Survive the Night

Rocky Mountain K9 Unit #3

by Katie Ruggle

He's always been a haven:
For the lost. The sick. The injured.
But when a hunted woman takes shelter in his arms, this gentle giant swears he'll do more than heal her battered spirit―he'll defend her with his life.

K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen always had a soft spot for anyone in need. As Monroe's very own Dr. Doolittle, he dedicates himself to rehabilitating the injured souls that cross his path―but for all his big heart, he's never been in love.

Until he meets Sarah Clifton's haunted eyes. Until he realizes he'll do anything to save her.

All Sarah wants is to escape a life caught between ambitious crime families, but there's no outrunning her past. Her power-mad brother would hunt her to the ends of the earth...but he'd never expect Sarah to fight back. With Otto and the whole of Monroe, Colorado by her side, Sarah's finally ready to face whatever comes her way.

It's time to take a stand.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Audiobook

373 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 6, 2018

About the author

A fan of the old adage “write what you know”, Katie Ruggle lived in an off-grid, solar- and wind-powered house in the Rocky Mountains until her family lured her back to Minnesota. When she’s not writing, Katie rides horses, trains her three dogs, cross-country skis (badly) and travels to warm places where she can scuba dive. A graduate of the Police Academy, Katie received her ice-rescue certification and can attest that the reservoirs in the Colorado mountains really are that cold. A fan of anything that makes her feel like a bad-ass, she has trained in Krav Maga, boxing and gymnastics. You can connect with Katie at http://katieruggle.com/, https://www.facebook.com/katieruggleb..., or on Twitter @KatieRuggle

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Full review now posted 2/6/18

Survive the Night is the third book in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series. I should start off by saying I have not read the first two books in this series, but I did not get lost at all. I pretty much figured out who’s who and what’s what in no time.

Alice Blanchett is being held prisoner by her brother, Aaron, who is definitely evil and cruel. Aaron has plans for Alice, so horrifying, Alice can only hope her savior will help soon. She changes her name to Sarah, and is hiding in small town in Colorado with Jules/Theo and Grace/Hugh. Knowing her brother will always find her, she doesn’t want to fall for the “Viking/lumberjack” Otto. Despite his size, Otto is kind hearted, both with animals and people. When Otto first sees Alice, he is speechless and wants to protect her and keep her safe. When chaos erupts in the small town, all of Sarah’s fears may come true—Aaron always gets his way.

I really enjoyed this story, even though I felt that there was a lot of filler, especially the first 30%. The second half of the book had me sitting at the edge of my seat. The action was nonstop, and I couldn’t read fast enough. Yes, it was a little unbelievable at times, but I just rolled with it.

There is a hint of what book 4 may be about, but I think I am going to go back and read the first two books in the series because I really enjoyed the other couples.

I received a copy of this book via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survive the Night was an action-filled thrill ride interspersed with a sweet romance that warmed my heart!

Alice gladly gave up her name to seek refuge in the small town of Monroe, Colorado, fleeing her sociopathic, and powerful brother, Aaron. This guy was truly a psycho, and I’m glad Mr. Espino once again used his talents to make another at-risk girl disappear. Alice becomes Sarah, the “old college classmate” of Jules, but by now the members of the little police force knows what this means. The girl is in hiding, and on the run from something or someone dangerous. And let me tell you, Aaron is a piece of work. Add in Logan Jovanovic and you’ve got a frightening psycho duo on the hunt for Sarah!

Never did she expect to find love, but how can anyone resist Otto, one of the police officers in Monroe, the perfect cross between a Viking god and a beautiful lumberjack? He’s sweet and a complete softy with animals, having a menagerie of rejected creatures he’s taken in on his farm. From rescuing, and bottle-feeding puppies to trying to rehabilitate a broken pit bull named Xena, this guy completely stole my heart! Plus, how can you not love a man with a goat named Hortense?! The goat was super funny in the trials that were presented. A bit passive aggressive in her obedience, but a creature you couldn’t help but love! I just loved Sarah’s relationship with this rag-tag group of animals.

Sarah was the perfect, soft hearted woman for Otto! Their romance was super sweet! Sarah and Otto were both a bit shy, and tentative; a little insecure with their hearts at first. Each were super protective of each other in the face of danger. And let me tell you, there was non-stop danger!

I was on the edge of my seat for much of this read! Just when I thought it would all settle, BAM the next threat would present, and my heart would be pounding! This ends in an exciting showdown and the characters really had to try and “Survive the Night” with all that happened!

The story wraps up, satisfyingly, but it ended on an ominous note, coming full circle in this series, and revealing the danger to come in the next installment. Eeeek! I can’t wait!

A copy was kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca in an exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need a nap
I’m kind of exhausted after this read. I have mental fatigue from trying to keep up with this crazy, action filled, badly described, confusing AF ending. Just to sum it up, because there is no way I can break it down, this was not a well done action/suspense romance.
I have not had much success with this series. Ruggle is just trying to do too much in too few pages and leaves too many open questions with little love story. I don’t think a well thought out suspense with good characters, twists and turns, action and romance can be done in 230 pages. The romance is this book was instalove with zero heat and no chemistry. She maybe spent 20 pages on this couple and their interactions and attraction so I think insta was the only option she had. For steam, it happened but blink and you’ll miss it. It wasn’t closed door but it might as well have been. Both main characters acted like they were teenagers: he had trouble speaking when she was around and she was completely awkward and inexperienced. But you see, he was a cop who had been on the force for 8 years and she was a 23 yr old college graduate.
The suspense also didn’t work for me, it had plot holes in it big enough to drive two helicopters through, which is convenient because there were two separate helicopter crashes during the denouement. TWO! I think the author was trying to recreate the original Die Hard movie, with romance and dogs, goats and horses and it was just way too much. I often didn’t understand what was happening on page, where each character was and couldn’t picture the action sequences because they were described very badly.
Even with all the action throughout the book, overall the story was very disappointing. It was disjointed and jumped from periods of no action at all to periods with so much going on I found myself rereading paragraphs to try to orient myself. The villains and their motivations were not well flushed out, way over-the-top and too far fetched. There were hired militia on snowmobiles, multiple helicopters, jail breaks and bombs exploding all over town, all because Sarah was hiding in this town and refused the marriage that her brother arranged for her. It didn’t really make sense and the action kept going on and on and got quite repetitive with the various snowmobile chases and helicopter crashes and shoot outs. It was just too crazy and felt like the author kept throwing more action in to cover up many plot flaws and weaknesses in the story.
So now the three main cops in this series have all found their HEAs so I’m not even sure what the next book can even be about. At the moment I don’t have any desire to read it.
Overall this was a weak and confusing suspense book and a lacklustre instalove NA romance. Not good. Not good at all.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I thought that this book was very well done. This is the third book in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series and I do believe that it would work best for reader that have read the preceding novels since events from earlier books do come into play in this one. This book had a lot of action and I found that I didn't want to stop reading once I started. This book was just a lot of fun to read.

This book features Otto and Sarah. Sarah has lived a life controlled by others. She is given no choices and is physically abused often. When she gets a chance to start a new life, she jumps at the chance and ends up rooming with Jules and Grace from previous books. Otto is an officer with the local police force. He is quiet and extremely kind. He has a soft spot for animals and is known to take in those needing a home.

I liked Otto and Sarah together and thought that they had a lot in common. They are instantly attracted to each other but they don't seem quite sure how to deal with it at the start. Otto seems to be what Sarah needs and is there when needed. He has a quiet calmness that Sarah seems to need. When Sarah needs to be rescued, Otto is there to help. They really seemed to compliment each other very well.

The books in this series have all had a lot of action but I think that this one takes things to a whole new level. There are several very exciting scenes that really had me nervous for the characters. I liked that the characters from the prior books all play key roles in this book and get in on the action as well. The animals in this book were great. Any book that can work a few animals into the story get a few bonus points from me and this one had quite the menagerie playing the part.

I only had a couple of very minor complaints. I thought that Sarah recovered from the years of abuse a lot quicker than I would have thought possible. I also would have liked to see a bit more regarding Otto's history. There is a quick mention of his past that really made me want more. I would have liked to see them both work through their issues from the past together.

I would recommend this book to others. This was a really exciting book that was a whole lot of fun to read. I can't wait to read more of this wonderful series!

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca via Edelweiss.

Initial Thoughts
That was fun! I did not expect this book to have as much action as it did. I love books filled with action scenes so that worked out incredibly well for me. I loved Otto and his menagerie of animals. Sarah was pretty awesome but I did think that she recovered from years of trauma a whole lot faster than I would have thought possible. The characters from the two earlier books have a pretty big role in this installment which is great for readers of the series.

[♥ WishfulMiss ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alice is in hiding from her ruthless brother and an arranged marriage into the Jovanovic crime family. Thanks to an intervening mystery man, Alice takes on the new identity of Grace and moves to the small mountain town of Monroe, Colorado.

For the first time in her life, Grace has friends and laughter and hope that maybe, just maybe, this time she is far out of her brother’s clutches as possible. When she meets Otto Gunnersen, Grace starts to doubt her grand plan to live on the run. For the first time, she entertains the idea of settling close to her new friends and the quirky town that’s taken her in. Because there’s something about Otto that calms her and makes her feel completely safe.

Otto takes one look at Grace and literally is left speechless! He instantly feels protective of her and pretty much devotes every spare minute of his time to getting to know her and providing her with security, anything to wipe the lurking fear from her eyes. Of course, things aren’t smooth sailing for these two because Grace’s brother isn’t quite ready to give up on her and follows her to Monroe.

Although I haven’t read the first two books in this series, I didn’t feel lost while reading book 3. I loved Otto with his shy but dominant persona. He was a contradiction with his huge size and gruff voice balanced out by his gentle touch and sensitive insight. There is just something about a gentle giant that gets me every time and Otto hooked me right from the start. Like Grace, I fell for his big heart, especially when it came to the kids and his animals. Xena the rescue pit bull and Bean, the traumatized horse, especially showed us just how much Otto invests in his animals. He was devoted to them and gave them the love and understanding they needed to heal.

Grace was a strong resilient character. Dealing with her crazy brother and his equally psycho business associate all while trying to step out of her bubble and have a normal life was inspiring and sad. I thought she was a perfect fit for Otto and vise versa. I liked that they both were shy and awkward around each other. They charmed me with their back and forth banter. Normally a beta type hero isn’t my favorite but Otto changed my mind. He wasn’t an aggressive overconfident macho man. He was physically all alpha but he was more of the soft spoken, overly observant type.

I just wish the story hadn’t been so fast paced. I felt like the threat of Aaron and the Jovanovics and the destruction of the town kind of took precedence over the romance between Otto and Grace. It pretty much takes center stage and we only get snippets of Grace and Otto together before things get crazy and out of control. In this instance I think an epilogue would have gone a long way in showing us the MCs as a couple, outside the emotionally high events that got them from point A to point B.

Favorite Line(s):
* * * * * * * * * *

He was a Viking lumberjack cop who bottle fed orphaned puppies? If he’d spent years trying to think of the most effective punch to the ovaries, he couldn’t have come up with a better plan.

* * * * * * * * * *

She liked the image of her squeezed into Otto’s heart, surrounded by Xeno and Mort and Bob and Bean and Hortense. What a wonderful place to be.

* * * * * * * * * *

“I love you,” he said without thinking or planning or even knowing the words were going to fall out of his mouth. He didn’t care about the possible rejection or embarrassment. She needed to hear it, because she could’ve died, and then she would’ve never known how he felt about her. “I love you so much.”

* * * * * * * * * *
Would I recommend? Yes, romantic suspense readers will love this and from the bits and pieces we get of the other couples, I’m gonna have to check out the rest of the series. Especially Hugh’s story!

* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All
thoughts and opinions are my own.

SAFETY INFO:
Ages: Otto’s age isn’t mentioned that I can remember but Grace is 23.

Cheating: None.

OM/OW drama: None. There is a disgruntled ”fiancé” after Grace but he’s a psychopath and she was being forced to marry him. There is no feelings other than revulsion and fear between them.

Separation: None.

Push/Pull None.

Main Pursuer of relationship: I loved that Otto always took that first step, even knowing how nervous his feelings about her made him, he never backed down and pursued Grace hard since first meeting her.

Triggers: Physical abuse of women (on and off page)

HEA/HFN: Ends on a HFN, no epilogue.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recurring theme in this series keeps going back to Jules in book one. While you can probably read this as a standalone, you are going to be jumping into the middle of the overall plot and it could cause some confusion.

In book one, Jules needed to save her siblings from her evil stepmom. She kidnaps them and has a contact, Mr. Espina create a whole new identity for them all and moves them to a new location where she falls in love with Theo, a cop. Theo and his partner, Hugh know Jules is hiding something, but Theo is so in love with her, he decides to not look into her past.

At the end of each book, Jules gets a call from Mr. Espina to let her know he's sending someone to her that needs to start over just like she did. In book 2, it was Grace. During Grace and Hugh's book, they do learn Grace's true identity and that she is running from a family named the Jovanovics after witnessing something horrible. Jules and her siblings still remain quiet about why they left because Jules does not want Theo to be an accomplice if they are found out.

In this book, Mr. Espina sends Sarah to Jules. Sarah is the sister to a criminal family. Her brother Aaron is abusive and is about to sell her off to a Jovanovic. Theo, Hugh and now Otto are leary of anyone coming to Jules because they know they are hiding from a past. Theo and Hugh designate Otto to interrogate Sarah to find out who she is hiding from, except he takes one look at her and goes tongue tied.

A lot of progress was made in this book. We learn that Grace and Sarah are both hiding from the Jovanovics. Sarah's truth comes out very early in this book but what surprised me was Jules finally confessed to Theo, Hugh and Otto that she kidnapped the kids and why.

With everyone's true story out, I thought that would mean this was the last book and everything was going to come together. Instead, this book ended with a hint that the next book is circling back to Jules and the kids. There was no call from Mr. Espina about another woman needing to visit. I'm extremely curious how this is going to play out and if there will be new characters. This has been a very entertaining series so I'll be anxiously waiting for the next book. ARC provided by NetGalley.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otto and Sarah are very alike, they are both quiet, patient, observers, who are happy in their own company…..until they meet and fall for each other. Both have heart breaking pasts, childhoods you wouldn’t wish on anyone, but both have survived and both are stronger because of it. Which is good because they will need every bit of that strength, and the strength they give each other, to survive everything and everyone Aaron throws at them.
The slightly awkward, unsure interactions between Sarah and Otto in the beginning are so sweet and endearing, theirs is a quiet, gentle love. Unlike that of Grace and Hugh in the previous book who’s love is firey, loud and passionate, there is no less passion, but it is a private, all consuming love which also includes the numerous animals Otto has opened his home to. The bond formed between Sarah and Xena is the bond of two broken souls who can sense the others pain as well as their strength and brings a tear to your eye.
Whilst Sarah and Otto’s love is the quietest of the three couples, this book is not. By contrast this is the loudest, most explosive, most confrontational and hostile of the series. The drama and terror is only increased when they realise they have a traitor within the team, striking a personal blow at the worst possible time. With multiple attacks on multiple fronts they have to split up, will they all survive? Or will the evil finally defeat them to take a win? Will Monroe be destroyed?
This is a gripping series with a fantastic cast and more twists than a corkscrew – read it now!

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survive the Night is book three in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit by Katie Ruggle. We are treated to an intense, scary, and adrenaline rush romance.

Officer Otto Gunnerson works to keep his small town safe and he has away with helping rehabilitate abused animals. When he sets his eyes on Sarah he sees something that makes him jump into protection mode.

Sarah has always been under someone else’s control and the years of abuse have taken their toll. When a chances come to escape, she risks it all to have a small slice of freedom. She’s skittish, shy and has had no experience interaction with people on her own. When she meets Otto she feels safe and like she might have a chance at life and love.

Otto and Sarah are perfect for each other. They are a couple that fights with everything they have. The plot is packed with twists and turns, secrets, betrayal, action-packed and adrenaline rush moments and lots of explosions. We are treated to the previous couples and kids helping and working together to support this couple and protect the town.

Now, their where two things that I noticed that didn’t work for me.

* First, how does her brother Aaron and Logan, the man her brother wants her to marry, find Sarah and show up on her safe house doorstep? This never got answered or I missed it. I thought she was hidden and safe.

*Second, when things started exploded and she’s escaping Otto’s house, instead of escaping and staying hidden she cheeks on the animals in the barn. This was a stupid move to me. She should be worried about herself first. And, so what happens is she traps herself in the barn and makes herself an easy target. This whole scene frustrated me.

Narration: I’ve been adoring Callie Beaulieu and her narration of the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit. She brings out the characters and their personalities. Each one introduced is unique and distinctive. The story flows nicely and all the exciting and shocking moments come to life and I end up feeling like I’m right there with the character.

Survive the Night is a killer suspenseful read. The ending packs a punch and the epilogue gives you a shock and leaves you wanting to know what now. The romance is sweet and enduring. If you like a suspenseful romance and small town setting this series is for you. I highly recommend the audio edition.

Rated: 4 Stars

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Otto Gunnersen has been craving the peace the small town of Monroe used to provide. Unfortunately when his eyes met Sarahs’ eyes, he knew his world was about to be rocked. Otto has a way to work with abused animals and he sees something in Sarah that makes him jump into protection mode. A strong yet scared woman who has his heart in knots will push every button he has, passionate to protective to ruthless. Sarah had no intentions of falling in love with Otto or bringing Monroe into the nastiness that is her family.

Sarah has dreamed of escaping the hellhole her life has become, always under someone else’s control. After years of abuse Sarah is unable to picture her life the way it’s planned out, she risks it all to have a small slice of freedom. Something about Otto makes her feel safe, like living and loving again. Sarah knows it will be a fight for her life to escape the holds her brother has on her, its down to fight or flight. Otto is her strong, loving, gentle giant who ignites a passion to live and is willing to lose it all to prove he’s worth her heart.

Otto and Sarah is the couple that fights with everything they have to make it. The plot is packed with twist and turns, betrayal, and explosions. Ms. Ruggle expertly weaves former friends and community members throughout the novel allowing us to feel as if we’ve never left. Readers will be drawn in from page one and will be kept hostage until the very last page. What keeps the readers on their toes from fear and hope will leave them happy and satisfied that Otto and Sarah will have their happily ever after. Survive the Night would be easily recommended to anyone who enjoys a great suspenseful romance novel with a small town setting.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coffee Dates with Survive the Night

First Date: Our story begins before Sarah Clifton makes a hair-raising escape from her former life and it was quite chilling. Sarah arrives to in Monroe, Colorado where she stays with Jules, Grace, and the kids. Otto is a member of the local police K-9 unit and perhaps the most swoon-worthy hero of the series to date. The man has a thing for animals, rescue animals in particular. He's huge with a big old' heart, and it was easy to fall for him. Sarah begins to get a taste of freedom before danger once again comes knocking.
Second Date: The suspense angle for this story was intense with tons of action scenes that kept me listening. Callie Beaulieu narrates the series, and I have come to enjoy her voices, pacing, and tone. She adds an extra element to the story pulling me in. All of the gang is here and bear witness to how smitten Otto is with Sarah. The romance was sweet and didn't contain a lot of sizzle in part because of Sarah's past. She is timid but its slow burn satisfied and felt genuine.
Third Date: Holy apocalyptic suspense. The last one-third of the book was non-stop action with scenes deserving of the cinema. Readers of the series were rewarded with some answers, and at first, I suspected this was the last book in the series, but a teaser at the end has me excited for Through the Fire which will release in August of 2018.  Survive the Night wrapped up nicely, leaving me with a smile even as my stomach did a belly-flop at the danger that is to come.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the characters that live in Monroe, Colorado and had such high hopes for the big, quiet man that is Otto. Described as a cross between a Viking, a lumberjack and a ninja this gentle soul seemed almost like a candidate for my favourite fantasy man ( that's still George in Gone Too Deep by the way ). Unfortunately I just didn't really fall for him as initially he seemed so very tongue tied and shy that honestly it was embarrassing ! He's this tough mountain man and a police officer to boot so you can possibly understand my disappointment.
Otto is matched by Sarah and like Otto she's not exactly the most confident or worldly. She's spent her life bullied by her family so I had sympathy but honestly their interactions to me just felt well odd . It's a romance that didn't work for me but nevertheless I did actually enjoy the story although it was a little drawn out and had me rolling my eyes as at times it was difficult to actually believe all that was taking place. Still I do enjoy these books and even though this pairing of a socially awkward couple failed to set the pages on fire I'm definitely on board to read more. Plus if you love cuteness there's plenty of that with sneaky , slightly mischievous children and adorable animals. So not my favourite from this author but still an entertaining read .
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with me. Do I have to be so picky?

This is ME and not the BOOK.

I loved books 1 & 2 in this series but book 3 has fallen totally flat for me. The plot thickens when it comes to the Jovanovics which kept the book somewhat upbeat here but only at intervals and the times in between weren’t at all exciting.

But apart from that I found the MC, Sarah & Otto to be so boring. They are both so similar personality wise. They are both shy, awkward and have very little social skills when it comes to the opposite sex. For me one of them needed to be more open and take the lead. I also felt no chemistry between them at all.

A disappointing read for me.

[Umaiya ❄️Ramblings of a Scattered Mind❄️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very happening book!

One of the things I've noticed about Katie's books is that even if a character's book has ended and it usually ends with a number of things unanswered, you can bet your ass everything will be solved in the upcoming books.

Not quite sure how I feel about that just yet but hey, at least there is closure.

A lot happened in this book and to be fairly honest, I'm not sure how much I liked it...
Individually everything was great. I liked Sarah and Otto and all those animals! And Dee flying the drone! So awesome!

But when put all together and this is purely my opinion, it felt like a hot pot mess.
A good book but a mess nonetheless

[SamJ ★Needs a HEA★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out this and my other reviews at My Blog, Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest



Copy received through netgally in exchange for an honest review

★Book Basics★

Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - third in the series, not really to be read as a stand alone.
Love triangle? - Not really
Cheating? - No
HEA? - Yes
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - No
Rating - 3.5 stars


★Review★

I am really enjoying this series, but I think this was my least favourite so far. Which is a shame as Otto was the one I was most looking forward to.

I felt like the relationship between Otto and Sarah was overshadowed, and quite frankly the suspense part of the action got a bit ott and ridiculous toward the end.

It felt more like a filler book, moving the suspense part of the story along but at the expense of the hero and heroine.

It was still enjoyable, but I felt like something was missing.

[Wendy Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Katie Ruggle sure can write some intense, heart-pounding action scenes! I feel like I just ran a 5K! If you're a fan of romantic suspense, you do not want to miss this book!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in a series, while each book follows a different woman the previous characters are heavily present so it is advisable, but not necessary, to read the previous books. I have only read the first book before this one but I recognised the characters.

Alice Blanchett is the daughter and sister of crime bosses. Effectively a prisoner in her own home, an asset to be sold off to a rival crime family as a wife for the prodigal son, Logan Jovanovic, until a mysterious note warns her to be prepared to escape.

Some time later Alice is rescued by one of her brother's henchmen and sent, via secret ways by the mysterious Mr Espina to the small town of Monroe, Colorado as yet another "old friend" of Jules under the alias Sarah Clifton. Jules was Mr Espina's first rescue and there is a theme to the women he rescues, they are all connected in some way with the Jovanovic family.

K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen does not, in my mind, look anything like the picture on the front of the book, Sarah describes him as a cross between a viking and a lumberjack, and one of his best friends describes him as a Ninja Paul Bunyan. Anyway, he is one of a trio of friends in the Monroe Police department: Theo and Jules are a couple and Hugh and Grace (the couple from the second book) are also a couple. Otto is a big, strong, silent man, he lives alone outside of town and rescues animals that no-one else will take. When he meets Alice/Sarah it is insta-lurve, he is struck dumb. Unfortunately, the overwhelming impression I got, at least from the first half of the book, was that Otto was a little simple. Maybe because he was slow to speak, big and lumbering, good with animals?

Anyway, its not too long until Sarah's brother and future husband find her in Monroe and try to take her back to Texas. What follows is a tense cat and mouse game through the snow with helicopters and bombs and all sorts. Unfortunately, I have very little visualisation ability and frankly I was lost. One minute Sarah is nine miles from town down a deserted road, the next she seems to be bumping into the townsfolk left, right and centre. Everyone appeared to be a suspect and gathers in one place for a finale that was both thrilling and confusing (because of the visualisation thing again).

Overall, while I still enjoyed the book my credulity was stretched pretty thin. This is supposedly a small town yet it appears to have a large police force, the majority of whom have been sent off on a special training course, leaving just our three intrepid friends. Why draw attention to strangers by having three fugitives move to the town in a short period of time? I though that this was the final book in the series but the ending (and indeed NetGalley) suggests there is another to come. Not sure the premise can hold out for another book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Book Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otto Gunnersen is a K-9 officer in the small town of Monroe. He is quiet, doesn’t talk or smile much, has a big heart, is known as the animal whisperer and is a gentle giant. He takes in stray, injured, neglected animals. He currently has a horse, goat, retired K-9 partner, cat, 4 puppies and chickens. We aren’t told very much about his background.

Sarah (Alice) is running from her mobster family and their connections. She’s been very sheltered, locked in her room and paraded out at society functions. Her family has used her as a means to advance their standings in business her entire 23 years. Recently she was presented to another mobster family member for marriage. She is rescued and sent to live (hide) with Jules.

This was an awkward romance story to read. Otto and Grace have huge communication issues. Both are shy, introverted, self-conscious, nervous and insecure around the opposite sex. Lots of talking in their heads and not to each other. It became frustrating to read. I wanted one of them to take the lead. These two needed more time together, developing their relationship.

The suspense part of the story was slow moving at first, then picked up the last third. It was a bit excessive, over the top and not very believable. Nonetheless, it was entertaining.

Previous couples are an intricate part of this story. Jules tells more of her and her siblings’ history to the people closest to them. Hugh and Grace continue their bickering/flirty relationship. Their easy banter made me smile a few times. We also learn a little more about Mr. Espina.

This is the third book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but it will make more sense and flow better if you read them in order. Not my favorite book from this author. I was really looking forward to Otto’s story but this book fell short of my expectations. With the hint given for the next book, I look forward to reading it.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what to say about book 3. Otto is probably my favorite of the guys. The insta-love aspect is so blatant that the previous couples call him out as the next to fall.

The bad guys from the first two books join forces to threaten everyone in the town. There are a few twists that were easy to spot. The entire battle was so over the top that I was shaking my head.

Yet the characters kept pressing on, and their personalities and endurance kept me rooting for them. It all ends with an HEA for the entire town.

So set aside any expectation of realism, and enjoy the ride.

[*The Angry Reader* · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC received for an honest review***

A dude that rescues abused animals meets a domestic violence victim in hiding. Confectionary sweetness ensues.

"Could her lumberjack Viking with a soft spot for puppies possibly have a soft spot for her, too?"

It's no secret that while I inhaled Ruggle's Search and Rescue series, I find that this series lacks a spark. There's sweetness, and dogs, and adventure. But the characters don't have quirks or dimensions or sass. The edge is missing.

Some questions were answered. A big issue from book 1 was resolved - with no fan fair. And the entire gang from this series was very much a part of this book. This just won't be my favorite work by Katie Ruggle.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts off on a suspenseful note. You can tell that Alice has been abused just about all her life. She lives under the ruling thumb of her brother, someone who deals in shady stuff. You'd think that because she has a bodyguard assigned to her, that she'd be safe. Except, the bodyguard is more of a prison guard and he doesn't care if he has to use force to get her to do what her brother wants. Needless to say, right from the start you are afraid for Alice. So, when her grand escape takes place, I was on the edge of my seat hoping that she got away. Thankfully she does and her contact sends her to the middle of nowhere Colorado to live with Jules and Grace, two other women this contact has helped escape from a nightmare of a life. You'd think it would be pretty quiet from there on out but not even a quarter of the way in, the author tosses some pretty intense scenes at the characters. Basically, I was on pins and needles right from the start.

I love Otto's character. I will admit that he never really stuck out to me in the previous two books. He's always the quiet, reasonable one when it comes to his and his two buddies. You would see him at the shelter working with one of the dogs there, but you never really knew much about him. So, I was a little excited to finally see Otto as a leading character. Boy, did he not disappoint. He's serious, cautious, caring, shy, sympathetic, and loyal. When we get a look inside his house, it's filled with neglected or abused animals. There's a horse that's terrified of humans, a cat with half an ear, a goat, a litter of orphaned puppies, and even his old K9 partner lives on his ranch with him. Not to mention, he takes in that dog from the shelter that we see him visit in previous books. A dog that's so badly abused and afraid of humans that it was heartbreaking to witness. Yet, Otto is so gentle and patient with her. When the shelter says they can't hold her anymore since they need the space for adoptable dogs, Otto immediately decides to take the dog in. That is just one of the reasons why I loved this guy. The other being his extreme awkwardness around Alice/Sarah. He's attracted to her the moment he meets her and instead of being a cocky alpha, like we see way too often, he just stares at her and gives a shy half wave before retreating. Then when he has a conversation with her one on one, he tells her that her mouth is pretty before turning beet red and walking away. It was those adorably awkward moments that really pushed Otto up into my top male characters of all time.

"He was a Viking lumberjack cop who bottle-fed orphaned puppies? If he'd spent years trying to think of the most effective punch to the ovaries, he couldn't have come up with a better plan."

Since Sarah escaped her brother and also the betrothal of being a crime lord's wife, she is always looking over her shoulder... and for good reason. Usually in a romantic suspense there's some parts that might spook you and the characters, but the big conflict happens at the end of the book. With Survive the Night, let's just say this book should have been called Survive the Week. It was insane how many things happened. Just when you thought the characters might finally be able to relax, BOOM something else blew up in their faces. I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop when it came to this story because you knew that given how strong of a crime lord this guy was, and how crazy her brother was, that there was no way they didn't have a handful of aces up their sleeves.

Survive the Night was perfect. I loved every minute of it. The characters were lovable, there were animals galore, and so much suspense that my heart was racing almost the entire time. Usually I like my main characters to have some sassy snark, but I absolutely loved the shyness between these two characters and how awkward they were when they interacted. Now, I know I loved Run to Ground, the first book in the series, but I dare say that this book exceeded that one. I mean, there's a part in the book where things are dicey and Sarah wrangles up Otto's rag-tag group of animals and leads them to safety, and we're not talking about a simple cat and dog. Oh no! She managed to get a seriously spooked horse to trust her, a sassy goat to follow her begrudgingly through the snow, and a beaten down, terrified, rescued bait dog, to trust her in order to get them out of danger. That scene the author describes of her riding the horse with the dogs and goat following her through the snow storm... goosebumps!

[Caitlyn Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. With nonstop action and a puppy-rescuing police officer for a hero, you won’t want this book ever to end.

Born into a prominent crime family, abused and controlled her entire life, Alice snatches at the chance to escape before she is married off to another crime lord to further her ambitious brother’s plans. Finding herself in Monroe, Colorado, she takes on a new identity and vows she’s never going back. An instant attraction to Otto, the gentle giant of the Monroe police force, threatens to complicate her life just when she’s trying to make everything simple, though. And when her brother and his allies strike, the entire town of Monroe must band together to fight back.

Katie Ruggle has written a romantic suspense which just keeps delivering in the action stakes, while interjecting some beautifully tender and humorous moments in between. Otto’s accidental quoting of Deliverance when he becomes tongue-tied in Sarah’s (Alice’s) presence was absolutely hilarious.

I’ve read one of the previous two books in this series (On The Chase) and I must admit that did help, as there is quite a cast of characters to keep up with. This one introduces Otto’s eclectic menagerie of rescued animals as well, and I have to agree with Sarah’s assessment “He was a Viking lumberjack cop who bottle-fed orphaned puppies? If he’d spent years trying to think of the most effective punch to the ovaries, he couldn’t have come up with a better plan.”

This is a great series and I highly recommend it if you like romantic suspense. Survive The Night is the best one yet and I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring! Five stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
This was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. With nonstop action and a puppy-rescuing police officer for a hero, you won’t want this book ever to end.

Born into a prominent crime family, abused and controlled her entire life, Alice snatches at the chance to escape before she is married off to another crime lord to further her ambitious brother’s plans. Finding herself in Monroe, Colorado, she takes on a new identity and vows she’s never going back. An instant attraction to Otto, the gentle giant of the Monroe police force, threatens to complicate her life just when she’s trying to make everything simple, though. And when her brother and his allies strike, the entire town of Monroe must band together to fight back.

Katie Ruggle has written a romantic suspense which just keeps delivering in the action stakes, while interjecting some beautifully tender and humorous moments in between. Otto’s accidental quoting of Deliverance when he becomes tongue-tied in Sarah’s (Alice’s) presence was absolutely hilarious.

I’ve read one of the previous two books in this series (On The Chase) and I must admit that did help, as there is quite a cast of characters to keep up with. This one introduces Otto’s eclectic menagerie of rescued animals as well, and I have to agree with Sarah’s assessment “He was a Viking lumberjack cop who bottle-fed orphaned puppies? If he’d spent years trying to think of the most effective punch to the ovaries, he couldn’t have come up with a better plan.”

This is a great series and I highly recommend it if you like romantic suspense. Survive The Night is the best one yet and I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring! Five stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.

[Reading In Pajamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: SURVIVE THE NIGHT by Katie Ruggle https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aBb
Date: February 6, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars

I loved it. The action was an adrenaline rush from the start, intermixed with a sweet romance between to very likeable characters. Otto is a mountain of a man with a heart of gold, and Alice/Sarah was the lovely woman needing that heart. I liked how she worked hard to find her strength despite the terror stalking her. Did the action get a bit flamboyant at times? Heck yes – and it was a fun ride. Pulse-pumping and romantic all blended together. This is a great series.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle http://amzn.to/2Ba4dvn

Rocky Mountain K9 Unit Series by Katie Ruggle
Amazon Series Link http://amzn.to/2BbJLdA
1. RUN TO GROUND ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2r9lAnc | Review 5 Stars http://bit.ly/2sXcrzl
2. ON THE CHASE ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2vOfxXs | Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9EQ
3. SURVIVE THE NIGHT ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2Ba4dvn
4. THROUGH THE FIRE (Releasing 08/07/18) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2E6y62c

~*~*~*~
Check out the Search and Rescue Series by Katie Ruggle
Amazon Series Link: http://amzn.to/1QUqjBr
On His Watch (novella) ➢ http://amzn.to/1n61qck
1. Hold Your Breath ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-4Am | http://amzn.to/1P4yEFa
2. Fan the Flames ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-5or | http://amzn.to/1SH25hR
3. Gone too Deep ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-5Nb | http://amzn.to/1LiJlm3
4. In Safe Hands ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-6Ni | http://amzn.to/29HSXWW

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can Survive the superfluous narrative this is a really great action-suspense book. The series is tightly bound and I highly recommend reading the other books, although, skim reading is strongly suggested for them all. I love the heroes in all the books, this is Otto's book.

Otto Gunderson is a tall, quiet, Nordic god type, strong and gentle. A military vet who returned home to Monroe, Colorado and become a K-9 cop, Otto takes in and nurtures the abused, both animal and human. He has an infinite well of patience and he needs it in this book. But when his town is under siege, there is not a trace of Mr. Nice Guy to be found.

Alice has been abused and a prisoner her whole life. Her prison as a luxurious mansion in Dallas, Texas, but it was a prison all the same. Her criminal family, first her father, then her brother, trotted her out whenever they wanted to impress their criminal business associates. Now, her brother wants to marry her off to cement a partnership with another criminal family. Alice runs, with the help of Mr. Espina, and ends up in Monroe where Alice/Sarah finds what true happiness is, for a short time, at least. Her brother finds her and is not going to give up getting her back. 3 1/2-Stars

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

I really love this series. It is set in a small town in Colorado. It has a dog as the third main character (after the hero and heroine of the story). It also has women who are running from something in their past. They create a new life under a different name in Monroe, Colorado. The characters in this series are just great. I’ve really enjoyed meeting every new couple and have really enjoyed the kids from the first book, who continue to have a decent size part in each book.

So, in this story, Alice has a brother who is just evil. She finally gets some help to escape him (and the evil guy that he wants to marry her off to) and finds herself living with Jules and Grace and the kids. She is now going by Sarah. She has not a lot of background in anything, since her brother kept her under lock and key. She has learned a few things from the staff that weren’t horrible to her.

Otto is another one of the cops on the police force in Monroe. He was part of the K-9 unit too, but his dog is retired and just living at home. Otto is hoping to get budget to get another dog for a partner, but it just isn’t in the cards just yet. Meanwhile, he’s working with a pitbull at a rescue. Otto seems to be a collector of animals that have had a difficult life. We first meet some puppies that lost their mom a few days after birth. Then we meet his old cat and retired dog. He also has a off-the-track thoroughbred and a goat.

I don’t want to go too much into the suspense of the story. I will just say that Alice/Sarah’s brother and his goons are pretty evil and they are evil with a large budget. I do feel that you have to suspend a bit of disbelief in what they go through to get back one woman, but hey, this is fiction and I’ve seen stranger things in movies. I was also not completely convinced with how the horse acted in a few places. As an owner of an off-the-track thoroughbred (and I’ve been around and ridden several others over the years), but hey, every horse is different.

I do want to say how much I enjoy these characters. Not only Alice/Sarah and Otto, but also all the previous characters in this series. As the cast continues to grow, I just love them all the more. The secondary characters who don’t partner up are just good people that I like reading about. The animals are also characters in and of themselves.

If you like Romantic Suspense with likeable characters and animals, this is a great series. There is a ton of action and the romance in strong. The dogs will win your heart, almost more than the hero and heroine (but then I’ve always like animals more than people LOL).

Narration
Callie Beaulieu continues to do a great job with the narration of this series. I think she is really good and making you feel the emotions of each character, no matter what is going on at the time. It can be romance or action and Callie has it covered. I do enjoy both her male and female characters. I highly recommend her if you get a chance to give her a try.

**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 hearts

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

It was great to come back to the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series.   I was happy to see the people in this small Colorado mountain town, the couples from the previous two books and especially, the kids. I LOVE those kids. They are real and important in a way nothing else is, well, the animals are the real deal, also.  I listened to the first book Run to Ground  and have read the following books, including Survive the Night.

The beginning was slow going and parts didn't quite connect for me. Hugh was much less funny, and I missed his humor.  We learn about Sarah and why she comes to Monroe. We start to learn a bit about Otto. He has been a quiet mystery so far.  Things kind of jumped around until  the action began when Sarah was found. But how the heck did they find Sarah so fast? This small town is remote. I kept thinking we would find out her brother had implanted a chip in her or something.

Once things went into high gear, both Otto and Sarah showed how strong they were and how smart. I was so proud of Sarah. Otto is an awesome guy. Their relationship happens extremely fast, as often is the case in this genre, with the life and death situations. People realize what they want and could lose very fast. Of course, those amazing kids play their role in saving the day. The title is apt; I wasn't sure who would survive the night.

The horrifying setup for the next one, in August 2018,  Through The Fire, will definitely involve the kids.  Or will it? The ending here points to it, but the next blurb sounds like it will involve a couple of people we haven't met yet. I look forward to visiting Monroe with these people I now know and love.   Especially,  if there is more time with the kids.

 
Giggle-worthy quote:

Sarah stared at him, quiet as well, her neutral expression not giving him any clues about what she was thinking. The longer the silence continued, the more frantically Otto tried to come up with something to say and the blanker his mind became. He had the terrible thought that something completely inappropriate would pop out, something about how pretty she was or how scared or how he wanted to keep her safe.

Otto stopped worrying about not saying something and started worrying that he would say something mortally embarrassing that would make her hate him forever. The seconds ticked by, the faint chatter coming from the kitchen and the low hum of the wind outside pressing against the house the only sounds. Neither looked away.

"Wow. This is awkward," Grace said. "Otto, when I said you weren't allowed to interrogate her, I didn't mean to ban all polite conversation. You can, you know, tell her it's nice to meet her or make some comment about the weather."

 

[Miki’s⚠️ Safety Reviews & Rants⚠️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

🔪I love these suspense romance reads and have been reading more and more. So I’m gonna break them down differently from my other reviews.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away so you can go into it it blind and enjoy all the twists and turns❤️.

Ratings 0-5 Star Scale

😮Mystery/Suspense-
4.5 stars
This one was PACKED with pretty awesome action and drama. There was a lot of tie ups from book 2 storyline they all cross over and it was FUN. This one was the most enjoyable so far

❤️‍🔥Romance/Chemistry-
4.5 awwwww I loved this couple could they be any sweeter. All the blushing and shyness but also their connection was great to. I loved that Otto just went all in with her. They had so real good moments!!! Sexy times were very light and not very detailed

🚹Hero-
4.5 stars
Otto was such a sweetheart. I lived that none of these men were manwhores. It has been years since Otto has even had a date. He’s shy and reserved. He doesn’t let a lot of people in but animals are a different story.
He was swoon and sweet. Hes all in with our h

🚺Heroine-
Sara she was sweet. She grew up very sheltered and abused by her brother. She is on the run to escape her brother and his very scary business associate who wants to marry her.

⚠️Safety-
Safe
H not a V but it’s been along time and he isn’t a manwhore
h is a V it’s not out right stated but it’s pretty much hinted at
Violence
Attempted Murder
Attempted kidnapping
Abuse

🎧Audiobook Narration-
3 this narrator is the same for the whole series. She’s just ok I wish she did better with the men’s voices

🥰Overall Enjoyment-
This one was my favorite for the storyline and action
Not sure who my fav H is… Theo or Otto. I wish we didn’t have to read yet another book to get closure from book 1. I really want that story to be tied up through their POV not others. This one was FUN!!

[Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survive the Night is the third book in Katie Ruggle’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit Series. It can be read as a stand alone but there will be a few references that will make more sense if you read the other books first. I have read them all and I loved them. The guys in the K9 unit are just like brothers. They tease each other constantly and would die for each other. If anyone threatens someone in their inner circle, these guys will go to great lengths to keep them safe. In this particular book, the whole small town ends up under seige in the worst way. Of all the books, Survive the Night has the most action and I really felt like it was a culmination of everything that happened before.

This time, a third woman shows up in the small town of Monroe with a secret. Her name is Sarah and she is on the run from her abusive, criminal brother who is trying to marry her off to a member of another crime family. Sarah has been a prisoner of her brother for most of her adult life and it’s very interesting how she reacts to her new freedom. She quickly falls for the last available K9 Cop whose name is Otto Gunnersen. His friends describe him as a Viking Lumberjack as well as an animal whisperer. In essence, he is a gentle giant who has a way with animals but isn’t that good with people. They are immediately drawn to each other and it’s easy to see that they are meant to be together. Consequently, when everything goes to crap and Sarah’s life is in danger, Otto doesn’t hold back. The action is intense and epic as the entire town almost goes up in flames. The police, the town, a few canines, and a timid horse band together to save the day.

I continue to be a Katie Ruggle fan. She does a great job of highlighting the relationship between the police and their canine counterparts. I also like the fact that the love story is somewhat realistic and doesn’t seem forced. All the characters seem to play well off of each other and I couldn’t help but root for their success. There is definitely a serious tone to the book but the author still manages to lighten up the mood when needed. I look forward to the next book in the series. I’m sure that I won’t be disappointed.

**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed.**

[Kay H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book went sideways. Waaaaaaay too many explosions and helicopters and tbh both MCs felt about as exciting as wet cardboard. The MCs in the next and final book haven't been anywhere in the series thus far, so I'm going to call it quits here.

[Amy ~ Love At 1st Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series has been nothing short of action packed adventure and sizzling romance. As with the previous books, this newest addition starts fast and furious and doesn’t let up. With its scorching romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense, Survive the Night beats any blockbuster out there. To top it off, I read this one in the middle of a snowstorm with my 3 rescue dogs curled up beside me. I felt like I was right there in Monroe, Colorado. Too bad I didn’t have the sexy cop to cuddle with too.

Alice Blanchett had been a prisoner her whole life. Sheltered since she was a child, it only worsened after the death of her father. Aaron, her power crazy brother, kept her under lock and key, living in fear. Not only was he physically and emotionally abusive, now he wanted to marry her off to Logan Jovanovic, a man even more shady and unethical than her brother. When the mysterious Mr. Espina showed up offering to take her away, she didn’t have to think twice. So Alice became Sarah Clifton and moved to Monroe, Colorado to live with her “old friend” Jules.
K9 Cop Otto Gunnersen was known as the resident Dr. Doolittle but truthfully he had a soft spot for anything or anyone in need. And when he met the beautiful Sarah Clifton, he recognized that terrified look right away. He knew Sarah was running from something and his protective instincts kicked in immediately. Sarah was shy, which was fine with Otto since whenever he found a woman attractive, he turned into a bumbling 13 year old boy. They both were tongue tied around each other and their attraction only heightened the feeling. Despite her hesitance around strangers, Sarah was drawn to Otto. He was calm, careful, and patient. She felt safe with him. A feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time. With his size alone, he should frighten her but Sarah saw him as her own Viking lumberjack, a gentle giant who was quickly monopolizing her thoughts.
Sarah was adjusting to her new home and having freedoms she’d never had before, but when it became obvious that her presence in Jules’ home could bring danger to Jules’ family, Otto offered for her to live with him. Like Otto, his home with its menagerie of animals felt secure and reassuring. Though he was a stranger, Sarah felt at ease with Otto. Comfortable sharing her feelings. When she was with him, she felt a hopeful fluttering feeling. Happy rather than anxiety or dread. Otto felt it too. He loved having Sarah there. Someone to come home to. He loved making her smile and talking with her. The more they were around each other, the greater the attraction grew. Otto’s touch was comforting and slightly dizzying, and when he kissed her, it was soft, sweet, and caring. Just like Otto.
So much of Sarah’s life had been about presenting a front, but now she had Otto and she had friends with whom she could be herself. Sarah was quickly falling in love with her new town, new life, and new friends. But just when she was feeling safe, Aaron and the Jovanovics track her down. And Aaron is ready to do anything to bring Sarah back, even destroy the town of Monroe. But Sarah had a taste of what it is to be safe and free, and with Otto and her friends by her side, she’s ready to fight to keep that feeling.
This series just gets better and better. I loved Otto and Sarah. They were perfect for one another. Both were quiet and somewhat reserved but in finding each other, they found a lighter, happier side of themselves. They both had experienced a painful childhood. In each other they found the love and security they’d lacked. Katie Ruggle’s books have great character development and I loved watching these two evolve as they got to know each other. And their relationship grew even more intense when they had to fight for it. I was thrilled to see Theo, Jules, Grace, and Hugh again too. I have a real soft spot for Hugh. I love his humor and he is the perfect friend for the serious Otto. I like that now I’m starting to see how the girls’ pasts intertwine, and I learned a little more about the mysterious Mateo Espina. I am anxious to see what comes next. This story will definitely set your pulse racing. Not only from the sizzling romance but also from the non-stop action. For me, the last few chapters were like watching a fireworks show. Just when I thought it was time for the finale, Katie Ruggle cut loose with another volley of heart stopping action. And just when I thought the action was over, she gave me just enough of a tease about the next book to get me all worked up again. I’ll gladly wait on the next book because I am hooked on this amazing series. This and other reviews can be read at facebook.com/loveat1stread.

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This was a very good story. Both Otto and Sarah are likable characters and their story was enjoyable and engaging.

Sarah is a woman who's never had freedom. Sarah's mother died when she was very young and she was raised by her father. Sarah's father was a very bad man and when he died, he brother took over the "family business" and became an even worse man. Sarah's brother was just as controlling as her father and expected her to marry another very bad man (that Sarah didn't want to marry) to further his nefarious aims.

Otto is a policeman that works with the K-9 unit of a very small Colorado town. Otto was abandoned at 2 years old and bounced around the foster-care system until he was 12 and found a good home. He made friends with Hugh and they both became K-9 cops on the force.

Thankfully, someone at odds with Sarah's brother and unwanted fiancee decided that helping her escape would be a good revenge and she's able to get free. She's sent to Colorado and ends up staying with Jules (the heroine from book #1) in order to hide from her brother. Soon after Sarah arrives, she meets Otto and there's an instant and very strong attraction between them. Otto is normally a kind of quiet guy and he has even more trouble talking when Sarah's around. Since Sarah has been little better than a captive most of her life, she's very inexperienced in relationships and likes Otto a lot but doesn't know how to proceed, what to expect or even if she's reading the signs of attraction (from him) correctly.

I don't want to give away too much, so lets just say that Sarah's brother and unwanted fiancee do find her sooner than expected and it causes some major issues but also pushed Sarah and Otto together much quicker. With some close time together, they're able to get past their awkwardness and realize they both want the same thing. The crap does hit the fan though and there's some major drama and danger as everything gets hashed out. Thankfully, the issues are dealt with and Otto and Sarah end the story together and heading towards a HEA.

This was a very enjoyable story. Sarah was a really good heroine and I liked her. She was able to accomplish things that needed to be done without seeming like she suddenly turned into Wonder Woman or something (tough but realistic). Otto was a real sweety and was a very good hero. He has a soft spot for rescue animals that just had me melting at times. The story wasn't perfect but it was very enjoyable and was very engaging once I got into it so I'd recommend it. :)