Explosive Trail

Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit #3

by Terri Reed

Can an officer and her K-9 partner

survive a bomber with a vendetta?

When a serial bomber’s explosion in Olympic National Park lands K-9 officer Willow Bates in the hospital, her estranged husband, FBI agent Theo Bates, rushes to her side. He’s determined to protect her and the baby he didn’t know she was carrying. But the bomber has revenge on his mind and will stop at nothing to finish them off.

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.

Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit

Book 1: Shielding the Baby by Laura Scott
Book 2: Scent of Truth by Valerie Hansen
Book 3: Explosive Trail by Terri Reed
Book 4: Olympic Mountain Pursuit by Jodie Bailey
Book 5: Threat Detection by Sharon Dunn
Book 6: Cold Case Revenge by Jessica R. Patch
Book 7: Undercover Operation by Maggie K. Black
Book 8: Snowbound Escape by Dana Mentink

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

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2023

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top 10 Romance Mass Market Paperback and Publishers Weekly top 10 Religion Fiction, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 50, Amazon #1 Bestseller, featured in USA Today and a Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com. Her 2016 novel, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, was adapted into the Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas.
She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband and when not writing, she enjoys agility with her Australian shepherd.
For updates about Terri and her books sign up for her newsletter https://bit.ly/3Ihz48q
Be sure to follow Terri on BookBub for updates on her new releases
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/terri...

Reviews

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosive Trail is the third book in the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series. This one is Willow and Theo's story. It's a second chance romantic suspense. It works well as a stand alone. However, as in the first two, there is a mystery that has yet to be solved. In this one, Willow and Theo are teamed up to find a serial bomber.

This one is, so far, my favorite of the series. The mystery was really good and kept me guessing. The action was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. But what I loved most was watching Theo and Willow find their way back to each other. They are in the process of a divorce because of a lack of communication and overall trust in their love. I was rooting for them from the first page. I highly recommend this one.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very good book, in a a good series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best on in the series so far. Lots of action!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stand-alone story but there are a few bits in this book that are obviously to do with an underlying full series storyline. That kind of annoyed me because I haven't read the two previous books in the series.

[Kaye Sinkule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Shines

Another riveting and nail-biting suspense filled mystery chocked full of twists and turns. I loved all of the nuances of Star.

[Jennifer McClurkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great suspenseful book. When a serial bombers explosion in Olympic National Park lands K-9 officer Willow Bates in the hospital, her estranged husband, FBI agent Theo Bates, rushes to her side. Together the two work together to try to find the bomber. They're both protective over their unborn baby.

[Teresa Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super K 9 book

This stand alone part of a series book was as amazing as the two books before it. Terri Reed is an amazing author bringing the characters and all the action alive and real. Great book

[Jan Fore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit#3

In the third in the K-9 Series we find the K-9 team working to discover who was setting explosives in various parts of the National Park. Willow and her partner Star are reunited with her soon to be ex-husband on loan from the F.B.I. to help find the bomber and to help keep Willow said after she is hurt in the 2nd explosion in the park.

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezza
Altra bella storia, ma quello che mi ha attirato di più è stata la descrizione del parco dove è ambientata: vorrei tanto poterlo visitare! Per quanto riguarda il mistero che so sta trascinando dall'inizio della serie sono sempre più sospettosa riguardo a una persona...

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic, suspenseful, and romantic. Willow Bates and K9 partner Star are a great pair. Willow has a lot of issues she’s dealing with without getting hurt and her ex husband, Theo, showing up. Talk about complicated, her life was complicated enough without Theo finding out she’s pregnant, and then he gets assigned to protect her. They have to find out what’s behind the explosions on the trail, why Willow seems to be targeted, and what happened that Theo came back from an undercover assignment and completely closed off from Willow.
Buy this book and see if they can solve the crimes, and if Theo will finally open up about that undercover assignment. All of this has to happen if he wants to be part of his child’s life.
The characters and plot of this book is great.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great suspense read that was action packed. K-9 officer Willow Bates filed for a divorce because her soon to be ex husband Theo, a FBI agent, came back from an undercover open a changed man and didn't open up to Willow. When Willow gets injured during an explosion caused by a serial bomber, Theo finds out she's pregnant. Thrown together to investigate the explosions in the Olympic National Park and find the serial bomber, the two must face their demons and navigate their future as impending parents.
Willow's K9 partner Star was adorable and loyal.
Looking forward to the next installment in this series.

[Ethelann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story. Terri Reed never disappoints.
This series gets better and better with each book.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I didn't know what to think about it. ⚠️ This review does have spoilers so here is your warning ⚠️. I haven't read any of the other books in this series but from what I read it can be a standalone book, so I bought it and I pretty much enjoyed it. But it's kinda confusing and leaves with a few questions. The book is mainly about the bomber, the failing marriage of willow and theo and the reasoning,and their unborn baby willow is carrying. The book had other things going on too tho which is fine but they don't get resolved by the end of the book. For example Mara Gilmore ( friend of willow's) was accused of a double homicide and was seen running from the crime scene. It talked off and on about it which is fine but by the end it never talked about how that ends. Or when Jonathan gets hit on the back of the head ,goes to the hospital and 3 puppies get stolen. It mentioned it once or twice and then never again. Like I said before I haven't read the others so I don't know if those get resolved or not.

As for the rest I liked it pretty much. The characters were sweet and the suspenseful ending was wonderful.

Months later
I just found the questions about the sub plots are in the other books. 👍

[Andrew Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not one of my favourites by this author. I have read a lot of her books in other series like this and have completely loved them but this one not so much. I felt that time was spent too much on their relationship, which I guess was a big part of the problem in the book, but the case got put on the back burner for most of it and then it was suddenly solved. I also spend majority of the book yelling at one of the characters, which is definitely a show of how good the character description is.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 This book was the first book I’ve read by this author. I knew the star of the show was “Star” and it’s hard to resist a story with a dog. What an easy read…pretty simple story. In Olympic National park someone is setting off bombs. Willow and Theo and Star are on their trail. Other canine units join them on this quest. Negative..the book was in paperback with tiny letters!

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled to stay with this one. From the very beginning, Theo rubbed me the wrong way with his woe on me attitude. Thankfully, working with Willow helped and by the end I came to like him. The story itself was very good and seeing past characters as quite nice.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good characters though I wasn't fond of either the male or female lead characters. The suspense was good. The romance was clean, which was nice. It was nice to have Christianity sprinkled in. But this book was just a 3 star book for me.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story line was good but I dislike books that don't have a conclusion. I have now read the first three of the series and there is a story line that has not bee resolved. I have lost interest in it and likely won't read 9 books to get to the conclusion.

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit (Book #3)

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit (Book #3)

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

These LIS continuity series just keep getting better! This one is third in the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series but would read really well as a standalone as well. Each book has it’s own individual suspense and romance while carrying forward an over-arcing suspense thread that slowly builds with each book and won’t be resolved until the last one. Reed does an amazing job of fitting in pertinent details without bogging the plot down. Great for new-to-the-series readers but also a helpful refresher for P N K-9 fans.

K-9 Star (bomb and arms detection dog) is the star of this story! Loved this furry scene stealer and I was cheering her on in some of the hair-raising (fur-raising?) scenes! But her humans are pretty cool to and…eeeeppppppp…

Mega Second Chance Romance! Willow and Theo are on the verge of divorce and the wounds are still fresh. An attempt at reconciliation three months earlier didn’t prove fruitful…at least not in the way you might think. Now Willow’s pregnant and that just makes navigating all the hurt and angst that much harder.

Now, I’ll say that while the suspense is fantastic in this novel, the romance is spectacular! The author somehow managed to build emotion into every situation…and the undercurrents in the dialogue!!!! I felt every agonizing moment. And completely related to both Willow and Theo and the reasons for their split. And when they let their guard down and the romance starts to sizzle — be still my heart. Breathtaking stuff!

But, of course, there’s a nefarious bomber to apprehend and quite a bit of adventuring to get through before that oh-so-very-satisfactory happily-ever-after can come about.

Oh — and I love the way the author set things up for the next book and added some more dangling threads to series’ suspense. Makes me all kinds of anxious to pick up the next book soon. Which is easy to do since these books are releasing each month.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya. Absolutely LOVE that this entire series is available in audio format. I have them all on preorder and drop everything when I get the notification that book is available. I finished this one in a day and loved every second.

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/05/31/e...

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Explosive Trail. This is the third book in the continuity series Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit. I always enjoy these series especially since they are always written by my favorite LIS authors. Terri is one of my favorites. This story is well-written, action-packed, and full of faith. I know you are going to love this one. I highly recommend this series.

Northwest Pacific K-9 Unit Officer Willow Bates and her partner Star (an explosive and weapons sniffing dog) An explosion had gone off at the trailhead of another trail, she's now looking at other trailheads. She has just recently found out that she is pregnant so she is wearing a flack vest to cover her tiny unborn baby. Star alerts at a nearby trailhead. Please Lord no. Not another one She radioed for help. She is attacked and the device blew up.

FBI Agent Theo Bates entered the hospital he demanded, "Where is my wife?" No one was aware that he would soon be her ex-husband. The doctor assured her that she and the baby are fine. Baby! The doctor told him about twelve weeks. Their last time together. The bomber is out for revenge. Can he keep her and the baby safe?

An explosive journey. God has a plan for these two broken souls. He wants to bring them back together to give them hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. A good plan for peace and not for destruction. Give Him your heart and watch Him work in your life.

[Jeffrey Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is exploding trail markers at the National Park and why? And who is more dangerous to K-9 Officer Willow Bates: the unpredictable, vengeful bomber, or her soon-to-be-ex-husband, FBI Officer Theo Bates?

"Explosive Trail" by Terri Reed is the third book of the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series from Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense series. As usual with the multi-author K-9 series, each book has threads that extend the whole series, but also has its own story. Thus, it is written where if you miss a story or start with a book other than the first one, you'll neither feel lost with references to earlier stories nor spoil the previous installments if you want to catch up. (In this case, I have read the opening book "Shielding the Baby" by Laura Scott, but I've yet to read book 2, "Scent of Truth" by Valerie Hansen.)

I've read Love Inspired Suspense stories where the lead characters were formerly married and fall in love again (am I spoiling a Harlequin to say there's a happily ever after ending?), but this is the first I've read where the characters are on the verge of divorce. Reed tells a compelling story about the ups and downs of the relationship. Personally, I found that aside from the first scene, more focus is on the romance side than the suspense angle, but it felt natural to the story.

I highly recommend this book and the series (at least, as far as I've read so far).

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was highly enjoyable, as are all Terri Reed books! The characters are relatable and real. Willow and Theo are married but soon-to-be-divorced. Theo is with the FBI and when he took an undercover op, he went down a deep hole and came back different. He never told his wife about it but shut her out and completely changed. Willow tried desperately to reach him but finally gave up and filed for divorce. When Willow is involved in a bombing in the Pacific Northwest forest where she is working a case, Theo rushes to her side. Things get understandably uncomfortable! They will work together on this case, along with the other K-9 Unit members of Willow's team to see who is setting these bombs. I loved Willow's K-9 partner, Star. Those animals are so smart yet lovable! I enjoyed the other characters on the team too and look forward to their stories going forward in this series.

[Mitzi Neiderhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series that I read. Great story line that kept my interest. I completed the book in two days since I couldn't put it down.

Willow and Theo are in process of divorce when their story takes several turns. Willow has to learn to let God show her how to love unconditionally while solving a challenging case. Theo has to find a way to open up before he looses everything important to him. While both are struggling to find a bomber before anyone else is hurt, they have to find a way back to each other too. Willow and Theo are a great HEA.

The story also references a partial story line from a previous book and a new story line of an upcoming book. I do have to admit, these additions can make the story a little challenging. I was disappointed not to learn more about the upcoming story because I initially thought it was part of this book. Having said that, I definitely would recommend this story.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow and Theo are married, but their marriage hit a rocky path and Willow wanted a divorce. Now, she's pregnant and never told Theo. When Willow's injured in an explosion in Olympic National Park, Theo rushes to her side. When he sees the doctor in the hallway, he's informed both Willow and the baby are fine. Now, knowing there's child involved, and knowing he's never stopped loving Willow, Theo knows he has to protect them both, even though he doesn't think he deserves either of them in his life. Then, when it looks as if the bomber just might win, Theo realizes he needs to man-up and quit feeling sorry for himself, and get things right with God and Willow. Willow realizes that she was asking things of Theo that she should never have asked. Is it too late for them, and their child, to get that second chance?? Love how both realize they made mistakes, and that Theo becomes open to going to counseling and therapy, and that Willow realizes she can't make unhealthy demands of Theo.

[Andrea George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosive Trail is another enjoyable read by Terri Reed. The plot follows the mystery of locating and identifying the serial bomber behind the explosions in Olympic National Park. The two main characters, K-9 officer Willow Bates and her estranged husband, FBI agent Theo Bates come together to help solve this puzzling case that has the authorities baffled. Willow and Theo are also dealing with their personal demons that have found them separated and in the process of divorcing. Will this case and impending parenthood bring them back together? You will need to read the novel to find out the answer to this question!
I love that there are authors like Terri Reed that write enthralling novels that are profanity-free and provide a plot that is wholesome and enjoyable to read!
I'm so looking forward to Ms. Reed's next novel!

[Maryann Skaritka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this third book in the continuity series of the Pacific Northwest K9 series. It works well as a stand alone although there are many references to other secondary characters and their dogs.
The setting was described wonderfully. Readers could picture themselves in the Olympic National Park.
Willow Bates, K9 officer and her explosive and weapons trained dog Star are tasked with finding a crazed bomb er who is destroying the park.
FBI agent Theo Bates who is soon to be Willow’s ex husband is assigned to protect her. He is shocked to learn that they are going to be parents.
This couple struggles to repair their marriage and have a second chance. They have to learn forgiveness, trust, and dealing with past trauma as they try to rebuild their relationship.
There are mysteries left to solve which will continue in subsequent books.
A good suspense book that will keep you turning the pages.

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another exciting fast-paced story from author Terri Reed. A serial bomber is on the loose and the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit is on the case. Officer Willow Bates and her canine partner, Star, are searching the Olympic National Park for explosive devices when she finds herself in danger. Unfortunately she's not the only one in harm's way.

This book has all the ingredients needed for a great romantic suspense. It's the 3rd installment in the Love Inspired Suspense Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series. This book can be read as a standalone story but there are connecting storylines in the other books of the series that I'm sure you won't want to miss. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and a positive review was not required.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explosive Trail was an amazing mystery and I loved trying to figure out who the whodunit was in this next installment of the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit. First of all I loved the premise. It was quite different than most what you see in the Love Inspired/Love Inspired Suspense Books. This book actually follows a married couple who are separated and about to get a divorce when the wife finds out she is pregnant. The hubby rushes to her side when she's in an accident and realizes she is carrying his baby. I loved this story so much. It had all the things. I was smiling and crying while these two solve the mystery of the park bomber. It was such a great heartwarming suspense. Of course, we get a little more clues to the major mystery from book #1. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of these wonderful books.