Two years after his brother’s murder in jail, Department of Homeland Security K-9 Officer Kade Sampson is still haunted by guilt. No man should ever have to arrest his own brother, even if he is laundering money for a drug cartel. Fortunately, Laia Velez—his brother’s gorgeous widow—never learned the truth about Kade’s involvement. But when she asks him for help, he knows that trouble with the cartel is far from over…

Kade is the last person Laia wants to call. But between her house being thoroughly trashed and the uneasy sense that she and her young daughter are being watched, Laia isn’t taking any chances. The cartel wants something from her. And Kade and his K-9 partner, Smoke, are her only chance to survive whatever fresh hell is coming their way…

Now Laia and Kade are trying to stay one step ahead in a game that’s growing more deadly by the minute. But what the cartel wants, the cartel gets. And Kade is running out of time to save the woman he loves from the same fate that killed his brother…

Titles in the Federal K-9 series include — Lock ‘N’ Load —♦— Armed ‘N’ Ready —♦— Dark ‘N’ Deadly —♦— Trap ‘N’ Trace —♦—Serve ‘N’ Protect —♦— Honor ‘N’ Duty —♦—

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Honor ‘N’ Duty
Series:  Federal K-9 #6
Author:  Tee O’Fallon
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Published:  July 18, 2022
Publisher:  Entangled
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Honor ‘N’ Duty is the sixth title in the Federal K-9 series, and although I’ve only read the more recent titles (so far) in this series, I wasn’t lost at all in regards to the series’ arch story.  It is my intention to go back to the beginning but for now, I enjoyed Kade, Laia, and of course Smoke (Kade’s dog) and Rosa (Laia’s daughter) so very much.  There were times when Rosa and Smoke stole scenes (which I adored while enjoying a smile at their antics) and the bond between a little girl and pup was so realistic and believable.

Kade was attracted to Laia long ago, but she was his brother’s girlfriend and then wife so he never let that attraction get out of hand usually by not being around them much which his work made rather easy.  But Kade had the painful duty to arrest his brother for his dealings with the cartel, and when his brother was killed Kade’s guilt knew no bounds.  It’s been years since he’s seen Laia and Rosa but his brother’s widow has reached out to him when her home was ransacked and she and Rosa were being watched by someone.  It’s time to put the past behind them and step up to protect the woman he could see a future with and his niece that he’s falling more in love with each day.  But to reach that future they have to survive and discover just why the cartel is after Laia.

I enjoyed being back in this world.  The danger is intense, but so is the growing attraction between Kade and Laia.  They each have baggage concerning Kade’s brother, and the truth will eventually come out.  Running from danger is one thing, but neither of them can outrun the sizzling chemistry between them nor the love that is steadily gaining ground.  I loved Smoke, and wish he had a larger part to play in this story, but that is one amazing dog.

I had fun here in a story that is both intense and lighthearted in spots, a perfect combination.  If you enjoy a well-written, believable romantic suspense along with the adorable antics of a dog and the tiny human he’s adopted then you’ll feel right at home with Honor ‘N’ Duty.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Although the first few stories are in Kindle Unlimited at this time which means you’ll need a Kindle to access those stories – the others are still available from other outlets for your favorite e-reader (although I suspect they will all be in KU eventually)