Standing Fast

Military K-9 Unit #4

by Maggie K. Black

Framed!

A Military K-9 Unit Story

Suspected of aiding a serial killer, single dad Chase McLear is desperate to prove his innocence. However, someone’s determined for him to be found guilty—and now they’re targeting Chase’s little girl. Preschool teacher Maisy Lockwood’s father was one of the killer’s victims, but Maisy believes Chase has been framed. Can Chase’s K-9 beagle sniff out the evidence to clear his name before the killer makes them his next victims?

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Suspense, Military Fiction, Audiobook, Love Inspired Suspense, Animals

139 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2018

About the author

Maggie K. Black is an award-winning journalist with a thirst for adventure. She's lived in the American South, Europe and Middle East, and left a piece of her heart in each. She now makes her home in Canada, where she writes stories that make her heart race, chases her dog around the park and shares her adventures with her one true love and and their two daughters.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this series, and I normally enjoy Maggie Black’s writing, but somehow the two didn’t meld well for me. It felt like the writing was choppy and the plotting wasn’t the best. For instance, on a preliminary search of a house during an arrest, within minutes they find jewelry under a floorboard—indeed? It’s never explained why they could first know to look there or second how they could demo a floor that fast.

On to the next!

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe more 3 1/2. I've come to the conclusion I'm not a fan of books that have kids in danger. I also cringe over falsely accused/being framed. So really me not loving this book has to do with me and not the talent of the author!

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ✰

Trochę tęskniłam za tą serią - za jej prostotą, pieskami i kryminałem w tle, a jednak nie wiem, czuję się mimo wszystko trochę zawiedziona tym powrotem. Może jednak oczekuję czegoś więcej, nawet od tak prostej książki, a może ten tom nie był najlepszy i to jest ogromny minus serii pisanej przez różnych autorów - te książki nigdy nie będą stały na jednym poziomie. No nic, widzimy się w kolejnym tomie (:

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squeeaaalll! Love this continuity series and this just might be my favourite Military K-9 Unit book so far. Which might have something to do with the cute beagle and even more to do with the charming preschooler both pictured on the cover. And I loved the pacing in this story. A great balance of mystery, danger and romance. And those daddy/daughter scenes are stunners! Standing Fast kept me reading fast! And faster. Finished it in one sitting because it was that good!

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good! Lots of action and suspense.

[Toth Jo-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Maggie as a author. She writes greats books and I loved this story. I loved Chase McLear's quiet strength in a bad situation. I also enjoyed Maisy Lockwood's character. The way she accepted Chase's answers to her questions about what was happening. What impressed me was how she made Chase's character. His quiet strength. The book had action and it had more to the series but it had its own story as well. That has been a neat thing about this series each story has its own problem to solve as well as the main problem, the red rose killer. I think his daughter Allies steals the show a little, like any child does. Its an awesome story worth a read. Not one to miss.

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Standing Fast. This is the fourth book in the continuity series, Military K-9 Unit. I have really enjoyed this series as the authors are some of my favorites. This book is well written, action packed and full of suspense. I know you are going to love it.

Senior Airmen Chase McLear and his K-9 nine partner are awakened by the screams of his three year old daughter. She has been having nightmares the last couple of weeks. He find her window has been slashed and he sees a man run from the window. He runs outside to try to catch the man but he is long gone. He finds a picture of his daughter made with a macaroni from her preschool. Why would someone target his daughter? As he is searching for the prowler he is surrounded by the Air Force Emergency Security team. They have a warrant to search his property for signs of the Red Rose Killer. Someone has reported that he is hidden in Chase's home. They find evidence in his home that the man has been there. Who is setting him up?

Preschool teacher Maisy Lockwood is out jogging early in the morning. She sees someone hiding in the brushes watching the a crime scene. He turns around and has a bandanna over his face; a knife flashes in his hand. She commands him to halt using her backpack as a weapon. With all the police cars and emergency personal he runs off. She moves forward to report the person. Maisy's father was one of the victims killed by the Red Rose Killer. Was this person the killer? Little Allie is one of her students at the preschool. She can't believe that they are accusing Chase of helping this killer. She is determined to help him clear his name.

A difficult journey of this couple trying to prove that neither of them are involved with the killer. God has a plan for this little family, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your life and watch Him turn your life around.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a serial killer targeting (mostly K9)military personnel at and near Canyon Air Force Base. Chase McLear, a K9 handler, is being framed by someone and is terrified he will be arrested because he doesn't know who will take care of his daughter. Maisy Lockwood, who works at the daycare Chase's daughter stays at, gets drawn into the drama surrounding Chase. This is difficult not only because Maisy's father is a victim of the killer but also because she and Chase are attracted to each other. They haven't pursued this attraction but it is there nonetheless. As the proverbial noose tightens around Chase's neck, he and Maisy become closer which just seems to make the noose tighten more. Chase's daughter Allie is precious. The bad guy will surprise you.

This is a part of the Military K-9 Unit series. It could be read as a standalone but I think you would enjoy it much more if you read the other three first.

[Cathy Beckett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Military K-9 Unit #4—Maggie K. Black. It was a good, quick read. I did have some issues though. One of my pet peeves is when an author uses plural pronouns when it is unclear if a character is male or female. That just gets my goat. Also there were some editing issues that got past the proofreaders. Now to talk about the story.
Airman Chase McLear and his K-9 partner Queenie are suspended while the security force team investigates allegations of his being the armed Red Rose Killer’s accomplice. Maisy Lockwood, daughter of one of the RRK victims, believed Chase is innocent. They work together to prove his innocence.

[Linda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

chase couldn’t figure why someone was trying to frame him as helping the Rose Killer.

All Chase wanted was to be able to take better care of his daughter. He was changing his job in the Air Force so he would be home more. He had even begun to think about his daughter’s teacher, Maisey the girl he had admired for years.
Then his world went out of control all of sudden he was accused of helping a killer and things were getting out of control. His daughter was the victim of multiple kidnap attempts. And someone tried to kill him and the kidnap his dog. He didn’t know were to turn except to god and prayed for help.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hunt for the Red Rose Killer continues in Book 4 of this series. As a side story, Airman Chase McLear is seen as a possible conspirator and fights one battle after another to clear his name. His little daughter Ally becomes a target and her preschool teacher, Maisy Lockwood becomes entangled in the mystery as well. Maisy is looking for answers since the Red Rose Killer killed her father but her interaction with Chase through the preschool causes her to question those who point the finger at him. Will Chase and Maisy unravel the sinister plot and uncover who is framing him before it's too late?

[Merle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was tough to read. The predicament that Chase finds himself in is terrible and his toddler daughter is being affected by it too. He is being framed as the accomplice and "inside man" of the Red Rose Killer terrifying all around Canyon Air Force Base.

There are multiple threads here and Maisy and Chase are hearing stories independently. Between the two, they figure out the truth, with help from Queenie, Chase's K-9 partner and Allie, a brilliant toddler. And somewhere in the danger, Chase and Maisy find time to fall in love.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hero in this story is seriously suspected by the military authorities of aiding a known serial killer. He has a young daughter to protect and needs to be able to take care of her, and he has a K-9 dog that sniffs out technological devices, a beagle named Queenie. As the evidence against Chase McLear grows and appears to condemn him, he becomes desparate to prove his innocence. There is a lot of action in this story before it reaches its conclusion. It's an enjoyable read for those of us who like the Love Inspired series.

[Dlora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Standing Fast was labeled as a K9 romantic suspense. I liked how well it blended Christian faith and prayer very naturally into the story. I picked it up thinking it would have more about K9 dogs and training than it did, which disappointed me a bit. Even though this was a labeled a “romantic suspense,” there was more romance than suspense, though the plot line developed well including a foray into military action in Afghanistan. It illustrated the harmful nature of gossip and jumping to judgment.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and lovable read with perfect characters. By perfect, I mean their flaws don't matter and you'll find yourself flipping pages long after you really should've put the book down to do other things. It was worth the money and would be perfect for a vacation book.

***This is meant to be a quick, fun read...something to pick up and put down. Not meant to be stored on your bookshelf to read over and over - so it's great for what it is.

[Charline Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being suspected of a crime you did not commit is bad enough but not being able to prove your innocence is worse. With a small daughter to take care of, this weigh heavily on Chase's mind. His daughters preschool teacher is a help but her father is one of the people Chase is accused of killing. Trusting God to have your back sounds simple until you are being framed. Winning Maisy's trust can make it easier.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Military K-9 Unit series. In Standing Fast, an airman, new to the base, is accused of
helping a killer! I do not like the way everyone on the base suspects him. without knowing his
history. But, it is the way our world is going. Now, you have to prove you innocence, rather than innocent until proven guilty!. At any rate, it was a good book.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Series

So happy for Chase and Masiey, after losing her father to the Red Rose Killer, and Chase's wife divorcing him and giving him full custody of Aillie, these two deserved their HEA. This story had a dirty investigator, murder, attempted kidnapping, greed, suspicion, planted made up evidence, jealousy, and so much more. I am really enjoying this series.

[LaRee Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming

It will be a relief to have Boyd Sullivan caught. His crimes are being used to hurt so many people, sometimes almost ruining lives. Boyd is not the only bad person in the books, but fortunately, there are enough good people around to "save the day". It was close this time.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching, inspirational romantic mystery. Airman Chase, assigned to the K-9 unit is being investigated for assisting an escaped murderer. Someone is planting evidence to frame him. Someone is also trying to kidnap his daughter. With the aid of his daughter's pre-school teacher, Chase strives to clear his name and preserve his military career.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the story, if you like suspense with romance you have to read the story and the series. this has a little girl and a K9 dog, . if you like this one you have to read the other books in the series all very good.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I loved Chase and his little girl Alle. Along with his K-9. I did feel bad for Chase, he was being framed. My heart did go out to him. I really enjoyed this book. Who doesn't love a K-9 read????

[angela yargus · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very close!

But I lost the race to have all the answers!
This novelist knows how to mislead the reader!
This has been a thoroughly delightful, but scary read!
Thank you, Maggie K. Black!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books in this series are all very sweet but still have action and suspense. There are many Christian romances involving single moms, but this one is about a single dad. And it's just really nice to read stories about men who enjoy being dads--something I haven't seen much of in my own life.

[Susan Clair Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standing Fast

He is being set up by two different forces. She is the only one that truly believes him. By catching these two he is cleared and they catch a murderer, a thief and a liar. Great series by many great storytellers.

[Elaine. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the whole series

[Rebecca Delio · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT STORY

I love the Military K9 stories, they are wonderful and well written. I hope their are more such stories ...

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 can't wait for next in K9 series

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! A real page turner!

[Romelle Bohannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute fast paced story .