ARC REVIEW Forever Strong by Piper J Drake

True Heroes #6, Ever since Zu walked into the room with Buck in book 4, Total Bravery, I knew that this strong, silent, intimidating man would be my next book boyfriend. It was worth the wait because this book was fantastic. Piper J. Drake is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, top ten easily, she's already an autobuy author, as in if I see the book on the shelf and I don't have it I buy it. I love her diverse characters, especially the ones in the latter part of the series. This was an action-packed edge of my seat story I didn't want to put down. It is definitely one of my favorites in the series.

Jang Ying Yue was one of the people that Zu rescued from a cargo container in the last book, for this story arc I would recommend reading at least from book 4 although it can be read as a standalone. Ying Yue was kidnapped in Singapore and brought to Hawaii for ransom and to manipulate her father into doing something bad with his international, has government contracts, corporation. Zu feels a pull toward Ying Yue, he feels more protective over her than anybody else. She questions him about the decisions he makes so that she understands what he's doing and voices her concerns and her wants and needs and it just makes Zu like her even more. Even after rescuing her from the initial kidnapping they realize she's still not safe and Zu won't have anyone but himself and Buck protecting her. When the shit hits the fan, as it always seems to do, friends old and new come to lend a helping hand, and dog.

Overall, I'm gonna cry I think this is the last book of the series...Say it Ain't So! I really loved this series and Forever Strong (if it is the last book) is a strong finish to the series. I loved that she brought in all True Heroes and their people from the previous books. It is a well paced action with plenty of emotion and romance, loveable dogs and one pig. Definitely great reads. 

ARC REVIEW Fierce Justice by Piper J Drake

True Heroes #5, Still in Hawaii with the Search and Protect team this time with Arin (ah-Rin) and Jason. Both characters were introduced in Total Bravery, it would be a safe bet to at least read Total Bravery for the wee bit of background for the characters and the previous storyline. It is connected but still a standalone it's not imperative that you read it the characters talk about what happened in the last book so you are not left completely clueless.

The white slavery ring the Search and Protect team broke up in the last book isn't entirely gone, they have a new boss who is cleaning house. Arin is part of the search and rescue team searching the big island for the people still missing. What she finds is the security guy from six months prior; when he realised what and who he was guarding let Arin and her team rescue the people. Jason Landon left that company after he realized that they have no moral or ethical boundaries. Feeling like he has to atone for his part has tracked down where some of the captives are being held unfortunately one of his former colleagues knocks him unconscious before he finds them and that is how Arin and her K-9, King, find him. Now Arin and Jason's overall mission is the same, stop the new ring leader and save all the people they can. Between bombs, shootouts, and going undercover the adventure is pretty intense at times.

The attraction is there but neither of them know what to do with it, Arin isn't sure if she should even trust him and she's never had feelings like this for anyone; she doesn't know how to handle the emotions. She always felt like the black sheep of the family and never felt like she fits in anywhere. Jason has never felt like this for anyone either, he is completely taken with Arin her strength, her beauty, her altruism. One meeting six months ago completely changed his life and now here he is working with her and he knows if he doesn't tread lightly and let her take the lead he'll scare her off.

Overall, I loved this book. The action was paced perfectly with the romance. The romance was a slow burn but with Arin's personality it couldn't have gone any other way without seeming out of character for her. I particularly loved the ending it wasn't your typical HEA for Arin and Jason but it's one that was perfect for them.   

ARC REVIEW Total Bravery by Piper J. Drake

True Heroes #4, I was so excited when I found out Piper J. Drake was coming out with a brand new True Heroes novel, and even more excited when I found out it was Raul. I took the opportunity to read the first two books and reread the third one, it is not one of those series in fact you can start with Total Bravery because it's an all new cast of characters, the guys in the first three books are barely even mentioned. It's a new location, new characters to fall in love with, and all new working dogs to awwww over. We first met Raul Sá in Absolute Trust when he went to Hope's Crossing Kennels to get a working dog for his new job at the Search and Protection Corporation. He found Taz, a German Shepherd Dog, and after helping out in the last book Raul and Taz are in Hawaii for their new job. It's not even his first day and already he's going to be late because he gets a call from his best friends sister in desperate need of help. Mali Siri was doing field research with a bunch of others when men in suits came at them they scattered and Mali has no idea who escaped or if everyone else was captured. Mali managed to get away and when she tried calling her sister, Arin, she got Raul instead with no hesitation Raul tells her where to wait for him. Mali is relieved when Raul finally finds her; with Raul and his dog Mali finally feels safe.  

For Raul it was practically love at first sight, he instantly knew he would protect her at any cost even it that means facing of with an angry Arin. Mali isn't one to back down and let someone else handle it and she refuses to be left behind and insists to be part of the team. Mali is attracted to Raul but with everything up in the air and the fate of her colleagues unknown she doesn't have time to think about the depth of her feeling and his for her. Raul is a bit of a damaged hero he has things in his past he's not proud of and he doesn't feel like he deserves anything good in his life. Mali just wants to make sure these feelings aren't fleeting. Whatever their feelings are they have to put them on hold until they can rescue Mali's colleagues from the white slavery ring they were investigating. 

Drake as usual is awesome with the action and suspense it is well written and well paced. I liked the secondary characters too, Arin was great, I love women snipers, and I can't wait for her story and especially Zu, the boss, he has future book boyfriend written all over him. And talking about all those Hawaiian foods *Drool* seriously between the musubi and the mochi made me so hungry. One question is it pronounced Ma-lie or Ma-lee?     

ARC REVIEW Absolute Trust by Piper J. Drake

Jumping into the True Heroes series in book three, never read the first two and now I want to. It's fine as a stand-alone but if feel like I missed out on some good sexual tension between Brandon and Sophie.
This was a great story, it started with a bang, really a car exploded. Not only is the sexual tension great but the action and suspense build it's own tension that holds it's own. It was an exciting story that captured my attention and kept it.

Brandon and Sophie have known each other for most of their lives. They dated in high school but then abruptly Brandon joins the military, without a word he's gone. Over the years though they have remained friends even though they both long for something more but unsure of how the other feels and for reason of their own have avoided any meaningful relationships. Brandon came back changed, more closed off and serious with one goal in mind to operate a rehab and training facility for retired military dogs. Sophie has lived the life her father has wasn't her to live and as much as she loves numbers she has been rethinking her whole life's plan especially since something funny is going on at work. Brandon and Sophie reconnected when he got back but both were determined to stay friends. That all changes when Sophie's car explodes almost killing her, if Brandon's medically discharged german shepherd, Hayden, who he's been training and rehabilitating hadn't detected the explosive device in the car it would have killed her. Hayden is a special dog he lost part of a front leg in an IED explosion and Brandon is working his physical therapy and training him to walk on a prosthetic leg. Brandon assumes that Sophie has been targeted by some of his enemies, Brandon and his two friends who also work for Hope's Crossing Kennels start to follow any lead that could tell them who was responsible.

The car bomb scared Brandon enough that he vows to protect Sophie no matter what, but all the time together is wearing on their resistance. They are opening up about the past and what happened after graduation and about how they really feel but can't act on it. But eventually they do. And it turns out the car bombing was just the start and that it was just the opening Brandon's enemies needed to track him down, so they are not just dealing with one badie out there and Brandon will lay down his life if he has to to protect the woman he has loved all his life.

Overall, it was a great story. I want to go back and read the first two.