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Hellhounds #1

Junkyard Dog

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He's the original junkyard dog and she's got him by the scruff.

Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Charlotte arrives on the scene of a car accident caused by a large dog tearing across the road. The third sighting of the animal in as many weeks, Charlotte’s interest is piqued. Armed with a bowl of dog food and a bucket of patience, she sets out to find the beast.

With the grille marks of a sedan imprinted on his broken ribs, Alex returns to the scene of the accident, scouring for prints he’d left behind when he encounters Charlotte on the trail. The attraction is undeniable, but Alex is on a mission from Hades and can’t afford the distraction.

While Charlotte continues to gain the trust of the wild dog roaming the park, Alex is caught between the woman he’s falling for and the job he was sent to do. With bodies and secrets piling at his feet, Alex is pushed to choose between the hellhound he is and the man he wants to be.

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2019

333 people are currently reading
286 people want to read

About the author

Katja Desjarlais

15 books29 followers
Katja Desjarlais is a music teacher by day and a paranormal romance writer by moonlight. She is an unapologetic music addict and has an obsession for bad Bach puns despite her irrational aversion to Baroque. Her favorite words include 'plethora' and 'dapper', and she is physically repulsed by the word 'moist'.
Desjarlais recently moved into the Okanagan valley with her husband, three children, and polydactyl cat. Her ideal summer vacation is spent driving Route 66 with her family and attending heavy metal concerts.

Releases:
CONNECTION: The Haunt Vault Book One (The Wild Rose Press, October 2018)

JUNKYARD DOG (Tule Publishing, September 2019)

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5 stars
153 (42%)
4 stars
121 (33%)
3 stars
61 (16%)
2 stars
17 (4%)
1 star
12 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Bex (Beckie Bookworm).
2,541 reviews1,600 followers
September 12, 2019
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I enjoyed Junkyard Dog, it was well written and imaginative and though it did take a while to warm up when it did take off I was very much invested in the unfolding story.
It wasn't quite a full sweep and there were somethings that did irritate me slightly which I will expand on later but there were still more positives here than negatives.
So what we have is predominantly a paranormal romance and the story itself centres on Charlotte a park ranger and Alex the hottie bartender at her local.
There is much more to Alex than what first appearances suggest he is on a job topside for his bosses who are none other than Hades and Persephone themselves, tracking for them a killer with a cursed bloodline.
Alex along with his brothers are Cerberus literally the guard dog to hell itself.
So character-wise I did like both Charlotte and Alex and I also especially loved the dynamic she shared with her partner.
Alex pre-charlotte is a bit of a player and usually has a no strings attached policy but finding himself drawn to Charlotte and the feeling being mutual the two embark on friends with limited benefits scenario, but with a killer on the loose and the bodies in the park mounting there, time-frame is severely limited.
So this was really hot when it got going and I liked the fact that charlotte herself took a lot of the lead here, loved she was a strong woman who knew exactly what her weaknesses were and also what she wanted.
So about those earlier irritants, Alex's unthinking hurtful behaviour towards Charlotte when his brother arrived on the scene and his total inability to tell his Jackass brother to back off made me slowly seeth.
I also didn't like how Charlotte struggled to accept Alex for what he was I actually expected more from her to be honest, other than that this was all grand.
I did enjoy the second half of this much more than the first and though this was such an intriguing concept.
This was the first book in the series and I imagine we will get to experience the other brother's individual stories going forward so at least two more then.
A thumbs up from me.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Junkyard Dog.

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Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
Profile Image for ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ .
1,447 reviews115 followers
September 12, 2019
Interesting.

That’s the word that comes to mind after reading Junkyard Dog. The story is about Cerberus, the 3 headed dog, companion to Hades in the Underworld. Only in this story, Cerberus is only in dog form while in the Underworld. When they get sent topside, they are separate beings. Three brothers who are tasked to find and exterminate a cursed bloodline.

Alex is one of the three and is tracking one of the cursed Pirithous when he runs into park ranger, Charlotte. She is unlike any woman he’s ever known but exploring what he feels for her would be dangerous. He’s only topside for the hunt and then he’ll be summoned back. Sudden feelings of discontent and resentment make things difficult for a guy who’s always done what duty requires of him.

Overall a good read but definitely not a safe read (for some). Both MCs are likable in their own way and I did warm up to them both the more I read. I’m curious to see what will happen to Bo and Ryan and how the ending in book one will change their own perception of things down the road. I wonder if I’ll like Hades and Seph more in later installments because in this one (although they came through for Alex in the end) they didn’t fall into my like pile until the very, very end.

Memorable Moments: I liked how Charlotte handled the big reveal. She wasn’t OTT but I could understand the questions she had for Alex once he told her the truth about what he really is. The second half of the book was probably my favorite since we get Alex finally starting to act like I would expect an MC in a romance to act (aka possessive, adoring, protective and basically totally goo-goo for the h).


* * * 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:
Profile Image for Eva Millien.
3,115 reviews45 followers
August 31, 2019
When there’s third sighting of a large dog in the Joshua Tree National Park, Park Ranger Charlotte interest is piqued and she sets out to find the beast. Alex returns to scene of the accident, scouring for prints he left behind when encounters Charlotte and the attraction is undeniable but he’s on a mission from Hades and can’t afford the distraction.

This ‘Hellhounds' novel is a thrilling read that is has an original story line and a star-crossed romance. The characters are strong, bold and easily captivate readers from the very beginning and the chemistry between Charlotte and Alex sizzles with lots of heat but the relationship has a bit of an obstacle. Alex is has a secret and his time is limited. But the attraction is undeniable and that doesn’t stop Alex and Charlotte from engaging in a bit of ‘friends with benefits’ passion which is quite hot. This story is about a powerful love worth breaking the rules for.

The author has created a fascinating and unique spin on a bit of Greek Mythology regarding Cerberus and the Underworld and surprising elements that adds flair and intrigue to the story. The plot is fast paced with lots of suspense and excitement building throughout the story with bodies and secrets piling up. Unexpected twists and surprises keeps readers on their toes and glued to the pages of this fascinating read.
Profile Image for Cathy Geha.
4,358 reviews119 followers
September 3, 2019
Junkyard Dog by Katja Desjarlais
Hellhounds #1

In Greek mythology, Cerberus, often called the "hound of Hades", is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. What does this have to do with the book Junkyard Dog? Quite a bit actually although you don’t really realize this until a bit into the book.

A dog is hit by a car...a BIG dog is hit and runs away. Shortly thereafter we realize that the dog is actually Alex and Alex is not ordinary shifter. Nope, he is sent by Hades from the Underworld to hunt down specific targets. He has two brothers that assist in the hunts and they make trips between earth and the underworld whenever their talents are needed.

The three brothers are interesting. Orion-Ryan is the older brother to Alexandros-Alex and his twin brother Borealis-Bo. The brothers are quite different from one another with some preferring the Underworld to being above ground.

We meet Hades and his wife Persephone and learn more about their relation to the brothers and their duties in the Underworld. We learn a lot about the brothers and the most about Alex. There is potential for more books in the series since there are two brothers unattached still. I am NOT sure if there are more hellhounds than the three, though.

Alex meets Charlotte, a chuck ranger, when she is out looking for the injured dog that was hit in the first part of the book. She does meet him in the bar where he works as a bartender but also in his canine form. Their relationship is...interesting...and was fun to watch develop. Max, Charlotte’s work partner, is also interesting and wouldn’t it be a hoot if he ended up with someone from the Underworld ;)

Anyway...this book has a bit of Greek Mythology, a romance, some hunting of a very bad guy and was a fun read all in all. One thing I found interesting is that the hellhounds do not immediately heal as many shapeshifters do in this type of book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more books in this series? Probably

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars
10 reviews
November 26, 2023
I found it long

It Was okay i just couldn't finish this book. Its way too long and Dragged out. Maybe if it wasnt so I would have tried to finish
Profile Image for Lydia.
524 reviews60 followers
November 24, 2020
Oh God this was amazing! The concept, the characters, the story, the pace, everything!

Three brothers, three heads - parts of a mythical being connected only to fear in legends. Cerberus, the underworld's guard dog is out for blood, hunting a cursed bloodline. But the legends were not exactly honest - it's not just one dog, but three. And after their mission, the dogs, who can also shift into human forms, will have to go home to their master, Hades. What happens, though, when Alex, one of the heads, falls in love with a human woman? Can he still go back to being an immortal guardian and leave Charlotte behind?

This book was seriously awesome! I couldn't find ONE fault in it, at least for me, it was perfect. The dialogues were amazing. The way the characters acted and reacted, the pace, OH MY GOD THE PACE! It was so smooth. Slow at first, but not boring, light-hearted and sprinkled with good doses of mystery, then it picked up somewhere in the middle of the book, getting more serious and emotional. The third part of the book was the best, though, a real page-turner. It fucking ripped my heart to shreds, but it was worth it.



I really want to read more of this series. I suspect Ryan will be the hardest to crack, judging from what Hades said, and, to be honest, I can't wait to see that. He's my favorite of the brothers, that straight-laced, rule-following type is so yummy! Bo was a bit hard to like, because of his attitude and the way he kept trying to mess things up for Alex, though the book promised something deeper going on there because of his past (and OK, I get the whole drugs part, it's natural for him to want to dull the pain, feeling what your siblings feel when they get hurt is not cool).

Also, let me say it right now, I want a spinoff book or whatever with Max. The guy was pure gold. Funny, a loyal friend, and obviously the kind of man who will be a true partner to someone if only he gets the chance. Max deserves a HEA, too!!!!

I can't recommend this book enough. Honestly, I'm dying to see what will happen next in the series, it's been a while since I've felt this anxious about a saga and invested in it.

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4,826 reviews16 followers
Read
July 31, 2020
Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Charlotte arrives on the scene of a car accident caused by a large dog tearing across the road. The third sighting of the animal in as many weeks, Charlotte’s interest is piqued. Armed with a bowl of dog food and a bucket of patience, she sets out to find the beast. With the grille marks of a sedan imprinted on his broken ribs, Alex returns to the scene of the accident, scouring for prints he’d left behind when he encounters Charlotte on the trail. The attraction is undeniable, but Alex is on a mission from Hades and can’t afford the distraction. While Charlotte continues to gain the trust of the wild dog roaming the park, Alex is caught between the woman he’s falling for and the job he was sent to do. With bodies and secrets piling at his feet, Alex is pushed to choose between the hellhound he is and the man he wants to be.
I loved about 90% of this book. I loved meeting both Charlotte and Alex. I loved the build of their relationship. I loved the culmination of Alex’s mission. Where did it fall off for me? It was the end. It was like the author was trying to find extra reasons to stretch out the drama for Charlotte and Alex to have their HEA for whatever reason and then everything was fixed within a few pages. IDK. I plan on trying the author again, so hopefully I’ll feel better about her next book.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
Profile Image for Lynn_G.
1,135 reviews27 followers
February 2, 2023
sexy Greek mythology meets kicka$$ heroine

Charlotte & Alex’s story was sexy and fun, with a good bit of action in between. Charlotte is a park ranger in Joshua Tree who’s been running from nasty men to which her father - a dogfighting ring operator - owes heaps of money. Alex is a gorgeous in his male form, deadly in his hellhound form (he’s one-third of THE Cerberus, Hades & Persephone’s personal cleanup crew and resident lapdog) hunky bartender at the watering hole where Charlotte and her fellow rangers grab sustenance (and sometimes drinks) after their shifts. Their attraction is instantaneous but complicated by their differing agendas: they’re both on borrowed time, Charlotte because she’s fully expecting to have to run again when her father resurfaces, Alex because he must return to Hell as soon as he and his brothers dispose of a threat to Hades & Seph. Their attempts to keep to a casual fling is a spectacular failure as they both catch feelings, the bodies begin piling up around the park, and Charlotte’s father pressures her to take part in his dogfighting scheme. It’s a lot of moving parts, but the author manages to keep the interest of the reader while injecting humor, a bit of angst, and a lot of fun amid the chaos and drama. I’m excited to read Bo’s story next, and wrap up with Ryan’s.
Profile Image for Jack-Jack.
389 reviews
September 3, 2023
3 stars

What I can say about the book:
- I recomend to read it if you have a lot of time in your hands and nothing else to do.
- Everything gravitates around the MCs relationship.
- It is a slow paced-mid burn romance story. For the most part, they are trying to keep it casual.
- Pretty realistic, FMC acted her age and MMC had a nice personality.
- They actually talked things out.
- For the first time the FMC had a male friend who was actually a friend, respected boundaries and wasn't overbearing.
- There was a good balance between show and tell in the story.
- Intimate scenes were not overly spicy but it was not a clean read. Some fade to black, some don't.
- Only 3 stars because it dragged at the second half. There wasn't much action. The main problem got solved really fast at the end. And the most important side characters were not interesting, even though they're the protagonists in the next installments.
Profile Image for Mei.
315 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2023
I loved the idea behind Cerberus going topside as 3 separate humans who form 3 separate massive hellhounds. Each with their own vices and desires. It was cool to see Alex just as any person would, with the struggles of maintaining a job, eating normal food (and not just rare steak as most paranormal beasts would) and being able to understand Charlotte when she referred to him as ‘Butch’, the dog in the in the desert/park.

It was also cool how all the hellhound brothers could sense each other’s pain when they’re injured even from afar. The only downside of the book was that it was a bit rough with edits and could’ve done with a thorough proofreading. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline.
Profile Image for Anita.
163 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2024
DNF. The story is dragging so much that I was surprised by it's length. At 50% it felt like I've read 300 pages, but when I checked the whole book is under 300, so you get the picture.
There was a lot of potential in the plot idea but the execution was lacklustre. I felt no spark between the two main characters. One of the reviewers said the sex was good... I don't remember anything beside the fact that they finally had sex.
I wanted to see how the dog fighting ring bust happens, but I lost patience for this author.

Profile Image for Felicia Seay.
526 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2025
A Must Read!

Greek Mythology is the baseline of this author's take on a modern day shifter romance story, and it's freaking fantastic fiction. It's incredibly well written, with the perfect balance of action, steam and humor mixed throughout the book. Fans of Hades and Persephone's story will enjoy this book, as well as anyone interested in Supernatural Romance, Drama, Action Adventure stories, Bad Boy and Age-Gap Romance tropes. It also reads perfectly well as a standalone story in the series.
Profile Image for Marsha.
579 reviews17 followers
January 13, 2023
Junkyard Dog

Alex is a hellhound. Charlotte is a park ranger. Alex and Charlotte have an instant attraction - their relationship moves slow but I really enjoyed the naturalness of the progression. Alex is on a mission for Hades. Alex and his 2 brothers, Bo and Ryan are hellhounds. Together they are Cerberus. I enjoyed this new twist to Cerberus. I am looking forward to reading Bo and Ryan's books now.
3,123 reviews14 followers
August 7, 2023
Alex is a Hellhound Shifter, back on earth, to track down the last of a bloodline on the orders of his master, Hades.
Charlotte is a Joshua Tree National Park Warden trying to find a monster-sized dog (aka Alex) which has been seen in the area.
The man/dog meet Charlotte, fall for her and, at the one-quarter mark, that's about it.
"Junkyard Dog" has several stories to tell but is in absolutely no hurry to move things along.
It's the sort of pacing that puts people to sleep - I DNF.
2 Stars.
Profile Image for Christine.
477 reviews
Read
August 8, 2023
I’m not going to try to rate this since I skipped the middle 50% and skimmed the end. I found the dog fighting ring story thread very off-putting, as well as the servile relationship Alex had to Hades and Persephone. That being said, the writing is good and I was excited to read about rangers in Joshua Tree. I’m bummed the book turned out to be not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ruth Ellen.
1,496 reviews
August 12, 2023
Hellhound

Alex is on the hunt for a being whose line kidnapped Persephone from Hades. He tracks him to the desert. After being hit in dog form,he must lay low. Meanwhile, sights of his form has reached the Park rangers and Charlotte is on the lookout for him. Read how they meet and their mutual attraction to each other.
Profile Image for Lena Winfrey Hayat.
48 reviews4 followers
October 9, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the characters and the fast-paced storyline. I found it refreshing to find a new type of shifter; a liked the idea of the hellhound and his brothers. The ups and downs in the characters’ lives led to a satisfying ending. This novel deserves more than five stars!
864 reviews6 followers
August 8, 2023
Fun take on the mythology in the story

This looks to be a fun and interesting universe for the characters to play in. The characters are interesting and detailed in all the right ways. There is action and a decent story mixed in. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
Profile Image for Jaime Andrews.
Author 2 books14 followers
February 26, 2024
Great book!

This was a good one. Loved the story, loved the characters, even the nasty hateful ones.
The Cerberus lore is different here and I found that super enjoyable.
Only problem I had with the book was the typos.
269 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2024
Great story!

Alex is a hellhound and a hot, sexy man. He has a female park ranger in his sight! She knows him best as a large stray dog. Can it work with Hades and Persephone on sight?
Profile Image for Jean Morgan.
999 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2024
Enjoyable Read

The slow burn romance was so good. Love the mystery, action and adventure and loved Persephone! Alex was a great hero, Max was so good in his roll of friend and partner. The story was such a good read!
4 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2023
Absolutely excellent! Interesting story, and well paced. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Sn8wflake .
2,391 reviews
August 5, 2023
demon gods

Cerberus is out hunting. A park ranger is out protecting. Obviously they cross paths. There are a few issues and wala love.
11 reviews
September 9, 2023
The story was great with Well written characters. Enjoyed this book very much.
Profile Image for Asmaa.
215 reviews7 followers
November 19, 2023
I liked it makes a change to have female not needing a man to protect and defend her and the book had humour
309 reviews2 followers
April 26, 2025
Love

Great book! I love the different story line with the mix of mythology. It's a great action romance. I cried and laughed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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