*3.5 stars*

Danger-filled romantic suspense…

This series is all about right and wrong and the four-legged companions who help Search and Protect keep the balance on the good side. They are a tight-knit group of ex-military who call Hawaii their home and anywhere a good place to fight. This time out, Arin’s little sister is in trouble and newby to the team Raul is eager to prove himself to Mali and his new crew…

From the opening pages, the adrenaline was high as Mali reached out to the team for help. She and her research group had been targeted and even though she might be safe for the moment that didn’t mean a lot to herself or the people she was looking for. So many unanswered questions and the clock was ticking so Mali needed the team desperately. She didn’t have time for anything else but the attraction between her and Raul was hard to ignore…

If I didn’t connect with Mali and Raul as deeply as I’d hoped I am going to blame that on my fickle mood. The writing was great as always and the critters and the covers all came together to make sure I will be back for more!

Title: Total Bravery

Series:: True Heroes #4

Author: Piper J.Drake

Pages 304

Genie: romance

book synopsis

True heroes will do anything to protect the women they love...

As the newest recruit at Search and Protect, Raul has a lot to prove. Luckily, he's got the best friend and partner a man could ask for: a highly trained, fiercely loyal German Shepherd Dog named Taz. Together, Raul and Taz make an unbeatable team. But their first mission in Hawaii really puts them to the test when an international kidnapping ring sets its sights on the bravest woman Raul's ever met . . .

Mali knows her latest job has put one hell of a target on her back. And on this small island paradise, there's nowhere to hide. With a service dog like Taz, Mali feels safe. Sharing close quarters with a smoldering muscle-for-hire like Raul, she feels something else - an unexpected wave of desire. Raul feels it too. But when the kidnappers make their move, he's got to turn that slow-burning passion into hard-hitting action - and save the life of the woman he loves.



My thoughts

Rating: 5

Would I recommend it? yes . in fact I already did to my friends when I was reading book 5

Would I read anything else by this author ? yes

I can't understand why I waited so long to read this book , as soon as I got book 5 , i went ahead and read it and I was hooked, so much so I enabled my friends Robin and Frishawn to pick up the series and read it which they did, now i can't wait to read books 1-3 , and i will be buying this series when I can . I loved the characters in it but my favorite was Raul and his dog Taz , loved how well they worked together and came together like a family . as for Mali it took me a little while to like her because of the way she acted towards her sister and her's sister's job, and the need to help people . With that said i want to think Netgalley for letting me read it and review it exchange for my honest opinion .

The reviewer that requested this title via Nocturne Reads before blogger change has declined to review. Unfortunately we are no longer in touch, and since I cannot redownload this title, will not be reviewing. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity, and we hope to work with you again in the future. I am sorry for any inconvenience.

Total Bravery was an enjoyable and easy read. I love sitting with my dogs - and my service dog, and reading romances that include dogs - especially working dogs (I haven't found any that have service dogs yet though, just Working Dogs). In Total Bravery's case, I hung out in the waiting room of my medical centre on a testing day in a hospital gown and pyjama bottoms in corner and read the book whilst waiting for a bevy of new tests. Blech. And I was entertained enough to not go into panic mode but still aware of everything going on around me. For me, that's a plus when out and about. So yay, Total Bravery. If you're looking for the next captivating read that makes you forget to take that casserole out of the oven, this won't be it, but it will be entertaining and mildly spicy.
What I enjoyed most was Mali, she was a different female lead than you get in a lot of romances. She's working in Hawai'i, interviewing sex workers and trying to get information for research purposes on sex trafficking. I also liked Raul's absolute loyalty to his battle buddy, Arin, Mali's sister. When Mali calls, looking for Arin's help, he doesn't think twice, he jumps in to help Mali even though he doesn't know her. He just knows Mali is Arin's sister and that means something to him. It's a bit detrimental in the relationship building but as I'm a lot like Raul in the complete loyalty department, I love seeing it in books.
What I disliked. Well, that's a spoiler. I can't rant about what I don't like without giving it away and there is frustration aplenty about it.
Overall, I'm giving Total Bravery 3 stars. It was a good book to keep me occupied but I didn't fall in love with it. Thank you to the publisher for the review copy I received via NetGalley.

I was unable to finish this title. I couldn't stay focused and it just wasn't working. I do not want to rate it but Netgalley is forcing me to.

25% in and I'm still.................bored.

I was expecting to be hooked onto the story from the beginning (it's a romantic suspense, after all; I should be at the edge of my seat going WHAT IS HAPPENING) but I didn't get that feeling. Though I reckon it was probably a Me, Not You problem because the book was well-written; I just wasn't feeling this.

This book while I loved the blurb I simply could not get into it and therefore did not finish it. I gave the book three attempts.

Can't wait for the next book. The k-9's & the handlers are always interesting to revisit and watch what will shake up in the story. It was cool to have this story set in a location different than near the kennel.

This is a voluntary review and I do not get paid for this review.

I am pleased with the direction Piper Drake is taking The True Heroes series. The move in locale to Hawaii opens up a lot of new stories. Total Bravery is another action romance that fits the pattern of light, easy read. The points of view switch off between the hero and heroine which works well in moving the story along. The characters are familiar from other books in the series, however the book can stand alone if necessary and the series doesnt have to be read in order. I appreciate the way Ms Drake integrates dogs into her stories, they become complex characters in their own right. I especially enjoy the crisp dialogue and the way that she manages to use the action sequences to move the story along. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I really liked this book and I can't wait for any others that come out. I thought the characters were well fleshed out and that the storyline was creative, yet very well-thought out. It was probably one of the better ones that I've read and I've been reading and writing reviews and catching up for several weeks now. It was a definite stand out.

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, pain, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Extreme Honor (True Heroes #1)
Ultimate Courage (True Heroes #2)
Absolute Trust (True Heroes #3)

This is Mali and Raul’s story. Mali was running scared after her team sounded an alarm. When she called her sister for help she got Raul. Now he is helping to protect her. She is in deep with the investigation and people are after her. She is currently trying to hide and stay safe but with her team missing she wonders exactly what happen. As Raul and his team investigate what happens they know they don’t have a lot of time to find her team before something deadly happens. Can he protect her and find her team of will he lose both her and her team? Someone is working with the enemy and they figure is out before they lost them all?

I loved these characters and also the side characters. I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

Piper J. Drake's return to the True Heroes series is indeed a masterful addition. Total Bravery takes readers to a beautiful Hawaiian island where Raul Sa and his trusted partner, Taz, are starting with the Search and Protect team. When Mali, a team member's little sister, comes seeking help he jumps to offer his expertise. Mali and her team have gotten themselves tangled up with dangerous people, but the Search and Protect team hardly hesitate before launching a rescue.

Total Bravery takes readers on an island adventure with a steamy romance. I loved the diverse cast of characters and the camaraderie they display as they work toward a common goal. The bond between human and dog continues to impress me and Piper J. Drake does an excellent job of highlighting that bond. Taz isn't just an accessory but a character, a part of the team that provides comfort and familiarity. The brave characters of the True Heroes series stay on your mind long after you finish reading their stories, and this is especially true of Raul and Mali!
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

What a gut-wrenching, hard-hitting romance, dealing with a difficult and terrible topic. Edge of the seat thrills and romance as Raul and Mali face danger together.

This series get better and better. In the latest book, we meet Raul and his adorable partner, Taz. This story can be read as a standalone. If this is the first book read in the series, be prepared to find the first three books and devouring them one after another.

What I enjoy about this series is how well the dogs are incorporated into the storyline. They are not an afterthought or a prop. The dogs are adorable and infused with their own personality. Taz may have played a small part in this story, but he stole my heart. Makes me want to adopt a dog again. Paired up with Raul, Taz does enjoy a great life. Raul is an admirable character. He is a trustworthy man who can be depended on to do what is right. Lucky for Mali, she accidentally gets Raul instead of her sister when she sends out a distress call. Mali is an idealistic woman who actually does something about injustice in the world. She goes out and tries to make the world a better place. Unfortunately for her, uncovering a human trafficking ring is probably not the best idea.

This plot is meaty and with a bite. For those who are squicky about slavery and human trafficking, this story does get into a little bit of the unsavoury parts of how human trafficking occurs. Including betrayals and the aftermath of being captured, used and abused. Ms. Drake did a good job of showing a rising epidemic that most 1st world country residents willfully ignore as an urban legend. Along with this heavy material, she adds in romantic undertones with a plausible timeline. There is no instalove here. There is no magically happily ever after. The realism of how Raul and Mali are split apart makes this story more poignant. This romantic suspense is recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with life like heroes.

Right off the bat if you are a dog lover you need to read this book. Taz the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is the hero of this book. All dogs have personalities, but some are so much more.
Raul and Taz are starting their new job with the Search and Protection Organization. Eager to make a good impression, he's about to start his duties, cleaning the kennels but gets interrupted by a phone call.

Mali is in Waikiki doing post-doc research of a nefarious sort. When men in black suits start pursing her and her team, she works her way toward the Search and Protection Organization where her sister works. Unfortunately everywhere she turns she sees them. Getting desperate she calls her sister Arin, but instead gets Raul.

Raul only knew of Mali from talks with Arin while they were deployed. Once he and Taz find her he knew he was in trouble. This was a gorgeous woman, not the child from Arin's memories.

Plenty of suspense and action, family drama, new friendships and team bonding. I laughed, cried and sighed as this relationship develops under extreme circumstances.

Taz is awesome and his interactions with Mali while doing his job make me want another dog. He is smart, expressive and a joy to read about.

Only one thing bothered me in this book and that is they didn't get information on those who were missing from the start. I would think they would have gotten descriptions and done background checks on them just to see if any had previous connections to the bad guys.

I love anything to do with service dogs, rescue dogs, military dogs and this series covers them all. I can't wait to see who Piper writes into this series next!

Author Piper J. Drake continues her popular True Heroes series, with her latest offering, Total Bravery. This book delves into some stirring issues including human trafficking and readers will be on the edge of their seats throughout. Shifting from the Hope Crossing Kennel to the Search and Protect company provides a change in the atmosphere of the series and creates a lot of new opportunities for canine, human interaction. Readers who love a good romantic suspense novel with find that and more in Drake's newest title.



What I liked:



Lately, I've been getting into good romantic suspense books. The mix of action and romance is intriguing and easy to get taken in by. Piper J. Drake is a master at combining the two genres into a series that is both steamy and thrilling at the same time. Total Bravery is the fourth book in the True Heroes series and it gets the blood pumping in more ways than one. I enjoyed the change in the series from the Hope's Crossing Kennel to the Search and Protect agency. I feel like this will add a ton of opportunities for a different type of action and the romance is always a great addition.



Raul has all the qualities that I'm liking in a hero right now. He is former military, always a sexy plus and he is good with animals. His canine partner Taz, is not just a figure head animal in the series. He contributes a great deal to the overall storyline and readers will love him almost as much as Raul. I liked that Drake made Raul sensitive to the fact that he was having some serious feelings toward his best friends sister and how that might play out. Raul was an alpha male with a strong need to protect Mali but he wasn't a brute. He shows a vulnerable side in his relationship with the heroine and in his friendship with Arin. A great character!



Maybe i'm an oddity when it comes to reading but I prefer books to have some relevance and Drake certainly accomplishes that with this title. Total Bravery touches on the issue of human trafficking which is such a huge problem. The statistics are staggering and I appreciated that though this book was meant to entertain and not really center on the subject, it was still able to spread awareness. Mali's research team got a little too close to a human trafficking ring and their plight shows the ruthlessness that surrounds the issue.



What I didn't like:



Mali was a wonderful heroine. Raul was an amazing hero. It seemed like a perfect match between them and as a reader I was waiting with baited breath for that scene where they finally give in to those desires they feel from pretty much the start of the book. This one is definitely a slow burn and to be honest the outside forces of the suspense part of the book weren't really the issue. These two characters were getting in their own way throughout the book. It was good that Raul was conscious of Arin's feelings about her sister but that went on a bit too long for my tastes. Mali was concerned for her team and that showed her integrity and honesty as a character but man, I was ready for some romantic action long before these two were lol... Still an excellent romantic read!



Bottom Line:



This title has a lot to offer to a reader who likes a romance with some punch to it. Drake mixes the two genres of suspense and romance with ease. Total Bravery has action and thrills and a great romance even if it takes awhile to get there. Readers get a glimpse into a world they may not understand but need to be aware of with the human trafficking aspect of the book and canine Taz is a welcome addition to the series that provides that special something that puts this one over the top. A great new book by Piper J. Drake!

I loved reading this! Mali and Raul were both strong characters who are fast thinking and quick acting under pressure. I loved how the romance started with attraction, but took time to develop.

I am sorry to say that I did not finish this book. I hate doing that but I could not take Mali anymore. At the beginning all we here is how smart she is but her words and actions showed the opposite. She annoyed me so much I had to stop. I liked Raul very much and feel sorry for him that he got stuck with her.

✦Review: TOTAL BRAVERY (True Heroes) by Piper J. Drake https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aHC
Publication Date: April 24, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4.5 Stars

This romantic suspense was full of steady action while introducing us to a new K-9 team in Hawaii. I’m glad the team introductions and new locale didn’t bog down the story at all. They were all fun and distinct personalities that hold the door open for more fun stories to come. I liked Raul right away and his dog, Taz is great! Mali was relatable and easy to like as well. The story showcased her smart and intuitive nature while still giving her a vulnerability that worked nicely with the romance. The heat factor was pretty tame until the very end, so it would appeal to those who like their romances on the lighter side as well. Loved it.

*Review copy provided Forever Romance in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Kindle $5.99 https://amzn.to/2HG9wGw

✿TRUE HEROES SERIES BY PIPER J. DRAKE✿
1. EXTREME HONOR ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1Jtfcds | Review http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-3JY
2. ULTIMATE COURAGE ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/2aFTeKJ | Review http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-5TA
3. ABSOLUTE TRUST ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/2cZwDNB | Review http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-7q7
4. TOTAL BRAVERY ➢ Amazon https://amzn.to/2HG9wGw

Rating 4.5/5*

I’ve already thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in this romantic suspense series and really looked forwarded to escaping into this one – and I wasn’t disappointed! The earlier three stories were set at Hope’s Crossing Kennel but this one ventures further afield to Hawaii. On his first day working at Search and Protect, Raul hadn’t expected to be doing anything other than cleaning kennels and working with the dogs but a call from the younger sister of his friend and co-worker changes all that.

From the very start you are taken into the heart of the action. Mali calls when she and her team of researchers are in danger and never expected to connect so easily to the handsome ex-military man who comes to her rescue – or to his dog, Taz! This is just the start of an adventure which takes the trio and other members of Search and Protect all over the Hawaiian island in a fast paced investigation involving danger, daring and thwarting human trafficking.

As usual with stories from this talented author, the human characters are brilliant portrayed, believable and easy to relate to. The service dogs are brilliant, too, and I really enjoy learning more about their work and skills. The settings are brought to life in the reader’s imagination as are the action packed confrontations and their search for information to enable them to attempt to rescue Mali’s kidnapped team mates.

I particularly enjoy that the suspense is the main focus for much of the story. However, there are some great interpersonal relationships between Raul and Arin, Mali’s older sister and his close friend and fellow ex-military officer. The relationship between Mali and Raul is developed well, always with the hang up that Raul is worried about Arin’s reaction to everything – in case she decides to “kick his butt”!

I requested and was given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.