Protecting the woman he secretly loves
threatens a K-9 cop’s self-control.
K-9 cop Jedediah Burke has kept his yearning for
veterinarian Hazel Cooper in check for years because their friendship is too
precious to risk. Though both have survived painful divorces, Burke is unaware
of the nightmare marriage Hazel endured. But when a sadistic stalker’s threats
against Hazel escalate, protecting her requires staying close. And stifling his
long-suppressed desire may no longer be possible.
Julie Miller always provides a gripping tale, and this
was no exception. Not only is the suspense edge-of-the-seat intense, but the
hero and heroine are almost too awesome for words. Both Burke and Hazel are in
their early 50s, have been through painful divorces, and have jobs that take up
a lot of their time.
Burke is the head of KCPD's K-9 unit, involved in
training as well as regular patrol duties. He joined the KCPD after leaving the
military and likes what he does. His canine partner is a German Shepherd Dog
named Gunny. Burke is loved and respected by the other officers he works with.
I loved the way that some of the younger guys called him "old man" and
yet, would do anything for him. Burke has been on his own for a lot of years,
ever since divorcing the wife who cheated on him whenever he deployed.
Hazel is a veterinarian who also takes care of the KCPD's
K-9 officers. Her husband went to prison for fraud, and for trying to have her
killed when she wouldn't refuse to testify against him. Hazel raised her two
daughters on her own while running a successful vet practice. She has avoided
dating in the sixteen years since her divorce, reluctant to trust her judgment
when it comes to relationships. She has a small, three-legged dog named Cleo,
who has a crush on Burke's Gunny.
The action starts early and never really lets up. Hazel
has been receiving creepy letters, and when she shows Burke the latest one, his
protective instincts are aroused. Those instincts prove to be accurate when she
also receives explosive material in the mail, and later that day, her
daughter's car blows up. Burke is determined to keep Hazel and her girls safe.
The tension ramps up as the attacks escalate, and they race to figure out who
is behind them. There were several possibilities, and I waffled among them with
each new attack. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and surprised me with
who it was.
I loved the development of the relationship between Burke
and Hazel. One of the benefits of a "mature" relationship is that the
protagonists are past the more angsty dramas found in younger couples. Burke
and Hazel had been friends/coworkers for about five years. They are comfortable
with each other. Hazel gets a bit of a shock when her daughter starts going on
about how hot Burke is, and that he has been flirting with Hazel and checking
her out. Hazel has been oblivious to it, but now that it's been pointed out,
she can't help checking him out, too. I loved how patient Burke was as Hazel learned
to trust herself again. I loved her surprise as she found out that he has cared
for her almost since they met. There are some adorable scenes between the two
of them, and some fun ones too. I especially enjoyed the family sleepover after
the bar scene. I loved the ending as Hazel finally realized that she deserved
to be happy.
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