Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

K-9 Protector

Rate this book
Protecting the woman he secretly loves threatens a K-9 cop’s self-control.

K-9 cop Jedediah Burke has kept his yearning for veterinarian Hazel Cooper in check for years because their friendship is too precious to risk. Though both have survived painful divorces, Burke is unaware of the nightmare marriage Hazel endured. But when a sadistic stalker’s threats against Hazel escalate, protecting her requires staying close. And stifling his long-suppressed desire may no longer be possible.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2020

84 people are currently reading
72 people want to read

About the author

Julie Miller

295 books369 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie Miller writes breathtaking romantic suspense. She's won a National Readers Choice Award and two Daphne du Maurier Awards among other prizes. She was also honored to receive a Career Achievement Award from RT BookReviews and has been a finalist for many national and international awards. Her books have appeared on the USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, Amazon and BookScan Top 100 Romances bestseller lists.

Writing about Kansas City cops, Julie has crafted bestselling, award-winning books for Harlequin Intrigue. In addition, Ms. Miller publishes romantic suspense books with a military twist. Millions of copies of her books have been sold in print and digital formats around the world.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
162 (59%)
4 stars
72 (26%)
3 stars
30 (11%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
4,808 reviews126 followers
July 19, 2020
Julie Miller always provides a gripping tale, and this was no exception. Not only is the suspense edge-of-the-seat intense, but the hero and heroine are almost too awesome for words. Both Burke and Hazel are in their early 50s, have been through painful divorces, and have jobs that take up a lot of their time.

Burke is the head of KCPD's K-9 unit, involved in training as well as regular patrol duties. He joined the KCPD after leaving the military and likes what he does. His canine partner is a German Shepherd Dog named Gunny. Burke is loved and respected by the other officers he works with. I loved the way that some of the younger guys called him "old man" and yet, would do anything for him. Burke has been on his own for a lot of years, ever since divorcing the wife who cheated on him whenever he deployed.

Hazel is a veterinarian who also takes care of the KCPD's K-9 officers. Her husband went to prison for fraud, and for trying to have her killed when she wouldn't refuse to testify against him. Hazel raised her two daughters on her own while running a successful vet practice. She has avoided dating in the sixteen years since her divorce, reluctant to trust her judgment when it comes to relationships. She has a small, three-legged dog named Cleo, who has a crush on Burke's Gunny.

The action starts early and never really lets up. Hazel has been receiving creepy letters, and when she shows Burke the latest one, his protective instincts are aroused. Those instincts prove to be accurate when she also receives explosive material in the mail, and later that day, her daughter's car blows up. Burke is determined to keep Hazel and her girls safe. The tension ramps up as the attacks escalate, and they race to figure out who is behind them. There were several possibilities, and I waffled among them with each new attack. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and surprised me with who it was.

I loved the development of the relationship between Burke and Hazel. One of the benefits of a "mature" relationship is that the protagonists are past the more angsty dramas found in younger couples. Burke and Hazel had been friends/coworkers for about five years. They are comfortable with each other. Hazel gets a bit of a shock when her daughter starts going on about how hot Burke is, and that he has been flirting with Hazel and checking her out. Hazel has been oblivious to it, but now that it's been pointed out, she can't help checking him out, too. I loved how patient Burke was as Hazel learned to trust herself again. I loved her surprise as she found out that he has cared for her almost since they met. There are some adorable scenes between the two of them, and some fun ones too. I especially enjoyed the family sleepover after the bar scene. I loved the ending as Hazel finally realized that she deserved to be happy.
Profile Image for Books and Spoons.
1,612 reviews32 followers
July 5, 2020
Unputdownable doesn't even begin to describe how much this tale enchanted me and how fast I inhaled it while savoring every moment. Everything about this story was enjoyable and entertaining while catching my full attention; the explosive suspense that keeps everyone - the characters as well as the reader - on their toes, the mature yet ardent and adorable love story that swept me off my feet, the furry friends, the way Burke protected the 'Cooper girls', the unveiling of the twisted tangle of betrayals, revenge, and crimes...
I always look forward to Julie Miller's books cause they do not disappoint, yet this one might be one of my favorites even in that bunch. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for TINNGG.
1,238 reviews20 followers
August 16, 2020
3.5 stars

1) The last 4 books really could be considered standalones. Their ties with the author's long-running series are ethereal at best. The attempts at tying this one in by gratuitous name dropping of a couple of Hs from fairly early in the series seems especially grating. The characters didn't even appear on page, so why bother? They supposedly took the h's statement but we never saw them.

2) This book has a lot of baggage from those earlier books. A lot. And it couldn't really be addressed without shortchanging the story here. She tried, but...

3) Relatively certain a mom could not get a restraining order extended to prevent her ex (or whoever) from contacting her *adult* children.

4) If SOMEone had told the H about the mysterious notes earlier (like weeks), instead of trying to ignore them in hopes they'd go away...

5) If SOMEone hadn't been distracted by a phone call and thus mostly irritated that his police dog noticed something suspicious...

6) If SOMEone had his police dog check more than just the h's car...

The whole thing took place over *maybe* 72 hours. The h was a veterinarian and treated the police dogs. The H was a trainer. The h's ex had screwed over a bunch of people a million years ago (probably mentioned in one of the earlier books but that was a long time ago), and one of those people was after revenge. He was also a bit...nuts. He actually paid the h a visit on day 2, she asked the H later about running a background check on him, but it never happened because the next 36 hours or so were chaotic (or it was but nobody actually discussed it).
Profile Image for Jo-Anne.
1,758 reviews38 followers
April 29, 2025
What a wonderful book. I didn't want to put it down! This is one of the best romantic suspense books I have ever read. I was hooked from the beginning when Hazel started getting "love" letters. After telling her friend Jedediah about them, he immediately took on the role of her protector. Add a mature romance, fur-babies and older children pushing their mother to go for the "hot" K-9 officer, and you have a book you won't soon forget.

The suspense kept me on my toes. I was surprised to find out who was behind the letters. I loved it when Hazel and Jedediah realized they wanted to be more than friends, and Hazel tried to warn him her body wasn't great. Especially after birthing two babies. His reply, "And I'm on the stud-of-the-month calendar?" had me laughing.
Profile Image for Kathy B. (NE).
115 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2020
Take a smokin' hot K-9 officer in his early 50's with a dog; plus a lady vet in her early 50's with a dog who want to be more than just friends and add in a well crafted mystery that had me guessing until the end, and you end up with another outstanding romantic suspense by Julie Miller! It is so refreshing to read a romance novel in which the H/h have a few years under their belts, but are by no means over the hill! This is one for the keeper shelf to be read over and over again!! Thanks, Julie for another great read!
Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,210 reviews74 followers
July 27, 2020
I loved Hazel and Jedediah-both mature, that blistering attraction-woot woot!-along with their fur babies- heart sighs to be heard all around! Hazel’s daughters were absolute comic relief and their love for their mom showed in everything they did.

Miller always does a wonderful job setting the stage with intrigue, strong leads, entertaining secondary characters, and K-9 Protector is one of her best books to date!
Profile Image for Jeriann Fisher.
776 reviews
June 22, 2020
I always await the next Julie Miller romance with eager anticipation. She turns out another winner in her newest romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue, K-9 Protector, featuring a mature couple. Thats right. Hero and heroine are over 45 years old! Can we please get more like this?

We get right to the heart of the romance (no pun intended) as the hero and heroine have been colleagues for five years and turns out he's wanted more than friendship with her for almost that long.

In his early fifties, Sergeant Jedediah Burke leads the K-9 unit for Kansas City police. Dr Hazel Cooper is a veterinarian, treating the various dogs of the KCPD K9 crew. When Hazel is threatened, Burke steps in to help. Both Hazel & Jedidiah had endured the pain of a heated divorce but Hazel is particularly nervous about jumping into a relationship. But how can she ignore the steady, sexy older cop? Reading how he wins her over is part of the fun.

Jedidiah is the sexy, older hero that Ms. Miller does so well, leaders in every sense of the word. Officers others look to and women swoon for. Hazel is a strong woman who raised her 2 daughters after her ex went to prison. Both characters are solidly drawn. As usual, readers are treated to a satisfying mystery and tense action.

I highly recommend K9 Protector. 5 stars, all the way.

ARC provided by the author but that didn't impact my enjoyment I've also got the ebook on order to add to my collection.
Profile Image for Yessenia.
414 reviews13 followers
August 12, 2020
4 stars

I like stories about couples in their 40s and 50s; it's a good change in my routine. Sometimes I get fed up with so many immature couples and their drama.

𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚔𝚎 and 𝙷𝚊𝚣𝚎𝚕 have known each other for five years, their status is just friends but Burke wants more. Both were burned by their exes, especially Hazel. Her ex-husband 𝙙𝙞𝙙 a number on her, so trust is not a word associated with the opposite sex. The sergeant (and Gunny) is an exception, but crossing the 𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕫𝕠𝕟𝕖 will be hard.

Burke is a very patient man, I'll give him that. Hazel sometimes got on my nerves with her indecisiveness but at the same time, I understood her motives. Thankfully, that didn't last long and it wasn't necessary unwanted drama to make her realize what she was missing.

It was good to see Hazel and her girls together. I like it when the family takes an important part in the story and the protagonists relationship. And of course, I can't forget cute dogs. 🐾🐾

The suspense was entertaining with trained dogs, bombs, and creepy anonymous letters.
Profile Image for Kate Vale.
Author 24 books83 followers
August 22, 2020
What's not to like? A K-9 team and a great veterinarian who's in her 40's (after all, she has two grown daughters in their 20's). The question is who is intent on hurting Hazel Cooper who's built a great practice taking care of the town's fur babies, including the 4-legged partners in the K-9 squad. That's how cop Jedediah Burke comes to meet Hazel. He knows he wants to become more than friends with her; she's not so sure. After all, her ex-husband tried to have her killed.

Is he the one who's after her now? But would he go so far as to blow up his younger daughter's car? At least she wasn't in it at the time, but who else should be considered? A disgruntled human of one of those four-legged patients of Hazel's? Or someone who was defrauded by her ex-husband years earlier?

Jed is determined to find out, even as he sets about doing his best to protect both Hazel and her two daughters. How all this turns out becomes an exciting race to the finish as he tries to prevent yet another bombing. But will he make it in time?
Profile Image for Jess Milner.
699 reviews57 followers
July 12, 2020
I really like this one. I love that Julie Miller does these stories about people who are in their 40's or 50's. A lot of healthy communication, romance and no unnecessary drama.
470 reviews
September 27, 2020
Great story

I started this story and now I’m glade I did I’m going to read some more by this author I can usually figure out whose the bad guy but this was a surprise till the end.
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
August 10, 2020
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

‘K-9 Protector‘ starts off strong and doesn’t stop delivering an intriguing, emotional romance until the very last page – you’ll also be kept wondering until just about the end as well as to who and why on the dangerous situations. I’ll admit that I had my eye on one person who turned out to be a red herring for far longer than I’d like to admit to… good thing I read for the overall story and not just to solve puzzles that’s all I can say.

I think, aside from the story, what I liked best about ‘K-9 Protector‘ was the age factor of Hazel and Jedediah. Both are in their early 50s, both have loved, married, and divorced although for far different reasons. They have life experiences under their belts, and it shows. Each is successful in their chosen fields, and they both love what they do as more than making a living, it’s a way of life. I found them both to be well-defined, realistic, and I could easily move on from the awkward first moments of ‘will they or won’t they’ thinking on their romance and could dive right in and enjoy.

Although they’ve known each other for about five years, there is still a lot that is unknown – especially Hazel’s former marriage and the hell her ex- put her and her daughters through. And in reality, it was far, far more than just what brought about the divorce. There is a real danger in Hazel’s past and it’s about to come calling in the most unpleasant way.

Because this is a Harlequin Intrigue with a pretty powerful mystery involved you’re not going to get spoilers here. You will find some twists, a couple of sharp turns, but overall you should follow Hazel and Jedediah on this adventure yourself, firsthand. The tensions are high, the love growing between this couple steamy, and the danger is ever-present. I was kept on my toes throughout and completely enjoyed this one. If you love a good mystery that will keep you guessing, a couple that is past the first bloom of youth, and a love that was worth waiting for – then you’d enjoy ‘K-9 Protector’.

I own a Kindle Edition of this title.
Profile Image for Lajuonna.
2 reviews
July 5, 2020
7-5-2020-- I am not good at writing reviews,so I hope I can do justice so you will want to read this book. And I don't like repeating the back of the book.First let me say, if the hero was real I would want him for my own.I loved the fact that both the hero and heroine were older and more mature.The dogs were great and I really liked the daughters.I think this is the first Intrigue that didn't have several deaths and I really liked that.Even though that is part of Intrigues.Even with all that was going on it was a love story,too.I want to tell all that happened but then there would be nothing for you to read and I don't want to spoil it for anyone.I love this book and I know everyone else will,too.I love all of Julie's books but I think this is one of my favorites.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,889 reviews27 followers
August 23, 2020
Love Love Love. Really enjoyed this story, K-9, (Gunny) his handler (Burke) Vet (Hazel) and intrigue, suspense, older children, it was all one wild ride. I am in love with Burke, wish I was Hazel, lol. Hazel went through a lot and the strong independent women shines through. Her work is her life Burke is her friend, nothing more. He can't be. Nasty letters, explosions, family, past baggage for both, just a well done book. When I finished, I just sat and savored, and was so disappointed it was over. Great read!
206 reviews4 followers
Read
August 19, 2020
This is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last ! I really enjoyed it.
It's well written, with a good plot and several suspects to keep you guessing.
I loved the dogs and would have liked a bit more of them.
The H/h were great characters. Both in their 50s, which was a nice change, and I love Hazel's daughters.
Altogether a very good read.
8 reviews
August 1, 2020
Great book! Love Jedediah Burke such a hot mature hero. He’s sweet and so patience with the heroine. I really liked Hazel and her daughters. The book was action packed and it was great having a mature couple. Can’t wait for Matt Taylor’s book.
226 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2020
A little different from my previous reads this offers a mature relationship between Jed and Haze. An interesting premise to the story. I have only read of few of Julie’s books previously but will look forward to others.


Profile Image for Rebecca Delio.
1,116 reviews5 followers
August 4, 2020
Exceptional Story

I really enjoyed this story, especially the dogs, and that a more mature woman was in the story along with a more m a true leading man....
Profile Image for Julie Riley.
8 reviews7 followers
August 7, 2020
LOVED IT. Interesting, established, confident characters that still have self doubts. Believable and very enjoyable. Kept me guessing. Strong female lead and a man who isn't afraid of her strength.
455 reviews8 followers
August 9, 2020
Excellent story. So nice to read about a mature relationship...well done!
Profile Image for Midniteillusion.
639 reviews42 followers
April 20, 2021
Started out stronger but it kind of fizzled. I didn’t even enjoy the one sex scene, kind of just skimmed it.

I do like that the hero and heroine are older. Julie Miller is good at giving us different heroes and heroines that way. But I didn’t really feel that connection between them as far as the romance aspect of the book goes.

Would have rated this higher if I’d stayed engaged and if there hadn’t been multiple mis-gendering of dogs. So odd.

Currently this isn’t listed as part of the Precinct series but Burke is with the KCPD and multiple characters from the Precinct series are in the book or mentioned do I feel that this is suppose to actually be part of it and not a stand alone.
Profile Image for Hannah  Ruth.
109 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2021
As with all Julie Miller's books I loved it!
I don't think I will not love her books, They keep me catch up in the book to the point I don't wanna put it down even with it being bedtime most of the time I start to read a chapter.
I also will love these books by Julie Miller, If you're looking for something funny, Romance, and action then you should pick up a Julie Miller book today!
What a better way to let your Mind escape these hard times than reading!
(I did Receive this for my Honest review)
Thank you again! Loved it!
99 reviews18 followers
July 29, 2022
My first book by this author, NOT my last!! Nice tight story line, well developed characters, and twist for the end! Thought I figured out who the evil one was but I was fooled! Well done, Julie Miller.
383 reviews3 followers
September 12, 2022
K-9 Protector

Such a great story where choices that are made touch other peoples lives as well as the one who made the choice. Bad choices can cause some to become so bitter that they leave their humanness.
1,851 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2025
Safety!

Rating: 4.5
Whew! K-9 Protector is one edge of your seat novel. Hazel and Burke have to overcome a disgruntled ex, a madman, and their own past insecurities to find love! Thrilling read!
Profile Image for Susan.
2,471 reviews13 followers
July 31, 2025
This police/K-9 book has great characters, lots of suspense, and a wonderful developing romance. I love that the women have stength and determination as well as the men. I like that there are twists and the story flows well. I love ths book! It is very entertaining and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.