Shayla McBride

Finding the right hound can be unexpectedly deadly. The sweet, predictable world of Francine Marshall, Florida Marshmallow Queen, goes off the rails when she breaks out of her routine. Fran, just forty-five, escaped an abusive marriage determined to provide for herself and her daughter. Three years of hundred-hour weeks have made her an overworked success. When her high-maintenance sister guilts her into leaving her candy kitchen and visiting a no -kill pet shelter, canine-phobic Fran plans a fast run-through. But she doesn't count on...

Millie, an abused, withdrawn Catahoula Leopard Hound.

And Django Harte, former Wall Street hotshot, now pro bono shelter manager, who uses overwork at the failing shelter to avoid dealing with his catastrophic personal losses. When he sees the petite, nervous blonde trying to coax the near-catatonic dog back to life, he's enchanted. Can he risk another shot to the heart?

Harte enlists his newest volunteer to stage a do-or-die fund raiser. But an unexpected adversary waits to take revenge, and do-or-die becomes a very real possibility. Can Harte protect the woman he's come to love?  Will Fran, still imprisoned by vivid memories of destructive love, let him In?

A portion of sales will go to Pet Pal Shelter of St. Petersburg, Florida.