Blizzard Showdown

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE

BLIZZARD SHOWDOWN

A missing-person case...turns into a rescue operation.

After months of searching for Violet James, Gabriel Runyon and his K-9 partner finally track her down -- just in time to rescue her from her ex-fiance. Now they must safeguard the single mother and her newborn daughter. Leaving Violet's Alaskan hideout is the safest option, but with a winter storm rolling in, it's not just a murderer they have to escape.

Alaska K-9 Unit

My Review:

"He'd never been a baby kind of person. He preferred puppies." (p 78) Bwahahahaha! And we're off and running with the last Alaska K-9 Unit novel! McCoy has crafted a stunner of a series conclusion, with lots of cameos from some of our favourite K-9s and their handlers. 

Speaking of which, that's Bear on the cover. He's my first St. Bernard hero -- what a big lug of a fur ball! His specialty is finding people in the snow with a sideline in bowling people over. :-) Which comes in handy during the course of this story.

This is the culmination of the series' over-arcing suspense plot and it's a page-turner. Oh -- and can easily be read as a standalone if you haven't dived into any of the other books yet. There's wilderness trekking and plenty of action with a diabolical killer in hot pursuit of Violet and her adorable little Ava. They are admirably protected by Gabe and Bear which leads to romance, of course, 'cause this is a Love Inspired Suspense book after all. And ends with the best Thanksgiving epilogue ever!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Blizzard Showdown, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 18 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Evidence of Innocence

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE

EVIDENCE OF INNOCENCE

She was wrongly accused...and now she's searching for the dangerous truth.

Finally exonerated after fifteen years in prison, Kinsley Garrett's determined to find her father's true killer -- even if it makes her a target. Staying alive means relying on police chief Marcus Bayne's protection, but she won't trust him...or anyone. Not after the way everyone turned on her following her arrest. But as Marcus risks everything to shield her, can Kinsley keep him from burrowing into her heart?

My Review:

This is such a unique story line and McCoy does it so well. The author explores the complexities of Kinsley's emotions with gut-wrenching detail. Her inability to trust...wariness of law enforcement...need to keep herself apart...all play out with stomach churning intensity. Kinsley was arrested in her teens, so imagine reaching adulthood while incarcerated! Knowing you are innocent and your father's murderer is still walking free! That's gotta mess with your psyche.  

And Marcus is so patient with Kinsely. And kind. And supportive. Sometimes she can even forget that he's a police chief. Their's is a gentle romance that sparks in the midst of troubled times. You might say wariness is their love language. :-)

The suspense is emotionally gripping and well paced. I was on edge right from the start, waiting for all the bad stuff to start happening! And McCoy doesn't disappoint. Another must-read-it-all-in-one-sitting page-turner from a much loved author.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Evidence of Innocence, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday May 29  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Delayed Justice

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE

DELAYED JUSTICE

A closed case brings a new threat.

Detective Bradley McGregor and his K-9 partner, Kind, come to the rescue when journalist Sasha Eastman's targeted by a shooter who looks just like her mother's murderer. But that killer supposedly died years ago in a shootout with police. Now it's up to Bradley and King to protect Sasha...but how can they stop a killer who's already dead?

The thrilling True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn series conclusion.

My Review:

Why, yes, this is me mooning over the noble King, Belgian Malinois extraordinaire! The perfect protector and run buddy and a bit of a goofball on the side. What's not to love? Oh, sure, his two-legged partner is mighty fine too...for someone lacking a keen sense of smell and the ability to detect danger before it's too late to do anything about it! 

Bradley makes up for his lack of K-9 abilities by being finely tuned to King's every mood and willing to trust in the dog's uber spidey senses. :-) They make a formidable team and are just the officers to help Sasha figure out who is gunning (quite literally) for her. Only Sasha isn't a slouch and she has some cunning investigative skills and isn't afraid to use them.

There's a bit of a more serious tone to this LIS as both hero and heroine have lost parents to violence. Bradley has coped by holding himself aloof and pouring all his time and energy into his policing as a way of making a difference. Sasha's approach to healing is more subtle, but effective. "She prayed for small successes. That God could use her to touch a heart, to ease a burden, to lift a spirit -- those were the things she wanted." (p 23) Love this contrast between these two and the dynamics it creates. 

This is the grand finale of the True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn continuity series and I'm thrilled to have all the t's crossed and the i's dotted on that seven month hunt for a killer! You don't need to have read the first six books to enjoy this one as Sasha's mystery takes precedence and the author does a great job of neatly catching readers up with the over-arcing suspense thread backstory so it all makes total sense. 

And there's a really sweet epilogue featuring the entire K-9 team and their significant others (including dogs!) celebrating Thanksgiving. And we still have two Christmas novellas to look forward to next month. Count me one happy reader.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Delayed Justice, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 21 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

Hidden Witness

GIVEAWAY

 

MCCOY, SHIRLEE

HIDDEN WITNESS

The ranch was her safe haven...but now she's been found

As the only witness to a murder, FBI defense attorney Annalise Rivers has no choice but to enter witness protection on a remote dude ranch. But after an attempt on her life, Annalise must rely on the ranch's owner, former navy SEAL MacArthur Davis, to keep her safe. And Mas will do whatever it takes to help Annalise live to testify...even if it costs him his future.

My Review:

This right here is why Shirley McCoy is high up on my auto-buy list. She delivers a wonderful balance of romance and suspense in this gripping page-turner. The opening scene is t-e-n-s-e!!! And I loved the rollercoaster of highs and lows that catapulted me to the must-take-a-breath-or-I'm-gonna-pass-out ending. 

McCoy knows how to draw out a suspenseful scene and how to sneak in a toe-curling one with just the right amount of description to make a reader feel like she's actually experiencing the bite of the cold or the terror of discovery or the sweet comfort of a touch. And that makes me one very enthralled reader.

Unputdownable!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  Hidden Witness, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 3 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Falsely Accused

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
FALSELY ACCUSED

Proving her innocence means running for her life.

Framed for her foster brother's murder, FBI specialist agent Wren Santino must clear her name -- but someone's dead set on stopping her from finding the truth. Her estranged childhood friend, Titus Anderson, comes to her aid...but standing by her puts him in the killer's crosshairs too. And unraveling a conspiracy may be the only way for either of them to survive.

My Review:

What a hair-raising opening scene! Desperation from the get go and so many questions without any answers. My heart rate skipped along as fast as my eyes skimmed the words because this is the rabid-read kind of suspense. So many twists and turns with stop reading and gasp out loud moments!

Love the friends to lovers vibe of the romance. They haven't seen each other for nine years yet they fall right back into the teasing comaraderie of their best friends days. "It was the same. The verbal sparring. The quick exchanges of ideas and plans. The compromising and the challenging. It all felt as natural as breathing."  (p 27) Only there's a new and interesting vibe zinging between them now. And I do love some good verbal sparring in a romance. :-)

Shirlee McCoy is one of my absolutely-buy-if-her-name-is-on-the-cover authors and after finishing Falsely Accused, I'm reminded why. Unputdownable.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a gently read copy of  Falsely Accused leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 18 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Die Before Nightfall

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL

"Even out here in the country, bad things happen." Raven Stevenson was in Lakeview barely twenty-four hours when she heard those ominous words. She'd come to the small Virginia town to reconcile with her brother and her past. She didn't expect to find friends, community -- or a thirty-five-year-old mystery of tragic love. Nor did she expect to meet Shane Montgomery, whose love for his ailing aunt Abby breaks through Raven's defenses. But when Abby unwittingly shares secrets behind that mystery, she and Raven become targets...

My Review:

Published in 2005

I discovered a stockpile of Large Print Love Inspired books from days gone by at my library recently so I grabbed a few to check them out. Shirlee McCoy is one of my absolutely-must-buy-right-away LIS authors so I was over the moon excited to discover her second ever book published with this line. Eeeep!

First thing I noticed right away was how the Love Inspired Suspense criteria has developed over the last decade or so. They are much edgier and action-packed now. Die Before Nightfall felt more mystery than suspense (which I loved, by the way.) Kind of had a bit of a Phyllis A. Whitney vibe. Lots of page time building relationships punctuated by eerie scenes with a few hair-raising episodes thrown in. More simmering tension than sinister assaults. Not that there isn't any danger -- it's not just as rapid-fire-in-your-face like you find in the current LIS novels.

A children's author hero (squeak!) A heroine struggling to come to grips with her past. A sweet canine companion and Ugliest Dog of the Year contender. And a dementia patient with a link to the cold case mystery that draws them all together. I enjoyed this blast from the past Love Inspired style!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Please note: this book is only available in ebook format now.If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of  Die Before Nightfall, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 20 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Lone Witness

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
LONE WITNESS

She's keeping secrets. He must keep her safe.
An FBI: Special Crimes Unit page-turner

Were it not for Tessa Carlson, Special Agent Henry Miller's daughter would have been abducted. But rescuing the little girl has thrust Tessa -- a woman in hiding -- into the media's spotlight...and into a criminal's crosshairs. Now her survival depends on putting her faith in widowed single father Henry if she wants to live to see another day.

My Review:

Another wonder of a read from Shirlee McCoy -- from the heart-in-throat opening scene to the deliciously romantical epilogue. Loved the longer time frame than we usually see in a suspense. It gave credence to the relationship that develops between Tessa and Henry and his family. She's so mysterious and guarded which both intrigues and frustrates him. But as the threats on Tess's life grow bolder, she has to place her trust in Henry and his team to keep her safe. An exhilarating rush of a read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Lone Witness, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 18 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Dangerous Sanctuary

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
DANGEROUS SANCTUARY

Mission: rescue his fellow agent -- the next exciting FBI: Special Crimes Unit story.

FBI agent Radley Tumberg must rescue his fellow agent, Honor Remington, from a spiritual sanctuary where she's being held against her will. But when he reaches her, posing as her estranged husband, he discovers the motives for her capture are deadlier than he expected. Can they escape the sanctuary and find evidence that it's leader isn't what he's pretending to be?

My Review:

Well, this might just be my favourite Shirlee McCoy book ever! It is everything you want in a Love Inspired Suspense novel x100!

Great team dynamics include a tantalizing glimpse at the other members of the FBI Special Crimes Unit (this is book three in the series but reads magnificently as a standalone.) Honor and Radley haven't worked together before. She's usually computer geeking while he's out in the field but they suddenly get up close and personal when Radley is sent in to rescue Honor from the clutches of a cult.

It's heart-stopping, teeth-clenching, shoulder-checking action all the way through. I even had the shiveries during the 'quiet' scenes as I anticipated what kind of mayhem was only a page turn away. Awesome edge-of-your-seat stuff.

And the romantic development -- the perfect blend of laughter and angst with a healthy dose of toe-curling. And the quips! Some seriously witty wordplay going on here! 

A truly sensational read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Dangerous Sanctuary, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 9 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Tracking Justice

GIVEAWAY

RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
TRACKING JUSTICE

Little boy lost

In the night, a young boy goes missing from his bedroom. Police detective Austin Black assures desperate single mother Eva Billows that he'll find her son. He has to, so he can put to rest his own harrowing memories. With his search and rescue bloodhound, Justice, Austin searches every inch of Sagebrush, Texas. And when Eva insists on helping, Austin can't turn her away. Eva trusts no one, especially police, but this time, Austin -- and Justice -- won't let her down.

My Review:

published in 2013
My thanks to my public library for supplying me with a copy of this retro read!

Eeeppp! I just discovered a cache of retro Love Inspired books in my library! I'm going to be able to catch up on the backlists of authors I was late in discovering. I'm so excited because these older LI books aren't available in print copies any more so I wouldn't have a chance to catch up otherwise. Woot! And please note -- this giveaway is for an ecopy!

Tracking Justice is the first book in the Texas K-9 Unit continuity series. I missed the first couple of books back in 2013 so I'm super excited to have had the opportunity to read Austin and Justice's story! How can you not love a suspense with a bloodhound hero?! And his handler is pretty cool too. :-)

Austin's a dedicated K-9 officer who has seen a lot in his career. Enough to know that he can't afford to become personally involved in a search. But somehow Eva gets past his defenses as she doggedly refuses to be left behind. Frustration turns to admiration and a grudging respect for the determined single mom and it isn't long before Austin is falling hard. Eva's wary though -- prickly and guarded, with a past history that makes it hard to trust both cops and men. Great romantic tension explodes off the page as danger draws closer and an intriguing web of mysteries beg to be solved. A page-turning delight!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Available in EBOOK format only.

If you would like to win an ebook copy of Tracking Justice, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Satruday January 19 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Valiant Defender

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
VALIANT DEFENDER

His daughter's been taken...the last showdown in the Military K-9 Unit series.

After relentless searching, Captain Justin Blackwood's closing in on the Red Rose Killer. But when his daughter becomes a target, the hunt turns personal. With the help of his new partner, Captain Gretchen Hill, and his K-9, Quinn, Justin will race to save his daughter and bring down his nemesis once and for all...or die trying.

My Review:

This book has been languishing on my TBR pile, taunting me for a month now. I was desperate to read it but I pushed all the Christmas Love Inspired books ahead of it so that the giveaways would reach  winners before Christmas. Every time I drew close to that TBR pile I swear magnificent Quinn uttered a disapproving growl. He's the kind of dog ready to leap into action when a job needs doing. Waiting didn't sit well with him so he barked his discontent. I kept apologizing when I reached past him and selected a Christmas book instead. I felt soooooo guilty. Poor lad...but I think he's forgiven me now that I've shared his adventures. At least the growling has stopped. -)

Woohoo -- the grand finale of an epic continuity series! Valiant Defender is the eighth Military K-9 Unit novel and I was about ready to crawl out of my skin in anxious anticipation of the Red Rose Killer's capture. Kudos to all the authors for keeping the over-arcing suspense plot fresh and compelling over the course of the series. Loved the way clues were laid out and snippets of fresh information gleaned and, of course, missing dogs recovered in each book. And I appreciated that each story had it's own suspense plot too...and all that romance -- blissful sigh. That's a lot of happily-ever-afters!. Oh -- and K-9 heroes and heroines!!!! A howling success! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

So, while each book in the series could be read as a standalone, I think this one is better appreciated if you've read the others. It would totally make sense but I really think it makes more of an impact if you've been following along right from the start.

McCoy has done a fantastic job of tying all those lose ends together. And I was thrilled to discover that I actually figured out another piece of the puzzle before  Justin and Gretchen did. That didn't happen very often in this series so I'm pretty chuffed.

I fell hard for Justin. He's been intriguing me for months now so my expectations were really high -- both for his backstory and his love story and this author didn't disappoint. She delivered so much more than an outstanding suspense. As much as I'd anticipated bringing closure to this monster case, it was the romance that carried me away. Such depth and emotion amidst all the danger and intrigue. Stellar from start to finish!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Valiant Defender, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 16  2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Gone

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
GONE

Agent undercover...identity exposed : the FBI: Special Crimes Unit series continues

FBI agent Sam Sheridan's mission is to take down a human trafficking ring and save missing teens -- until he witnesses a kidnapping. Blowing his cover, Sam rescues Ella McIntire. But she's not safe yet. While searching for the truth about her cousin's death, Ella came too close to a dangerous secret. And now only Sam can protect her from the men determined to silence her.

My Review:

You know what attracted me to this book first? The title. That one word raises so many questions and I wanted all the answers. Immediately. This is definitely a consume-in-one-gulp read.

How's this for an opening line: "She woke up in darkness so thick she thought she'd been buried alive." Just as intriguing as that abrupt title, right? McCoy sure knows how to grab a reader's attention -- and hold her hostage. But unlike the predicament Ella finds herself in, the author's form of kidnapping is much more enjoyable. :-)

I love a good team suspense and this second book in the FBI Special Crimes Unit series is definitely that. The author manages to find time to establish team members and the way they relate to one another without taking away from the intensity of the suspense or the developing romance. Knowing the whole team, catching glimpses of their personalities, including quirks, has sparked my imagination and guarantees I will be following up with future novels.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Gone, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you include an email address in your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and. to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 29 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Night Stalker

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
NIGHT STALKER

A serial killer is on the loose...in the first book in Shirlee McCoy's FBI: Special Crimes Unit series.

After Special Agent Adam Whitfield's e-wife is nearly killed when she stops an abduction, the serial killer that Adam's been hunting turns his focus on Charlotte Murray for getting in his way. Now, as the Night Stalker closes in, Adam has two missions: bring the murderer to justice and save Charlotte -- because failure isn't an option.

My Review:

A breathless wonder of a read! Honestly, the yearning between Adam and Charlotte is palpable in every scene. I ached right along with them and read most of the book with a lump in my throat. Their love story was...is...might be again. Achingly tender. Deeply broken. Splintered by tragedy. I just can't even...Phew, one of the best second chance at love stories I've ever read. Sniffle.

And then there's the scary stalker suspense thread. Hair-raising, but not overdone. Creepy enough to check that your doors and windows are locked but not enough to sleep with a baseball bat. :-) And McCoy introduces her readers to an intriguing group of law enforcement professionals that make up this Special Crimes Unit which promises more exciting reading ahead for romantic suspense fans! I can't wait!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Night Stalker, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 11 2018. Offer open to International Reader. Good luck!

Christmas on the Run

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
CHRISTMAS ON THE RUN

"Do what we tell you or your son will disappear..."

Master gemstone cutter Carly Rose Kelley will do anything ti keep her son safe...but with blackmailers insisting she forge priceless antique stones, she needs help. With Christmas days away, the desperate widow has only one hope -- the brother-in-law she never met. Hostage rescue specialist Dallas Morgan never knew about his nephew or his estranged late brother's wife. Now their lives are in his hands. But the sweet child and vulnerable woman remind Dallas of the family he once had and lost. And he can't afford distraction. Now that they're trapped in the sights of ruthless blackmailers, nowhere is safe...but Dallas won't let anyone stand in the way of him saving Carly and her little boy.

Mission Rescue -- No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

My Review:

There is such a desperate sense of urgency from the very first page that I think I held my breath through the whole read! Carly is in an impossible situation but she's a scrappy fighter and she's concocted a plan that just must save her son...if she can bring herself to hand the controls over to Dallas, a man she's never met. But she's done her research and he's definitely hero material. Trouble is Carly has trust issues when it comes to men and she second guesses involving Dallas at every turn. These two butt heads as they grapple for answers and dance around the unexpected attraction that arcs between them.

Fans of the Mission Rescue series will be happy to connect with some of the previous heroes -- particularly Chance and Boone who step in to provide some much needed backup. No worries if you haven't read the other books in this series (there are eight -- four of them Christmas stories) as each book is written as a standalone. It's just comforting to meet old faces in the midst of all the mayhem! Kinda made me feel relieved to know that Dallas and Carly weren't stuck facing these ruthless blackmailers all on their lonesome!

Heart palpitating action meets tentative romance in this blockbuster romantic suspense.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Christmas on the Run, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your email. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 12 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Bodyguard

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
BODYGUARD

Safeguarding the witness

Close to bringing the Dupree crime family that murdered his parents to justice, FBI agent Ian Slade wants to track the leader -- not protect the man's niece. But with Esme Duree's uncle determined to silence her before she can testify against her brother, Ian and his K-9 partner are duty bound to guard her. Even if her family ties make him dobut her innocence. But as he and Esme fight to survive the chase through the Florida Everglades, it becomes clear to Ian that she's nothing like her family. And soon, Ian must choose between the vengeance he's craved for so long and a future rich in forgiveness and hope.

My Review:

Every time I read a book by Shirlee McCoy I think she can't get any better but she consistently ups her game with each new release. So I stand by my claim -- this is the best book yet by this talented author...for now. :-)

Dare I start by swooning over King? Belgian Malinois extraordinaire who gives the best K-9 hugs ever! He's definite bodyguard material but he has an upbeat personality and a sense of humour too. Yes, I'm gushing over a dog. But that's because he's a canine rock star!

And his human partner -- Ian -- is pretty yummy too. Despite his prejudice towards the Dupree family, he treats Esme with compassion. That doesn't mean he doesn't impose his iron will on her at times. Or struggle inwardly with the fact that she's related to the man who killed his parents. Love the way McCoy develops their relationship. There are some great heart-to-heart chats as well as light-hearted teasing -- and that includes some fun human/canine scenes.

Intrigue, romance and the thrill of the chase make Bodyguard a read-in-one-sitting kind of suspense. It's also the fifth in the six book Classified K-9 Unit continuity series. It could be read as a standalone but I think will make more of an overall impact if you've read the books in order.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Bodyguard, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 30 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck..

Exit Strategy

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
EXIT STRATEGY

The widow's protector

Lark Porter thinks she'll find answers about her husband's death when she returns to their former home, but someone doesn't like the questions she's asking. She's quickly taken captive, and all that stands between her and certain death is a mysterious stranger telling her to trust him if she wants to get out alive. Hostage Rescue and Extraction Team member Cyrus Mitchell marvels at Lark's strength and determination to survive. The closer they get to freedom, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Once free, though, it takes all the skills and training Cyrus has to outmaneuver the deadly killers on their trail.

Mission Rescue - No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

My Review:

This is the third book in this series -- and there are seven to date. Thankfully they all read brilliantly as standalones but beware -- these books are addictive and once you've read one story you'll need to read them all. That's why Exit Strategy has landed here on Retro Saturday. I somehow missed it first time round. As soon as I realized that (after reading book #7) I hightailed it over to the publisher's website and nabbed a copy. And just in time too. They only have larger print editions left -- sold out of regular print!

So, make sure you have a spare oxygen tank on stand-by. You're going to need it because of the non-stop action and fast-paced plot. Riveting. I have callouses on my fingers from gripping the book so hard. Phew! And the circumstances and setting add to the urgency. Cyrus is all gruff and stand-offish (in the sweetest way) and Lark is so fiercely stubborn. He can't help but admire her tenacity despite the trouble she causes. And she has to fight the temptation to lean on him. Wills clash and tempers rise as these two try to unravel a dangerous mystery that might just cost them their lives. But you can be sure that love emerges amidst all that angst in the most delicious way. Such a fantastic read!

Giveaway Opportunity:

PLEASE NOTE: THE ONLY EDITIONS OF THIS BOOK CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ARE THE LARGER PRINT PAPERBACK VERSION OR THE EBOOK VERSION. 

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Exit Strategy please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 5 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Mistaken Identity

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
MISTAKEN IDENTITY

The wrong target...

When Trinity Miller's attacked by a man who mistakenly believes she's Mason Gain's girlfriend, the reclusive prosthetic maker is forced from seclusion to rescue her. And he soon learns someone's determined to get information on one of his clients -- information they're willing to kill for. Now the former army pilot has to find a way to take down the men on their trail...and make sure Trinity survives. When Trinity arrived at Mason's isolated home to convince him to help her friend's son, her plans didn't include going on the run with him. But Trinity must work with Mason to outwit their pursuers...or risk losing both their lives.

Mission: Rescue -- No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes.

My Review:

I can't tell you how much I love this series but I'm going to try. :-) This is the seventh book in the Mission Rescue series but no worries if you haven't read all of the other books -- Mistaken Identity reads beautifully as a standalone. Though there are some great character carryovers which were fun to spot.

McCoy knows how to balance her romance and suspense. Both get equal billing and naturally build as the taut plot threatens to spin out of control. Tension starts on page one when Trinity has that dreaded feeling that something isn't right. I wanted her to turn around and rethink her strategy. She's in a car, alone, at night on a deserted back road. Seriously, girly, come back in the light of day why don't you? Did she listen to me? She did not. And action explodes off the page as she's caught in the cross-hairs of some uber bad guys with nefarious goals...and capturing her is now one of them.

Mason is both exasperated and intrigued by Trinity...along with a healthy dose of attraction. But he's a recluse and likes his life just the way it is...well the way it was before his idyllic solitude turned into lethal chaos. Their pursuers are relentless with danger at every turn. Serious, page-turning stuff.

But there are bursts of humour to break the tension as well. Trinity's poor sense of direction had me chuckling at the most hair-raising moments. And the banter between her over-protective brothers who show up on the scene in major rescue mode is grin-inducing. Especially if you've met Chance and Jackson in earlier books like I have.

An enthralling romantic suspense that will leave you clamoring for more...so get busy backtracking on the other books in this incredible series. (I've just ordered Exit Strategy -- the only one I've missed so far. Can't wait for it to get here!)

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Mistaken Identity please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Christmas Target

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
THE CHRISTMAS TARGET

Christmas Under Fire

Security and rescue specialist Stella Silverstone returns home for the holidays to care for her ailing grandmother -- and finds herself the target of a killer. Only the unexpected arrival of the rescue team leader temporarily pulls her from the crosshairs. Once, Stella hoped Chance Miller would become more than her boss. But the widow's tragic past keeps her from giving him her heart -- or embracing the Christmas season. Now with danger lurking in every corner of her grandmother's old Victorian home and family secrets hiding in the shadows. Stella is safe nowhere but with Chance. Only he can show her the joys of Christmas and the beauty of love...he can keep her alive.

Mission: Rescue -- No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

My Review:

I just love this series! Somehow, even with the shorter word count, the author has managed to deliver the kind of reader satisfaction that comes from a longer romantic suspense like the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson or the Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey.

McCoy has done a great job of creating memorable characters in the HEART team -- they provide continuity to the series, while allowing each member to take at turn at shining in his/her own story. No need to have read the previous ones in order to enjoy The Christmas Target, but I sure enjoyed catching up with some old friends.

"Stella Silverstone woke like she often did -- bathed in  sweat, heart beating frantically, her body screaming  for her to run or fight." Talk about a gripping opening line and what an introduction to Stella! She wakes up disoriented as her dream morphs into reality. And the action and suspense don't let up until the very last page. Neither does the romance -- the scrumptious second chance kind that made me weak in the knees. Stella's so prickly and aloof. Chance is the exact opposite. A man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to patiently wait Stella out. Tenderness. Desire. Commitment. The man feels it all and he isn't afraid to show it. A deliciously satisfying read from start to finish.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Christmas Target please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the  subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 6 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Secrets and Lies

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
SECRETS AND LIES

Expecting -- and in danger

Attacked in her classroom, widowed teacher Ariel Martin's only thought is for her unborn child. When her student's brother, rookie K-9 officer Tristan McKeller, and his faithful dog save her life, she can't thank him enough. She knows Tristan won't rest until she's safe, but she doesn't want him or his police colleagues digging into her dangerous past. After all, the only person who would want to hurt her is dead...or is he? With her and her child's life on the line, she'll have to trust Tristan with her secrets if she wants to finally get the fresh start she's been desperately seeking.

Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

My Review:

I'm squealing and jumping up an down with my fist raised in armchair sleuth triumph because I figured something out with the over-arcing suspense. Phew -- okay, let me backtrack a bit. Secrets and Lies is book 5 in the Rookie K-9 Unit continuity series. And though each book reads well as a standalone, a common suspense thread links the stories together. So I'm just asserting bragging rights over connecting the dots. :-)

Aside from that shared thread, there's another suspense plot unique to this book. A little bit hair-raising and a whole lot mystifying, Tristan has his hands full keeping Ariel safe while trying to manage his unruly teenage sister. You might say he's bombarded by the complexities of womanhood. A sweet romance blossoms between Tristan and Ariel despite the mounting obstacles in their way. Danger and intrigue persist right through to the exhilarating conclusion. Awesome read and now I'm waiting impatiently for all the lose threads to be tied up in the final book which comes out next month.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Secrets and Lies please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 17 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Mystery Child

GIVEAWAY

MCCLOY, SHIRLEE
MYSTERY CHILD

To save a child...

In the dark of night, Quinn Robertson is on the run with her little niece, desperate to bring the child to her biological father. All Quinn knows from her scared sister is that the girl is in terrible danger. And when a security and rescue specialist intercepts Quinn and claims he's there to help her, she isn't sure who to trust. According to Malone Henderson, Quinn's niece was stolen as a baby from her real father -- the very man Quinn is trying to reach. As Quinn works with Malone to uncover the truth, someone is trying very hard to make sure certain secrets stay buried, and that father and daughter are never reunited.

Mission: Rescue - no job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes.

My Review:

Take a deep breath before opening this book because once you read these opening lines -- "They were coming. She could hear them as clearly as she could hear her pulse pounding frantically in her ears." -- well, you'll forget all about mundane things like breathing. Hyperventilating maybe. Because this is a heart-hammering, breath-stealing kind of read. From the very first page. Shirlee McCoy at her absolute best.

The HEART (Hostage Rescue and Extraction) Team is back, and while you don't have to have read any of the other books this one has a pivotal plot point that's really exciting if you've been following the series. Emotions are palpable as the suspense climbs. Riveting mystery and a tenuous romance made this a page turner of a read for me. I gobbled it up in one gulp. I'm that greedy for stellar romantic suspense.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Mystery Child please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 5 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Deadly Christmas Secrets

GIVEAWAY

MCCOY, SHIRLEE
DEADLY CHRISTMAS SECRETS

The Christmas target

When new evidence surfaces that Harper Shelby's niece is possibly alive, Harper doesn't expect it to endanger her life. For her protection, she has to put her much-guarded trust in Logan Fitzgerald, the man who unknowingly led a killer to her doorstep. Hired to track Harper down, security and rescue expert Logan doesn't like that he's been used to find a woman who someone apparently wants dead. Now he won't leave Harper's side until he can guarantee her safety and untangle the truth from the lies regarding her sister's and niece's murders. The closer they get to finding answers, the more intent the killer becomes on making sure that there won't be a family reunion—or happily-ever-after—for Harper this Christmas. 

Mission : Rescue

My Review:

Take a deep breath before opening this book because you won't take another until you reach the end.  At least, that's the way it felt for me. A little bit creepy, a whole lot of suspense and plenty of mystery to figure out.

Harper has put up walls around her heart and she doesn't let anyone in -- except her Irish wolfhound, Picasso that is. And yes, I said Irish wolfhound. In a story. Squeal! You may find it strange that I'm over-the-moon thrilled about that, but then you didn't know my eleven-year-old self so that's perfectly understandable. Anyway, back to Harper, who is hard to get to know, incredibly contained. Reserved. Reluctant to trust. And Logan -- determined to protect, especially since it looks like he's the one that led trouble right to Harper's doorstep. The HEART team gets involved as they all strive to protect Harper from a sinister threat while trying to unravel a four year-old life and death mystery. An awesome romantic suspense (with an Irish wolfhound!!!!)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Deadly Christmas Secrets please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 6 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!