This was a great romantic suspense from Piper J. Drake. I loved the setting and the characters. Plus any book with dogs is a win to me.

Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for my chance to review.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't remember if I had read any other books by Piper J. Drake before. I couldn't get into the story line for Forever Strong even though I thought the synopsis sounded interesting. I'm giving Forever Strong two stars and it's currently part of my DNF list.

This was my first Piper J Drake book. I was super intrigued by the setting and plot, but somewhere along the way I lost interest in the story. I'm not sure the pacing worked for the mood I was in. DNF for now.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

You can read this without reading the other books but I wouldn’t recommend that. Why? All the main characters tie into the past books and events all tie together. We see the Search and Protect brought into Ying Yue’s situation because they are on a different mission. A mission that ties to past books. And in a way her situation does as well.

Zu is strong, smart and quick to think on his feet. When he finds Ying Yue and rescues her he didn’t expect to fall in love with her and see the treachery within the ranks of her dad’s business. Through it all, Ying Yue believes her dad has no idea what is going on and as you see her become a pawn and hiding from everyone because of what happens when they go to bring her back to her dad it is surprising. She stays strong and faithful. The danger and the traitor’s intentions become more complicated, dangerous and nefarious as you learn more about her father’s business.

We watch Zu and the Search and Protect work fiercely to protect her and uncover the plot and see how dangerous a situation Ying Yue is in. Her mind and what she does professionally is amazing but also helps to put her in danger. As she gets to know Zu, the attraction she felt from the beginning becomes more. They zing from the beginning and you can feel the attraction from the beginning. I love how Zu protects her and respects her. He listens to her thoughts and views. The danger to her brings them closer and I love how it has him more fierce and not one where he becomes distracted by it.

A story filled with danger, surprises and love. A romance that thrives in the danger and strengthens with the trust and respect they have for one another. A exciting suspenseful romance.

My thoughts

This series keeps getting better with each book , and it's becoming one of my favorite series to read, no matter what type of day I have, I know I can pick up one of these books and get lost in the story. Out of the 3 I've read so far books 4-6, this one might be my favorite one because it tells the backstory of Zu and why he started the company. As for they story itself its suspense at its best because it'll keep her guessing on what is going to happing next, with that said I want to say thank you to NetGalley as well as to Forever for letting me read and review it .

*4.5 stars*

Strong characters and a tension-filled courtship…

The mysterious, almost mythical, Zu has his story! Throughout this series, the tantalizing glimpses of this man had me craving to find out more. He was supportive though from afar with Arin revealing the personal parts of him he hid behind his boss-like, bullet-proof persona. I knew his romantic interest would have to be a special person and Ying Yue was just that woman…

Ying Yue was introduced in an earlier book, part of an earlier investigation, but despite those circumstances she was anything but a victim. Her strength, even as the attacks kept coming, showed her backbone. She was a force in any situation and Zu was smitten. He may have started as comforting security, but she soon looked at him with much different eyes…

I loved their relationship. Working together to solve a dangerous mystery while realizing their unique spark and acting upon it, no holds barred. The heat was intense and the pace fast. They were both smart, quick on their feet and complemented each other in bed and out…

This story was full of questions that left me wondering and guessing. Even when I thought I knew who the villain would be (so obvious) turned out I wasn’t even close lol. This duo’s chemistry was everything and made this my favourite read of the series.

There is so much to love about this book! I loved getting to know the characters. And seeing them work to keep Ying Yue safe and then there was the attraction! I loved that there was so much going on and that there was never a dull moment. There is so much going on that I would love to talk about but think you readers should check it out yourself your not gonna wanna miss this non stop book.

This was my first book by Piper J. Drake and I want to read her whole back list right away.
Thoroughly enjoyed this romantic suspense.
I loved the characters, Buck the brilliantly trained dog, the setting (totally searched out a house that would be similar to Zu's in Hawaii), the incorporation of their different heritages/cultures (also looked up a recipe to the soup that Zu made for everyone) and the inclusion of past characters.
Looking forward to the next in this series (please let it be Pua - loved her).

True Heroes #6, Ever since Zu walked into the room with Buck in book 4, Total Bravery, I knew that this strong, silent, intimidating man would be my next book boyfriend. It was worth the wait because this book was fantastic. Piper J. Drake is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, top ten easily, she's already an autobuy author, as in if I see the book on the shelf and I don't have it I buy it. I love her diverse characters, especially the ones in the latter part of the series. This was an action-packed edge of my seat story I didn't want to put down. It is definitely one of my favorites in the series.

Jang Ying Yue was one of the people that Zu rescued from a cargo container in the last book, for this story arc I would recommend reading at least from book 4 although it can be read as a standalone. Ying Yue was kidnapped in Singapore and brought to Hawaii for ransom and to manipulate her father into doing something bad with his international, has government contracts, corporation. Zu feels a pull toward Ying Yue, he feels more protective over her than anybody else. She questions him about the decisions he makes so that she understands what he's doing and voices her concerns and her wants and needs and it just makes Zu like her even more. Even after rescuing her from the initial kidnapping they realize she's still not safe and Zu won't have anyone but himself and Buck protecting her. When the shit hits the fan, as it always seems to do, friends old and new come to lend a helping hand, and dog.

Overall, I'm gonna cry I think this is the last book of the series...Say it Ain't So! I really loved this series and Forever Strong (if it is the last book) is a strong finish to the series. I loved that she brought in all True Heroes and their people from the previous books. It is a well paced action with plenty of emotion and romance, loveable dogs and one pig. Definitely great reads.

This is my first Piper J. Drake book and I really enjoyed the romance between Zu and Ying Yue. If you like action, two main characters that talk and listen to each other and a working dog who ships them together from the jump, this book right here is for you! This is also my first romance with a working K-9 dog and it was really interesting to see the bond between Zu and his partner and how both of them fell for Ying Yue 🥰With the book set in Hawaii, Ms. Drake made the setting come alive and it definitely made me want to visit.

Even though the book is part of a series, it's a stand alone where you won't feel lost or confused and it'll make you want to read the rest of the series, because I sure do 😉

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

This thrilling book by Piper J. Drake takes place on the gorgeous Hawaiian Islands. It is thrilling, captivating and an excellent addition to the True Heroes series.

The Search and Protect team has successfully rescued Jiang Ying Yue, with the team's owner Zu Anyanwu taking the lead. However, their job is far from done when Ying Yue recognizes one of her captors as being one of her father's security team.

The question soon becomes this: Was Ying Yue kidnapped because of her father's impressive and influential organization? Or was there another reason? Zu with his incredible canine partner Buck must go a step further to keep Ying Yue safe. Ying Yue brings something different in Zu so he will go to any lengths possible to keep her safe.

With the danger being at the highest point for Ying Yue, Zu doesn't miss a beat. It is also clear that the pair have a strong attraction to one another that cannot be denied. So passion comes into the picture in this exciting story. I loved Forever Strong and could not put it down. I also have loved every single book in this series so far. I can see at least one other team member getting a story so I am eager to continue this series.

I love how the author pens these books. They can work as standalone novels, but they also seamlessly fit into the series. Every book in the series has a strong, no-nonsense dog. Another impressive thing she has done is to pair a Chinese and and African together. Bravo!

Many thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I had a really tough time getting into this book. The whole dynamic between the heroine and the hero just felt wrong. Her interactions with her father were just downright bizarre. OMG the guy doesn't even hug her or show any emotion that she was rescued and safe. But the hero is not much better than her father. He is also a closed off alpha male. It was a good plot, the narrative had some holes, but the action scenes were wonderful.

Jiang Ying Yue was a kidnap victim, but the why is part of the mystery. Her rescuer wasn't there to recover her specifically, even though her father is a wealthy businessman. When Zu tries to return her to her father, Ying Yue recognizes one of her kidnapers with her father's security team. With no one to trust, Ying Yue decides that her best protection is the Search and Protect Team.

When Zu Anyanwu rescues Ying Yue from a cargo ship along with others destined to be trafficked, he knows there is something different about her circumstances. As he digs deeper into the why of Ying Yue's kidnapping, nothing is as it appears and all their assumptions turn out to be wrong. Her strength and intelligence along with her beauty get under the Zu's defenses and make him yearn for things he gave up on a long time ago. None of that will matter if he can't figure out how to protect her and just who wants her and why. 3 1/2-Stars

Really enjoyed this one a lot. The series is solid, this relationship was such a treat for me. I also really love the choice for the more suspenseful part of this story. (I know I am being vague, but I don't want to spoil you!)
Definitely check out this series, and enjoy this delicious racially diverse story taking place on the Hawaiian Islands!

Forever Strong by Piper J. Drake is the sixth installment in her True Heroes contemporary suspense series. Some characters in this novel appear in previous installments, but the necessary backstory is seamlessly inserted, and this book is a standalone. This is the second book that I’ve read in this series, and I absolutely loved it!

Modern “damsel in distress”, Jiang Ying Yue, is rescued by quintessential “knight in shining armor”, Azubuike “Zu” Anyanwu, and the action and romance begin.

Zu owns and operates Search and Protect, a private contract organization. His company has been hired to provide security for Jiang Ying Yue, an investment professional that Zu and his K9 dog, Buck, rescue from a human trafficking ring. Ying Yue is immediately captivated by Zu’s commanding presence, and Zu is enamored by Ying Yue’s beauty and quiet strength. Now Zu has to protect her from a persistent danger before he can explore the possibility of a future together.

I cannot say enough about how well-written this book is. There are no unnecessary details or scenes. Ms. Drake includes some small but interesting aspects of the African and Chinese cultures. The characters are strong, likable and real. There is great character interplay. The romantic connection between Zu and Ying Yue is soft and beautiful but also intense. The sexual tension leaps off the page. The plot grabs and holds the reader’s attention, start to finish. The action is intense, and the suspense is breathtaking. Finally, the dogs are wonderful.

Piper J. Drake proves herself as a master of the romantic suspense genre. Forever Strong is a fine example of contemporary romantic suspense and rates 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense, action and romance, especially together. The sexual content may be off-putting to some readers, but this is still a very enjoyable read.

My thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Being an avid romance reader, I found it refreshing to have an author write characters that are POC. While it won’t dampen my enthusiasm in reading this genre, I do have to internally sigh when I read about yet another blue eyed blonde/brunette and her journey to her HEA. The fact that this story has canine characters is a bonus. Add in the suspense – double yay! Great story line, mildly steamy scenes as the focus is more on the intrigue. I would have liked more on the father/daughter dynamics although I realize that culturally, from my personal experience, Chinese are not very effusive.

And rounding out the month is the sixth book in Piper Drake’s True Heroes series, FOREVER STRONG. Drake transports us to the idyllic island setting of Oahu, with a not-so-friendly glimpse of the terrifying world of international human trafficking. Jiang Ying Yue is in the wrong place when she’s kidnapped and, thanks to Azubuike Anyanwu and his canine partner Buck, makes a harrowing escape. But Zu and his colleagues have hit the hornet’s nest one too many times, and now he’s being framed. Good thing Ying Yue is on his side, because she questions everything. Remember this is book number six, and there are a full cast of characters—new and returning. It’s not as fast paced as some of the other books in the series, but it’s enjoyable all the same.

*Originally published at Frolic.Media: https://frolic.media/januarys-must-read-romantic-suspense-books/

✦Review: FOREVER STRONG (True Heroes Series) by Piper J. Drake https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-boz
Publication Date: January 28, 2020
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars

Sometimes I worry that a series will get stale – but that is not the case with True Heroes. I was swallowed up into their world right off. This could be read as a standalone novel, but I recommend reading the others because they’re good.

Ying Yue was easy to relate to. Strong and intelligent, yet vulnerable in her present circumstances. I liked her from the beginning. I am so happy that she listened to advice and didn’t go off half-cocked just to show her mettle like some heroines. That made her believable. Zu may come across as the usual alpha-male, strong, stoic, and untouchable. But you soon see there is far more beneath the surface. They made a great couple and their steamy romance was fun to read.

One of the things I love most about this series, is the group dynamics. The camaraderie with each other as well as the dogs, has always made me wish I were a part of it all. I love the banter and closeness they have with each other. The only problem is that I now have to wait for the next installment.

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

~*~*~*~

Kindle https://amzn.to/2GnfZUj

✿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 | Review https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aHC
5. FIERCE JUSTICE ➢ Amazon https://amzn.to/2BBUayy | Review https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-b2O
6. FOREVER STRONG ➢ Amazon https://amzn.to/2GnfZUj

This is book six in a series of romantic suspense novels, True Heroes, where working dogs are central to the story. This can absolutely work as a stand alone, but my reading experience was enriched by the prior books I had read, so I'd recommend starting at the beginning if you can. I haven't read the entire series yet, but I've enjoyed the ones I have read so far, and this one is my favorite. It has what I often find in Drake's books, a diverse chosen family primarily made of co-workers, and that family feel is especially strong in this book, and one of my most favorite things about the story. 

I particularly appreciated seeing such a close knit chosen family being placed in contrast with a complex blood family dynamic for the heroine. It was clear that part of what she wanted was to build a life that had these kinds of close ties, and that they made her ache at the same time. This is definitely a foodie romance as well, particularly in the ways that food was intertwined with comfort, family, culture, and home, and I loved those aspects of the story very much. It felt like the heroine wasn't just choosing to risk herself to be with the hero, but that she was also simultaneously risking herself to build relationships within this family, and they were doing the same with her, were creating connection and home with her. I also really liked the way the characters thought about food in terms of the kinds of danger they face and the things that would help them be alert, be able to sustain it, be nourished in the aftermath of it. Food felt so vital in the story, in so many ways. 

This is a bodyguard/protectee romance that turns a lot of the trope on it's head or directly counters or disrupts it. She is not helpless, she is not kept safe while others protect her, she is an active participant in creating safety for herself and in thinking about ways to counter the ongoing danger, in rescuing herself from it, and much of the conflict is about the ways the hero struggles to not put her in a box to keep her safe, and wants to set up barriers to seeing her as a whole complex person and not just the role of protectee. I really liked the way this story engaged with those things, it felt like a breath of fresh air, in a lot of ways, and like it made it possible for their relationship to feel more layered. I wasn't as worried about a power imbalance between them because of how they engaged with these issues and questions. 

This was tightly plotted, riveting, and a joy to read. The characters were deeply drawn and had really wonderful chemistry. I really enjoyed reading it, and loved how it played with complex dynamics between people and took the story in surprising ways, often because the heroine had more agency than anyone in the room expected her to. I fell hard and fast for the main dog in the story and loved the dynamic between the dog and both MCs, so much. I was completely charmed by the dog, and would be glad to read a lot more stories where he is included. In general, I have loved the detail that has gone into writing the dog characters in this series; they each have their own personalities and skill sets that are memorable and resonant, and it makes me happy to read romances that have animals being full characters. 

It's rare that I have read bodyguard stories that engage with the realities of what it means to move through the world as a large clearly physically powerful man of color, and I really appreciated that this story worked with that reality and discussed it directly. In general, it felt like the story depicted characters of color with depth, respect, specificity and complexity, and given the multicultural cast, I want to note that, because I sometimes find that books will contain a diverse multicultural cast of marginalized characters, but those marginalizations are often thinly drawn, mostly incidental. This felt different from that to me as a white reader (so take that with several grains of salt), had a bit more depth to it than it often does. I'm looking forward to reading reviews by reviewers of color, particularly African diaspora reviewers, Native Hawaian reviewers and Chinese diaspora reviewers. 

I don't read much romantic suspense, so I'm not able to really place it in the realm of it's subgenre. I will say that I fell hard for the characters, was rooting for them to be together, and felt like the ending was pretty satisfying. I would have liked a bit more of the romantic attraction aspect in the story, but it didn't really feel like it was missing, it's more of a me preference thing. The ending felt more like a happy for now, mostly because it was so fast; I think the characters would have felt a bit more settled if we'd seen them several months out in an epilogue.  

I am excited to read the other books in the series and I'm looking forward to seeing what Drake writes next. I'm hoping Pua will get a book, because she was my favorite of the secondary characters and I'd love to read a book with her point of view. In general, I really enjoyed this and recommend both this book and the series. 

Representation

African American immigrant man MC with trauma. (It doesn't specify which African nation he is from; that may have been named in prior books.)
Chinese Singaporean immigrant woman MC with trauma
Multiracial cast of secondary characters, almost all are people of color.
Thai American woman author.

Content Warnings (in white, highlight to read)

Kidnapping. MCs and secondary characters in peril. Bomb threat. Threat of assasination and kidnapping. Several kidnapping attempts. Working animals in dangerous situations (none are harmed). Car accident resulting in injuries. Gunfire. References to nightmares and flashbacks from trauma. References to trauma from vague past experiences of violence and danger. Sex on the page.

FOREVER STRONG is the sixth instalment in Piper J. Drake’s contemporary, adult TRUE HEROES romantic, military suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for the Search and Protect team, a Special Ops team of mercenaries for hire location in the Hawaiian Islands. This is K9 handler, and Search and Protect Owner and Agent Azubuike ‘Zu’ Anyanwu (and Buck), and specialist in international tax law Jiang Ying Yue’s story line. FOREVER STRONG can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Zu and Ying Yue) FOREVER STRONG follows in the aftermath of a search and rescue mission where the Search and Protect team find our heroine, an unexpected prisoner, but a woman who is not willing to play victim for very long. As the daughter of a prominent Singapore businessman, Ying Yue believes she has a target on her back but a return to her father finds Ying Yue facing a possible traitor in her father’s company. Refusing to release Ying Yue into her father’s custody, Zu Anyanwu takes responsibility for the safety and protection of our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zu and Ying Yue, and the potential fall-out as Ying Yue remains a target of some very powerful men, with possible connections to a human trafficking ring.

Ying Yue refuses to be a victim but someone is determined to take control of our heroine placing the Search and Protect Team in the direct line of fire. On the run to secure her safety, Ying Yue and Zu will call in reinforcements including the K9 specialists from Hope’s Crossing Kennels.

The relationship between Ying Yue and Zu is one of immediate attraction but Zu knows to get involved with a client could place both of them in danger if Zu gets distracted. Ying Yue is drawn to our hero, a hero who reluctantly accepts that there may be something between our couple, something that he is willing to explore. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Agents Raul Sa and his dog Taz, Arin Siri and her dog King, and communication specialist Pau; Kenny, a man with his ear to the ground about the illegal goings on in the Hawaiian Islands; officer Kokua; Ying Yue’s father Jiang Li Weis, and his numerous security personnel; as well as the cameo appearances of David Cruz, Alex Rojas and Brandon Forte, whom we met earlier in the series through Hope’s Crossing Kennels. The requisite evil has many faces.

FOREVER STRONG is a story of betrayal and vengeance; of power and control; of acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is engaging and inviting; the characters are spirited and strong; the romance is seductive. Piper J Drake pens a fascinating series of romantic suspense.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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This is book 6 in the True Heroes series and you absolutely must read the previous books before this one as they are all connected and built upon each other. In this one we get Zu's story. Ying was kidnapped and rescued by the Search and Protect team on an op in Hawaii. Ying truly thinks that she was just in the wrong place, at the wrong place. But when the team goes to take her to her father, she see's one of her kidnappers in her father's security. And realizes it wasn't random. Now Zu has to keep her safe while also figuring out exactly why she was kidnapped. All while trying to ignore the chemistry that they share.

As usual you can never go wrong with a Piper Drake book! This story drew me in from the very beginning and kept me reading. I have been hoping that Zu would get a story of his own and this one in no way disappointed! He is this strong, protective, alpha male with a sweet side a mile wide. Ying went through something no one should have to go through but she also is intelligent enough to know that it could have been extremely worse than it was. And even knowing she is still in danger, she is still this strong, beautiful soul that you can't help but like. The only reason I marked down for this one was because some parts of it felt a little slower than I liked. But other than that, I loved it!