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K-9 Companions #9
A Reason to Stay
Caring for a little boy…
Brings him more than he ever imagined
Tied down with family and work responsibilities, Sharpe Winslow has always wondered about the world outside his small Colorado town. When newcomer Emma Fitzpatrick finds herself unsure about caring for the brother she never knew about, Sharpe and his rescue pup, Baloo, step in and take the boy under their wing. Sharpe knows he shouldn’t get close to Emma or Aidan. But maybe they’ll give him a reason to stay…
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
K-9 Companions
Book 1: Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner
Book 2: Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter
Book 3: The Veteran's Vow by Jill Lynn
Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 5: Earning Her Trust by Brenda Minton
Book 6: Guarding His Secret by Jill Kemerer
Book 7: An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh
Book 8: The Cowboy's Journey Home by Linda Goodnight
Book 9: A Reason to Stay by Deb Kastner
Book 10: The Veteran's Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 11: An Alaskan Christmas Promise by Belle Calhoune
Book 12: A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson
Brings him more than he ever imagined
Tied down with family and work responsibilities, Sharpe Winslow has always wondered about the world outside his small Colorado town. When newcomer Emma Fitzpatrick finds herself unsure about caring for the brother she never knew about, Sharpe and his rescue pup, Baloo, step in and take the boy under their wing. Sharpe knows he shouldn’t get close to Emma or Aidan. But maybe they’ll give him a reason to stay…
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
K-9 Companions
Book 1: Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner
Book 2: Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter
Book 3: The Veteran's Vow by Jill Lynn
Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 5: Earning Her Trust by Brenda Minton
Book 6: Guarding His Secret by Jill Kemerer
Book 7: An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh
Book 8: The Cowboy's Journey Home by Linda Goodnight
Book 9: A Reason to Stay by Deb Kastner
Book 10: The Veteran's Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 11: An Alaskan Christmas Promise by Belle Calhoune
Book 12: A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published August 23, 2022
26 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Deb Kastner
109 books148 followersPublishers Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of over 50 novels and two million books in print, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational and sweet western stories set in small communities, often including animals as major secondary characters.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, her puppers Gabby and Sadie, and two mischievous bonded brothers, black tuxedo cats Hype and Dab. She recently went through what she terms her midlife crisis and adopted her very first ever real live horse whose name is sweet Moscato.
She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren with #3 on the way. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors and The High Kings are her favs), singing in the church choir and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, her puppers Gabby and Sadie, and two mischievous bonded brothers, black tuxedo cats Hype and Dab. She recently went through what she terms her midlife crisis and adopted her very first ever real live horse whose name is sweet Moscato.
She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren with #3 on the way. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors and The High Kings are her favs), singing in the church choir and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 24, 2023
This is a good book in a great series, I love the K-9 Companions series.
October 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this clean, Love-Inspired romance. I bought this at a local store and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 5* rating. This story addressed some issues that many of us ignore. One, of which deals with our servicemen who have come back from war's a bit broken physically or/and emotionally. Many live on the streets now. Anyway, our take charge hero and the overwhelmed heroine act on some of these issues. Add a troubled teen and a dog to this mix and you have this heartwarming story. Nice job by this author.
September 16, 2022
Deb Kastner wrote the first multi-authored 'K-9 Companions' series book back in January and now we're already up to the ninth book and Kastner is back with another pawsitively heartwarming read. :-)
In fact, 'A Reason to Stay' does double duty in two series as it's also the 5th book in the author's 'Rocky Mountain Family' series. If that sounds confusing, it really isn't. The Winslow family and their tree farm / dog training business in the Colorado Rockies has become one of my favourite fictional places to visit. All the books read well as standalones even though there is carryover with characters and setting, so you're fine to jump in here even if you're a newbie. But it's extra fun if you've been keeping up with the Winslow family shenanigans all along.
Either way, come prepared for fun and laughter and the heart-tugging poiganncy of raw emotions. Grief. Loneliness. Fear. All play a part in keeping Emma and Sharpe, and even young Aiden, from living the kind of life God plans for them. Of course they don't reckon on small town magic and the healing powers of a big-hearted canine to aid in bringing about an unexpected change!
Love the character dynamics in this novel -- especially between Sharpe and Aiden. Just melted my heart. And there are some great scenes featuring Baloo, certified therapy wonder dog, and his humans interacting at a veteran's homeless shelter.
Happy sigh. I'm in bibliophile euphoria after finishing this emotional read.
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/20...
In fact, 'A Reason to Stay' does double duty in two series as it's also the 5th book in the author's 'Rocky Mountain Family' series. If that sounds confusing, it really isn't. The Winslow family and their tree farm / dog training business in the Colorado Rockies has become one of my favourite fictional places to visit. All the books read well as standalones even though there is carryover with characters and setting, so you're fine to jump in here even if you're a newbie. But it's extra fun if you've been keeping up with the Winslow family shenanigans all along.
Either way, come prepared for fun and laughter and the heart-tugging poiganncy of raw emotions. Grief. Loneliness. Fear. All play a part in keeping Emma and Sharpe, and even young Aiden, from living the kind of life God plans for them. Of course they don't reckon on small town magic and the healing powers of a big-hearted canine to aid in bringing about an unexpected change!
Love the character dynamics in this novel -- especially between Sharpe and Aiden. Just melted my heart. And there are some great scenes featuring Baloo, certified therapy wonder dog, and his humans interacting at a veteran's homeless shelter.
Happy sigh. I'm in bibliophile euphoria after finishing this emotional read.
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/20...
December 3, 2023
I liked the setting at a farm, selling Christmas trees and also training service dogs. A perfect place for a 9-year-old boy to spend time. Especially a troubled city boy.
Emma Fitzpatrick was from a city in California. She went to a small town in Colorado to visit her Nan, and to meet the little brother (Aidan) she only recently became aware of, and learned she was to be his guardian! They stayed with Nan for a while as they got to know each other. Then Emma planned to take Aidan back to California with her. While staying in town, they met Sharpe Winslow and his trained dog, Baloo. Sharpe became a mentor to the boy showing him to work with the dogs and help on the tree farm.
I liked this story a lot but had a problem with Aidan. He was supposed to be 9 but acted more like a young teen. Nine year olds don't normally have his attitude or are capable of some of the tasks he was given.
Emma Fitzpatrick was from a city in California. She went to a small town in Colorado to visit her Nan, and to meet the little brother (Aidan) she only recently became aware of, and learned she was to be his guardian! They stayed with Nan for a while as they got to know each other. Then Emma planned to take Aidan back to California with her. While staying in town, they met Sharpe Winslow and his trained dog, Baloo. Sharpe became a mentor to the boy showing him to work with the dogs and help on the tree farm.
I liked this story a lot but had a problem with Aidan. He was supposed to be 9 but acted more like a young teen. Nine year olds don't normally have his attitude or are capable of some of the tasks he was given.
December 15, 2024
This is also part of the Rocky Mountain Family series.
This is another wonderful aspect of what well-trained service dogs can do. This one offers comfort and smiles to everyone he meets, including a lonely 9-year-old boy.
From the back: "Caring for a little boy…brings him more than he ever imagined
Tied down with family and work responsibilities, Sharpe Winslow has always wondered about the world outside his small Colorado town. When newcomer Emma Fitzpatrick finds herself unsure about caring for the brother she never knew about, Sharpe and his rescue pup, Baloo, step in and take the boy under their wing. Sharpe knows he shouldn’t get close to Emma or Aidan. But maybe they’ll give him a reason to stay…
This is another wonderful aspect of what well-trained service dogs can do. This one offers comfort and smiles to everyone he meets, including a lonely 9-year-old boy.
From the back: "Caring for a little boy…brings him more than he ever imagined
Tied down with family and work responsibilities, Sharpe Winslow has always wondered about the world outside his small Colorado town. When newcomer Emma Fitzpatrick finds herself unsure about caring for the brother she never knew about, Sharpe and his rescue pup, Baloo, step in and take the boy under their wing. Sharpe knows he shouldn’t get close to Emma or Aidan. But maybe they’ll give him a reason to stay…
April 2, 2025
Emma had her life all planned out and then her parents death throws everything for a curve. But not the way you might expect. Emma was estranged from her parents and had no idea she had a much younger brother, Aiden. Aiden didn’t know about her either. But suddenly they’re thrown together as Emma is his legal guardian. And she has no idea how to connect with and help a hurting and somewhat rebellious middle schooler.
Sharpe has been responsible for his siblings since their parents died when he was 16. And he takes that responsibility seriously. Choosing to focus on their family business and keeping everything afloat at the expense of any life for himself.
When these two intersect sparks fly but not all sparks are meant to hurt. Sometimes they earn away the trash in lives to reveal the beauty within.
Sharpe has been responsible for his siblings since their parents died when he was 16. And he takes that responsibility seriously. Choosing to focus on their family business and keeping everything afloat at the expense of any life for himself.
When these two intersect sparks fly but not all sparks are meant to hurt. Sometimes they earn away the trash in lives to reveal the beauty within.
October 27, 2022
I struggled with rating this. The plotline was good. That managed to pull it up to 3 stars. But Aidan was all wrong. He is stated over and over to be 9, but he is performing tasks that are physically impossible and sometimes downright dangerous for a child his age including using a chainsaw, which nearly pulled my rating down to 2 stars. I just couldn't enjoy the story when Aidan's activities kept jolting me back out.
October 30, 2022
“A Reason to Stay” by Deb Kastner returns us to Whispering Pines, Colorado and the Winslow family that has a Christmas tree farm and also trains service dogs. Emma Fitzpatrick comes from California to visit her Nan, and to meet the little brother she never knew she had. Not only is she to meet 9yr old Aidan, but she is to become his guardian. Sharpe Winslow, and his trained dog, Blue, becomes a mentor of Aidan. This is a sweet read.
Read
August 1, 2022Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Animal Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #9)
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #9)
Read
August 1, 2022Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Animal Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #9)
Miniseries
K-9 Companions (Book #9)
February 12, 2023
This was a heartwarming, enjoyable story. I love K9 stories and getting to see Blue at work was delightful. Wonder characters, too.
*I purchased this books from Harlequin
*I purchased this books from Harlequin
March 2, 2023
Excellent dramatic characters detailing the love of community and unity of a powerful families. Highly recommended
October 29, 2023
Fantastic book
July 2, 2022
I loved this whole story. It deals with a boy whose parents have passed away and he now finds himself with a sister he didn't know about who is now his guardian.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews