YAY! The gang is back together and back to their usual dangerous tricks. With the arrival of the new 'friend' into the town means more danger and exposure for the gang. Best part is how they all handle it. The men with their overprotective questions, the women like the bosses that they are, the kids non fazed by all the drama, and all the animals just keep multiplying by each book.

K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen has become my favorite man in the series. I say this with confidence considering I met all the hot men of the Monroe PD. The quiet alpha man with lots of heart was exactly Sarah Clifton/Alice Blanchett needed after life being dictated by her ruthless brother. Like the ladies who have escaped to small town Monroe Sarah/Alice finds her protector and heart in a man of law.

Their romance is instantaneous and yet it moves at a pace that is right for both. Remember how I was saying Otto is a kind soul? Well he knew just how to bring out traumatized Alice out of her shell, to give her courage to live her life freely.

There is quite a lot of action in this book as the past catches up to Sarah/Alice, and not only her. The whole town is in danger now that the real threat has arrived in full force.

In this book all things and loose ends come together with an ending that made me scream out in shock and fear. More drama and danger is coming their way!

Survive the Night was an action-filled thrill ride interspersed with a sweet romance that warmed my heart!

Alice gladly gave up her name to seek refuge in the small town of Monroe, Colorado, fleeing her sociopathic, and powerful brother, Aaron. This guy was truly a psycho, and I’m glad Mr. Espino once again used his talents to make another at-risk girl disappear. Alice becomes Sarah, the “old college classmate” of Jules, but by now the members of the little police force knows what this means. The girl is in hiding, and on the run from something or someone dangerous. And let me tell you, Aaron is a piece of work. Add in Logan Jovanovic and you’ve got a frightening psycho duo on the hunt for Sarah!

Never did she expect to find love, but how can anyone resist Otto, one of the police officers in Monroe, the perfect cross between a Viking god and a beautiful lumberjack? He’s sweet and a complete softy with animals, having a menagerie of rejected creatures he’s taken in on his farm. From rescuing, and bottle-feeding puppies to trying to rehabilitate a broken pit bull named Xena, this guy completely stole my heart! Plus, how can you not love a man with a goat named Hortense?! The goat was super funny in the trials that were presented. A bit passive aggressive in her obedience, but a creature you couldn’t help but love! I just loved Sarah’s relationship with this rag-tag group of animals.

Sarah was the perfect, soft hearted woman for Otto! Their romance was super sweet! Sarah and Otto were both a bit shy, and tentative; a little insecure with their hearts at first. Each were super protective of each other in the face of danger. And let me tell you, there was non-stop danger!

I was on the edge of my seat for much of this read! Just when I thought it would all settle, BAM the next threat would present, and my heart would be pounding! This ends in an exciting showdown and the characters really had to try and “Survive the Night” with all that happened!

The story wraps up, satisfyingly, but it ended on an ominous note, coming full circle in this series, and revealing the danger to come in the next installment. Eeeek! I can’t wait!

A copy was kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca in an exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

Katie Ruggle's Survive the Night was amazing! I really enjoy reading her books and this one was a perfect addition!

This was a great story, it was fast moving and had an excellent plot and I was hooked as soon as I started reading. The characters were strong and worked really well together to carry the plot forwards and I enjoyed it very much.

Whilst this book is the third in the series I haven't read the previous books and this is fine to read as a stand alone in my opinion. The detail was excellent - 5 stars from me would definitely recommend it to any lovers of this genre.

~~Reviewed by Amy~~

This entire series has been nothing short of action-packed adventure and sizzling romance. As with the previous books, this newest addition starts fast and furious and doesn’t let up. With its scorching romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense, Survive the Night beats any blockbuster out there. To top it off, I read this one in the middle of a snowstorm with my 3 rescue dogs curled up beside me. I felt like I was right there in Monroe, Colorado. Too bad I didn’t have the sexy cop to cuddle with too.

Alice Blanchett had been a prisoner her whole life. Sheltered since she was a child, it only worsened after the death of her father. Aaron, her power crazy brother, kept her under lock and key, living in fear. Not only was he physically and emotionally abusive, now he wanted to marry her off to Logan Jovanovic, a man even more shady and unethical than her brother. When the mysterious Mr. Espina showed up offering to take her away, she didn’t have to think twice. So Alice became Sarah Clifton and moved to Monroe, Colorado to live with her “old friend” Jules.

K9 Cop Otto Gunnersen was known as the resident Dr. Doolittle but truthfully he had a soft spot for anything or anyone in need. And when he met the beautiful Sarah Clifton, he recognized that terrified look right away. He knew Sarah was running from something and his protective instincts kicked in immediately. Sarah was shy, which was fine with Otto since whenever he found a woman attractive, he turned into a bumbling 13-year-old boy. They both were tongue-tied around each other and their attraction only heightened the feeling. Despite her hesitance around strangers, Sarah was drawn to Otto. He was calm, careful, and patient. She felt safe with him. A feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time. With his size alone, he should frighten her but Sarah saw him as her own Viking lumberjack, a gentle giant who was quickly monopolizing her thoughts.

Sarah was adjusting to her new home and having freedoms she’d never had before, but when it became obvious that her presence in Jules’ home could bring danger to Jules’ family, Otto offered for her to live with him. Like Otto, his home with its menagerie of animals felt secure and reassuring. Though he was a stranger, Sarah felt at ease with Otto. Comfortable sharing her feelings. When she was with him, she felt a hopeful fluttering feeling. Happy rather than anxiety or dread. Otto felt it too. He loved having Sarah there. Someone to come home to. He loved making her smile and talking with her. The more they were around each other, the greater the attraction grew. Otto’s touch was comforting and slightly dizzying, and when he kissed her, it was soft, sweet, and caring. Just like Otto.

So much of Sarah’s life had been about presenting a front, but now she had Otto and she had friends with whom she could be herself. Sarah was quickly falling in love with her new town, new life, and new friends. But just when she was feeling safe, Aaron and the Jovanovics track her down. And Aaron is ready to do anything to bring Sarah back, even destroy the town of Monroe. But Sarah had a taste of what it is to be safe and free, and with Otto and her friends by her side, she’s ready to fight to keep that feeling.

This series just gets better and better. I loved Otto and Sarah. They were perfect for one another. Both were quiet and somewhat reserved but in finding each other, they found a lighter, happier side of themselves. They both had experienced a painful childhood. In each other, they found the love and security they’d lacked. Katie Ruggle’s books have great character development and I loved watching these two evolve as they got to know each other. And their relationship grew even more intense when they had to fight for it. I was thrilled to see Theo, Jules, Grace, and Hugh again too. I have a real soft spot for Hugh. I love his humor and he is the perfect friend for the serious Otto. I like that now I’m starting to see how the girls’ pasts intertwine, and I learned a little more about the mysterious Mateo Espina. I am anxious to see what comes next. This story will definitely set your pulse racing. Not only from the sizzling romance but also from the non-stop action. For me, the last few chapters were like watching a fireworks show. Just when I thought it was time for the finale, Katie Ruggle cut loose with another volley of heart-stopping action. And just when I thought the action was over, she gave me just enough of a tease about the next book to get me all worked up again. I’ll gladly wait for the next book because I am hooked on this amazing series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book

My Review: I have been an avid Katie Ruggle fan and will continue to consume all of her books. I have really enjoyed this series so far and of course jumped at the opportunity to read the next book in this series. I must say that Ruggle does an outstanding job of writing the male heroes that capture my heart, the silent and intimidating yet marshmallow and cuddly inside type of guys. I absolutely adored Otto and his soft way with the animals. I must say though that Sarah didn't really appeal to me, I prefer my female characters to have a little more spine, but near the end when her love of animals really comes out she did really win me over too. I did really like that the romance really took a step back in this book and the action came to the forefront, there is still the romance and a bit of steam but with everything else going on I am glad it didn't take over the book. I also love the twist at the end, it was starting to sound like the series was ending here but we got one more little shock to keep it going. Only 6 more months to wait!

My Rating: This one had some ups and downs for me, I adore Otto (though he can't beat George from the previous season) but I wasn't a huge fan of Sarah until she actually did something. It was also very action packed, which I am okay with but it just didn't seem like that much was really feasible. I still give it a rating of a solid Four Paws! Also note, when are we going to see a doberman?! Poor Niko is getting a bit of a complex.

Fast paced, interesting and characters so dynamic you cant help but root for them! Home run!

Jeb shouted for Alice and told her to hurry up that her brother was waiting for her. Even though it was earlier that her brother told her to be ready Alie knew the punishment she’d get if she kept her brother Aaron waiting. Alice found a piece of crumpled paper inside her collar it read “Be ready to leave. Soon”. She though how wonderful it would be to have a friend, one willing to help her. She didn’t have any allies not in Aaron’s world. Alice knew she had to get rid of the message and did in the toilet. There wasn’t a safe place from Aaron in Alice’s entire life. When Alice was younger Alice had spent as much time as she could with Chester and his wife Gloria. Chester had taught her how to drive and take care of the horses. Gloria had taught Alice how to cook and take care of herself. Both of them had showed Alice how to be a decent person. After her father had died just before Alice had turned eighteen Aaron took over the family and assigned Alice a bodyguard full time but not to keep her safe but a prisoner in her own home. Alice had been able to talk to Chester and Gloria in years. Even though Chester drove for Aaron. Aaron was swayed by flash over substance. When they arrived at the restaurant Alice heard Aaron ask for the Javanovic party, Alice had heard the Javanovic family was the worst of the worst. Aaron was determined Alice was to marry Logan Jovanovic. Alice never dreamed rescue would come with blowing up her home. Mateo was one of her brothers colleagues had written the note to Alice and came to her bedroom window when the house was in chaos. Mateo said he would help her as the Jovanovics had killed his sister. Alice changed her name to Sarah and is hiding in a small town in Colorado. Alice/Sarah feels her brother will find her. She doesn’t want to fall for Otto and be torn away from him. After otto sees Sarah he feels he has to protect her and keep her safe. Otto is a police officer. Otto is known for his love of animals and helping those who need help or a home. Sarah is rooming with Jules and Grace who Mateo had also helped these women out of a nightmare of a life also. For the first time in her life Sarah has hope of being happy. Otto would do anything to wipe the fear out of Sarah’s eyes. Aaron does show up in the town.
I did enjoy reading this book. I didn’t like Aaron at all but who would? I was a happy when Mateo helped Alice get away.I liked the plot. This did drag a bit for me in places. This was also a little unbelievable at times. I thought Alice/Sarah recovered a little too quickly from the abuse she suffered from. I would have liked more of a backstory on Otto. I loved the animals in this book. I loved how Sarah got Otto’s animals to trust her and followed her out of danger. I loved the characters and the twists and turns in this book and I recommend.

Survive the Night is the third book in Katie Ruggle’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit Series. It can be read as a stand alone but there will be a few references that will make more sense if you read the other books first. I have read them all and I loved them. The guys in the K9 unit are just like brothers. They tease each other constantly and would die for each other. If anyone threatens someone in their inner circle, these guys will go to great lengths to keep them safe. In this particular book, the whole small town ends up under seige in the worst way. Of all the books, Survive the Night has the most action and I really felt like it was a culmination of everything that happened before.



This time, a third woman shows up in the small town of Monroe with a secret. Her name is Sarah and she is on the run from her abusive, criminal brother who is trying to marry her off to a member of another crime family. Sarah has been a prisoner of her brother for most of her adult life and it’s very interesting how she reacts to her new freedom. She quickly falls for the last available K9 Cop whose name is Otto Gunnersen. His friends describe him as a Viking Lumberjack as well as an animal whisperer. In essence, he is a gentle giant who has a way with animals but isn’t that good with people. They are immediately drawn to each other and it’s easy to see that they are meant to be together. Consequently, when everything goes to crap and Sarah’s life is in danger, Otto doesn’t hold back. The action is intense and epic as the entire town almost goes up in flames. The police, the town, a few canines, and a timid horse band together to save the day.



I continue to be a Katie Ruggle fan. She does a great job of highlighting the relationship between the police and their canine counterparts. I also like the fact that the love story is somewhat realistic and doesn’t seem forced. All the characters seem to play well off of each other and I couldn’t help but root for their success. There is definitely a serious tone to the book but the author still manages to lighten up the mood when needed. I look forward to the next book in the series. I’m sure that I won’t be disappointed.

Survive the Night is book three in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series Katie Ruggle and as soon as my dog loving self saw the awesome cover and read the blurb my attention was peaked.

This third installment starts off with Alice being held captive by her brother who is planning on marrying her off to a man from the Jovanovic family against her will. He is using her as a pawn. A mysterious man helps Alice escape from her brother's highly guarded house and she ends up in small town Monroe, Colorado under a new name, Sarah Clifton. Her escape contact connects her with Jules and Grace along with a couple of police officers from the Monroe P.D. Sarah is to live with them until her brother and his goons are captured and she can consider herself officially safe. Jules and Grace were also on the run at one point and victims of the Jovanovic clan.

Enter canine officer Otto Gunnersen who is a viking type teddy-bear who rescues stray animals and cares for them at home. He has a horse, a goat, a cat and a pit-bull mix among others. 

It is love at first sight for Otto, he is rendered speechless when he meets Alice/Sarah. 22-year-old Sarah falls for Otto pretty quickly also. He ends up offering to take her into his home temporarily because her brother and an associate have been arrested but his goons are still out there trying to get to her. As Sarah and Otto start to fall for each other, she knows she will never be able to live a normal life until her brother is in prison for good.

Otto is a sweetheart, he is a police officer, he rescues animals and shows Sarah nothing but respect and care. Sarah moves in with him and she gets a job in town and tries to start to create a life for herself. She has lived under her brother and her father’s rule her whole life and she finally knows what freedom feels like.

Author Katie Ruggle is great at building up suspense and at writing a kind beta hero which I enjoyed. The atmosphere and tension she created during some scenes were great and had me on the edge of my seat.

As far as the romance went, it moved along quickly but it made sense because these two are in the middle of danger and time is of the essence. I like that Sarah wanted to appreciate the time she had with Otto and not waste it. The same went for Otto, they wanted to live in the moment.

I had a few issues with Survive the Night mainly the suspension of disbelief needed while reading as well as the lack of backstory and character depth when it came to the criminals and their motives.

I wondered why were the Jovanovics and Sarah’s brother so evil? I know this is the third installment, but like I mentioned a little back story would have helped greatly as the book moved along. These evil characters were cardboard cutouts of bad guys. There was no depth to them. There wasn’t an explanation as to why Alice was living captive under her brother’s hold or what her brother is exactly into, but I read an uncorrected proof so maybe in the final edited copy they fill in the details. And towards the end of the story I just felt like it was all too over the top, there were helicopters, explosions, a small militia and all kinds of crazy sauce going on at this point.

So while the romance for the most part was sweet, the animal rescue part of the plot was nice and I liked the suspense and buildup, I wish I could have enjoyed this one a little more. I’d have liked to have seen more character development, backstory and a plot that was more realistic.

This one has gotten some great reviews and the series itself looks like a good one. I wouldn’t mind reading the first book to get a little more information as to the whys and hows.

OMG, Otto. I'm not sure I have words enough to explain the awesomeness that is Otto. I mean, the guy took out a wall to make a double-wide stall to accommodate the rescue horse and rescue goat who wanted to be roomies--how can you not love this guy?

Survive the Night is the third book in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit, and though it could be read as a standalone--a new couple, Otto and Alice/Sarah are featured, and Sarah is introduced here--there are some overarching plot threads that tie all the stories together and that look to be coming to a head in a future book if the epilogue is to be believed. No worries, though, you could start here and still have books 1 and 2 read before that happens ;)

This is one book that absolutely lives up to its title--the last third or so of the book takes place during one adrenaline-filled, pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat night; don't get that far unless you're prepared to do nothing but read until you're finished, because you won't be able to put it down! Sarah and Otto make a great team and a fantastic couple, and with the help of the rest of the series regulars kick some series bad guy butt--So. Much. Fun!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Rocky Mountain K9 Unit #3. The strong and silent type does it for me yet again and this time he's great with animals and kids, it's official Otto has replaced George as my favorite Ruggle hero. It's so cute Otto and Sarah get so tongue tied around each other they usually end up saying the first thing that comes to their head like, "Your mouth is pretty" or long silences. I loved this one, not just for Otto and Sarah but it was almost non stop from the introduction of Sarah, formerly known as Alice- I like that name better, and Mr. Espina who was able to rescue her from a horrible marriage to a very bad man and her villainous brother to the very end it kept on going, aside from the brief down time Sarah had when she first arrived in Monroe and was getting to know everyone especially the viking/lumberjack, Otto.

For most of Alice's life she lived in a bubble, he father was overprotective but she managed to sneak out a bit and spend time with some of the staff, when her father died and her brother Aaron took over things became worse and now with the crime family, Jovanovic, in dire straights with the two main leaders in prison Aaron hopes to take over but first he needs a way into the family, that's where Alice comes in. He plans to marry her off to the psychotic Logan Jovanovic. Lucky for Alice the mysterious Mr. Espina spirits her away before that can happen. Alice becomes Sarah and moves in with Grace, Jules, and Jules' brothers and sister in a dilapidated farmhouse in the tiny town of Monroe Colorado.

Otto is a gentle giant, and goes out of his way to help animals, he has a way with them. He also gets tongue tied around beautiful women so when he first meets Sarah it renders him speechless. Pretty soon Otto talks to her more than anyone else. Sarah has been sheltered so much she, like Otto, is tongue tied and is endeared and flattered by Otto, not to mention all the dirty thoughts she's had about him since meeting him. Sarah is in Monroe long enough to start feeling safe when her brother and Logan show up at the farm house. Luckily Otto was already on the way to the house. After they are dealt with Jules and Grace fill in Sarah on their story and Jules finally tells Theo the full truth of why her brothers, sister, and herself needed to disappear. While Grace and Jules stories are briefly explained at this part it might not be enough for some people to say this can be read as a standalone, personally I would read the first two books before this one. But it doesn't stop at that first attack and pretty soon the whole town is in danger. Sarah and Otto get separated and Sarah proves to herself that she is strong enough to survive this and with Otto at her side she can survive the night.

Overall, I thought this was the best one yet, the romance between Otto and Sarah is light and easy compared to the rest of the story and it kind of balances out. I loved how they were both the shy temperament but when the shit hit the fan they both proved to be strong when they have to be, they work well together. Just one question, How in the Hell did they find her in the first place and why were none of the characters asking that question????

The third book in the Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series is an emotionally gripping story full of suspense that had me biting my nails. Sarah and Otto are strong characters that have steamy chemistry that draws readers to them. Their romance is sweet and has readers believing that ‘happily ever after’ is possible after all as they emphasize with Sarah who has some turbulent emotional issues to deal with as they fight for her life and readers can’t help but become completely caught up in their story. Sarah’s past tugs at the heartstrings but so does Otto, with his quiet but caring demeanor that screams safety and love.

Anticipation and suspense build throughout the story as danger stalks the nights keeping readers on the edge of their seat. The twists and turns keep readers guessing and along with some hair raising action there is never a dull moment during this fast paced plot.

I have to confess that I have read every book in the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue series but I missed the first two in the K9 Unit series, of course I will be remedying that soon. Like the Search and Rescue series, Katie Ruggle has brought her K9 Unit series to brilliant life with strong, compelling characters that are so lifelike that the readers feel as if they are part of the story. I was caught up in Survive the Night from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down until I knew how the book would end and the author provided enough clues from the first two books that I had no problem getting caught up in the series and of course it was just enough to wet my appetite and ensure that I go back and read them and has me anticipating the next one.

Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: SURVIVE THE NIGHT by Katie Ruggle https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aBb
Date: February 6, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 5 Stars

I loved it. The action was an adrenaline rush from the start, intermixed with a sweet romance between to very likeable characters. Otto is a mountain of a man with a heart of gold, and Alice/Sarah was the lovely woman needing that heart. I liked how she worked hard to find her strength despite the terror stalking her. Did the action get a bit flamboyant at times? Heck yes – and it was a fun ride. Pulse-pumping and romantic all blended together. This is a great series.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle http://amzn.to/2Ba4dvn

Rocky Mountain K9 Unit Series by Katie Ruggle
Amazon Series Link http://amzn.to/2BbJLdA
1. RUN TO GROUND ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2r9lAnc | Review 5 Stars http://bit.ly/2sXcrzl
2. ON THE CHASE ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2vOfxXs | Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9EQ
3. SURVIVE THE NIGHT ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2Ba4dvn
4. THROUGH THE FIRE (Releasing 08/07/18) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2E6y62c

~*~*~*~
Check out the Search and Rescue Series by Katie Ruggle
Amazon Series Link: http://amzn.to/1QUqjBr
On His Watch (novella) ➢ http://amzn.to/1n61qck
1. Hold Your Breath ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-4Am | http://amzn.to/1P4yEFa
2. Fan the Flames ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-5or | http://amzn.to/1SH25hR
3. Gone too Deep ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-5Nb | http://amzn.to/1LiJlm3
4. In Safe Hands ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-6Ni | http://amzn.to/29HSXWW

Small town Colorado vs. crime families

Alice Blanchett was born into a crime family and is held prisoner in her own home by her sadistic brother. She finds out he wants her to marry into another crime family to a ruthless man who happens to be an LAPD cop.

With help she escapes and ends up in the small town of Monroe, Colorado in the Rocky Mountains and changes her name to Sarah. She is immediately intrigued by one of the local police officers but her brother and supposed fiance have not quit looking for her.

I enjoy this series by author Katie Ruggle but I like her other SEARCH AND RESCUE series better. The characters were a bit more fleshed out and the storylines more plausible. I also got more of a sense of the Colorado setting in the S&R series.

That's not to say this series isn't worth reading because it is. The books are romantic thrillers and a fun read.

I received this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

oh my! I have a new favorite author! I cannot tell you how much I loved this book and this series! You don't have to have read the previous books to totally enjoy this book. I love any story that has an animal in it but combine animals and police officers and I am there. Great read!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars
M/F Romance, Thriller
Triggers: Attempted murder, attempted kidnapping

This is Otto's story and it didn't disappoint. He has been the calm one throughout the series. You don't necessarily need to read the previous books, but it helps because the characters from the previous books do make prominent appearances in this story. However, you do get the backstory.

Sarah is running. She has lived a life of captivity. Her father was a horrible person and her brother is even worse. When she realizes that her life is literally hanging in the balance, she finds a single ray of hope.

When these two characters first meet, it's hilarious and sweet all wrapped in to one. I loved how Otto worked around Sarah and let her have her space when she needed it. Their relationship was so sweet and gentle. Despite his desire to want to hold Sarah and never let go, he allows her to become more comfortable with him. He knows that his presence can be intimidating.

Sarah is so strong and gentle. She is immediately drawn to Otto. When things get dangerous, she learns to trust him quickly, despite her reservations. I loved how she played with Otto and was so quick to bond with the other women in the story.

This story was fast paced and more thriller than romance, but the romance was intertwined nicely in the story. There was a sweetness to the relationship. I can't wait for the next book!


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Alice is tired of being treated like a child and held prisoner in her own family home, and now she finds out that her brother plans to marry her off to make himself the leader of both crime families. With the help of a mystery man that helped rescue her, she ends up in Monroe, Colorado. There she meets Jules and Grace, both know exactly what she is going through and will help her and keep her safe.

Otto Gunnersen is a K9 officer with the Monroe PD, he is a gentle man, animal lover, and has a big heart for anyone in need. Watching his partners and friends – Theo and Hugh – fall in love with Jules and Grace, Otto wants to have that too.

When the three officers find out that an "old friend" of Jules is staying for a little while, they all want to know more about her. When Otto sees her for the first time, he is struck speechless, not a single sound made. Alice aka Sarah doesn't know if she can trust these officers because her brother has cops in his pocket.

When Sarah's brother and his army of bad guys show up, all hell breaks loose. And not to mention the snow storm pelting the town. They block the roads in and out of town, helicopters are bombing everything, people might die because Sarah is hiding in this town.

I love this series and this story did not disappoint me, although there were a few slow parts at the beginning, but once I got past that, it was fast paced who is coming after them next. Although Otto and Sarah were sweet and a little slow getting together, they had gone through a lot in a short time and knew what they wanted.

If you are looking for a great romantic suspense, I recommend you read this series in order, because you have to read Jules & Theo and Grace & Hugh's stories first.

This was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. With nonstop action and a puppy-rescuing police officer for a hero, you won’t want this book ever to end.

Born into a prominent crime family, abused and controlled her entire life, Alice snatches at the chance to escape before she is married off to another crime lord to further her ambitious brother’s plans. Finding herself in Monroe, Colorado, she takes on a new identity and vows she’s never going back. An instant attraction to Otto, the gentle giant of the Monroe police force, threatens to complicate her life just when she’s trying to make everything simple, though. And when her brother and his allies strike, the entire town of Monroe must band together to fight back.

Katie Ruggle has written a romantic suspense which just keeps delivering in the action stakes, while interjecting some beautifully tender and humorous moments in between. Otto’s accidental quoting of Deliverance when he becomes tongue-tied in Sarah’s (Alice’s) presence was absolutely hilarious.

I’ve read one of the previous two books in this series (On The Chase) and I must admit that did help, as there is quite a cast of characters to keep up with. This one introduces Otto’s eclectic menagerie of rescued animals as well, and I have to agree with Sarah’s assessment “He was a Viking lumberjack cop who bottle-fed orphaned puppies? If he’d spent years trying to think of the most effective punch to the ovaries, he couldn’t have come up with a better plan.”

This is a great series and I highly recommend it if you like romantic suspense. Survive The Night is the best one yet and I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring! Five stars.

This is the third in a series, while each book follows a different woman the previous characters are heavily present so it is advisable, but not necessary, to read the previous books. I have only read the first book before this one but I recognised the characters.

Alice Blanchett is the daughter and sister of crime bosses. Effectively a prisoner in her own home, an asset to be sold off to a rival crime family as a wife for the prodigal son, Logan Jovanovic, until a mysterious note warns her to be prepared to escape.

Some time later Alice is rescued by one of her brother's henchmen and sent, via secret ways by the mysterious Mr Espina to the small town of Monroe, Colorado as yet another "old friend" of Jules under the alias Sarah Clifton. Jules was Mr Espina's first rescue and there is a theme to the women he rescues, they are all connected in some way with the Jovanovic family.

K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen does not, in my mind, look anything like the picture on the front of the book, Sarah describes him as a cross between a viking and a lumberjack, and one of his best friends describes him as a Ninja Paul Bunyan. Anyway, he is one of a trio of friends in the Monroe Police department: Theo and Jules are a couple and Hugh and Grace (the couple from the second book) are also a couple. Otto is a big, strong, silent man, he lives alone outside of town and rescues animals that no-one else will take. When he meets Alice/Sarah it is insta-lurve, he is struck dumb. Unfortunately, the overwhelming impression I got, at least from the first half of the book, was that Otto was a little simple. Maybe because he was slow to speak, big and lumbering, good with animals?

Anyway, its not too long until Sarah's brother and future husband find her in Monroe and try to take her back to Texas. What follows is a tense cat and mouse game through the snow with helicopters and bombs and all sorts. Unfortunately, I have very little visualisation ability and frankly I was lost. One minute Sarah is nine miles from town down a deserted road, the next she seems to be bumping into the townsfolk left, right and centre. Everyone appeared to be a suspect and gathers in one place for a finale that was both thrilling and confusing (because of the visualisation thing again).

Overall, while I still enjoyed the book my credulity was stretched pretty thin. This is supposedly a small town yet it appears to have a large police force, the majority of whom have been sent off on a special training course, leaving just our three intrepid friends. Why draw attention to strangers by having three fugitives move to the town in a short period of time? I though that this was the final book in the series but the ending (and indeed NetGalley) suggests there is another to come. Not sure the premise can hold out for another book.

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

3.65 Stars

Of the three books in this series, Survive the Night is what I like best so far. Not only it’s action-packed with with mutual kickass move from both hero and heroine, the romance between Otto and Sarah felt real in a bumbling awkward, nervous to make a move sort of way.

Oh, I had huge question marks on a couple of issues (like reasoning of the fellow who helped Sarah escaped from home) and not to mention questioning the MPD’s trio self-preservation (considering the notoriety of their opponents and how quick their initial assault was). But I guess I give more leniency for this book just because I love Otto! Of the three men starring this series so far, Otto really delivered in ways that really count for me. And so I could look in the other way for Hugh/Grace’s overly comedian acts or even Theo/Jules’s PDA moments.

Otto was just a darling with his serious demeanor, few words and nervous around woman he’s attracted to. His initially meeting Sarah was just too adorably hilarious. I also love the balance of relationship between him and Sarah. They didn’t go straight humping each other even when the attraction is mutual.

On facing the villain front - of whom I got another question marks as they didn’t really merit sufficient explanation - the whole bloodied confrontation felt surreal (a bunch of mercenaries ready to kill townsfolk because ...of a runaway bride so to speak?) yet gripping in an action-packed, kaboom sort of way. Otto and Sarah also trusted each other enough to inadvertently work together dealing with each hurdles thrown their way.

Though I was rather goggle-eyed with how things unveiled at the end (like, wasn’t THAT too soon a step to take?) it’s the epilogue that left me torn. On one side, it nudge that showdown I expect would happen sooner or later. On the other hand, I just - the way the girls in this series hiding and running from something (or someone) - it’s very careless of them to get caught like that when there’s media around. On that note, I still wonder if the author would ever give Mateo Espina his own story...


Advanced copy for this book is kindly given by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.