ARC REVIEW Another Chance by Kathy Clark

Another Chance is book three in Kathy Clark's Austin Heroes series, it is sadly the conclusion to the series as well. The youngest Archer brother gets his second chance at love with his high school sweetheart and they are not the only ones who get another chance but a surprise reunion happens also. Luke Archer and  Bella Shaw happened pretty quickly but it was like they picked up where they left off as soon as they realized what had happened all those years ago. There is no problem with their relationship only the fact that technically Luke lives in DC and Bella is a prominent lawyer and a Texas State Senator and that possibility that ISIS terrorist are coming over the Texas border and using Bella's ranch as an waypoint before getting into Austin. Said terrorists are planning an attack and Luke has come back home as part of the task force in charge of finding them and stopping them.

As with each of the books this can be read as a standalone, but the other books are so well done and together you get more of the family history and background and it really is more fun to know the story behind the dog who is addicted strawberries. The story has a great romance and a great plot, plenty of action, in the bedroom and out. Overall, this was a very exciting and romantic and I hate to see the end of this series but look forward to what may come.  

ARC REVIEW Almost Forever by Kathy Clark

Book two of the Austin Heroes series greets us with a dead body. Katy Clark continues the series with the Archer boys, this one the straight laced Texas Ranger Justin Archer. I really enjoyed this one it was nice seeing Justin so willing to risk his dream job for love. The story was a great mystery, a little predictable but I love the way it played out.

Lori Roberts lucked out when she meet Mark Roberts, a whirlwind romance that had them married after just a few days. Unfortunately that luck didn't last long, after she got pregnant he became emotionally abusive and distant and soon had a line of mistresses until one day he just vanished. Lori assumed he ran off with his latest mistress. Lori was happier without him she had her daughter and the winery. The winery that Mark was running into the ground, Lori however loved the place and nurtured it back and made it into a successful place. Justin has wanted one thing in his life and that was to become a Texas Ranger. From childhood his idols were the Rangers and he knew he would do anything to be one. Justin is good at his job he is a by the books kind of guy until he meets Lori. Accused of murdering her husband Lori's only hope is Justin. Justin believes Lori didn't kill her husband but the only way to prove it is by stepping away from the Rangers and digging in deep. Justin decides to stay with Lori not only because he in love with her but someone has been trying to kill her. Now Justin not only trying to find a killer but a would be assassin.

Overall, this was a good one not as good as After Love but at times it had a classic noir feel to it and I enjoyed that. I also love the new direction the cover went, very Texas western.

ARC REVIEW After Love by Kathy Clark

After Love is the first book in Kathy Clark's Austin Heroes series it is a spin-off of her Denver Heroes series, which I loved. The main difference between the two series so far is that while Denver Heroes leaned toward a darker kind of romance Austin Heroes is lighter. It's still emotional and if you are prone to crying a good cry. This book is just as much a buddy cop story, in the ways of Turner and Hooch and K-9; yep thats right a cop and his dog. I loved this book as much as I loved the movie Turner and Hooch, and I loooove that movie. The romance aspect of it is great, one of my favorite tropes second chance at love. Both main character, even the dog, have loved and lost. Jaime was married to an Austin Police Officer who was brutally shot and killed in the line of duty and now is determined never to love again. Nick is a DEA agent whose marriage ended in divorce and further jading him to any commitment. As an undercover agent he is often gone for long periods of time and that lead his wife to be unfaithful. Harley the german shepherd was a K-9 dog whose owner died. German Shepherds are very loyal dogs and Harley is still mourning the loss of his previous owner.

Nick was introduced in the last book of the Denver Heroes series and ever since then he has had rotten luck. His boss has had enough and is making him get a new partner, not just any partner but a K-9. Knowing this is the only way he can keep his job he hesitantly accepts. Jaime is the best service dog trainer around, she works with Nick and Harley together so they can be a functional working unit. Having a K-9 for a partner is a lot more work than Nick expected but the quality time Nick spends with Harley the more the bond grows between them. Their is an instant attraction between Nick and Jaime but Jaime is only open to a sexual relationship, normally that would be what Nick would want but he feels a certain kinship with her and for the first time since his wife broke his heart Nick has wanted more. But he goes along with it hoping to eventually change her mind. Jaime becomes scared of how she feels and pushes him away. The case Nick is working one intercedes and things quickly escalate. Trying to find the person or people behind a synthetic marijuana that has so far killed several college student, Nick has to go undercover to track the distributor before anymore are killed. When the shit hits the fan Nick is targeted personally.

Overall, I loved the story the characters and especially Harley. I look forward to the rest of the series.