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National Forest K-9 #2
Hunting the Truth
“Hide, Maya. Don’t let the bad people find you.”
Those are the last words Forest Service law enforcement officer and K-9 handler Maya Thompson ever heard her mother say.
Returning to the Colorado mountains, ex-soldier Maya is no longer a scared little girl. She’s here to investigate her mother’s cold case, but fear creeps in when it comes to her personal life—things are getting serious with sheriff deputy Josh Colten.
After new DNA evidence surfaces, both her beloved grandfather and Josh warn her away from the case, suspecting that she could be the next victim. But Maya doesn’t listen.
Instead, Maya and her K-9 partner, Juniper, track a suspect deep into the forest and directly into grave danger…
National Forest K-9
Book 1: Chasing Justice
Book 2: Hunting the Truth
Those are the last words Forest Service law enforcement officer and K-9 handler Maya Thompson ever heard her mother say.
Returning to the Colorado mountains, ex-soldier Maya is no longer a scared little girl. She’s here to investigate her mother’s cold case, but fear creeps in when it comes to her personal life—things are getting serious with sheriff deputy Josh Colten.
After new DNA evidence surfaces, both her beloved grandfather and Josh warn her away from the case, suspecting that she could be the next victim. But Maya doesn’t listen.
Instead, Maya and her K-9 partner, Juniper, track a suspect deep into the forest and directly into grave danger…
National Forest K-9
Book 1: Chasing Justice
Book 2: Hunting the Truth
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
561 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Donnelly
8 books801 followersAward-winning author Kathleen Donnelly is a K-9 handler for a private narcotics dog detection company. She enjoys using her K-9 experience to craft realism into her fictional stories. Kathleen lives near the Colorado foothills with her husband and her four-legged co-workers. Visit Kathleen on her website at www.kathleendonnelly.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorKathleenDonnelly, follow her on Twitter @KatK9writer or find her on Instagram @authorkathleendonnelly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
October 31, 2023
A great story about a Forest Service law enforcement officer and K-9 handler, her partner Juniper and the mystery behind her mother's and grandmother's untimely deaths. Included for good measure is love interest sheriff deputy Josh Colten. The author is a K-9 handler for a private narcotics detection agency which ads authenticity to the narrative. I look forward to reading more books from this new to me author.
July 29, 2023
This book is exciting and fast-paced with plenty of twists to keep me guessing! I was captivated! I love the characters - Maya, Josh, and Pops, and especially Juniper. The story was complex, and the various issues facing the characters as they worked to solve the mystery added depth to the story. I was hooked from the first page. I look forward to the next book!
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September 2, 2023Animal Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
National Forest K-9 (Book #2)
Miniseries
National Forest K-9 (Book #2)
February 23, 2024
Maya Thompson is a U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer with her K-9 partner, a Malinois named Juniper in Colorado. Beyond work, Maya is committed to investigating the cold case murders of her mother, Zoey, and grandmother. The multitude of questions surrounding the circumstances of the deaths, 10 years apart, have haunted Maya and Pops, her grandfather and local Sheriff. The investigation is sparking Maya's PTSD from her military service as a U.S. Marine in Afghanistan and triggering fragmented memories of the past. The most vivid memory of the past is when she was almost 5 years old, with the last instructions her mother gave her and the last words she ever heard her mother say,
Juniper. What extraordinary work is accomplished by a K-9 in their partnership with a serving officer in law enforcement. The author’s writing highlights learning about the training and service of these exceptional dogs. The meticulous training and outstanding service are seamlessly incorporated into her storytelling, resulting in compelling reading. Unsurprisingly, the authenticity I felt in the partnership is true to the author’s service.
The excitement of adventure, mystery, and slow-build romance possibility of Book 1 gave intrigue as to how Book 2 would progress. For this reader, it was a page-turning read that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this series. I can't wait to read the further developments.
Thank you to Kathleen Donnelly, Carina Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
#HuntingtheTruth #NetGalley
"Hide, Maya. Don't let the bad people find you."I loved the character portrayal of Maya, Pops, and his deputy sheriff Josh Colten. All 3 individuals devoting their lives to justice through their law enforcement service are not perfect but are even more captivating, pushing through their flaws and the different experiences of anguish in their personal lives. The character portrayal of Maya is a testament to a woman's inner strength and resilience, pushing through vulnerabilities after deception by a man in their relationship, grief in the loss of her mother and Nana, and PTSD from military service.
Juniper. What extraordinary work is accomplished by a K-9 in their partnership with a serving officer in law enforcement. The author’s writing highlights learning about the training and service of these exceptional dogs. The meticulous training and outstanding service are seamlessly incorporated into her storytelling, resulting in compelling reading. Unsurprisingly, the authenticity I felt in the partnership is true to the author’s service.
The excitement of adventure, mystery, and slow-build romance possibility of Book 1 gave intrigue as to how Book 2 would progress. For this reader, it was a page-turning read that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this series. I can't wait to read the further developments.
Thank you to Kathleen Donnelly, Carina Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
#HuntingtheTruth #NetGalley
September 24, 2023
A solid and well plotted romantic suspense that kept me turning pages and guessing. I loved Maya and Juniper.
An entertaining and well plotted story.
The German Sherperd on the cover is the twin of one dog I still miss after nearly 30 years
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
An entertaining and well plotted story.
The German Sherperd on the cover is the twin of one dog I still miss after nearly 30 years
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 9, 2025
Hunting the truth
What I’m assuming is it a trilogy but it could continue from there are lots of twists and turns in this installment. Maya, we’re also watching Maya basically find herself mature in or change into a every-day or I would say a positive functioning person not the soldier she had been in the past. Having Juniper, a Malinois police dog definitely helps her. Juniper is a very entertaining dog. Maya has a bad habit of jumping to conclusions and that, to me is her downfall and makes her leads to a lot of wrong turns along the way. I like the very, very slow burn between her and another investigator even though let’s be honest Maya makes it so hard. The evil protagonists in this book are absolutely the most screwed up, kind of realistic losers we have all over this country. Sad but true. There are a lot of interactions with many agencies so keep your acronyms deep in your head friends.
Did I enjoy reading this yes, watching Maya becoming more of a practical person? Yes, it’s been entertaining. Also watching her, learn how to face her past failures and demons. Allow herself to just be a freaking normal person is fun. Pops has been a pretty interesting character as well.
What I’m assuming is it a trilogy but it could continue from there are lots of twists and turns in this installment. Maya, we’re also watching Maya basically find herself mature in or change into a every-day or I would say a positive functioning person not the soldier she had been in the past. Having Juniper, a Malinois police dog definitely helps her. Juniper is a very entertaining dog. Maya has a bad habit of jumping to conclusions and that, to me is her downfall and makes her leads to a lot of wrong turns along the way. I like the very, very slow burn between her and another investigator even though let’s be honest Maya makes it so hard. The evil protagonists in this book are absolutely the most screwed up, kind of realistic losers we have all over this country. Sad but true. There are a lot of interactions with many agencies so keep your acronyms deep in your head friends.
Did I enjoy reading this yes, watching Maya becoming more of a practical person? Yes, it’s been entertaining. Also watching her, learn how to face her past failures and demons. Allow herself to just be a freaking normal person is fun. Pops has been a pretty interesting character as well.
June 4, 2025
Another excellent K-9 series, I can’t seem to get enough of these amazing dogs. In this series Juniper is Mayas K-9, and what an amazing team they are.
(A little bit of romance was in here, but it didn’t take away from the story of Maya and Juniper). Maya’s mother, Zoey, was killed when Maya was only 4 years old and Maya’s grandparents adopted her and raised her. Maya did a tour of duty in Afghanistan and returned home and when she was on her way home her grandmother was killed. There is enough proof that Zoey and Grandma were killed by the same person, and Maya is determined she will bring justice for her family. But why did the killer wait so many years in between the killings?
Maya is determined to do whatever it takes to find some evidence that may have been hidden somewhere years ago by Zoey.
As in the first book, Juniper is an amazing dog, yes she still gets bored when she’s not working and left alone and likes to destroy things and yards. I’m guessing she will grow out of this stage as she matures. Time will tell on that.
(A little bit of romance was in here, but it didn’t take away from the story of Maya and Juniper). Maya’s mother, Zoey, was killed when Maya was only 4 years old and Maya’s grandparents adopted her and raised her. Maya did a tour of duty in Afghanistan and returned home and when she was on her way home her grandmother was killed. There is enough proof that Zoey and Grandma were killed by the same person, and Maya is determined she will bring justice for her family. But why did the killer wait so many years in between the killings?
Maya is determined to do whatever it takes to find some evidence that may have been hidden somewhere years ago by Zoey.
As in the first book, Juniper is an amazing dog, yes she still gets bored when she’s not working and left alone and likes to destroy things and yards. I’m guessing she will grow out of this stage as she matures. Time will tell on that.
July 7, 2024
Non riuscivo mai a trovare il momento giusto per leggere questo libro, ma alla fine ce l'ho fatta e me lo sono goduto. Infatti, come mi immaginavo dopo aver letto il primo, la storia mi ha preso come pure la protagonista e le sue due spalle (una umana e l'altra canina). Devo dire che l'autrice è stata brava: all'inizio credevo di sapere chi fosse il cattivo, poi quella persona ha mostrato di avere ancora un'anima, per così dire. Mentre la vera persona cattiva mi aveva fregato, credevo fosse fra i buoni. Con questo libro si risolve l'enigma degli omicidi della madre e della nonna della protagonista, tanto che se non sapessi che c'è almeno un altro libro, avrei pensato che la serie fosse finita. Per fortuna non è così, o almeno spero che ci saranno anche un quarto, un quinto, ecc. Magari, intanto, mi leggerò il terzo volume...
September 12, 2025
I’m LOVING this series!! The mystery/suspense gets pretty intense, had me on the edge of my seat! I’m looking forward to book three.
December 1, 2025
Audiobook listen (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
September 4, 2023
If you love mysteries, strong, human, central characters, and dogs, you’ll love Hunting the Truth. Start reading the second book in Kathleen Donnelly’s National Forest K-9 series and you won’t put it down. At its heart are Maya and Juniper, the handler/canine team that follow the trails, survive the battles, and have each other’s backs. Maya is determined to get to the truth of her past. Along the way we learn about her terrible losses, and the toll it has taken on her life. Thankfully, she is assisted in her quest by the uber-sleuth Juniper. The Malinois has more spunk, life and smarts (and antics) than Lassie and Rin-Tin-Tin combined. And did I mention the romance? There are sparks in this novel. I am looking forward to the Maya/Josh flame that is certain to find its full flower in the next National Forest K-9 series. And I can’t wait to see what Juniper chews up next.
January 19, 2024
This book had me hooked from the opening chapter. So much in this book is differentiating between who is the good guy and who really is the bad guy. Maya's background is tragic, having both her mother and Nana murdered at two different time; the first one, her mother, which she witnessed when she was 4 years old and her Nana many years later. Both cases were unresolved although many had their own assumptions of what truly happened. Ever since her Nana's murder though, Maya, a military K-9 officer veteran with PTSD, came back to live at home as the city life was too much for her. She got a job as a K-9 Forest Preserve Officer and was truly enjoying it, , and using this avenue as a way to look into her family's unsolved cases. With new DNA evidence and recent events happening to Maya, the story takes many many turns that you will be anxious to find out how it all comes together!! I love stories that have K-9 characters that help solve cases etc. and reading about how they work and what the officers have to do in order to train them to be as successful as they are. Kathleen did a great job showing well researched in the professions and how they operate etc. Incorporating her PTSD from her time served in Iraq. The story starts with a strong friendship with Deputy Officer, Josh Colten. From how he is described, he is pictured very handsome and quite popular with the single ladies. But throughout the story, you know he only has eyes for her, and his loyalty and respect for Maya is commendable and admirable, and just has you rooting for both of them. He was determined to help her solve these cases.So many twists and turns.....they book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and reading so fast to find out what happens next!!
To me this is 4.5 stars.....clean romance, clean language, and everything flowed very well. You can feel all the emotions with each character and the passion that Maya and Josh have for each other. I only doc a star because I would've loved more of an epilogue/conclusion on Maya and Josh's relationship in the future, whether several months down the road or even a year or two. With all that said -- HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Thank you NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the ARC copy of the book!
To me this is 4.5 stars.....clean romance, clean language, and everything flowed very well. You can feel all the emotions with each character and the passion that Maya and Josh have for each other. I only doc a star because I would've loved more of an epilogue/conclusion on Maya and Josh's relationship in the future, whether several months down the road or even a year or two. With all that said -- HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Thank you NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the ARC copy of the book!
September 4, 2023
Hunting the Truth is the second book in Kathleen Donnelly’s Nation Forest K-9 Series. This is a romantic suspense story with good characters, an quirky K-9, and an interesting storyline. The story was written in third person mainly from the point of view of the heroine. However, another view (not the hero) was also included. Please note the romantic connection is evident in the book but no steamy scenes were included.
For years former marine and Forest Service law enforcement officer and K-9 handler Maya Thompson has struggled to understand the deaths her mother and grandmother. When memories and new DNA evidence come to light she will stop at nothing to solve the cold cases even when her grandfather and Sheriff Deputy Josh Colton, her love interest, strongly warn her to be cautious. Will Maya heed their warnings or will Maya and her K-9 Juniper lose their chance at a happily ever after? Read it and find out!
This was the first book by Donnelly that I have read. The story line was interesting but I did not like Maya, the heronine. I found her stubborn and selfish. I understand the drive for justice but it was almost to the determinant of her K-9’s health and her relationship with Josh and her grandfather. Maybe a few entries from the hero’s point of view may have tempered this feeling.
This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.
For years former marine and Forest Service law enforcement officer and K-9 handler Maya Thompson has struggled to understand the deaths her mother and grandmother. When memories and new DNA evidence come to light she will stop at nothing to solve the cold cases even when her grandfather and Sheriff Deputy Josh Colton, her love interest, strongly warn her to be cautious. Will Maya heed their warnings or will Maya and her K-9 Juniper lose their chance at a happily ever after? Read it and find out!
This was the first book by Donnelly that I have read. The story line was interesting but I did not like Maya, the heronine. I found her stubborn and selfish. I understand the drive for justice but it was almost to the determinant of her K-9’s health and her relationship with Josh and her grandfather. Maybe a few entries from the hero’s point of view may have tempered this feeling.
This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.
September 27, 2023
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
When Chasing Justice came out last year, I was hoping it would turn into a series since Maya, Juniper, and Josh’s story was compelling, but I felt like there was more to learn… and I wanted to know more. So, I was very glad to discover Hunting the Truth. I will strongly suggest reading Chasing Justice first if you have not already, for the second story will give some spoilers for the first one, so be aware of that possibility even though each is a stand-alone story with a thread woven through them that connects. If that doesn’t matter to you, then dive in for an intense mystery/romantic suspense with more than a few twists and turns.
As we return to the National Forest K-9 series, Maya is working a cold case, one with personal connections, as she is determined to discover who murdered her mother. Her last memory of her mom was when she’d told Maya to hide, to get away from the bad people. Now, she’s going to find out who killed her mother and, more recently, her grandmother. Both her grandfather and the man she’s falling for are asking her to step away, that this search into the past is far too dangerous. But she cannot. Justice needs to be delivered to those who took the lives of these two loved, important people in her life – and she’s not stopping until that is done. She’s walking into danger with her faithful K-9, Juniper, at her side… and there is not one thing that will stop her.
The intensity of Maya, the loyalty of Juniper, and the devotion of Josh once again captured me as their story unfolded. Because of the mystery involved, you’ll not get any plot details here, but there are twists along the way, turns that dead-end (or do they), and danger that leaps off the page as Maya sets out to do exactly what she intended. Bring a murder to justice. I like Maya a lot. She’s been through so much, made bad decisions, had life overwhelm her, and paid the price. She’s also determined to overcome those obstacles (some that she herself planted) to move forward with her life. She’s far from perfect; more importantly, she’s believable because of her imperfections. I adore Juniper. Serious and devoted when the job calls for it, funny and zany when just being a pup. (I don’t think any dog ever outgrows being a pup.) And I’m encouraged by Josh and Maya’s romance as it deepens and moves to another level.
I had an absolute blast with Hunting the Truth, and if you enjoy a well-written mystery or romantic suspense that will keep you on edge, have you fearful for characters, plus lets you smile at a dog’s adorableness… then you’ll love Maya, Juniper, and Josh’s newest adventure. I’m hoping for a few more.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
When Chasing Justice came out last year, I was hoping it would turn into a series since Maya, Juniper, and Josh’s story was compelling, but I felt like there was more to learn… and I wanted to know more. So, I was very glad to discover Hunting the Truth. I will strongly suggest reading Chasing Justice first if you have not already, for the second story will give some spoilers for the first one, so be aware of that possibility even though each is a stand-alone story with a thread woven through them that connects. If that doesn’t matter to you, then dive in for an intense mystery/romantic suspense with more than a few twists and turns.
As we return to the National Forest K-9 series, Maya is working a cold case, one with personal connections, as she is determined to discover who murdered her mother. Her last memory of her mom was when she’d told Maya to hide, to get away from the bad people. Now, she’s going to find out who killed her mother and, more recently, her grandmother. Both her grandfather and the man she’s falling for are asking her to step away, that this search into the past is far too dangerous. But she cannot. Justice needs to be delivered to those who took the lives of these two loved, important people in her life – and she’s not stopping until that is done. She’s walking into danger with her faithful K-9, Juniper, at her side… and there is not one thing that will stop her.
The intensity of Maya, the loyalty of Juniper, and the devotion of Josh once again captured me as their story unfolded. Because of the mystery involved, you’ll not get any plot details here, but there are twists along the way, turns that dead-end (or do they), and danger that leaps off the page as Maya sets out to do exactly what she intended. Bring a murder to justice. I like Maya a lot. She’s been through so much, made bad decisions, had life overwhelm her, and paid the price. She’s also determined to overcome those obstacles (some that she herself planted) to move forward with her life. She’s far from perfect; more importantly, she’s believable because of her imperfections. I adore Juniper. Serious and devoted when the job calls for it, funny and zany when just being a pup. (I don’t think any dog ever outgrows being a pup.) And I’m encouraged by Josh and Maya’s romance as it deepens and moves to another level.
I had an absolute blast with Hunting the Truth, and if you enjoy a well-written mystery or romantic suspense that will keep you on edge, have you fearful for characters, plus lets you smile at a dog’s adorableness… then you’ll love Maya, Juniper, and Josh’s newest adventure. I’m hoping for a few more.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
August 16, 2023
"Hunting the Truth" is a K9 mystery. It's the second book in a series, and it spoiled events in the previous book. It can be read as a standalone, but I wonder if I might have understood the "romance" better if I'd read the first story. Maya's relationship with Josh seemed more like a physical attraction than a true friendship on her part. She's not very nice to the guy. They didn't even work well together because she didn't work well with anyone. Maya just did whatever she wanted, even when she knew it'd worry or emotionally hurt those she supposedly loved and even if it went against the rules or an order. She's so emotionally distant from everyone--even her K9--that I had a hard time relating to her.
She just recently started working with her K9, and the dog clearly didn't respect Maya. The dog did whatever she wanted, and Maya was gratified when that happened to be what Maya wanted, too. Maya was clearly not the one in charge as she kept doing things to "make up" to the sulking dog. Maya thought that she trusted her dog, but the dog tried to alert her to things on several occasions and Maya just dismissed it. So they didn't have much of a bond or a good working relationship even if the dog was good at what she was trained to do.
The mystery had some twists and turns. Maya's mother had something that several people wanted. When Maya reopened her mother's murder case, those people assumed she'd found evidence against them and came to stop her. The suspense stayed fairly high as repeated attempts were made to kill Maya. Maya used her dog to find evidence, track scent trails, and bite bad guys. She got the bad guys to confess, but even so, some parts didn't really make sense to me.
Maya came across as competent when she was finding and disabling booby-traps on hiking trails (as a part of her normal job). When trying to solve the murder case, though, she came across as so very unprofessional that I can't believe she still has a job. She's been sober for several months, so there was no drinking in this story. There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, this book didn't engage me, but K9 mystery fans might be interested in it.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
She just recently started working with her K9, and the dog clearly didn't respect Maya. The dog did whatever she wanted, and Maya was gratified when that happened to be what Maya wanted, too. Maya was clearly not the one in charge as she kept doing things to "make up" to the sulking dog. Maya thought that she trusted her dog, but the dog tried to alert her to things on several occasions and Maya just dismissed it. So they didn't have much of a bond or a good working relationship even if the dog was good at what she was trained to do.
The mystery had some twists and turns. Maya's mother had something that several people wanted. When Maya reopened her mother's murder case, those people assumed she'd found evidence against them and came to stop her. The suspense stayed fairly high as repeated attempts were made to kill Maya. Maya used her dog to find evidence, track scent trails, and bite bad guys. She got the bad guys to confess, but even so, some parts didn't really make sense to me.
Maya came across as competent when she was finding and disabling booby-traps on hiking trails (as a part of her normal job). When trying to solve the murder case, though, she came across as so very unprofessional that I can't believe she still has a job. She's been sober for several months, so there was no drinking in this story. There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, this book didn't engage me, but K9 mystery fans might be interested in it.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
February 25, 2025
I'm breaking my cardinal rule about reading a series out of order, but my excuse is going to be the fact that I am being awarded these audio ARC's out of order. What's a girl to do?
So, this is the second book in this series (I guess the next book I'll read is the first book, since I've read #3, and then #2.....) Anyway. In this book K-9 handler Maya Thompson and her dog Juniper are already working for the Forest Service in the small Colorado town and she has met and is in the process of "getting close" with Sheriff's Deputy Josh Colton. Josh is a deputy under Maya's grandfather, who is the Sheriff of their small town.
We learn that Maya's mother was murdered when she was 4 years old and then 20 years later, her grandmother died. It was staged to look like a suicide, yet during the investigation, it was discovered that the same gun was used in both of the deaths- both mother and daughter. Maya and Josh have been looking into the deaths - on the side, and are determined to see if they can re-open these cold cases.
A strange thing occurs when a casual friend of Maya's is murdered and her body is found on federal forest land. When they finally locate the victims apartment and go to investigate - they discover an entire wall of photographs and information detailing every aspect of Maya's life. A multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency task force is needed when prints and DNA come back with one suspect linking everything - the murders in Maya's family and this new murder. The name that comes back is an ex-cop who is wanted for several killings. What in the world does he want with Maya? And how were Maya's mother and grandmother connected?
Once the story gets going, we are on a journey filled with action and twists and turns. In the middle of all of this we get to watch Maya and Juniper continue to try to stay ahead of danger. Juniper is a wonderful secondary character herself. She is definitely a talented working K9, but she also has a funny and unique personality that shows itself throughout the book.
As I mentioned before, there are several twists and turns and one of the twists was a surprise I did not see coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on February 4, 2025.
So, this is the second book in this series (I guess the next book I'll read is the first book, since I've read #3, and then #2.....) Anyway. In this book K-9 handler Maya Thompson and her dog Juniper are already working for the Forest Service in the small Colorado town and she has met and is in the process of "getting close" with Sheriff's Deputy Josh Colton. Josh is a deputy under Maya's grandfather, who is the Sheriff of their small town.
We learn that Maya's mother was murdered when she was 4 years old and then 20 years later, her grandmother died. It was staged to look like a suicide, yet during the investigation, it was discovered that the same gun was used in both of the deaths- both mother and daughter. Maya and Josh have been looking into the deaths - on the side, and are determined to see if they can re-open these cold cases.
A strange thing occurs when a casual friend of Maya's is murdered and her body is found on federal forest land. When they finally locate the victims apartment and go to investigate - they discover an entire wall of photographs and information detailing every aspect of Maya's life. A multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency task force is needed when prints and DNA come back with one suspect linking everything - the murders in Maya's family and this new murder. The name that comes back is an ex-cop who is wanted for several killings. What in the world does he want with Maya? And how were Maya's mother and grandmother connected?
Once the story gets going, we are on a journey filled with action and twists and turns. In the middle of all of this we get to watch Maya and Juniper continue to try to stay ahead of danger. Juniper is a wonderful secondary character herself. She is definitely a talented working K9, but she also has a funny and unique personality that shows itself throughout the book.
As I mentioned before, there are several twists and turns and one of the twists was a surprise I did not see coming.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on February 4, 2025.
September 24, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I'm a huge fan of K-9 stories, so when the author asked if I would review this one I was happy. With law enforcement groups and mysteries, it's the kind of story I enjoy.
Hunting the Truth is the second book in the National Forest K-9 series, so there will be minor spoilers here for Chasing Justice. In that book, Maya had just started a new job after leaving the military and had a new dog, Juniper. Her friend, Doug was training them for the federal forest service. Her grandfather is the sheriff.
Now Maya's training is complete. The deaths of Maya's mother when she was 4 and her grandmother, more recently, have come up as cold cases with new DNA evidence. Maya is working with Josh who is her grandfather's main deputy. She is attracted to Josh and is beginning to feel more like she can trust him. The romance element is a bit stronger than the first book.
I worried about Maya as she took off on her own a lot because she is so determined to figure out what happened to her mother and grandmother. She is having some vague memories of that night her mother told her to hide. She could taint the case because of the conflict of interest, so a state police Lucas is assigned to it, along with Josh. At least she has Juniper to back her up. I really liked how the dog, Juniper, was very involved in the story and we got to see her actually do some work.
Maya seems to get right in the middle of every situation. There's an ex-cop who knew her mom. There's two Montana cops here to chase the ex-cop who they say is dirty and wanted for murder. There are witnesses who end up dead, along with other dangerous situations. In the end, Maya and Josh figure out all the cases.
I found this fun and exciting to read, although Maya needed backup. She took a few too many chances. Personally, she was doing better with her job, Juniper and her friends and family. It was great to see her and Josh support each other and build a better relationship. They both had issues from the military which left them with some problems. I look forward to more personal and career growth in this series.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I'm a huge fan of K-9 stories, so when the author asked if I would review this one I was happy. With law enforcement groups and mysteries, it's the kind of story I enjoy.
Hunting the Truth is the second book in the National Forest K-9 series, so there will be minor spoilers here for Chasing Justice. In that book, Maya had just started a new job after leaving the military and had a new dog, Juniper. Her friend, Doug was training them for the federal forest service. Her grandfather is the sheriff.
Now Maya's training is complete. The deaths of Maya's mother when she was 4 and her grandmother, more recently, have come up as cold cases with new DNA evidence. Maya is working with Josh who is her grandfather's main deputy. She is attracted to Josh and is beginning to feel more like she can trust him. The romance element is a bit stronger than the first book.
I worried about Maya as she took off on her own a lot because she is so determined to figure out what happened to her mother and grandmother. She is having some vague memories of that night her mother told her to hide. She could taint the case because of the conflict of interest, so a state police Lucas is assigned to it, along with Josh. At least she has Juniper to back her up. I really liked how the dog, Juniper, was very involved in the story and we got to see her actually do some work.
Maya seems to get right in the middle of every situation. There's an ex-cop who knew her mom. There's two Montana cops here to chase the ex-cop who they say is dirty and wanted for murder. There are witnesses who end up dead, along with other dangerous situations. In the end, Maya and Josh figure out all the cases.
I found this fun and exciting to read, although Maya needed backup. She took a few too many chances. Personally, she was doing better with her job, Juniper and her friends and family. It was great to see her and Josh support each other and build a better relationship. They both had issues from the military which left them with some problems. I look forward to more personal and career growth in this series.
April 2, 2024
SPOILER ALERT
The second of the series addresses the issue of Maya Thompson's grandmothers murder. It was ruled a suicide but Maya and her grandfather do not believe. They begin an investigation that is supported by Josh Colton the deputy and Lucas Tucker, the CBI agent. When DNA analysis not sophisticated enough to have been used twenty-five years ago for her mother's murder, reveals the identity of man who had been watching both homes and had smoked a pile of cigarettes at the scenes, they begin a hunt for the man: Eric Torres. Once found by Maya he will tell her that he is being set up, and that, in fact, he is watching her now for her protection. He had known her mother, had arrested her for prostitution and drugs. But he says he did not kill her.
Two law enforcement members, Det Abigail Harper and Blake Connor come down from Montana, where Torres was a detective. But they are the head of the criminal gang that is looking for evidence that Zoey, her mother, had collected, that proves their involvement. Maya will solve the case of booby traps in the Pino Grande National Forest while she looks for Torres. She attempt to arrest him a couple of times, but he escapes, even in the end. Abigail will confess that she set up Torres for kill two officers and a judge, and Maya will have a recording of the confession. She and Connor also killed Zoey and Nana and Kendra, Maya's friend who was also recruited to spy on Maya. The confession did not relieve Torres of all the criminal acts he was involved in, so he again runs.
I will not be reading any more of this series. Hopefully Donnelly's writer will get better. The descriptions of her training of Juniper, her K-9, were redundant and often unnecessary. The romance between Maya and Josh was awkward. Maya was unsure of her comfort being involved with him. She has PTSD issues, as does he. Then at the end they immediately move in together. A big jump from hardly kissing to full commitment. Not very believable for me. It was not a smooth transition.
The second of the series addresses the issue of Maya Thompson's grandmothers murder. It was ruled a suicide but Maya and her grandfather do not believe. They begin an investigation that is supported by Josh Colton the deputy and Lucas Tucker, the CBI agent. When DNA analysis not sophisticated enough to have been used twenty-five years ago for her mother's murder, reveals the identity of man who had been watching both homes and had smoked a pile of cigarettes at the scenes, they begin a hunt for the man: Eric Torres. Once found by Maya he will tell her that he is being set up, and that, in fact, he is watching her now for her protection. He had known her mother, had arrested her for prostitution and drugs. But he says he did not kill her.
Two law enforcement members, Det Abigail Harper and Blake Connor come down from Montana, where Torres was a detective. But they are the head of the criminal gang that is looking for evidence that Zoey, her mother, had collected, that proves their involvement. Maya will solve the case of booby traps in the Pino Grande National Forest while she looks for Torres. She attempt to arrest him a couple of times, but he escapes, even in the end. Abigail will confess that she set up Torres for kill two officers and a judge, and Maya will have a recording of the confession. She and Connor also killed Zoey and Nana and Kendra, Maya's friend who was also recruited to spy on Maya. The confession did not relieve Torres of all the criminal acts he was involved in, so he again runs.
I will not be reading any more of this series. Hopefully Donnelly's writer will get better. The descriptions of her training of Juniper, her K-9, were redundant and often unnecessary. The romance between Maya and Josh was awkward. Maya was unsure of her comfort being involved with him. She has PTSD issues, as does he. Then at the end they immediately move in together. A big jump from hardly kissing to full commitment. Not very believable for me. It was not a smooth transition.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2023
The gangs all back, Forest Ranger, Maya, and her Malinois, K9 partner, Juniper, along with Maya’s grandpa and Sheriff, Pops, and his Deputy, Josh. They are joined by Lucas, a state inspector and two Montana officers, Abigail, and Blake. The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Maya investigating her mother’s and grandmother’s deaths when she was a child. However, what the book summary doesn’t say is that the killer who killed Maya’s mom and grandma, as well as a friend and fellow veteran (Kendra), is back again to kill her.
The story flips back and forth between Maya and an ex-cop Eric Torres as well as between the current murder investigation of Kendra and the cold case murder investigations of Maya’s mom and grandma. Most of the first half has Maya and a couple of Montana officers, Abigail and Blake, trying to find Torres, who everyone believes is the killer. There are also secondary storylines. One is surrounding the investigation of the Sheriff regarding his ethic charges incurred from drug raid (in the first installment). There is another one about the budding and complicated romantic relationship between Maya and Josh.
It's well into the second half, after Maya finds Torres, that the story takes on a weird twist (maybe). At this point, all the details surrounding the primary storyline become clear and the ending comes pretty fast after that with a scary and dangerous ending for Maya and the gang. The ending provides a lead-in to the next installment, I think (I hope), which could make for an interesting read.
I'm really liking this series! The bond and relationship between Maya and Juniper is wonderful and really funny and entertaining at times too. I want to thank NetGalley and Carina Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #CarinaPress #HuntingTheTruth
The story flips back and forth between Maya and an ex-cop Eric Torres as well as between the current murder investigation of Kendra and the cold case murder investigations of Maya’s mom and grandma. Most of the first half has Maya and a couple of Montana officers, Abigail and Blake, trying to find Torres, who everyone believes is the killer. There are also secondary storylines. One is surrounding the investigation of the Sheriff regarding his ethic charges incurred from drug raid (in the first installment). There is another one about the budding and complicated romantic relationship between Maya and Josh.
It's well into the second half, after Maya finds Torres, that the story takes on a weird twist (maybe). At this point, all the details surrounding the primary storyline become clear and the ending comes pretty fast after that with a scary and dangerous ending for Maya and the gang. The ending provides a lead-in to the next installment, I think (I hope), which could make for an interesting read.
I'm really liking this series! The bond and relationship between Maya and Juniper is wonderful and really funny and entertaining at times too. I want to thank NetGalley and Carina Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #CarinaPress #HuntingTheTruth
September 29, 2023
Hunting the Truth by Kathleen Donnelly
Summary:
“Hide, Maya. Don’t let the bad people find you.”
Those are the last words Forest Service law enforcement officer and K-9 handler Maya Thompson ever heard her mother say.
Returning to the Colorado mountains, ex-soldier Maya is no longer a scared little girl. She’s here to investigate her mother’s cold case, but fear creeps in when it comes to her personal life—things are getting serious with Sheriff Deputy Josh Colten.
After new DNA evidence surfaces, both her beloved grandfather and Josh warn her away from the case, suspecting that she could be the next victim. But Maya doesn’t listen.
Instead, Maya and her K-9 partner, Juniper, track a suspect deep into the forest and directly into grave danger…
Review: 5-Star
Over the past few years most of the mysteries I’ve read we not up to par, with what I expect out of a good mystery, and this was the best by far. I don’t give many 5-star reviews because most books seem to have editorial problems or something wrong with the storyline. Kathleen captured me from the very first page and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. Stayed up until the sun was rising the following morning. One of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I know need to go back and ready Chasing Justice. I just found a new Author to look forward to her books coming out. I honestly can’t say enough about the book except it’s a true page-turner and once you start reading you don’t want to quit.
I got this book for free from NetGalley for my honest review.
Summary:
“Hide, Maya. Don’t let the bad people find you.”
Those are the last words Forest Service law enforcement officer and K-9 handler Maya Thompson ever heard her mother say.
Returning to the Colorado mountains, ex-soldier Maya is no longer a scared little girl. She’s here to investigate her mother’s cold case, but fear creeps in when it comes to her personal life—things are getting serious with Sheriff Deputy Josh Colten.
After new DNA evidence surfaces, both her beloved grandfather and Josh warn her away from the case, suspecting that she could be the next victim. But Maya doesn’t listen.
Instead, Maya and her K-9 partner, Juniper, track a suspect deep into the forest and directly into grave danger…
Review: 5-Star
Over the past few years most of the mysteries I’ve read we not up to par, with what I expect out of a good mystery, and this was the best by far. I don’t give many 5-star reviews because most books seem to have editorial problems or something wrong with the storyline. Kathleen captured me from the very first page and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. Stayed up until the sun was rising the following morning. One of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I know need to go back and ready Chasing Justice. I just found a new Author to look forward to her books coming out. I honestly can’t say enough about the book except it’s a true page-turner and once you start reading you don’t want to quit.
I got this book for free from NetGalley for my honest review.
February 26, 2025
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had the pleasure of receiving an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Hachette Audio and I must say, it was a thrilling experience. The mystery element was captivating, constantly making me question who was behind the crime and who could be trusted.
The character of Maya was particularly compelling. Her struggle with sobriety and the challenges she faces in maintaining it, especially while juggling a high-stress job, were portrayed with raw honesty. This added a layer of depth to her character that I genuinely appreciated.
Josh, the love interest and Maya’s occasional co-worker is also newly sober. Although we don’t delve as deeply into his story, the glimpses we get make him a fitting partner for Maya. Their dynamic was engaging and added a touch of romance amidst the suspense.
The pacing of the story kept me on the edge of my seat, with secrets and lies slowly unravelling. The tension built up perfectly, culminating in a nail-biting climax.
However, the narration was a mixed bag for me. While it wasn’t bad, there were moments when it felt like the narrator was simply reading the text rather than truly performing it. This slightly impacted my overall immersion in the story.
Highly recommended for fans of mystery and suspense.
I had the pleasure of receiving an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Hachette Audio and I must say, it was a thrilling experience. The mystery element was captivating, constantly making me question who was behind the crime and who could be trusted.
The character of Maya was particularly compelling. Her struggle with sobriety and the challenges she faces in maintaining it, especially while juggling a high-stress job, were portrayed with raw honesty. This added a layer of depth to her character that I genuinely appreciated.
Josh, the love interest and Maya’s occasional co-worker is also newly sober. Although we don’t delve as deeply into his story, the glimpses we get make him a fitting partner for Maya. Their dynamic was engaging and added a touch of romance amidst the suspense.
The pacing of the story kept me on the edge of my seat, with secrets and lies slowly unravelling. The tension built up perfectly, culminating in a nail-biting climax.
However, the narration was a mixed bag for me. While it wasn’t bad, there were moments when it felt like the narrator was simply reading the text rather than truly performing it. This slightly impacted my overall immersion in the story.
Highly recommended for fans of mystery and suspense.
March 13, 2025
Hunting the Truth is the second book in Kathleen Donnelly’s National Forest K-9 series. Forester and former marine k-9 handler Maya Thompson is now back home in a small town in the Colorado Rocky Mountains living near her grandfather, the local sheriff. Her mother was murdered when Maya was only 4 and her grandmother perished just a few years ago from the same gun that killed her mother. The CBI was quick to close her mother’s cold case and designate it as a murder/suicide even though years apart. When Maya makes moves to reopen the cases based on DNA testing it rattles someone who is now watching Maya.
As the plot unfolds, Maya and her k-9 Juniper find themselves working with Sheriff Deputy Josh Colton who is also a love interest. When it appears that Maya has become a target, Josh becomes even more involved in her investigation with the goal of protecting her. However, whoever the culprits are seem to stay one step ahead of them both as if they have inside information. This leaves an open ended array of potential suspects.
This is a well written, fast paced mystery set in a picturesque area of the western US. The characters are well drawn and the twists in the plot will keep the reader turning pages to the conclusion. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
As the plot unfolds, Maya and her k-9 Juniper find themselves working with Sheriff Deputy Josh Colton who is also a love interest. When it appears that Maya has become a target, Josh becomes even more involved in her investigation with the goal of protecting her. However, whoever the culprits are seem to stay one step ahead of them both as if they have inside information. This leaves an open ended array of potential suspects.
This is a well written, fast paced mystery set in a picturesque area of the western US. The characters are well drawn and the twists in the plot will keep the reader turning pages to the conclusion. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
April 29, 2025
Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
Maya is ex-military and has issues connected with her service. Now she is a US Forest Service Law Enforcement officer for the Pino Grande National Forest in Colorado. Maya begins to dig deep into the deaths of her mother and grandmother, their cases never solved.
Josh is the new deputy in town. Pops, her grandfather is prominently featured as well as Juniper the Malinois.
I enjoy the explanation of training techniques, the special qualities attributed to the breed, and the strong bond that is developed between the two. The storyline weaves canine details and twists into the plot and the pacing is fairly even.
There is a romance angle between Maya and Josh which tends to distract from the main thrust of the narrative. Finally, it just gets a bit heavy on the romance for me.
Still, for most who enjoy romance in their books, and specifically in police romance, then this novel coupled with an amazing dog should pique your interest.
Many thanks to my favorite fully stocked library for providing the ebook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
Maya is ex-military and has issues connected with her service. Now she is a US Forest Service Law Enforcement officer for the Pino Grande National Forest in Colorado. Maya begins to dig deep into the deaths of her mother and grandmother, their cases never solved.
Josh is the new deputy in town. Pops, her grandfather is prominently featured as well as Juniper the Malinois.
I enjoy the explanation of training techniques, the special qualities attributed to the breed, and the strong bond that is developed between the two. The storyline weaves canine details and twists into the plot and the pacing is fairly even.
There is a romance angle between Maya and Josh which tends to distract from the main thrust of the narrative. Finally, it just gets a bit heavy on the romance for me.
Still, for most who enjoy romance in their books, and specifically in police romance, then this novel coupled with an amazing dog should pique your interest.
Many thanks to my favorite fully stocked library for providing the ebook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
August 29, 2023
This was another really good read in the series. A good mystery until the very end! Highly recommend the read😊
Maya Thompson is a former marine and K-9 handler. After she lost her military K-9, she never wanted to be a dog handler again. She returned home to Colorado and became an officer for the US Forest Service and now is paired with her K-9, Juniper.
Sheriff Deputy Josh Colten is becoming a very close friend to Maya. Could there be something more between them? Maya hasn’t decided her feelings for Josh yet and there is much to consider.
Maya’s mother was killed when she was just a little girl. Her grandparents raised her, but her grandmother tragically died when Maya was leaving the military. Now, new clues have come to light that cannot be ignored. Maya is ordered away from the case, but will she be able to distance herself?
Her mother’s killer thinks Maya has something they want. She will have to discover hidden memories to get to the bottom of this case and discover the truth.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Maya Thompson is a former marine and K-9 handler. After she lost her military K-9, she never wanted to be a dog handler again. She returned home to Colorado and became an officer for the US Forest Service and now is paired with her K-9, Juniper.
Sheriff Deputy Josh Colten is becoming a very close friend to Maya. Could there be something more between them? Maya hasn’t decided her feelings for Josh yet and there is much to consider.
Maya’s mother was killed when she was just a little girl. Her grandparents raised her, but her grandmother tragically died when Maya was leaving the military. Now, new clues have come to light that cannot be ignored. Maya is ordered away from the case, but will she be able to distance herself?
Her mother’s killer thinks Maya has something they want. She will have to discover hidden memories to get to the bottom of this case and discover the truth.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2023
This was another really good read in the series. A good mystery until the very end! Highly recommend the read😊
Maya Thompson is a former marine and K-9 handler. After she lost her military K-9, she never wanted to be a dog handler again. She returned home to Colorado and became an officer for the US Forest Service and now is paired with her K-9, Juniper.
Sheriff Deputy Josh Colten is becoming a very close friend to Maya. Could there be something more between them? Maya hasn’t decided her feelings for Josh yet and there is much to consider.
Maya’s mother was killed when she was just a little girl. Her grandparents raised her, but her grandmother tragically died when Maya was leaving the military. Now, new clues have come to light that cannot be ignored. Maya is ordered away from the case, but will she be able to distance herself?
Her mother’s killer thinks Maya has something they want. She will have to discover hidden memories to get to the bottom of this case and discover the truth.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Maya Thompson is a former marine and K-9 handler. After she lost her military K-9, she never wanted to be a dog handler again. She returned home to Colorado and became an officer for the US Forest Service and now is paired with her K-9, Juniper.
Sheriff Deputy Josh Colten is becoming a very close friend to Maya. Could there be something more between them? Maya hasn’t decided her feelings for Josh yet and there is much to consider.
Maya’s mother was killed when she was just a little girl. Her grandparents raised her, but her grandmother tragically died when Maya was leaving the military. Now, new clues have come to light that cannot be ignored. Maya is ordered away from the case, but will she be able to distance herself?
Her mother’s killer thinks Maya has something they want. She will have to discover hidden memories to get to the bottom of this case and discover the truth.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2023
Maya was almost five years old when she watched as her mother was murdered. Her mother made her hide in a closet. Later, her grandmother was also killed with the determination for both cases changed to unsolved. After serving as a Marine in the military, she is determined to investigate her both cases to find out who and why they were killed. Maya is a member of the US Forest Service law enforcement along with her K-9 Juniper. Her grandfather is the local Sheriff and her relationship with Chief Deputy Sheriff Josh Colten, is in the beginning stages. When an acquaintance of her is viciously murdered, they finally obtain that leads them to a person of interest. The man is highly skilled and finding him will not be easy. The man has been stalking Maya, but either the deputy or her K-9 are always with her. The case is far more expansive and will the help from another agency in Montana, will they be able to stop the killer before either Maya or Josh are killed? A twisted ending in this exciting mystery. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
December 5, 2023
Hunting the truth is an absolutely riveting heart pounding thriller. Our Mc Maya witnessed a terrifying murder her mothers but unfortunately the event was so traumatic she only remembers bits and pieces of what happened. But Nara is no longer a scared little girl she is a seasoned veteran and is now a canine handler. She finally returns home to the Colorado mountains to learn the truth about what happened that night.
The case is long cold but new DNA evidence has surfaced and it will lead Maya down a slippery slope of investigation that might put her life on the line. The twists and turns are exceptionally well crafted and I was glued to the pages. I could not put it down. The pressure mounts as her loved ones beg her to stop investigating but Naya and her canine partner Juniper doggedly chase down every lead despite the personal risks involved. This leads Maya chasing a suspect deep into the forest and directly into harms way. Can Maya solve her mother’s cold case murder, stay alive and find a future with her boyfriend Josh? Read it and see! This definitely should be on your tbr list it’s absolutely heart pounding. Great read!!
The case is long cold but new DNA evidence has surfaced and it will lead Maya down a slippery slope of investigation that might put her life on the line. The twists and turns are exceptionally well crafted and I was glued to the pages. I could not put it down. The pressure mounts as her loved ones beg her to stop investigating but Naya and her canine partner Juniper doggedly chase down every lead despite the personal risks involved. This leads Maya chasing a suspect deep into the forest and directly into harms way. Can Maya solve her mother’s cold case murder, stay alive and find a future with her boyfriend Josh? Read it and see! This definitely should be on your tbr list it’s absolutely heart pounding. Great read!!
February 23, 2025
🎧3.5-3.75⭐️
Book 2 in the series
This is my first book which works well as a standalone.
Maya is a Forrest Service law enforcement agent and K-9 handler with Juniper. Maya is also unofficially looking into her mother’s cold case.
I was drawn to this book for the K-9 element it covers this aspect really well as the author is a dog handler.
The story is told in the first person giving a more chatty style which I like. I found that the writing style and dialogue felt a little forced and concentrated on proper use of English rather than how people actually talk which I find conflicts with the chatty style.
I like Maya and her work partner Josh giving a will they won’t they romantic interest thread. Maya is a damaged protagonist from an experiences during her childhood and her Army service. The plot has enough going on to provide interest throughout. There’s also some poor decision making by Maya but if there wasn’t the story would be less interesting.
I found it easy entertaining listening, with no bad language or sex scenes which makes it suitable for a wide audience.
I received this book for free
Book 2 in the series
This is my first book which works well as a standalone.
Maya is a Forrest Service law enforcement agent and K-9 handler with Juniper. Maya is also unofficially looking into her mother’s cold case.
I was drawn to this book for the K-9 element it covers this aspect really well as the author is a dog handler.
The story is told in the first person giving a more chatty style which I like. I found that the writing style and dialogue felt a little forced and concentrated on proper use of English rather than how people actually talk which I find conflicts with the chatty style.
I like Maya and her work partner Josh giving a will they won’t they romantic interest thread. Maya is a damaged protagonist from an experiences during her childhood and her Army service. The plot has enough going on to provide interest throughout. There’s also some poor decision making by Maya but if there wasn’t the story would be less interesting.
I found it easy entertaining listening, with no bad language or sex scenes which makes it suitable for a wide audience.
I received this book for free
September 11, 2023
ARC-Hunting the Truth, Book 2 in the National Forest K-9 series by Kathleen Donnely. I was anticipating this book after reading the first book, Chasing Justice. I was not disappointed in Maya's continuing quest to solve her mother's and Nana's murders. Enticed from page one, I was drawn into the setting in the Colorado mountains, so expertly described by Donnely. Maya's evolving character arc was so relatable to me as she works hard to overcome the emotional obstacles thrown at her, and her developing attachment to her K-9 Juniper. Maya is a woman on a clear mission: solve the murders. She is strong, capable, and determined. Her budding romance with Deputy Josh Colten is sweet and caring, starting out first as friends. The many twists and turns in the book had me holding my breath and reading well past my bedtime. The resurfacing of hidden childhood memories makes for great clues for Maya to put the pieces of the puzzle together- something only she can do. A great romantic suspense full of action! Looking forward to the next book by this talented author.
September 17, 2023
(3.5)K9's always intrigue me. Maya has had a pretty horrific past and steal keeps walking the walk. She lost her mom, her grandma and her Pops (grandfather) the Sheriff looks like will be hauled to task for trying to provide dignity to an disgraced ex cop. A lot is going on, main plot and a minor plot. For all that it moved slow to me. Josh is a deputy and friend. Maya,ex-military now with the K-9 Forest Ranger is intelligent and focused. So why dragging her feet by not giving Juniper (K9) his due? One of the plot twists I figured out in the beginning, first time on the page. Then the perp, not the red herring, I knew. That's ok, I just needed it to deliver as it played out. This is book 2 and everyone said it could be read as a stand alone. I kept feeling like I was missing something but hey that's me I am intrigued enough to want to read book 3, I have questions and want answers :) Thank you for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #HuntingTheTruth #NationalForest K-9 #KathleenDonnelly #CarinaPress #NetGalley
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