This was a wonderful story but I must say there is probable some people that would find triggers in it. Derek is the absolute dominating alpha and Rayna didn't know that's what she wanted until she got it. Did I think that Rayna was sabotaging this relationship you bet she seemed to want and not want Derek t the same time Axle to me was the one to steal the show and I am hoping we will get Jeff and Tish's story I think they could be a fun couple

Overall this was a fun story with plenty of hot moments that was thoroughly entertaining

This was a sweet story. The romance was hot and heavy for sure. I loved the back story between the two characters and I would love to see another book written about them just so I could see where they were at.

I got so invested with my emotions in this book, that at times it was like a ping pong game. Irritation that Derek could be so blind, mad that Rayna couldn't be more forgiving. Hot all over when Derek spanks and ties Rayna up. I tell ya, there were a ton of other ones too. I will suggest this book to all of my friends.

Avoiding the Badge by Dorothy F. Shaw is about this sexy as hell officer who took his canine partner to a vet. The vet happened to be a gorgeous woman who took his breath away. Plus, she was sweet. Ever since then, he's been bringing in his dog to the vet for a check-up just to be close to her.

This felt a bit stalkerish. He meets her and immediately goes, that's the woman. Mostly because of her looks. This book was all about his sexual lust towards her.  I couldn't connect with him nor her as main characters.  Then the sex was the main purpose of this book. It was about pain sex. BDSM to be specific. I have read other books with BDSM scenes and felt more like an actual story than this book did. It failed my expectations in the romance department. Was it hot? If you're into the graphic sex, then, yes. But all I think about was...when was this book going to end. I did not like either character. Okay, so then, the female vet has this issue with officers due to her dad. That was briefly mentioned and yet she took a chance on this officer oozing of lust and sex. He did not have to work hard to get her to have sex with him. Nor did he have to work hard to get her to trust him either. But were too far lost in lust towards the other to even think about real trust. Again, that's why this book just did not meet my expectations for a contemporary romance.

I received an ARC of this book from my honest review.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really liked it. I enjoyed reading this book, It was light enjoyable, the characters were a lot of fun to get to know.

This was a sweet but frustrating romance. I had a hard time with Rayna. She is a smart and dedicated professional but at the same time she is immature and self absorbed. She fails to see that she is throwing roadblocks in her relationship. The story had these really great moments that I signed over but overall I wasn't very fond of their relationship.

Avoiding the Badge is my first read by Dorothy F. Shaw, and I’m sure it won’t be my last. I enjoyed the context of the plot and any book that has dogs involved usually makes for some interesting times along the way. Unfortunately while I liked the interaction between the lead characters, I felt there could have been more character and plot development to ensure a smoother read. Will I read book 2? Definitely. I’ll always give an author a second try before I ditch as series.

AVOIDING THE BADGE is a sexy and very romantic story. The characters are strong and Axel the K9 stole my heart. This is a truly irresistible read full of hot lovin’ and secrets that will need to revealed before Rayna and Derek can find true love. An intriguing summer read by a new Author for me. Looking forward to more of this series.

The cover appealed to me but unfortunately the book did not. I have never read anything by Dorothy F. Shaw before so I was not prepared for her style of writing.

I did not connect with the characters. Although I liked the idea of a veterinarian and a K-9 cop together, I did not like these two people together. I thought some of the story line was forced especially the submissive angle.

All in all this book was not for me.

This is the first book that I have read by this author but, it definitely won't be the last. This book has a great storyline, Wonderful characters and a loveable dog named Axle. Megan is a veterinarian who spends all of her time at her clinic. Derek is a Cop with a dog as his partner. Derek meets Megan when he takes Axle to her clinic. They ate both attracted to each other but, she swore that she would never date a cop. They chemistry is off the charts hot. This is a steamy, hot, emotional story and I would definitely recommend it.

The title of the book intrigued me, so I decided to give the book a try.
For me , it was just an ok book. Possibly because I am an avid reader and was expecting more from the story.
It centers around Rayna Michaels , a veterinarian who has pledged never to get involved with a cop, and K-9 officer Derek Hansen, who is attracted to her and wants a relationship. After months of unnecessary visits to her office for check ups for his K-9 dog, Axel, they finally have a date.
The plot and the characters were not that developed, and I didn’t feel the plot had much substance.
Maybe future books will be better.
I was entrusted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Rayna, a dog and cat veterinarian, and Derek, a K9 cop. A good set up, and overall I liked the concept of the story. Wish there would have been more with the dog aspect, since that is what got them together in the first place. Also, considering there were in their 30s, I felt at times that they acted immature with their language and emotions. She also seemed a bit over the top finding out about his daughter. It seemed to me he should have been more angry than she was. Also felt they jumped into bed too quickly, and the spanking and handcuffs didn't quite seem to fit. A little creepy that a cop would be turned on by this. JMHO. Overall though, if you want a quick easy read, with a lot of hot scenes then this is the read for you. Would recommend.

This was a very cute story, with a lot of hot chemistry between the H and h, both of them were so unsure of the other it was almost comical and their misunderstandings so normal it made the story very relatable. I’m really looking forward to Tish and Jeff’s story.

I received an ARC of this book, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author and I will definitely be looking for more! Coming from a long time veterinary background and having family in law enforcement, it is often hard for me to read a book of those subjects, due to the multiple mistakes commonly made. However, this author did NOT disappoint and DID do her homework! There were just a couple of things from the veterinary side that may have been a tad of a stretch for me, but overall, super job on factual info!!!

This book has a great romance mix of sexual tension, turmoil and drama, separation, but an HEA, with no cheating. The sex scenes were H-O-T, there were several of them and never did you feel that you were reading the same one over again. In addition to all of that, I felt that the author gave a truly realistic timeline for both the time from attraction, to stronger feelings and the time for the h to evolve her sexually adventurous side.

My only reason for giving 4 stars instead of 5, is that I felt a few times that the h’s dramatic reactions were a little much and a lot immature, but drama is what makes a good HEA build up.

So, Ms. Shaw..... When do we get Jeff and Tish’s story? I’ll be anxiously awaiting! =)

The story left a lot to be desired, no pun intended. Too much of the story centered around Derek and Raya BDSM bedroom scenes. I made it all the way through the book - but almost didn't, due to 2/3 of the book was about the sexual escapades between them. Derek omits he has a 10 y/o daughter from Raya due to he is afraid she will run away. The two met due to Raya was the closet pet hospital to take Derek's police dog to when he was hurt chasing a crook. Derek is a police officer and has been partnered with a service animal. Derek and Raya are both attracted to each other, but are too shy to make a move. Derek has been using his service dog as an excuse to see the vet for 6 months - she knows the dog is fine - but looks forward to their visits.

**I received a copy of Avoiding the Badge from Net Galley and Kensington Book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Avoiding the Badge by Dorothy F. Shaw is the first book in her Arizona K9 series. This is the first time I've read Ms. Shaw and hope in the future that Jeff, Rio and Rayna's BFF Tish get a book in the series. I'll add that there's mild BDSM in the story but it doesn't detract from the story instead it just adds a bit of spice to Rayna and Derek.

Rayna Michaels meets Derek Hansen and his K9 partner Axle after his dog was shot during a take down. But now Derek is inventing excuses to keep having Axle checked after each arrest just so he can see Rayna. Only she's not going to admit that she likes him to her office staff who think he's one hot cop also. When they finally agree to a date it doesn't take long for them to explore their BDSM sides. But it could all come to an end as Rayna doesn't like cops due to her father's betrayal of her mother and Derek also has a secret that he's afraid to tell her. Will they be able to repair their relationship once the secret has been told or will they go their separate ways?

Derek Hansen has it bad for the vet who treated his K9 partner Axle (who has a personality that's laugh worthy) and pretty soon he'll going to run out of excuses to keep bringing in Axle just because he's afraid to ask her for date. Once they start dating they both find out that the sex is off the charts. When she tells him why she doesn't want a permanent relationship with him because he's a cop, he soon realizes that his secret may make or break them up. However, when he takes down a motorist and is injured neither can live without the other.

Avoiding the Badge is Rayners mantra, with her distrust of police officers, having a father who continually had affairs throughout her childhood destroying her parents marriage.
As a veterinarian she meets Derek a police officer when he has to have his K9 police dog Axel treated after Axel is injured chasing down a criminal. Although fully healed Derek comes up with numerous excuses to bring Axel to be checked by Rayner as he is completely smitten. Rayner accepts when Derek finally mans up and asks her out trying to put aside her insecurities of dating a police officer. Sparks fly on their first date and they end up having sex which for both of them is off the scales to what they've known previously, although graphically described the scenes are well written.
Derek needs to tell Rayner something about his past but is worried it may stop Rayner continuing the relationship.
Good interaction between the main leads and a light enjoyable story.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book.

I received an arc from Netgalley. Derek a K9 officer brings his dog in to a vet after an injury. When Derek and Ratna first meet Derek wants to get to know Rayna better. Rayna has reservations however due to some past issues.

Derek and Rayna seem to work through those issues but Derek is holding back on the whole truth and when Rayna finds out there is definitely a rocky road. Both learn love is more powerful than misunderstandings.

Great read!

This was my first Dorothy Shaw book. I loved the set-up. The heroine, Rayna, is a local veterinarian. Derek, the hero, is a K9 police officer. The two meet when Derek’s dog, Axel, is injured. Even after Axel is healed, Derek keeps inventing excuses to see the lovely veterinarian.

It was an okay read for me. I didn’t feel like there was much character or plot development. The two experienced insta-attraction and fell into bed fairly quickly. The conflict in the book was her distrust of cops (her father was a cop) and his inability to share some personal information (don’t want to add spoilers here). It seemed a bit contrived. I did enjoy the interaction between the two main characters though and there was a cast of good secondary characters.

So many books, so little time. it's been WAY too long since I've picked up a book by Dorothy Shaw and now I have to go back and see what I've missed.

This book is hot, hot, hot with a great storyline and an adorable puppy ;) A fast paced story line and a bit of laughter will keep you turning the pages late into the night. One of my favorite reads so far this year!