Walton

The K9 Files #26

by Dale Mayer

Walton Headly enjoys getting out and being as active as he can be, given his missing leg. However, playing soccer now is hard to adapt to, compared to playing soccer before his injury. He has been in rehab for a long time and now reaches a need to do more. Searching for a missing War Dog sounds like a great way to ease back into a working life.

Chelsea Brown, a physical therapist, had helped get Walton back on his feet. He is one hell of a man but is struggling after that last soccer game. Her invitation to contact her older brother at his hunting lodge for any information on the missing War Dog yields more than expected. Together they head north to visit her brother and to check out the dog, who has just arrived with the new guests.

Finding out the guests are not ordinary hunters—and the dog is not an ordinary dog—causes conflict from the first meet. And goes steadily downhill. When the dog’s owner turns up dead, all hell breaks loose. It’s all Walton can do to keep the two—no make that three—of them safe …

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Military Romance, Suspense, Mystery

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2024

About the author

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...

Books by Dale Mayer

Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014

By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014

Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book

Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy

Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3

New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)

Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs

Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance

Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a challenging read in that it was a challenge to figure out who did the deeds (there were so many possibles and many deserving characters that prompted the desire to reach through the pages to smack them). Walton and his physical therapist and a dog named Brutus. I had problems putting the book down. Bravo once again to the pen of Dale Mayer.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the books in this series is good, this one was excellent. It takes a turn, not so much about the dog, but another dangerous scenario altogether. Walton and Chelsea make a great couple. They knew each other in school and she was his physical therapist. Danger, death, suspense, heat and a HEA. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walton Headly enjoys getting out and being as active as he can be, given his missing leg. However, playing soccer now is hard to adapt to, compared to playing soccer before his injury. He has been in rehab for a long time and now reaches a need to do more. Searching for a missing War Dog sounds like a great way to ease back into a working life. Chelsea Brown, a physical therapist, had helped get Walton back on his feet. He is one hell of a man but is struggling after that last soccer game. Her invitation to contact her older brother at his hunting lodge for any information on the missing War Dog yields more than expected. Together they head north to visit her brother and to check out the dog, who has just arrived with the new guests. Finding out the guests are not ordinary hunters—and the dog is not an ordinary dog—causes conflict from the first meet. And goes steadily downhill. When the dog’s owner turns up dead, all hell breaks loose. It’s all Walton can do to keep the two - no make that three - of them safe.

I really enjoyed this story with the search for the missing war dog changing into a murder mystery with many candidates. I loved the way that Walton and Chelsea's brother both stuck up for treating women respectfully. The murder mystery had many people and it wasn't clear until the end as to who was responsible. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MF story with mature content at the very end.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great addition to the K9 Files series. Walton and Chelsea have great chemistry. The story itself starts off as a search for a missing War Dog but ends up in the middle of a murder mystery that has all sorts of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[WB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walton: The K9 Files, Book 26 by Dale Mayer is another truly captivating story. Lots of twists, turns & and simmering heat. I didn’t want to put this book down it’s that good.

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another triumph for Dale Mayer in her brilliant K9 Files series.
Once more Badger was looking for a volunteer to locate a missing war dog, one more his matchmaking wife, Kat had the answer, another of the injured vets that she had fitted with one of her state of the art Prosthetic legs.
Walton Headly was having a problem to adjusting to life outside the military and missing one leg, he hated not being able to play football to the standard that he used to, when an opportunity came up to search for a war dog, Walton, who had previous experience training these dogs, jumped at the chance.
Chelsea Brown had been Walton's physiotherapist, she had harboured thoughts that when his therapy finished, she and Walton may start dating but this didn't happen. When Walton told Chelsea about the war dog and it's last known location, Chelsea told him that her brother, Rick, and his wife, Julie, ran a hunting lodge in the area and offered to accompany him there.
All at the hunting lodge wasn't right, a party of savage looking hunters were staying there, Walton knew immediately that these men were dangerous and to make matters worse, their ringleader, Chad, had a dog that looked as though it was being mistreated and that dog looked uncannily like the dog that Walton was searching for.
This action packed story follows Walton and Chelsea's attempt to rescue Brutus, men were turning up dead but who had killed them and why ? Walton and Rick endeavoured to find the culprit and also protect Chelsea and Julie from these menacing hunters, Oh, and of course there is a gentle, blossoming romance between Chelsea and Walton. A read that was difficult to put down, I look forward very much to the next one in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Char Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This suspense filled thriller involving a missing war dog leads to multiple murders and Walton falling hard for his physical therapist. There are so many twists and turns to this story you will be riveted til the very last page.When Walton decides he needs to go to the hunting camp to find out if the dog there is the missing war dog.When Chelsea says she will go with him that she wants to see her brother and sister in law too so he says they will leave early she says ok.They never expected to be met by the hunter with such a violent way.When he starts asking about the war dog the one guy gets really mad an says that the dog is his.That's when he says ill just call my boss Badger and have him get the ball rolling to investigate your while life.He says you can't do that he hits Gadgets number puts the phone on speaker and says Badger you are on speaker the guy here says that the war dog we were looking for is his but can't show any papers that prove he's the owner then Badger says well the police want to know how he got the dog from a man beaten severely and his dog was taken and the war department will want answers too they are going to tear apart this guys life investigate everything he's ever done.The guy gets nervous an says just take the damn dog.When people start dying Walton and Rick Chelsea's brother say they will keep Chelsea and Ricks wife safe at all costs while they wait for the cops after the mouthy guy who stole the war dog is murdered.I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented author .

[Linda Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walton & Chelsea

This story is heart-wrenching in more ways than one. I feel bad for Walton for not being able to play the game he loves because of his missing leg. It makes me a bit angry at his friends who kind of patronizes him for his lack of speed and finesse. Their concern doesn’t seem sincere. I also feel bad for the War Dog, Brutus, who is not bing treated very well by that creep, Chad. I am also concerned with Rick’s wife, Julie, and her health. A lot of emotions going on here.

Never fear, Walton will sort everything out and find out what is really going on. He has great instincts and can think outside the box very well.

I like how Walton, with the help of Kat and Badger, find out the history of the group of hunters renting part of the lodge Chelsea’s brother owns. And Chad, who has an ugly personality, has a checkered past, and loves to cause trouble.

This book is full of mysterious questions waiting to be figured out and put in order. Also, a good amount of suspense and danger swirls around all the time. Walton also makes time to recognize the attraction between him and Chelsea while keeping her safe on their trip to the hunting lodge.

Love the suspense and the instant bond with Walton and Brutus. Great story!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great series

I love this series so much - that Kat and Badger are determined to check up on, and rescue if needed, the wounded War Dogs would make it a good series, that it is injured Veterans that are reclaiming their lives that do the rescuing makes it better again. But it's the acceptance, hope, happiness and positive future for both man and dog that is best and Walton doesn't disappoint. He finds himself in the middle of a very dark and twisted case that will chill you to the bone, one that makes no sense to the rest of us, but to the scarred and damaged perpetrator....it makes perfect sense.
Maybe it's because they knew each other from childhood, maybe it's because of the rehab they have done together and maybe it's just love, but there is an ease and comfort to the relationship Walton and Chelsea form that is heartwarming to see and the bond they both form with "Brutus" will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.
It's not easy, it's dangerous, with numerous characters that have a quick temper and don't hesitate to explode, but Walton is determined to face the danger head on and uncover the truth and Chelsea is determined to stand by his side as he does.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walton by Dale Mayer
K9 Files Book Twenty-Six
Walton Headly has been asked to check on the welfare of a War Dog here in Alaska. Where to start is the issue. Alaska is a pretty big place. When he runs into his physiotherapist after feeling lousy about not being able to play soccer like he used to before losing a leg in the war, Walton finds the answer he needs for clues about the dog.
Chelsea Brown had been hoping Walton would ask her out after he wasn’t her patient anymore, but that didn’t happen, even though he had stopped coming for check-ups. She accompanies him when he needs to go to her brother’s lodge. It doesn’t quite go as they thought it would. Sure, she gets time alone with him, but something’s fishy about the four guys at Rick’s lodge. At least they found the dog.
Unique storyline that keeps hidden what’s going on. The guys are on a hunting trip to get away from an ongoing murder investigation of one of their friends, but something hinky is going on, and Walton is determined to get to the root of it.
**Mild sexual content and language

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling read with lots of suspense and excitement. Who needs friends? Especially ones like the group in this, I'd have dumped them long before. Walton and Chelsea were lovely and supportive, loved how she stepped in at times to help him and how he kept her safe. Brutus so didn't deserve that name and I'd have loved to know it was changed to something more fitting. Remote location was worrying if things were going to happen help was hours away, but I guess for this type of break it's what's called for. Well written as always and love for these dogs and vets getting a happy ending brings me back to the series every time, a little bit of heat and sparks were completely a bonus I enjoyed.

[janelle beaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're in the Alaskan wilderness for this book. Walton is asked to help locate a War dog who has gone missing from his owner. He takes the job needing to do more and get back out there after rehab and losing his leg. Chelsea is his therapist and goes with him to her brother's lodge where they feel the war dog is. When they get there, they find Brutus with some guy and his group who aren't very nice. As murder's start to happen can Waldon figure out what's going on with these guys? Lots of danger, suspense, and twists and turns.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walton, ex military, physically challenged is searching for a war dog in Alaska, one of my favorite locations for a book to take place in. Chelsea was his physical therapist and they knew each other from high school. The supposed location is at a lodge where hunters go. Walton is a twisted mystery with so many possibilities on "who done it" and with the extra surprise at the end. A twisted suspenseful mystery. Thank you for the advanced copy! I freely volunteer my honest thoughts and opinions. #Walton #K9Files #DaleMayer #ValleyPublishing #Booksprout

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book in this series, I'd no clue what was going on. Got to love a good guessing and great plot.
Set in Alaska, former military Walton has volunteered to track down a K9 that belonged to a veteran who is in hospital. Chelsea is his former therapist and along for the ride to her brother's place where a group of hunters are allegedly holding the dog.
The mystery continues from there with murders, who is behind it, is it one of this group of men or an outsider.
Great story, I had no clue and loved that.

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite stories in this series. Walton and Chelsea have known each other for years and more recently she was his physical therapist. So when the latest War Dog is traced to her brother's hunting lodge, it makes sense that the two of them go there - her to visit her brother and Walton to check on the War Dog. But when they get there, things take a turn when the four hunters who are already there turn out to be misogynistic bullies with plenty to hide. The story is filled with danger, suspense, betrayal, and a new relationship.

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. The blend of mystery, danger and suspense is smart and sharp. It easily pulls you deep into the story and keeps you guessing and hanging off the edge of your seat. Your heart will also get a serious workout as there is a powerful combination of heart, emotions and feels to explore as things progress. Finally, add in some romance brewing between two lovable and easy to care about characters and you have yourself a well-rounded and supremely satisfying read that you won't want to put down.

[Meg Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walton has agreed to look for this war dog but much more awaits him than he bargained for. Chelsea is his physiotherapist however he has not been seeing her lately, only for checkups. When they meet again outside the grocery store Walton shares his fear that the k-9 might be at a hunting lodge. She reminds him about her older brother having a hunting lodge up north and the adventure begins. Some intrigue, danger and romance, all wrapped up in a great story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story . It's fantastic . It's full of intrigue and suspense and a bit of romance . When Walton Headly is asked to find a missing K9 that went missing when his owner a veteran was brutally attacked. He never thought he and Chelsea Brown his physical therapist and friend would find themselves in a dangerous situation . fortunately while bodies are dropping they find themselves growing closer then friends . This story is a sensational ride . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how Walton was where the war dog Brutus is believed to be as well as having grown up there so has an established life there along with connection to Chelsea.
When we find out what Brutus may be used for the pressure was definitely on to find him and bring the bad guys down before it's too late.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachael Bromley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. It gives it all. Suspense, longing, romance, angst and animals. There isn’t anything I didn’t like about this book. You have the hero after the war dig but needs to protect those around him whilst getting the bad guys. There’s the heroine who can get in trouble but is there to help. I can’t believe we are on book 26 already.

[Michael D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Book

Even with 26 books in this series, the stories don't get old! Dale Mayer has the ability to capture the readers attention from the 1st page and hold that attention throughout the entire book. I am excited to see that there will be at least one more book in this series, and I'm pre-ordering it just as soon as I post this review. Keep'em coming Dale!

[Ann E. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful surprise - two books I haven't read!

I've read a lot of Dale Mayer's books, but somewhere in the last couple of years I lost track of her K9 books, only to find that I'd missed the two most recent additions. I loved this one just as much as I've loved all previous books in this series, and I'm so glad I have another one to read!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many twists that you don't know what is going to happen. I love reading where people and the War Dogs have a happy ever after.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla Eacret · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and prolific writer ❤️ the K9 Files are my 2nd favorite series of hers! I'm not an animal person, but she gives the War Dogs and all of those trying their best for them amazing stories!!!

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy and full of action! Between the expertly crafted suspense plot and the pulse-pounding romance, you won't put this thrill ride of a book down until you turn the very last page. Another favourite of mine by this fantastic author and super excited to read her next book. Happy reading

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and well-written story in the K9 Files series, Walton is looking for a missing war dog and his former physical therapist/school mate is helping as the dog and dangerous men are at her brothers hunting lodge.
Likable characters, entertaining storyline.

[Myrna Des · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love to read

What a wonderful book! Totally different type of setting. I have enjoyed reading this series a lot. Just wish me dog had been in the story a bit more. Off to read the next book!

[Rebecca Delio · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL STORY I

As always Dale Mayer has written a Great War Dog story, I really enjoyed this story and the ending was great. The bad guy really had a medical or psychological problem…

[Michele Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The K9 Files Are Wonderful!!!!

Dale Mayer, you are such an amazing author. The books in this series just keep getting better and better! Now have to wait for the next one, feel like it will take forever.

[Helen Nicholson]

Again Dale Mayer has made me with our 2 additional cats!

I'm still here and what then"In joy the next books"! I'm Dropping my eager Ness and looking forward to seeing another great book!