4 Hearts
SJ, Romance Junkies

ON THE CHASE by Katie Ruggle is the second in her Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series. It's completely standalone, as I hadn't read the first book but had no trouble understanding this one. And it made me want to go back and read the first! ON THE CHASE is a fast-paced, enjoyable read by a new superstar in romantic suspense.

Kaylee sees something she shouldn't and ends up in real danger when she goes to the police to report it. The criminal she encountered has ties everywhere, so she flees to Monroe, Colorado, a sleepy small town in the Colorado Rockies. There, she becomes Grace, a woman trying desperately to live under the radar while she figures out her next move.

But sexy K-9 cop Hugh Murdoch has a nose for untruths, and he sees more than just a beautiful woman in Grace. He sees a woman scared and needing his help. Except Hugh seems to be in as much trouble as Grace, with a mysterious criminal targeting him. And the sparks begin flying.

The banter between Grace (Kaylee) and Hugh is nonstop throughout the book. The sexual tension is high, and though there's only one love scene towards the end of the story, it fits nicely. The build-up as the two get to know each other better reads true, but at times the banter got to be a little overdone. Though Hugh is described as serious underneath it all, he rarely lets that side of himself show, and I would have liked to have seen more of the tough cop underneath the joker.

Though I had no doubt he was a strong, courageous officer, Hugh makes a few choices that seem to put the heroine in unnecessary danger. I couldn't wrap my head around them or I'd have rated the book higher. However, the treatment of Leah, the canine, is lovely and makes the story richer. Hugh's connection to his furry partner adds a nice dimension. 

ON THE CHASE is a thoroughly enjoyable story. Fans of romantic suspense will not want to miss this entertaining book. I eagerly await Otto's story to come in SURVIVE THE NIGHT, coming Feb 2018. And I plan to go back and read Theo's story in book 1, RUN TO GROUND.

Oh, Hugh. I LIKED HIM. From his joking to his pointed questions to his determination to keep Kaylee/Grace safe no matter the cost. (And from here on out, I'll refer to her as Grace just so I don't confuse myself more than I normally am.) *le sigh*

While Hugh plays the friendly joker, Grace is struggling. As I'm sure we all know, things are never simple when you're running from the mob and have no one but yourself to rely on. Except Grace really does have a few people she can trust. Jules and her brood of siblings know what it's like to be on the run. Cranky Theo (I sill love me a grumpy hero) adores Jules too much to look too deeply into her story of Grace being a friend from out of town. Hugh and the rest of the police department (although Hugh is *probably* the main one here) are there to support Grace when things get hairy.

In other words, as bad as things are, Grace has a support structure when she needs it.

And she does need it.

As tends to happen, things aren't as straightforward as they seem on the surface. Hugh is more involved than he realizes and things are going down that no one could suspect in their sleepy Colorado town.

*thumbs up* all around.

Kaylee/Grace and Hugh's dynamic is everything. Their banter is awesome. The only part that bothered me is when she saves something that is immensely important to Hugh but he doesn't really show his gratitude for it. They just quickly move on without acknowledging it.

loved the book

When it comes to his woman Hugh has no patience for violence from others but the man has no problem inflicting it when needed, "with a sound that could only be called a growl, Hugh wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. “I’m going to kill him. This is my new life goal, to end Martin ‘Effface” Jovanovic.’ Hugh's girl sometimes surpises him, “you’re”— he paused, his breath catching as she ran her teeth lightly over his jawbone—“ claiming me?” I loved Hugh that man was one sexy beast.