Elisa Hall is running from her over-controlling, billionaire ex-fiancé. Every time he gets too close to finding her, she pulls up roots and leaves, moving on to get as far away from him as possible. She discovered some shady dealings of his and is now fearful for her life. Elisa is in Hope's Crossing, just outside Philadelphia, having come all the way across the United States from California over the last six months.

She meets retired Navy SEAL Alex Rojas and his daughter Serena, otherwise known as Boom, in the hospital ER. Boom broke her arm in a nasty fall at a mixed martial arts class, and Elisa is having her sprained wrist checked. Their conversation is brief, but Elisa really likes Boom. She discovers a glove on the floor that Boom left containing the name of the kennel where Alex works. The next day, Elisa returns the glove to Alex. She walks into the middle of a conversation about hiring an administrative assistant to get their front office straightened out.

Hope's Crossing Kennels trains K-9s as military and law enforcement service dogs. All the workers are highly trained veterans, but no one is good with paperwork. Alex offers Elisa the job on the spot, but she is hesitant. How long will she be able to stay? What if her ex finds her again? Alex senses that Elisa is running from something and takes a personal interest in protecting her. He's running from something himself and recognizes her stress. Can they help each other, along with a dog named Souze?

This is the second book in Piper J. Drake's new True Hero series. ULTIMATE COURAGE is a great military romantic suspense tale. The characters are very realistic, even broken, and struggling with their lives; yet they are strong and determined to be overcomers. The supporting characters are a quirky mix, but lend an interesting voice to the story. With Elisa's uncertainty about her life, you are never sure in just what direction the storyline will move, but you'll be rooting for her to stay. ULTIMATE COURAGE is a story about having the courage to stand up for yourself and fight for what you want. Ms. Drake explores the use of service dogs with people who suffer from PTSD. I missed the first book in this series, but I plan to find a copy. It stands alone just fine, but why miss a great series and the other characters' stories?

Book Summary

LOVE IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY

Retired Navy SEAL Alex Rojas is putting his life back together, one piece at a time. Being a single dad to his young daughter and working at Hope's Crossing Kennels to help rehab a former guard dog, he struggles every day to control his PTSD. But when Elisa Hall shows up, on the run and way too cautious, she unleashes his every protective instinct.

Elisa's past never stays in her rearview mirror for long, and she refuses to put anyone else in danger. But with Alex guarding her so fiercely yet looking at her so tenderly, she's never felt safer . . . or more terrified that the secrets she keeps could put countless people in grave peril. The only way for both to fully escape their demons will take the ultimate act of courage: letting go and learning to trust each other.