Special Agent

Classified K-9 Unit #3

by Valerie Hansen

Suspicion of guilt!

When Special Agent in Charge Max West and his K-9 partner, Opal, look into a series of bombings in Northern California, horse trainer Katerina Garwood instantly seems suspicious. As the ex-fiancée of a man tied to the criminal Dupree family, Katerina may know more than she’s letting on—especially since the infamous syndicate is targeting her. And Max isn’t sure he can believe her when she says she knows nothing. Despite his reservations, though, he can’t deny his attraction…or the impulse to protect her. And with the criminals closing in, Max must separate the truth from lies, or he and Katerina may not live to share tomorrow…

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

Audiobook

First published June 6, 2017

About the author

Valerie Hansen is the pen name of Valerie Whisenand.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Although I have been a published author since the mid 1980s, I have been writing women's Christian fiction almost exclusively since 1999.

There is a longer, more detailed bio on my website so there's no need for me to repeat all that here. Right now, I write for all three Love Inspired lines, Romance, Suspense and Historical. I'm delighted to have been included that broadly and besides, it keeps me so busy that I stay out of trouble. Well, mostly.

You'll find me on the LI Historical blog as well as other LI features. If I try to do much more I won't have time to write my books!

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one's going to remain my favorite in the series. Max and Katerina work really well as a couple and I enjoyed the suspense of finding out who was after Katerina. I really enjoyed her character in particular and was glad to see her get her happy ending.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the third book in the Classified K-9 Unit series. I have read the first two books in this series before picking up this book, and I do think you can read this book as a standalone. I love that the dog in this book was a boxer, and I think boxers have a bad reputation. I loved all the drama and action in this book. I did not think the romance in this book was needed, and it was done weird in my opinion.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bomb exploding at a horse barn is the dramatic start to this tale of crime and redemption. (No horses are harmed.) The agent involved is an FBI profiler who, with his K9 partner, a Boxer dog, is trained in explosives detection. They meet the daughter of the owner of this premises at the scene, who claims she has fallen out with both her domineering father and her loser boyfriend. Someone was using the horse barn setting to distribute drugs. Now, who could it be?

This is a detailed police procedural with emphasis on collection of evidence and protection of witness and suspect from gangland violence. I found it well written and involving. And I love the dog!

I downloaded an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction and Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great continuity series! I get so excited to see a new book coming out each month. I love looking for clues relating to the over-arcing suspense that will carry through all six books (this is Book Three) but I also enjoy the fact that each book reads very well as a standalone. Special Agent brings both romantic and suspense resolution for Max and Katerina...and Opal, bless her big ol' drooling heart!

So, aside from being enamored with the beautiful boxer on the cover, I think her partner is pretty droolworthy (doggy pun intended!) as well. Max is intense and single-minded when it comes to crime solving which puts up barriers where Katerina is concerned. He doesn't trust her -- or to be more accurate, he doesn't want to trust her but there's something about the spunky heroine that's hard to resist. And that makes Max a tad tetchy. Love me a moody hero with strong protective tendencies.

Katerina's whole world has been turned upside down thanks to her erstwhile ex-fiancé and she's struggling to get on with her life. Which is kind of hard to do with a target on her back. There's plenty of action, a ton of danger and a puzzling mystery to solve. Not to mention the ups and downs of a romance brewing between this pig-headed couple. Perfect fodder for a page-turner of a story!

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read 4 books in this series and have loved each book. I can’t wait to read the next one.

Katerina’s ex fiancé was a man tied to the criminal Dupree family. She had no idea the man she was about to be married too was into drug smuggling. She thought he was a business man. He got locked up, and now her reputation is trash. Her father disowned her. Someone thought she knew more than she did, and is stalking her. Bombs started exploding around her small town. Special agent Max and his K-9 partner Opal went to California to investigate. I fell in love with Opal throughout this book. Both Max, and Opal protected Katerina.

This book had excellent action, suspense, and romance. This book will be added to my list of favorites.

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo mi è piaciuto un filino meno dei due precedenti e ho avuto come l'impressione che in un paio di casi siano stati saltati dei passaggi... Comunque, spero di finire presto la serie: i libri si possono leggere come autoconclusivi, ma c'è comunque uan storia dietro che li lega tutti, quindi leggendoli di fila la si apprezza meglio.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Special Agent
Author: Valerie Hansen
Series: Classified K-9 Unit, 3
Format: ebook
Length: N/A
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis: SUSPICION OF GUILT
When Special Agent in Charge Max West and his K-9 partner, Opal, look into a series of bombings in Northern California, horse trainer Katerina Garwood instantly seems suspicious. As the ex-fiancee of a man tied to the criminal Dupree family, Katerina may know more than she's letting on--especially since the infamous syndicate is targeting her. And Max isn't sure he can believe her when she says she knows nothing. Despite his reservations, though, he can't deny his attraction...or the impulse to protect her. And with the criminals closing in, Max must separate the truth from lies, or he and Katerina may not live to share tomorrow...

Favourite character: Opal
Least favourite character: N/A

Mini-review: I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Normally I can't stand Love Inspired Suspense and complain the who way through. It did have a weak beginning that actually made me close the book once before. But once you get past that, it's definitely one of the better Love Inspired Suspense books out there.

Fan Cast:
Max West - Armie Hammer
Katerina Garwood - AnnaSophia Robb

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent: Classified K-9 Unit is by Valerie Hansen. It is a love inspired Suspense and has no objectionable language or sex scenes. It is a good read about K-9 units and the men and women who serve with the dogs. It is also a book about second chances.
Special Agent Max West and his partner, Opal are in Northern California looking into a series of bombings. Max thinks they are linked to the Dupree crime family. His latest suspect is Katerina Garwood, a horse trainer, who was engaged to a man tied to the Dupree family. The latest bombing was at the ranch owned by her Father and she was there. Katerina and her Father were estranged since she had taken up with Vern Kowalski. Was this bombing to get back at her Father or just a coincidence? As he gets to know Katerina, he begins to believe she is the target of several events happening in town. What does she know or what does someone think she knows?

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the continuity series, Classified K-9 Unit. I really enjoyed it and I know you will too. Valerie is one of my favorite authors in fact the whole series is written by my favorite authors. This book is well written, action packed, and full of faith. You are going to love this one.
Special Agent in Charge Max West and his partner, Opal are in a search for explosives. His search has brought him to California. A woman that had been engaged to a man that was involved with a crime family has caught his attention. Max is told she is a person of interest in the case but she now seems to have become a target. She must know what these men are after. Max is drawn to the beautiful woman can he keep her alive until they find what these men are after.
Horse Trainer Katerina Garwood was engaged to a mobster but when everyone finds out about him the whole town turned against her even her own father. When one of the barns blow up a federal agent and his K-9 partner shows up to investigate the bombing. Katerina is attracted to the man and his dog but is not about to trust another man ever. Max is continually saving her life so it's hard to keep her distance. What could these men want?
A journey of two heartbroken souls thrown together in a struggle to stay alive. How do they learn to trust each other and trust God. God has a plan for these two; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. A plan for good and not for evil. Give your heart to Him and trust Him to turn your life around.

[Busybeth76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spring Summer romance

Special Agent Max West has been avoiding relationships or affairs of the heart for quite a while. But when Katerina Harwood comes into his life as a possible suspect in his case in Northern California he doesn't expect she'll win him over. She's young, (22 to his 33), naive and her former fiancee is the criminal he's investigating. How can he believe she's not involved in the criminal activity, as she purports? But as Max and his K9 partner, Opal, keep saving Katerina from explosions, threats on her life and a stalker he starts to realize she's as innocent as she says. She's also pretty, smart, fearless and honest. Max, who's an experienced, responsible, good looking FBI agent fights the attraction, but it's a losing battle. Now he has to win the battle to protect his woman.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max West and his K-9 partner Opal are in charge of protecting Katerina Garwood. Ex finance of a man tied to the criminal Dupree family, she is now a suspect in a series of bombings. Max tries to keep their relationship professional but his feelings are drawing him to her.

As they run for their life, they are hunted with Katerina being the target. The story has plenty of suspense, twists, and turns, and some sweet romance thrown in. The characters are interesting and I enjoyed Katerina's independent streak and spunkiness. The story kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. A definite page-turner. Also enjoyed reading a story steeped in faith.

I enjoyed reading about Max's K-9 partner. Very interesting and added a lot to the storyline. The dog was amazing. I look forward to reading more of Valerie Hansen's work. Very enjoyable read.

[Lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thrilling third installment of The Classified K-9 Unit was filled with twists and turns and non-stop action.
Katerina Garwood has had her reputation dragged through the mud due to getting involved with a man who wasn't who he said he was. Now she's being threatened because the men her former fiancé worked for think he gave her something to hide for him. It's up to Special Agent in Charge Max West and his partner, a boxer named Opal, to keep Katerina safe and figure out who her stalker truly is. Max never intended to let his emotions take over, because of a similar scenario that happened before. But there's just something about Katerina that pulls Max in, makes him want to believe in her innocence.

[PinkPiratePanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Special Agent. I am a big animal lover, unfortunately I do not have any dogs of my own, (yet) but I do have 13+ cats...
I feel like this book gave a glimpse into what it would be like to be an FBI agent with a dog, of course it is probably not, but it was very enjoyable to imagine that.
I enjoyed watching the main characters go from suspicion to falling in love and their adventure on the way.
I want to read the rest of the series, because there seems to be more back story and future story to be seen in this book.

I received this book from Goodreads giveaway, and I am under no obligation to provided a review but by my own accord.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special Agent Max West along with his K-9 partner are on a mission to get the Dupree family and he’s convinced Katerina Garwood is the key to the answers he needs. After confronting her at her father’s ranch where she’s nearly blown up Max takes it upon himself to be her bodyguard so he can keep a close eye on her at the same time. When threats start to escalate into attempts on Katerina’s life and he’s coming to realize how much she means to him, he knows he must act. Can Max and Katerina figure out what the enemy wants in time to have a future together or will the enemy get away with murder?

[Cathy Beckett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rating. Third installment of the Classified K9 Unit: FBI series was written by Valerie Hansen. The heroine, Katerina Garwood, was a little too naive for words and was constantly getting into mischief. Special Agent Max West, the head of the special K9 tactical force for the FBI is our hero. I loved him in the first two installments and his K9 partner, Opal.
If I have a complaint about the book Ms. Hansen has a tendency toward getting a little preachy at times, which to me, is a distraction. It slows the pace of the story and causes the characters to appear weak and one-dimensional. I know it’s a Christian romantic suspense novel but getting preachy weakens the story.

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good episode of the series, including an impetuous twenty-two-year-old who is almost too much for a seasoned, over-thirty agent who has been burned before.

Still searching for a missing agent and a few missing criminals, this one takes the team to California where mysterious bombings are centered around a ranch, a woman and her ex-fiance who was the criminal her father told her he was.
Many recriminations and rejections later, they find the reason so much was happening under their noses. Another piece of the puzzle solved but more still remain.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

More suspense then romance, I found this story a fun and easy read. The male lead is believable and relatable while the female lead takes a little time to warm up to, but overall is likable. Overall, the story is well paced and kept my attention with a somewhat surprise twist at the end. The only real downside I found was how easy the two find romance and love in the end without a ton of personal connections made beforehand to support it.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the continuity

A bit less action then the previous books in the series, but I enjoyed it none the less. Loved the humor between Max and Katerina. Max nor Katerina wanted to put themselves out there to love again. Katerina had fallen for a con man and Max had losted his fiancee in an accident. God had different plans for these two. This story had attempted kidnapping, attempted murder, and a few explosions. Cannot wait for the next book in the series.

[Charline Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special Agent Max West and his K-9 partner Opal, are in California to investigate bombings. Katerina Garwood is a person of interest since she was the fiancee of a man with ties to the Dupree crime family. She claims she doesn't know anything but if that is true, why are they so interested in her. The more Max gets to know her, he is starting to believe but cannot let down his guard. That would be dangerous to both of them. Love the 'Classified K-9 Unit' series but each is a stand alone.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very light, easy, quick read....heavy on the romance & religion. Nothing gruesome, no sex, no bad language. I chose it because of the dog on the front cover, & there was a dog or two in the story & they played a good part... This is the 3rd in a 'Love Inspired' series that has the common element of a K-9 Unit & it read fine as a stand alone.
I won this complimentary paperback in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway in return for reading it & posting my own fair/honest review.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this series so far and Book 3 continues the search for FBI Agent Jake Morrow. This segment features Agent Max West and as he investigates a bombing in CA, he comes in contact with a feisty young woman, Katerina Garwood. I enjoyed the fast-paced suspense but found Katerina immature and mismatched for a seasoned FBI agent. The plot was engaging and I look forward to Book 4 of this series.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOO GOOD!

Sometimes a book just grabs me and this one certainly did. Since the book is part of a series I'd read about Max before but he and Opal are such a dynamic pair. I can't imagine what a service Opal does as a dog that can smell explosives. These dogs are absolutely amazing!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining Christian mystery and suspense book!!! I enjoyed it SO much. It has wonderful characters including a wonderful K-9 along with some bad guys. The story is laid out so it is easy to follow and has a lot of action along with the mystery. The romance is slow to develop and enjoyable.

[Brenda C. McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT

I chose this rating because the book was well written, including what I this kind of Christian novel should include: a relationship with God, intrigue, mystery, love relationships and a great ending, or in this case a great lead in to the next book

[Mary Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy the dogs that are trained for various aspects of law enforcement. This novel was way too contrived. The plot and characters weren't as developed as they could have been. This book was a safe, easy read in spite of the possible dangers involved.

[angela yargus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Enjoyment!

I have learned so much about the training of these fantastically intelligent dogs, and knew some were cross trained, but this sweetheart sure surprised me!
Thanks for a great read Valerie!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads. Another great book in the series. The characters were very likeable and real. Plus my favorite things.
Romance
Suspense
And Animals.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Classified K-9 Unit series is a fun read. I love reading about animals, in general, especially S&R, these Police dogs are just wonderful.

[Theresa Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one with Max, Katerina and Opal!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the story, i have read several in the series all very good, if you like suspense, romance, and animals you will love the book.