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K-9s on Patrol #1
Decoy Training
His fresh start is about to be interrupted
by a threatening foe.
Former marine Shane Adler’s used to perilous situations. But he’s stunned to find danger in the peaceful Idaho mountains—especially swirling around his beautiful dog trainer. After tragically losing her hero husband, Piper Lambert’s rebuilt her life. Now it’s up to Shane—and his loyal K-9 in training, Decoy—to make sure a mysterious enemy won’t derail her new beginning…or his.
by a threatening foe.
Former marine Shane Adler’s used to perilous situations. But he’s stunned to find danger in the peaceful Idaho mountains—especially swirling around his beautiful dog trainer. After tragically losing her hero husband, Piper Lambert’s rebuilt her life. Now it’s up to Shane—and his loyal K-9 in training, Decoy—to make sure a mysterious enemy won’t derail her new beginning…or his.
249 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 3, 2022
221 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Caridad Piñeiro
181 books1,135 followersCaridad Pineiro is a transplanted Long Island girl who has fallen in love with the Jersey Shore. When Caridad isn’t taking long strolls along the boardwalk, she’s also a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author with over a million romance novels sold worldwide. Caridad is passionate about writing and helping others explore and develop their skills as writers. She is a founding member of the Liberty States Fiction Writers and has presented workshops at the RT Book Club Convention, Romance Writers of America National Conference as well as various writing organizations throughout the country. You can connect with Caridad at www.caridad.com. You can also find Caridad on:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 5, 2022
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the K-9s on Patrol series. I have to start off by saying that I really loved all the characters including the dogs in this book. Piper is trying to get over the lost of her husband, and she is working hard to rebuild her life. Shane is getting over the fact him can no longer be a marine due to injuries. I love both of these characters back stories, and I think they fit together so well. The romance in this book was very lite and more something in the background, but it work very well with the storyline. The suspense was the main thing in this book, and I was living for the suspense. The suspense was slow build through out this book which worked. I liked that we got to know and care about the characters before the suspense/mystery really got going. The ending was great. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Intrigue) or author (Caridad Pineiro) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
February 3, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
DECOY TRAINING (K-9’s on Patrol Book #1) by Caridad Pineiro is a romantic suspense in the Harlequin Intrigue line featuring a wounded ex-military man and his dog looking for what to do next with his life and a military widow working as a dog trainer in small town Idaho. This is the first book in the new K-9’s on Patrol series featuring heroes, heroines, and their canine companions.
Sharpshooter Shane Adler left the military after being wounded and no longer able to use his shoulder without pain. He did work to bring home the dog, Decoy, he befriended in Afghanistan and who found Shane in the building rubble after the bombing. They have come from California to Idaho for training to find out if Decoy can become a Search and Rescue dog for this next chapter in their lives.
Piper Lambert has worked the last four years to rebuild her life after the death of her military husband in Iraq. She now works as one of the trainers for her college friend’s canine training facility. When assigned to Shane and Decoy, she has problems with Shane’s military background, but they go on to work well together.
Piper is having feelings of being watched and there have been strange things happening around her home. Shane is concerned and works with local police to discover who is the danger to Piper before his plans to leave to join an SAR in Montana in a month.
I absolutely loved every character and dog in this romantic suspense. The romance is slow with both Piper and Shane hesitant to start anything, especially with Piper still not sure if she is ready for a romance and Shane planning to leave in a month. Shane is also undecided on his future and still has nightmares every night since the explosion. For me, all these reasons make this slow-moving romance plot realistic. The suspense is paced well throughout the story and a believable scenario with Shane involving local law enforcement. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and the continuation of these characters, both human and canine.
I highly recommend this well written romantic suspense.
DECOY TRAINING (K-9’s on Patrol Book #1) by Caridad Pineiro is a romantic suspense in the Harlequin Intrigue line featuring a wounded ex-military man and his dog looking for what to do next with his life and a military widow working as a dog trainer in small town Idaho. This is the first book in the new K-9’s on Patrol series featuring heroes, heroines, and their canine companions.
Sharpshooter Shane Adler left the military after being wounded and no longer able to use his shoulder without pain. He did work to bring home the dog, Decoy, he befriended in Afghanistan and who found Shane in the building rubble after the bombing. They have come from California to Idaho for training to find out if Decoy can become a Search and Rescue dog for this next chapter in their lives.
Piper Lambert has worked the last four years to rebuild her life after the death of her military husband in Iraq. She now works as one of the trainers for her college friend’s canine training facility. When assigned to Shane and Decoy, she has problems with Shane’s military background, but they go on to work well together.
Piper is having feelings of being watched and there have been strange things happening around her home. Shane is concerned and works with local police to discover who is the danger to Piper before his plans to leave to join an SAR in Montana in a month.
I absolutely loved every character and dog in this romantic suspense. The romance is slow with both Piper and Shane hesitant to start anything, especially with Piper still not sure if she is ready for a romance and Shane planning to leave in a month. Shane is also undecided on his future and still has nightmares every night since the explosion. For me, all these reasons make this slow-moving romance plot realistic. The suspense is paced well throughout the story and a believable scenario with Shane involving local law enforcement. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and the continuation of these characters, both human and canine.
I highly recommend this well written romantic suspense.
March 28, 2022
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the K-9s on Patrol series. I have to start off by saying that I really loved all the characters including the dogs in this book. Piper is trying to get over the lost of her husband, and she is working hard to rebuild her life. Shane is getting over the fact him can no longer be a marine due to injuries. I love both of these characters back stories, and I think they fit together so well. The romance in this book was very lite and more something in the background, but it work very well with the storyline. The suspense was the main thing in this book, and I was living for the suspense. The suspense was slow build through out this book which worked. I liked that we got to know and care about the characters before the suspense/mystery really got going. The ending was great. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Intrigue) or author (Caridad Pineiro) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book.
November 10, 2022
Sto meditando se dare la mezza stella in più oppure no...
Bella lettura, mi sono piaciuti soprattutto i due cani (il Decoy del titolo è uno di essi). Sono contenta di aver trovato questo e un altro libro della serie in offerta. So già che finirò per leggere tutta la serie perché qui sono stati presentati i protagonisti degli altri volumi e mi sono incuriosita.
Bella lettura, mi sono piaciuti soprattutto i due cani (il Decoy del titolo è uno di essi). Sono contenta di aver trovato questo e un altro libro della serie in offerta. So già che finirò per leggere tutta la serie perché qui sono stati presentati i protagonisti degli altri volumi e mi sono incuriosita.
February 25, 2024
Decoy Training was an excellent read featuring a great romance between a dog trainer and an army veteran.
Former Army sharpshooter Shane Adler is looking for a change after an injury forced him to retire from the Army. He finds it in the Idaho mountains while working with dog trainer Piper Lambert to train up his dog, Decoy, for search and rescue. When Shane discovers someone has been casing Piper's house, he's determined to protect her from harm. But while Shane tries to keep Piper safe, the attraction building between them threatens them both.
The romance in Decoy Training is initially on the slower side as Piper is still grieving her husband who passed four years ago and Shane isn't sure what he wants from life. The attraction between them is obvious but they both spend a lot of time fighting it. I actually liked that their romance took time to develop as I felt it gave them more time to get to know each other. The two form a nice friendship during their work training Decoy which I enjoyed. Once their relationship does progress it's well done and I was happy with how things work out for these two.
The mystery was an interesting one and like the romance, it takes time to develop. Initially Piper is alerted to someone's presence near her home which she believes to be nothing of importance. Eventually it becomes clear that someone is trying to get into her house which intrigued me. What could Piper possibly have that someone would be that desperate to get back? The story goes in a direction I wasn't expecting and I liked how everything played out. The suspense elements are well done and I liked the scene where the bad guy was confronted.
Overall Decoy Training was a great start to the series and I'm looking forward to continuing the series in the future.
Former Army sharpshooter Shane Adler is looking for a change after an injury forced him to retire from the Army. He finds it in the Idaho mountains while working with dog trainer Piper Lambert to train up his dog, Decoy, for search and rescue. When Shane discovers someone has been casing Piper's house, he's determined to protect her from harm. But while Shane tries to keep Piper safe, the attraction building between them threatens them both.
The romance in Decoy Training is initially on the slower side as Piper is still grieving her husband who passed four years ago and Shane isn't sure what he wants from life. The attraction between them is obvious but they both spend a lot of time fighting it. I actually liked that their romance took time to develop as I felt it gave them more time to get to know each other. The two form a nice friendship during their work training Decoy which I enjoyed. Once their relationship does progress it's well done and I was happy with how things work out for these two.
The mystery was an interesting one and like the romance, it takes time to develop. Initially Piper is alerted to someone's presence near her home which she believes to be nothing of importance. Eventually it becomes clear that someone is trying to get into her house which intrigued me. What could Piper possibly have that someone would be that desperate to get back? The story goes in a direction I wasn't expecting and I liked how everything played out. The suspense elements are well done and I liked the scene where the bad guy was confronted.
Overall Decoy Training was a great start to the series and I'm looking forward to continuing the series in the future.
May 5, 2022
great Romantic Suspense
This one keeps your attention. I had a really hard time putting it down & found the only time I did was when I kept reading late into the night & would wake up with my book still open or near me! Highly recommended!
This one keeps your attention. I had a really hard time putting it down & found the only time I did was when I kept reading late into the night & would wake up with my book still open or near me! Highly recommended!
June 11, 2022
Good book, but let me correct one thing right away. The blurb states that Shane is a former Marine. He is not. He was in the army. Piper's husband was a Marine. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, staying up until long past midnight to finish it.
The book opens as Shane and his dog, Decoy, are headed to Idaho to visit a friend. Shane feels a little lost now that he's been medically retired from the army, thanks to injuries he received on duty. If it hadn't been for Decoy, Shane likely would have died in the bombed-out building. Shane still has nightmares from that time, but Decoy is terrific support for him. During Shane's visit with his friend, Gonzo suggests that Shane and Decoy train for search and rescue and sends him to the Daniels Canine Academy. There he meets Piper, the woman who will do their training.
Piper is a widow. Her Marine husband was killed in Afghanistan four years earlier, and she still grieves for him. She moved to Idaho from California to start over and help her friend Emma with the DCA. She's not thrilled when she finds out she'll be training Shane. Too many military men remind her of her husband and how much she misses him. We also meet Chipper, the corgi/pit mix puppy that Piper adopts. On her walk home from work the day before Shane's arrival, Piper gets the creepy feeling that she's being watched.
I enjoyed the first meeting between Shane and Piper. He arrives early and sees Piper, Emma, and vet tech Tashya working with the puppies. He's immediately drawn to Piper, but her reaction to him isn't as warm, mainly because she is as attracted to him, and it makes her uncomfortable. She is determined to stick to training only and not let him get too close. His plans to join a SAR unit in Montana reinforce that desire. I enjoyed their training sessions. Shane and Piper quickly relax into their training partnership, which helps reduce the tension between them. It isn't long before the sparks between them grow stronger.
When Piper's feeling of being watched escalates into the knowledge that someone tried to break into her home, Shane's protective instincts kick in. And when her home is later entered and searched, Shane moves in to protect her. This also allows them to grow even closer. I liked how Piper gave Shane the understanding and compassion he needed to begin healing from his trauma. At the same time, Shane understands that everyone grieves at their own pace and gives Piper the space she needs. But as the danger intensifies, sooner or later, both realize that they need each other to move forward. I loved Shane's big moment at the end.
The suspense of the book was terrific. It started slowly, with Piper's feeling of being watched, then moved on to the evidence that someone had tried to get into her house. About this time, we get a peek into the mind of the person behind it all and learn what is driving him. We see his attacks escalate as he grows more desperate. Thanks to Shane's background, he can investigate his suspicions. I ached for Piper as she defended her husband against the implications while at the same time they were looking for the truth. The intensity ramps up as they identify a suspect, but he evades them. When the final confrontation comes, Piper is at the mercy of a desperate man. I liked seeing how, though everyone worked together to find her, it was Decoy who came up with the clue that saved the day. The ending was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was over.
I loved the dogs in this book. Decoy is the perfect companion for Shane. They bonded overseas when Shane would feed Decoy, which led Decoy to find Shane when he was trapped. I was happy that Shane worked to get Decoy back to the States with him. It was sweet to see how Decoy would wake Shane up from his nightmares and give him comfort. Their bond was fantastic and will serve them well as a search-and-rescue team. I also adored Piper's puppy, Chipper. She was sweet and smart and a bundle of joy. It was fun to see her jump all over Decoy and watch him put up with it. It looked like Chipper learned a few things from Decoy also. I can't wait to get to know other dogs as the series continues.
The book opens as Shane and his dog, Decoy, are headed to Idaho to visit a friend. Shane feels a little lost now that he's been medically retired from the army, thanks to injuries he received on duty. If it hadn't been for Decoy, Shane likely would have died in the bombed-out building. Shane still has nightmares from that time, but Decoy is terrific support for him. During Shane's visit with his friend, Gonzo suggests that Shane and Decoy train for search and rescue and sends him to the Daniels Canine Academy. There he meets Piper, the woman who will do their training.
Piper is a widow. Her Marine husband was killed in Afghanistan four years earlier, and she still grieves for him. She moved to Idaho from California to start over and help her friend Emma with the DCA. She's not thrilled when she finds out she'll be training Shane. Too many military men remind her of her husband and how much she misses him. We also meet Chipper, the corgi/pit mix puppy that Piper adopts. On her walk home from work the day before Shane's arrival, Piper gets the creepy feeling that she's being watched.
I enjoyed the first meeting between Shane and Piper. He arrives early and sees Piper, Emma, and vet tech Tashya working with the puppies. He's immediately drawn to Piper, but her reaction to him isn't as warm, mainly because she is as attracted to him, and it makes her uncomfortable. She is determined to stick to training only and not let him get too close. His plans to join a SAR unit in Montana reinforce that desire. I enjoyed their training sessions. Shane and Piper quickly relax into their training partnership, which helps reduce the tension between them. It isn't long before the sparks between them grow stronger.
When Piper's feeling of being watched escalates into the knowledge that someone tried to break into her home, Shane's protective instincts kick in. And when her home is later entered and searched, Shane moves in to protect her. This also allows them to grow even closer. I liked how Piper gave Shane the understanding and compassion he needed to begin healing from his trauma. At the same time, Shane understands that everyone grieves at their own pace and gives Piper the space she needs. But as the danger intensifies, sooner or later, both realize that they need each other to move forward. I loved Shane's big moment at the end.
The suspense of the book was terrific. It started slowly, with Piper's feeling of being watched, then moved on to the evidence that someone had tried to get into her house. About this time, we get a peek into the mind of the person behind it all and learn what is driving him. We see his attacks escalate as he grows more desperate. Thanks to Shane's background, he can investigate his suspicions. I ached for Piper as she defended her husband against the implications while at the same time they were looking for the truth. The intensity ramps up as they identify a suspect, but he evades them. When the final confrontation comes, Piper is at the mercy of a desperate man. I liked seeing how, though everyone worked together to find her, it was Decoy who came up with the clue that saved the day. The ending was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was over.
I loved the dogs in this book. Decoy is the perfect companion for Shane. They bonded overseas when Shane would feed Decoy, which led Decoy to find Shane when he was trapped. I was happy that Shane worked to get Decoy back to the States with him. It was sweet to see how Decoy would wake Shane up from his nightmares and give him comfort. Their bond was fantastic and will serve them well as a search-and-rescue team. I also adored Piper's puppy, Chipper. She was sweet and smart and a bundle of joy. It was fun to see her jump all over Decoy and watch him put up with it. It looked like Chipper learned a few things from Decoy also. I can't wait to get to know other dogs as the series continues.
April 17, 2022
I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thanks NetGalley! This might be just a case of not-for-me. I’ll start with what I liked about the book. The premise is great - K-9 dogs and the law enforcement and civilian partners they work with, small town on the Idaho mountains, found family, all good stuff. The story is that Piper, a dog trainer and widow of a Marine, meets and falls in love with Shane, a recently retired military sharp shooter suffering from PTSD, while training him and his dog Decoy for search and rescue operations. Decoy rescued Shane from a collapsed building in Afghanistan. The injuries Shane suffered in the accident resulted in him being unable to continue as an active duty sharp-shooter. The suspense element of this book is also nicely done, and adds tension throughout the book. It reminded me a little of Montana Sky by Nora Roberta in that respect.
Unfortunately, I didn’t really connect with either character. It felt like all we knew about them were their job titles and their traumas. They didn’t feel fully realized to me. Also, the reasons keeping them apart were completely manufactured, and the romance arc was extremely slow burn (and very chaste with the exception of a couple of heavy petting sessions) until the end when it seemed to go from 0 to 60 in one page. It was so fast I physically recoiled in shock. It was also extremely “traditional” in gender roles. Shane is very alpha and tells Piper how things are going to be without letting her run her own life, and Piper is not assertive and seems perfectly happy to have Shane to the alpha he-man protector role. I like my heroines to be a bit more participatory in saving themselves, but I imagine there are readers out there for whom that might be a positive. YMMV, as they say.
Unfortunately, I didn’t really connect with either character. It felt like all we knew about them were their job titles and their traumas. They didn’t feel fully realized to me. Also, the reasons keeping them apart were completely manufactured, and the romance arc was extremely slow burn (and very chaste with the exception of a couple of heavy petting sessions) until the end when it seemed to go from 0 to 60 in one page. It was so fast I physically recoiled in shock. It was also extremely “traditional” in gender roles. Shane is very alpha and tells Piper how things are going to be without letting her run her own life, and Piper is not assertive and seems perfectly happy to have Shane to the alpha he-man protector role. I like my heroines to be a bit more participatory in saving themselves, but I imagine there are readers out there for whom that might be a positive. YMMV, as they say.
April 4, 2022
Piper is a dog trainer helping former Marine Shane train his dog. She's less then thrilled when she finds out that he's a former marine but that only means putting her guard up after having a husband who died being a marine and the lifestyle was too much. When a couple of mishaps happen its clear someone is lurking around and Shane will do everything he can to protect her as she helps him train his dog.
This was a pretty enjoyable read. There was tid bits here and there to make things seem more sinister as the person who kept roaming around Piper got close to her. There was plenty of moments that made it clear that this a a suspense novel and I love a good suspense novel. I loved seeing the two work together with the dogs and with finding out who was after her and why. There was a bit of romance thrown in here and there which I liked but it didn't overpower the book. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.
This was a pretty enjoyable read. There was tid bits here and there to make things seem more sinister as the person who kept roaming around Piper got close to her. There was plenty of moments that made it clear that this a a suspense novel and I love a good suspense novel. I loved seeing the two work together with the dogs and with finding out who was after her and why. There was a bit of romance thrown in here and there which I liked but it didn't overpower the book. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.
April 12, 2022
Decoy Training by Caridad is a romantic suspense with an ex-military theme. This is the first book in the K9s on Patrol series so you will meet several characters.
Shane and his K9 were adorable. I loved the history of him and Decoy and how Decoy stayed with him. Shane is dealing with some trauma from the military and trying to decide what to do with his life.
Pipe is a military widow that is trying to decide if she is ready to move on. She meets Shane when he signs up for her dog training for search and rescue. She starts suspecting someone is watching her.
The author gives you enough information regarding other characters that you are hoping they are in the following books.
Shane and his K9 were adorable. I loved the history of him and Decoy and how Decoy stayed with him. Shane is dealing with some trauma from the military and trying to decide what to do with his life.
Pipe is a military widow that is trying to decide if she is ready to move on. She meets Shane when he signs up for her dog training for search and rescue. She starts suspecting someone is watching her.
The author gives you enough information regarding other characters that you are hoping they are in the following books.
August 7, 2022
Decoy training keeps you in your toes- intrigue and suspense with romance all packed in a nice little package. Read it through in one sitting as I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Highly recommended!
January 30, 2024
Great start to the series!
Getting injured while serving, Shane, a military sniper forced to retire and return home, but California didn't feel like home and being near his old base was too much. So he took his dog, named Decoy, one that he found as a stray while deployed, and that saved his life, and they headed out. With an RV and pick up they went to visit another disabled war buddy, who introduced him to a trainer for SAR K9s.
He met Piper, A trainer whose military husband was killed while deployed. Someone thinks Piper's husband sent her relics that were stolen and worth a lot, so he is stalking her home to get them back, not knowing she doesn't have them. He breaks into her home and ransacked it but didn't find the relics. Still sure she has them he kidnaps her.
Can Shane and newly trained Decoy, find her before it's too late? He realizes he wants to be with her and is desperate to find her
Getting injured while serving, Shane, a military sniper forced to retire and return home, but California didn't feel like home and being near his old base was too much. So he took his dog, named Decoy, one that he found as a stray while deployed, and that saved his life, and they headed out. With an RV and pick up they went to visit another disabled war buddy, who introduced him to a trainer for SAR K9s.
He met Piper, A trainer whose military husband was killed while deployed. Someone thinks Piper's husband sent her relics that were stolen and worth a lot, so he is stalking her home to get them back, not knowing she doesn't have them. He breaks into her home and ransacked it but didn't find the relics. Still sure she has them he kidnaps her.
Can Shane and newly trained Decoy, find her before it's too late? He realizes he wants to be with her and is desperate to find her
February 5, 2023
Dogs. Veterans. Suspense.
Immediately hooked by the war veteran and his dog. We have a simmering romance. In the middle of this there is a mystery and suspense.
This short book has a lot to offer.
Immediately hooked by the war veteran and his dog. We have a simmering romance. In the middle of this there is a mystery and suspense.
This short book has a lot to offer.
December 28, 2023
A great story with dogs!
Dogs and more! Military veterans, dogs, and mystery. Throw in some romance and you have the perfect story line! Fall in love with Decoy and Chipper as they learn the ropes in dog training. Become friends with the residents of Jasper. I couldn’t put this one down!
Dogs and more! Military veterans, dogs, and mystery. Throw in some romance and you have the perfect story line! Fall in love with Decoy and Chipper as they learn the ropes in dog training. Become friends with the residents of Jasper. I couldn’t put this one down!
January 16, 2023
Great introduction to a new-to-me series
Shane drives to Harper to get his dog Decoy trained for search and rescue. He is trying that after leaving the Army due to medical reasons. There he meets dog trainer Piper. They are instantly attracted, but she is the widow of a Marine and very cautious. However, someone seems to be watching her, and then breaking into her place. Shane does what he can to protect her, but will it be enough? Read this to see. The details about training dogs are fascinating and the 2 dogs in the story are also main characters!
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has some action and some kisses but no steam. The characters are vibrant and engaging. I look forward to seeing what happens next!
Shane drives to Harper to get his dog Decoy trained for search and rescue. He is trying that after leaving the Army due to medical reasons. There he meets dog trainer Piper. They are instantly attracted, but she is the widow of a Marine and very cautious. However, someone seems to be watching her, and then breaking into her place. Shane does what he can to protect her, but will it be enough? Read this to see. The details about training dogs are fascinating and the 2 dogs in the story are also main characters!
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has some action and some kisses but no steam. The characters are vibrant and engaging. I look forward to seeing what happens next!
July 19, 2022
Shane Adler is a former Marine who is unable to continue his function in the Marines, and he is lost. He ends up with a dog who will make great K-9 search and rescue. When he is assigned a trainer, he does not realize what he is getting into not only with his heart, but with his need to protect Piper. This was a great edge of your suspense book with plenty of action to keep you reading until the final pages. It is a true testament that dog is man's best friend and can provide healing to lost souls. I loved the characters in this book. They had both lost so much, but they learned from one another and leaned on one another. The mystery was well written and interesting as well.
March 29, 2022
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review.
This is the start to what seems like a fun series about patrol K-9s. I loved seeing how they were incorporated into the cast of characters, which includes police and former military officers. Shane himself is a former Marine forced out due to injury and coping with the reality of that, and he meshes really well with Piper, whose late husband was also a Marine. I generally liked how the romance was more subtle, yet present, allowing the suspense element to shine.
This is the start to what seems like a fun series about patrol K-9s. I loved seeing how they were incorporated into the cast of characters, which includes police and former military officers. Shane himself is a former Marine forced out due to injury and coping with the reality of that, and he meshes really well with Piper, whose late husband was also a Marine. I generally liked how the romance was more subtle, yet present, allowing the suspense element to shine.
April 4, 2022
When Former Marine Shane and his dog Decoy head to his friend for a fresh start his friend suggests he go to Daniels Canine Academy. They can help Decoy with some training. So he goes. But he doesn’t expect Piper Lambert. She’s the one who he will be working with. She’s good at what she does, but things become a little intense. When her life is at risk he steps up, and there’s nothing he won’t do. He knows she’s hurting from the loss of her husbands death, but he wants to help her to get answers.
March 16, 2022
Decoy Training by Caridad Piñeiro is a sweet tale of a former military sniper who has left the service due to a debilitating injury and the dog that has saved his sanity. Shane is looking for his future he has no clue what to do after leaving the service. Piper is a military widow, she and her adorable puppy train Shane and his dog to do search and rescue work and perhaps they can help each other move on and move forward. This book has all the feels and will leave you with a full heart.
October 26, 2022
I felt as if this book was taking me forever to read when I can usually fly through a Harlequin Intrigue in a couple of hours. That said, I still enjoyed it. The details are marvelous, the story attention grabbing and there are puppies!
March 26, 2023
Very good
Well written, a good story line. This author is great! I love the mysteries, with dogs in them, being a fellow dogger. Seeing how well they learned their necessary actions in their practice sessions was great, as were the characters.
Well written, a good story line. This author is great! I love the mysteries, with dogs in them, being a fellow dogger. Seeing how well they learned their necessary actions in their practice sessions was great, as were the characters.
October 9, 2023
Decoy Training by Caridad Piñeiro is a 2022 Harlequin Intrigue publication.
When Shane is injured in Afghanistan effectively ending his military career, he decides to leave California with his canine buddy- Decoy, and head to Idaho, where he hopes to enter Decoy into the K-9 training program.
As he begins the training program, he acquaints himself with the other trainers, taking special notice of the attractive Piper Lambert. But Piper is still getting over the loss of her husband, who was killed in Iraq.
Piper is attracted to Shane but tries to keep him at arm’s length. Meanwhile, Piper begins to suspect someone has been hanging around her home when she’s not around. Is it just her imagination- or something more sinister?
This is a basic -traditional-romantic suspense novel- nothing especially unique- if I’m being honest- but it is still a solid novel, especially if you like stories that feature dogs and military heroes.
The suspense elements aren’t super intense, as we know the motive early on- we just don’t know specifically who Piper's stalker is. The chemistry between Shane and Piper is a bit thin, as it seems that while there is a physical attraction, Piper still seems emotionally attached to her deceased husband. That said, the pacing is even, as is the flow of the story, and it did hold my interest. I also appreciated the lack of strong language, graphic violence, and explcit sex- which made this a much more enjoyable experience.
I was very pleased to see a few Harlequin Intrigue offerings in the Kindle Unlimited program and was also happy to run across Caridad Piñeiro again- an author I read occasionally back in the day. I liked the mature characters, and a hero who is intelligent and has a broad vocabulary within this genre- and of course the dogs!! Overall, though it was bit predictable, it’s a quick, easy enjoyable story, and was it nice to read a nice romantic suspense novel again.
3.5 stars
When Shane is injured in Afghanistan effectively ending his military career, he decides to leave California with his canine buddy- Decoy, and head to Idaho, where he hopes to enter Decoy into the K-9 training program.
As he begins the training program, he acquaints himself with the other trainers, taking special notice of the attractive Piper Lambert. But Piper is still getting over the loss of her husband, who was killed in Iraq.
Piper is attracted to Shane but tries to keep him at arm’s length. Meanwhile, Piper begins to suspect someone has been hanging around her home when she’s not around. Is it just her imagination- or something more sinister?
This is a basic -traditional-romantic suspense novel- nothing especially unique- if I’m being honest- but it is still a solid novel, especially if you like stories that feature dogs and military heroes.
The suspense elements aren’t super intense, as we know the motive early on- we just don’t know specifically who Piper's stalker is. The chemistry between Shane and Piper is a bit thin, as it seems that while there is a physical attraction, Piper still seems emotionally attached to her deceased husband. That said, the pacing is even, as is the flow of the story, and it did hold my interest. I also appreciated the lack of strong language, graphic violence, and explcit sex- which made this a much more enjoyable experience.
I was very pleased to see a few Harlequin Intrigue offerings in the Kindle Unlimited program and was also happy to run across Caridad Piñeiro again- an author I read occasionally back in the day. I liked the mature characters, and a hero who is intelligent and has a broad vocabulary within this genre- and of course the dogs!! Overall, though it was bit predictable, it’s a quick, easy enjoyable story, and was it nice to read a nice romantic suspense novel again.
3.5 stars
August 22, 2022
I very much enjoyed reading this story. How can you go wrong with a book that features dogs? The main dog, Decoy, is being trained in Search and Rescue. He already saved the hero Shane Adler back in Iraq. The trainer is Piper Lambert, a widow still grieving the loss of her husband in action. The story is set in Idaho, with its clear, fresh mountain air and beautiful surroundings. The hero eventually isn't so sure about leaving, while the heroine fears giving her heart to a man who will be gone. Of course, they work things out for a Happily Ever After!
Another thing I liked is how current events (or fairly recent events) played a background role in the story. It added to the realism of the story world.
Another thing I liked is how current events (or fairly recent events) played a background role in the story. It added to the realism of the story world.
January 16, 2023
Shane Adler travels to Idaho with his dog Decoy to visit a friend. Decoy helped save Shane when he was in the Marines in Iraq and helps Shane deal with his PTSD. While Shane is visiting his friend Gonzo suggests that Shane join the search and rescue group with the Daniels Canine Academy with Decoy. Shane meets Piper who trains the dogs at the academy. Piper’s husband was killed in Afghanistan and still misses him. She adopts a corgi named Chipper. Shane and Piper grow closer and he moves in with her after there is a break-in in her home. I really enjoyed reading this cozy mystery romance novel.
September 3, 2023
Shane is a vet struggling with ptsd. Piper is the widow of a service man. They meet where works training dogs. There is an attraction that neither one want. When Piper's house is trashed, Shane offers to help her. There are cute dogs, good friends, missing Iraq relics and a budding romance. Very low heat, even the angst seems very low key.
March 28, 2023
Decoy Training
What an interesting story about training a dog for search and rescue. I'm sure there is a lot more than what was woven into this story. It was still enough to help you realize the amount of work it takes for both dog and the humans invoved.
What an interesting story about training a dog for search and rescue. I'm sure there is a lot more than what was woven into this story. It was still enough to help you realize the amount of work it takes for both dog and the humans invoved.
April 16, 2023
loved the dogs
The author got the dogs right. The plot was good. But the Author couldn’t seem to remember if the people were driving a car or a truck or a Jeep. Love has it’s ways in this book.
The author got the dogs right. The plot was good. But the Author couldn’t seem to remember if the people were driving a car or a truck or a Jeep. Love has it’s ways in this book.
April 22, 2023
A suspenseful sweet dramatic romance, characters that are facing complex and complicated situations, they manage to find love after some dangerous and tragic events. Truly a good romantic story. Very enjoyable.
June 15, 2025
Shane is learning a new skill with Decoy as he rebuilds his life. But both Shane and Piper are also learning about letting going and finding connections. In the background is the lurking danger. But Shane and Decoy are ready for action. #CMCon26
Read
March 2, 2022Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
K-9s on Patrol (Book #1)
Miniseries
K-9s on Patrol (Book #1)
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