Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Series: K-9 Defenders #1
Published by Carina Press on August 23, 2022
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple





Chief of police Tristan Church likes Marsville just the way it is. He has his job and his police dog, Fuzz, for company. He could have Sheriff Skylar Morgan, too, but she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length, even if the one night they shared was unforgettable.
When a kooky Marsville matriarch decides to reopen the town’s old UFO museum, everyone laughs—except Tristan. Inviting cranks and conspiracy theorists to Marsville is bound to be trouble. But he’s on the museum planning committee with Skylar, and he won’t say no to spending time with her…even if he thinks this is a bad idea.
I’m always interested in reading about dogs and a North Carolina setting. The first in the K-9 Defenders series doesn’t have a trained K-9, rather a smart dog. So I’m not sure the series title is very accurate. I peeked at the other two books and it looks like the series is about the three brothers.
In His Protection features police chief, Tristan who has a loved dog, Fuzz. He has two brothers. Kade is a special ops military guy and Parker is the fire chief. Tristan is the oldest and lives in the family home with Parker and niece, Everly. Parker is also a successful artist.
Skye is the new sheriff who left Florida to escape a nightmare ex-fiance. She’s determined not to be involved with men again but after a one-night stand when she comes to interview for the job, they are both hooked. She puts him off for a year until they need to work together on some town projects and she is in serious danger from her ex and a drug lord.
Things get very dangerous very quickly. I enjoy Tristan and his family. Skye is a great person and competent in her role as sheriff. The characters here are well developed and I liked them. We get both Tristan and Skye’s point of view which I liked.
The strike by the criminals is fast and unexpected, a real twist on things. In hindsight, it makes sense. I liked how everything played out except the final conflict between Tristan and Skye. I do really look forward to more of this series with Kade next and it looks like an another, not really K-9, dog.
- 🎧 Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett #HeatherFawcett @Pottell @DoddsAndEnds @DelReyBooks @penguinaudio.bsky.social @PRHAudio #LOVEAudiobooks - February 13, 2025
- 🎧 Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz @gregghurwitzbooks.bsky.social @ScottBrick @macmillanaudio.bsky.social @stmartinspress.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks @GreggHurwitz@MinotaurBooks @StMartinsPress @MacmillanAudio - February 11, 2025
- Sunday Post – 9 February 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - February 9, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I don’t think that I have read this author before but I am a huge dog lover and I enjoy it when dogs are part of the story. I could see myself enjoying this one.
She’s from here in NC but I discovered her because of her K-9 series. The previous one was actually with K-9 and this is more dogs with protective guys. I enjoy her books though, and the NC settings.
I do love books with dogs in them! I’m glad there are so many of them out there to read. 🙂
yes, I just like more dog page time than this had. The only reason I expended more because the series is titled K9 Defenders. It’s a good romantic suspense story though and I like the 3 brothers who will be in the series.
Nice review, I lilke books with dogs in them!
Books with dogs are some of my favorites.
I’m a big fan of books that feature dogs in them. Interesting that these aren’t really K-9s though.
IKR? I mean it’s still a great story but the name is dumb. The next book has a dog that flunked K9 school.
PUPPY!!!!!
I like those too. But these are generally about older, smart trained dogs.