Shiba isn't your average bitch in chain mail...she's a line hound with a very special tracking skill. With her handler, she patrols her territory for illicit magic. But Shiba isn't alone on the border line; she now shares the territory with a hound named Sabre, who would rather leave her in his dust. Two hounds, two handlers, and a new kind of magic rising...someone's got to figure it all out. Who else but the right bitch?
First published in the anthology THE CHICK IS IN THE MAIL, this story was written for the popular Chicks in Chain Mail series edited by Esther Friesner.
Doranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive and eclectic publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with horse and highly accomplished competition dogs. She doesn't believe in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power--for good or bad has yet to be decided! She says, “My books are SF/F, mystery, paranormal romance, & romantic suspense. My world is the Southwest, and my dogs are Beagles!”
Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.
I am so glad I could dive right into this after having read the first book, which I also loved.
In book one we were introduced to Shiba and the duties of the line guards. Now Shiba and Tallon, her partner and handler, have gotten to understand each other better and work well as a team. They are not the only team guarding the line between Us and Them. Most teams are human males and their hounds, but there is also a remarkable female handler. Her dog, Sabre, brings his own talents to the job.
Will Sabre and Shiba compete or learn to work together? Will Magic slip across the line?
The series continues to get better and better.
I was fortunate to win the 3 book collection of this series but my opinions are my own. When the series continues it is on my must read list.
This is for readers of adventure, mystical and magic adventures, and general fun fiction. The whole series would make for a wonderful read while waiting for an appointment.