Carlisle Cops: Book Five
Brock Ferguson knew he might run into his ex-boyfriend, Vincent Geraldini, when he took his first job as a police officer in Carlisle. Vincent’s attitude during a routine traffic stop reminds Brock why their relationship didn’t last.
What Brock doesn’t expect is finding two scared children in the trunk of a Corvette. He’s also surprised to learn the kids’ mother is Vincent’s sister. But his immediate concern is the safety of the two children, Abey and Penny, and he offers to comfort and care for them when their mother is taken into custody.
Vincent is also shocked to learn what his sister has done. For the sake of the kids, he and Brock bury the hatchet—and soon find they have much more in common than they realized. With Abey and Penny’s help, they grow closer, until the four of them start to feel like a family. But Vincent’s sister and her boyfriend—an equal-opportunity jerk—could tear down everything they’re trying to build.
Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon
Tam's gives this one 5 Stars...
Brock is the newest edition to the police force in Carlisle PA and though he hates being the rookie, he seriously loves his job. All he wants to do is make the world a little bit safer for everyone in it. When he pulls over his ex for a traffic violation, Brock doesn't really expect to see him again. But when a disturbing call leaves two small children in police custody and lands their mother in jail, can you guess who the next of kin is?
Vinny has always regretted letting his fear of coming out to his family cost him the only man that every mattered, the only man he ever loved. With a promotion at work and busting his ass to become legal guardian for his young niece and nephew, Brock walking back into his life seems like fates cruel joke, but Vinny is determined to have it all. The job he wants, the children he has to protect and the man he'd do anything for. The family he needs regardless of what kind of bow it's wrapped up in.
This book... all the feels. What starts out as an officer that showed kindness to two young children when no one else had, and an uncle that was a virtual stranger who is now taking care of them full time. Quickly turns into so much more than just a relationship of convenience. Brock and Vinny's history is mentioned, the bitterness worked through and they move on. NO ANGST! At first, they agree to remain friends but what the heart wants, the heart usually gets. But someone from the past is determined to take the kids away from them. It will take their combined strength as well as the love and security Vinny and Brock can provide for Penny and Abey for them to weather the storm.
Classic Andrew Grey and I couldn't be more thrilled. The story flowed well from start to finish. There were some extreme and even intense moments where I held my breath a bit longer than normal, but then there was so much love and kindness and the children were made to feel safe, loved and wanted. This is a story about what a family can be, not what they are expected to be. This book has my endorsement and I urge you to grab a copy and see for yourself.
Excerpt...
The doorbell rang just as they finished dinner. Donald took his plate into the kitchen and then went to answer the door. Brock’s tension rose instantly, and when he saw Vincent following Donald into the living room, he wasn’t so sure how he felt about seeing him again. But the near-frantic expression on Vincent’s face pushed aside his own discomfort for the sake of the kids.
“I’m Donald, a social worker with child services, and this is my husband, Carter. And I believe you know Brock already. He and Carter work together.”
Vinny nodded, his attention going right to the little girl still on Brock’s lap. Her little thumb stuck in her mouth and she turned away, hiding her face against Brock’s chest. “I haven’t seen Abey in years, and this little girl….” The hitch in Vinny’s voice caught Brock’s attention.
“Then why don’t you come meet both of them.” Donald led the way to the living room and invited Vinny to sit down. Brock lifted Penny before standing, followed Vinny, and sat next to him. Penny hid once again, but Brock hoped she’d get over the initial shyness if he were patient.
“Were you the one who helped them?” Vinny asked.
“Yes. Do you know what happened?”
Vinny shook his head. “Just that they were taken away.”
“I thought it best to tell him face-to-face rather than on the phone.” Donald sat in one of the two leather recliners and motioned Abey to come over. “This is your Uncle Vincent. He’s your mother’s brother.”
“I met you when you were a baby.” Vinny smiled.
“I’m not a baby anymore. I’m a big boy.” Abey leaned back against Donald. All of this had to be a lot for these kids.
“I can see that.” Vinny kept glancing around the room, confusion reigning.
Abey stared at Vinny and then went back to join Alex where he was playing.
“I think he’s really confused. The kids saw the police take your sister and her friend away.”
Vinny didn’t move as though not sure what to do.
Donald stood, walked over to where Brock sat on the sofa, and lifted Penny into his arms. “I think it’s time for this one to have a bath and then go to sleep.” Donald headed upstairs, and Brock watched as Abey continued to play.
“Apparently a friend of your sister got a new car and they decided to take it out for a ride. It was a Corvette without a backseat, so your sister put the kids in the trunk.” When Vinny gasped, Brock nodded to confirm what he’d said. “Someone reported her, and I stopped the car and found the kids.”
“Where is Rhonda now?”
“She’s in jail, pending a hearing in the morning.”
“Can you get her some help?” Vinny asked as Carter joined them. “My sister has mental health problems. She sometimes hears voices and she’s supposed to be on medication, but she doesn’t always take it. But even when she does, her ability to make sound judgments is compromised.”
“I don’t know. At the moment it’s pretty much up to the courts and social workers. But what about her friend? I would hope that one of them would be able to think clearly.”
“Rhonda doesn’t pick her friends for clear thinking. She picks them based upon their ability to go along with her ideas and notions. So any of Rhonda’s friends aren’t likely to be the kinds of people to act as voices of reason. Is she being tested?”
“Yes. We’re running a number of tests to see if she was impaired in any way. She didn’t seem particularly lucid when I took her into custody.”
Vinny nodded and sat back, putting his hands over his eyes. “I was always afraid of something like this. I knew she’d had Abey, but I didn’t have a clue about Penny. I think I talked to her last about six months ago, and then maybe a year before that. She’d only call when she wanted something, and the last few times, I’ve had to tell her no. I wanted to help, I really did, but she bled my parents dry and ran them into debt. What should have been relatively comfortable retirement years turned into hard ones for them. She pestered and begged for whatever they had, and because Rhonda was their daughter, they gave her what they could.” Vinny seemed about ready to fall apart, which was eye-opening for Brock. Vinny took a deep breath and blinked. “At least the kids are safe.” He released his breath. “So what happens now?”
The trepidation in Vinny’s voice touched Brock. He really cared about these kids and that said something about him. Brock wanted to think of Vinny as being selfish and uncaring. That made the earlier rejection easier to handle. But he wasn’t, and Brock was relieved for Abey and Penny’s sake, but it left him wondering what he’d done wrong.
Andrew Grey is the author of nearly 100 works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After 27 years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband Dominic and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and now writes full time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
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Congrats on the new release! It sounds fantastic. Thank you for the review and excerpt!
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Thanks for the review and the excerpt. It sounds like another great novel by Andrew Grey.
ReplyDeleteI missed this series and it sounds amazing. I shall have to get started.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
i really enjoyed this series
ReplyDeletejmarinich33 at aol dot com
Thanks for the review! I haven't started this series yet, but it sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeletejen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
Thanks for the review, excerpt, and giveaway chance. I admit that I've fallen behind a book or two in this series, but seeing this one out and your review makes me want ro move these books up my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteJczlapin@gmail.com
This series looks awesome Adding to my wish list
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, this is one of my favorite series by Andrew Grey.
ReplyDeleteserena91291@gmail.com
Congrats and thanks for the great review and giveaway. I love gay crime and suspense stories, and Andrew Grey, but I haven't started this series yet, so I'd want to start at the beginning with Fire and Water. - Purple Reader
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This is a wonderful series. I feel such strong emotions when I read these books. They're truly incredible.
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