Taking Heart (Healing Harts #2) by T.J. Kline with review and #giveaway @WriterTJKline @TastyBookTours

Taking Heart (Healing Harts #2)
by T.J. Kline

Contemporary romance
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Published June 23rd 2015 by Avon (first published June 2nd 2015)

T. J. Kline's Healing Harts series continues as a soldier suffering from PTSD and a therapy dog trainer find that some scars can only be healed by love...

Julia Hart knows how much good she does training therapy dogs—it's what helped her overcome her own trials after a relationship turned unexpectedly violent. But moving beyond her mistakes meant trusting only her family with her heart.

Dylan, a former soldier, has run out of hope for recovery. Plagued by nightmares and flashbacks, he doubts anything will help him overcome his PTSD. When his brother convinces him to try one last time, he agrees to get a therapy dog.

Dylan didn't expect to find Julia or a chance for a "normal" future again. But when Julia's attacker is released from prison, Dylan and Julia will have to face the past together.

Purchase: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Cover comment: Pleasing. Like the colors and imagery.

Book source: Received a promotional copy

I've read books with other types of therapeutic animals before (like horses) and liked them so I'm glad I read Taking Heart by T.J. Kline. Featuring the amazing work of therapeutic dogs, I found this topic fascinating and loved reading about and learning about the work these terrific animals do to help people suffering and coping with different issues.

Dylan is back from his last tour where he was wounded. Now scarred and describing himself as "broken" he wants to try to have some type of life, but the moments when he's hit by PTSD, reliving traumatic events, has him wanting to reach for the bottle to medicate himself. Trained as a medic, he doesn't want to get hooked on prescription drugs. His younger brother Gage has taken him in and cares for him. It was nice watching these two brothers watching out for the other, Dylan provided for his sibling when their father took off, helping their mom too. Now Gage is doing his share. It isn't easy and it's like he's at the end of the road dealing with his brother's anger issues and physical outbursts. He finds out about therapeutic dogs and contacts Julia, the owner.

Taking Heart is a special story, one that simply warms the heart and restores faith that those who are suffering may find peace and purpose once again. Dylan is likable, so likable, as he grapples with losing his men to an attack, and blaming himself for not bringing them home. I felt his pain, his sorrow, his regret. Yes I did. As for Julia, she hasn't had it easy either. Losing her parents the year before, being attacked by a client she trusted and almost losing her life, she still manages to be upbeat and keep on living. She's a wonder to read about, smiling and offering her home to the brothers so Dylan can find the right dog for him. With them both being single, watching them together with their immediate chemistry and physical reactions to each other was fun and satisfying to read. Their intimate moments together are what chemistry is about, those touches and gazes that carry so much heat and convey such depth of emotion. Their love story comes across as true.

Did I mention the dogs? Oh my, they stole the scenes they were in! From Julia's massive dog to Roscoe, the perfect mate who chooses Dylan to the others Julia has, these animals stole my heart. Every time Roscoe calmed Dylan down made me smile. I loved the setting, how Julia's siblings all shared a road to their properties and the places she traveled to with Dylan and the dogs. When Evan is introduced I knew this conflict would only strengthen a gripping tale even more. Taking Heart is a powerful story and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it.

About The Author

T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions since the age of 14, She has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has had several articles about rodeo published in the past in small periodicals as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah.

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