Holding On

Not only to you have a romance, but also edge of your seat high country action, drama, rescues, and of course extreme climbing. The author did a remarkable job of transporting me into the midst of all the action. Other than the cold, it was as if I was experiencing first had what it was like to live the life of each one of these characters.

Since this is the sixth book in the series, there were a lot of characters from the previous books involved in this story...the author did a great job off providing their backstories, making easier to understand the roles each of them play. Having now read this latest book in the series, I find that I now must read those characters’ stories as well.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Full review to be published online in mid July.

HOLDING ON is another great read in Pamela Clare’s fantastic “Colorado High Country” series; and it was great to catch up with the S&R gang. CHC in general is more CR than the solid RS of I-Team; and this one was a little on the sweeter, angsty side. The suspense of the story didn’t show up until late in the book. That’s okay. The tight writing, solid character driven plotline and enjoyable romance made up for the lack of suspense.

As always, Clare’s meticulous research into Search and Rescue, as well as the K9 Rescue Unit, was well done. Her enthusiasm for Colorado and S & R is obvious; and translates lovingly to the page. I especially enjoyed the personal touch of including the training of Kenzie’s K9 dogs; as well as the other dogs in her kennel.

My heart broke for Harrison as the book opened. A horrible thing to happen and horrible to deal with the feelings of being the one that survival. I thought that Harrison did a good dealing with things at first, when he got home to Scarlett, not so much. Kenzie foisting Gabby off on Harrison was a great idea, giving him someone else to deal with letting him push of what happened.

Watching Harrison come back to life was great, as was seeing the relationship develop between Kenzie and Harrison. They were perfect for each other, Kenzie was there to help Harrison deal with things and Harrison started to work back with the Teams.

I hated how Harrison was hounded by the press, hated that Harrison couldn't just live in peace until he was ready to talk about things.

The drama at the end was scary, gave Harrison a way to get back to climbing and not be in his head. I was glad with how things ended up. The ending made me smile, it was a great way to bridge the past and present.

Conrad Harrison was on a climb on Mt Everest when a tragic accident killed his long time climbing partner and 2 others. Conrad has survivors guilt and has been holed up in a Tibetan Monastery for the past 15 months. A friend and team leader for the local SAR comes to the monastery to tell Conrad it has been long enuf, he needs to come home. Conrad vows he will never climb again. Kenzie a member of the local SAR team, kennel owner and trainer of SAR dogs, has had a thing for Conrad for years. She is determined to do whatever she can to get Conrad to rejoin life.

This book is in the romantic suspense genre but the suspense doesn’t show up til late in the book. It is mostly about personal relations between the characters. It was interesting learning about SAR dogs and their training. This book is part of a series but could easily be read as a stand alone. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I sincerely hope that you guys are keeping with this series, and even though the author touches base with who is who, it will definitely be more beneficial to you if you read the whole series.. I love this series, it is sweet and sexy without being nasty and you will fall in love with each couple and root for them the whole time. In this book we have Harrison and Kenzie, he is part of the "Team" these are a bunch of Scarlett's volunteers who are rock climbers who help out those who get in some sticky situations. Harrison was part of the team but in a climb that he went with some friends, lost them and he had a hard time coming back from that. Kenzie has always loved Harrison but she was in a friend zone, but when he returned to Scarlett Springs eventually he wanted more, but he was still going thru a hard time, and lovingly Kenzie assisted him and was there when he needed her the most..Loved reading of previous characters..Enjoy!

I will never look at franks and beans without laughing after reading, Holding On. It was nice to have a little humor in a rather serious story. I really enjoyed this and all of the books in the series.

5 - "In my heart... you never left." Stars!

IMAGE & GIF.

I feel like I say this about every new book I read by this author, but I absolutely loved Harrison and Kenzie’s story. I have to say the inclusion of two K9 characters in Veteran Gizmo and Puppy Gabby also added to the awww’s and feel’s massively, but it was the story itself that kept me gripped.

If there had ever been a woman who tempted him to settle down…

Harrison has been a running character as well as Kenzie in the previous books but whereas she’s been present in the town of Scarlett Springs he has mainly been off climbing the great mountains of the world. The latest being Everest, with his best friend of twenty years and two up and comers in the world of climbing. But all does not go to plan, and he is left questioning his place in the world and what the plan is for his life going forwards, crippled with survivors guilt and a form of PTSD, Harrison returns home, and starts the long process of healing himself mentally and emotionally, and not without the help of Kenzie and her K9 companions.

"I don’t want to drag you into my mess it wouldn’t be fair to you…"

Kenzie and the town in general are just glad to have him back, but it is clear by his reluctance to get out and get involved in life and with his friends of the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team that the fifteen months spent in a monastery near Everest have not helped exorcise the demons he is still fighting or the grief that is still consuming him, and Kenzie has the idea of pushing him to puppy-foster Gabby in an effort to give him something else to focus on. But it’s not just the puppy that he finds himself focusing on and the long held attraction between them sparks into flame.

"I don’t think I’d be good for you…"

"How about this Kiss me whenever you want, and we’ll take it a day at a time…"

Every book in this series has pulled me into the story playing out with the characters on an emotional level, and Holding On was no different. It’s difficult to not be really when you have Harrison; a strong, confident, self-sufficient man almost bought to his knees buy circumstances totally outside of his control.

"Stay…"

"I promise."

I loved Kenzie too, a woman in love with a man who is hurting, and it’s not a hurt she can take away all on her own. But it’s Harrison who has to make the decision as to where his future lies, and Kenzie fears that she may not be part of that future if he doesn’t accept the fact that he cannot work through his issues alone.

"You’re the only part of my life that makes sense right now… I want you, and if that’s a mistake, ten it’s the best mistake I’ve made in a long damned time."

Another out-and-out winner from the Colorado High Country series, and I absolutely cannot wait for more from this author in the future.

Friends-to-lovers. Cute dogs. Yes, sign me up.

I'm always excited for another Pamela Clare book, especially her contemporaries (and still hoping for another I-Team installment), and was thrilled to head back to Colorado High Country for Kenzie and Harrison's story. Although they may not end up my favorite Colorado High Country couple, Kenzie and Harrison had plenty of action, angst, and best of all, dogs. I absolutely loved that Kenzie's golden Gizmo was the real hero and now I just want Pamela Clare to write more books with hot guys and cute pups.

Kenzie and Harrison are friends with a slow simmering attraction that began even before Harrison was injured in a devastating accident on Mt. Everest that killed his climbing partner. Back in Scarlet Spring, Harrison is trying to hide from the world but Kenzie won't let him. Armed with an adorable golden retriever puppy, Kenzie gently pushes Harrison back into the world of the living, even as she believes he'll never be hers.
Harrison was another one of these ripped, sexy men who turned her on - but who would never stick around to build a life with her. He said he was done with climbing and off the Team, but she didn't believe that.
Although Kenzie believes herself to be a boring homebody, Harrison has always been drawn to her.
Before this last trip, he'd fantasized almost every night. Kenzie, always Kenzie. But the reality of kissing her beat any fantasy.
Harrison's life is a mess. The press are hounding him and so are the tragic memories of losing his friend. Finding a way to live with himself much less a life with Kenzie seems almost impossible. His personal demons are keeping him from making a real future with Kenzie.
You're the only part of my life that makes sense right now, Kenzie. I want you, and if that's a mistake, then it's the best mistake I've made in a long damned time.
Kenzie and Harrison's story isn't just one of friendship or survivor's guilt, but there's also dog training, nosy friends, kidnapping, near death experience, and a wild rescue. There just isn't a boring moment. It was fantastic visiting old friends (hi Jesse, Joe, Rain, Eric, Chaska...) and I'm looking forward to returning to Colorado High Country.

4 stars

Harrison was climbing Mt. Everest with his best buddy and two twins they were leading. A horrible accident left Harrison the only survivor. A year later, a friend comes over to get him out of the monastery where he has been holed up. Coming home, he is struggling, so Kenzie, who has had a crush on him for a long time, brings over a little golden retriever puppy, telling him he should help train her for Search and Rescue. Enjoyed this story a lot, and really liked them together, and dogs and puppies always add a nice touch. Fun read, and would be a great summer read. Highly recommend this book and author.

Every time I read a Pamela Clare book, I think this is my favorite. Well, this time Holding On (Colorado High Country Book 6) really is my favorite. At least until the next one. The title is perfect for this story in so many ways, more so than the cover

This book has all I enjoy about romantic suspense. First, it has interesting, complex main characters and wonderful, just as interesting supporting characters (I even want to know Bear’s backstory!) within a strong solid storyline. The suspense slowly builds taking turns that you can see really happening. Like real life, days are full of routine until one event turns life on a dime. Also Harrison and Kenzie have a romance that simmers and grows as the characters do. Again a reflection of actual real life.

I enjoy the big picture of life in Colorado’s high country, and the work that the search and rescue teams do there, but it is the small details the author includes such as how Harrison was named that I find that enjoy just as much. A master storyteller at work here.

This is definitely a search and rescue story with much of the searching being done by the characters within themselves as their come to terms with tragic events. Less I forget to mention the dogs are a huge grand part of this spectacular story. Love, love, love Gizmo and Gabby! If you haven’t picked up a Pamela Clare book, you are seriously missing out. While this is part of a series, Holding On is a complete story, so no reason not to jump in the series now.

Another Colorado High Country Success. This series is guaranteed to be action packed, exciting, and romantic. The drama doesn't ever stay on the mountain with this gang. Harrison Conrad has a devastating experience while climbing Mt Everest with this buddies. A 15 month hiatus leads him back to Scarlet Springs and Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue- well kinda! Harrison is having a hard time holding on- to the rescue is the beautiful Gabby- a pup who is meant to bring healing to Harrison- compliments of the beautiful Kenzie.

Kenzie knows how the adventurers are- wings that take them away and they never stay. She has had a crush on Harrison for years and now he needs her help with a little manufactured pet therapy. Harrison has a long recovery emotionally and leaning on Kenzie seems to be great medicine. But sometimes nothing can help you hold on! Kenzie is a strong-tough woman and he just can't see that he's right for her so why not just leave her alone, go away. Ugh these men and their blind chivalry. There of course is going to come a time when the light bulb goes off and Harrison realizes Kenzie is it- the one! But it might just be too late as Kenzie has found herself in a nightmare she isn't sure she'll survive. Can she HOLD ON until Harrison gets there?

There is plenty of drama and lots of romance to keep you holding onto this book and not wanting to put it down.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

Harrison Concord climbs Mt Everest with his best friend and two other young climbers only to return the sole survivor. He stays at a Buddhist monastery near Mt Everest for fifteen months suffering from the tragedy only to return to his hometown broken.
Kenzie Morgan is a dog trainer and kennel owner, using her dogs for rescue missions in the Rocky Mountains. She has had a crush on Harrison forever. Watching the aftermath of his failed attempt at Everest and his being the soul survivor both exhilarate and make her heart reach out to him. When he finally returns a shadow of himself, she makes him foster a puppy on this high hopes it will rehabilitate him as well.
This was a great read and just a great overall journey for both Kenzie and Harrison. They have an interesting path and Harrison struggles with survivors guilt. The two have super insane chemistry and while the journey is hard, the wait is worth it. Loved it...four stars of entertainment.

While this is the sixth book in this series, it can easily be read as a stand alone novel. Those familiar with the series will recognize names from previous books but truly this book can stand on its own but will most likely have readers wanting to read the other books in the series. Harrison Conrad is a world famous mountain climber that has experienced a tragedy that even after fifteen moths is severely impacting his life. Suffering from survivor's guilt, Harrison simply can't find a meaning to his life now that he is back home. At least not until he is manipulated into caring for a puppy and rejoining the land of the living. Well a new love interest might have helped too.
This was a very enjoyable story by Pamela Clare that not only had a great plot but also showed just how much research the author has done in respect to climbing and search and rescue teams. With each book in the series I always find myself surprised by the research she must put into the stories without getting so technical as to detract from the overall romantic story.

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

How do you overcome survivor's guilt? Good question that is a central theme of this book. Another question that played a big part is What makes a hero? The heavy themes were front and center in this very sweet romance with a touch of suspense. Since I prefer my romance on the lite side, it's hard for me to fully embrace this one, but the series has been great and not shy tackling some weighty subjects. I love all the characters and their different paths to their HEAs.

A force of nature changed world renowned climber Harrison Conrad's life in a split second. He survived Mt. Everest, but his climbing team didn't. Learning to accept and move on is almost impossible for him. Isolating himself from his friends back home in Scarlet Springs, CO isn't the answer. But, Harrison has some awesome friends who just won't let him wallow in his grief. Megs flies across the would to retrieve him and Kenzie Morgan gives him a reason to face each new day in the form is a sweet, adorable, furball, puppy named Gabby.

Kenzie Morgan has sworn of men who live for the adrenaline high of extreme sports. Been there, done that and she has the scars to prove it. She is not going to get involved with another one, ever, ever again. Famous last words. She just seems drawn to them and her attraction to Harrison is a far gone conclusion. When he returns home broken in spirit and vowing never to climb again, she thinks . . . maybe, just maybe this attraction will turn out different. Her life is her kennel and dog training business. She also volunteers for the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. Now, she is on a mission to help Harrison be whole again, but keeping her heart safe just doesn't seem possible.

Oh my goodness, this book was a treat! I'd barely even made my way through the prologue when I decided this book deserved 5 stars. When I read reviews of fantasy novels, people often talk about world building. The prologue takes place on Mount Everest, an environment as foreign to me as most fictional worlds. Through the perfect combination of words and immaculate descriptions, I was right there with Conrad and his climbing buddies.

I've never had a desire to climb a mountain, so I've never given much thought to what it would be like up there. Honestly, it sounds terrifying. Then the unthinkable happened and my hard limit of never climbing a mountain was solidified that much more. My heart was racing and I was having all sorts of feelings for poor Conrad, and the tragedy he experienced.

While the prologue may have been the most impressive part of the book as far as I'm concerned, but the rest of the story didn't disappoint. There was a genuine story of loss, heartbreak, and healing with a healthy dose of suspense toward the end.

Now, it's time for my favorite part, the steamy bits. The sex was hot, without being overly graphic. This was a romance novel, the focus was on the couple falling in love, not their expression of it.

We also get a very healthy dose of a big strong man cuddling with a puppy. Does that make anyone else swoon? It gets me every time. Conner is absolutely book-boyfriend material.

Kenzie is an awesome female lead. She's strong and doesn't need a man to save her. She is also a search and rescue dog handler, talk about an awesome career.

Holding On was a wonderfully engaging read. I was absolutely hooked from the first page and stayed up much later than I should have reading just one more chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a love story that's a bit different from the norm. This book wasn't like anything I had read before.

Harrison is an extreme climber who has scaled all the major mountains but he couldn't stop the tragic accident that happened on his last climb. Full of survivor's guilt he has a hard time returning to his hometown and the people he left there. Kenzie trains rescue dogs and is Harrison's best friend. When their relationship blossoms she has to fight his demons as well as her own. Enjoyable suspenseful romance.

This story started with heart break and takes us on a journey of survival and love. The K9 rescue dogs stole the show, ok Kenzie and Harrison had a great romance too. There's some heartstopping moments towards the end that will have you gripping your kindle. I loved it and highly recommend it.

Three and a half stars.

Harrison Conrad was the golden boy climber of the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team, a mountain rescue team in Colorado. Then a tragedy claims the lives of his best friend and two young climbers in the Himalayas and he is wracked with survivor's guilt, spending over a year living in a Tibetan monastery until Megs, the founder of the Team comes to haul him back to Colorado.

Kenzie Morgan is a dog trainer, owns a pet shop and is the owner/ handler of a Search and Rescue dog. She has always had a thing for Conrad but knows her weakness is climbers, she doesn't share their obsession and they always leave her. But when Conrad comes back so lost and broken she can't help but want to fix him - and what could be better than a cute puppy? Conrad has always had a thing for Kenzie too, but both being part of the Team has necessitated him keeping a professional distance, now he's resigned is there anything stopping him?

I find this a difficult book to rate. First, way too much sex to plot in my opinion, I spent a long part of this book wondering if anything was going to happen, don't get me wrong it was well done and hawt but enough already. Second, puppies! That warrants at least five stars all by itself. Third, I did like the plot, when it finally arrived. It was tense and thrilling and had me on the edge of my seat. But I have to wonder if that area is cursed - it seems like every criminal from miles around gravitates there! Also, I felt a bit of deja vu - haven't we had this plot before?

But I liked Conrad and Kenzie. They had issues, they worked them out. They were fun and I would love to be their friend and sit back for a beer, or two, at Knockers the local watering hole chatting with them and petting their gorgeous dogs.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I've been reading each of this series' books as they come out. I'm obsessed. I've never really been to Colorado. I feel like I have through these books.
This is book 6.I do think that this could be a standalone. I did enjoy the supporting characters in this book.
I do love Megs. She's in charge of the Search and Rescue team. She's a tough but wise person. She's older than the others on the S&R team. I love how she comes through for Harrison at least 2 crucial times.

I really love the H & h i this book. I love ALL of the Hs & hs in this series.
Kenzie is not a climber, but she is on the support staff for S&R. She has a kennel that boards dogs, she teaches dog/owner behavioral classes. She also gets called ("toned out") paged for rescues and sadly, for deceased body recoveries. Kenzie's trained rescue do Gizmo is very sweet and smart. Kenzie is an true expert in handling her dog. She does get another dog- a golden retriever puppy named Gabby

Harrison's story starts this book. He's a world famous mountain climber. A very tragic event is explained in the prologue. This part is very well done, but is chilling and heartbreaking to read. Harrison is devastated. He eventually comes back to Scarlet Springs. Harrison and Kenzie have a history of sparks/chemistry, but had previously never pursued a relationship.

Kenzie cooks up a story for Harrison to foster her puppy Gabby. He's caught off guard, but agrees, so he can help out Kenzie. This actually helps Harrison get out of his own shell-a little. He's still closed off & grieving.
There are some funny moments and sweet and also romantic times too. Kenzie and Harrison are hot together.
There's suspenseful and scary parts. The Colorado Rockies are beautiful, but the weather starts to turn The terrain is tough. The last 1/3 or so was intense.

I loved the time that Kenzie & Harrison spent together. Kenzie was patient and sweet. Harrison had to come to grips with what happened. He was a reluctant celebrity.
This is 3rd person POV. I'm so happy that I read this book
I give this one 5 days. How can I not?

‘Tis a fact that I barely read straight contemporary romance any more, but if there is one author who can get me to pick up a book in the genre, it’s Pamela Clare… as evidenced by the fact that I’ve devoured all six of her Colorado High Country books. Ms. Clare has a rare gift for creating characters so realistic that you feel you can reach through the page and feel them, and HOLDING ON is no different. With every turn of a page, I lived Harrison’s grief, survivor’s guilt, self-doubt, and journey back from the abyss; Kenzie’s steadfast love, willingness to help, and trepidation; and even little Gabby’s puppy wholesomeness and joie de vivre. There are no real plot twists or suspense subplots in HOLDING ON, just a heartwarming, angsty story of recovery and self-discovery (and puppies!) between two solid, relatable characters whose budding romance has been on a slow simmer for 6 books. And lots and lots of really hot sex, another Pamela Clare speciality! A solid addition to a top-notch series. And with all the page time Sasha gets this time around, dare I hope her book is next? I’m dying to see who takes on that firecracker.

**ARC provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Pamela Clare always delivers! I’ve been in a reading funk this summer and she pulled me out with this book.
Harrison Conrad is the sole survivor of an accident on Mount Everest. He lost his long-time climbing buddy and two young proteges on the mountain. He spends 15 months hiding in a monastery but then returns to his Colorado home. Once returning home, he is reluctant to re-engage with his friends and his alpine search and rescue team.

Kenzie Morgan, the K9 handler for the search and rescue team, has harbored a long-time crush on Conrad. She’s reluctant to date a climber, having been left behind one too many times. But when Conrad returns a broken man she dedicates herself (and her furry friends) to helping him heal.

What can I say? Everything about this book is great. The writing, the plot, the chemistry between the hero and the heroine. There’s an amazing cast of secondary characters and a little intrigue thrown in. This is a great summer read!

4.5 Stars What a great story and addition to the Colorado High Country series. Harrison and Kenzie are great characters and had me quickly engaged only wanting the best for them. I am loving this series and I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more and recommend you read it too.

Holding On was a fantastic, easy to read and swoon worthy romance with some seriously amazing characters. I've read most books in this series and loved them, and this book was no exception. I really found the two main characters, Harrison and Kenzie, to be really interesting and genuine. I felt that even though this book was quick and easy to read, I connected with the characters and understood their emotions and motivations. Often in a romance book it's over too quickly and I didn't feel like I understood the characters at all. This is not the case with Holding On. It's enjoyable, steamy but also truthful, with barely any tropes/cringing involved. Even though I am not an adventure/outdoors type myself, I love this series as it has some really genuine and hot characters. Not many romance stories detail search and rescue scenarios and I think that adds to the overall appeal for me.

Harrison was hot, older and had his own inner demons. Watching him learn to love himself, to forgive himself and love Kenzie was great to read. There were certainly ups and down to their relationship, but its such an enjoyable book it leaves a smile on your face. As usual there is a pinch of drama/danger but I love that and it gives the book something to focus on other than pure romance. All the other characters from other books and all the side characters are back and its so good to read and have them consistently throughout each book of this series.

If you are looking for a wonderful, very easy to read romance thats steamy with a little bit of drama and danger, this is certainly for you. I would also highly recommend Pamela Clare's other books.

I have loved this series so much, and cannot wait for the next installment. The story feels so real that I feel like I should check the news for the headlines! Loved Harrison and Kenzie's story! So many excellent story elements.

Holding On is a Good, Better, Best story.  The good: Holding On may be my favorite book of this entire series, and I have loved every book in the "Colorado High Country" series. I couldn't put Holding On down so I did that thing we readers do when a book has us in it's grip...I stayed up way too late so I could finish it. Clare gave me a story that has it all: heartbreak, courage, drama, and romance.

The better: There is not a single thing I would change in this book. From beginning to end, the action of the story, the characterization, and the dialogue was impeccably written and oh-so-riveting. The opening scene took me to Everest, where I saw the beautiful friendship between four adventurers, only to see it end in tragedy. I felt Harrison's grief and Kenzie's fear, and Clare wrote in a way that kept me in their emotions throughout the story. Their characters developed in a way that kept unfolding what was inside of them. I loved the way that they acted together. The Search and Rescue Team that they were part of made for great secondary characters.

The best: Harrison and Kenzie. These are two characters that are perfect for each other. Clare developed these two (and two dogs) who are human and very admirable. Harrison learning to embrace society again, taking that step of talking about his loss and fears, and loving Kenzie made my heart grow. Kenzie was perfect, too. She took care of Harrison without hovering or guilting him into doing things he wasn't ready to do, but without babying him. This is what a mature relationship looks like, and it was beautiful. Too often I read whiny poor-me characters...Harrison and Kenzie could be role models.

i love books about SAR dogs. they always add a special element. i liked the relationship between the hero and heroine. it was so adorable to hear about the way he handled the puppy. the town is really well written and you feel you are observing a place and its people.

Before I start, I need to confess that Pamela Clare is one of my favorite authors. I know I can count on her for great characters and a satisfying love story.  I had high expectations for  Holding On, her latest Colorado High Country contemporary romance, a friends-to-lovers with 2 adorable fur babies. Happily,  i can say Pamela didn't disappoint.

Harrison Conrad was the sole survivor of a climbing expedition to Mt Everest,  losing his best friend. But he comes home to Scarlet Springs unsure of what life has in store for him.  Kenzie Morgan is an old friend (& mutual secret crush) and trains dogs for mountain search & rescue. Concerned for Harrison,  Kenzie gets him to foster a puppy she plans to train. (Gabby the puppy has to be the cutest k9 character ever.)

I really don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of spoiling a great read. Kenzie is just perfect for Harrison and he for her. But they're not without their moments of angst and just a wee bit of suspense that ratchets up to a wonderful HEA. I even had a tear or two.

Told in 3rd person, Holding On is s steamy, satisfying romance with a great love story and enough heat to keep things going. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read and provide my honest review of Holding On.

Review posted on Amazon

I absolutely love this series with its strong characters yet delightful characters and the stories that capture the reader and make them part of the family.

This one hits close to home for me having grown up in India and being familiar with the majestic peaks of the Himalayas notable of which is Mount Everest known as the rooftop of the world. My heart broke for Conrad when a freak accident killed the rest of his climbing team leaving him the sole survivor. It's Kenzie with her search and rescue dogs who finally manages to get him to join the world of the living even as the rest of the S&R team gets him to finally climb the might peaks in their vicinity.

Every one of the stories in this series has been my absolute favorite until the next one comes along. I have learned so much from these stories about human relationships, human frailties and community spirit, I wish the stories can just continue.

Conrad escaped from the climbing accident that killed his buddy and 2 young climbers. He retreated from the world for over a year. But his old boss has decided he has licked his wounds long enough and guilts him into returning to Colorado. When he gets back he realises all the things he has missed out on including team weddings and pregnancies!

But mostly he realises how much he missed Kenzie. When they run into each other again Kenzie realises that Conrad needs something to keep him tethered to the here and now and to stop wallowing in the past. Enter...Gaby, just about the cutest puppy ever!

Kenzie becomes a big part of Conrad's life and she hates lying to him about the puppy but it is for his own good. And what is not to like about a huge alpha male holding a puppy like a baby?!?!

Kenzie is a great lead female. She is independent and generous, stubborn and quietly sexy. She has her own doubts about her relationship with Conrad but ultimately Conrad is the one who pulls away. I loves reading all about mountain climbing...not for me but made interesting reading. Really need to go back and read the rest of the series LOL.

Harrison Conrad is a world-renowned alpinist and superior athlete, having reached Everest’s summit twice. On his last attempt with his long-time climbing partner and best friend, he was the lone survivor following a freak accident that killed his friend and the two climbers they were taking up the mountain. After 15-months in recluse with Tibetan monks, he finally returns home to Scarlet Springs, still broken spiritually and not knowing what’s next for him and avoiding those who cared for him. Kenzie Morgan, the town’s expert trainer of search and rescue dogs, has more than admired Harrison, who’s also a member of the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. She comes up with a plan to place her new puppy, Gabby, in his home for a little fur therapy.

This was a wonderful story! Harrison’s issues were so very real and his gradual retraction from everyone important to him was painful to experience. Kenzie’s instincts about the power of her puppy were on target and it was heartwarming to see Gabby’s impact on Harrison, to watch him slowly emerge from survivor’s guilt to something closer to acceptance. Kenzie and Harrison’s own relationship blossomed out of friendship and mutual attraction, as well as through their shared admiration and love for the dogs. An added bonus was the education about the intricate training required for service dogs as it was enlightening. And, I learned quite a bit about extreme climbing, including how endorsements actually are contracted and orchestrated.

I love this series and its focus on community, a staple in every story and definitely in this one. It was extraordinary how the town wrapped themselves around Harrison to protect him from his adoring fans and the media, giving him a chance to heal emotionally. The search and rescue training and alpine research was outstanding, lending an authenticity to the core story. Lastly, the romance was well developed and steamy!) and I wasn’t ready for this book to end.

And this book is a perfect example of why Pamela is one of my favourite authors. The passion, the romance, the suspense...Holding On had it all!! I just love her writing, the story she wraps you up in and makes me fall in love with these characters. Kenzie and Conrad's story was beautiful, a love years in the making it took obstacles and a determination to see it develop into something worth fighting for but oh what a love it was. Hoping we hear more from this series in the future!

Kenzie Morgan has been a friend and teammate of Harrison Conrad for many years. Harrison returns to Scarlet Springs after surviving a tragic accident while climbing Mt. Everest. He survived, but his three friends did not. Kenzie owns her own kennel, trains dogs for others and for SAR and HDR, as well as her work for the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. Kenzie, along with her dog Gizmo, never know when they will be called out for a search and rescue operation and how much danger they may face. In trying to help her friend, Harrison, recover from his accident she has him foster her new puppy, Gabby. She knows that animals have a way of healing our hearts and hopes that Gabby will bring comfort to Harrison. Harrison has always been aware of having stronger feelings for Kenzie but has never acted on those feelings…until now. Can their relationship survive Harrison’s PTSD…can their relationship survive the danger that Kenzie sometimes encounters during SAR? Ms. Clare writes such wonderful characters and along with this suspenseful story provides us with updates on the other characters we have read about in the “Scarlet Springs, Colorado High Country” series. Such a great story and a visit to old “friends” from the other books in the series. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

If you haven’t read Pamela Clare, you definitely are missing some stunning stories and Holding On is another of her best works I’ve read.

Conquering mountains and Everest, surviving the loss of friends and guilt, coming home to family and friends, giving a chance to second live and love and is what makes “Holding On” another brilliant read.

Harrison Conrad lost immensely on that life-changing trek of Mt. Everest. Coming back to Scarlet Springs is only the beginning of a life he’s not sure he deserves. And with Kenzie Morgan in the midst of his close circle, guilt and attraction are at warring ends. Member of the K9 team of Search and Rescue, and with a successful dog training business, Kenzie loved Harrison forever and manipulating his recovery by saddling a dog and being supportive is her genius move.

As always, Pamela Clare brings to life two admirable characters with their imperfections and fear, courage and bravery, love and passion as they battle demons to build a future. “Holding On” is one brilliant book to hold on!

Received a copy from Pamela Clare via NetGalley for an honest review.

Loved this book. I love anything Pamela Clare writes. She really knows hot to bring her characters to life.

I've really enjoyed this series although I've liked some books more than others. I think this was probably my favorite book in the series. I really loved both the MC's and I was fascinated with the careers that they had. Harrison is a world class climber who's climbed the highest/most difficult mountains including Mt. Everest twice and Kenzie trains dogs for SAR (Search and Rescue) and HRD (Human Remains Detection). In this book not only do we get a great romance but plenty of action and some really interesting information about climbing and training dogs for SAR/HRD.

I admit I'm a sucker for dogs and this book had two wonderful canine characters that were just adorable. I also liked that some of the sweetness of the book was balanced with the weighty issue of dealing with survivors guilt. The secondary characters (which were from the previous books) added some depth and a bit of humor along the way as well. Honestly, this book has everything I'm looking for in a romance - MC's I like, a sweet but still hot romance, an interesting plot, just enough action to keep me enthralled and a chance to learn something new.

Oh Em Gee the heat between these two is an incredible especially wants Harrison pulls his head out of his nether regions. Just enough action, angst and passion to keep you turning page after page.

I feel like I just finished a resource guide on Canine SAR. I am always amazed by this author's ability to bring all the finer details to the story. I felt like I was working along with the team and helping Kenzie and Gizmo solve the case.

Wonderful commentary on what it's like to suffer with PTSD and survivor's guilt. Kenzie and Harrison were friends for years and I think that helped their relationship survive all the emotional upheaval thrust upon it. Plus, I love a good friends to lovers story! When they do move on to something more, it seems so natural and affirming.

Great look at the rescue team as always. Anytime there are kids or puppies, you know there will be some "awwwee" moments and this book doesn't disappoint on the cuteness factor. Idyllic setting any time but this book takes place in the winter. Snow in the mountains seems just about perfect. Overall a sweet story about friendship and healing and doing what you love. Both the beginning and the ending were highlights of the story.

It was amazing

**I received a copy of Holding On from Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Holding on by Pamela Clare is the sixth book in her Colorado High Country series. I have to say that each one I read is comparable to her I Team series which I loved and only wants me to know who will get the next book. She also does her research quite well and this story show it with the technical terms that Harrison Conrad's high climbing career and how Kenzie and Gizmo go out on searches whether they are found alive or a recovery mission. This book is worth all five stars and then some. I do agree that the back and forth use of both Harrison and Conrad was a bit confusing but it didn't detract from the story.

Kenzie Morgan is a dog trainer and volunteers with the Colorado High Country search and rescue she can be sent out with her dog Gizmo at a moments notice. She has also loved Harrison Conrad secretly for years, so when she hears he's coming home after spending several months grieving the loss of his best friend and two other climbers in Nepal. Somehow she convinces him to "watch" her newest puppy trainee for S & R knowing that Gabby will help him heal his soul.. But when a armored car robbery puts her in the cross hairs of one of them men it will take everyone to find her during a blizzard.

Harrison Conrad is devastated when climbing in the Himalayas his best friend and two others are killed when a Serac ridge of ice takes the lives of them but spares him. After months at a monastery Meg flies in and convinces him to come back to Colorado. (Boy is she a gutsy lady!) But even though he's back in Colorado he still feels guilt from why he was spared and it will take a golden retriever puppy Gabby show him that he's been chosen to be saved for a reason and her name is Kenzie. When reporters, sponsors and having to do a talk show brings back memories he'll shut her out until Kenzie goes missing in a white out blizzard and the Search and Rescue needs his climbing skills to rescue her, but will they be in time?

Thank you Net Galley for a copy for an honest review. Conrad is a climber who is injured on a climb at Mt. Everest. Conrad needs to recuperate and comes home to Scarlet Springs and his "friend" Kenzie who works in search and rescue. After reading this book, I have to check out the others ones in this series! Loved, Loved, Loved.

This was another great addition to the Colorado series and can be read as a standalone. This is Harrison's and Kenzie's story and it grabs you and it keeps you holding on until the last page ( I was disappointed with how quickly it ended but that it purely selfish on my part because I wanted more). It was a very emotional story and more than once I had tears in my eyes, The pace of the story was good, the character development in depth, the storyline intriguing with a few twists added in and the sexual chemistry was potent. I want to add that it provoked some discussion on our home as we discussed dog training for search and rescue, so it was educational as well. What more can you ask for?

Harrison and Kenzie make such a good couple. They both have issues to overcome. Will they be able to have a relationship in spite of their past? Another good read from this author.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

ARC received for review

I have really enjoyed every book in this series. Each hero and heroine has a unique set of circumstances to overcome, and they do it with a little help from their friends.

This book is no different. Kenzie has like Harrison for a long time, but never said anything. He comes back broken after a climbing tragedy. With a little help from a puppy named Gabby and a bad guy hurting Kenzie, Harrison overcomes. There's lots of sweet and sexy times plus seeing all the previous peeps.

I'm sad I'm caught up and now will have to patiently wait for the next one.....is it out yet


How bout now?

I received this e-book via NetGalley and am leaving my honest opinion.

Harrison is one of the best known Alpiners (aka Mountain climber) in the world. Then his world came crashing down when he became the only survivor of a 4-man team climbing Mt. Everest, which included a man whom he had climbed with for 20 years, a brother in his heart. So for the last 15 months, he has been living with the monks, working for his room.

Meanwhile back in the small town of Scarlet Springs his friends worry about him. Though he wasn't born there, Scarlet Springs had been his home for 10 years and it was home to him. Though he didn't need to work because of company sponsorships, he was involved in the Search and Rescue team that was based in town.

One day he gets a visitor at the monastery. It is someone from home basically telling him he needs to come home and get his life together.

Kenzie is a local business owner, she runs a dog boarding business with an attached store and she trains dogs. She also trains dogs for Search and Rescue and is part of the team. She has everything she wants, except for the love of a good man. The last 2 relationships she has were with climbers and since they didn't work, she has sworn off climbers.


Harrison is now home but he is just a lost man. He has no interest in life. Kinzie decides to ask him to help her with a new puppy, claiming her other dog Gizmo, and the puppy, Gabby, don't get along. Grudgingly, he says yes.


Harrison has thought about Kenzie for years but knew she had sworn off climbers. Kenzie had had a thing for Harrison for years but never pursued it because he was a climber and he was away a lot. As they spent time together the feelings take over and they give into it. Harrison tells her he doesn't know what he can offer her because his life is in a shambles and he doesn't know what the future holds. Kenzie doesn't care, she just wants to help him heal and be with him. She will deal with the heartbreak later if she has to.

Can Kenzie and ret Springs help Harrison regain his life? Will they make it together?

This is an awesome story! It grabbed me right at the beginning and kept me until the last page! Harrison basically had PTSD and he had some intense healing to go through. Kenzie was there for him throughout it, as were his friends in the Search and Rescue team. And of course there was Gizmo and Gabby the dogs, the puppy Gabby warmed his frozen heart but Kenzie stole it!

Great read, highly recommended!

This is a beautifully written friends turn to lovers romance story. The twists and turns, and the huddles they have to go through to get their happy ever after. If you want to find out just how fantastic this story is, then pick up your copy today and really find out how Harrison and kenzie get their HEA, you won’t regret it I promise. A definite must read of 2018

WOW

This story is all kinds of intense! Your hear will just absolutely shatter for Harrison and what he went through. Even a year later he's trying to figure out how to deal with the death of his team member and the two boys who were with them. When he returns home he finds the struggle to be even more intense then he thought.

Enter Kenzie who takes it upon herself to help him even if he refuses the help initially.

I love the slow, but realistic build of the relationship between these two. I appreciate that the author took her time in having Harrison heal instead of pretending that this sort of thing goes away overnight.

I love the Colorado High Country Series. Each book has been a hit for me. Holding On was a great addition to the series. I have been waiting for Harrison Conrad's book for a while now. I knew going into this read that Harrison had some major issues to deal with after losing his climbing team in an accident and almost dying himself. Pamela Clare did a great job of writing Harrison and his pain in a believable light. My heart broke for Harrison. He felt so guilty for surviving and he suffered with PTSD. Enter Kenzie and her adorable puppy Gabby! OMG talk about cuteness overload. Kenzie was a member of the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team as the K9 SAR unit. She knew how therapeutic animals could be. Crushing on Harrison for years, Kenzie came up with a plan to ask Harrison to foster SAR trainee puppy Gabby. What ensued was some of the cutest puppy antics I have ever read!
Harrison and Kenzie were both amazing and they made a cute couple. Different in a lot of ways they complemented each other well. They were both very protective of one another and the dogs. They were both supportive of each other and had a friendship along with being in love with each other. Harrison was very sexy and charming. I loved how hard he fell in love with Gabby. Nothing like a man cuddling a baby human or animal to make a woman's ovaries explode. Kenzie was smart, and sassy. She had a confidences about her that made her very sexy as well. I felt Harrison and Kenzie has a great connection. Smexy time between Harrison and Kenzie was smokin' hot. When Harrison role played Kenzie's fantasy I totally melted.
I love that even though they made a great couple they still had to deal with PTSD in a real way. Healing isn't always easy or pretty and I love when Authors keep it real when it comes to things like PTSD. I loved getting to catch up with past couples and seeing how they are doing in their HEA. Lots of babies to awe over. There was some raw emotional and sweet moments in this book. There was some really funny ones too(Harrison naked outside his older neighbor catching him and calling his junk franks and beans). The action towards the end had me on edge and I was so happy that Harrison was able to overcome his problems and saved the day. The epilogue was amazing and gave me everything I wanted. I loved this book and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

This was another fantastic book in a super series. I have enjoyed all thee books but this one might just be my favorite. After a tragic accident while on a climb, Harrison is struggling with his grief over losing his best friend. Kenzie trains dogs and decides he needs one to train to help pull him out of his grief. I really enjoyed this book it was well written and I was pulled right into their story.

OMG the feels!
Ok, so now that I got that silliness out of my system…
This story truly is packed full of emotional trauma and is the story of a man coming out of the darkest and deepest pit he could find himself in, with the help of a woman that is determined she not lose him to that darkness—and a sweet puppy of course. I love everything Pamela Clare has ever written so I was not really surprised to enjoy this story so much, and wasn’t even really surprised by the darkness and emotion that she tackles so beautifully, but I cried so much through this story that I was surprised that she was able to get to my heart even more than she usually does. While I can honestly say that I have been putting this story off, knowing that I would be a wreck after reading it, Pamela’s ability to put a person right there in the lives and minds of her characters, to make the reader feel like they are living their lives, is so masterful that I felt I was being pulled along with Conrad into Kenzie’s circle of love and there was no greater feeling. Conrad has gone through an ordeal so terrifying that most of the population will never experience something like it and it has left him a shell of the man he once was. His friends and family are terrified they will lose him forever, especially Kenzie and she refuses to let him give into that darkness. When brilliance strikes she uses the best weapon at her disposal, the sweet S & R puppy she is training, and uses her to force Conrad slowly back to the land of the living. As they spend more and more time together and Conrad comes back to the life he left behind, he begins to see something in Kenzie that he always ran from in the past and wonders if he made a mistake in doing so. As their love grows deeper, Conrad’s fears and worries rear back and soon he has to decide if he is a healed enough man to embrace the light and love that Kenzie represents or if he will forever remain in the darkness without the love of the woman that will sacrifice it all for him. I ADORED every moment of this tear-filled, emotional and draining read and wouldn’t miss a single moment of it, might even go back for a reread soon, and seeing Conrad and Kenzie together gave me hope that there truly is someone out there for everyone. Kenzie is a woman that will do just about anything for those she loves, or just for those in need, even to the extent of risking herself, but the way she fights for Conrad, again and again, refusing to give up on him…man she is definitely the kind of woman I want to be when I grow up. She is obviously sexy, brave, talented, sweet, and funny and that is a bit intimidating to the rest of us normal women, but I can see why she needed to be all of those things to match the amazing Conrad. Conrad has lived his life on the edge, always reaching for the next extreme challenge, but now that he has lost his nerve and willingness to even get out of his PJs, he needs an ass-kicking, and it comes in the form of the sweetest woman he’s ever met and her cuddly puppy. Conrad is sexy, sensual, heroic, and humble once he decided to pull his head out of his butt; the best part of course is seeing how sweet he is with the puppy and then with Kenzie one he lets himself accept their relationship. If I could find a man like Conrad for myself you can damn sure bet I’d fight for him just as hard as Kenzie did and never let him go. I am dying to see what comes next in this amazing town full of sexy heroes, amazing women and crazy characters. MORE, MORE, MORE, Pamela!

This was a good read! This was a first for me from this author, and this series, but I didn't feel lost at all. The writing flowed well, and I loved the chemistry between the Harrison and Kenzie. Harrison was a good guy that was struggling with everything that had happened. Kenzie was a great h, and I liked that she was trying to help Harrison get his life back. There was some suspense in this story, but I liked that it had the romance to balance it out. I was happy to see these characters get their HEA.
I voluntarliy reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

It has been awhile since I've read a Pamela Clare -- I love her I-Team series; Unlawful Contact being my favorite. I stumbled upon Holding On in my Kindle...and although it is the 6th book in the series...and I had not read the first five...I started reading.

The author gave the characters, especially Harrison, a wide-range of realistic emotional experiences. Those experiences made this story enjoyable. I adored the interactions of Harrison and Kenzie (+ Gizmo and Gabby); their relationship evolved naturally...from crush-to-lust-to-HEA.

Off to read more...

I liked this one. The H has serious issues. The h is just what the doctor ordered without being too cutesy. The dog angle is just fun.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*