Writers will do all kinds of things to get over writer’s block and/or get their novels finished – especially under threat of a deadline – and this story is about one of the crazier methods I have heard about. The two fascinating main characters who seem to have absolutely nothing in common – other than a simmering attraction from the moment they lay eyes on each other – go from animosity to desire in a heartbeat. Better than that, they discover they could actually be good for each other… if they can only figure out how to communicate with words rather than, well, with their bodies. The setting is Baltimore, Maryland, and I loved learning more about the city, including its festive parts.

Drew is like a fish out of water when he first appears: a mystery writer trying to get over his writer’s block by going to an Author’s Police Institute event – to get some authentic information about procedures and such - sounds like a good idea, right? But all the other authors seem to be women the other side of fifty, and Drew, with his ginger dreadlocks doesn’t only not fit in – he stands out like a sore thumb. But he is desperate enough to finish his current novel to grit his teeth, and when he wins the ride-along, he thinks he has hit the jackpot. Only then he finds out it’s with the officer who was so rude to him at one of the conference panels…

Josh is extremely rude to Drew when they first meet – dreadlocks and lip piercing scream “suspect” in his mind – and my eyebrows rose at seeing him behave based on such obvious prejudice. As I found out more about Josh and what he has been through I could see why he wasn’t ecstatic to be at the writer’s conference – and he does admit, if only to himself, that he made unfounded assumptions about Drew. It took me a while to forgive him, and seeing him work with Drew and visibly thaw into a more human version of himself was a large part of that. Understanding why he is so closeted, watching him struggle to deal with his pride, and being snubbed and razzed by his fellow officers helped. Getting to see him in action during the drive-along – and afterward - was a treat too!

If you like out-and-proud writers trying to get along with deeply closeted cops, if you want to watch two men who seem to be polar opposites deal with their attraction and all the issues that follow, and if you’re looking for a read that is entertaining and very hot, then you might like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )