Sierra lives in an apartment above the barn at her mom’s search and rescue farm, assisting with the animals, worrying about her teenage brother and helping with the care of her dad’s father, while teaching at grad school and trying to finish her degree at the same time. A military life is how Sierra grew up but it is not how she pictures her married life to be in the future. Even though they dated and broke-up prior to his leaving for Iraq, Mike isn’t sure whether he can keep his distance from Sierra, especially knowing what the family is experiencing now. Mike has a history with the Colonel and his family, especially with the Colonel’s daughter, Sierra. When the Colonel is killed, the Sergeant must make good on his promise to get the dog home to the Colonel’s family in the U.S., at whatever cost to his own career. Colonel McDaniel, along with his men, adopted a stray dog in Iraq during their tour and named him Trooper after the Colonel’s childhood pet.

Sergeant Mike Kowalski breaks rules, risking his career, so that he can bring his Colonel’s dog home to his family after his death. With more than one romance percolating in this series, as well as a variety of animals looking for a forever home, there is plenty for readers to anticipate at the Second Chance Rescue. This series is unusual because it begins with the point-of-view of a dog in the prologue and continues with that viewpoint occasionally throughout the story. Can a wife, a daughter, a son and their friends put the pieces of their lives back together with the help of a dog who knows what they need? A ranch dedicated to animal rescue takes in a dog that awakens many emotional memories for this family who recently lost their soldier.

Shelter Me by Catherine Mann