Brandon Forte returned to his hometown of New Hope, Pennsylvania for only one reason: Sophie Kim. He left years ago for the military without saying goodbye to Sophie, but they have remained friends through the years. After several tours of duty he came back and opened Hope's Crossing Kennels, where he trains dogs for the military and law enforcement. He runs into Sophie one afternoon as he is socializing an ex-military dog that was hurt in combat. The dog, Hayden, begins to sniff Sophie's car and gives a bomb alert signal to Brandon. All three of them narrowly escape being killed as Sophie's car is blown to bits.

Brandon is determined to keep Sophie safe and find out why this has happened. After two other harrowing incidences occur, he hides Sophie away until the attackers can be found. The police believe a contract has been put out on Sophie, but what has she seen, or what does she know that someone wants her killed? Can Brandon keep her safe until they find out? Can he keep his heart safe from wanting more than just a friendship with Sophie?

Travel back to New Hope for Piper J. Drake's third romantic suspense novel in her True Hero Series. We were introduced to Brandon and Sophie as supporting characters in her first two installments of this series. They share a past that has haunted each of them since high school. Both are strong, realistic characters with lots of questions on their minds about each other. Neither one of them has lived their lives fulfilling their own dreams and desires, because they've let other people give them direction. ABSOLUTE TRUST is a story about change ... about making the decision to run your own life and make your own dreams happen, even if it means disappointing others that you love. The action is fast- paced and riveting, and Ms. Drake keeps us fully engaged with scintillating, descriptive narration and dialog. I think each of Ms. Drake's True Hero Series could be read as stand alones, but why miss such great stories? Although they aren't set in a combat zone, they have all the flair of a romantic military thriller!

Book Summary

LOVE IS THE GREATEST RISK OF ALL

After multiple tours of duty, Brandon Forte returns to his hometown on a personal mission: to open a facility for military service dogs like Haydn, a German shepherd who's seen his share of combat and loss. It also brings him back to Sophie Kim, a beacon of light in his life . . . and the one woman he can't have. But Forte's success means he's made enemies in high places. Enemies who are now after Sophie . . .

When Forte enlisted and left without saying goodbye, Sophie did her best to move on. But with her first love back in town, looking sexier than ever, she's constantly reminded of what they could have had. Then after he risks himself for her, Sophie realizes she'll have to put her life in the hands of the man who broke her heart, knowing the danger -and the sparks between them- could consume them both.