⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Thrilling Ride with Heart and Suspense!

Hunted on the Trail by Dana Mentink is a fast-paced romantic suspense that kept me hooked from the very first scene. This is the third book in the Security Hounds Investigations series, but I can confidently say it reads well as a standalone. I hadn’t read the previous books, yet I never felt lost—Mentink does a great job immersing readers in the current storyline without needing prior context.

The plot kicks off with Stephanie entering a tracking competition with her loyal Bloodhound, only to discover that she’s been lured into a trap. A dangerous fugitive with a vendetta is on the loose, and the stakes escalate quickly when Stephanie’s ex-boyfriend, Vance, is pulled into the chaos. The suspense is non-stop, and the chemistry between Stephanie and Vance adds a compelling emotional layer to the high-stakes action.

The audiobook narrator did a great job capturing the urgency of the plot and the emotional tension between the characters. The pacing felt just right, keeping me on edge without feeling rushed.

This book is a perfect blend of danger, determination, and second-chance romance. If you enjoy stories where loyal dogs play a key role, and where the line between love and danger blurs, this one’s for you.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the courtesy copy of this audiobook. I thoroughly enjoyed the listen and give it a solid 4 stars!

If you like second chance romance, this one is for you! While on the run, there is plenty of romance, humor, arguments and tragedy.
The narrator was great.

Part of an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone. Some of the characters overlap.
Second Chance
Lovers to enemies to lovers
Loveable K9 partners and bumbling recruits
Fighting to survive against nature and unknown number of assailants.

Stephanie loves doing tracking competitions with her bloodhound K9 Chloe. But this one proved to be more than anyone might have expected. She is the last one out so the teams can make it back before the storm hits. What Stephanie doesn’t know is that she has been set up all along by an escaped fugitive dead set on killing her but the fugitive doesn’t know that Stephanie’s ex-boyfriend, Vance the bounty hunter and his K9 Pudge have fallen into his trap as well. So now Stephanie, Vance and K9’s are running from a killer and the storm.
This was an awesome book/audio I appreciate the authors knowledge of K9’s, their training and jobs. The narrator of this audio Abby Craden was really good. She really made this story come alive it was wonderful. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat hoping the pair make the right moves so they and their K9’s can come out on top. The story line itself was also very good and I can wait for more by this duo.

Hunted on the Trail by Dana Mentink - is a first by this author for me. This is book #3 in the Security Hounds Investigations series. I did not realize this was book three when I stared and can not say if this reads as a stand alone or if you must read in order.

I like how the author started the book with scripture and wove that message through the story - with Christian Fiction, you don't always know how faith forward the read will be or take you, so, I liked how the author started it and kept faith throughout.

This is a read that would be considered a cozy mystery/suspense read. It is nonstop action on the trail mingled with a possible return of lost love thrown in. A quick, cozy-easy read.

Hunted on the Trail is a fast paced romantic suspense book. I always feel like adding dogs to a book makes it better, at least for me. It's the third book in a series but can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed the audio book. It's a quick read/listen.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin audio for my review copy.

Quintessential Mentink! Everything I love about her writing is right here in this book! I’m particularly appreciative of her ability to get into deep characterization with K-9s! Seriously, this author speaks dog and I love the way she brings these critters to life in her stories. And the way she portrays the human/dog dynamic is brilliant and funny and so relatable (if you’ve ever been owned by fur buddy, that is!)

Loved the opening scene that morphs into action pretty quickly. This is very much a wilderness survival kind of suspense where Stephanie and Vance are cut off from the rest of the world and are being hunted by a nefarious villain. The relentless pursuit, near misses and plenty of gasp-out-loud moments build up the tension as their circumstances grow more dire, making for an unputdownable read.

But, what I love best about this story is the way the author deftly brings humour to even the toughest situations. So many laugh out loud moments — usually involving a certain dog and a certain hero. Loved their interactions and the way Vance is so defensive of his K-9. Honestly, I fell in love with Vance because of the way he treats that fur ball. I have no idea how Stephanie resisted for so long! But then, they have history so – yay – for a Second Chance Romance trope which adds its own kind of tension to the plot.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Hunted on the Trail’. Narrator Abby Craden did a phenomenal job breathing life into these characters and conveying all the tension and drama through her performance. A brilliant listen!

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

I often like Mentink's offerings but this one was harder to get into. I don't love the main characters and the reader is just so-so. I would give 2..5 stars on the narration and 3 stars on the story. When the reader is good, they can take an ok story and turn it into something so much more. This reader doesn't reach that level.

Hunted on the Trail by Dana Mentink is her third book in the Security Hound Investigation series. Narrated by Abby Craden. This is a fast paced, action packed romantic suspense. Can be read as a standalone. Great book, enjoy. Thank you to #NetGalley and #Harlequin Audio for this arc. This is my honest review.

A setup from the word go. Action packed always on the move. Great read.

I received a copy from Harlequin and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Hunted on the Trail is a very well written romantic suspense. Great edge of your seat page turner. I definitely recommend this one. Mt thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance book. This is my unbiased review.

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the third book in the Security Hounds Investigations series. I have not read the first two books in this series before picking up this book. I read this book by listening to the audiobook. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook and had no problem understanding the narrator. This book is a fast paced book that is full of suspense and action. I really enjoyed this book, and I liked getting to know the characters in this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Title: Hunted on the Trail
Series: Security Hounds Investigation #3
Author: Dana Mentink
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Abby Craden
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: . Love Inspired Suspense
Pub Date was January 1, 2025
My Rating: 3.6 Stars
Pages: 213

Story starts with Stephanie Wolfe and her trained bloodhound Chloe are on a four day tracking and trailing competition in the Sierra Nevada range.
She is running a bit late as her brother called and warned her of a threat. She brushed it off as normal. She is surprised to see Vance Silverton, her former boyfriend who got the detective job she really wanted as he has never been into ‘Tracking and Trailing’. He has with him an untrained dog, Brutus that prefers eating to tracking. We later find out that Brutus is a rescue dog and true has had no training; in fact, his name at the shelter was “Pudge”. Chloe is well trained and is aware that Brutus needs some help.
The dogs seem to be getting along better than the adults.
However, we know Vance has a soft spot to Stephanie.

This was an enjoyable read.
If you like wilderness survival stories that includes dogs with a bit of romance in a Christina setting - you will like this one!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook..
Publishing Release Date was January 1, 2025.

A fast paced inspired suspense with K-9 friends racing against a killer out for revenge! Perfect, if you are looking for a quick read. I listened to the audio and the narration was fantastic!

I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

This story is a clean Christian, suspense romance that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats throughout most of the story.
When former cop Stephanie Wolfe gets a call that there is a last minute opening in a very challenging search and rescue competition, she signs up with her K-9 Chloe.
Imagine her surprise when her ex Vance shows up to tell her this is a setup from a nemesis of their past. Not heeding his advice, Stephanie is determined to go on the trail and leaving Vance no other option than to go with her taking his recently rescued dog Pudge.
It soon becomes apparent that Vance was right and these two find themselves in a great deal of danger.
In the midst of it all, past hurts are revealed and feelings that they thought no longer existed, resurface.
Will they be able to stay ahead of the danger and finally capture the villain, or will it be too late for everyone? If they survive it all, is there a chance that their love have a chance a second time around?
The story moved smoothly and even though this listener had missed the first two books in the series, this one was definitely a stand alone.
The plot was engaging, and the main characters as we as their adorable pooches, likable.
Not to be forgotten is Abby Craden whose narration of the story brought it to life.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own.