Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Home to Stay by Kate James

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

She’s bringing his son home

A missing little boy triggers San Diego K-9 officer Shannon Clemens and her canine search-and-rescue partner into instant action.

For the rookie cop haunted by a childhood tragedy, bringing Sawyer Evans’s son safely home is more than a job.

It’s a mission she can’t fail.

But forging a friendship with the father is a tactical error that could compromise her first solo assignment.

Yet the deepening bond between them is almost impossible to resist…

SERIES: San Diego K-9 Unit #4
GENRE: Contemporary Clean Romance/Suspense
PUBLISHER: Harlequin Heartwarming
RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2018
PAGES: 312

Other Books In This Series

“Desperate people can do desperate things.”

Buckle up for this new San Diego K-9 Unit book from Kate James!

From the very first page, we are drawn into a parent’s worst nightmare – waking up to find your child has disappeared. For Sawyer Evans, this nightmare is playing out in a national forest during a family camping trip.

Enter Shannon Clemens and her search-and-rescue dog Darwin.

Kate James is a favorite around this blog – with me and with my own canine sidekick Zuzu. In fact, she’s a big fan of Kate’s dogs too! (Check out her interview with Harley and Logan to get in on all the love!) She loves the way Kate James writes the dogs in her novels, and so do I! They each have their own personalities that vividly shine through, and they take their jobs very seriously. Zuzu and I both enjoy the glimpse into a K-9 unit and all that it entails – drugs, search-and-rescue, bombs, etc.

Zuzu loved both Darwin and Rufus, and she very much appreciated the emphasis on rescue dogs, given her own history. Her favorite line happens to be mine, too:

“Dogs could be miracle workers, therapists, friends, and companions all in one furry package.”

Sounds about right ♥

(Ok. Yes. I know my dog can’t read. Or blog. Humor me. And… don’t tell her that. lol.)

(She is, however, a miracle worker, therapist, friend and companion. In a furry cuddly package ♥)

In Home to Stay, we start out with high drama, the air thick with suspense, as Shannon and Darwin search for the missing little boy, Dylan. From discouragement to hope to elation and everything in between, readers get a front row seat for the search. And let me just warn you – when you think you can relax…. don’t be too hasty! James tossed one curveball after another into the plot and kept tension high.

The other sort of tension going on in Home to Stay is the romantical kind. The way their relationship starts is a bit unconventional, and I don’t know that I was comfortable with the timing or the ‘instalove’ aspect of it. BUT, there is no denying their chemistry. (Just wait for that first kiss!!!!) There’s also no denying that they’re good for each other. However, a couple of major obstacles stand in the way of their happily-ever-after – and I truly (almost) didn’t know how everything would play out. The twists and turns kept me captivated, refusing to set me free until I reached the last page!

Bottom Line: Suspense, action, romance, DOGS – Home to Stay has something for everyone. The theme of rescue – adopting rescue dogs, the search-and-rescue-team, the way Sawyer and Dylan really rescued Shannon from life- was subtly woven throughout the fabric of the story. This well-crafted novel brims with personality and warmth, and readers will fall in love with the masterfully-trained canines!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4.5 stars / Fabulous!

Zuzu’s Rating: 4 paws and a tail wag!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion.

Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there are a few very mild curse words scattered throughout this novel.

Harlequin│iTunes│Indigo

Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word.

Kate’s goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors, with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.

Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by email, through her website, her Facebook page, Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.

Other Books by Kate James

Tour Giveaway

Prize Pack:

• A gorgeous aqua cross-body bag;
• “Dreamer Extraordinaire” charm bookmark;
• signed copy of When Love Matters Most, the second book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series);
• signed copy of When I Found You, the third book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series;
• an assortment of bookmarks and bookplates; and
• a $20 Amazon gift card.
• (US/CAN – if winner lives elsewhere, will receive ebooks & gift card instead)

Signed Books:

• Six winners who comment on any of the blog posts, will receive a signed book (US/CAN) of their choice from the first three books in the San Diego K-9 Unit series, When the Right One Comes Along, When Love Matters Most, or When I Found You.

Ends July 18th

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Tour Schedule

July 8th: Launch

July 9th:

Heidi Reads…

Becky on Books

Thoughts of a Blonde

deal sharing aunt

With Love for Books

July 10th:

Katie’s Clean Book Collection

Hearts & Scribbles

Slice of Life

It’s All About the Romance

Mel’s Shelves

July 11th:

Rockin’ Book Reviews

underneath the covers

Getting Your Read On

Nicole’s Book Musings

Cafinated Reads

Christian Suspense Author Mary Alford

July 12th:

A Baker’s Perspective

Paulette’s Papers

Christy’s Cozy Corners

The Bookworm Chronicles

Remembrancy

Janice’s Book Reviews

July 13th:

Singing Librarian Books

I Am A Reader

Reading Is My SuperPower

Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader

Book Lover in Florida

Wishful Endings

July 14: Grand Finale