This book was so good. Arin is a very strong female lead who definitely does not need a man to save her! This book is action packed from the get go and doesn't let up until the last page.

Fierce Justice
by Piper J. Drake

Finally! A story about a strong woman, with a man who supports and encourages her. Arin Siri harbored violence within her as long as she could remember. So to learn to control it she joined the Army. After being discharged Arin joined the Search and Protection team that’s based in Hawaii. Jason Landon is or actually was in the security business. At their first meeting he found he was unknowingly guarding people who were kidnapped by human traffickers. Appalled he decided to try saving them to make up for his part in tormenting the former group that Arin saved with her team.

At their second meeting, the information that Jason provides sets off a mission that will help him clear his conscience and Arin keep her sister safe. As Jason watches Arin and her K-9 King, his admiration grows for her as does his love. By the end of the mission Arin learns to love Jason.

I really enjoyed this story, it had detailed strong characters and a almost perfect plot. Yes almost perfect, because it came to an abrupt end. Arin and Jason both confessed their love. But it seemed she didn’t care to really have a full relationship. Her team wanted her to offer him a position, but she didn’t follow through with the offer. Instead she told him she will visit him in East Asia while he does his next security job when she has a mission out there. Does this mean the story continues......!

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Arin Siri is a K9 handler on a current mission with her team, Search and Protect and runs into Jason Landon again. This time under very tenuous circumstances. He is wounded and Arin has to abort her mission to get him to safety. When Jason wakes up in a hospital, he is shocked to see Arin standing guard over him. If she could, Arin would leave Jason to deal with his circumstances and try and complete her task, but that is not what happens.

Although at first seriously hurt, Jason just wants to get back on his own mission. To some degree it is at cross-purposes with Arin's, but he reluctantly knows that she can help him. What Jason is striving to do is to take a kidnapping ring down. Arin's goal to destroy a trafficking operation at her home base in Hawaii.

Just as in the four previous stories in the True Heroes series, Fierce Justice does not disappoint. This story, like the others, has serious themes, and as always, a romance between the principal characters.Although these stories do well as standalones, there is always the inclusion of secondary characters from the other stories. In this case most notably, Mali, Arin's sister.

While readers of the fourth book in the series, Total Bravery, might recall, Arin's job, former career and even character traits are made known. In this case, there is an extra layer to Jason's character. In his job as a mercenary, he has seen some difficult, if not questionable things. His last case left him wanting for more, very much concerned about certain things. With current circumstances Jason realizes that things must change. But how?

The romance in this story is a bit more of a slow burn compared to the others, but that just might be because of the scenarios Jason and Arin face. And, as always, each Search and Protect team member has a dog as a partner, so readers got to enjoy Arin's German Shepherd Dog King. This book was wonderful, providing action without letup, but I am holding back a half of a star due to the rather abrupt ending. I look forward to the next book in the series.

As mentioned, this is the fifth book in the series. Other books are Extreme Honor, Ultimate Courage, Winter Valor (novella), Total Bravery, Absolute Trust and Forever Strong.

Many thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was an amazing ride. While dealing with something as heavy and deep as human trafficking, there were fun and lighthearted moments to break up the intensity. The relationship was well depicted, and I adore how it ended!
Crassy or Classy: 🌟🌟🌟.5
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyment 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the first book I have read by Piper Drake and I look forward to more. I love military, search and rescue and first responder type books, especially when they include animals and this one did not disappoint. I loved Arin’s S&R German Shepherd, King, as well as the slow burn romance that was introduced between Arin and Jason. I liked that the author took her time, showing their attraction to each other, yet drawing out the romance for a more realistic feel versus an insta-love/lust. It helped the characters and plot to be more rounded and believable under the circumstances and obstacles they both faced. Being on opposite sides in the past, him a mercenary for hire and her a K9 handler and contract sniper for a security firm, their paths cross on a current assignment and they have to put aside their differences and work together to save innocent lives. Fierce Justice was a good read with strong characters who were relatable and felt real and a suspenseful complex storyline with action and romance. I enjoyed this story and will be looking to read more in the series.
*I received an advanced copy from the publisher, via NetGalley and I am leaving my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.