The Marine’s Mission by Deb Kastner is part of her Rocky Mountain Family series.
Ruby Winslow is the main service dog trainer at the Winslow family training facility, A New Leash on Love. She and the family consider their rescuing and training dogs to be part of their ministry honoring God. They do not charge for their services. Not all the rescue dogs end up in service. The dogs who aren’t suited to be service dogs go to good forever homes. Ruby is anxious to qualify for a government contract providing service dogs through the Veterans Administration. The donations they receive for A New Leash on Love are not quite covering enough of the costs of the training. Getting the government contract depends on Ruby’s success or failure with Sgt. Aaron Jamison who has been ordered to accept a service dog and training. Ruby is sure this training will be difficult. She has decided that the best dog to fit Sgt, Jamison’s needs is a standard poodle named Oscar. Ruby is anticipating Aaron will balk at having a poodle as his service dog. Yep. She was right…
Sgt. Aaron Jamison is an ex-Marine who was wounded saving the life of one of his team members by covering the guy with his own body when an IED exploded. Not only does Aaron suffer intermittent confusion due to a TBI (traumatic brain injury) but also, due to shrapnel still in his body after surgery, he suffers pain, balance problems and limps. He has been ordered to travel to Colorado and accept a service dog and four weeks of training with the service dog. He can’t believe the trainer, Ruby Winslow, wants to saddle him with a froufrou poodle named Oscar. He doesn’t care if Ruby insists Oscar is the perfect dog for the job. Since he doesn’t really have a choice Aaron agrees to Oscar and the training. Working with Oscar and Ruby opens up his eyes to new visions for the future. Maybe even a future with Ruby…
I really appreciated how Ms. Kastner handled the physical and mental problems Aaron had to contend with in this story. This storyline flowed so well from Aaron’s initial unhappiness with Oscar following along to his acceptance of Oscar and his disabilities. Ruby’s patience with Aaron is wonderful and they make a lovely couple. The Winslows are a wonderful family and I am totally enjoying this series about them.
Book Info:
Publication: June 29th 2021 | Love Inspired | Rocky Mountain Family #3
This marine doesn’t want anyone’s help
…until an unlikely match changes his life.
Wounded ex-marine Aaron Jamison always follows orders—and the assignment to take on a service dog is just that. Still, trainer Ruby Winslow is definitely barking up the wrong tree when she insists a beauty-parlor poodle is his perfect match. But Ruby and her clever canine are determined to melt the heart of this battle-hardened marine. And they’ll teach him an unforgettable new trick—love.
