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Junkyard Dog

(Hellhounds #1)

Katja Desjarlais (Goodreads Author)

3.90 · Rating details · 30 ratings · 15 reviews

He's the original junkyard dog and she's got him by the scruff.

Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Charlotte arrives on the scene of a car accident caused by a large dog tearing across the road. The third sighting of the animal in as many weeks, Charlotte’s interest is piqued. Armed with a bowl of dog food and a bucket of patience, she sets out to find the beast.

With the gril ...more

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Published September 4th 2019 by Tule Publishing

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· 30 ratings · 15 reviews

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Aug 28, 2019 Bex (Beckie Bookworm) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, book-reviews, netgalley, paranormal, romance, shapeshifters

I enjoyed Junkyard Dog, it was well written and imaginative and though it did take a while to warm up when it did take off I was very much invested in the unfolding story.
It wasn't quite a full sweep and there were somethings that did irritate me slightly which I will expand on later but there were still more positives here than negatives.
So what we have is predominantly a paranormal romance and the story itself centres on Charlotte a park ranger and Alex the hottie bartender at her local.
There ...more

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Aug 30, 2019 Eva Millien rated it really liked it

When there’s third sighting of a large dog in the Joshua Tree National Park, Park Ranger Charlotte interest is piqued and she sets out to find the beast. Alex returns to scene of the accident, scouring for prints he left behind when encounters Charlotte and the attraction is undeniable but he’s on a mission from Hades and can’t afford the distraction.

This ‘Hellhounds' novel is a thrilling read that is has an original story line and a star-crossed romance. The characters are strong, bold and easi ...more

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Sep 12, 2019 ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, celibate-during-separation, fantasy-magic-paranormal, growly, may-december-pairings, redeemable-hero, safe-with-exceptions, shifters, siblings-series, slow-start

Interesting.

That’s the word that comes to mind after reading Junkyard Dog. The story is about Cerberus, the 3 headed dog, companion to Hades in the Underworld. Only in this story, Cerberus is only in dog form while in the Underworld. When they get sent topside, they are separate beings. Three brothers who are tasked to find and exterminate a cursed bloodline.

Alex is one of the three and is tracking one of the cursed Pirithous when he runs into park ranger, Charlotte. She is unlike any woman he Interesting.

That’s the word that comes to mind after reading Junkyard Dog. The story is about Cerberus, the 3 headed dog, companion to Hades in the Underworld. Only in this story, Cerberus is only in dog form while in the Underworld. When they get sent topside, they are separate beings. Three brothers who are tasked to find and exterminate a cursed bloodline.

Alex is one of the three and is tracking one of the cursed Pirithous when he runs into park ranger, Charlotte. She is unlike any woman he’s ever known but exploring what he feels for her would be dangerous. He’s only topside for the hunt and then he’ll be summoned back. Sudden feelings of discontent and resentment make things difficult for a guy who’s always done what duty requires of him.

Overall a good read but definitely not a safe read (for some). Both MCs are likable in their own way and I did warm up to them both the more I read. I’m curious to see what will happen to Bo and Ryan and how the ending in book one will change their own perception of things down the road. I wonder if I’ll like Hades and Seph more in later installments because in this one (although they came through for Alex in the end) they didn’t fall into my like pile until the very, very end.

Memorable Moments: I liked how Charlotte handled the big reveal. She wasn’t OTT but I could understand the questions she had for Alex once he told her the truth about what he really is. The second half of the book was probably my favorite since we get Alex finally starting to act like I would expect an MC in a romance to act (aka possessive, adoring, protective and basically totally goo-goo for the h).

* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

SAFETY INFO: (view spoiler)
...more

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Aug 08, 2020 Bethwyn Badger rated it it was ok

Shelves: review-books

Please note: I DNF’d this at 56% (that is, I did not finish it). So any thoughts on this one will be pertaining to the first half or so of the book. On we go!

This one really had the makings of a great paranormal romance, even with the male possessiveness sneaking in at times, and the strange flip-flopping of the personality of Charlotte (one of the main characters). It just went on for too long for me - which I found really weird given that I read this right after reading Sentinel by Cyndi Fribe ...more

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Sep 03, 2019 Cathy Geha rated it really liked it

Junkyard Dog by Katja Desjarlais
Hellhounds #1

In Greek mythology, Cerberus, often called the "hound of Hades", is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. What does this have to do with the book Junkyard Dog? Quite a bit actually although you don’t really realize this until a bit into the book.

A dog is hit by a car...a BIG dog is hit and runs away. Shortly thereafter we realize that the dog is actually Alex and Alex is not ordinary shifter. Nop Junkyard Dog by Katja Desjarlais
Hellhounds #1

In Greek mythology, Cerberus, often called the "hound of Hades", is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. What does this have to do with the book Junkyard Dog? Quite a bit actually although you don’t really realize this until a bit into the book.

A dog is hit by a car...a BIG dog is hit and runs away. Shortly thereafter we realize that the dog is actually Alex and Alex is not ordinary shifter. Nope, he is sent by Hades from the Underworld to hunt down specific targets. He has two brothers that assist in the hunts and they make trips between earth and the underworld whenever their talents are needed.

The three brothers are interesting. Orion-Ryan is the older brother to Alexandros-Alex and his twin brother Borealis-Bo. The brothers are quite different from one another with some preferring the Underworld to being above ground.

We meet Hades and his wife Persephone and learn more about their relation to the brothers and their duties in the Underworld. We learn a lot about the brothers and the most about Alex. There is potential for more books in the series since there are two brothers unattached still. I am NOT sure if there are more hellhounds than the three, though.

Alex meets Charlotte, a chuck ranger, when she is out looking for the injured dog that was hit in the first part of the book. She does meet him in the bar where he works as a bartender but also in his canine form. Their relationship is...interesting...and was fun to watch develop. Max, Charlotte’s work partner, is also interesting and wouldn’t it be a hoot if he ended up with someone from the Underworld ;)

Anyway...this book has a bit of Greek Mythology, a romance, some hunting of a very bad guy and was a fun read all in all. One thing I found interesting is that the hellhounds do not immediately heal as many shapeshifters do in this type of book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more books in this series? Probably

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars ...more

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Sep 06, 2019 Carolyn rated it really liked it

This is yet another new-for-me reading experience, well two actually - a new author and a new sub genre, as this is my first ever paranormal romance, and I really wasn't sure what to expect.

Luckily, however, this book worked for me because it is very much character and dialogue led so was, for me, a very easy read. I really loved the characters. Alex is great, as both as man and dog, the latter being very lovable despite his size, and Charlotte is a real feisty, strong woman - she needs to be to ...more

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Nov 24, 2020 Lydia rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Oh God this was amazing! The concept, the characters, the story, the pace, everything!

Three brothers, three heads - parts of a mythical being connected only to fear in legends. Cerberus, the underworld's guard dog is out for blood, hunting a cursed bloodline. But the legends were not exactly honest - it's not just one dog, but three. And after their mission, the dogs, who can also shift into human forms, will have to go home to their master, Hades. What happens, though, when Alex, one of the hea Oh God this was amazing! The concept, the characters, the story, the pace, everything!

Three brothers, three heads - parts of a mythical being connected only to fear in legends. Cerberus, the underworld's guard dog is out for blood, hunting a cursed bloodline. But the legends were not exactly honest - it's not just one dog, but three. And after their mission, the dogs, who can also shift into human forms, will have to go home to their master, Hades. What happens, though, when Alex, one of the heads, falls in love with a human woman? Can he still go back to being an immortal guardian and leave Charlotte behind?

This book was seriously awesome! I couldn't find ONE fault in it, at least for me, it was perfect. The dialogues were amazing. The way the characters acted and reacted, the pace, OH MY GOD THE PACE! It was so smooth. Slow at first, but not boring, light-hearted and sprinkled with good doses of mystery, then it picked up somewhere in the middle of the book, getting more serious and emotional. The third part of the book was the best, though, a real page-turner. It fucking ripped my heart to shreds, but it was worth it.

I really want to read more of this series. I suspect Ryan will be the hardest to crack, judging from what Hades said, and, to be honest, I can't wait to see that. He's my favorite of the brothers, that straight-laced, rule-following type is so yummy! Bo was a bit hard to like, because of his attitude and the way he kept trying to mess things up for Alex, though the book promised something deeper going on there because of his past (and OK, I get the whole drugs part, it's natural for him to want to dull the pain, feeling what your siblings feel when they get hurt is not cool).

Also, let me say it right now, I want a spinoff book or whatever with Max. The guy was pure gold. Funny, a loyal friend, and obviously the kind of man who will be a true partner to someone if only he gets the chance. Max deserves a HEA, too!!!!

I can't recommend this book enough. Honestly, I'm dying to see what will happen next in the series, it's been a while since I've felt this anxious about a saga and invested in it.

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com ...more

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Jul 31, 2020 Angel Hatfield added it

Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Charlotte arrives on the scene of a car accident caused by a large dog tearing across the road. The third sighting of the animal in as many weeks, Charlotte’s interest is piqued. Armed with a bowl of dog food and a bucket of patience, she sets out to find the beast. With the grille marks of a sedan imprinted on his broken ribs, Alex returns to the scene of the accident, scouring for prints he’d left behind when he encounters Charlotte on the trail. The attraction ...more

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Sep 04, 2019 Paula rated it really liked it

Junkyard Dog, the first book in the Hellhounds Series is also the first book I have read written by Katja Desjarlais. I am of dual opinions about the novel so this review is somewhat difficult. I didn’t much like the style of writing but the plot was so interesting that I still read every page staying up until 2:00 am to do so. The reading so late is extremely rare for me to do.

The whole concept of the hellhounds on earth hunting was fascinating, along with some of the mythology to go along wit ...more

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Oct 14, 2019 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019

This book feels like a later installment in the series where I skipped the first few books – that’s how developed the world is. We join what feels like a story already in progress, which only grabbed me even more.

Alex is part of a group of mythological beings. You gotta get over that real quick, because there is so much more to this story. Charlotte is a park ranger with a super tough chick background. She’s more than capable, but still has a soft spot for lost animals. After another sighting of ...more

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Aug 28, 2019 Debbie Caswell rated it it was amazing

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am hoping that it is the first of many in fact I hope this is a series and we get the other brothers stories

Alex is a hellhound one of Cerberus's hounds/heads and he and his brothers have been sent from hell to clean up the mess that has happened. he is running in his hellhound form when he is hit by a car the isn't the first sighting of this large dog. Charlotte a lo#cal park ranger comes out to the scene of the accident and tries to track ...more

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Aug 25, 2019 Nerdy Housewifey rated it it was amazing

It took me one day! I could not put this down. Man there was a part near the beginning and I almost DNF thank god I didn’t! Alex is amazing, he grows a lot in this book and once you get behind his walls, he is absolutely precious, I’m so grateful we got dual POV’s.

This book is great for fans of paranormal romance. Alex is one of Cerberus’ ... heads? Souls? He and his brothers are sent topside to clean up a mess and he runs into park ranger Charlotte. They fought so hard against their feelings f ...more

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Aug 26, 2019 Tripip rated it really liked it

I'm not usually a paranormal fan (a little too out there) but I had great fun reading this one! I enjoyed all the characters, although I did want to shake some sense into Bo. Alex is your typical yummy alpha male. Charlotte is a kickass park ranger who seems to have her head on straight. Great banter between H and h. I liked the build up as their relationship developed. Only a mild heat factor. I hope this is just the start to a series!
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This review was poste ...more

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Sep 05, 2019 Shelagh rated it really liked it

Junkyard Dog by Katja Desjarlais was an entertaining read though it took me a little while to get Into the story. I’m not normally a paranormal reader so that could be the reason for this. Once I got my head around people morphing into dogs and the like I enjoyed this book and was intrigued to see where it would go. I liked the main characters, park Ranger Charlotte and bartender-come dog Alex, both of whom were well developed. The plot worked well too, though I think the story is better suited ...more

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Sep 03, 2019 Rebecca Goss rated it really liked it

Alex, as a hellhound, was sent to earth to find killers that have been terrorizing the terrain that Charlotte protects, as a ranger. Their attraction is frustrating at times, as with many romances, and faces additional stress as Alex’s placement is temporary. Secondary characters, such as Max, Charlotte’s ranger partner are fun and add to the storyline. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Sarah rated it it was ok
Apr 08, 2020

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Renee rated it it was amazing
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Aisha rated it it was amazing
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Dec 01, 2020 Katja Desjarlais rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: brown-bag-romance, loved

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About Katja Desjarlais

Katja Desjarlais

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Katja Desjarlais is a music teacher by day and a paranormal romance writer by moonlight. She is an unapologetic music addict and has an obsession for bad Bach puns despite her irrational aversion to Baroque. Her favorite words include 'plethora' and 'dapper', and she is physically repulsed by the word 'moist'.
Desjarlais recently moved into the Okanagan valley with her husband, three children, and ...more