conversation, because it's too unpredictable as to how she might react. Will she be happy? Will she be mad? Will she be sad? Will she faint? How could any relationship survive that sort of non-stop tightrope-walking insecurity?
I HATED DORY. I really did. She completely ruined this book.
And that's what breaks my heart, because a lot of this book is about dogs and their wonderful powers of emotional restoration. Indeed, Flash, Dasher and the other dogs are the only reason I gave this book 2 stars. I also upped the score because the climax was so unbelievably stupid I was actually howling out aloud with laughter.
Finally, this is another book that clearly belongs in the Romantic Suspense line, and not Intrigue. Conard County books are typically Romantic Suspense books, and Rachel Lee is typically a Romantic Suspense author. It's much longer than usual, and there's zero plot. George is out of prison and coming after Dory to kill her. No plot twists. Nothing of that sort at all, which is kind of the reason Intrigue even exists. I don't really understanding shoe-horning a book meant for one line into another. It's cheating your readers, who aren't getting what they're paying for.
2 stars for the dogs! The rest is bunkum.
July 25, 2018
I liked the police dogs in this romantic suspense but did not care for the heroine. I didn't buy into her twenty five years of misery. Most of the book was spent speculating about the bad guy or main characters ruminating about their self-worth. Dory became a hermit after a childhood trauma and her only friend suggests she get one of Cadell's guard dogs when a potential threat emerges.
September 11, 2017
***4.50 Stars***
This is a great book and for those of you who are safety conscious...this is a very safe read. So safety gang, you're good to go.
Dory Lake has found Conard County a refuge in a very turbulent time in her life. When she was a young girl she saw her brother holding the murder weapon that was used to kill both their parents and realized he was guilty of the crime. He was put into the penal system with a twenty-five-year sentence. He's due to be released in a couple weeks and she's lived in fear of him for the past twenty-five years. Even though she has had extensive counseling she is very scarred from the traumatic experience she endured. She went blind for several months after the murder and didn't speak for a year. She continues to have night-terrors and literally lives like a hermit. She has one friend and she's an older school teacher who saw something in Dory and took her under her wing.
Cadell Marcus is a part-time deputy sheriff and the rest of his time is used for training K9s to be guard dogs as well as police dogs. He married too quickly and was not compatible with his first wife so they decided to part ways. He rarely dates or spends time with women. He has sworn never to marry again or have children. (We know how that usually goes.) At times, he works training service dogs for those who have a need. Dory's friend has mentioned him and thinks it would be a great idea for Dory to purchase one of his guard dogs. After watching Cadell put the dog through his paces, she decides to take him and woman and dog fall in love. It was a pretty sweet union.
Cadell and Dory are immediately attracted but at her insistence they move very slowly, first becoming friends. They are both terrified of giving a relationship a try.
I want to add that I enjoyed all the dogs in the story and how Cadell worked to train them.
I definitely recommend this book!
This is a great book and for those of you who are safety conscious...this is a very safe read. So safety gang, you're good to go.
Dory Lake has found Conard County a refuge in a very turbulent time in her life. When she was a young girl she saw her brother holding the murder weapon that was used to kill both their parents and realized he was guilty of the crime. He was put into the penal system with a twenty-five-year sentence. He's due to be released in a couple weeks and she's lived in fear of him for the past twenty-five years. Even though she has had extensive counseling she is very scarred from the traumatic experience she endured. She went blind for several months after the murder and didn't speak for a year. She continues to have night-terrors and literally lives like a hermit. She has one friend and she's an older school teacher who saw something in Dory and took her under her wing.
Cadell Marcus is a part-time deputy sheriff and the rest of his time is used for training K9s to be guard dogs as well as police dogs. He married too quickly and was not compatible with his first wife so they decided to part ways. He rarely dates or spends time with women. He has sworn never to marry again or have children. (We know how that usually goes.) At times, he works training service dogs for those who have a need. Dory's friend has mentioned him and thinks it would be a great idea for Dory to purchase one of his guard dogs. After watching Cadell put the dog through his paces, she decides to take him and woman and dog fall in love. It was a pretty sweet union.
Cadell and Dory are immediately attracted but at her insistence they move very slowly, first becoming friends. They are both terrified of giving a relationship a try.
I want to add that I enjoyed all the dogs in the story and how Cadell worked to train them.
I definitely recommend this book!
August 16, 2017
Great story! From the first page we know something eerie is going on in the scene, but we in no way imagine what it truly is! The intrigue and fear instilled into the plot makes you feel like you are right there beside her waiting to be hunted down. Really good main characters and a sweet connection between them as well as their four legged friends.
Conard County is supposed to be a place for Dory Lake to feel safe and to have the isolation she yearns for. A friend puts her in touch with Deputy Cadell Marcus who trains dogs for the police, for general protection and occasionally service type animals and she adopts a dog from him for added protection and peace of mind.
Cadell is happy to help out Dory when a friend asks him to, and once he learns her story and about the trauma she's been through and the horrible things that she witnessed, he sets out to make sure she's safe even if he has to protect her himself 24/7. The murderer from her past is coming ... it's only a matter of when.
Conard County is supposed to be a place for Dory Lake to feel safe and to have the isolation she yearns for. A friend puts her in touch with Deputy Cadell Marcus who trains dogs for the police, for general protection and occasionally service type animals and she adopts a dog from him for added protection and peace of mind.
Cadell is happy to help out Dory when a friend asks him to, and once he learns her story and about the trauma she's been through and the horrible things that she witnessed, he sets out to make sure she's safe even if he has to protect her himself 24/7. The murderer from her past is coming ... it's only a matter of when.
January 11, 2018
HI #1726 = 3.5 stars
.
The first time I posted this book on my page I just went by name and assumed since the cover was correct it was the right book. That was an incorrect assumption on my part. The cover was correct but the posted back cover blurb was not. Then if you looked carefully the ISBN number was also incorrect. I have since deleted that one and put this one in its place. Correct blurb and ISBN number.
.
However, this is the second time within a very short period where the official back blurb cover posted was wrong for me. The last time even though the cover AND the ISBN were correct the blurb overview was incorrect. Now I wonder who is doing the postings and why they seem to be getting them wrong. And if this is the second one for me how many others out there are actually incorrect.
.
No huge deal, just wanted everyone to be aware that you need to pay more attention than I, apparently, had been until recently.
.
The first time I posted this book on my page I just went by name and assumed since the cover was correct it was the right book. That was an incorrect assumption on my part. The cover was correct but the posted back cover blurb was not. Then if you looked carefully the ISBN number was also incorrect. I have since deleted that one and put this one in its place. Correct blurb and ISBN number.
.
However, this is the second time within a very short period where the official back blurb cover posted was wrong for me. The last time even though the cover AND the ISBN were correct the blurb overview was incorrect. Now I wonder who is doing the postings and why they seem to be getting them wrong. And if this is the second one for me how many others out there are actually incorrect.
.
No huge deal, just wanted everyone to be aware that you need to pay more attention than I, apparently, had been until recently.
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July 14, 2019I have never liked romance novels but I took a chance on Cornered in Conard County out of complete boredom. This said I was pleasantly surprised when I got fully immersed in the story. Categorized as a romantic suspense Cornered in Conard County has the perfect balance of both genres to keep me engaged throughout the entire book. I definitely recommenced this book for both fans and skeptics of romance alike.
January 7, 2022
This book was a joy to read! I loved being able to see her change throughout the book and how she got out of her hermit shell. Cadell, is such a great character! Throughout the book you can tell he's caring, a great listener, and def a protector. He was the perfect character that complements Dory. overall a great book!
July 31, 2023
Good combination of romance, suspense, intrigue. Read it in three days. Heroine had witnessed parents murder by her brother who years later was being released from prison. Good narrative as she worked through old and new trauma. The man she partnered with likewise was coming out of trust issues also. They helped each other figure it all out.
September 6, 2017
Interesting characters; it pulled me right in and kept me going. I just wish there was a bit more of the happy ever after. I like more than one page; I prefer a lengthy epilogue!
October 9, 2017
Another entry in the Conard County series - pretty good, but more predictable than some of the others. Enjoyable if you like light romantic suspense.
March 25, 2018
the description doesn't match the book
May 11, 2019
Really should be read before A Conard County Homecoming.
October 15, 2019
Wonderful Story
I really enjoyed this story, and Rachel Lee knows how to put a story together. I love stories about Dogs and this one was great.....
I really enjoyed this story, and Rachel Lee knows how to put a story together. I love stories about Dogs and this one was great.....
December 3, 2020
Started this book last night when I went to bed, didn't put it down until I got to the last page.
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August 1, 2017Miniseries: Conard County: The Next Generation
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August 1, 2017Miniseries: Conard County: The Next Generation
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews