Serve 'N' Protect by Tee O'Fallon - 3.5 stars.

[Theresa]

Markus, a Secret Service Agent was seriously injured by an unknown assailant for unknown reasons, just days after a fellow agent was similarly attached and died. Sent into hiding while healing, Markus and his K-9 Ghost end up in a rural part of Maryland in a house owned by a military friend on a combat mission. Where while under strong pain meds, he decides to climb a ladder to change a lightbulb only to fall, reopen his injuries and pass out.

Cassidy, his next door neighbor, is alerted by Ghost to come help. Cassidy gets Markus off the floor and to the hospital even though she's still recovering from a car accident that crushed both her legs a year earlier. However, while they are existing the hospital after Markus is treated, someone takes pot shots at them. They manage to get away but that is not the end of the danger the seems to be stalking both of them. Then there is the emotional danger... because of course sparks are flying, steam is rising, Ghost falls tail over head in love with Cassidy. Can true love be far away? No farther than bringing down all the bad guys just as the Christmas holidays swing fully into action.

Another enjoyable K-9 thriller with another great dog with a wonderful personality, a strong smart heroine with a lot of sass, and a hunky brooding hero who needs to be rescued, and not just after falling off a ladder.