The second book in Burns’ Rescue Me series is heartwarming and romantic, a story of rescuing wounded souls and being rescued by them in return. Anyone who has ever adopted a rescue dog understands this dichotomy and will readily embrace the traumatized dogs in this story, even if it hurts the heart a little to see their emotional pain. The author does a great job of balancing what the dogs have endured with who they are deep inside, as well as giving each one a distinct personality and lovable quirks. Sexy ex-Marine dog handler Kurt is the consummate gentleman with a bit of a ‘bad boy’ persona thrown in for good measure. His chemistry with Kelsey sizzles, but it’s their slow burn friendship in spite of the attraction that makes their eventual romance so fun and satisfying.

first appeared on RT Book Reviews, April 2018

If you love romances that include animals then Sit, Stay. Love by Debbie Burns is a must addition to your TBR pile.

Kurt Crawford is an ex-military man, an ex-military dog handler that has server ADHD with a healthy does pf PTSD. Kurt finds moving back home a difficult task. He enjoys working with dogs its like a healing for him. That is what lead him to work with the striking Kelsey Sutton who wears her heart on her sleeve. Her do good-er tendencies rakes on Kurt’s nerves, he continually reminds Kelsey that some dogs can’t be saved. What Kurt is about to find out is Kelsey doesn’t give up on dog or human.

Kelsey Sutton has a commitment phobia, none of her relationships work. Kelsey works at High Groove Animal Shelter, a job she takes seriously. She adored all animals, so when Kelsey was given a chance to work a miracle with abandon dogs of a dog ring she leapt at the job. Kelsey only found one major problem with her new job, and his name was Kurt Crawford.

Kurt and Kelsey have a connection from the beginning, but it grows into more. The slow building of feeling between them was a sweet trip that only got better with a little spice thrown in. Kurt wasn’t looking for anyone to hold a spot in his heart, but when Kelsey took her place there Kurt didn’t want her to leave.

I found the supporting characters and animals shined just as much as the lead characters did. I enjoyed getting to know both human and pets I found myself wanting to take them all home. Yes, I am a Kelsey. {smiles} I know Sit, Stay, Love’s plot is a romance, but I am truly happy that Debbie Burns did a story like this. There is much cruelty in the world, it makes me hope that even in real life there are champions.

Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb!

This book is excellent. I Loved every word and hated for it to end. I was so glad that there were more books to the series.

Kelsey wanted to be a vet, but left kinda got in the way. She works for a no-kill shelter and her boss wants her to help rehab a group of dogs from a fighting ring. Kurt is just out of the military and volunteers for the job of helping rehab the dogs.

I highly recommend this book. You will not regret the time it takes to read it.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title for an honest review

Sit, Stay, Love is the second book in the Rescue Me series by Debbie Burns. I did not read the first book, but found that while some of the characters were introduced in the first book, I think I was still fully able to enjoy the read without having read the previous book, although those who have will likely enjoy it even more.

For devoted no-kill shelter worker Kelsey Sutton, rehabbing a group of rescue dogs is a welcome challenge. Working with a sexy ex-military dog handler who needs some TLC himself? That's a different story. Kurt Crawford keeps his heart locked away from everyone. Well, everyone except the dogs who need his help and always have his back. But as Kurt gets to know the compassionate, beautiful woman he's been assigned to work with, he can't help but feel a little puppy love.

Sit, Stay, Love is a sweet contemporary romance. Kurt has never been good with words, and is just trying to deal with the loss of the grandmother that helped raised him, and reintegrated to civilian life after losing too many friends and dogs during his tour of duty. Kelsey is more than a little gun shy when it comes to men. The last time she put herself out there it did not end well. When they are brought together to help rescued dogs and fix the house that is housing them, they slowly get to know each other and come together. Each has their faults, and struggle with their inner doubts and demons. I like that they actually talk about things, as much as the taciturn Kurt can, and work things out and trust each other even when appearances make it hard. Family, friends, and helping animals are all key to the story, and I came to love the animals as much as the main characters. I found the secondary characters and the personalities and problems of the pups to be just as engaging as the slow burn between Kurt and Kelsey, and think that the combination of feels and great characters really made this book. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, and need to find the time to go back and read the first.
Sit, Stay, Love is a charming contemporary romance, with characters and animals that tug on the heart strings and leave readers looking for more. I know I will be reading more from this author.

A dogs rescue story (yes, dogs as in plural), the story follows no-kill shelter worker Kelsey Sutton and former Marine dog handler Kurt Crawford.

In the grand tradition of opposites attract, we find the push and pull of Kelsey and Kurt as they try to navigate the attraction they have for each other. There are lots of funny moments, but mostly, the hero and heroine tug at your heartstrings as they find out that they need love as much as the dogs they rescue need TLC too.

A great read! “Sit, Stay, Love” is Rated T for Teens. Parental Guidance strongly advised due to animal abuse.

Kurt is fresh out of the military and dealing with a few personal issues.  At first he wasn't sure that he wanted anything to do with dogs but one look at the rescues (and Kelsey) and somehow he finds himself right in the middle of the rescue efforts. 

Kelsey is one of those good souls that really wants to do good things and that comes through in her work with the dogs.  She's not exactly Snow White but she's pretty darn close and Kurt finds that her magic works on him too.  While exploring his growing attraction to her and helping the dogs get ready for a better life, he also finds himself working through his past.  

This is one of those slow burn love stories.  There isn't a lot of conflict, just a couple of people who slowly get to know each other and explore their growing feelings.  Sometimes you are looking for something with a little more fireworks and sometimes you just want to have people who can behave in an adult manner with very little drama.  It's a more subtle and gentle story, but no less enjoyable.

This is book two in the series and a great addition so far. I enjoyed it immensely - I wouldn't say it was five-star material but I wouldn't give three-stars...I'd put it at four stars. I loved the characters and I loved seeing the heart of the story which is that dogs can be trained and rehabilitated from dog fighting rings and placed in homes for adoption. This was one of those books where you thought there would be angst and there really wasn't. You really love the hero, Kurt and everything that he's gone through. He's an ex-marine who has some secrets and he's not handling the acclimation of being out. I loved that Kelsey wasn't a harpy!! She didn't tell the hero what he needed to do at any time or try and fix things - she was just supportive. This was just a heartwarming story to me. Great job.

4.5 stars - I love finding new authors and this author does not disappoint. This debut author has written a great story with many things going for it; romance, believable story & likable characters. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Kelsey is given the job of her life...rehab dogs who were in a fight ring. Her heart is all in and she's determined. Kurt is a dog trainer from the military, he's back from several deployments and he's done training dogs...until he meets Kelsey and he can't stay away. Though they have differing opinions at times the two learn to work together. Kelsey is the type of person you want to be your bff. She loves animals and she's got a huge heart for all.
Kurt is the strong, sexy ex-military man that wants to protect Kelsey even if he feels it's from herself and her decision to rehab the dogs. Their chemistry leaps off the pages. The unique dogs in the story are amazing and have you rooting for them through the story. Though I felt there was a hole in the story where it was never shown who the people that attacked the dog rehab were never caught or brought to justice.
If you enjoy a great story with dogs, romance and a touch of suspense, I highly recommend checking out Sit, Stay, Love!

I loved this book from beginning to end. The character development was so good and natural. Kelsey is such a sweet woman that you just wish were real to be friends with. Kurt has a lot of baggage but it doesn't get in the way of the story itself. I wish the ending was a little more though.

Super cute book. Boy meets girl, they fall in lust, they have to work through past issues ..they fall in love. Even with a predictable story line, It holds interest. Fun beach read !

Okay
This is my first book by Debbie Burns.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Rescue Me
Standalone
HEA

I had a hard time staying interested in this book.

In Debbie Burns's Sit, Stay, Love, the second installment in the Rescue Me contemporary romance series, this heart-warming romance novel would make you fall in love and cry. For Kelsey Sutton, she works in a rescue shelter in St. Louis area and seeks the approval of her parents. But when news broke out about a dog fighting ring, it was up to her and her supervisor Megan to bring them into a huge mansion, the estate of Sabrina Raven, to take them in and to tend to them. But that had brought an uproar from protestors who wanted them to be euthanized. That's when she met Kurt Crawford, a veteran of the armed forces, who's looking for a fresh start after finishing his latest tour of duty. When a friend of him asked him to help him out, he debated around the issue and then took the plunge. His life changed when he met Kelsey, while he reconnected with his mother and grandmother, and made a world of difference to Mr Longtail and a bunch of dogs. Together, they formed a stronghold bond and had feelings for each other, when they cared for their dogs and rehabbed them before they would find new homes. In an instant, a love blossomed and transformed before them to give them a happy ending of their own.

Debbie Burns returns with the second book in the Rescue Me series, Sit, Stay, Love. Readers who are also dog lovers will find this one particularly appealing. With a house full of fighting dogs, a former military dog handler with PTSD, and a very invested neighbor, Kelsey has her hands full. You'll love her sweet and saucy personality as she navigates love and rescue dogs. Burn gives us, a slow build romance that gets to the heart of what the saying, 'opposites attract' really means. This one is a keeper!



What I liked:



To start with I really liked the whole idea of this series. As an avid reader I read a lot of books about a lot of things and I always find myself drawn to books about rescue animals. Main character Kelsey works for a no-kill animal shelter, which I think is amazing. There needs to be tons more of these kinds of shelters and I think books like this show awareness to the issues. It also shines a light on the rigors and taking care of animals that have been abused and need special care. This aspect of the book was really Burns' fortay.



A lot of the book was focused on the animals and the mansion that has been donated as a shelter. A dog fighting ring is busted and Kelsey finds herself moving in with a bunch of dogs that have seen better days. From injuries to abuse. I loved the fact that she took on such a huge challenge. She comes across as a character that is almost too sweet at times, but the reader will have no problem seeing her love for her work and these animals. She is driven and optimistic and I felt like that was what was needed in the main character of a book like this. Burns did an amazing job of making Kelsey someone readers would believe was so invested.



Ahhh, Kurt. What a great character. Not only an ADHD sufferer but also dealing with PTSD on top of that. I have a soft spot for military men and Kurt was no exception. I liked the fact that Burns shows him as very clinical in some ways but also very efficient and very loving with the animals. His relationship with Kelsey showed such vulnerability and trust once it got going. This one is a slow build, but that's perfect for the type of book it is. This one doesn't have bombs going off or kidnappings or all that crazy stuff. It's more about an everyday kind of life and love and that was such a nice break from books that need too much action to move the plot.



What I didn't like:



Kelsey is a real sweetie pie and that could come off as a bit saccharine to some readers. You know those overly perky chicks at the drive through window at 6:00 am... Oh yeah the ones you wanna just slap. She could come off like that in the beginning, so give her character a chance to marinate a bit. She gets better. I liked her chatty optimism but not everyone would.



Kurt needs some help. A counselor, a therapist, a good friend to talk to. I don't know but I felt like he had some issues that were addressed but not really solved here. I wanted to see him get some relief from some of the things that were weighing so heavy on him. My only real gripe.



Bottom Line:



If you love dogs and rescue stories, this one is just a really good read. The romance is a slow builder and it when it gets steamy, it fits perfectly. I loved the mansion and the story behind it and the eclectic secondary characters like Ida. Lots of good stuff here. Plenty for the reader to sink their teeth in (see what I did there lol...)

Kelsey is the lead adoption coordinator for High Grove Animal Shelter, and is feeling like she's at a crossroads in her life. She left college abruptly after a humiliating post-coital rejection from her best male friend that sent her into a major depressive episode, but has been more or less content with her job. Her boss, Megan (who's story was in the first book), has noticed her unease and a major project has fallen into her lap, and she eagerly assigns Kelsey to the task. What is the project, you ask? Rehabbing dozens of dogs who were in a cruel fighting ring. 

Of course, Kelsey can't do this alone, and ex-Marine Kurt ends up stepping in to help after an unfortunate meeting at the warehouse where the dogs are being temporarily held. (Yep, she barfs all over his shoes after being completely unprepared to see the injuries these poor pups have.) Kurt is just as reluctant to be rehabbed post-military as some of the dogs, but Kelsey's calm nature and the old mansion that becomes the dog rehab headquarters begin to win him over.

I read the first book in this series several months ago, and was pleasantly surprised. This book has a more interesting plot, however there were some technical aspects that fell a little flat. Sometimes it was difficult to tell where the POV was coming from. There was also a third POV, from the wonderful neighbor, Ida. I didn't particularly mind her POV being in there, but it's generally a thing that in a romance novel, only the players in the actual romance get a POV. If this is something that bothers a reader, it would likely take them out of it. 

I also found some of the dialogue to be stilted and almost like something a therapist would say. The cadence of the language isn't natural. They seem to talk too much for there to be any conflict at all. Of course, the majority of the conflict is Kurt's inability to open up, but when he does, it seems like he goes from mute to chatterbox almost instantly. 

This is also a very sweet romance. There is a sex scene, but there's very little of it on the page. I know this will appeal to some readers! 

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I really, really enjoyed this book. It's much sweeter and non-angsty than I usually like, but it had an interesting story and the characters were fun to hang out with for a little while. I'm interested in reading more of the stories from this series, especially since I read recently there are supposed to be 6 of them. I hope Patrick gets a book, because he is a great character.

3.5 Stars... Sit, Stay, Love was a sweet read I chose to pick up because I'm a sucker for romance novels involving animals, especially rescue animals.

Kelsey and Kurt's story was fell a little flat in places but has a nice sprinkle of interesting side characters that help bring the pages to life. I adored the chemistry between the two main characters and I'd put the heat level at just the right intensity. The love scenes don't overtake the plot but give a little oopmf to the story. Kurt is one of those dream guys, very honorable and sweet once you wear him down a little. Kelsey's love of all creatures great and small made me an instant fan. And there are a few of the other characters I'd love to read more about.

The animals in this story stole most of the scenes. From sweet to feisty, a bunch of rescue dogs are featured and while their story is an ugly one, I'm glad the author is bringing attention to animals who deserve a second chance. One of my disappointments actually revolved around the most cantankerous dog and his owner. It's not directly related to the romance at all so I'm not sure why it agitated me but it did. Another disappointment was related to the protestors in the story as it seemed overly dramatic. However, the good outweighed the bad!

In short, if you love animals and romance then consider giving this book a try. Although it wasn't perfect, I'm certainly open to reading more from this author.

This was my first time reading this author, and I will be going back to read the first book in this series. This was a great small town romance that also had animals in it, which is my favorite combination.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I guarantee it won't be the last. She has gained a new reader. I love books with animals in them and this one got me right in the heart. The stories of the abused fighting dogs broke my heart, but seeing the rescue organization give them a second warmed my heart. It's a beautiful story. Kurt needs to find meaning again, but there is no way he's going to be convinced to help Kesley or will he? Kesley brings Kurt peace he didn't know could exist, but he still struggles to let go of the past. The characters will grab you right from the beginning and the animals will grab your heart. I wouldn't pass up on reading this one. I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series and I'm going to go back and read the first.

A mass rescue operation of dogs abused in a huge dog fighting ring bust for a local St. Louis area shelter leads a sweet yet closed off woman and a scarred and rudderless man a new chance right along with the rescue dogs. I saw the blurb and it was all over. I had to give this new to me author and series a go.
Review

Sit, Stay, Love is the second book in the Rescue Me series. Fortunately, it works so well as a standalone because I spotted the blurb and didn’t have the patience to go back and start from the beginning though I suspect Megan and Craig’s book was a sweetie, too.

So, this one begins when a call goes out to local dog handlers, shelters, and volunteers to step up when a hug dog fighting ring is busted up. Megan thinks this is a great opportunity for their shelter to reach out and for her best gal bud, Kelsey, to have an opportunity to get out of her rut and expand her horizons to partner with an experienced dog handler to begin rehab on several of the fighting dogs.

At the same time, Kurt returns to the area to visit family now that he’s out of the Marines before he heads west for a job doing anything, but working with dogs. Being a K-9 handler with several tours under his belt has left him raw after the lost of human and canine friends. But, he can’t look away when he spots optimistic, but woefully out of her league Kelsey looking over the dogs with his old mentor to take back to her shelter. Kurt knows that hugs and kisses and big doggie wishes are not going to cut it.

I know it sounds crazy, but I was actually wary about this book It was laid back and sweet and engaged me from the beginning. I kept waiting for it to morph into some sort of soap opera. Yes, Kelsey and Kurt have their hang-ups. Yes, they didn’t always see eye to eye on the rehab work. And yes, there was a green-eyed monster moment. But people! This book about adults had the adults acting like adults. I mean… shazam. I know you’d think that’s kinda a given, but its not. I think I fell in love with this book for almost that alone. Okay, not really. There was more to love.

Kelsey and Kurt were fantastic. Their separate stories and their slow build romance was developed and paced just right. I know this story is not loaded with drama or pulse-pounding excitement, but it was subtle with natural rises and falls of conflict and resolution throughout the story. It was sexy, but again, this was understated letting the relationship develop first.

And the dogs. They weren’t just wallpaper for the people story. I adored seeing their individual characters fleshed out. Oh, and let’s not forget Mr. Longtail, the cranky Maine Coon cat who ran the place and took an immediate liking to dog- guy Kurt. I enjoyed getting glimpses of the training work, but I also appreciated that the author showed just how much work shelter volunteers put in. They aren’t just cuddling the cuties all day, though they do that, too. And what a fun variety of folks to fill out the cast of secondary characters, particularly Patrick.

So, it was fabulous. It was laid back and sweet, but not saccharine. Gently-paced character-driven romance that was definitely one to make me smile and swoon with the pups and people whose story it was. Those who enjoy light, but engaging contemporary romance should give this a try.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sit, Stay, Love by Debbie Burns is an adorable sweet romance. The book immediately caught my interest in the first chapter. I am a dog lover so I really wanted to like it and I was not disappointed.
Kelsey was a like able character. She is a manager at an animal shelter. She is asked to handle a big situation where a lot of dogs had been mistreated. It showed her strengths and her heart. I found it realistic how she dealt with her family’s feelings about her career.
Kurt is an ex-military dog handler dealing with issues from his past and his family. He has lost his dog and many friends in the service and is convinced that he needs a break from dogs. Once he meets Kelsey and the dogs he cannot help but get involved. The author did an amazing job of making Kurt human and a hero. Kurt lives with ADHD and was a great hero and example for those living with it.
Each of the dogs took on a personality and you were championing for them to get a forever home.
Debbie Burns is a ‘new to me’ author. I will be looking for more books by her.
Alcohol - some minor drinking
Violence - the dogs were rescued from a dog fighting ring, some were very hurt, and there were protestors
Sex - 2 there was a make out scene and one physical scene with very little details.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.