{ARC Romance Review} Irresistible Force (K-9 Rescue #1) by D.D. Ayres

When adrenaline runs high, so does the force of desire…

For Shay Appleton, it’s love at first sight when a gorgeous stray dog is brought into the animal shelter where she works. She just knows he’ll make a terrific watch dog—and with an abusive ex who won’t let go, she needs all the protection she can get. But Shay never suspected that her new pet is actually a trained police K-9 named Bogart—until Bogart’s even more gorgeous, human partner shows up on her doorstep.

Officer James Cannon is one tall, strong alpha male who’s convinced that Shay stole his dog. But once he gets closer to the suspect, he realizes that this stubborn, independent woman not only needs a guard dog, she needs James as well. It seems that someone from her past is stalking her, and threatening her life. When danger meets desire, will James risk his career and his best friend…to protect the woman who’s stolen his heart? (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 320 pages, Expected publication: August 26th 2014 by St. Martin's Paperbacks. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to D.D. Ayres and St. Martin's Paperbacks.

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

"Surveillance was much simpler in the South in autumn." (page 1, line 1)

A steamy, exciting, suspense-filled love story. I liked the premise - and that there's a dog, a really awesome dog - the characters, and the emotional and character development.

Shay has been through so much. She has been failed by family, the police, people she should have been able to trust. She not only carries scars, she's still suffering. She is strong, flawed, tender-hearted and a survivor.

James has gone to great lengths for his dog - which I really understand - I would have done it too! He screws up, more than once, but he has a good heart, he's a guy you want on your side when everything goes wrong.

And Bogart, the dog, he's such a big part of the books and was, hands down, my favorite part of the book. I really appreciated the research D.D. Ayres put in to make the K-9 elements of the novel authentic. It was really interesting. The story did feel a little long, there was a little too much yes/no, come here/go away, but I'm very eager to read the next story in the K-9 Rescue series.